Author Topic: Best Used Estate car - need some advise please - I need to buy a bastid (Read 14690 times)

moffmeister · « **on:** 23 March 2012, 05:15:21 pm »

Sorry folks been out of it for a while

Company car is no more (as a result of no job) - its not all bleak I think I've got another job.....

(but it'll most likely be car allowance)

Looking for a used diesel estate - prefer auto

My shortlist:

Volvo V70 D5 SE
BMW 330D/520D/530D
Merc E320 CDI (old shape)
Saab 95

Oh looking to spend no more that £7K preferably no more that £5K

Any comments/recommendations appreciated - and of course if you've something in this ilk to sell....

rayburn600 · « **Reply #1 on:** 23 March 2012, 05:31:42 pm »

Look in the For Sale section.

Theres a great Toyota there.

Maybee not an Estate, at your price, an Automatic, or anything you would like, but none the less its for sale.

R

BIG MAC · « **Reply #2 on:** 23 March 2012, 05:34:38 pm »

get the best possible 320d touring ideally an efficient dynamics one

BIG MAC · « **Reply #3 on:** 23 March 2012, 05:35:20 pm »

And avoid the Saab they are shite

sausageroll · « **Reply #4 on:** 23 March 2012, 06:34:38 pm »

Forget the Saab, if you prang it you may be in trouble. we've got a front damaged one in, struggling to get parts. been told no bonnets available and they have no plans to make any

steeeve66 · « **Reply #5 on:** 23 March 2012, 06:55:50 pm »

Don't get a Saab as they've gone bust. If I were you I'd stick to Ford or GM, just coz parts and servicing are so cheap. I recently persuaded the misses to ditch her Porsche Cayenne ( bought before I met her) on the understanding that I paid for the replacement, which was to be cheaper for me in the long run. I got her a Vauxhall Astra estate, 10 years old...
Initially she was delighted, as you can imagine, but really it's been fantastically cheap to keep on the road - things like filters, brake pads and other bits and pieces, are run out of factories in Russelsheim in their millions and cost next to nothing. I picked up a new mid section exhaust for under 70 quid, new header pipes for 30... You get the picture.

Hardly glamourous tho.

fazed600 · « **Reply #6 on:** 23 March 2012, 07:43:56 pm »

The BMWs will be the most fun to drive. Don't think you can go too far wrong with a 330D (or a 335D if you push the budget).

robby boy · « **Reply #7 on:** 23 March 2012, 08:18:57 pm »

Audi a4tdi or a6tdi, near bullet proof and need very little maintenance after initial cost

Madders · « **Reply #8 on:** 23 March 2012, 09:16:43 pm »

Hello Moff, I appreciate your list of desirables but here's my two penny worth.

The new Mondeos are used as dog vans in Gwent and ragged, hard and regularly and are generally well liked and considered bullet proof.

I have a Peugeot 407 which is shite!!! It scrubs tyres out with ease, tracking goes awry as soon as it's done and it takes about ten minutes to settle after starting due to countless fault and error messages. Got a mate who works at a local VW dealership and swears blind on Skoda Octavias as do a couple of friends who own them Hope this helps.

PS, how did you do those stuffed peppers again, plum tomatoes, anchovies, garlic? Hope you're well bud.

Madders

moffmeister · « **Reply #9 on:** 24 March 2012, 06:13:00 am »

thats is fort the peppers Madders

3 series just a little on the small side - only attracted t0 330d by the extra oomph.......

stevee66 - what did you buy for her birthday - a new iron?

Looney tune · « **Reply #10 on:** 24 March 2012, 07:08:46 am »

Boss mans son runs a Volvo 4x4 estate (2004) with 132,000 hard miles by him from new. It's never missed a beat and very nice to drive.

I've also 'tested' the Octavia 4x4 and it is very capable. 4x4 a good option for your part of the world Moff

goldfazer · « **Reply #11 on:** 24 March 2012, 08:26:28 am »

I'd say Saab, but I'm on me third. Not sure about spares, usually available from 3rd party suppliers or someone will have inherit the kit from Saab at some point. My 9-5 estate has 150k on it and drives soooo smoothly it's like a new car. Petrol, but with an LPG conversion.

JZS 600 · « **Reply #12 on:** 24 March 2012, 09:13:07 am »

What about a Subaru, just to be different!

locksmith · « **Reply #13 on:** 24 March 2012, 09:54:47 am »

Quote from: steeeve66 on 23 March 2012, 06:55:50 pm

I recently persuaded the misses to ditch her Porsche Cayenne ( bought before I met her) on the understanding that I paid for the replacement, which was to be cheaper for me in the long run. I got her a Vauxhall Astra estate, 10 years old...

And she's still your mrs ??????

t140 · « **Reply #14 on:** 24 March 2012, 10:27:23 am »

A4 avant 2.0 tdi goes like stink handles well and does almost 50mpg

steeeve66 · « **Reply #15 on:** 24 March 2012, 10:54:11 am »

Quote from: locksmith on 24 March 2012, 09:54:47 am

Quote from: steeeve66 on 23 March 2012, 06:55:50 pm
I recently persuaded the misses to ditch her Porsche Cayenne ( bought before I met her) on the understanding that I paid for the replacement, which was to be cheaper for me in the long run. I got her a Vauxhall Astra estate, 10 years old...

And she's still your mrs ??????

Initially it was touch and go - her face was a picture when she saw it (say, Munch's Scream?). But she's ok about it now, fine as the Porsche was it was eyewateringly expensive to run (1200 quid for tyres, 2000 for a service, 150+ to fill and then only get 15 miles to the gallon...)? Hers was the S version, the Turbo costs even more and I just don't understand why people do it - I guess I'm just not a car person?

1967fazer · « **Reply #16 on:** 24 March 2012, 04:57:47 pm »

If its an estate then I would say a Volvo v70, only do a BMW if it has a very good service history. Mondeos aren't as good as they used to be. I know a couple of guys with Octavias and swear by them. Or how about a nice Seat Alhambra V6 sport, goes well., handles well, looks good and much more versatile than an estate. Not too heavy on juice either,but nowhere near a diesel of course and its going cheap

Instructorman · « **Reply #17 on:** 24 March 2012, 07:04:11 pm »

Volvo every time, you cant beat the D5 engine

nakedadder · « **Reply #18 on:** 24 March 2012, 07:15:31 pm »

I rate my Octavia 1.9 tdi estate pretty highly, it's averaged just under 50mpg over the last 3000 miles or so, and that includes towing a caravan over to the east coast. It's comfy, reliable and the build quality is excellent, typically German I suppose. I'd definitely have another

steeeve66 · « **Reply #19 on:** 24 March 2012, 07:35:41 pm »

Quote from: Agent Picolax on 24 March 2012, 07:15:31 pm

I rate my Octavia 1.9 tdi estate pretty highly, it's averaged just under 50mpg over the last 3000 miles or so, and that includes towing a caravan over to the east coast. It's comfy, reliable and the build quality is excellent, typically German I suppose. I'd definitely have another

Skoda are Czech... VW don't get involved beyond financing them, and they get a bit touchy about it...

moffmeister · « **Reply #20 on:** 24 March 2012, 09:15:39 pm »

drove two V70 D5 SE autos today an 04 with 91K on for £5K and an 05 with 160K on for 4.7K

decision more or less made) made - just need to find the right one

tomorrow foray should take in:

** FIVE V70s ** 04 - 07
07 Passat 170 TDI DSG
05 A4 2.0TDI 140 Multitronic
04 525D SE Auto
03 330D MSport Auto

nakedadder · « **Reply #21 on:** 24 March 2012, 09:28:36 pm »

Quote from: steeeve66 on 24 March 2012, 07:35:41 pm

Quote from: Agent Picolax on 24 March 2012, 07:15:31 pm
I rate my Octavia 1.9 tdi estate pretty highly, it's averaged just under 50mpg over the last 3000 miles or so, and that includes towing a caravan over to the east coast. It's comfy, reliable and the build quality is excellent, typically German I suppose. I'd definitely have another

Skoda are Czech... VW don't get involved beyond financing them, and they get a bit touchy about it...

Whatever VW's involvement is, Skoda has definitely upped its game, there was a time when a lot of people (including me

) would never have owned one but now I'm quite happy to

pitternator · « **Reply #22 on:** 25 March 2012, 09:36:44 am »

I am in similar position...but am looking at focus estate. I drove to northumberland in a new one( hired) a couple of years ago...brill at everything , 2.0 diesel cruised at 80/90 on almost no throttle, yet 50mpg. My local police use them, so must be a good sign ??
what do folk think ?
budget like moff - 5k ideally, 7k if necessary.

VNA - BMW Wank · « **Reply #23 on:** 25 March 2012, 11:59:55 am »

Quote

Skoda are Czech... VW don't get involved beyond financing them, and they get a bit touchy about it...

VW supplies the chassis and running gear.

Octavia is based on the VW golf. So you get a golf chassis and engines. Much roomier car than a golf however.

But yes it's basically a German car with a Czech body and styling.

There's a good chance an Octavia will replace my ageing boring Bora when the time comes. Would love the petrol VRSi but considering the price of fuel it'll probably be the diesel job. Nice cars.

steeeve66 · « **Reply #24 on:** 25 March 2012, 01:39:50 pm »

Quote from: VNA on 25 March 2012, 11:59:55 am

Quote
Skoda are Czech... VW don't get involved beyond financing them, and they get a bit touchy about it...

VW supplies the chassis and running gear.

Octavia is based on the VW golf. So you get a golf chassis and engines. Much roomier car than a golf however.

But yes it's basically a German car with a Czech body and styling.

There's a good chance an Octavia will replace my ageing boring Bora when the time comes. Would love the petrol VRSi but considering the price of fuel it'll probably be the diesel job. Nice cars.

In fact it shares a platform with the Jetta but they do a fair bit more than just body and styling - at least they did when I worked for them in Prague last year.
Maybe they've changed since?