Lots of miles in a short time - what car?

[IceBoy]

Hi All,

I have been spoilt for the last few years, as I have been a able to you my full fat Range Rover 4.4 SDV8 for my work travel.

The time has come and I will now have to pay for my own fuel and need something that is:

Comfortable
Quiet
Frugal at motor way speeds

Budget is £8-11k and I have shortlisted far too many cars so need help witling it down to 2 of these:

BMW X3 2.0d
Audi Q5 2.0 TDI
Passat estate 2.0 TDI
Mercedes C220 cdi estate
Volvo XC60 diesel


FYI, I travel 500 miles over 2 days and stick to the top lane of the motorway and do this every week!

I'm leaning towards the mid-size SUV's for the high driving position.

Thoughts and real-life experiences please.

IceBoy

[Master Bean]

Dacia Spring meets your requirements.

[Muntu]

Master Bean said:

Dacia Spring meets your requirements.

Not if you actually read his post

[CDP]

A good list.

An A6 might give you similar comfort (or better) than the Q5 while using less fuel at higher speeds? The same goes for a V70 with superb seats and a lower profile.

[sam.rog]

You’ll find it much easier if you use the other lanes on the motorway.

You probably want something with the brightest lights at eye level so you can flash them vigorously at people in front of you to assert your dominance. You already have one of those.
Mercedes light are bright. What about one of them.

Why dont you use the E-class listed in your garage?

[E63eeeeee...]

640d

[paul_c123]

I guess there's the T-Roc?

Or, what about a pre-2014 (so, the 2.2 diesel, not the Ingenium) Range Rover Evoque? Its not the same as a "proper" Range Rover, but its still quite nice compared to its rivals. Just make sure you check it thoroughly and keep on top of the maintenance.

[Alex_225]

May be a bit larger than you need but my other half has a Merc ML and it is an extremely comfortable drive. We have a 350cdi but a 250cdi would be more economical.

I have used ours for various trips between Gloucestershire to Surrey and back, so 250 miles or so in total. Really great cruiser and with a good driving position.

[Chris_i8]

Out of your list the C220d....just make sure you take it for an extended test drive as the seats don't have a huge amount of adjustment and the alignment of the pedals, steering wheel and seat isn't linear which from experience my lower back did not appreciate.

I'd have a wander around a 320d also as a comparison to the above. I much prefer the engine and gearbox in this to the Mercedes.

Cheers,

Chris

[StuntCock]

£8-11k buys a lot of fuel for the Range Rover, which is almost certainly the comfiest place to cover the miles.

[anyoldcardave]

A bit boring, but the Passat is probably the most reliable, comfortable and economical from your list. Only really have injector and oil pump issues, which if you do your homework are not major problems, Volvo estate is a good shout too.

Personally an estate over an SUV every time, better ride and handling, better economy, cheaper RFL usually, just more practical all round.

[HocusPocus]

For 500 miles in the motorway top lane in 2 days, I'd stick to a cheap rental car. You'll be the fastest thing out there

[The Mad Monk]

What is "the top lane of the motorway", or is that some kind of joke?

[OutInTheShed]

HocusPocus said:

For 500 miles in the motorway top lane in 2 days, I'd stick to a cheap rental car. You'll be the fastest thing out there

No, he definitely needs a Merc.


Sprinter that is!


If you start to care about fuel consumption, an estate will use less than an SUV.

I like having plenty of tank range, it just makes long trip more pleasant when you take fuel stops out of the equation.

[nobrakes]

E220cdi will be way comfier (longer wheel base) and only a nominal loss in mileage over the C class.

[ChevronB19]

sam.rog said:

You’ll find it much easier if you use the other lanes on the motorway.

You probably want something with the brightest lights at eye level so you can flash them vigorously at people in front of you to assert your dominance. You already have one of those.
Mercedes light are bright. What about one of them.

Why dont you use the E-class listed in your garage?

Or the multiple Porsches.

Curiously, a FFRR isn’t mentioned.

[Josemartinez]

How about a Jag? I think the F Pace is a great car and one of the better looking Suvs other than the Stelvio. My friend has a 2.0d F Pace it's quick enough and very comfortable on the motorway.

Not sure about the Igenium diesel engine though.

[ZX10R NIN]

IceBoy said:

Hi All,

I have been spoilt for the last few years, as I have been a able to you my full fat Range Rover 4.4 SDV8 for my work travel.

The time has come and I will now have to pay for my own fuel and need something that is:

Comfortable
Quiet
Frugal at motor way speeds

Budget is £8-11k and I have shortlisted far too many cars so need help witling it down to 2 of these:

BMW X3 2.0d
Audi Q5 2.0 TDI
Passat estate 2.0 TDI
Mercedes C220 cdi estate
Volvo XC60 diesel


FYI, I travel 500 miles over 2 days and stick to the top lane of the motorway and do this every week!

I'm leaning towards the mid-size SUV's for the high driving position.

Thoughts and real-life experiences please.

IceBoy

Infiniti QX50, they soak up miles with ease & they're the bonus of them being ULEZ compliant & at the bottom of your budget:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202505172...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202505202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202508225...

[PBCD]

The Mad Monk said:

What is "the top lane of the motorway", or is that some kind of joke?

I immediately thought of the first line of The Chauffeur by Duran Duran:

"Out on the tar plains, the glides are moving"


So presumably he wants to 'glide' along the 'tar plains'

[Phil.]

StuntCock said:

£8-11k buys a lot of fuel for the Range Rover, which is almost certainly the comfiest place to cover the miles.

Just what I was going to say