The company I work for run a few Passat estates of varying spec from mid to top range and all diesels (some more powerful than others).

They have loads of toys and are well appointed. However, one thing everyone agrees on (whether they prefer it or not) is they are a much firmer ride than the Mondeos we have and many would rather take a Mondeo on European trips just for comfort.

I would suggest that if you're going to move away from the BMW / Audi decision then don't overlook the Mondeo. I know they're a tad run of the mill but they do everything you want, are huge inside, have plenty of whistles & bell, are economical (avoid the 1.6 enviro-friendly diesel - they're hard work) and are reliable.

Thing is, they don't feel like a BM (but then neither does a Passat) and are FWD so safe but boring

I think I would get an E-Class Estate or Saloon Diesel if looking for that car/room/comfort/space/efficiency/power combo...





£284.99+VAT for a business user (10k mls 2 years)

Gary, EClass would be my first choice, indeed I have a W140. However I had such a bad experience of the last modern MB I had (2002 S320cdi) it has scared me off them. The S class was ex demo and never out the dealer in the 8 months I had it, I know things may have changed but the experience is burnt in my memory....

F11 535d Touring and Winters in Winter pretty unstoppable & feeing Quick

Get a BMW F10

I have one myself, a 2014 520d M sport and it's fantastic car wihich handles well & returns great MPG. It also has decent performance  2014 SDV8 Autobiography

Gone: 2012 RRS SDV6 HSE, 2007 RRS TDV6 HSE

Unnecessary quote removed

Those pics look like a rendering of the new E Class due next year. The current model looks a bit different. 2014 SDV8 Autobiography

Gone: 2012 RRS SDV6 HSE, 2007 RRS TDV6 HSE

Yes well nobody want last years ducky...

Jaguar XF

I'm a big BMW and Audi fan but the current 5 Series and A6 are very uninspiring! As for the current E Class is a bit of a poor design IMHO Now: BMW 640d M Sport, Alpine White
Gone: Range Rover 4.4 V8 Vogue, Zambezi Silver, Charcoal Oxford Leather
Also: Mk1 Audi TT 1.8T Quattro, Brilliant Black
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^very on message😜

But personally would have the Bmw. Having had a few I think they are solid well engineered cars. When I had my e61 I remember sitting in a new shape one and thought it was lovely. The e61 535d was rapid and I can imagine the new one is a fantastic sleeper performance car. There is nothing that can't be fixed with a hammer😜😜
FFRR 4.4 SDV8 Autobiography Santorini Black.
Fiat 500x 1.4 multiair Lounge 2015
2010 LR D4 Commercial 2.7 TDV6

I had a 2010 E class merc saloon (250 Sport) for two years before getting my FF - couldn't fault it, totally reliable, great place to sit, 40+ mpg, lots presence, lots of toys (nav, heated seats, hard disk, Bluetooth streaming, iPod connection, voice control etc) and felt like it was hewn from a block of granite

Had it been an estate, I suspect it would still be sat outside now..... 2007 Zermatt Silver TDV8 Vogue SE - now sold but was a great car!

BMW all day for me, had lots in the past and find them better engineered than Audi... unless you're talking R/RS4, 5, 6 etc *drool*

Here in our head office in Milan, there are SO many Audi's in the car park and yet all the Mechanical Engineers have BMWs.



On a more serious note though for a motorway slogger, the Skoda Superb is an Audi without the vanity price tag- good car

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Skoda Superb or Octavia (same size boot as the Passat) Estates are a good shout

My brother has a 2011 Skoda VRS Diesel Estate as his mile muncher and its been brilliant - no problems at all, just routine (cheap) maintenance and quite entertaining to drive

Last edited by CEEGEE on 22nd May 2015 10:06am. Edited 1 time in total

Yeah we had a couple of Octavias as pool cars and they were great.

What you want is one of these....

Golf GTD - I came from an X5 35d and it's the only car you ever need!!!

Audi Ultra S-line Avant - stunning car with a lovely drive train...

Currently running an Audi Avant ...boot space is compromised by the deeply raking rear screen...tried to get 2 kiddies bikes (4 year olds) and struggled. GONE 2010 Facelifted 3.6 TDV8 - Stornoway Grey + 22" Overfinch Olympus
HAVE 1999 Discovery 2 GS 4.0 V8 - Silver - Off Road Toy
GONE 2013 L405 4.4 SDV8 Vogue. Black with Silver roofline and 22" s
HAVE 2015 Jaguar XF.