25-30k miles PA - What car? - Page 1 - Car Buying

_Rob_

Original Poster

65 posts

86 months

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Sunday 5th March 2023

I started a new job a few months ago and I'm currently averaging 2.5k miles per month travelling all over the UK. I still have a Leon Cupra on lease which is what I'm using for the driving currently but it goes back later this year and I need to work out what I'm going to replace it with.
Current criteria in my head:
- Automatic
- Comfortable for long journeys. (The Cupra isn't that bad but I definitely wouldn't say no to more comfort)
- Most likely diesel + around 50mpg would be nice (Most I've had from the current car is 43mpg but generally get high 30's on most motorway journeys.)
- Decent spec - obviously this is dependant on the individual car but finding a good base spec that isn't missing much helps a lot rather than trying to find a car with £10k of extras. Cruise control is a must.
- Preferably saloon or estate
- Budget around £15k, I would be willing to go a bit higher but I'm aware of the depreciation I'll be adding to whatever I buy given my mileage so I don't want to spend too much.
- I know I won't be able to get the same power as the Cupra whilst getting more mpg, but I still want a decent amount.

At the moment I'm thinking either F10 5 series or C7 A6. I'd love a 530d or 3.0D Audi but I have a feeling they would be noticeably more thirsty than a 520d or 2.0D. Mercs don't really do it for me, neither do the older gen of volvos. The current gen are much more my kind of thing but I think they're mostly out of budget.

Any feedback on the BMW vs Audi or any alternatives would be much appreciated!

georgeyboy12345

4,560 posts

62 months

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Sunday 5th March 2023

If you are coming from a Leon, then surely something 3 series / A4 sized would be ok? Do you really need something the size of a 5 series or A6?

As for 2.0 vs 3.0 d - if a 2.0 averages 58 mpg (e.g. BMW 320d ED Plus), then at 30k a year that'll cost you £4000 in diesel. The 330d would average 43 mpg, which would cost around £5400 a year, so an extra £1400. Depends if you think that extra smoothness and power is worth £1400 a year, or you'd sooner save that £1400 for something nice like a holiday. The 3.0 will also likely be more to service, it'll put more wear on components, etc, and your £15k won't go as far - e.g. you can get a 30k mile 320d from the same price as a 80k mile 330d.

Suggestions

BMW 320d ED Plus
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302224...

Audi A4 2.0 TDI Ultra
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302224...

Alfa Romeo Giulia 2.2 JTD Super
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302084...

VW Passat 2.0 TDI Bluemotion Tech
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302084...

Downward

5,588 posts

130 months

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Sunday 5th March 2023

Surely it’s got to be that Alfa.

_Rob_

Original Poster

65 posts

86 months

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[news]

Sunday 5th March 2023

georgeyboy12345 said:

If you are coming from a Leon, then surely something 3 series / A4 sized would be ok? Do you really need something the size of a 5 series or A6?

As for 2.0 vs 3.0 d - if a 2.0 averages 58 mpg (e.g. BMW 320d ED Plus), then at 30k a year that'll cost you £4000 in diesel. The 330d would average 43 mpg, which would cost around £5400 a year, so an extra £1400. Depends if you think that extra smoothness and power is worth £1400 a year, or you'd sooner save that £1400 for something nice like a holiday. The 3.0 will also likely be more to service, it'll put more wear on components, etc, and your £15k won't go as far - e.g. you can get a 30k mile 320d from the same price as a 80k mile 330d.

Suggestions

BMW 320d ED Plus
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302224...

Audi A4 2.0 TDI Ultra
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302224...

Alfa Romeo Giulia 2.2 JTD Super
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302084...

VW Passat 2.0 TDI Bluemotion Tech
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302084...

Yeah something 3 series / A4 sized would be ok, I just kind of fancy some of the bigger stuff.
That being said, that Giulia is a fantastic idea! I sat in one a couple of years ago and remember loving it but I knew it was out of my budget back then. Just had a quick look on autotrader and there's a few available around my budget which I wasn't expecting at all. Do you know what they're like for reliability as I know Alfa never had the best reputation for this? Also, am I right in saying the Speciale is the higher spec of the lot? I know there's the veloce but that's out of reach.
The Alfa is definitely winning at the moment though, so thank you smile

ZX10R NIN

30,399 posts

152 months

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Sunday 5th March 2023

7 5 7

4,345 posts

138 months

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Sunday 5th March 2023

Insignia Estate, just as German as BMW/Audi and probably has more spec/kit and you will most definitely get a newer car.

Example
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302023...

Edited by 7 5 7 on Sunday 5th March 20:19

_Rob_

Original Poster

65 posts

86 months

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Sunday 5th March 2023

ZX10R NIN said:

Appreciate the options, thank you smile

The Jag is pretty tempting, I'd just have the same concern about reliability as I'd have with the Alfa. Especially because a lot of the Jag horror stories I've heard have been about the diesels. I'll have to do some research on both cars as I've never looked with buying in mind, I think I've just remembered the bad things I've seen over the years.

Giantt

929 posts

63 months

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Sunday 5th March 2023

Regularly do 1lk miles a week in diesel astra no problems currently doing 230.miles a day