25k motorway miles/yr - final decision?!
Discussion
Hi all,
Following this thread:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
And more research, with my ~600miles per week on the M4, needing to achieve mainly comfort, reliability and decent MPG, I have settled on (i think!):
- Skoda Octavia/Superb
OR
- Ford Mondeo
Firstly: where does your vote go? I would be looking at the £12-15k range
Secondly, I am leaning 2.0L Diesel, however should I consider 1.6L? My main reason for 2.0L is noise.
Thirdly - what would be non-negotiable kit for you? Skoda's seem to have ACC in the elegance however I do not see much ACC on the Mondeo, just normal cruise control. Are leather seats a necessity in your opinion for comfort?
Thanks for the thoughts!
Following this thread:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
And more research, with my ~600miles per week on the M4, needing to achieve mainly comfort, reliability and decent MPG, I have settled on (i think!):
- Skoda Octavia/Superb
OR
- Ford Mondeo
Firstly: where does your vote go? I would be looking at the £12-15k range
Secondly, I am leaning 2.0L Diesel, however should I consider 1.6L? My main reason for 2.0L is noise.
Thirdly - what would be non-negotiable kit for you? Skoda's seem to have ACC in the elegance however I do not see much ACC on the Mondeo, just normal cruise control. Are leather seats a necessity in your opinion for comfort?
Thanks for the thoughts!
I do 30k a year and my non-negotiables are:
600 mile plus range
Auto dipping Rear view mirror
Heated seats
Climate control(not just a/c)
Auto
Cruise control - adaptive if possible.
Heated windscreen washers - so easy to buy a car in summer and realise it’s not a good winter car. (Especially for diesel as some take an age to warm up - hence the heated seats requirement.)
Good luck.
FWIW - I’d go Skoda over Ford and Superb over Octy for the extra refinement/soundproofing. I’d also choose the smallest wheels possible, again for comfort/noise/increased MPG
600 mile plus range
Auto dipping Rear view mirror
Heated seats
Climate control(not just a/c)
Auto
Cruise control - adaptive if possible.
Heated windscreen washers - so easy to buy a car in summer and realise it’s not a good winter car. (Especially for diesel as some take an age to warm up - hence the heated seats requirement.)
Good luck.
FWIW - I’d go Skoda over Ford and Superb over Octy for the extra refinement/soundproofing. I’d also choose the smallest wheels possible, again for comfort/noise/increased MPG
Edited by A900ss on Sunday 25th March 16:53
Xenon headlights are one thing I couldnt do without now - especially if you do a lot of night driving, especially on unlit country roads.
Not sure the Skoda comes with ACC in the age of car you would be looking at for your budget, i prepare to be corrected though.
I think the important thing is getting a spec where the seats are more adjustable so you can get the perfect driving position
Leather seats are good as they are easy care but can be sticky in the warmer months, something i go for as less chance of issues of the kids (or I) spill fluid in the car.
Not sure the Skoda comes with ACC in the age of car you would be looking at for your budget, i prepare to be corrected though.
I think the important thing is getting a spec where the seats are more adjustable so you can get the perfect driving position
Leather seats are good as they are easy care but can be sticky in the warmer months, something i go for as less chance of issues of the kids (or I) spill fluid in the car.
Glasgowrob said:
owner of a mk4 and a mk5 mondeo here,
get a decent specced superb SE-L or similar.
1.6tdi is fine for motorway cruising and their pretty good on fuel even in something the size of a superb.
you do get adaptive cruise on the superb.
Thanks glasgowrob - what is it about the Mondeo that you do not like or think/know that the Skoda is better with regards to?get a decent specced superb SE-L or similar.
1.6tdi is fine for motorway cruising and their pretty good on fuel even in something the size of a superb.
you do get adaptive cruise on the superb.
Thanks all for the comments - very useful!
Regarding a 320 - I have had bad experiences with BMWs and find them quite expensive to maintain (and I have had poor experiences with dealers as well). If I was going for a BMW I think a 5 series might be better? However, the running costs and the fact I have I do not trust BMWs mean I have stayed clear of this. Also, I think you can get a bit more for your money with a Mondeo or Skoda.
@A900ss - thanks a lot for the detailed list! Many of those match my thoughts but some great points, thanks.
Regarding a 320 - I have had bad experiences with BMWs and find them quite expensive to maintain (and I have had poor experiences with dealers as well). If I was going for a BMW I think a 5 series might be better? However, the running costs and the fact I have I do not trust BMWs mean I have stayed clear of this. Also, I think you can get a bit more for your money with a Mondeo or Skoda.
@A900ss - thanks a lot for the detailed list! Many of those match my thoughts but some great points, thanks.
the mk4 is the better of the 2 mondeos
personally i'd take a third of your toppling budget and buy a decent 2l tdci mk4 Mondeo titanium. last one i had racked up 400k miles without issue
supremely comfy especially the titanium spec half leather half alcantra seats. can get it with adaptive cruise as well if its a must have although you might have to hunt for a while.
the mk5 mondeo is a fine car but not as good as the previous mk4, i've put 130k on my mk5 now and still don't think its a patch on the mk4 it replaced other than more up to date infotainment. overall the cars no better.
the current model Superb on the other hand is a fantastic car and is a rival for anything in class up to and including Mercedes offerings.dont let anyone tell you otherwise the big Skoda is as good as anything with a german badge on the front in its segment. well built well put together and in SE-L or l&k trim superbly well specced.
both a big cars though so do bear this in mind although for load lugging the Superb estate b
h slaps both Mondeos in terms of sheer boot size.
i've had the pleasure of seeing all 3 running on our airport transfer fleet (albeit the superb not being mine)
next car for me is a se-l spec superb to replace the mk5 mondeo
personally i'd take a third of your toppling budget and buy a decent 2l tdci mk4 Mondeo titanium. last one i had racked up 400k miles without issue
supremely comfy especially the titanium spec half leather half alcantra seats. can get it with adaptive cruise as well if its a must have although you might have to hunt for a while.
the mk5 mondeo is a fine car but not as good as the previous mk4, i've put 130k on my mk5 now and still don't think its a patch on the mk4 it replaced other than more up to date infotainment. overall the cars no better.
the current model Superb on the other hand is a fantastic car and is a rival for anything in class up to and including Mercedes offerings.dont let anyone tell you otherwise the big Skoda is as good as anything with a german badge on the front in its segment. well built well put together and in SE-L or l&k trim superbly well specced.
both a big cars though so do bear this in mind although for load lugging the Superb estate b
h slaps both Mondeos in terms of sheer boot size.i've had the pleasure of seeing all 3 running on our airport transfer fleet (albeit the superb not being mine)
next car for me is a se-l spec superb to replace the mk5 mondeo
jdd3 said:
Thanks ZX10R - what sways you to the Mondeo so strongly over a Skoda?
It's the better drive they cost around the same, neither is more reliable than the other so for me it comes down to the fact the Mondeo is the better steer & the personal opinion that I prefered the looks/seats of the Mondeo.https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
For me the Skoda isn't better in any particular area but there aren't really any bad cars in this segment, for example a leftfield choice (which my brother has) of a Kia Optima.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
ZX10R NIN said:
strong money but that is bloody lovely, had those seats in my mk4 and they are supremely comfortable covered 1300 miles in a day in a set of those with no issues
damn you zx10r
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
thats perfection,
2.2 200 bhp as standard, a decent remap will see it up to 240bhp and 370 lbs/ft best colour only thing for me its silly money for a mk4.5 (which they all are as values are holding incredibly well) and not an estate.
i want that
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
thats perfection,
2.2 200 bhp as standard, a decent remap will see it up to 240bhp and 370 lbs/ft best colour only thing for me its silly money for a mk4.5 (which they all are as values are holding incredibly well) and not an estate.
i want that
Glasgowrob said:
strong money but that is bloody lovely,
had those seats in my mk4 and they are supremely comfortable covered 1300 miles in a day in a set of those with no issues
I agree but with some haggling you should be able to get it at a decent price, the climate seats are just lovely.had those seats in my mk4 and they are supremely comfortable covered 1300 miles in a day in a set of those with no issues
The VFM option is the Insignia they're not quite as good as either the Mondeo or Skoda but you'll get a low mileage car that you'll be able extend the manufacturer's warranty or with the Kia you'd still have warranty left.
Glasgowrob said:
damn you zx10r
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
thats perfection,
2.2 200 bhp as standard, a decent remap will see it up to 240bhp and 370 lbs/ft best colour only thing for me its silly money for a mk4.5 (which they all are as values are holding incredibly well) and not an estate.
i want that
Glad to be of help https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
thats perfection,
2.2 200 bhp as standard, a decent remap will see it up to 240bhp and 370 lbs/ft best colour only thing for me its silly money for a mk4.5 (which they all are as values are holding incredibly well) and not an estate.
i want that
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