west pig, have you driven an auto diesel Jag xtype ? They drive very well and you would be hard pressed to know its a diesel , BUT the auto has a reduced engine power output.

I went to change my 2.2d for an Auto, so the jaguar dealer lent me one for the day but I took it back after an hour as it had lost all the grunty sparkle that the x-type diesel has to offer. I had both 2.0d & 2.2d & I have to say the 2.2 was a stonking model unless I was just lucky & the grunt from1500 to 4500 was brilliant & always gave me the grin factor and it was so smooth & quiet. I was really disapointed with the auto, i understand its because the autobox couldn't handle the wopping 400nm or touqre at 1900rpm so the auto was de-tuned to 320nm. I must say I still miss my x-type today and there are plenty of people that berate them but my three were all perfect & great fun and one saved by life in a massive smash on a motorway when it took one massive hit from the rear whilst stationary. I never had injector or EGR problems or any warranty work other than one boot solonoid in over 3 cars in 6 years 200000 miles

Westpig - your arguments are all highly logical except for that against the Superb estate. I'd have thought the 'image' of a Superb drive is of someone who's thought about a prestigious German wagen and decided to save several thousand pounds and get something with the same mechanicals as an Audi and more space than all except the biggest Mercedes.

If there's something else you don't like about the Superb, maybe something from Volvo?

Thank you all for your views and advice so far which I am looking at and weighing up. Certainly from that which I've looked at later thisafternoon the Skoda Superb 2.0 TDi 170bhp Estate seems to tick all the boxes - except one - as it only came out last year it is somewhat younger (and so considerably more expensive) than I would normally look to buy. But that may become less so later this year and before next winter.

As for looking at winter tyres on a FWD alternative - yes that would be a possibility, but can anyone suggest an FWD alternative with a greater ground clearance than my current Passat? Thanks for all your help thus far.

I've had a Legacy diesel and now an Outback diesel. Last gen Legacy isn't huge but latest gen Legacy/Outback is. Very good cars and IMO well worth considering. Stunning traction - I've climbed icy snow covered roads that a Passat 4 Motion failed to get up, both cars with winter tyres. Quite expensive though so might be worth looking at previous generation diesel or much lower price petrols that have a reputation for longevity. The petrols are well proven if a bit thirsty (LPG conversions are popular) and comments above about the dealer network aren't accurate; most are pretty good and there are many excellent indies around.

West pig, have you actually driven one ?

Yes, but not very far. Mate's got a newish one. Only drove it in Devon country lanes for 5 or 6 miles. Maybe I need to book an extended test drive.

My mate and his missus rave about theirs, they are on their 4th and she's turned down his (strong) offer of swapping it for a RR Sport.

I don't drive like a hooligan (any more)... but could you realistically expect a Freelander to do a 100-150 mile Scottish A road high speed thrap with constant overtakes and highish speed cornering. We regularly do that trip i.e London to Scotland or Devon to Scotland and whilst the first bit on the m/way wouldn't be a problem, the last bit might in my mind ....and i'm not yet ready to become a plodder... or frighten the life out of my family.

P.S. Apologies to OP for slight? thread hijack...hoping this might be relevant to him as well.

Edited by Westpig on 13/01/2011 at 09:54