What do I need? Motorway/Daily

[rustico12]

Hi

Currently without car but have previously owned a number of BMW/Mercedes so I’m naturally leaning that way.

Starting a new job soon, which is mostly remote but has 2-3 trips in a month between London and Liverpool (weekend stays). On the days I’m not travelling, car will be used for local use (gym, shops etc)

My budget is between up to 400pm with about a 1k deposit, so I’m leaning towards a used PCP deal.

It’s a fairly long drive, so I’d like something I’ll enjoy driving and has all the features I’d need, like ACC, Apple CarPlay, Memory seats and a “premium” brand. I’ve narrowed it down to the below but curious for thoughts:

- BMW G30 5 series. A decent 520d would be in budget, but finding the right spec is harder. A 530d would be great but for some reason, insurance on these seems to cost me an extra 1k

- BMW G20 320d. As with above, smaller (last car was an F10) and hard to get the right spec (HK audio, electric seats) - Unsure on the 20d engines too? Always see people saying only go for 6cyl

- Mercedes 220d of some sort. 2017 onwards, probably an E Coupe, or C Class. Have read a lot of horror stories about these engines but not sure how true they are with the more recent cars. I’d want the Premium Plus so may struggle to find budget.

- Audi - Doesn’t really do much for me
- Mondeo - Has to be auto, so the power shift are a no from me


Anything else to consider? What are the narrowed down ones like?

Thanks

[anyoldcardave]

I am sure the EV crowd will give you plenty of advice.

Mercedes 220d, pre 70 reg, are good engines, but have a lot of adblue problems, and once they have them, mapping it out is the only way usually. The later 654 engines are like any other new engine, rubbish, timing chain issues.

The EV crowd I will leave to it, they know more than me, Have you thought about a Lexus Hybrid?

There are big spec 520d, my neighbour has one, but they are few and far between, another has a 530e, does loads of miles with no major issues so far, he loves it.

I had a 520d years ago, the economy was impressive then, and chain issues are better on later ones.

[rustico12]

I was thinking of an EV but my wife has a Nissan Leaf and as cheap as it is to run, I never feel “enjoyment” driving it. Plus, the longer drives will almost certainly need a charge which I personally can’t be bothered with.

The only EV’s I’d probably consider would be a BMW or the Model 3, even then I’m hesitant.

My last car was a 330e - They were great, but utterly tiny fuel tank so on the Lon - Liv journeys I’d be filling up to full twice.

I have considered a Lexus, but the interior/infotainment left a lot to be desired. The CVT gearbox also really annoyed me (IS300h)

So are you saying the pre 20 220ds are a better bet than 20 onwards?

[anyoldcardave]

rustico12 said:

I was thinking of an EV but my wife has a Nissan Leaf and as cheap as it is to run, I never feel “enjoyment” driving it. Plus, the longer drives will almost certainly need a charge which I personally can’t be bothered with.

The only EV’s I’d probably consider would be a BMW or the Model 3, even then I’m hesitant.

My last car was a 330e - They were great, but utterly tiny fuel tank so on the Lon - Liv journeys I’d be filling up to full twice.

I have considered a Lexus, but the interior/infotainment left a lot to be desired. The CVT gearbox also really annoyed me (IS300h)

So are you saying the pre 20 220ds are a better bet than 20 onwards?

There is some crossover time, I think 2020 may still well have the old engine, and some later, someone said they had a 2022 Sprinter with the old engine, the new engine is struggling to 100k in Sprinters, before the chain starts rattling. Adblue is an issue for lots of old engines. In cars and vans.

Ev advice will come, had one, hated it, so not going to comment, I know nothing

[rustico12]

anyoldcardave said:

There is some crossover time, I think 2020 may still well have the old engine, and some later, someone said they had a 2022 Sprinter with the old engine, the new engine is struggling to 100k in Sprinters, before the chain starts rattling. Adblue is an issue for lots of old engines. In cars and vans.

Ev advice will come, had one, hated it, so not going to comment, I know nothing

Thanks! I’d be interested to hear more from others on the 220d engines. An e220d coupe of the 2018 vintage might be in budget - I avoided it due to the horror stories