Motorway Mile Munchers

CatmanV2

Member
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48,541
OK. It's almost certainly been asked before, and I doubt I'll get clarity but here goes:

Looks like I'll be hammering up and down to Nottingham rather more than I anticipated. It's only 125 miles each way but the traffic can be rubbish and we're looking at 2h30m each way. Without traffic. Thursday / Friday was 5.5h in the car. Add a trip to Luton today and it's more like 7 hours driving in 3 days.

Apart from anything else the fuel costs are distinctly unpleasant.

My target is still to be in an MC or Strad before August 2020.

If I'm honest I'm not going to do anything until I know what my new package (oooerr) is but I see a few options:

1) Re-spray and fettle the GT and sell (roughly 18k) to clear the finance an buy something cheaper
2) Plough money into the GT and run it into the ground.
3) Anything?

Assuming go for 1) What do I replace the GT with? My personal fave currently is a Jag XF. Whatever suggested needs to be:
Fast (at least in a straight line)
Pretty imposing
Not so bad on the running costs
Comfortable.

QPV fits 1 and 2, and maybe 4
Audi perhaps?
Not massively keen on BMW or Mercs but...

I throw myself on the mercy of the forum.

C
 

D Walker

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9,827
Hate to say it.....335d. Big bhp with mpg, My commute is 70 miles round trip and Mav's old Golf is doing fine, but sometimes I fancy a bit more comfort, been looking @ diesel Ghibli but 37mpg is poor against the BMW, which can be newer with less miles and cheaper...
Also looking @ Golf GTD, 185bhp, 60 odd mpg, problem is too much choice and money is cheap as chips (If financing)
You could always go for a world record GT odometer - fuel bill will smart tho...
 

FIFTY

Member
Messages
3,100
I know you said you are not a fan but BMW or MB all the way. Audi are not great for diving dynamics but the A4 is an extremely practical car particularly in Avant form

Jag XE or XF will have big depreciation and I hear nothing but poor comments on reliability and build quality from my colleagues who have chosen a JLR products as their company cars.

My CC is up for renewal next July I think I will be chosing the new 3er... Will be the 4th 3 series I have had!
 

CatmanV2

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48,541
Thanks both. XF that I'm looking won't have much further to fall :) . The 335d looks 'interesting' but....

GT odometer will smart. Even on the motorway I've not broken 30 MPG....

Will check the A4, but what year / engine would I be looking for?

C
 

Navcorr

Member
Messages
3,839
Wasn't GeoffCapes looking at something along the same lines recently?
A Saab Aero fits the above very nicely. Well, 3 of 4 as imposing they ain't. But is that important?
Maybe time to reconsider running a third car - keeping the GT as is for the time being.
 

Wanderer

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5,791
I had a Cadillac CTS with LPG, wasn’t awful, rolled a bit round corners.....

32 mpg on motorway, LPG half the price of petrol.

DDEE4E5F-367E-4519-86E9-4CF54E5E2D59.jpeg
 

hunta

Member
Messages
405
Maybe time to reconsider running a third car - keeping the GT as is for the time being.
This (assuming you have somewhere to put it).
Spend next to nothing on the mile muncher, sell it when you're done and keep the GT for fun times.
Horses for courses and no compromises.
 

MGT

Member
Messages
262
I'm only in Bedford, pick up my GTS MC on your way past Luton ;)

Seriously though, now edited as I've re-read your message. If the GT needs that much work, I would look for a relatively cheap mile muncher. CLS320, any3.0d BMW, XF, etc.
 

CatmanV2

Member
Messages
48,541
Wasn't GeoffCapes looking at something along the same lines recently?
A Saab Aero fits the above very nicely. Well, 3 of 4 as imposing they ain't. But is that important?
Maybe time to reconsider running a third car - keeping the GT as is for the time being.

I think the Aero is a bit leggy. Third car I'd agree. It might be 4th as I still sort of could do with a car for the station run.....

C
 

Mattp

Member
Messages
501
I'm not sure how much money your willing to chuck at the problem, or how much image really matters... but I'd be tempted to head in to the just add fuel, disposable car category... a Volvo C70 from the turn if the century is... not fast, has average imposingness, cheap as in minimal purchase and zero maintenance, but uber comfy... I spent hours in my T5 (Which was quick) but the seats were, for me perfect cruising chairs, the ride was quiet and ok, the dynaudo speakers made an imposing sound, everything isolated me from the outside world and made traffic easy...

But... other than that, it's sadly a case of take your pick of mid range bland!
 

GeoffCapes

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Messages
14,000
E Class Merc. Sold my 2012 for 9 grand.
Had a 56 plate which had done 248,000 miles and was good as gold.

Mile munching is what E Classes were made for.

Before I bought the Merc I test drove Jag XF, Ghibli, Audi A4, and a 5 Series. The Merc was head and shoulders above them.
 

rockits

Member
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9,167
E Class Merc. Sold my 2012 for 9 grand.
Had a 56 plate which had done 248,000 miles and was good as gold.

Mile munching is what E Classes were made for.

Before I bought the Merc I test drove Jag XF, Ghibli, Audi A4, and a 5 Series. The Merc was head and shoulders above them.
I'd have to agree....an E Class is a classic mile muncher. Although the XJ was great. I'm a big fan of 211 Mercs I've had an E220 estate that was great but the 6 cylinder engines are better and preferred.

Depends if you want comfortable and bulletproof mechanicals or less so but a better sharper more interesting drive.

Audi's or Bimmer's do little for me.

Petrol or diesel?
 

FIFTY

Member
Messages
3,100
Thanks both. XF that I'm looking won't have much further to fall :) . The 335d looks 'interesting' but....

GT odometer will smart. Even on the motorway I've not broken 30 MPG....

Will check the A4, but what year / engine would I be looking for?

C

Depends on your budget. My friend got a 2015 A4 2.0 tdi se (with a **** load of options) only 30k miles for £15k from Audi guildford back in July which I thought was an absolute bargain
 
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rockits

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Messages
9,167
Would have to be a 6 cylinder for me. I remember when I looked at an E61 520d Touring or 530d Touring a few years back. Took the 530 out....great. Then took the 520 out and got to the end of the road to turn back and say no thanks.....the 530 was the only option. Much smoother, more power, less vibration and clatter not much worse mpg. I can't do diesels but certainly can't do 4 pot diesels. A 6 is the way forward. Most 6 pot diesels are pretty good from most marques.
 

FIFTY

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3,100
If I have company car tax to worry about then I can live with the clatter of a 4 pot diesel!

I am considering replacing the wifes scirocco with an A5 3.0 tdi Quattro as they start at 5k which is outstanding value for that car... Maybe one to consider C?