Auto Estate Recommendations

comanche_cor

Hi,

I am looking at buying a second hand automatic estate at the moment. Looking to go post 08. The only two options that I see at the moment are 3 series / A4. However each has their own problems:
- A4 multitronic is expensive weak point
- N47 in the BMW well known timing chain issues

I guess that the timing chain issue is the lesser of the two evils here i.e. can get it sorted for ~1500e mark, am I correct?

Are there any alternatives for a decent auto estate that's not a bad driving experience? Which would you chose between the Audi A4 and BMW 3 Series giving the issues that both suffer?

Thanks

grogi

comanche_cor wrote: »

Hi,

I am looking at buying a second hand automatic estate at the moment. Looking to go post 08. The only two options that I see at the moment are 3 series / A4. However each has their own problems:
- A4 multitronic is expensive weak point
- N57 in the BMW well known timing chain issues

I guess that the timing chain issue is the lesser of the two evils here i.e. can get it sorted for ~1500e mark, am I correct?

Are there any alternatives for a decent auto estate that's not a bad driving experience? Which would you chose between the Audi A4 and BMW 3 Series giving the issues that both suffer?

Thanks

Mondeo... Good handling and enjoyment, good reliability, good gearbox (6DCT450), loads of room inside. In general - everything is rather good with this car.

Mondeo HB is mighty as well, consider it too.

bazz26

Petrol or diesel? Budget?

comanche_cor

- budget 12K
- diesel preferable

bazz26

Mercedes C Class or Volvo V50/V60?

comanche_cor

grogi wrote: »

Mondeo... Good handling and enjoyment, good reliability, good gearbox (6DCT450), loads of room inside. In general - everything is rather good with this car.

Mondeo HB is mighty as well, consider it too.

Thanks - Mondeo not really my style. Supposed to be a nice car though.

comanche_cor

bazz26 wrote: »

Mercedes C Class or Volvo V50/V60?

Thanks - didn't think about the C Class.

The V50 is a good option, might be a bit easier on the pocket also, would it be as nice a drive as the e91 or the A4?

grogi

comanche_cor wrote: »

Thanks - didn't think about the C Class.

The V50 is a good option, might be a bit easier on the pocket also, would it be as nice a drive as the e91 or the A4?

Inside it is build with nice, quality materials, but underneath lurks a Focus. They used to ship with Powershift gearbox too...

Depends what you want, but V50 definitely does not have the heritage (and maintenance cost) a 3-series or a4 comes with.

colm_mcm

What heritage does an A4 Avant have?

grogi

colm_mcm wrote: »

What heritage does an A4 have?

Of shortened Passat B5FL of course... ;-)

On the serious note you're right - Audis share far to much with Skodas to give them the heritage badge...

colm_mcm

If anything, Volvo is synonymous with middle-class estates for years

bazz26

I'd never consider an A4 as being nice to drive either unless your talking about the Quottro version.

Lex Luthor

I've seen hatchbacks with bigger boots than a V50....

bazz26

An A4 Avant or 3 Series Touring aren't huge either though, yes a little bigger than a V50 but generally these type cars are more leisure estates. If you need a load lugger then you need to look at something from next class up like an A6/5 Series or from the non premium class like a Mondeo or Passat.

wersal gummage

I'm also looking at an auto estate at the moment (although new).

I'm drawn towards the mazda 6 on paper, but I've yet to actually test drive.

Not sure if the new model one of those is on budget?

What size category is the mazda 6 in? The one we are talking about here (a4, 3 series etc) or is it bigger?


Edit just checked myself. All new models :

Mazda 6: 506 litre boot, 1632 with seats folded
BMW 5: 560 boot, 1670
BMW 3: 495 boot, 1500

Lex Luthor

if buying new, for boot size the best of the lot is the Passat
Might be a bit boring to some tastes but practically ticks every box

No point in mentioning the Superb as that's a given on here...

comanche_cor

Lex Luthor wrote: »

I've seen hatchbacks with bigger boots than a V50....

For me boot space is not an issue, its access. Its really for throwing sports gear into - mountain bikes, kayaking gear all that type of stuff. Stuff that won't fit into any boot anyways!

I have seen the V50 boot its not big by any stretch of the imagination, I was surprised by how small it was infact.