Help me with a spec me

mjt · 10 Apr 2015 at 11:52

I'm currently driving a 2007 Audi S3 with 125k on the clock.
I've covered more miles than expected (15k since June), so a diesel is beginning to make sense.
We've a little bundle of joy due in August and return trips to northern Denmark (1400 miles return) will happen every few months.
So 3 doors, Audi sports suspension and a short wheelbase mean impracticality and motorway journeys which aren't uncomfortable per se, but a bigger car with a longer wheelbase and more doors makes sense really.

FWIW, my S3 does have Isofix and it's a nice place to be so if I don't sell it straight away it won't be the end of the world.
But I have a sneaking suspicion the chain is slowly rattling the engine to pieces.

My budget is around €10-15000, which doesn't mean much to you, but all the cars below are in this budget. Awesome cars which cost peanuts in the UK unfortunately cost a lot more over here, so don't waste your time

I'm trying to be sensible here and stay with the 4-pot diesels with around 100,000 miles. 3.0 means €750 annual road tax, higher insurance and silly registration cost ~€2000.

BMW E91 320/325/325d:
+ It's a BMW.. That's about it. I've seen a nice pre-facelift 330i for well under budget but I should stick to diesels..
- Bit on the small side, diesel engine will cost a fortune when the chain inevitably snaps. No indy dealers around.

BMW E61 520/525/530d:
+ Nice and big, used run around in a 525d E60 so I know what's what. Found a really nice 2010 520d Individual with every option ticked. Pricey though.
- Unfortunately, engine might explode. Have to use main dealer.

Audi B8 A4 2.0tdi:
+ I can keep my good and cheap VAG indy. Loads around, easy to buy and sell
- Seems bigger than an E91, probably isn't. Can I live with 136/143 bhp?

Audi C6 A6 Avant 2.0 or 2.7tdi:
+ nice and big. I can keep my cheap VAG indy.
- Engine positioned over the front wheels makes a boring car to drive. I will commit suicide with a 140bhp lump in this car. Is the 2.7 worth it?

Ford Mondeo 2.2 TDCI
+ 200bhp. Nice and big. good spec
- DMF, etc problems. I've found one for €15000. That's a lot for a Mondeo, even a 60k 2011.

Ford Focus 2.0 TDCI
+ 163bhp. Good spec.
- It's a Focus. The satnav screen is TINY!

Skoda Superb.
+ HUGE. Good spec. Cheap to insure.
- It's HUGE. I need to park on the street. €15k is a lot of money for a Skoda.

Volvo V60 doesn't really do much for me, V70 doesn't do much for me either. Volvo S80 could be nice, but I'd lose some practicality.

I'm not considering the Golf as it's too small and the Golf 6 Estate is actually a 5 underneath. I'd fall asleep and die just by looking at a Passat.

paradigm · 10 Apr 2015 at 11:56

mjt said:
Audi C6 A6 Avant 2.0 or 2.7tdi:
+ nice and big. I can keep my 2014 satnav DVDs.

I'm not so sure. I don't believe that RNS-E based map discs work with MMI systems!

Blackhawk47 · 10 Apr 2015 at 12:01

Why diesel m8?

A6 would probably be best out of that bunch. Though I don't about the value/pricing of cars in Denmark or Belgium (or europe).

Dr House · 10 Apr 2015 at 12:03

Mazda 6?

mjt · 10 Apr 2015 at 12:04

paradigm said:
I'm not so sure. I don't believe that RNS-E based map discs work with MMI systems!

It seems you're right. Updated OP.

Blackhawk47 said:
Why diesel m8?

A6 would probably be best out of that bunch. Though I don't about the value/pricing of cars in Denmark or Belgium (or europe).

Mileage dictates it. Diesel is €1.15/l, Unleaded is €1.36/l (€1.5x for SUL)

Dr House said:
Mazda 6?

Can't see myself getting a Mazda over something German at this price range. Maybe I'm just a snob.

paradigm · 10 Apr 2015 at 12:11

Is the 140PS the only 2.0 TDi option in budget? There's a 170PS variant in the 4F platform A6. The same is true of the B8 A4, lots of 2.0 TDi variants available, not just the 136/140.

Also, remaps are largely effective on the lower power 2.0 units, as mechanically they don't seem to differ from the higher output variants.

mjt · 10 Apr 2015 at 12:13

paradigm said:
Is the 140PS the only 2.0 TDi option in budget? There's a 170PS variant in the 4F platform A6.

Also, remaps are largely effective on the lower power 2.0 units, as mechanically they don't seem to differ from the higher output variants.

170PS is in budget but not really with the spec I want.

I need spec. And I mean full heated leather, xenon, cruise, nav, lumbar support (WHY is this an option on Audis??), etc.

paradigm · 10 Apr 2015 at 12:14

In which case the lower power + remap would see you around 175-180PS

The B8 with a 2nd generation Common Rail 2.0 TDI would net closer to 200 after a remap.

sparkymark75 · 10 Apr 2015 at 13:13

I wouldn't rule out the Mondeo. I'm assuming you're getting a lower mileage and slightly newer one than the rest of the cars on your list for the money?

Good cars for eating up the miles.

iaind · 10 Apr 2015 at 13:29

If you're looking at Mondeos etc then it cant hurt to see what the Peugeot 508 costs. I'm saying it because I have one and it's a really good long distance cruiser, but exceptional value for money. GT Spec gets you the 2.2 200bhp (same as the mondeo 2.2 engine) and a lot of kit. I guarantee if nothing else it'll be newer and lower mileage for the same money as everything else on your list.

rodenal · 10 Apr 2015 at 13:55

Wouldn't bother with the Audi 2.7, it's kinda nice having a 6 even in diseasel form but it's not for much if any to give over the 170 2.0 TDI.

If you can stretch to the 3.0 in either it feels much more comparable to a BMW diesel 6. I'd probably rather an A6 just due to it having real world space, but the trade off is you're paying quite a lot for quite an old car

I guess an e61 with the revised interior and again a 6 pot might be worth a look, they still look tidy on the outside, but think I would probably rather the A6

Mondeo, much as they're great cars I just don't think they belong in this company and couldn't spend so much of my own money on one. Same with the focus outside of an ST which won't suit.

Superb, I'd say worth trying but not sure the engine options are great for your likely expectation. It feels much more "premium" to me than the ford, despite being a lot to spend on a Skoda

WJA96 · 10 Apr 2015 at 14:05

The Skoda Superb is slightly smaller than the A6, so if size was the only thing stopping you....

mjt · 10 Apr 2015 at 15:20

iaind said:
If you're looking at Mondeos etc then it cant hurt to see what the Peugeot 508 costs.

508 in full spec in this price range is effectively the same mileage but maybe a year newer at a push. Ridiculous.

rodenal said:
Wouldn't bother with the Audi 2.7, it's kinda nice having a 6 even in diseasel form but it's not for much if any to give over the 170 2.0 TDI.

If you can stretch to the 3.0 in either it feels much more comparable to a BMW diesel 6. I'd probably rather an A6 just due to it having real world space, but the trade off is you're paying quite a lot for quite an old car

I guess an e61 with the revised interior and again a 6 pot might be worth a look, they still look tidy on the outside, but think I would probably rather the A6

Mondeo, much as they're great cars I just don't think they belong in this company and couldn't spend so much of my own money on one. Same with the focus outside of an ST which won't suit.

Superb, I'd say worth trying but not sure the engine options are great for your likely expectation. It feels much more "premium" to me than the ford, despite being a lot to spend on a Skoda

Thanks for your input. I'd love a 6-cyl but I can't justify the registration tax. I've checked again and it's between €2-3000 depending on the age

I've had a Superb for a few days in the past and they're very nice.

WJA96 said:
The Skoda Superb is slightly smaller than the A6, so if size was the only thing stopping you....

Just looked at all the of the dimensions and you're right. I wonder how they've managed to get so much rear legroom in the back of the Superb then.

mjt · 11 Apr 2015 at 20:50

Looking at A6 Avants. I'd love a 3.0TFSI but that somewhat defeats the objective of lowering fuel costs

mjt · 12 Apr 2015 at 13:22

Will I want to slit my wrists if I buy a 2011 Passat?

[TW]Fox · 12 Apr 2015 at 13:27

That depends if you are happy to treat it like a washing machine or not. If you derive enjoyment out of cars and car ownership you'll be unhappy, if you want 'some car for the purposes of transport' it'll be absolutely fine.

Nathan · 12 Apr 2015 at 13:32

I found the superb better than the Passat and I had a similar budget and requirement to yourself

great cars and like you, I love my hot hatches. Get an elegance, heated leather bi xenons rns510 sat etc etc

Blackhawk47 · 12 Apr 2015 at 14:04

Whats wrong with a diesel A6? Surely it suits that sort of car just as much if not more than the 3.0 TFSI (which is probably rare).

[TW]Fox · 12 Apr 2015 at 14:12

Blackhawk47 said:
Whats wrong with a diesel A6? Surely it suits that sort of car just as much if not more than the 3.0 TFSI (which is probably rare).

The problem with a diesel A6 is that it is a diesel. Nothing suits a diesel, but some cars allow you to tolerate one a bit easier. The A6 is such a car.

Blackhawk47 · 12 Apr 2015 at 14:21

[TW]Fox;27900361 said:
The problem with a diesel A6 is that it is a diesel. Nothing suits a diesel, but some cars allow you to tolerate one a bit easier. The A6 is such a car.

Or a 5 series am I right?

Considering the amount of miles mjt will be doing it seems daft to get a petrol imo. Lets face it if you are sat doing 70 mph on a motorway for 2 hours does it really matter if it is petrol or diesel?