Advice on buying an automatic

Fawkon

Here's the deal, looking to buy the "mammy" a car for crimbo.

Need's to be automatic and preferably a BMW or AUDI because she has never had the chance to drive an "affluent" car before .

What would you guys recommend to look for on DoneDeal with a budget of about 3,500? Also how much mileage is too much? (Bike guy myself know f* all about cars)

Cheers

Alanstrainor

What kind of mileage is she going to be covering?

Fawkon

Alanstrainor wrote: »

What kind of mileage is she going to be covering?

Nothing major I don't think. Mostly use it for work commute which is about a 30 mile round trip. Something that looks good haha

Idbatterim

how bout a c or e class merc? you will get them for fair bit cheaper than bmw. problem with the bmw's is minimum engine at that price i.e. E46 3 series, is 2 litre, 5 series etc is minimum 2.2L. unless she wants a compact, but you said you want something decent looking and those things are an abomination! the 2L bmw engine is renowned for being troublesome.

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4021429

the E200 kompressor is a 1.8L supercharged engine, putting out slightly over 180bhp...

SRFC

Yeah I'd go for a merc over a small 3 series automatic much more luxurios.audi meh wont find a nice one on that budget least a merc you'll probably get leather seats ect.

Swampy

There seems to be a few 02 new model CLK's within your budget.

anthony4335

Service history is a must. Check when the transmission fluid has been changed ,and how often. Older mercs with an auto box are better and nicer. Also look at subaru's ,had one and loved it.

aujopimur

Affluent BMW/Audi:D

Stinicker

anthony4335 wrote: »

Service history is a must. Check when the transmission fluid has been changed ,and how often. Older mercs with an auto box are better and nicer. Also look at subaru's ,had one and loved it.

I drive an automatic BMW and the autobox is sealed for life so you don't actually change the transmission fluid. Most autoboxes do have to get their transmission fluid changed though.

Matt Simis

Stinicker wrote: »

I drive an automatic BMW and the autobox is sealed for life so you don't actually change the transmission fluid. Most autoboxes do have to get their transmission fluid changed though.

The Autobox is not physically sealed and absolutely should have the fluid changed. What he will find is that no one in this country aside from motoring enthusiasts bothered to change the fluid as BMW and Audi (and Merc afaik) certainly wont do it.

Stinicker

Matt Simis wrote: »

The Autobox is not physically sealed and absolutely should have the fluid changed. What he will find is that no one in this country aside from motoring enthusiasts bothered to change the fluid as BMW and Audi (and Merc afaik) certainly wont do it.

Are you serious? I have 113,000mls on my e36 autobox and as far as I know the fluid has never been changed, and it certainly hasn't been changed during my ownership of the car over the last 50,000 miles.

delthedriver

Stinicker wrote: »

Are you serious? I have 113,000mls on my e36 autobox and as far as I know the fluid has never been changed, and it certainly hasn't been changed during my ownership of the car over the last 50,000 miles.

Car manufacturers refer to sealed for life auto boxes, my understanding is that they anticipate that the buyer of a luxury auto will trade in the car within 3 years of ownership, hence the sealed for life slogan. All auto boxes need to have the oil replaced sooner rather than later. I think at 115k miles I would consider getting the oils in the auto box replaced at next service. You will be amazed at the difference in the look of the new oil vs the old oil !
Perhaps one of the ops could give some specifics or refer to relevant brand forums