The hunt for a motor continues.....

Criteria 1 - Automatic.  I don't want another manual with a DMF, as I spend 16miles a day doing stop start in the most ludicrous traffic known to man.

Criteria 2 - Diesel, because 500 miles a week mean there's no other way.

Criteria 3 - Comfortable, see above.

Criteria 4 - Reliable/Reasonable prices on parts and servicing - two services per year this is a very real factor.

Criteria 5 -  Budgetary constraint - £2-£3000 ideally, but can push a little more.

 

So far, S60 D5 Geartronics are looking most likely, followed by S80's.

There's a Skoda Superb in the frame too, but has the highest mileage of the lot at 144K.

But I've seen this weekend that E220 and E270 CDI Mercs have better/similar mpg figures as the Volvo and the Skoda, and with comparable insurance costs, similar mileages and purchase costs, it's got me thinking....But IIRC, didn't Merc go through a very bad patch re: build and reliability?    When did it sort of end?

 

 

 

Try to think of this as being reason not personal but have you tried...

1. Travelling at a different time

2. Moving closer

3. Looking a quantity of car commensurate with your budget

?

Try to think of this as being reason not personal but have you tried...

1. Travelling at a different time

2. Moving closer

3. Looking a quantity of car commensurate with your budget

 

I don't take it personally.  I see the logic in your reasoning. Sadly, I'm not posting this thread in the random, autotrader gazing wistfulness that we may all occasionally indulge in....

 

I've considered 1 and 2 quite extensively, but 1 isn't practical as my employer requires me to start and finish within a given window each day.  I suspect yours is much the same.....

Option 2 has several drawbacks that make it unappealing - most notably that it  makes the issues SWMBO's problems instead of mine, er go, still my problems.....

Besides, a non-driveable car is a non-driveable car and has to be replaced with another form of personal transport anyway.

As for 3.......no way in hell am I owning another french motor.  or a ford. or something that I have to squeeze my bulk into and be uncomfortable.

 

And breathe..........

Volvo S60 D5 geartronic. I ran a 2.0 turbo petrol and it was the comfiest car I've owned. My best mate had a d5 geartronic and it was great. You need a post 2005 for the facelift/185bhp engine. The 163bhp was a bit poo.

Servicing is reasonable..find a good local Indy.

I've looked at Mercs but spec isn't as good and not as comfy.

P.s..this is weirdly my best mates old car for sale again!!

http://www.stangroundautos.co.uk/used-cars/volvo-s60-d5-se-4dr-geartronic-185-peterborough-201306217414238

Been looking at Merc myself.

 

Face-lift E-Class post 2006 seem to be ok with the rust problems sorted.

 

Not in your budget though. Earlier ones have a bit of a mixed reputation.

The entire 90's was Merc's difficult period. Once they cast off Chrysler, they were able to pump a load of cash into restoring the quality and shaking off the rust.

For your budget I would go Swedish. I have a version of the D5 in my XC60 and it's a surprisingly commendable engine.

Epiphany or delusion?

 

A long ranging discussion and exploration reveals we don't realistically need such a big car.

If I'm concerned about possible DMF issues, do I really want an auto box, which can also have issues, possibly more expensive, with the higher tax, fuel, etc?

 

Having spent 7 hours driving a Polo across parts of South Africa with only one stop and being remarkably fresh after, maybe going back to an Octavia or Golf  would be perfectly adequate.  I'm nervous about the DSG idea, so would probably end up with a 5 speed manual - because when the DMF finally does go, I could easily obtain an SMF. 

 

Dare I even whisper the words "SDI", because once I've wound it up, I don't realistically come off the throttle till I reach the tailbacks.  Less to go wrong and ideal for just doing mileage?

If you can cope with with the slow pace something with an SDI is probably a good idea. With no turbo, EGR, DPF it's pretty much back to the old school days of million mile diesels.

 

Engine found it's way into plenty of VAG models.

SDI is SMF as standard too

Get yourself a Lexus, all the comfort of the Merc, the reliability of the skoda, the ease of drive of the Volvo. Just another option.

Edited 1 October, 201312 yr by Blanes

Get yourself a Lexus, all the comfort of the Merc, the reliability of the skoda, the ease of drive of the Volvo. Just another option.

 

If it wasn't for his mileage you'd have a point. But 500miles a week in a Lexus is going to cost a lot more than an SDI.

If it wasn't for his mileage you'd have a point. But 500miles a week in a Lexus is going to cost a lot more than an SDI.

500 miles in anything anything other than an SDi will cost more....although it can be argued the trade-off in time/speed makes it worthwhile....

back to looking at TDI's, asn I'm not sure the performance element of the SDI is worth it....the M6/M61 can be a harsh and unforgiving environment.....

Epiphany or delusion?

A long ranging discussion and exploration reveals we don't realistically need such a big car.

If I'm concerned about possible DMF issues, do I really want an auto box, which can also have issues, possibly more expensive, with the higher tax, fuel, etc?

Having spent 7 hours driving a Polo across parts of South Africa with only one stop and being remarkably fresh after, maybe going back to an Octavia or Golf would be perfectly adequate. I'm nervous about the DSG idea, so would probably end up with a 5 speed manual - because when the DMF finally does go, I could easily obtain an SMF.

Dare I even whisper the words "SDI", because once I've wound it up, I don't realistically come off the throttle till I reach the tailbacks. Less to go wrong and ideal for just doing mileage?

Well that's an improvemnt, it loosens your 'wants' straitjacket a tiny bit.

You've not mentioned it so I'll throw it in. LPG. I'd say it will be easier to find a cheap, low mileage, well cared for, petrol any of those cars mentioned than a diesel.

Edited 2 October, 201312 yr by 'daiking'

Well that's an improvemnt, it loosens your 'wants' straitjacket a tiny bit.

You've not mentioned it so I'll throw it in. LPG. I'd say it will be easier to find a cheap, low mileage, well cared for, petrol any of those cars mentioned than a diesel.

Interesting......mileage calculators say I'm better off with diesel than petrol to the tune of around 800 per annum.

I believe from previous reading LPG does give slightly lower mpg than petrol......so I guess the issues are two-fold:

1. Would the price differential compensate for this, along side the need to fill up more often?

2. What would be the cost implications from an insurance point of view and servicing the LPG system?

If memory serves you're based in Rochdale.  Have a look at www.expolicecar.co.uk, based in sowerby.  You'll get something there that will have been serviced every 6,000 miles.  They've just sold a Mondeo ST TDCI DIESEL ESTATE on a 56 plate with mega miles for less than 3 grand.

 

Or here http://www.expolicecarsdirect.co.uk/home.aspx

 

For that kind of cash you'll be looking at something with a fair few miles on, if you ignore the patrol cars (fords and vauxhalls mainly) everything else should be well maintained and not trashed.

For that kind of cash you'll be looking at something with a fair few miles on, if you ignore the patrol cars (fords and vauxhalls mainly) everything else should be well maintained and not trashed.

And if you believe that, then I have a hen for sale that lays golden eggs. I've seen traffic cars used in TPAC that have been bent back into shape by in house police mechanics and put back on the road. Cat D would be an understatement.

There's a reason why traffic cops refer to the motorway network as 'the track'. Treated with kid gloves these cars are not.

Each to their own.  I've seen totally unmolested Beamers go through at 108,000 miles with 36 services.  And unless things have changed, traffic cops don't go on the motorway, that's the motorway units.

Have you thought about a Saab 9-5. There are some cracking bargains out there for 3k since the company went belly up. Parts are no problem as the Saab GB network is very good.