BMW 3 series touring or Volvo V60 or similar?

[ollyh1988]

I ve now got a fairly lengthy weekly commute (over 180 miles each way, done twice a week). I m considering swapping my old car for something that will be a nice place to do the miles in, but also not cost too much on fuel.

Ideally I d spend less than 18k, which made me think of;
1. BMW 320d/330d - 2015 owards with sub 70k. I had a 2006 3 series and really liked it.
2. Volvo V60 D3/D4 - 2018 onwards (to get the newer shape). Probably not an R-Design, as I d rather have the car more comfortable than firm. My wife has an XC60, so know I like Volvos.

I did think about a Tesla Model 3, but my work doesn t have anywhere I could charge, and think 180 miles might be pushing it - especially if I get diverted or haven t charged the car 100%. The other option is to keep my current commuter car - a 2012 Audi A4 diesel with 120k miles - but I don t find it comfortable and it has had a fair few issues recently.

Are there any other cars that would be suggested? Mpg and comfort are more important than fun, and it need to have back seats and be fairly practical!

[Disco You]

If comfort is a priority I’d be looking at a size class up: so a 5 series, E class, or an S90.

[ZX10R NIN]

CLS 350d Premium Plus:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410285...

220d Premium Plus:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510076...

XF 30d Portfolio, when it comes to comfort & good ride quality these are hard to beat:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509266...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202512168...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202512128...

A6 Avant:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510167...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202511258...

520d:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510277...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510237...

[ollyh1988]

Thanks for the links.

I do think going for a bigger engine might be worth it - as most of the drive is motorway, so at least makes it more pleasant and shouldn’t harm the fuel.

Might sound strange, as I do want the comfort, but I don’t want a really big car - otherwise I’d be better off using my wife’s XC60. So maybe a 330d but they all seem to be M Sport, which won’t be as good for the ride.

[indigochim]

Isn't comfort more down the the seats rather than the suspension. I have a 330d msport and dont find the ride overly harsh probably as I have the 18" wheels rather than 19s or 20s. I find the msport seats more comfortable than those with the less buckety style seats but not as comfortable as my old Volvo 850 (memory may be a little selective over the years) I'd be more than happy with my choice if I was driving 360miles a week or more in it.

[JJ55]

Had a similar dilemma recently. For that budget 5 series or jag xf

I dropped my budget due to paying out for home improvements & bought a petrol Mazda 6 estate. Similar interior to the BMWs

[Rob 131 Sport]

BMW 320d every time. It genuinely is the car that can do everything.

[SlowV6]

How about an Octavia in 2.0 SE-L DSG spec? £4k under budget. Taxi drivers favour comfy, economical cars so this could be a good tool for the job.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509166...

[Chrispee]

I have a V60 cross country T5 and FIL a G Series 320D so can maybe help compare

If you get series 2 V60 they are definitely more roomy, both in the boot and the passenger compartment. A high spec is also easier to find. Mine has heated everything, dynamic LEDs and most importantly for long journeys adaptive cruise which is very rare for the German OEMs

The V60 isn't the last word in driving involvement but I have a wife and a dog who don't appreciate being thrown about so it's hardly an issue. No doubt a 3 series would be better here.

The gearbox is a little dim but fine day to day. I found it took a long while to get comfy with the seating position, but that could just be me. Would definitely recommend trying both along with some of the other suggestions, fwiw I looked at a 5 series, A6, Superb and E Class estate as well. For me the V60 was the best compromise. I nearly bought a V90 but it was enormous and not necessary. Good luck!

[stevemcs]

Chrispee said:

I have a V60 cross country T5 and FIL a G Series 320D so can maybe help compare

If you get series 2 V60 they are definitely more roomy, both in the boot and the passenger compartment. A high spec is also easier to find. Mine has heated everything, dynamic LEDs and most importantly for long journeys adaptive cruise which is very rare for the German OEMs

The V60 isn't the last word in driving involvement but I have a wife and a dog who don't appreciate being thrown about so it's hardly an issue. No doubt a 3 series would be better here.

The gearbox is a little dim but fine day to day. I found it took a long while to get comfy with the seating position, but that could just be me. Would definitely recommend trying both along with some of the other suggestions, fwiw I looked at a 5 series, A6, Superb and E Class estate as well. For me the V60 was the best compromise. I nearly bought a V90 but it was enormous and not necessary. Good luck!

Out of interest how do you find the T5, my current short list is v60/90, 3/5, gearbox is a concern in the Volvo but cannot be worse than the superb that refuses to drop a gear, I’ll miss the boot space of the superb but not the back ache.

[S366]

I had a V60 for a short while last year, I do love my Volvo’s but was severely disappointed by the V60, it wasn’t an R Design but I still found it incredibly firm and crashy, that wasn’t the worst part for me though, the worst part was the central touch screen system, everything seems to be done through it and I found it near dangerous to use when driving.

Personally, Id heavily recommend the 320d out of the two.

Or alternatively, go a little older and get an XC70, bulletproof reliability, comfy and built like a tank(essentially the estate version of a Landcruiser).

[popegregory]

Having gone from a 5 series to a V90 I’d echo the recommendation above to try the Volvo Pilot Assist function as on a long motorway drive it is a wonderful thing to have and something that genuinely makes you wonder how you coped without it.

[tiger roll]

popegregory said:

Having gone from a 5 series to a V90 I d echo the recommendation above to try the Volvo Pilot Assist function as on a long motorway drive it is a wonderful thing to have and something that genuinely makes you wonder how you coped without it.

Yeah I want a 5 series touring for trips like this but I also want autopilot...and those features on a used 5 series are just vanishingly rare. But they have been as standard in the Volvo V90 (not V60) since 2018

[ollyh1988]

Thanks for the replies.

We have pilot assist on the XC60 and I love that. I’ve borrowed it a couple of times for the commute but it is a T8, so not the best for the fuel!

I think I need to go and see a 3 series and just make sure it is big enough, but think that is the front runner. I’ve had a lot of cars but still miss the old 2006 325i that I had for a couple of years!

[confused_buyer]

I'd honestly go for the 5 series than the 3. They are not a big step up in size but a big step up in comfort and bargeness feel.

[stevemcs]

popegregory said:

Having gone from a 5 series to a V90 I d echo the recommendation above to try the Volvo Pilot Assist function as on a long motorway drive it is a wonderful thing to have and something that genuinely makes you wonder how you coped without it.

Which do you prefer ?

[popegregory]

stevemcs said:

popegregory said:

Having gone from a 5 series to a V90 I d echo the recommendation above to try the Volvo Pilot Assist function as on a long motorway drive it is a wonderful thing to have and something that genuinely makes you wonder how you coped without it.

Which do you prefer ?

It’s not really a fair comparison as the 5 was a 2008 E61, but the V90 is lovely and the nicest daily I’ve ever had. That being said I’ll be looking carefully at the Gxx 5 series for its replacement as my neighbour has one and it’s incredibly pleasant. The E61 went from 60-210k over 8 trouble free years with me and the D4 has thrown up more issues from cheap rubbish engine parts giving up in 5 years of ownership than the BMW ever did, but I’ve heard unfounded rumours that the same quality decline may have crept in at BMW (as its been a surprise after a lot of family Volvo ownership).

[Chrispee]

stevemcs said:

Out of interest how do you find the T5, my current short list is v60/90, 3/5, gearbox is a concern in the Volvo but cannot be worse than the superb that refuses to drop a gear, I ll miss the boot space of the superb but not the back ache.

T5 has been fine. It's not the most efficient engine but my daily miles aren't huge so a diesel didn't make sense. Gets a bit thrashy at high rpm but the mid range thrum isn't unpleasant. I've just had a Volvo official Polestar remap that only gives a couple of HP at the top end but a load more grunt in the mid range and slightly quicker gear shifts too.

It will do mid-high 30's on a longer run (I've had over 40 a few times in the summer but don't expect it often)

I tested a slightly newer B5 petrol at the same power and felt with the mild hybrid it was actually laggier, like it couldn't decide what gear and combination of hybrid/ICE assistance to use so went with a simpler T5.

The one I bought didn't actually have pilot assist but it was retrofitted by Volvo at point of sale. Was fantastic for a 1500 mile round trip to France, and also fro the usual crawling around the M25. 90 series all have it as standard.

Can't say I find many issues with the large central screen, once you know where the key things like temperature control are you barely need to look, the voice control isn't too bad either. It's a shame car play/Android auto can't run the full screen but I'm fine with the compromise. No issues in the 8 months I've had it aside from replacing the secondary battery that was on its way out