???? A5 / 5 series size - Motorway Car...advice appreciated

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Thu 14 Feb 2013 20:50
???? A5 / 5 series size - Motorway Car...advice appreciated - Marklew

Hi everyone,

After some advice or general comments / experience. I am after a good looking car that is good on the motorway, comfortable for long drives (4-6 hours) and reasonable to run. Looking at spending around 12-15k and looking to get something upto 4 years old with under 60k on the clock. I'll be doing approx 20,000 miles a year and look to keep it for 3ish years.

Looking at the likes of VW Passat cc GT, A5, Merc CLK, Lexus IS220d, BMW 5 series or a Jag XF.

If anyone can help me in my decision. What models should I be looking at / staying away from. Any common problems? I want general maintenance to be kept as low as possible and would hope for an mpg of aroung 50+. Experience of servicing costs etc. Any info / recommendations greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Mark

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Thu 14 Feb 2013 21:22
???? A5 / 5 series size - Motorway Car...advice appreciated - craig-pd130

I'm biased here, but I'd suggest adding a new-shape Volvo S60 to the list. The earliest ones are coming up for 3 years old this year.

I've had a V60 D3 (5 cylinder, 163bhp diesel 'sportwagon' version) since June 2011 and it's a brilliant car. Excellent on the motorway, relaxed and quiet but with huge grunt any time you need it. Superb seats, the best I've had compared with my previous company cars (new Mondeo, Passat etc). Ride is excellent on the standard 205/55 tyres.

It's averaged a genuine 47mpg at the pumps from new (40% motorway, 60% in towns & urban). On motorway trips you get an easy 50+mpg at an 80 / 85 cruise.

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Fri 15 Feb 2013 12:18
???? A5 / 5 series size - Motorway Car...advice appreciated - TeeCee

Seconded, thirded, whatever.

I had an S60 on hire in Sweden fairly recently. By far the best motorway cruiser I've ever driven. As Craig says, the seats are quite brilliant. Personally I reckon that BMW, Audi et. al. should give up and buy Volvo seats, as they're hopelessly outclassed.

If I were in your position, it would be top of my list.

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Thu 14 Feb 2013 21:34
???? A5 / 5 series size - Motorway Car...advice appreciated - Avant

You'll get a newer Passat for your money than any of the others - it depends on how important a prestige badge is to you. The Skoda Superb ticks all the boxes apart from 'good looking', although the estate looks a lot more distinguished.

Seat comfort is going to be a priority, so don't ignore the big Volvos - S60 and S80, with the 5-cylinder diesel engine. These depreciate quite fast so well worth a look. In your position I think I'd put comfort and reliability over image.

(Edit - i was distracted mis-post so I see that Craig alao favours Volvo, wirth the advantage of personal experience. Come to think of it, there's not too much wrong with the Volvo image - they shed the 'Swedish tank' sobriquet long ago.

Edited by Avant on 14/02/2013 at 21:36

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Thu 14 Feb 2013 21:47
???? A5 / 5 series size - Motorway Car...advice appreciated - Marklew

Thanks guys, I quite like the S60's. I'm not a fan of estate cars though.

I know you pay for the badge for the Audi's and Beamers to a degree, but the VW cc GT seems to come quite highly spec'd, and even standard A5's seem to have a good spec and getting second hand I can pick up the high end models where the extras dont relfect in the cars price

I'll look into the S60's though. Any idea of service / running costs? To be honest the VW cc GT has been appealing to me as it seems to have a balance of everything.

Again though I'm open to any suggestions

Thanks

Mark

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Fri 15 Feb 2013 06:59
???? A5 / 5 series size - Motorway Car...advice appreciated - craig-pd130

The Volvo service regime is 12 months or 18,000 miles, whichever comes first. Services are around £250 a pop, cambelt on the diesels is 5 years or 100K miles if I remember right.

One note of caution -- the VW CC and Audi A5 etc all have big rims and low-profile tyres and may not be ideal for ride / road noise suppression on long journeys. I'd try and get an extended test drive in them before committing.

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Fri 15 Feb 2013 07:20
???? A5 / 5 series size - Motorway Car...advice appreciated - csgmart

The pick of the bunch for me would be the Jaguar XF. Get a post 2009 car with the 3 litre diesel engine. Reasonable economy - expect to see high 30s MPG (mine diud an average of 38 by the time I handed it back).

I had one for a little over 2 years and did over 75k in that time without any fauts whatsoever. It's a huge step away from Jaguars of old - very refined and a good looker too. £15k might just get you one at a pinch - they do tend to lose much of their value in the first 3 years.

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Fri 15 Feb 2013 10:17
???? A5 / 5 series size - Motorway Car...advice appreciated - 72 dudes

I think you'll find most if not all Jag XFs are above your budget.

Another vote for Volvo (I've had two).

The S80 with either the 2.0D or 2.4 D5 engine would be the ones to go for. Just look at the interior!

The S60 also looks really desirable.

I can understand your interest in the Passat CC, the shape and style are impressive. However, where do you spend most of your time? Looking out the window at it, or sitting in the cabin on long motorway journeys? For me the interior of the Passat CC is a let down, totally dull and bland and almost identical to a standard Passat.

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Fri 15 Feb 2013 21:31
???? A5 / 5 series size - Motorway Car...advice appreciated - Bobbin Threadbare

I think you'll find most if not all Jag XFs are above your budget.

Another vote for Volvo (I've had two).

The S80 with either the 2.0D or 2.4 D5 engine would be the ones to go for. Just look at the interior!

The S60 also looks really desirable.

I can understand your interest in the Passat CC, the shape and style are impressive. However, where do you spend most of your time? Looking out the window at it, or sitting in the cabin on long motorway journeys? For me the interior of the Passat CC is a let down, totally dull and bland and almost identical to a standard Passat.

The CC is a subtle looker on the outside. Never sat in one but they always make me take a second glance on the motorway as it's rare to see a VW that looks even slightly 'cool'.

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