Golf R vs 5 series touring

[Lewis1648]

I am looking to change car and have pretty much narrowed it down to these two, although being quite polar opposite cars. I have always liked estates and driven them but always had a tinkling for a golf r. I was set on an f11 535d m sport touring or a g31 530d but recently where I live there has been a huge amount of building and to be honest the traffic is becoming worse and worse each year. With my current car (W204 C250 amg Sport Estate) I am noticing fuel economy isn’t great as the engine is not getting hot enough on a lot of my short journeys. This has made me think it’s time for a petrol and the golf r seems a great daily and fun nippy car, have only driven the manual and not DSG yet. I do like the practically of the estate for fitting in surf boards (no family) and just the wagon look in general, however, I am not a mad fan of the golf r estate with the rear tail lights. I think the hatchback suits the car better.

Annual mileage is about 12,000 miles. I am wondering if anyone has driven or owned both cars and could provide some insight. I would also be interested in service costs between the two, golf r would be marginally worse on fuel with short journeys I am guessing but service costs could be more with the 5 series? I am not interested in the 530e as the range is shocking and my budget wouldn’t justify a 540i touring.

Look forward to your advice. Thanks

[ZX10R NIN]

If you're doing 12k a year you're really in diesel territory but if it's mainly short journeys then a petrol estate is the answer & there's a good amount of choice:

CLA 250 AMG Engineered:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201071...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110018...

Leon Cupra SW 290

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111059...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112160...

Letfield.

Insignia VXR:

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

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109036...

[bencollins4]

I will have to disagree with 12k miles being diesel territory. I think you would want to be doing at least 20k miles for that to be the case. Short journeys are not good for diesels either.

On cost alone (servicing, likely residuals), a Golf R is your best bet, for fun, the same.

[mikeshepard45]

The interiors of those mercs seem like a real let down (dash etc), anyone agree?

[Shiv_P]

What about a 330i G20?

[Idiot88]

Definitely a vote for Golf R estate. Try a mk7.5/ facelift as it gained led rear lights similar to the hatch. Owned one for 2 years now and can’t think of anything at its price point or £10k over to replace it - also tends to draw less idiots than the R hatch.

[ZX10R NIN]

OP has already said he doesn't like the look of the Golf R estate.

[Volvolover]

The CLA is a joke of an estate. It has the load space of a clown shoe.

[bolide]

5 Series is a great car but it's hopeless on unmade roads, country tracks & etc as it has no ground clearance. It's also long - longer than you think and a lot longer than a Golf

[aka_kerrly]

As an alternative to the Golf R have you considered the Audi S3 Sport back 5door?

[Mouse Rat]

Skoda Superb 280 4x4

5 series size. Golf R engine.

[M.F.D]

ZX10R NIN has answered the question for you correctly imo.... Leon Cupra SW 300. Golf R estate but looks nicer and hasn't got the North Face tracksuit vibes.