boatless
Well-Known Member
Got it from the Derby one - good service too.
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Audi A4 estate obviously NB
- Thread starter itsonlymoney
- Start date
britemp
Well-Known Member
Aaaahhh, I see.
If thats the case then don't worry about fuel or servicing - as any contract hire company will tell you, the by far the biggest single cost of car ownership is depreciation. With that in mind a Merc C diesel or the Honda are probably best.
Having said that I've always been willing to pay a little more in running costs to have a car I like, especially with a similar mileage to yours.
<hr width=100% size=1><< Sig removed at request from Kim Hollamby - he thought it might scare forumites! >>
If thats the case then don't worry about fuel or servicing - as any contract hire company will tell you, the by far the biggest single cost of car ownership is depreciation. With that in mind a Merc C diesel or the Honda are probably best.
Having said that I've always been willing to pay a little more in running costs to have a car I like, especially with a similar mileage to yours.
<hr width=100% size=1><< Sig removed at request from Kim Hollamby - he thought it might scare forumites! >>
Jim44
Well-Known Member
Hi Ian,
Dont do the Alpha, I have heard of company banning them from car fleet due to not being reliable and needing new parts, like engines.
Nigel @ Aquatics, Lady K, swears by the Passat 1.9 diesel auto estate, think he on Volvo at the moment cos wrote or his last passat and couldn't get another one in time, think he does 10k every 6 weeks. Have a chat with him.
My sister in law to be runs a 1.9GT TDi Golf 130bhp from York to Scarborough everyday and get 50mpg+, it has to be the 130 or 150bhp to get the better mpg the 130 is quick so a 150 will be very quick. Think it has done 80k in 2 years with no problems
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Dont do the Alpha, I have heard of company banning them from car fleet due to not being reliable and needing new parts, like engines.
Nigel @ Aquatics, Lady K, swears by the Passat 1.9 diesel auto estate, think he on Volvo at the moment cos wrote or his last passat and couldn't get another one in time, think he does 10k every 6 weeks. Have a chat with him.
My sister in law to be runs a 1.9GT TDi Golf 130bhp from York to Scarborough everyday and get 50mpg+, it has to be the 130 or 150bhp to get the better mpg the 130 is quick so a 150 will be very quick. Think it has done 80k in 2 years with no problems
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boatless
Well-Known Member
Evidence?
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TwoStroke
Well-Known Member
I'm a little biased here, but have you ever thought of a Saab 9-5 2.2TiD Estate? Come in manual and auto - huge boot, even swallowed my windsurf at the time without having to put it on the roof!
Just a thought.
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Just a thought.
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itsonlymoney
Well-Known Member
Yeah new ones are quite nice.
Ian
<hr width=100% size=1>Play the best game you can with the cards you've been dealt ! ! !
Ian
<hr width=100% size=1>Play the best game you can with the cards you've been dealt ! ! !
tr7v8
Well-Known Member
Yup I run an ALFA 156 SW 2.4 JTD, runs fine has now done 50K in just over a year and goes like a rocket. 40mpg, although no auto, feels quicker than a 2 litre saloon they loaned me!
And for the people that think they're unreliable then A. look at something like the www.honestjohn.co.uk and some of the new car surveys where they are improving in the ratings and B. look at what people are saying about the german stuff such as VAG & Merc, which moving down the reliability tables rapidly, even in Germany.
Only thing with the 156 apart from no Auto diesel is that its not a full estate, Alfa term it a 5 door coupe although ours is fine for the 2 of us.
Incidentally a lot of people that talk of blown Alfa engines is due to them not checking the oil which can dissapear quite quickly on hard driven ones. Although reading the various forums Audi seem to have an even bigger problem with that at the mo.
<hr width=100% size=1>Jim
Draco 2500
And for the people that think they're unreliable then A. look at something like the www.honestjohn.co.uk and some of the new car surveys where they are improving in the ratings and B. look at what people are saying about the german stuff such as VAG & Merc, which moving down the reliability tables rapidly, even in Germany.
Only thing with the 156 apart from no Auto diesel is that its not a full estate, Alfa term it a 5 door coupe although ours is fine for the 2 of us.
Incidentally a lot of people that talk of blown Alfa engines is due to them not checking the oil which can dissapear quite quickly on hard driven ones. Although reading the various forums Audi seem to have an even bigger problem with that at the mo.
<hr width=100% size=1>Jim
Draco 2500
D
Deleted User YDKXO
Guest
Lousy Mercs
Could'nt agree with you more on Merc. My new E320Cdi is a bag of shite. Although it has'nt actually left me stranded on the side of the road, its spent about 20days at the dealer this year already with a catalogue of suspension, electrical and trim problems. I wish tcm's lowlife had taken mine instead of his. Trouble is what else do you buy? BMW's have been hit bigtime with the Bangle ugly stick (have you seen that new 1 series?), Audis are front wheel drive or fuel wasting 4WD and Jags are stuck in a time warp
I've hired 156's in Italy and agree that they have bags of character but the driving position is still odd at least for me
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Could'nt agree with you more on Merc. My new E320Cdi is a bag of shite. Although it has'nt actually left me stranded on the side of the road, its spent about 20days at the dealer this year already with a catalogue of suspension, electrical and trim problems. I wish tcm's lowlife had taken mine instead of his. Trouble is what else do you buy? BMW's have been hit bigtime with the Bangle ugly stick (have you seen that new 1 series?), Audis are front wheel drive or fuel wasting 4WD and Jags are stuck in a time warp
I've hired 156's in Italy and agree that they have bags of character but the driving position is still odd at least for me
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Kevin
Well-Known Member
Hi
Without wanting to sound disparaging (thats spelt wrong!) arent most new cars much of a muchness? and only a few raise enough interest to cause a reaction for example, Merc / BMW owners I have a sense of them being ripped off. Porsche/ ferrari owners a sense of sadness that they have little in the way of class and bentleys and rolls royce, they suffer agoraphobia and want their car to feel and look the same as their house.
all IMVHO obv.
Kevin
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Without wanting to sound disparaging (thats spelt wrong!) arent most new cars much of a muchness? and only a few raise enough interest to cause a reaction for example, Merc / BMW owners I have a sense of them being ripped off. Porsche/ ferrari owners a sense of sadness that they have little in the way of class and bentleys and rolls royce, they suffer agoraphobia and want their car to feel and look the same as their house.
all IMVHO obv.
Kevin
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andy_wilson
Well-Known Member
Passat is the roomiest but drives like porridge, even the 'Sport'.
Audi (if you you want your car to make a statement about you don't make it a cliche) is equally boring drive, and tiny rear leg room and mega peaky power delivery.
Laguna = stylish, poor headroom and on a quiet night you can hear bits of trim faling off as it's parked on your drive.
C Class, built in South Africa and not with legendary quality either.
Mondeo, mega roomy, great drive OK despite the image.
Vectra, dunno.
Rover 75, OK if you can cope with the dials, bit down on max power but smooth delivery for a turbo.
No contest realy, get a BMW 320 diesel, fastest, best handling, economical, decent rear legroom, bit poor in the 'boot' but a hoot to drive. If you gotta get an estate, why not get one that drives like a sports car?
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Audi (if you you want your car to make a statement about you don't make it a cliche) is equally boring drive, and tiny rear leg room and mega peaky power delivery.
Laguna = stylish, poor headroom and on a quiet night you can hear bits of trim faling off as it's parked on your drive.
C Class, built in South Africa and not with legendary quality either.
Mondeo, mega roomy, great drive OK despite the image.
Vectra, dunno.
Rover 75, OK if you can cope with the dials, bit down on max power but smooth delivery for a turbo.
No contest realy, get a BMW 320 diesel, fastest, best handling, economical, decent rear legroom, bit poor in the 'boot' but a hoot to drive. If you gotta get an estate, why not get one that drives like a sports car?
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duncan
Well-Known Member
inevitably ('cos I just got one) I will rise to the challenge....the new C Class estate, admittdly Avanteguarde/sport pack, matches the BM 3 series estate handling.
However with the exception of the 270CDI I have to agree that the BM engines are better though - oh 'cept the 55/forums/images/icons/smile.gif of course.
And I thought it was made in Bremen? Maybe the salons are SA?
Anyhow the CLK Cab goes back tomorrow after 3 years and 50k without missing a beat or any electrical probs (not even a bulb failure)
<hr width=100% size=1>madesco madidum ..../forums/images/icons/smile.gif
However with the exception of the 270CDI I have to agree that the BM engines are better though - oh 'cept the 55/forums/images/icons/smile.gif of course.
And I thought it was made in Bremen? Maybe the salons are SA?
Anyhow the CLK Cab goes back tomorrow after 3 years and 50k without missing a beat or any electrical probs (not even a bulb failure)
<hr width=100% size=1>madesco madidum ..../forums/images/icons/smile.gif
billmacfarlane
Well-Known Member
As an Audi A4 TDi saloon owner whose car is up for sale I'd advise you at the Honda Accord estate. Their new diesel engine is probably the best around and they're as near as dammit bombproof. A recent reliability survey has put them second top of the reliability league, behind Mazda. As far sa I'm concerned Honda are right up there with the best of them.
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lanason
Well-Known Member
funny you should say that as I have my new Grand Scenic being delivered next week. 1.9Dci. 7 seats is a real bonus. Low tax braket. Excellent value for well under £20k.
All the gadgets I need and loads of room. Will sit nicely alongside SWMBOs Landcruiser both are in Black. Its taken AGES for it to come, as it was a special factory build.
have you got one as I'm really looking forward to it.
<hr width=100% size=1>Adrian <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.arweb.co.uk/argallery/kelisha>Kelisha</A> Nothing is better than a Holiday
All the gadgets I need and loads of room. Will sit nicely alongside SWMBOs Landcruiser both are in Black. Its taken AGES for it to come, as it was a special factory build.
have you got one as I'm really looking forward to it.
<hr width=100% size=1>Adrian <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.arweb.co.uk/argallery/kelisha>Kelisha</A> Nothing is better than a Holiday
lanason
Well-Known Member
Wow - Sounds great cant ait for mine !!!!!
<hr width=100% size=1>Adrian <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.arweb.co.uk/argallery/kelisha>Kelisha</A> Nothing is better than a Holiday
<hr width=100% size=1>Adrian <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.arweb.co.uk/argallery/kelisha>Kelisha</A> Nothing is better than a Holiday
ontheplane
Well-Known Member
Just to rock the boat somewhat.....
Have you considered a LPG vehicle??
My reasons....?? (Yeh I do have one myself)
1) Lower co. car tax than a Petrol or Diesel.
Due to lower emissions and with a Powershift grant, these cars attract a massive discount on Co car tax.
2) Plenty of refulling sites now
I have NEVER run out of gas, no matter where I am - and if I do I can use petrol for a short distance
3) Smoother, quieter and far better suited to an Auto than a turbo diesel
4) Bigger choice of cars - practically anything can be converted although only some cars attract the grant and the full company car tax discount (although any "dual fuel" car attracts a discount)
5) Cheaper.....
I pay 29.9 pence per litre at my local Asda for LPG. I have never paid more than 40.0p even on the Motorway. My car does 30.5mpg on Petrol and 29.6 on gas (both averaged over 5000m) - so working on 30 p per litre gas and 82.9 p per litre for diesel (at same Asda), a diesel would need to do 79mpg to cost as much to run. I also don't pay any congestion charge, lower road tax and neither my insurance nor my performance is affected either.
There is an initial conversion cost, but with the grant this is negligable and if you buy an ex demo or nearly new then the petrol car has lost so much more of its value than the diesel that it pays for the conversion easily.
There are even some cars that come supplied from new with a Dual Fuel option which automatically qualifies for all the discounts/grants etc.
Having run diesels for the last 10 years (and love em) I wouldn't buy another if I could have an LPG one instead.
Just for your info my car is a lowly Vauxhall Vectra 1.8
But the missus runs a Merc E320 that has also been converted - that actually uses LESS gas than petrol, the Merc dealer is quite happy to honour the warranty (other than the actual parts the gas touches (but there is a gas warranty for that)) and that runs much smoother and quieter on gas than on petrol......
Food for thought?????
<hr width=100% size=1>Why can't we work 2 days a week and boat the other 5????
Have you considered a LPG vehicle??
My reasons....?? (Yeh I do have one myself)
1) Lower co. car tax than a Petrol or Diesel.
Due to lower emissions and with a Powershift grant, these cars attract a massive discount on Co car tax.
2) Plenty of refulling sites now
I have NEVER run out of gas, no matter where I am - and if I do I can use petrol for a short distance
3) Smoother, quieter and far better suited to an Auto than a turbo diesel
4) Bigger choice of cars - practically anything can be converted although only some cars attract the grant and the full company car tax discount (although any "dual fuel" car attracts a discount)
5) Cheaper.....
I pay 29.9 pence per litre at my local Asda for LPG. I have never paid more than 40.0p even on the Motorway. My car does 30.5mpg on Petrol and 29.6 on gas (both averaged over 5000m) - so working on 30 p per litre gas and 82.9 p per litre for diesel (at same Asda), a diesel would need to do 79mpg to cost as much to run. I also don't pay any congestion charge, lower road tax and neither my insurance nor my performance is affected either.
There is an initial conversion cost, but with the grant this is negligable and if you buy an ex demo or nearly new then the petrol car has lost so much more of its value than the diesel that it pays for the conversion easily.
There are even some cars that come supplied from new with a Dual Fuel option which automatically qualifies for all the discounts/grants etc.
Having run diesels for the last 10 years (and love em) I wouldn't buy another if I could have an LPG one instead.
Just for your info my car is a lowly Vauxhall Vectra 1.8
But the missus runs a Merc E320 that has also been converted - that actually uses LESS gas than petrol, the Merc dealer is quite happy to honour the warranty (other than the actual parts the gas touches (but there is a gas warranty for that)) and that runs much smoother and quieter on gas than on petrol......
Food for thought?????
<hr width=100% size=1>Why can't we work 2 days a week and boat the other 5????
itsonlymoney
Well-Known Member
Thanks to everyone who took the time to reply with words of wisdom or general opinions. If anyone is interested I opted for a Ford mondeo ghia X estate. 2l 130bhp diesel, 5 speed duratorq auto with sequential gear change thingys on the steering wheel, alloys, full leather trim, heated seats, cruise etc loads of things to play with when I am stuck in traffic. I know some people knock em but I love it.
Ian
<hr width=100% size=1>Play the best game you can with the cards you've been dealt ! ! !
Ian
<hr width=100% size=1>Play the best game you can with the cards you've been dealt ! ! !
Alistairr
Well-Known Member
Doesn't matter what other people think.
As long as you like it and enjoy it, thats all that matters.
Enjoy and safe driving.
<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://arweb.co.uk/argallery/alistair?&page=1> My Pictures, Please take a Look.</A>
<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by kimhollamby on 22/10/2004 16:23 (server time).</FONT></P>
As long as you like it and enjoy it, thats all that matters.
Enjoy and safe driving.
<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://arweb.co.uk/argallery/alistair?&page=1> My Pictures, Please take a Look.</A>
<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by kimhollamby on 22/10/2004 16:23 (server time).</FONT></P>
oldgit
Well-Known Member
Naa...........
Still think a nice white transit with a dash full of old coke cans and copies of the Sun would have suited him better.
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Still think a nice white transit with a dash full of old coke cans and copies of the Sun would have suited him better.
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duncan
Well-Known Member
I am sure you will have hours of enjoyment - I know at least 3 collegues who started thinking Volvo Esatate and were converted by a drive in the Mondeo.
<hr width=100% size=1>madesco madidum ..../forums/images/icons/smile.gif
<hr width=100% size=1>madesco madidum ..../forums/images/icons/smile.gif