Second car for motorway runs

[wadely]

Hi all,

Now my mum is starting to get on a bit, that means I've got to spend more time making the journey up from High Wycombe to Yorkshire. That probably means a second car, so that the other half isn't left carless when I make these journeys.

Things I need:

• Good on fuel - not averse to a diesel here
• Comfy - I can do this journey in one go, but I don't want the most numb a**e in the world after it
• Can still perform Main Car duties - so needs to be able to fit a dog / golf clubs. Saloon is fine; an estate wouldn't be the worst thing
• Automatic - because High Wycombe

Budget would ideally be 3k but know that has huge bork potential so realistically 5-6k.

[chocolatefingers5000]

If no requirement for LEZ zones a C220 or E220 diesel mercedes probably fits this bill?

Or an M57 engine 330 / 530d BMW.

Non german choice could be a 508 Peugot - ULEZ compliant diesel estates with higher mileage sneak into budget and if no concern for zones lots more choice. Left field french Citroen C5 but electrical gremlins seem to be pretty common

[paul_c123]

Golf/Seat/Skoda equivalent 2.0TDI DSG was my first thought. Should be fine if the DSG has been serviced at 40k intervals. Avoid the 1.6 TDI DSG, that will have used the DQ200 dry clutch which has issues, but the bigger engined one uses the DQ250.

Each are available in hatchback and estate, have a look at both to decide if the hatch is big enough carrying capacity.

[wadely]

Thanks both. No LEZ/ULEZ requirements so that does make it easier!

I did think 3/530d would be in there; never been a fan of Mercs.

Will look into the DSG options too.

Possible left-field options - Q50 or an XF. Am I insane?

[confused_buyer]

wadely said:

Thanks both. No LEZ/ULEZ requirements so that does make it easier!

I did think 3/530d would be in there; never been a fan of Mercs.

Will look into the DSG options too.

Possible left-field options - Q50 or an XF. Am I insane?

The XF is a better car than the 5-Series in most areas (particularly ride and handling) so, no, not insane but needs careful choosing. No idea on the Q50. The 2.2d XF is probably more reliable than the 3.0 as the 3.0 does have a few known issues (split plastic inlet manifolds, water leaks, rare but not unknown crank failure) but then the last BMW 530d (2012) I owned had already had one full engine rebuild at 90k so they're not perfect either!

(Obviously I am talking X250 Jag and F10/F11 BMW here due to budget. You could probably get a X260 just about in budget but then you are into the world of Ingenium engines)

Edited by confused_buyer on Thursday 28th August 11:13

[paul_c123]

2.2D XF is obviously a saloon car. They did an estate, but it might be out of your budget.

[ZX10R NIN]

Infiniti M30d & there's the bonus of them being ULEZ compliant:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/267372000334?_skw=Infin...

Q70 Sport with the 2.1d Mercedes drivetrain:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202508275...

If you don't mind a CAT car then this 2017 Q70 Premium could be a good buy:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202507174...

Q50 SE:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202508195...

E350:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202507224...

[Rob 131 Sport]

confused_buyer said:

wadely said:

Thanks both. No LEZ/ULEZ requirements so that does make it easier!

I did think 3/530d would be in there; never been a fan of Mercs.

Will look into the DSG options too.

Possible left-field options - Q50 or an XF. Am I insane?

The XF is a better car than the 5-Series in most areas (particularly ride and handling) so, no, not insane but needs careful choosing. No idea on the Q50. The 2.2d XF is probably more reliable than the 3.0 as the 3.0 does have a few known issues (split plastic inlet manifolds, water leaks, rare but not unknown crank failure) but then the last BMW 530d (2012) I owned had already had one full engine rebuild at 90k so they're not perfect either!

(Obviously I am talking X250 Jag and F10/F11 BMW here due to budget. You could probably get a X260 just about in budget but then you are into the world of Ingenium engines)

Edited by confused_buyer on Thursday 28th August 11:13

A further vote for the Jaguar XF. I’ve got one that use to supplement the usage of my main car. I’m so impressed that perhaps it has unintentionally become my main car.

[sam.rog]

For that I’d go passat.
Built for this very purpose. Find one with the optional ergo seats and it will be a good place to pass the miles.

I did 90k in 3 years in one. Would do manchester to Aberdeen in a day and be fresh.
I had a se business with all the options added. I wanted the smaller wheels.
I think I optioned the advanced adaptive cruise, ergonomic seats and stereo.

Edited by sam.rog on Thursday 28th August 17:29

[junglie]

I’ve had an F11 535d and have a W212 E350d.

Great cars but also not ‘that’ economical (F11 better than W212) and also prone to issues (to a degree).

I bought a Lexus GS300 doing 20k a year and it was superb. It would do 40-42 mpg on a long run, faultlessly reliable, all the kit, large enough and I paid less than £3000.

If you just need that, then don’t rule them out. You could substitute GS for LS, Honda Legend or Infiniti and the outcome would be, doubtless, the same.

[POIDH]

V40 (maybe too small) or V60 for the win here - you would just purr up the motorway in a comfy leather Swedish armchair, banging stereo and all the relaxed feeling.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202508195...

[OutInTheShed]

A lot of the cars mentioned above will be past their best when in budget.

High Wycombe to Yorkshire is not actually very far is it? 200 miles or so?

Many years ago, I started needing to drive from Southampton area to Scotland now and then for work.
I bought a 2 litre Mondeo Ghia hatchback, which was ideal. I could get beyond Glasgow without filling up.

Anything that's quiet at motorway speeds and you find the seats comfy will be fine.

But the budget is saying older cars, so go for something that you can get fixed easily.