Upgrade an A4 diesel?

nice_guy80

Hello all

I am currently thinking of upgrading my 2007 Audi A4 SE 1.9.
I might wait until January/February but I'd like to go out and test drive a few cars in the meantime.

What cars would anyone recommend?

I looked at a BMW 3 series over the summer - it was ok, and a '10 Passat. again ok. I also drove an insignia (lower bhp model), wasn't impressed.
Any advice appreciated
Cheers

colm_mcm

Honda Accord
Seat exeo

gyppo

colm_mcm wrote: »

Honda Accord
Seat exeo

Slight thread hijack - whats the Exeo 120bhp model like to drive??

pburns

colm_mcm wrote: »

Honda Accord
Seat exeo

Isn't an Exeo basically an old model A4 (most likely what he has). Hardly an upgrade. Pretty cyncical badge engineering by VAG too but that's just my opinion...

What about one of these?

If your considering an A4/3-series though what about a C-Class Merc?

bazz26

gyppo wrote: »

Slight thread hijack - whats the Exeo 120bhp model like to drive??

Similar to the OP's A4.

Without a budget from the OP it is difficult to recommend something.

nice_guy80

€25,000 - €35,000 (inc trade in)

my current car is chipped up to 138 bhp.
I'm interested to hear what my options are

R.O.R

nice_guy80 wrote: »

€25,000 - €35,000 (inc trade in)

my current car is chipped up to 138 bhp.
I'm interested to hear what my options are

Volvo S60 D3 in SE, SE Lux or R-Design spec. Best car in it's class, I'm my opinion, and I have a fair bit of experience of cars in that class.

If you aren't bothered by the badge, and the somewhat questionable looks, then the Skoda Superb is savage value for money.

nice_guy80

could I get a few more suggestions and then I'll leave ye alone!
thanks to all those who've given me cars to look at

just want a few leads and ideas so that I can go out and test drive cars

buget 25--35k (inc trade in)
diesel
manual

colm_mcm

gyppo wrote: »

Slight thread hijack - whats the Exeo 120bhp model like to drive??

Drove the current 4 with the 120hp engine. Twas surprisingly nippy.
At the lower end of the budget fair enough, I find a 25-35k budget bizzare (ie 10 grand leeway)


Id say if you have 35 then you'd probably scrape early 40s which gets you into 520d and e class territory. Probably a better bet than a high end family car from a resale pov too

S60 worth a look too as ror says

Sobanek

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Volvo/S60/S60-D3-2/201108201387295/advert?channel=CARS

http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/3-Series/320d-Exc/201119202400899/advert?channel=CARS

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Audi/A4/2.0-tdi-/201139204732625/advert?channel=CARS

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Opel/Insignia/SE-2.0-C/201144205341107/advert?channel=CARS

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Skoda/Superb/2.0-TDI-/201141204915054/advert?channel=CARS

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Volkswagen/Passat/PASSAT-C/201130203623974/advert?channel=CARS

Dubdude

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Audi/A6/2.0-TDI-/201143205230792/advert?channel=CARS

or

http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/5-Series/520d-SE-/201147205697851/advert?channel=CARS

nice_guy80

my budget is 25-35k becuase I have money to spend, but i'm not necessarily going to blow it on an overpriced car

Tea 1000

You haven't given any feedback on any of the suggestions so far! Just for info, there's an all-new 3 series due out probably around Feb, and there's a newer model (facelift with some tweaks) Passat CC due out in the new year also.
Apart from that, your list is:
Seat Exeo
Honda Accord
Audi A4
Mercedes C-Class
BMW 3 Series
Volvo S60
Audi A5
Audi A6
BMW 5-Series
Skoda Superb
Ford Mondeo
Opel Insignia
Alfa 159
etc...

The cheaper ones you can get with extra spec and better engines, the more expensive ones you'll be looking at a year old with a few kms on them. Depends on what you're looking for.

nice_guy80

thanks for all the suggestions

will defo look at the Alfa, Volvo, Skoda suberb, Accord and Exeo

nice_guy80

I even went out and tested an Insignia again this evening (as it was on the way home from work! )
the engine is very loud (160 bhp) and it is a big car! I'd score it a 5.5/ out of 10

any other suggestions, feel free to add to the list!

bazz26

Passat CC:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201140204883466

I'm not a VW fan but I like these because they are rare and have very nice lines (except for the rear). I've seen the soon to be launched facelift model and they have ruined the front end and it now looks like a standard passat with big bland chrome grill and headlights.

colm_mcm

nice_guy80 wrote: »

my budget is 25-35k becuase I have money to spend, but i'm not necessarily going to blow it on an overpriced car

From a value for money perspective, a 5 series or e class is better than a top of the range lesser car. They'd probably cost you less long term as resale will be very strong,

Casati

If you want something different the Subaru Legacy 2.0d might be an option

35k will get you into a 2012, or save 5k for a 2011:

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Subaru/Legacy/2.0-dies/201138204626727/advert?channel=CARS

nice_guy80

Update

Have looked at Passats - wasn't that impressed

Also Volvo S60. Nice car! I think I'll go back for another test drive.
Been looking in the UK at them - though the Irish models seem to be very good value.

heate

Bit I haggling and searching should ey you into a new style 520d and If you're spending near €40k (25-35k) the smart money is a new five. The may be common as muck but so is everything else on the radar!

YouTookMyName

Passat CC?

mickdw

heate wrote: »

.....the smart money is a new five.

Id say moreso a nicely speced E class. There is a touch of class to them whereas IMO, the new 5 is a bulky around the rear.

-Corkie-

mickdw wrote: »

Id say moreso a nicely speced E class. There is a touch of class to them whereas IMO, the new 5 is a bulky around the rear.

The 5 series looks like the 7 series from the rear allthough I cannot warm to the new E class they look like a Hyundai Sonata from the rear.

mickdw

If I was the OP, I would look at this. Not a bad price for a sport & auto

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201137204450141

heate

Without causing an international incident ere - it has been reported that the e220 and e250 suffered from severe injector problems. An 09 is just about to come off warranty though so perhaps extending the warranty would make it the perfect buy

mickdw

Seems they just sit on the road without warning too which is pretty crap.

nice_guy80

to be honest, I don't really want a big flashy car.

thanks for the suggestions though, keep 'em coming!

Leonard Hofstadter

heate wrote: »

Without causing an international incident ere - it has been reported that the e220 and e250 suffered from severe injector problems. An 09 is just about to come off warranty though so perhaps extending the warranty would make it the perfect buy

I have heard this as well, the Blue Efficiency four cylinder diesels are supposed to be an absolute disaster for failing injectors. That would mean the E200 is also affected, since it's the same engine as the 220 and 250 minus a turbo.

A real pity as I reallly like the look of the new E class and think it is far closer to what a large Merc should be like. Apparently they are very reliable aside from the injector failure too.

Surely after them being on the road for nearly three years they have sorted out? Then again the ED petrol BMWs are still suffering from injector failure after four years on the road, so I suppose it's possible that Merc haven't bothered either!

mickdw

Mercedes are excellent though Im told (in uk at least) for covering full repair cost of known issues years out of warranty. Hopefully they will be doing the same with these injectors.

nice_guy80

For the first time ever, it cost €100 to fill the tank (and the trip computer said I still had 30 miles distance left in the tank)

I'm seriously considering changing the car

I currently get 750 miles to the tank
What sort of mileage/km do equivalent cars do??

gyppo

Offbeat suggestion, but if you want something supremely comfortable, well built and appointed, and are prepared to hold onto it, consider a Citroen C5.

nice_guy80

Well.
just an update on this

Have gone and tested a 2009 A4, and a 2010 A4
two Insignias
a new Kia Optima
Ford Mondeo

still no nearer to finding a car

ianmolloy

Did you look at the Hyundai I40

nice_guy80

ianmolloy wrote: »

Did you look at the Hyundai I40

it is on my list of things to do

Blazer

BMW 520D
Miles better than 3 series or A4...
Was very happy with mine when I upgraded from Nissan Primera and got it remapped this morning.
It's the shizzle as they say

bazz26

In fairness, anything is an improvement on a Primera.

nice_guy80

are the BMW 5 series fuel efficient?
I've heard they can be quite thirsty?

Sobanek

Depends which ones.

nice_guy80

drove the new Hyundai i40 the other day
a nice car.
plenty of kit, 5 year warranty
was offered a VERY good price for a cash deal

I'll keep looking and see what else is out there.

vectra

nice_guy80 wrote: »

drove the new Hyundai i40 the other day
a nice car.
plenty of kit, 5 year warranty
was offered a VERY good price for a cash deal

I'll keep looking and see what else is out there.

Drove one of those as well recently.
Found it to be gutless.
Cabin noise was on the high side.
Didn't feel at home in it.

Good car though I would say for someone.

bazz26

OP, did you test drive a Honda Accord or Peugeot 508? Mazda 6 2.2d is worth a test drive in too.