Big estate 3k ish

[2wheelsjimmy]

Looking for a big estate. Won't use it daily commute on a motorbike, but for long motorway runs, up and down country and into Europe. Probably 10,000 mi/year. This made me think diesel would be best, but happy to be corrected?

Coming from a Merc Vito, so anything will be better. Not too worried about being fast, as I have motorbikes. But some poke to overtake would be nice.

Needs are: Comfort (leather seats), auto (unless conflicts with reliability), cruise control, reliable enough, aircon. Otherwise not fussy.

First contender was V70 d5.

Considered superb, but can't find any in budget that look good. Not many nice A4s. V70 just seems to give me more for my money.

Anything else or any other engine configurations I should look at?

Thanks

[SHutchinson]

E class Merc. How big do you want it?

[2wheelsjimmy]

Will be used for bicycles in the boot and lugging associated stuff. Not keen on bike racks.

Would be nice if I could get them in with wheels off without seats down, but not deal breaker. Just want mega comfort, for doing 1000 mile runs into Europe.

[Fermit The Krog and Sexy Sarah]

To me the requirement screams 520d. Like this, none leather EG

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[Fastchas]

A4 is no bigger than a Focus estate.
You need a (C6) A6.

[2wheelsjimmy]

Fermit The Krog and Sexy Sarah said:

To me the requirement screams 520d. Like this, none leather EG

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Are the seats comfortable?

Is the 520 enough, or would a 2.5/3 be better? Not looking for being super quick, just enough to cruise down the motorway into Europe well, and get good enough economy. Anything is slow (in my budget) owning 160bhp motorbikes. That one you posted looks good for the money if true.

Edited by 2wheelsjimmy on Thursday 8th March 12:02

[2wheelsjimmy]

Fastchas said:

A4 is no bigger than a Focus estate.
You need a (C6) A6.

Yeah looked up A6 too, seems you get a lot less for the money for audi.

[gareth_r]

2wheelsjimmy said:

...This made me think diesel would be best, but happy to be corrected?...

As if you'll have a choice!

(To be fair, only about 93% of the available large estates will be diesel powered.)

[Fermit The Krog and Sexy Sarah]

2wheelsjimmy said:

Fermit The Krog and Sexy Sarah said:

To me the requirement screams 520d. Like this, none leather EG

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Are the seats comfortable?

Is the 520 enough, or would a 2.5/3 be better? Not looking for being super quick, just enough to cruise down the motorway into Europe well, and get good enough economy. Anything is slow (in my budget) owning 160bhp motorbikes. That one you posted looks good for the money if true.

Edited by 2wheelsjimmy on Thursday 8th March 12:02

I've only been in a 5 with leather, but the seats were good. It's not going to be super fast, but 2.0d 5's go well enough, never seeming under-powered. I linked that one as it looks a good one owner example.

[2wheelsjimmy]

Fermit The Krog and Sexy Sarah said:

To me the requirement screams 520d. Like this, none leather EG

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Seems they missed a few miles off teh advert. And oil leak.

MOT History
Mileage recorded at test, parts failed or had minor problems


Date tested
10 November 2017
PASS
Mileage
160,909 miles
MOT test number
1002 6323 7446
Test location
unavailable until further notice
Expiry date
14 November 2018
Advisory notice item(s)
Nearside Rear position lamp(s) has light sources not illuminating, but not more than 50% (1.1.A.3b)
Nearside Front position lamp(s) has light sources not illuminating, but not more than 50% (1.1.A.3b)
Rear Oil leak near rear axel area ()
What are advisories?

[Mammasaid]

Mondeo

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-search?sort=price...

[Fermit The Krog and Sexy Sarah]

2wheelsjimmy said:

Fermit The Krog and Sexy Sarah said:

To me the requirement screams 520d. Like this, none leather EG

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Seems they missed a few miles off teh advert. And oil leak.

MOT History
Mileage recorded at test, parts failed or had minor problems


Date tested
10 November 2017
PASS
Mileage
160,909 miles
MOT test number
1002 6323 7446
Test location
unavailable until further notice
Expiry date
14 November 2018
Advisory notice item(s)
Nearside Rear position lamp(s) has light sources not illuminating, but not more than 50% (1.1.A.3b)
Nearside Front position lamp(s) has light sources not illuminating, but not more than 50% (1.1.A.3b)
Rear Oil leak near rear axel area ()
What are advisories?

I hadn't looked that much in to the example, but the mileage discrepancy is a concern, yes.

[anonymous-user]

As well as the V70 it might be worth looking at SAAB 9-5's, you get a lot for your money. Also take a look at Honda accords, the boot on those is vast.

[zizgag69]

Accord Tourer.
Saab 9-5.

[2wheelsjimmy]

Fermit The Krog and Sexy Sarah said:

I hadn't looked that much in to the example, but the mileage discrepancy is a concern, yes.

No worries. I looked because it looked good.

Which brings me back to not not many nice 520d at that price, unless 150k+ miles.

[SHutchinson]

2wheelsjimmy said:

No worries. I looked because it looked good.

Which brings me back to not not many nice 520d at that price, unless 150k+ miles.

There's a reason that big (previously expensive) luxury estate cars find themselves under £3k. Usually age and/or miles.

All of the cars you look at will have done big miles.

[2wheelsjimmy]

SHutchinson said:

There's a reason that big (previously expensive) luxury estate cars find themselves under £3k. Usually age and/or miles.

All of the cars you look at will have done big miles.

Indeed. It's not that big mile put me off, more that I'm not sure how BMW's handle them, and if I'll be looking at possible big issues.

Perhaps I would be better off with a mondeo as suggested above, with lower miles.

V70s attracted me, as generally I know that if looked after they'll do big miles without too much chance of issue.

[2wheelsjimmy]

Interesting Mondeo St 2.2 TDCi https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

But that makes me think perhaps a ST220 would be nice. Not sure about economy.

[Ali Chappussy]

Fastchas said:

A4 is no bigger than a Focus estate.
You need a (C6) A6.

Have you thought about a Ford Focus estate?

[RS Grant]

2wheelsjimmy said:

But that makes me think perhaps a ST220 would be nice. Not sure about economy.

Lovely cars, well specced, sound nice and nice to drive... but you'll get very little in the way of economy in an ST220.

Saab 9-5
Volvo V70
Honda Accord
Skoda Octavia
VW Passat

...all options which I'd be considering. Octavia may actually be a little on the small side but, like the others in the list, you get a lot more car for your money compared to the BMW/Audi/Mercedes options.