Help choosing a motorway car

[davekes]

Hi All,

I know these types of threads come up often, so apologies. I’m looking for opinions to help me narrow down my options for a replacement car.

Budget: £5000

Mission: 18k miles/yr. 80% motorway, 20% running the kids around town.
Needs to be reliable (as it can be for an old car).
Comfortable enough that I’ll be able to work a 12 hour shift after a 2.5hr drive (this isn’t every day obviously).
Quiet on the motorway.
40mpg plus
Able to last for another 60k miles before I get rid.

For the past few years I’ve been using a 2001 Audi TT, which is as far away from the above mission as you can get! It’s served me well though and hasn’t cost me much as I’ve carried out most of the servicing and repairs myself. But it has started to let me down recently and I’ve had to call the AA out for a tow home twice in the past 6 months. It is sitting on 170k miles though (I’ve put 60k on it) and it’s not doing my back or hearing any favours. As my work requires several of us meeting up from various locations, it doesn’t pay to be late and it’s become a liability so it’s time for a change of vehicle.

I have had an Audi A8 in the past, loved the comfort, but it was a bad one so didn’t last long. I originally started looking at BMW 5 series touring which would double up for family use, but as we have a Freelander for that my main focus is on effortless cruising and comfort, with only the occasional family road trip with teenagers. I think that a saloon would be quieter than an estate so that’s what I’m looking at.

I’ve narrowed it down to :
Jaguar XF 3.0d
Merc E Class
BMW 5 series

I like the look and interior of the Jag best of all. None around me though (Lake District), so I’ll need to spend a day out in the Manchester area for a look around.

Any reason why I should choose a Merc or BMW over the Jag?

Mileage on the Jags in my price range is around the 120k mark, are they robust enough to run to 180k?

Thanks

[ITP]

GS450h

[Jag_NE]

As always buy on condition first and foremost but if durability is a key concern I’d go for the E Class 4 cylinder diesel.
Something like a Passat or mondeo will be a nice motorway plodder and you should be able to get a newer/cleaner car vs the 3 you list.

[davekes]

ITP said:

GS450h

Looks interesting but the small boot and lack of folding seats put it out of contention.

[Roger Irrelevant]

I presume from the shortlist that there's an unspoken additional criteria of 'must have a premium badge', because looking at the sorts of 5-ers and E-classes you can get for £5k I'd not be picking them over something like an Octavia or Mondeo if high-mileage dependability was a key concern. But of the three you've chosen it'd be the Merc for me.

[davekes]

Roger Irrelevant said:

I presume from the shortlist that there's an unspoken additional criteria of 'must have a premium badge', because looking at the sorts of 5-ers and E-classes you can get for £5k I'd not be picking them over something like an Octavia or Mondeo if high-mileage dependability was a key concern. But of the three you've chosen it'd be the Merc for me.

Premium badge isn’t a pre-requisite. I came up with the list based on the number of them out there that are doing high mileages (eg. Merc 200k +). Liking the look of the car is important, for myself, not for others. I don’t particularly like the look of the Beemer either inside or out. Merc looks ok and I’ve sat in the back of a few on the M6 so I know it’s a comfortable place to be. The Jag came up during my search and I like the looks inside and out.

But I’m open to suggestions.

[PurpleTurtle]

I'd go Honda Accord Estate with the 2.2D .

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110238...

Any of the Germans at this price point might have some hefty bills in store whereas the Honda is rock solid on reliability

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/content/car-reviews/h...

Edited by PurpleTurtle on Thursday 30th December 17:10

[ZX10R NIN]

davekes said:

Hi All,

I know these types of threads come up often, so apologies. I’m looking for opinions to help me narrow down my options for a replacement car.

Budget: £5000

Mission: 18k miles/yr. 80% motorway, 20% running the kids around town.
Needs to be reliable (as it can be for an old car).
Comfortable enough that I’ll be able to work a 12 hour shift after a 2.5hr drive (this isn’t every day obviously).
Quiet on the motorway.
40mpg plus
Able to last for another 60k miles before I get rid.

For the past few years I’ve been using a 2001 Audi TT, which is as far away from the above mission as you can get! It’s served me well though and hasn’t cost me much as I’ve carried out most of the servicing and repairs myself. But it has started to let me down recently and I’ve had to call the AA out for a tow home twice in the past 6 months. It is sitting on 170k miles though (I’ve put 60k on it) and it’s not doing my back or hearing any favours. As my work requires several of us meeting up from various locations, it doesn’t pay to be late and it’s become a liability so it’s time for a change of vehicle.

I have had an Audi A8 in the past, loved the comfort, but it was a bad one so didn’t last long. I originally started looking at BMW 5 series touring which would double up for family use, but as we have a Freelander for that my main focus is on effortless cruising and comfort, with only the occasional family road trip with teenagers. I think that a saloon would be quieter than an estate so that’s what I’m looking at.

I’ve narrowed it down to :
Jaguar XF 3.0d
Merc E Class
BMW 5 series

I like the look and interior of the Jag best of all. None around me though (Lake District), so I’ll need to spend a day out in the Manchester area for a look around.

Any reason why I should choose a Merc or BMW over the Jag?

Mileage on the Jags in my price range is around the 120k mark, are they robust enough to run to 180k?

Thanks

With that budget you'll get a very nice low mileage CLK320cdi Sport (which come with Orthopedic/Heated seats so your back will thank you) will see you easily hit 180k plus my old 270cdi is now on 230k it's had two suspension refreshes 1 new injector a set of glow plugs & an alternator.

My old CLK320cdi has had one suspension refresh an A/C unit both were remapped & would see 51/47mpg on a run, remapping these always helps fuel wise, you can take around 5mpg off if left standard.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112220...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112290...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111300...

The 220cdi is a good alternate but the fuel difference is small so the 320 is the pick:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112050...

Also if you go for the CLS you can get a nice low mileage car car because they're not as popular as the E/5/XF etc

CLS 320cdi

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111280...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109287...

[p4cks]

I've nothing to add other than I occasionlly suffer from sciatica and have recently bought my first Mercedes. Whilst it isn't the best car I've ever driven, or the fastest, or the most-equipped it certainly is the one with the most comfortable seats... by a country mile

[Panamax]

I agree with the general direction of this thread - any decent mid range car. Octavia to Merc and everything in between. Personally I'd never buy a saloon; always an estate.

I'd avoid anything with "sport" in its name (harsh ride and/or tyre noise) and I'd make darned sure it's got a decent stereo.

[Mr Tidy]

I've had a few Mercs years ago but have become a serial BMW owner of late, mainly because I just prefer manual gearboxes, RWD and 6 cylinders!

But I've seen a few posts from people who reckon Saabs and Volvos have really comfortable seats so maybe a diesel 9-5 or S60 might be worth a look for that sort of mileage.

I'd also consider a diesel Octavia too - the hatchback sort of avoids the saloon/estate divide, and high mileage doesn't seem to be a problem looking at how many are run as minicabs!

[ZX10R NIN]

I forgot to say the CLK's come with split folding rear seats something that is absent from most CLS's.

[georgeyboy12345]

E Class and 5 Series are good ideas if you go for the right ones. Not so sure on the Jag XF - the 3.0 D is supposed to be better than the 2.7's, but they still have some niggles.

Mercedes E220 CDI
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110258...


BMW 5 Series

525d SE
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111039...

530d Touring
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111269...


A few other ideas

What about this very low mileage Rover 75? No DPF to worry about as it's pre-06, no clutch or DMF issues as it's a torque converter auto, solid M47 diesel engine, big soft cloth seats, what's not to love?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109307...


Peugeot 508 2.0 HDi
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112160...


Honda Accord 2.2 i-DTEC
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112020...

[JimBR]

A Volvo V70 would fit the bill surely?

[donkmeister]

E-Class.

But, which E-Class are you looking at specifically? Any particular options/equipment that you are hoping to get?

[davekes]

JimBR said:

A Volvo V70 would fit the bill surely?

I thought about Volvo as the seats are said to be super comfortable. Unfortunately I was out voted by the family!

[davekes]

donkmeister said:

E-Class.

But, which E-Class are you looking at specifically? Any particular options/equipment that you are hoping to get?

I’ve been thinking along the lines of a Saloon, possibly E350cdi.

Main options I’m interested in are:
Heated seats
Multi adjustable seat for comfort. Doing a long journey with minimum fatigue is the main criteria.
Auto box.
Heated front screen would be a nice option, but the don’t know if the merc has that. I know the Jag does.

Quiet at motorway speeds is also important.

[Shiv_P]

Any ULEZ requirement?

[ZX10R NIN]

davekes said:

I’ve been thinking along the lines of a Saloon, possibly E350cdi.

Main options I’m interested in are:
Heated seats
Multi adjustable seat for comfort. Doing a long journey with minimum fatigue is the main criteria.
Auto box.
Heated front screen would be a nice option, but the don’t know if the merc has that. I know the Jag does.

Quiet at motorway speeds is also important.

Mercedes don't have the heated front screen & only the CLK Sport have the Orthopedic (it's a hard find on the CLS/E Class but there seats are comfortable) seats, the CLK was brilliant for me doing 25-30k a year it was quiet comfortable the heated & air cooled seats were a great help with this the ride was good NVH low.

[biggbn]

Panamax said:

I agree with the general direction of this thread - any decent mid range car. Octavia to Merc and everything in between. Personally I'd never buy a saloon; always an estate.

I'd avoid anything with "sport" in its name (harsh ride and/or tyre noise) and I'd make darned sure it's got a decent stereo.

Saloons may however have had an easier life and can be cheaper to buy? For motorway use seat comfort and ride are important. A blown five pot volvo or a lexus for me. Job jobbed.