Car for new 20k commute - £11k

[AdamC28]

I’m moving away from my current PCP and into a used car as my new commute means I will be making a 140 mile round trip 3 times a week. Will be around 20k miles a year.

I can spend up to £11k and would like to run the car for at least the next 4 years.
Being reliable, automatic, 170+ bhp and achieve 40+ mpg are must haves.
I’m not expecting nor need the car to have any value at the end of the 4-5 year point when I’m next looking to replace.

This is a completely new sector for me to be looking at as I’ve previously had a short commute and owned sports focused hatches such as Focus RS and BMW M135i.

I like the idea of a German saloon - 520d, e220d etc but my budget means they would be 10 years/150k miles old by the time I’m looking to move on. Would I be mad to consider this?

Please help with some suggestions for me to look at.

[MiniMan64]

I would suggest an Octavia VRS TDi.

ZX will be along in a minute to suggest a Mondeo or a Hyundai Genesis D.

All be good suggestions that will give you more, lower mileage car than the usual German options.

[stevemcs]

How about a Kia, it will have lots of toys, be reliable (something that most germans won't be) and more importantly will still have some warranty

In the case of this car, 100k or 2025

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2018-Kia-Optima-1-7-CRD...

These are also comfortable and great mile munchers and hold there value well

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2013-63-LAND-ROVER-FREE...

Something Japanese ? That'll be the Mazda 6

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2017-Mazda-Mazda6-2-2d-...

I would prioritise comfort and reliability, so for me that would rule out the N47 BMW diesel and anything with a DSG gearbox from VW group,

[Welshbeef]

Golf GTD
Golf GTE
F10 535d M sport
Stretch and get a 640d M sport.
Merc S212 320CDI

[jwilco]

Probably not quite fast enough, but you can get the latest shape insignia for £11k

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012026...

I think if you want something reasonably new, large and comfortable they are hard to beat at that price point. Not entirely sure how that engine would stand up to 110k miles though... I'm sure someone here will know.

[CzechRS]

I bought a superb exec 190 for a similar task. No complaints.

[av185]

2 year old 10k miler Astra K 1.6 200bhp Elite or SRi Nav.

Manufacturers warranty.

Rapid economical and reliable.

We sell them as soon as they come in.

Great car for the money..

[jwilco]

av185 said:

2 year old 10k miler Astra K 1.6 200bhp Elite or SRi Nav.

Manufacturers warranty.

Rapid economical and reliable.

We sell them as soon as they come in.

Great car for the money..

Do they do those in an auto though?

[AdamC28]

stevemcs said:

How about a Kia, it will have lots of toys, be reliable (something that most germans won't be) and more importantly will still have some warranty

In the case of this car, 100k or 2025

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2018-Kia-Optima-1-7-CRD...

These are also comfortable and great mile munchers and hold there value well

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2013-63-LAND-ROVER-FREE...

Something Japanese ? That'll be the Mazda 6

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2017-Mazda-Mazda6-2-2d-...

I would prioritise comfort and reliability, so for me that would rule out the N47 BMW diesel and anything with a DSG gearbox from VW group,

Thanks for taking the time.
A Freelander is something that I wouldn't even have looked at but really like the idea of one afer a quick look but think 40+ mpg might be a struggle. I fear the Kia will just be too slow, will need to read up a little more on the Mazda.

[AdamC28]

Welshbeef said:

Golf GTD
Golf GTE
F10 535d M sport
Stretch and get a 640d M sport.
Merc S212 320CDI

Thanks, you suggest cars similar to what I have been previously looking at but with my budget they would all have covered 80-100k already. This would mean using them unitl roughly 200k under my ownership, not sure how comfortable with that I am with the potential bills that could be thrown my way

[AdamC28]

Not a big fan of the Vauxhall and Skoda offerings but may have to look into them a bit more if they are going to be the best suited car for my needs.

[jwilco]

AdamC28 said:

Not a big fan of the Vauxhall and Skoda offerings but may have to look into them a bit more if they are going to be the best suited car for my needs.

I know what you mean - they certainly don't "float my boat", but it seems your criteria is more about practicality so might be worth considering at least.

[Welshbeef]

AdamC28 said:

Welshbeef said:

Golf GTD
Golf GTE
F10 535d M sport
Stretch and get a 640d M sport.
Merc S212 320CDI

Thanks, you suggest cars similar to what I have been previously looking at but with my budget they would all have covered 80-100k already. This would mean using them unitl roughly 200k under my ownership, not sure how comfortable with that I am with the potential bills that could be thrown my way

The BMWs I’ve had running into big miles had no issues at all but all had main dealer servicing which was very reasonable.

[Deerfoot]

I`d be looking at something like a Volvo S60 D4 SE Lux.

Don`t underestimate the importance of supportive seats, the Volvo seats are great, SE Lux spec should be heated too I think (they were in my V60) It`ll also have a decent stereo.

They`re around 190bhp so quick enough.

[Mouse Rat]

You should be able to pick up a facelift E220d / E250d coupe for the budget.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011196...

I've just purchased a E350d coupe for a similar commute 3 days a week, lovely thing.

[AdamC28]

Mouse Rat said:

You should be able to pick up a facelift E220d / E250d coupe for the budget.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011196...

I've just purchased a E350d coupe for a similar commute 3 days a week, lovely thing.

Now I do like that a lot. Will need to do some research on the 220d/250d engine and it's high mileage reliability.
Would much rather drive around in something like this to be honest even if it's not the most exciting engine.

[tonyvid]

Deerfoot said:

I`d be looking at something like a Volvo S60 D4 SE Lux.

Don`t underestimate the importance of supportive seats, the Volvo seats are great, SE Lux spec should be heated too I think (they were in my V60) It`ll also have a decent stereo.

They`re around 190bhp so quick enough.

I have a 2014 V60 D4 R-Design with the 2.0l five pot and had pretty much the same requirements as the OP. I love it, fantastically comfortable to do even 500miles in a day and an easy 55+mpg. I still think my old 9-5 was more cosseting and a much lighter place to be but that's the price of safety stuff these days!

[Mouse Rat]

AdamC28 said:

Mouse Rat said:

You should be able to pick up a facelift E220d / E250d coupe for the budget.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011196...

I've just purchased a E350d coupe for a similar commute 3 days a week, lovely thing.

Now I do like that a lot. Will need to do some research on the 220d/250d engine and it's high mileage reliability.
Would much rather drive around in something like this to be honest even if it's not the most exciting engine.

Obviously these are 7-8 years old cars now so check the usual, but I think they have a good reputation for reliability. If you can stretch to a 350d it's worth it.

[AdamC28]

Mouse Rat said:

Obviously these are 7-8 years old cars now so check the usual, but I think they have a good reputation for reliability. If you can stretch to a 350d it's worth it.

The more I’m looking the coupe looks a much better alternative than the saloon as you can pick up a much lower mileage example for similar money. Any particular reasons to go with the E class over the C class other than looks? I’ve read that the E class even shares the same chassis as the C class.

[Mouse Rat]

AdamC28 said:

Mouse Rat said:

Obviously these are 7-8 years old cars now so check the usual, but I think they have a good reputation for reliability. If you can stretch to a 350d it's worth it.

The more I’m looking the coupe looks a much better alternative than the saloon as you can pick up a much lower mileage example for similar money. Any particular reasons to go with the E class over the C class other than looks? I’ve read that the E class even shares the same chassis as the C class.

Even though the E coupe is built on the C platform, it comes with E class luxury. I think the owner demographic is different between the saloon and coupe ;-). So when I was looking I just found more lower mileage / nicer examples for similar money.