Skip to content
View in the app

A better way to browse. Learn more.

Wanderers Ways. Neil Thompson 1961-2021

A full-screen app on your home screen with push notifications, badges and more.

To install this app on iOS and iPadOS
  1. Tap the Share icon in Safari
  2. Scroll the menu and tap Add to Home Screen.
  3. Tap Add in the top-right corner.
To install this app on Android
  1. Tap the 3-dot menu (⋮) in the top-right corner of the browser.
  2. Tap Add to Home screen or Install app.
  3. Confirm by tapping Install.

Company Car Advice

Just started with a new company and will have to choose a car in a few months time

 

Mrs Manc doesn't run on 2 star petrol so need to save the pennies where I can to fund her lifestyle

 

The car in my mind is a 2-litre Audi A4 quattro diesel estate 

 

I want the four wheel drive as I'll be travelling up to Scotlandshire, the North East and over the M62 in the winters, and I want the estate so that I can get the mountain bikes in the back at the weekend

 

The list of choices is pretty much anything (benchmark price is Merc C Class 300d)

 

Anyone any thoughts on what might be better than the Audi? Will get reimbursed on a pence per mile basis so I need summat with a good mpg and not like the Ford Kuga that I had a few years ago that had the aerodynamics of a wardrobe and cost me me every time that I drove it

Featured Replies

Just started with a new company and will have to choose a car in a few months time

 

Mrs Manc doesn't run on 2 star petrol so need to save the pennies where I can to fund her lifestyle

 

The car in my mind is a 2-litre Audi A4 quattro diesel estate

 

I want the four wheel drive as I'll be travelling up to Scotlandshire, the North East and over the M62 in the winters, and I want the estate so that I can get the mountain bikes in the back at the weekend

 

The list of choices is pretty much anything (benchmark price is Merc C Class 300d)

 

Anyone any thoughts on what might be better than the Audi? Will get reimbursed on a pence per mile basis so I need summat with a good mpg and not like the Ford Kuga that I had a few years ago that had the aerodynamics of a wardrobe and cost me me every time that I drove it

The latest Rav 4?

Edited by boltondiver

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. You'll pay about 2k less in BIK. Consumption v good and a charge point at home will give you your first 28 miles ... and there's charging points at most services. Nice drive as well. Boot is reasonable size but not sure about 2 bikes.

Just started with a new company and will have to choose a car in a few months time

 

Mrs Manc doesn't run on 2 star petrol so need to save the pennies where I can to fund her lifestyle

 

The car in my mind is a 2-litre Audi A4 quattro diesel estate

 

I want the four wheel drive as I'll be travelling up to Scotlandshire, the North East and over the M62 in the winters, and I want the estate so that I can get the mountain bikes in the back at the weekend

 

The list of choices is pretty much anything (benchmark price is Merc C Class 300d)

 

Anyone any thoughts on what might be better than the Audi? Will get reimbursed on a pence per mile basis so I need summat with a good mpg and not like the Ford Kuga that I had a few years ago that had the aerodynamics of a wardrobe and cost me me every time that I drove it

I've a Volkswagen golf estate but the passats are different gravy for all the things you mention

I've a Volkswagen golf estate but the passats are different gravy for all the things you mention

We have just swapped an older Passat for a newer one. A 2.0 ltr all track. 190 HP and four wheel drive.

 

We discussed hybrids and frankly the guys warned against going near them at the moment. Fine for smaller card, but for bigger they said its ineffective. A new Passat hybrid has a 1.4 petrol engine and an electric motor, that supposedly gives a small distance on electric only suitable at best for a commute.

 

All told they said this car was no more efficient than the current diesel. Plus we'd have had to get a new one as second hand ones aren't available. Over £40000- forget that!

 

Love the all track, though the dsg automatic needs getting used to.

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. You'll pay about 2k less in BIK. Consumption v good and a charge point at home will give you your first 28 miles ... and there's charging points at most services. Nice drive as well. Boot is reasonable size but not sure about 2 bikes.

I've got one of these,love it. And the BIK saving is rather splendid as well

The latest Rav 4?

I have a 4X4 Rav 4 and can get a camel in the back, so you should be able to fit a couple of bikes in it.

I have a 4X4 Rav 4 and can get a camel in the back, so you should be able to fit a couple of bikes in it.

 

Dromedary or Bactrian?

  • Author

Not really thought about hybrids. I get the tax saving but don't really understand how they work? How often do you have to charge them?

 

Not that keen on petrol engines as I've been driving diesel for the last 13 years. Currently got a petrol Avensis automatic and the fucker changes gear every 30 seconds whereas diesel autos just sit and cruise. Forgot to say need an auto due to the arthritis in my toe joints

 

Like the sound of the Passat

 

What's the RAV 4 like on mpg? Only reservation is, as above, the Kuga that I had did a really shite mpg and cost me money

Not really thought about hybrids. I get the tax saving but don't really understand how they work? How often do you have to charge them?

 

Not that keen on petrol engines as I've been driving diesel for the last 13 years. Currently got a petrol Avensis automatic and the fucker changes gear every 30 seconds whereas diesel autos just sit and cruise. Forgot to say need an auto due to the arthritis in my toe joints

 

Like the sound of the Passat

 

What's the RAV 4 like on mpg? Only reservation is, as above, the Kuga that I had did a really shite mpg and cost me money

The new Rav is supposed to be 55 or so

I currently have a 2014 RAV 4 2.2 diesel and I’m getting about 42 mpg, I’m guessing regular motorway driving will send that up to 48-49.

I think your original choice of the Audi Quattro Diesel estate is pretty good.

My dad has a Passat 2l bluemotion diesel and it's a bloody fantastic car.

 

He's up and down the country in it and it's never done him wrong although folk do have a habit of driving in to him.

its his 3rd one in a row so VW is obviously doing something right

Quattro will hit mpg though if that is what you are after. Let's be honest, it is traffic rather than snow that kills your commute 99.9% of the time.

I currently have a 2014 RAV 4 2.2 diesel and I’m getting about 42 mpg, I’m guessing regular motorway driving will send that up to 48-49.

Does it have SAT NAV ?

Jesus, my old Rav did less than 20 ????

Did i miss something, way back when weren't Rav 4's utterly shite?

 

Has this long since changed? When we were looking for a mid sized SUV earlier this year I didn't even consider the Rav.

Edited by jimmyjoojar

Does it have SAT NAV ?

Ha Ha, it does now.

My dad has a Passat 2l bluemotion diesel and it's a bloody fantastic car.

 

He's up and down the country in it and it's never done him wrong although folk do have a habit of driving in to him.

its his 3rd one in a row so VW is obviously doing something right

Agree. Excellent build quality and a pleasure to drive.

We checked out Audi's and mercs (second hand) and decided that when you looked at boot size, price, fuel economy etc that vw was best value.

The latest one has several modes for different conditions and an adblue tank for improved emissions (NOx) so no concerns over pollution.

 

I accidentally pulled the wrong flappy paddle the other day though and ended up slamming it into 1st at over 20mph. Not recommended. :)

  • Author

I think your original choice of the Audi Quattro Diesel estate is pretty good.

 

I love Audis. Had a few so always use them as my benchmark

 

My dad has a Passat 2l bluemotion diesel and it's a bloody fantastic car.

 

He's up and down the country in it and it's never done him wrong although folk do have a habit of driving in to him.

its his 3rd one in a row so VW is obviously doing something right

 

Was in a Passat today with someone I was working with. They'd chosen it over the Audi. Didn't look quite the same quality as the A4 but seemed a lot more comfortable and was lower on tax  

 

Quattro will hit mpg though if that is what you are after. Let's be honest, it is traffic rather than snow that kills your commute 99.9% of the time.

 

True. However, I will be doing about 40K miles a year and a lot of that will be over the M62, up in the North East, and up in Scotland, and having done that before you tend to need the 4x4 more regularly than if tootling around city centres due to the weather

 

Agree. Excellent build quality and a pleasure to drive.

We checked out Audi's and mercs (second hand) and decided that when you looked at boot size, price, fuel economy etc that vw was best value.

The latest one has several modes for different conditions and an adblue tank for improved emissions (NOx) so no concerns over pollution.

 

I accidentally pulled the wrong flappy paddle the other day though and ended up slamming it into 1st at over 20mph. Not recommended. :)

 

Oh no. Not AdBlue. I had that on my Merc in my last job and it;s a right pain in the arse. Filling the AdBlue tank never quite coincided with the service so it was yet another morning sat at the dealers 

I love Audis. Had a few so always use them as my benchmark

 

 

Was in a Passat today with someone I was working with. They'd chosen it over the Audi. Didn't look quite the same quality as the A4 but seemed a lot more comfortable and was lower on tax  

 

 

True. However, I will be doing about 40K miles a year and a lot of that will be over the M62, up in the North East, and up in Scotland, and having done that before you tend to need the 4x4 more regularly than if tootling around city centres due to the weather

 

 

Oh no. Not AdBlue. I had that on my Merc in my last job and it;s a right pain in the arse. Filling the AdBlue tank never quite coincided with the service so it was yet another morning sat at the dealers

 

Just buy a bottle. Shove it in when needed. I would presume all diesels are going that way now.

Had a read about how it works and its a cracking solution to NOx emissions.

Until we find out VW are fiddling the figures

There's some unbelievably good deals on VW Group cars on lease at the minute.

Until we find out VW are fiddling the figures

MOT testing and other groups like which? will soon find that out.

 

 

Was in a Passat today with someone I was working with. They'd chosen it over the Audi. Didn't look quite the same quality as the A4 but seemed a lot more comfortable and was lower on tax

 

The difference in finish will be reflected in the difference in price tbf.

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use.

Account

Navigation

Search

Search

Configure browser push notifications

Chrome (Android)
  1. Tap the lock icon next to the address bar.
  2. Tap Permissions → Notifications.
  3. Adjust your preference.
Chrome (Desktop)
  1. Click the padlock icon in the address bar.
  2. Select Site settings.
  3. Find Notifications and adjust your preference.