What would YOU do?
Discussion
Hi all
We are a 2 car family, wife has a 2020 Kodiaq on lease for another 18 months, I have a 2011 330d no finance.
Wife does 15000 a year, but mainly school runs, kids clubs, short trip to work etc and does not need such a big car. I do around the same, but this will probably go up to 25000 when/if international travel picks up, mainly motorway miles, 80 miles each way to work, 3 or 4 times a week.
We also use the car for camping, so one big car is a requirement, the kodiaq is just big enough, although I might need to add a roof box at some point.
The BMW is starting to cost quite a bit in repairs now, it’s on 120k miles and counting, front suspension has just been fully replaced at £1000 for example.
I have access to a electric only car scheme with work through tusker, the prices are more gross than leasing privately but as it comes out before tax it is quite tax efficient - At the moment, I earn just under the 100k but when life gets back to normal I’ll be in the stupid tax bracket around the 120k mark when the tax saving makes even more sense.
So, the BMW needs replacing and soon, should I go electric? Im thinking something small, like an ID3 for the school run etc, I’ll use the kodiaq for work and wife can use the ID3. When the kodiaq is gone I was thinking an A6 avant or 5 series, are they big enough?
The other option is to stick with diesel and get a GTD or similar now with good MPG and adaptive cruise etc for my journeys to work and she sticks with the Kodiaq for now, go electric when the kodiaq goes back.
Thanks for your thoughts!
We are a 2 car family, wife has a 2020 Kodiaq on lease for another 18 months, I have a 2011 330d no finance.
Wife does 15000 a year, but mainly school runs, kids clubs, short trip to work etc and does not need such a big car. I do around the same, but this will probably go up to 25000 when/if international travel picks up, mainly motorway miles, 80 miles each way to work, 3 or 4 times a week.
We also use the car for camping, so one big car is a requirement, the kodiaq is just big enough, although I might need to add a roof box at some point.
The BMW is starting to cost quite a bit in repairs now, it’s on 120k miles and counting, front suspension has just been fully replaced at £1000 for example.
I have access to a electric only car scheme with work through tusker, the prices are more gross than leasing privately but as it comes out before tax it is quite tax efficient - At the moment, I earn just under the 100k but when life gets back to normal I’ll be in the stupid tax bracket around the 120k mark when the tax saving makes even more sense.
So, the BMW needs replacing and soon, should I go electric? Im thinking something small, like an ID3 for the school run etc, I’ll use the kodiaq for work and wife can use the ID3. When the kodiaq is gone I was thinking an A6 avant or 5 series, are they big enough?
The other option is to stick with diesel and get a GTD or similar now with good MPG and adaptive cruise etc for my journeys to work and she sticks with the Kodiaq for now, go electric when the kodiaq goes back.
Thanks for your thoughts!
I'd go with the second option it makes more sense to go electric on the school run car, also if you want a car that'll eat up the miles that has adaptive cruise they the Q30 Sport Tech fits the bill & because it's a Mercedes A220d apart from the sheet metal you get the reliability too.
You'll get a low mileage one for sensible money.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107124...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106284...
You'll get a low mileage one for sensible money.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107124...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106284...
Haha yeah that would be nice eventually! We don’t have a garage to store one and sadly not a lot of time normally (except during the pandemic…) but one day… I keep looking at 435d and wondering if I can justify the extra cost in initial outlay and fuel to get one. Or if I should just stick to the motorway cruiser and save for something else. It’s a bit of a dilemma.
ZX10R NIN said:
Thanks mate, not sure about Infiniti as a brand. Know nothing about them and the quick research I’ve just done doesn’t look too good, personally I do prefer the look of the bigger German brands, particularly BMW but the interior of mercs is very nice too.Eastcountrybumpkin said:
Haha yeah that would be nice eventually! We don’t have a garage to store one and sadly not a lot of time normally (except during the pandemic…) but one day… I keep looking at 435d and wondering if I can justify the extra cost in initial outlay and fuel to get one. Or if I should just stick to the motorway cruiser and save for something else. It’s a bit of a dilemma.
A 435d is a good car, but it's not a fun car, so I would say save for something fun. Eastcountrybumpkin said:
Thanks mate, not sure about Infiniti as a brand. Know nothing about them and the quick research I’ve just done doesn’t look too good, personally I do prefer the look of the bigger German brands, particularly BMW but the interior of mercs is very nice too.
Doesn't look to good in what way?I linked to those because if you're going to be doing 25k a year your biggest cost will be depreciation which the Infiniti negates by being cheap to statr with,
The drivetrain is all Mercedes so (A/C/E220d) reliability is a given, the fit & finish is easily Lexus standard & in the case of the Q30 which is all Mercedes A220d apart from the skin.
Servicing is now easier
Servicing is now easier as you now have the whole of the Nissan network rather than 6 dedicated dealers, also because it's a Mercedes drivetrain an Indy can work on them.
For going up & down the motorway unless you're choosing a 3.0d I struggle to see what beats them for the price, a GTD will be worse in terms of Interior quality/reliability & no better as a drive.
You won't get as nice a spec, C220/320d etc you'll have to spend more to match the spec & then depreciate more as you pile on the miles & if you do want to spend more then I'd be buying the 3.0d versions as they're better packages & are worth paying the extra for.
For going up & down the motorway unless you're choosing a 3.0d I struggle to see what beats them for the price, a GTD will be worse in terms of Interior quality/reliability & no better as a drive.
You won't get as nice a spec, C220/320d etc you'll have to spend more to match the spec & then depreciate more as you pile on the miles & if you do want to spend more then I'd be buying the 3.0d versions as they're better packages & are worth paying the extra for.
Edited by ZX10R NIN on Sunday 18th July 00:20
Eastcountrybumpkin said:
I understand where you’re coming from but I googled Infiniti Q30 review, and saw 3/5, 5/10, 2/5 and so on. The small amount I read say it just doesn’t compete with its German rivals whilst being almost as expensive. But it’s worth test driving to see.
If it doesn't compete with it's German rivals what does that say about the A Class/GLA? When new the high price (mainly because they came fully loaded) & lack of dealers & brand awareness meant they weren't the best buy new.As a used buy they're a very different prospect & are now the smart buy, once you get in one you'll see they're the same car.
Finding an A/GLA Class with Bi Xenons Pano Roof Adaptive Cruise 360 Cameras 30k on the clock & you'll be looking at another 4k+ on your purchase price.
A220d AMG Line Premium
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103089...
GTD
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102179...
Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff