I currently drive approx 20,000 miles a year to work and back.
I am looking to change my existing Focus 2.0 ESP Petrol averageing about 35mpg.
However, I don't know what to buy. I was originally thinking of a Seat Leon FR TDI (170PS), but at only a 10k service interval and about 44mpg whilst it would be a fun drive to work (which is mainly A and B roads) I was thinking from a runing costs point of you, I could do better. Fairly low cost to buy and they do come in bright yellow!
So, my other two thoughts are:
VW Golf 2.0 GT TDI 140 Sport.
Only a 10k service interval but will do over 50mpg. Naturally greater outlay than a Leon.
or
BMW 320d M Sport
Long service intervals, will do nearly 60mpg, expensive outlay for a personal car and if you want a used one then they nearly all have 40-50k on them.
or, any other suggestions welcome.
Thanks
Rob
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Why would the Golf be on a 10k service? If you are doing commuting that kind of mileage then you are a good candidate for the "long life" service. You'd be able to get 18-24k between services I would think. I got about 18k on average in my Audi A3 2.0TDI and the TT 2.0TFSI that has replaced it seems to get about the same at present.
I would think getting about 60mpg from the 320d is optimistic. In daily driving I would anticipate high 40s to 50mpg, about the same as the Golf and the Leon in reality. BMW's figures are excellent on the EC cycle because the stop-start cuts the engine in town which provides huge benefits. Compare the extra-urban figures and you'll see:
320d: 68.9
Golf: 70.6
Leon: 56.5
Altogether much closer than the overall figures suggest. Of course you won't get those figures, the point is that because you're doing a high mileage commute, unless 70% of it is urban mileage then the BMW isn't going to give you the return you expect based on the averages. Averages can conceal anything...
Also consider the cost of changing and the cost of fuel... if the Focus does what you want at 35mpg it's using 2600l of Petrol a year, at 90.8p/l (current UK mean from petrolprices.com) it's costing you £2360 in fuel.
For a Diesel to be cheaper to run, bearing in mind Diesel is 93.9p/l you must use less than 2500l of diesel i.e. exceed 37mpg, so whichever one you pick you'll make a saving on fuel, but given the Leon cost to change is much lower, you might be better off with that, especially as the Leon should equally be capable of running on a long-life service.
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Thanks for reminding me how much I am spending on fuel!
Also, call me cynical, but I am a little dubious about these long-life services where the car tells you when it wants a service.
Do you happen to know how the car works out when it needs a service?
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>>Do you happen to know how the car works out when it needs a service?
On-board computer knows the average fuel consumption - and from that, the probable stress on the oil - hence its 'recommendation' for service point. I used to think it was rocket surgery or something, but no, simple as.
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A colleague of mine has a BMW 320d company car. He averages 50 - 55mpg and doesn't hang about. Of the 3 in your list, the BMW is easily the nicest to drive and the Golf probably the most practical in terms of interior space. To be honest whenever I drive a Golf I wonder why I bother owning anything else, it's such a well rounded and well thought out product, especially the smaller engined ones.
I had to do a Google search to find out what the Leon looks like. Not one of Seat's best efforts and styling wise not a patch on the Altea.
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I had to do a Google search to find out what the Leon looks like. Not one of Seat's best efforts and styling wise not a patch on the Altea.
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Huh? from the front the Leon looks like the Altea. Actually I think the current leon is one the best looking cars around now.
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Remember BMW 3's have rear wheel drive and the recent snow and ice have seen many a driver stranded.
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