Skoda Superb, Jaguar XF, Mercedes E Class or Mondeo.

[anonymous-user]

I’m looking to change my current car as it was cheap but becoming a bit of a money pit. I’ve £8k to spend. I currently work as a Service Engineer so I need something with a decent boot that’s nice to drive. I do around 4K a year so ideally I would be looking at a petrol.

I’ve seen a Skoda Superb with the 3.6 engine. Is there any known issues with these cars to look out for? The Jaguar XF with the 3.0 V6 in Premium Luxury spec but again I’ve been told the diesel is a better unit but with the limited mileage it’s a worry whether there would be issues.

Mercedes I’m not sure on engines or spec and the Mondeo would probably be the 2.0 with either a Titanium X Spec or Titanium Sport.

But I do like a car with gadgets as I’ve always tried to get top spec models. Any advice would be great.

Edited by anonymous-user on Saturday 14th November 10:52

[Dimski]

I had a 2013 Jaguar XF sportbrake and traded it for a Skoda Superb.

The Jaguar drove fantastically, I think the chassis dynamics felt like a completely different league to the Skoda. For me, you can tell that the Skoda is a stretched golf platform approaching its limits.

That said, in the Skoda it sort of doesn’t matter because it is softly spring so the ride is good, and you get the impression that this was the focus. Why bother ruining the ride for a 10% improvement in body roll? Just go with comfort... type of approach from Skoda.

It dwarves the Jaguar inside, and I mean really makes it look ridiculous. Rear seat legroom, boot space, practicality the Skoda is probably the best at I’ve owned. The space and comfort make the Skoda seem more like a luxury car than it actually is, and the comfortable ride probably adds to that feel. (As do the umbrellas!)

It’s a very practical and spacious car the Superb, no surprise so many are taxis. 🙂

[ZX10R NIN]

The 3.6 Skoda can have issues with the timing chain stretching but this can be checked, they also are £565 road tax at 8k the Mondeo is the pick in either:

Titanium X

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010084...

Titanium X Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010305...

Or if you don't mind stretching the budget a smidge along with some hagglin then a later Titanium is in contention, with your low annual mileage it'll come back into line.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010245...

If you don't mind the high tax then I'd say take a look at the VXR Insignia they're an underrated steer with some proper performance too.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010185...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202007201...

Or you can go for the later facelift 2.0T SRI VX Line 250 so you get a more modern infotainment & a more sensible tax rate:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202007091...

S60 T5 SE

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009274...

V60 T6 SE Lux

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011025...

Lexus GS250 Luxury

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010134...

The E350cgi Avantgarde is a good option & getting a 2009 onward model means you won't have any balancer shaft issues

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009023...

If you don't mind a Hybrid then the.

Infiniti M

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010265...

GS450h SE-L

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010155...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011146...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009033...

When it comes to the XF I'd go for the 4.2 V8:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010134...

V6

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011055...

[anonymous-user]

ZX10R NIN said:

The 3.6 Skoda can have issues with the timing chain stretching but this can be checked, they also are £565 road tax at 8k the Mondeo is the pick in either:

Titanium X

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010084...

Titanium X Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010305...

Or if you don't mind stretching the budget a smidge along with some hagglin then a later Titanium is in contention, with your low annual mileage it'll come back into line.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010245...

If you don't mind the high tax then I'd say take a look at the VXR Insignia they're an underrated steer with some proper performance too.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010185...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202007201...

Or you can go for the later facelift 2.0T SRI VX Line 250 so you get a more modern infotainment & a more sensible tax rate:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202007091...

S60 T5 SE

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009274...

V60 T6 SE Lux

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011025...

Lexus GS250 Luxury

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010134...

The E350cgi Avantgarde is a good option & getting a 2009 onward model means you won't have any balancer shaft issues

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009023...

If you don't mind a Hybrid then the.

Infiniti M

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010265...

GS450h SE-L

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010155...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011146...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009033...

When it comes to the XF I'd go for the 4.2 V8:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010134...

V6

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011055...

Thanks for sending them over. The Mondeo does look a good buy tbh. I just liked the Superb as they are unusual and you don’t see many. The V60 you have linked looks very nice so I’ve made an enquiry on that one.

I would love the V8 Jag but I would imagine it would cost a lot to run and maintain. The Insignia is unusual too. I’ve seen one that’s ex police.

[ZX10R NIN]

The difference in running costs between the V6/V8 XF will be just fuel both are high tax & both are N/A which is why I suggested the V8.

[anonymous-user]

ZX10R NIN said:

The difference in running costs between the V6/V8 XF will be just fuel both are high tax & both are N/A which is why I suggested the V8.

That’s not too bad. I am swaying towards the Volvo as it looks good. Are the Superb 3.6 not that great?

Edited by anonymous-user on Sunday 15th November 09:56

[ZX10R NIN]

That T6 is a good pick, the 3.6 is okay but pretty much everything I listed above I'd buy before buying the 3.6 Superb but that's just my personal opinion.

[ALawson]

There is a E500 on AT £9k.

[anonymous-user]

Just some some insurance quotes. Superb was the the cheapest. Followed by the Mondeo then the Volvo and then the Jag 3.0v6.

The next question would be out of reliability, servicing and costs to maintain, what would be the best option and also hold its value somewhat.

[ZX10R NIN]

Mr.Nobody said:

Just some some insurance quotes. Superb was the the cheapest. Followed by the Mondeo then the Volvo and then the Jag 3.0v6.

The next question would be out of reliability, servicing and costs to maintain, what would be the best option and also hold its value somewhat.

Maintenance wise you should be expecting to do a gearbox fluid & filter on all of them unless they have proof it's been (the Skoda & Ford will be the most expensive due to them having Dual Clutch boxes) done recently.

Obviously the higher the mileage the closer you are to a suspension refresh normal servicing the Ford will be slightly cheaper but not by a massive margin if you're using a good Indy.

They'll all depreciate at a similar rate but the £500+ road tax cars will drop a little more as they get less desirable to the masses due to their high tax.

Everything listed above is reliable.

[anonymous-user]

ZX10R NIN said:

Maintenance wise you should be expecting to do a gearbox fluid & filter on all of them unless they have proof it's been (the Skoda & Ford will be the most expensive due to them having Dual Clutch boxes) done recently.

Obviously the higher the mileage the closer you are to a suspension refresh normal servicing the Ford will be slightly cheaper but not by a massive margin if you're using a good Indy.

They'll all depreciate at a similar rate but the £500+ road tax cars will drop a little more as they get less desirable to the masses due to their high tax.

Everything listed above is reliable.

Thanks for that something to bare in mind. What would you choose if you were me? As the Hybrids are not a bad option. I’ve had a Lexus IS250 in the past which was great with the extended warranty. I’m just thinking would a Coupe be out of the question? As some have quite a good boot space.

[anonymous-user]

As I’m just thinking about the high tax bracket and the reselling of the car later on. As most people tend to not want to pay over £500 for VED.

I do like the idea of the 3.0 engine as some are suppose to be excellent. Maybe it’s worth a rethink and get something that’s still nice, decent bhp and lots of gadgets.

[ZX10R NIN]

Normally for me the sensible/best option (but you're only doing 4K a year so you don't need to be too sensible) is the Mondeo but in this case the Insignia 2.0T SRI is really hard to ignore when you take age/spec/mileage, if you don't mind the high tax & want a bit of (keeps maintenance costs down) luxury then the non hybrid versions of the :

Infiniti G37:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2011-61-Infiniti-G37-3-...

Or the Lexus GS250 listed above would be my picks.

In all honesty the VXR would be my pick they're a nice place to be with a great mix of performance/comfort & reasonable running costs (yuo'll need to make sure the Haldex services have been carried out) .all wrapped in a bit of an anonymous package.

Now if you want a coupe (I'm bias as I have an E500) then the E350 Coupe with it's big boot & folding seats mean space isn't an issue:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011146...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010064...

Or as long as you don't mind stretching the budget haggling & the higher running costs then you can get a lovely CL500:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202007271...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010155...

3.2 A5

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202007171...

S5

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009173...

[anonymous-user]

The Mercs look impressive. But I would be worried by high bills. The Insignia looks good tbh, a little different

I’ve seen this one:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202007201...

BMW 335i

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009113...


I’ve also agree with the GS250. Very nice but having owned a IS250 I would try something different.

Edited by anonymous-user on Sunday 15th November 13:26

[ZX10R NIN]

That's a nice one it's even got the smaller wheels for a more stealth look, the Merc's are pretty much bulletproof.

[anonymous-user]

It’s also EX Police so it should be well maintained I would imagine. Plenty of Service History and MOts. I’ve read that there is no such thing as a cheap Mercedes lol. I will add them to the list. The Vauxhall does look good. Any specific that I should ask the seller?

[alfabeat]

I bought an ex CID (Manchester) Skoda Octavia a few months back. You won't get much in the way of history, bar a print out of the services done.

Mine also only came with one key. Some of the wiring had been messed around with a bit, but everything works. Just make sure there are no holes in the bodywork/interior from removed lights etc.

[anonymous-user]

Mr.Nobody said:

It’s also EX Police so it should be well maintained I would imagine. Plenty of Service History and MOts. I’ve read that there is no such thing as a cheap Mercedes lol. I will add them to the list. The Vauxhall does look good. Any specific that I should ask the seller?

I'm not really keen on the idea of buying an ex plod car from a backstreet dealer in North East Manchester. I know the area far too well!

However, I do like the look of the Superb 3.6 Estate they have in stock.

[ZX10R NIN]

Mr.Nobody said:

It’s also EX Police so it should be well maintained I would imagine. Plenty of Service History and MOts. I’ve read that there is no such thing as a cheap Mercedes lol. I will add them to the list. The Vauxhall does look good. Any specific that I should ask the seller?

If it's ex police you won't have a record of the Hadlex service so budget to get it done.

[alfabeat]

ZX10R NIN said:

If it's ex police you won't have a record of the Hadlex service so budget to get it done.

What mileage / age should that be done? My Scout is on 65k and 2012 plate. No idea if it has been done or not.