Estate... but I don't need one...
Discussion
Swampy1982 said:
underphil said:
Cabin road noise will be higher in the estate, due to a less isolated boot
Appreciate the clarification.What is every ones experience with this issue - is it significantly different to the saloon versions...?
I think a lot of cars look better as estates. The merc example is a good one as they've made, IMHO, a hash of the rear ends of quite a few of the current saloons.
I just prefer the look of estates. The good load area of my S4 Avant is useful, as are the rear foldable seats, and a bonus is that I much prefer the looks over the saloon.
I think it looks great with the roof bars and bike holders as well, which just stay on there permanently now.
I realise I sound quite middle-aged...
I think it looks great with the roof bars and bike holders as well, which just stay on there permanently now.
I realise I sound quite middle-aged...
Ozzie Osmond said:
underphil said:
Cabin road noise will be higher in the estate, due to a less isolated boot
Absolute cobblers - it's not 1975.Estates feel like a bigger car, as they are, erm, bigger. They're great for touring, even if you don't do much at the moment.
You can usually get a bike in the back, or all the kids stuff, tip runs, airport runs for chums, that long ironing board you always promised yourself, some sticks for the garden, bigger Christmas tree, Ikea raids... Just a bit more useful than a saloon or SUV.
Parallel parking in towns can be a little restricted sometimes, but I've only ever had a couple of drive-arounds because of lack of spaces. Parking sensors take all the worry out of reversing into the M3 behind you.
Estates are cool. Even the cheap ones. (Mines the one with the coffee, not the rubbishy Audi thing behind it. :-)
You can usually get a bike in the back, or all the kids stuff, tip runs, airport runs for chums, that long ironing board you always promised yourself, some sticks for the garden, bigger Christmas tree, Ikea raids... Just a bit more useful than a saloon or SUV.
Parallel parking in towns can be a little restricted sometimes, but I've only ever had a couple of drive-arounds because of lack of spaces. Parking sensors take all the worry out of reversing into the M3 behind you.
Estates are cool. Even the cheap ones. (Mines the one with the coffee, not the rubbishy Audi thing behind it. :-)
Swampy1982 said:
underphil said:
Cabin road noise will be higher in the estate, due to a less isolated boot
Appreciate the clarification.What is every ones experience with this issue - is it significantly different to the saloon versions...?
As for how noticeable it is - if you currently have a hatchback take the parcel shelf out and lay the rear seats flat and go for a drive you will get an idea then.
Personally I generally prefer the Estate looks and they are hugely practical - add a roof box and a family with two kids can go camping for a week with ease.
Ozzie Osmond said:
underphil said:
Cabin road noise will be higher in the estate, due to a less isolated boot
Absolute cobblers - it's not 1975.Take for example BMW 3, 5 and 7 series. On the 3 you get folding rear seats, on the 5 its optional and on the 7 you don't get them. The reason it is optional on the 5 is that without it, you get a proper bulkhead isolating you from road noise. The more luxurious a car is, the more isolated it needs to be to give that extra refinement.
So comparing a 3-series saloon and estate, as there's no rear bulkhead on the 3, you get more or less the same levels of noise.
The 5 series without folding rear seats however will be less noisy than the estate.
I'm currently in my first NON estate company car, and have been for the last 3 years, I cannot wait until I get my next car as estates are so much more practical. Chucking bikes in the boot, tip runs, odd visit to Ikea, camping trips, last minute trips away, all easier with an estate.
I think I have also come to see the estate shape as nicer, guess the old T5 estates in the BTCC had a bigger impression on me than I thought.
I think I have also come to see the estate shape as nicer, guess the old T5 estates in the BTCC had a bigger impression on me than I thought.
Slushbox said:
Estates feel like a bigger car, as they are, erm, bigger.
Models like A4 and C-Class are near as dammit the same length in both saloon and estate. They do (especially, for some reason, the A4) feel bigger inside though.I've had a C Class estate for years. For everyday practicality though, I miss the hatchbacks. I considered the 3GT but it does nothing for me.
Ever since Volvo ran them in touring cars they have become a different prospect to drivers I believe. If you had an old Cortina mk3 perhaps, the estate version was a lengthy wallowy pig in comparison to the wallowy frumpy saloon ha, cars like the Peugeot above are for those seeking more room in a car that wasn't a Volvo 244 or whatever, but from the T5 on, they have got fast, and very performance orientated in some marques.
The BMW 3 and Audi A4 would be the nicest looking of those mentioned in my opinion, the 3 has a slightly wider track than the saloon so can feel bigger on the road, but still looks great and drives just how you'd expect it to. The A4 is one I have, and have for ten years, first diesel I ever owned, 1.9tdi Sport 130 which was remapped by a friend with who is an Audi Indy, it is just brilliant, can do 46 or more mpg, or 900 miles on a tank almost, or drive from 80 - 120 rather smartly, and will shame other cars through some decent lanes for a standard Labrador express. I think these are the best looking estate ever made personally, even in slightly different guises, as they have a archy compact look with respectable wheel gap in sport or sline versions, or rs even better, which is on my shopping list when I ever sell some of my other toys.
The estate can be very slightly noisier on the road, but barely noticeable. You may find the opportunity to take things to the tip you've been avoiding, but you will also be possibly ocd keeping the right car mint inside too. They're absolutely brilliant things, and are a bit of a sleeper in the right model too, as nobody really expects them to be hustled past the way they can be, very effectively indeed!
They should have made an M3 tourer as well as the M5, that would be a nice thing too.
Just my 2p
The BMW 3 and Audi A4 would be the nicest looking of those mentioned in my opinion, the 3 has a slightly wider track than the saloon so can feel bigger on the road, but still looks great and drives just how you'd expect it to. The A4 is one I have, and have for ten years, first diesel I ever owned, 1.9tdi Sport 130 which was remapped by a friend with who is an Audi Indy, it is just brilliant, can do 46 or more mpg, or 900 miles on a tank almost, or drive from 80 - 120 rather smartly, and will shame other cars through some decent lanes for a standard Labrador express. I think these are the best looking estate ever made personally, even in slightly different guises, as they have a archy compact look with respectable wheel gap in sport or sline versions, or rs even better, which is on my shopping list when I ever sell some of my other toys.
The estate can be very slightly noisier on the road, but barely noticeable. You may find the opportunity to take things to the tip you've been avoiding, but you will also be possibly ocd keeping the right car mint inside too. They're absolutely brilliant things, and are a bit of a sleeper in the right model too, as nobody really expects them to be hustled past the way they can be, very effectively indeed!
They should have made an M3 tourer as well as the M5, that would be a nice thing too.
Just my 2p
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