Fast(ish) petrol estate cars. ??

well if we are talking newer fords –

worth noting i got 54mpg out of a 2litre petrol focus AUTO over 2500miles.

was very impressed with it – much smoother auto box than the old auto slushboxes and less jerky than the ZF in the parents range rover – much more like that in their old Merc.

How ever there was no booting it , making progress or fast accelerating overtaking maneuvers – all of which have more effect on the mpg than the engine or gear box ime……

MPG is getting worse ? when was it last serviced ? or has your driving style changed ?

I had a 2.0 ecoboost smax with the powershift gearbox before the mondeo and that used to get circa 28-30mpg with no booting it whatsoever.

Car is due a service now but even 6 months ago when we went south last it was very poor then.

when was it last serviced by you ?

as in when is the last date YOU PERSONALLY can guarantee it was serviced.

The engine i had was a conventional 2.0 petrol – non of this ecoboost shite.

It was serviced by Ford to keep up the full Ford history on 14/12/14.

All mondern Ford petrol engines are ecoboost or econetic.

Got to be the VR4 version though. I was having a mild disagreement with a mutual friend about manual vs automatic. I think manual, he thinks auto. He’s wrong.

Still: £2-3k, 280+bhp, 0-60 in 5.5s, acres of space in the boot – it’s a good shout. Horrendous on fuel though.

Agreed…on all of it…I was getting 22mpg before I was attempting anything spirited…

“All mondern Ford petrol engines are ecoboost or econetic.”

assuming your in the uk. mines was a 2.0 Ti-VCT- what ever that means …. but there didnt look to be any turbos under the bonnet – i did look out of curiousity. NAS spec.

how ever my MPG figure is UK gallons converted.

Ah so it was serviced before you bought it. Suspicious cat is suspicious.

(my cars mpg always declines when i get close to a service interval – it really doesnt like a clogged up air filter)

Renton, when you have done your long fully loaded drives have you raised the tyre pressures to fully laden…….you will be surprised just how much this will gulp fuel in additional drag if you haven’t.
I too would also suggest that the gearbox/engine are not being used to its best……how much acceleration/deceleration/planning for overtakes…..is she booting it to overtake constantly then braking as opposed to maintaining a constant throttle or squeeze and ease into an earlier gap?
Are you using cheap supermarket diesel? Try a few tanks with Nitro Plus…..
Failing that get a small VW Up for daily stuff and catch the train for your long trips 😆

I rather think that you should just keep it and live with it, after all in the last (admittedly) 2 years you’ve had a S-Max, Mazda 6 and Mondeo. What was wrong with any of them?

start sticking 300ml of 2 stroke oil in a fuel tank of Shell optimax derv and give it a good thrash. Also make sure it has a genuine Ford fuel filter on it and if in doubt change it. Also pull the MAP (manifold pressure) sensor and give it a clean-2minute job.

My Tranny van gets a bit coked up if used for the 8 mile commute for awhile, a good 3000rpm mway run soon has it cleared out. Have been running 2stroke oil for about 8 years in my Defender and 3 in my TDCI transit with good results.

Never understood the ‘old car must be trouble and expensive so best get a new one’ thing.

I’ve always run older cars (5-15) years old if you choose well and get them regularly serviced then they are very reliable. Sure an older car will need a little more TLC each time it goes into the garage but I’ve yet to call the AA out yet in nearly 20 years of motoring.

Just plain weird how people get scared by service bill of a few hundred pounds when something needs doing on an older car, so try use this as justification to waste £1,000’s in depreciation and interest payments on a brand new car. Or they say, ‘yes but the newer model does 8mpg better than my older car so it’s cheaper to run’ but they probably drive less than 10,000 miles a year yet then use this as justification to waste the same £1,000’s. Oh and VW just proved us wrong on this one anyway.

Understand if people want a new car, but just say it “I want a new car”, don’t try to justify it on cost grounds because frankly, that’s insane!

Suggesy.

My wife is one of the smoothest drivers I know. She doesn’t but it and she has really good awareness of what’s happening in front and plans overtakes well. She doesn’t boot the car at all in fact the power is probably lost on her.

I do raise the tyre pressures on long journeys yes.

I also put Miller’s fuel additive in the fuel too. Esso fuel by the way.

Ap just the smax and mondeo in the past two years mate.

+1 agent007

We tend to run our things into the ground, or if reliability becomes an issue.
I utterly resent having bought two newer cars in the last two years – mrs_oab has shiny 3 yr/40k Ibiza that better do 10 years and 100k+ like the Yaris did before it… My Galaxy should be capable of doubling the current 100k miles. Running costs are a bumpier ride, but much lower than depreciation.

So, I’ve had my ‘08 BMW 325i SE Touring now for a few weeks and it’s looking like a good buy. It was £5k from a dealer.

There are a fair few scratches on it and the alloys are scuffed but that doesn’t bother me one bit. Every single “feature” on the car, electric seats etc etc all work perfectly.

It’s doing about 34mpg on a roads around Norfolk – seems about right. Auto gearbox clearly isn’t affecting things too badly! Petrol is still fairly cheap, thank goodness!

It’s a bit of a change from the last car, a supercharged and turbocharged 1.4 petrol. It all feels a bit meh in the 2 or 3k revs range where the Skoda felt more lively. Mind you, when it is booted, it wakes up big time! 🙂

There did seem to be a few of these around when I was looking; I say good buy!

Rachel

If its been dealer serviced the first thing I would check is if the air filter
has ever been changed – followed by the cabin/pollen filter.

Golf r estate

35mpg
300hp
4 wheel drive
0-60 in 5.1 seconds

About a 4 month wait for one.

Mine gets built this week 🙂

I checked the air and pollen filters and they had been changed with genuine Ford stuff.

I’ve just been through this – ended up buying a Passat 2.0T FSI – proper Q car! I was very tempted by the Subraru Legacy Spec B, but the wife hated it.

That’d be me then. Perhaps if the OP drew a Venn diagram of requirements, budget and driving patterns (plus opinions on maintenance, fuel economy) it’d be clearer. One man’s fast is another’s perfectly adequate. I was merely saying than in terms of quickness, 1.4 Octavia is – not lightning quick, but more than adequate on roads round here.

FWIW if the OP states – “We are only doing very short journeys of around 5 miles per day and longer at the weekend but also need a big car for when we travel south to the midlands 4 or 5 times a year.”

then a ‘fast’ car seems a bit out of place, no? ach…

He said “fast(ish)”. OK, I’ll give you the 1.4 Octavia is fastish if comparing to walking or crawling. A quick google tells me the 1.4 TSI hauls a big lump of Skoda to 60mph in over 10 seconds. Thats slower than the OPs dizzle. I wouldn’t personally class that as ‘fast’. I had a 2.0 TFSI vRS and I would have called that fastish.

No need for diagrams and stuff. OP asked for a fastish car. The one you suggested isn’t.

I’ve just been through this – ended up buying a Passat 2.0T FSI – proper Q car! I was very tempted by the Subraru Legacy Spec B, but the wife hated it.

Think you can get a 3.2 as well in a normal looking Passat. That’d be cool…

Golf r estate

35mpg

You do realise that you’re very unlikely to ever see 35mpg unless the only journeys you do are motorway at a steady 70mph? I reckon you’ll get ~27mpg over the long term.

Anyway – Golf R was also my first thought when the OP said he wanted a fast estate, others to consider Audi RS4 estate, RS6 Estate, or possibly an S4 or S6, anything slower than something like these shouldnt really be considered fast.

I suspect however that the OP doesnt really want a fast estate, but wants an estate that he thinks is a fast estate, in which case the 1.4 skoda suggested above is probably perfect for the role.

julians – Member
Golf r estate
35mpg

You do realise that you’re very unlikely to ever see 35mpg unless the only journeys you do are motorway at a steady 70mph?

Anyway – Golf R was also my first thought when the OP said he wanted a fast estate, others to consider Audi RS4 estate, RS6 Estate, or possibly an S4 or S6, anything slower than something like these shouldn’t really be considered fast.

I suspect however that the OP doesn’t really want a fast estate, but wants an estate that he HIS WIFE thinks is a fast estate, in which case the 1.4 skoda suggested above is probably perfect for the role.

FTFY

:mrgreen:^^^^

I would love an rs6 but would happily settle on something with between 200 and 250 bhp.

So less fast and more mild.

I’ve just been through this – ended up buying a Passat 2.0T FSI – proper Q car! I was very tempted by the Subraru Legacy Spec B, but the wife hated it.

Been through this a few times and ended up with an Octavia vRS twice (not intentionally either – just so happened the second one came along at the right time.)

Other options over the years have included a Legacy (what I really wanted, but couldn’t justify the fuel economy), a Mondeo ST (looked at the diesel – again couldn’t justify running a 3L V6, no matter how good it sounds. Inside was quite plasticky too), Focus ST estate (this was several years back – fuel economy is awful and the hatch doesn’t get a great write-up, but oh – that boot!), a Passat (just didn’t like it), A4 / A6 Quattros (small boots, too many unnecessary extras and I resent paying through the nose for a Seat / Skoda with a smaller boot and more toys) and an earlier RS4 / RS6 (yes, I know what I’ve just said – but it’s the ultimate Q car! Still, couldn’t justify running costs and unsure of history on older cars I could afford).

I really like the new octavia vrs and the previous version to an extent however the wife isn’t to keen on the previous one.

I have the TDi version of the mark three vRS and it’s a godo car – pretty dull but copes with my commute and having bikes chucked in it etc. It doesn’t look in your face (other option was an Focus ST Diesel…) is pretty comfy and well spec’d. I’m not sure I’d put my own money into one though as the depreciation is hideous (mine is a company car).

We also have a pre-facelift E90 330 auto which I really like. It does feel tiny in comparison to the vRS though. The running costs are relatively high though – 24mpg, £285 a year to tax, rear tyres crica £400 a pair etc. But, it’s done the worst of its depreciating and it keeps passing MOT’s. So far it’s been a really good car. It sounds lovely too.

Ours is a saloon which is useless for carrying stuff and I wish i’d hung on for a touringb but they were pretty rare in out budget plus there were none in Le Mans blue with Dakota Lemon leather. The ones that were in out budget were either none M Sport or dogs that had been used as work horses.

Personally I’d be looking at a 5-7 year old 5 series which if you go for a larger petrol engined variant will have already depreciated like an elephant in freefall so will be fantastic value for money. Sounds like you don’t do that many miles so fuel economy should’nt be that much of an issue.

Either that or the 2.0T engine in the perevious generation A4 is an absolute peach, roughly 200bhp can easily and cheaply be chipped to around 250bhp no problems. Make sure you do the quattro though as in FWD it’s a little wayward.

Subaru Legacy 4×4 in some format, or Octavia VRS are also a good choices.

Other thing to consider would be a V6 Alfa 159 – again large petrol engined variants will have depreciated massively already so great value and a bit different. Look gorgeous too 🙂

DBW – yes you can, I just couldn’t justify the economy to myself, yet alone the wife! Does sound wonderful though – brilliant engine!

PMJ – The Octavia was on the short list, but for me the VRS’s just shout about being VRS a bit too much. Cracking cars though, I’m sure.

PMJ – The Octavia was on the short list, but for me the VRS’s just shout about being VRS a bit too much. Cracking cars though, I’m sure.

Really? in what way? (not being a dick, just interested)

I think they’re pretty subtle and much better looking than the none vRS ones. The seats and flat bottom steering wheel give the interor a massive list. A friend has an Elegance and the interior feels a bit dull really.

They’re far more subtle than an M Sport car – which now sport M badges eveywhere.

Stupid question: how does a flat bottomed steering wheel help in any way? Surely, being a steering wheel, it has to be able to rotate so it’s not like you can have anything like legs in the space ‘saved’ by the missing part of the circle?

Rachel

allthegear – Member
Stupid question: how does a flat bottomed steering wheel help in any way?

On yer bimmer?

It’s cos it has to get around the bellies of the drivers innit 😆

Stupid question: how does a flat bottomed steering wheel help in any way? Surely, being a steering wheel, it has to be able to rotate so it’s not like you can have anything like legs in the space ‘saved’ by the missing part of the circle?

Rachel

It just looks nice and helps lift the interior. I don’t really notice the flat bit when driving.

Any semi sporty car has them these days – traditionally they were used in race cars where space was at a premium.

Yeah – but it can’t actually help with space, surely? There can’t be anything in the gap or it would get caught when the steering wheel is turned, wouldn’t it?

edit – and when the steering wheel is straight is when you need the least amount of space – legs aren’t doing anything particularly, like they would be when you are in or near a corner?

Rachel

I’m also in the market for a fast petrol estate at the moment and there really isn’t a huge amount of choice. I currently drive an 11 year old Saab 9-5 aero (surprised no-one has mentioned these?!) and I’m looking for something around 6 yrs old. Stuff like the 3-series and A4 are too small, most 5 series and A6’s are diesel and the few petrol ones about are either leggy or too expensive. Wouldn’t mind an R36 but they are rare, have looked at the 3.2 Passat which is an option. Other thing is that most are autos and I’d prefer a manual. There aren’t even many newer 9-5 aeros up for sale. Not sure about the Octavia, doesn’t really have that much power and I’d need to check out how big it is (bigger is better for me) Legacy is thirsty, V70R has reliability issues and are rare… Oh and it must have full leather which discounts a few other too

Mindmap – It was more that the Passat looks exactly the same as any other Passat. It is the sport spec, so is lowered by 15mm and has ‘sports seats’ – but coming from a Porsche they are like sofas! The only give away is the badge on the back, which I really like. The VRS has quite a few VRS badges, and sporty touches – it looks like VRS, and anyone that knows cars will instantly pick up on that. I’m not doubting that they are cracking cars, I just fancied something that was much more subtle – again, no criticism of the Octy.

Yeah – but it can’t actually help with space, surely? There can’t be anything in the gap or it would get caught when the steering wheel is turned, wouldn’t it?

edit – and when the steering wheel is straight is when you need the least amount of space – legs aren’t doing anything particularly, like they would be when you are in or near a corner?

Rachel

But in racing cars etc, there is often very little space (think formula cars) so the flat bottom aids access. In these sort or cars the lock to lock ratio is tiny so the wheel doesn’t actually move very much.

On my car it serves no purpose other than looking nice (which I think it does).

Not sure about the Octavia, doesn’t really have that much power and I’d need to check out how big it is (bigger is better for me) Legacy is thirsty, V70R has reliability issues and are rare… Oh and it must have full leather which discounts a few other too

They’re not mega powerful but the vRS versions are at least comparible to competition (184 for the derv and 220 for the petrol). It’s a pretty big car bearing in mind that it shares a chasis with a Golf and an A3. Much bigger inside than a 3 series.

I like ‘mine’ but I don’t think that I’d pay actual money for it due to depreciation etc.

Stupid question: how does a flat bottomed steering wheel help in any way?

Fitted to racing car, therefore makes driving an estate feel more like racing.

That is the beginning and end of the ‘purpose’.

However, if I were to buy an S3, I’d quite like it to have the flat bottomed wheel too!

Fitted to racing car, therefore makes driving an estate feel more like racing.

That is the beginning and end of the ‘purpose’.

However, if I were to buy an S3, I’d quite like it to have the flat bottomed wheel too!

Exactly and I’ve fallen for it too!

First it was for RS cars, then S cars now an option on anything!

Superlightweight – give me a shout when you’re selling the Saab…

But (& I’ve skipped two pages here), Op, its not a given that your car will suffer from EGR or DPF issues…?
Just go the long way home once a week if you’re worried, & give it a moderate thrashing.

have you tried changing the steerer / steering wheel ? 🙂