Motorway commuter

Original Poster

3,138 posts

198 months

Monday

Hi all

I'd appreciate some thoughts and ideas please . My existing car is being returned in about 3 months so I'm thinking of a replacement. I might buy early if the right car comes along.

I have a long commute of 90 miles (1 hr 45) each way, which I do twice a week. I probably do 23-25k miles a year. Comfort is therefore a priority. As is fuel economy, but not at the expense of comfort. I don't want to hate my commute. Auto is a must.

I think I'd also prefer a car where I can find some sort of enjoyment of ownership- some luxury, or a decent drivetrain.

Budget wise, there is some scope, but circa £10k, maybe a little less if possible. I'd prefer less than 125k miles and reliability is also a concern.

I guess I'm trying to find the sweet spot of the above. So far I'm looking at:

E350cdi
Infiniti qx70 (good reliability and cheap, but poorer fuel economy)
Lexus gs300h
Volvo v70 or s80 (2.4 d5)
Xf 3.0d
Audi a7 (probably an SE, after the crashy ride of an A4 s line I had previously)

5 series seem a bit more expensive. I'm not keen on the a6.

I have thought about stepping up to 7 series, xj or an A8, which look incredible value, but I think running costs will just escalate.

Any other cars that I should be considering, please?

Skoda superb seems an obvious one missing from my list, but I'm concerned I will just find it a bit dull?

Edited by covmutley on Monday 2nd December 13:55

ZX10R NIN

28,407 posts

133 months

Monday

nobrakes

3,334 posts

206 months

Yesterday (07:26)

S350

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410165...

tomsugden

2,293 posts

236 months

Yesterday (07:34)

Isn't a Skoda Superb usually the right answer to this question?

RammyMP

7,023 posts

161 months

Yesterday (07:45)

tomsugden said:

Isn't a Skoda Superb usually the right answer to this question?

Yes but they’re a bit dull.

I’m in the same position myself, I gad a A6 previous which was a great motorway cruiser but the auto box around town was woeful.

jaydeeuk1

296 posts

68 months

Yesterday (08:57)

Lexus and Volvo make the best seats in the business (unless you have Bentley or Rolls money), lexus most reliable while volvo have recently plummeted down reliability charts behind even Merc and BMW.

25k a year at an optimistic 50mg £1.40 diesel is another £3200 a year.
If EV is an option as you can charge at home then you could bump budget up to £16k and still be better off after 3 years.

Mileage is no worry on a modern EV, id expect a 60kwh battery to last 200000 miles before it's junk

ilikejam

1,110 posts

124 months

Yesterday (09:05)

Doesn't have the big German drivetrain, but for quiet, comfortable cruising an S60 is a decent option

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202411096...

There also seems to be a few of the newer style V60s and S90s just starting to drop into price range. Again not an exciting engine, but definitely comfortable cruising!

V60
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407081...

S90
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410225...

Original Poster

3,138 posts

198 months

Yesterday (09:11)

Yes, I've seen volvo reliability has dropped off. Shame, because I really like the brand, we've had 4 I think. I think it's mainly the newer ones where reliability concerns have set in, which is why I'd go or an older D5 engine. A v70 or s80 seem under £10k.

As for ev, I'm in a polestar 2 now and now we're in winter my commute is pretty much at the limit of range. I do like ev, but whilst yhe drivetrain are obviously super smooth, i dont think I could get one with the overall refinement and comfort I looking for. And have gone right off tesla!

tomsugden

2,293 posts

236 months

Yesterday (15:21)

RammyMP said:

tomsugden said:

Isn't a Skoda Superb usually the right answer to this question?

Yes but they’re a bit dull.

I’m in the same position myself, I gad a A6 previous which was a great motorway cruiser but the auto box around town was woeful.

Not all of them, this will do the 0-60 sprint in 5.6 seconds and you'll be in the lap of luxury

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410175...

RammyMP

7,023 posts

161 months

Yesterday (16:26)

tomsugden said:

RammyMP said:

tomsugden said:

Isn't a Skoda Superb usually the right answer to this question?

Yes but they’re a bit dull.

I’m in the same position myself, I gad a A6 previous which was a great motorway cruiser but the auto box around town was woeful.

Not all of them, this will do the 0-60 sprint in 5.6 seconds and you'll be in the lap of luxury

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410175...

I was just repeating the OP but get your point, might be heavy on fuel though!

Just to counter the Lexus reliability claim, my FIL has just ditched his 2 year old RX as it would dead lock the doors while he (and the MIL) were inside and refused to let them out. They got locked in for 2 hours a few weeks ago, Lexus couldn’t find the fault. He’s swapped it for an Evoque, out of the frying pan and all that! hehe

ZX10R NIN

28,407 posts

133 months

Yesterday (17:57)

tomsugden said:

Isn't a Skoda Superb usually the right answer to this question?

No it's not I'd take the Insignia over one everytime.

Original Poster

3,138 posts

198 months

Yesterday (20:57)

Have seen a 2013 A8 3.0tdi with good service history. I appreciate it will be more costly to run than an A4 or even an A6 with the same engine, but how much more? Piece of string question perhaps.

I'm not exactly pushing my budget here, it's more of a case I don't see the point in buying an expensive car given the miles I do. (I've got a classic to waste my money on hehe

) so an extra grand or so a year isn't an issue, as long as its worth it for the extra luxury.

Summit_Detailing

2,014 posts

201 months

07:55

covmutley said:

) so an extra grand or so a year isn't an issue, as long as its worth it for the extra luxury.

I have this car & having had all the other luxury barges from BMW, Mercedes, Lexus, Jaguar and Range Rover it is for me, overall the best car out of the lot.

My work commute varies between 120 and 200 miles roundtrip with 90% on the M5.

It's from a time when Audi's were screwed together properly and the drivetrain is relatively basic and certainly tried&tested.

I've done 16k since end of May at an average of 39.2mpg according to the Road Trip app, funnily enough the cars trip info shows the exact same figure (never had a car with an accurate readout before).

I had a full service including the ZF gearbox fluid change carried out shortly after purchasing and it had a basic oil & filter change 10k miles later.
I also replaced the Pirelli Pzero's which were approx 1/2 worn as I felt there was too much tyre noise entering the cabin - sure enough a new set of Hankooks + wheel alignment did make it quieter, even the other half noticed a difference and she didn't believe me to start with.

No other expenditure....but from previous experience the cost of consumables like suspension arms or brakes from the likes of Euro or GSF are a little more than the equivalent from an A4 of course but nothing that makes your wallet shake!

Yes a 5-series, A6, E-class or XF are in isolation a perfectly acceptable companion for a long commute, until you drive a car from the segment above and then you'll change your mind.

I 100% recommend one.

Cheers,

Chris

GreatGranny

9,368 posts

234 months

08:35

If you're ok with the potential extra running costs of an A8/S Class etc.. then personally I would go for the 640d GC.

They are a great looking car and look a good buy for £10k.

AlexGSi2000

404 posts

202 months

09:02

Just for comparison, I've recently purchased an early 2015 530d touring in sport guise at 124k miles for £8.4k.

It sits on the motorway all day for fun, getting close to 50mpg between 70-75mph.

Comfy place to be, complimented by the Harmon Kardon audio, which makes a huge difference.

Original Poster

3,138 posts

198 months