C30 T5 R Design SE Lux? questions questions

[baldmosher]

It's not for me (he says, honest ), it's for The Wife™ who says she likes the look of the C30. Yes, I know it's a Ford not a Volvo but I like it too, it's tall enough inside for me (I'm 6'3") and seems they have a lot of fans. Nothing I've read has put me off one (but my aunt had one, and she said it gave her a bad back). I've sat in a base level one and it seemed OK but a bit plain inside.

The Wife™ will be using it for 50 mile round trip commute in light traffic, mostly motorway cruising with a bit through town at each end. We have the V40 for longer motorway hauls. So mpg is a consideration but not huge.

As I won't be driving it all that much, when I do, I would quite like 221bhp under my right foot... so the only thing I think I really want as a definite is the T5 -- am I making a mistake there? will it just cost us a fortune in fuel/tax? Should I go for the D5 and remap? -- and cruise control (I think that's standard on all the range right?)

Is there really that much difference in the trim/equip levels? Would I regret going for lower spec (I did with the V40 S) or is the low/mid spec pretty good anyway?

What about the R Design suspension... a bit hard or just right?

As you can see I am fairly undecided on specifics. I'll be seriously looking for one after the summer but for now I'm open to recommendations. Never been in this sub forum before, I stick to the S/V40 forum, but figure now is the time to start thinking about this

Oh, and it has to be 2005 onwards which I gather won't be a problem, and high mileage isn't an issue if it's got full history, as you can see from my signature....