"Workhorse" estate cars

Porker · Joined: 04 Feb 2006 Posts: 517 Location: Essex

We'll be swapping my wife's E46 BMW 318Ti Compact for something with five doors and more boot space in the next few months, and I was wondering if anyone in the AD-UK community has any suggestions.

Cars we've considered include:

BMW 3 Series Touring
Skoda Octavia estate
Volvo V50 (also an estate)

I am inclined to go for a diesel-engined car for reasons of economy, but do wonder whether the shorter service intervals and the high price of diesel at the moment make this really worthwhile. The car will be driven around 16,000 miles each year.

Does anyone have any experience of any of the above? Are there alternatives that you could recommend?

regards
P.

gordonb · Joined: 27 Apr 2007 Posts: 61 Location: Oban, Argyll

With the ones you suggest, the Octavia is possibly the best all round. Most space, best value for money, although the BMW engines are more powerful and more economical in diesel form, but the Octavia will still return 50 -55mpg overall.

I've got a Passat 1.9TDI 105bhp, and am very pleased with it. 50k miles and returning on average 50mpg. No problems at all. Boot is very good, much bigger then BMW 3 series, Audi A4, Merc C class, Volvo V50 etc. Octavia boot is slightly bigger, but deeper.

Gordon

StressedDave · Joined: 24 Sep 2005 Posts: 603 Location: Cambridgeshire

I'd second the Octavia - the bosses at my day job drive the 4x4 version on M&S tyres year round - but then they spend a lot of time on muddy sites, so that's perhaps excusable. Never had any problems with them and they do big mileages every year.

Red Herring · Joined: 20 Oct 2007 Posts: 573

I'd give the Skoda my vote to. My wife has the Octavia estate and it has proved to be an extremely reliable and low maintenance car. She has the 1.9 non turbo diesel, but if given the chance again I would opt for the turbo version as without it there really is no power in reserve, however she proudly boasts of returns in the region of 55 - 60 mpg.

With regard to the diesel/petrol debate I think there was a study that said that unless you do about 20,000 miles a year the additional purchase cost or the diesel, and the higher maintenance schedule, tend to cancel out the economy savings.

TripleS · Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2008 9:04 am Post subject:

Angus · Joined: 09 Apr 2006 Posts: 206 Location: Colchester, Essex

What about a Ford? Depending on the amount of room you want, you have the choice of Focus/C-max/Mondeo. All drive well. And if you're after a nearly new one (6-24 months old), loads of choice through Ford Direct, supermarkets & dealers. I wouldn't buy one new, but secondhand and keeping it makes sense to me and is probably the path I'll go down when I replace the Renault.

As for engine, I wouldn't have a petrol engine in this sort of car any more. The economy & mid range acceleration beat most petrol engines. I don't know what Fords are, but my (Renault) service interval is 18k/2 years and Anne's VW is similar.

Renny · Joined: 27 Apr 2006 Posts: 419 Location: Fife, Scotland

I'd suggest the Skoda as well. I looked at the Octavia vRS recently and was impressed with the spec and finish. One point to note with the VW group diesels; beware of the Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) fitted to some of the 2.0L diesels engines as they can clog frequently if the car is only used in congested urban areas. It never gets upt o a high enough temperature to self-clean. A mate had to get Audi assist out to his when working in London for a couple of weeks having never had problems before. Apparently the "cure" is to drive round the M25 (of a quiet evening) with sustained revs 'til it clears.

I'd also consider the Mondeo, C-Max or S-Max, or a Seat Leon or Altea, or a Mazda 5. All get good reviews for handling.
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Porker · Joined: 04 Feb 2006 Posts: 517 Location: Essex

Thanks to all those who have replied. Sounds like the Skoda and perhaps the Ford Focus estate are worth a closer look in due course.

regards
P.

OILY PAWS · Joined: 28 Feb 2007 Posts: 121 Location: Fife

Porker · Joined: 04 Feb 2006 Posts: 517 Location: Essex

Susie · Joined: 16 Jan 2006 Posts: 138 Location: Vale of Belvoir

Porker, as you know, from choice, we only have RWD in our 'stable' - (although we'd support the Octavia as the FWD ). We're really pleased with our E Class 320CDI and although the loads you'll be carrying are nowhere near to the weights we've carried around for events, it might be worth considering one of the early CDIs in the smaller C Class. If you opt for the 'Elegance' or 'Avantgarde' spec, you get an awful lot of car for your money at very little more than you'd pay for the base model 'Classic'. I say 'early' common rail because there have been some quality issues with the later cars (but they should have all been dealt with by Mercedes FOC).

At close to 150K on the clock, our E Class is barely run in. Cool

Even fully loaded with gazebos, generator, table, chairs and food and equipment for 60+ and The Tardis tagging along behind, we still managed over 35mpg at last weekend's event.

If you want a manual, there's more choice in the BMW range but we find it's quite nice to have a bit of variety in gearboxes.

Does Mrs Porker have any experience of a slightly longer car? If not, she may need to consider the dynamics of an estate and the differences when loaded/unloaded - after all, you're not carrying around a couple of golden retrievers; you'll only have the expected paraphernalia that goes with your change in lifestyle Wink

Best wishes to you both

S

Red Herring · Joined: 20 Oct 2007 Posts: 573

Porker · Joined: 04 Feb 2006 Posts: 517 Location: Essex

Susie · Joined: 16 Jan 2006 Posts: 138 Location: Vale of Belvoir

Hiya Mr P

You could always play the 'precious cargo' card... Wink

If the worst-case scenario presented itself, I'd rather be surrounded by a Benz Barge than a 'reasonably priced car'. Just don't let her know I also drive a Caterham Mr. Green

Oh, and we beat all the official stats in our cars, yet still make good progress... but that's a trade secret Cool

KRs
S

Porker · Joined: 04 Feb 2006 Posts: 517 Location: Essex

I'm pretty comfortable with the level of protection to Octavia would offer. It seems to have done well in the Euro NCAP tests and it's based on the same floorpan as the new VW Golf and Audis A3 and TT, so it should be fine.

I have to say that, so far, it's looking like the favourite (if not the Favorit Wink

)

regards
P.