BMW/Audi - Touring/Avant - Automatics, What to look for

bidiots

Hello All

Looking at a Touring/Avant automatic. Budget is around the 4k mark.

I have heard about the issues with Audi's Multitronic auto and how bad it can be.
Then there are the BMW n47 diesel engine issues.

What should I watch out for and any examples of the above that you would recommend?

Thanks

Blazer

With a budget of 4k you're going to be extremely limited in your choices.
I count 3 x Avants and 2 x BMW's that are estate and meet your 4k budget.
Better off to drop those two models and go up the years for a different car.

bidiots

How bad is the multitronic gear box in the Audi's? Horror stories a reality or just over reaction?
There isn't much choice out there in terms of Auto/Estate with semi sane tax, or is there?

Blazer

bidiots wrote: »

How bad is the multitronic gear box in the Audi's? Horror stories a reality or just over reaction?
There isn't much choice out there in terms of Auto/Estate with semi sane tax, or is there?

Not sure about Audi’s as I’m a Bmw man.tax wise it depends on what your definition of a sane tax is.
Is mine is a 3litre Bmw and tax costs €570.
The previous model of mine i was paying €1490 so happy with the reduction

bidiots

Which BMW diesel engine is ok? Is it mainly the 2.0 D that has the issues?

bazz26

Yes, 2.0d. Not going to be many 3.0d within your budget unless you step back to pre 2008 high tax models. The higher the motor tax the lower the asking price and vice versa.

CrankyHaus

I was looking at cars from that period, slightly higher price point, some with the Audi multitronic and decided to pass after doing some online research.

While they're not guaranteed to go there was enough talk of failures out there to make me decide it was a bad choice for a car I wanted to buy for hassle free motoring at a particular price. I went for the 6 speed manual instead and no bother so far.

bazz26

Yep, if you want an A6 Avant of that vintage then I'd also go with the manual over the multitronic. Like any manual diesel they will suffer from DMF failure eventually but at least less expensive than replacing/rebuilding a multitronic box.

Merc E Class estate or Volvo V70 would be others to look at but again a decent one will be hard to find for 4k unless your willing to pay higher motor tax.

bidiots

Bearing in mind the advice about the budget, if increased, what are the views on the following?


https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/audi-q5-2-0-tdi-quattro-s-line-170ps-5dr/21272639


https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2010-bmw-5-series-530d-gt-auto-eur55-per-week/18624243


I've no idea how they are perceived in the real world?

CalamariFritti

My view would be that neither of them are avant/touring. Just biggish hatchbacks.

I'm driving a touring myself and an N47 at that. If your budget is 4k you're going to get an oldish or high milage (or both) touring. My personal view would be that the chain would have to be done already at that age or else if it isn't done and isn't fecked after those years its probably going to last more years. The chain issue was always overhyped anyway. Its not like they were dropping like flies or so.

If I had 4k and wanted a reliable enough estate real bad I would be looking at an Oktavia I think, maybe a Volvo. Hard to get in auto fair enough but maybe a look at the UK market might help.

bazz26

This worth a look at OP:



https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/mercedes-benz-e-class-2010-7-seats-nct-04-2/21545791

CrankyHaus

While it may not have the appeal that the OP seems to want is there anything to be said for a SAAB 9-5?

I'm not a fan of their looks myself but the current value for a well built diesel estate of that vintage seems excellent.

bidiots

CrankyHaus wrote: »

While it may not have the appeal that the OP seems to want is there anything to be said for a SAAB 9-5?

I'm not a fan of their looks myself but the current value for a well built diesel estate of that vintage seems excellent.

I haven't seen many Auto Saab's to be honest but worth looking at, definitely. But I had a Volvo S80 manual, loved it but the bills were just too high in the end, would the Saab suffer similar costs?

I'm at a stand still in my choice - spend 4k on a diesel auto of some description or even a petrol for the sake of it(mileage is low)

Or

Burst the budget and go for something around the 10k mark, diesel hybrid such as the E class merc, 530 or A6 saloon or estate?

I keep landing in each camp with advantages for each, my problem is I always suffer buyers remorse when I splash big!

CrankyHaus

If mileage is low then at least look at petrols. May be wider choice in UK.

This was posted elsewhere. It is a bit older than what you were thinking of but ticks your other boxes at a good price.

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/mercedes-c180-taxd-till-07-2019-nct-09-2019/21492723