Family car to replace B8.5 S4 Avant

[aussieal]

Last summer I finally got tired of the 15 plate Passat estate I'd had as the main family car for 3 years that had ferried the two kids around as babies and toddlers. Whilst it was very spacious,economical and well spec'd, it was dull to drive and the DSG gearbox combined with a sleepy start stop system was grating.

I went off on a bit of a tangent and replaced it with a well spec'd, relatively low mileage B8.5 S4 Avant, which I've thoroughly enjoyed driving in comparison.

However, less than a year in, it's just not right as the main family car. I don't get to benefit from the performance often, if it all and it's ended up doing more miles than I'd anticipated (currently done 8k in it since July), which when combined with rising fuel costs, gets a little boring. It also feels very cramped inside in comparison to the Passat, I'm 6'2" and to get in a comfy driving position, there's very little space behind me even for a tall 5 year old in a booster seat.

So reluctantly I'm looking to change, having had it less than a year. Priorities are as follows, with a budget up to £30k:

1. Around 200-250bhp
2. Automatic
3. 4WD or RWD
4. Decent sized and premium interior
5. More than likely an estate or SUV
6. Reasonable mpg i.e. 30mpg plus when doing short runs and closer to 40mpg on longer runs.

Few options I've considered so far included 520/530d xdrive touring (which was my original plan before seeing the S4), Audi Q5 2.0 TFSi or TDi, Volvo XC60 T5/D5. All of those seem to have some 17/18 plate options within budget.

Anything else I should look at, or any views on the above?

Thanks

[a311]

Given your short list I'd assume your after something with a premium badge? The Skoda Superb ticks a lot of your boxes and it's hugely practical.

I can comment on the Volvos as I'm on my third. I had the T5 in a V90 cross country. It seems to be universally accepted that the 4 cylinder turbo petrol are OK but not hugely riveting to drive, the gearbox is a bit sluggish and the chassis a bit wallowly. All the 2.0l are the same unit just a differing level of turning I believe I got an an average of 27 mpg out of the T5 over 25k miles. However they're not really meant to be a car to fling through the twisties. They're hugely comfortable on longer trips. I'm 6'4" and had plenty of room behind me in the V90 and now in the XC60.

I have the T8 now which is the same 2.0l petrol with turbo/super charger plus a 100 bhp hybrid electric motor. Most of our journeys are within the pure electric mode range so spends most of its time on electric only. It can shift when pressed, plenty of power for over taking but always feels smooth some people could call it dull for 400 bhp.

My 6 year old has plenty of room behind me at the moment, she can switch with her brother when it start to get tight (he's only 3) but when both get older and taller it might be more of a squeeze. I do like the XC60, I looked at the XC90 too but didn't need the 7 seats plus the current XC90 has had a long run vs the 60 so expect an update.

Practically the XC60 does what we need it to. The boots big enough for what we want but not huge. Recently we went on holiday and it managed two large suit cases, 2 small carry on size ones and a buggy no problem.

It regularly does long trips up north to visit family with a mixture of motorways and a roads and I find it a lovely drive and all the car I need.

[aussieal]

Thanks for such a helpful response, exactly the kind of insight I was looking for.

I get the impression that if I went for the T5 I might be in no better position than the S4 economy wise, but with a reduction in power.

Interesting that you find the XC60 has plenty of room, I need to go and have a drive of a few of them.

On the Superb, that was another on my list last year and their understated feel certainly appeals. Current prices seem a little high in comparison to the premium competition though.

[a311]

aussieal said:

Thanks for such a helpful response, exactly the kind of insight I was looking for.

I get the impression that if I went for the T5 I might be in no better position than the S4 economy wise, but with a reduction in power.

Interesting that you find the XC60 has plenty of room, I need to go and have a drive of a few of them.

On the Superb, that was another on my list last year and their understated feel certainly appeals. Current prices seem a little high in comparison to the premium competition though.

On the power vs MPG I'm not sure what the S4 would return but certainly something to consider as I don't expect unless you're doing mega mileage it will make much of a difference in your pocket.

I had a 2.0l petrol Jaguar XF at the same time I had the T5. They both were very similar in terms of mpg. Given the current cost of diesel I'd probably knock up a spreadsheet and work out the true cost based on your mileage, like for like difference on purchase price of diesel v petrol and mileage vs fuel cost in each.

I had a couple of Octavia vRS diesels. They were good partial cars and good on fuel.

[pete_esp]

You could get an E Class estate for your budget, if you hunt around for a night edition with premium packs you get a handsome and well specced machine.

I've had mine for nearly 6 years now and it has been great. In that time I've driven my family from Edinburgh to the Dordogne and all over France several times with all their paraphernalia getting from my house to an hour into France on a single tank. It's roomy and a reasonable drive when I want to enjoy it, not sporty but engaging enough. Brilliant for tip runs and I can fit 2 mountain bikes in the back no problem.

I'm genuinely struggle to decide what to replace it with.

[jrock78]

Check out an Alfa Stelvio. Ticks all your bullet points and is a great drive for an SUV. Quite spacious too - im often doing tip runs and ferrying round sports equipment with the kids in it.

[georgeyboy12345]

530d is a good idea
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110228...

if you don't mind slightly older, you could get a 535d. The price will also be accordingly lower too
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203073...


Other ideas

Jaguar XF D300 S
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202204134...


Volvo V60 D6 TwinEngine - diesel plug-in hybrid
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205045...


Audi A6 Avant BiTDI V6 Quattro
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202192...


Mercedes E350d
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201131...


Stretch the budget slightly and you can get in an E330de diesel PHEV
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202204204...

[ninjag]

Jaguar F-Pace 3.0 V6 Supercharged

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205075...


https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202204204...

[ZX10R NIN]

My pick would be the E350d AMG Line Premium Plus:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202204144...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202222...

[jaydeeuk1]

Lexus RX 450h, 2018 onwards.

Ticks all the above, takumi spec might be out of budget thanks to chip shortage, but its all the car you'll ever need.

[RZ1]

Any more info on the S4, I’m looking for one at the moment and would prefer to buy private owned car

[HiAsAKite]

RZ1 said:

Any more info on the S4, I’m looking for one at the moment and would prefer to buy private owned car

The S4 thread is here: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

You might want to PM aussieal directly as I suspect they will fall foul of forum advertising rules if they they are seen to advertise the car in the thread.

[aussieal]

RZ1 said:

Any more info on the S4, I’m looking for one at the moment and would prefer to buy private owned car

Apologies, only just saw this - by all means dm me if you're still in the market for one.

It's in for an inspection service as we speak, ready to go up for sale.

ETA just spotted that you've bought an E43 - looks great, hope you're enjoying it.

Edited by aussieal on Tuesday 21st June 20:17

[aussieal]

HiAsAKite said:

The S4 thread is here: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

You might want to PM aussieal directly as I suspect they will fall foul of forum advertising rules if they they are seen to advertise the car in the thread.

Thanks, appreciate it!

[aussieal]

What are people's views, particularly traders, on diesels.

Had someone say to me today that I'd be mad to even consider a diesel with tax changes and fuel prices, and that was without even having an idea of my annual mileage.

I find it hard to believe that a 2018 530d, Q5 2.0 tdi or XC60 D4 would be practically worthless in 3 or 4 years time.

I've just had a look through some hybrids and EVs and as suspected the budget doesn't go far on them.

[ZX10R NIN]

The next set of proposals will affect petrol Euro4 engines as diesels are already Euro6, diesel cars are still selling with ease as they suit a lot of peoples needs.

[fido]

There isn't much difference between Euro 4 and 5/6 for petrol anyway - a tiny difference in NoX and PM limit for direct injection.