Help me choose a new car - long distance ICE / EV
Discussion
I’ve currently a standard range Polestar which does around 200 miles to a charge, which is now the main family car, but usually used by the OH. The Polestar replaced an X5 M50d.
Overall, I’m not adverse to an EV. The Polestar usually works well for family affairs, on local jobs. However, it’s mildly annoying on longer trips, but we do stop anyway: charging / lack of it being luxurious / lack of space being the issues.
It is more of an issue when on medium distance journeys where usually no pit stop is required, and where I would prefer a non stop day trip, i.e. when en-route to a hike (i.e. the Lake District), this usually means the Polestar isn’t suitable, and a sub car is needed.
I’ve made a decision to get another / second car: this primarily as I need one for the work commute, this is 250 miles one way. Broadly from North Yorkshire to London.
Using the trains isn’t viable as I need to travel at times, last minute and at peak, thus the trains can be expensive. I live rurally and getting to a main line station can take more take up to 90 minutes.
I’ve previously had a 840d for this purpose but sold it to try the train option: so I do think that another car is the way to go v the train route.
I did toy with a banger option, but having used one recently, it’s unsuitable.
I’m now have to decide between a few options can could work:
1. a 15k workhorse like a 520d or a Tesla 3
2. a newer used car, so something like a 530d estate or an X5. For the budget, a Porsche Taycan could work but they have only a 220 mile real world range, so may not be wholly on point, or a lastest gen 5 series in the form of an i5, which has a headline range of 380 miles. The budget here could be 30k to 40k. I’d prefer the lower end of the range.
So any thoughts on the car options. I’m going to put on around 20k a year and we do like family road trips (France, Italy etc), which we’ve not been able to do this with the Polestar).
Sensible head says a budget diesel, but the i5 EV, or a X5 diesel could be a more all round option: thoughts?
Overall, I’m not adverse to an EV. The Polestar usually works well for family affairs, on local jobs. However, it’s mildly annoying on longer trips, but we do stop anyway: charging / lack of it being luxurious / lack of space being the issues.
It is more of an issue when on medium distance journeys where usually no pit stop is required, and where I would prefer a non stop day trip, i.e. when en-route to a hike (i.e. the Lake District), this usually means the Polestar isn’t suitable, and a sub car is needed.
I’ve made a decision to get another / second car: this primarily as I need one for the work commute, this is 250 miles one way. Broadly from North Yorkshire to London.
Using the trains isn’t viable as I need to travel at times, last minute and at peak, thus the trains can be expensive. I live rurally and getting to a main line station can take more take up to 90 minutes.
I’ve previously had a 840d for this purpose but sold it to try the train option: so I do think that another car is the way to go v the train route.
I did toy with a banger option, but having used one recently, it’s unsuitable.
I’m now have to decide between a few options can could work:
1. a 15k workhorse like a 520d or a Tesla 3
2. a newer used car, so something like a 530d estate or an X5. For the budget, a Porsche Taycan could work but they have only a 220 mile real world range, so may not be wholly on point, or a lastest gen 5 series in the form of an i5, which has a headline range of 380 miles. The budget here could be 30k to 40k. I’d prefer the lower end of the range.
So any thoughts on the car options. I’m going to put on around 20k a year and we do like family road trips (France, Italy etc), which we’ve not been able to do this with the Polestar).
Sensible head says a budget diesel, but the i5 EV, or a X5 diesel could be a more all round option: thoughts?
If you don't want to stop to recharge an EV then another 840d or 530d makes sense an MHT 530d will easily do that journey cheaply and comfortably as would a 520d MHT that would be in the 60's MPG wise on a run costing around 10p a mile and EV will do the same but you'll have to charge and that will be at a high pence per KW rate but that will be offset against home charging so probably work out to be the same cost overall.
Using an EV on a known route like that it should be easy to get into a rhythm picking a stop off point (250 miles is 5-6 hours of driving) so you'll want to stop I would guess so it all depends if you want an EV or prefer an ICE so you have both forms rather than one on the driveway.
When I was doing a similar run I had a 730d MHT and it was perfect massive range over 900 miles and 55mpg, but a long range EV and willingness to charge on route (fine in the summer maybe a pain in the winter) would fine I think.
Using an EV on a known route like that it should be easy to get into a rhythm picking a stop off point (250 miles is 5-6 hours of driving) so you'll want to stop I would guess so it all depends if you want an EV or prefer an ICE so you have both forms rather than one on the driveway.
When I was doing a similar run I had a 730d MHT and it was perfect massive range over 900 miles and 55mpg, but a long range EV and willingness to charge on route (fine in the summer maybe a pain in the winter) would fine I think.
thebullettrain said:
I’ve made a decision to get another / second car: this primarily as I need one for the work commute, this is 250 miles one way. Broadly from North Yorkshire to London.
Can you charge an EV at work?If so then an EV with a 250 mile motorway range year-round would be a competitive option.
If not, then you're looking for 500 miles and a diesel would be better suited.
I really like my EV, a long range Enyaq, but if the brief is close to 100% long distance cruising at motorway speeds then I'd choose a G30 5 series out of the possibilities you mention, indeed probably out of all possibilities. I have previously had a 530d but a 4 cylinder version would be just fine for this brief.
If you've had an x5 then you probably know whether stuff like HK and hud are important to you. For the G30 specifically I'd just say: Comfort seats a must unless you've used one with sports seats previously and been sure you're comfortable.
If you've had an x5 then you probably know whether stuff like HK and hud are important to you. For the G30 specifically I'd just say: Comfort seats a must unless you've used one with sports seats previously and been sure you're comfortable.
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