18-20k do it all

[markymark34]

Hi

Currently without a car so need to get something. Have had a series of hot hatches and am fed up with them. Want something nice and comfortable as I spend an hour a day in the car (decent stereo would be a bonus).

I've had a few 330ds in the past and am familiar enough with BMW's but I've been looking at mercs this time. I feel like I don't know much about them. Whatever I get has to be reliable.

3l diesel mercs. 2016ish. As reliable as the BMW engine?

Don't really do the miles to justify the diesel but I'm not going down the route of a 6 cylinder petrol as I hate frequent petrol station visits.

BMW 330d 430d maybe even 530d
Merc c or E class. 350d.

Audi? A5 / A6. Are these dual clutch? I've had a couple of dsg cars and I'm not convinced they are good with high miles on them.
Lexus Is 300H?

What else has a ZF gearbox?

Sorry for the ramble.
Comfortable
Reliable
Reasonably quick

Thanks in advance

M

[clockworks]

Don't discount the recent 3 litre petrol BMW engine (B58). Relatively easy to get 40mpg on out of town driving. The previous engine (N55?) is not that much worse on fuel. Obviously that's in the smaller-bodied cars.

I'm getting just over 40mpg from my 2019 M140i. For comparison, with the same driving mix, I used to get less than that from a 525d E61, a Touareg 3 litre diesel, a Galaxy 2 litre diesel auto, and a Skoda Superb 280. A Merc C220d W204 only just managed to better that, as did an Abarth 595.

The B58/ZF8 combo is quite remarkably efficient if driven sensibly., and more than quick enough.

[markymark34]

clockworks said:

Don't discount the recent 3 litre petrol BMW engine (B58). Relatively easy to get 40mpg on out of town driving. The previous engine (N55?) is not that much worse on fuel. Obviously that's in the smaller-bodied cars.

I'm getting just over 40mpg from my 2019 M140i. For comparison, with the same driving mix, I used to get less than that from a 525d E61, a Touareg 3 litre diesel, a Galaxy 2 litre diesel auto, and a Skoda Superb 280. A Merc C220d W204 only just managed to better that, as did an Abarth 595.

The B58/ZF8 combo is quite remarkably efficient if driven sensibly., and more than quick enough.

Thanks for the reply. I had a 2018 m140i. As you said Cracking engine and gearbox combo but my average mpg over 10000 miles was 28 whereas I was easily getting 42mpg out of my 330d.

Although I am thinking I had a heavy right foot then.

[hepy]

Leon Cupra ST 4drive?

Had one for 45,000 miles, very comfortable and a decent stereo. 37 mpg (mainly motorway use) and cheap to service.

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd say the E350cdi in AMG Line Premium/Premium Plus is the pick, the drivetrain is easily as reliable as the BMW offering.

I would say try to get one with the 9 speed box, it's just a bit smoother than the 7.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202204044...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206176...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206277...

[cerb4.5lee]

I echo what ZX10 says, and we did over 100k miles in a 2017 GLC350d(3.0 V6 diesel mated to the 9 speed auto). It was completely reliable and it is really good engine I reckon.

[Welshbeef]

markymark34 said:

Hi

Currently without a car so need to get something. Have had a series of hot hatches and am fed up with them. Want something nice and comfortable as I spend an hour a day in the car (decent stereo would be a bonus).

I've had a few 330ds in the past and am familiar enough with BMW's but I've been looking at mercs this time. I feel like I don't know much about them. Whatever I get has to be reliable.

3l diesel mercs. 2016ish. As reliable as the BMW engine?

Don't really do the miles to justify the diesel but I'm not going down the route of a 6 cylinder petrol as I hate frequent petrol station visits.

BMW 330d 430d maybe even 530d
Merc c or E class. 350d.

Audi? A5 / A6. Are these dual clutch? I've had a couple of dsg cars and I'm not convinced they are good with high miles on them.
Lexus Is 300H?

What else has a ZF gearbox?

Sorry for the ramble.
Comfortable
Reliable
Reasonably quick

Thanks in advance

M

Ford SMax and Galaxy have the ZF8 too

[markymark34]

ZX10R NIN said:

I'd say the E350cdi in AMG Line Premium/Premium Plus is the pick, the drivetrain is easily as reliable as the BMW offering.

I would say try to get one with the 9 speed box, it's just a bit smoother than the 7.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202204044...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206176...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206277...

Cheers. You have found some really good examples there as well. I'll do my research on the premium and premium plus.

[Mouse Rat]

The Mercedes 350d is excellent choice. The XF 3.0d is also superb and worth considering.