Alternative to Octavia vRS/A4 Avant

[Clunkie66]

Hello from a long time lurker.

I currently have a 62 plate A6 Avant 2.0 TDI S Line and due to change in circumstances I need to move this on. Love the A6, but I need a petrol as I'm just outside the M25 so ULEZ is a potential issue.

I have £8k to spend but could go to £10k at a push. I'm looking for another estate (I think) as I need to lug bass amps and cabs around to rehearsals and gigs, and occasionally a medium sized dog crate. I guess a load space of 450 lites+ and more with seats folded.

This will be my car rather than a family car, so am looking for 200+ bhp. Fuel consumption not a huge issue as I only do 8k miles a year. Have bikes that I can use for work. Less than 100k miles and 10 years old ish would make me feel comfortable.

Options so far:
Octavia vRS
A4 Avant 2.0 TFSI

I really like the A5 coupe styling, decent boot but not sure about the dog crate. Have read of excessive oil consumption and timing cain issues. Is this TFSI the same as all VAG 2.0T petrols?

Not a fan of Fords and Vauxhalls, just don't like the styling and interiors. Had several Audis - A4 saloons and A6 Avants and had no major issues.

Are there any sporty alternatives? Thanks for any input...

[wiliferus]

Is a 3 series too small? I know this stretches the less than 10 years old requirement, but it’s tidy, looks good and you get “that” 3.0 na straight 6

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206096...

[LordHaveMurci]

wiliferus said:

Is a 3 series too small? I know this stretches the less than 10 years old requirement, but it’s tidy, looks good and you get “that” 3.0 na straight 6

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206096...

Rare car that, shame it’s an auto, they are a bit dim witted on these.

Edited by LordHaveMurci on Monday 12th September 21:29

[stevemcs]

Good luck with an aging VAG 2.0tfsi, personally i'd go with the Insignia or Mondeo (not powershift) they are a much better car for the money. They will be more reliable than the VAG group rubbish too.

If you must go for one though, buy on condition, budget £1000 for a timing chain, £400 for an oil service and dropping the sump (more if the A4)

[Clunkie66]

wiliferus said:

Is a 3 series too small? I know this stretches the less than 10 years old requirement, but it’s tidy, looks good and you get “that” 3.0 na straight 6

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206096...

A 3 series would be fine load wise, am a bit nervous about the age tbh but that does look very nice. Auto not an issue, great engine though. Definitely an option.

[Clunkie66]

stevemcs said:

Good luck with an aging VAG 2.0tfsi, personally i'd go with the Insignia or Mondeo (not powershift) they are a much better car for the money. They will be more reliable than the VAG group rubbish too.

If you must go for one though, buy on condition, budget £1000 for a timing chain, £400 for an oil service and dropping the sump (more if the A4)

Good god, I didn't realise that they're that expensive for a timing chain! So maybe not. But I still can't get excited about owing a Mondeo or Insignia...

[wiliferus]

If you want to stay away from Ford and Vx, it’s the 10 year old requirement that you’re going to have to be flexible on.

But there are some interesting motors out there that tick your boxes. Having basically stuck your requirements into Autotrader, there’s a few Merc C250s. 2 Volvo V60 T6 (3.0 Straight 6 ) and also a Subaru Legacy B Spec which also looks nice.

If it was my money it’d be the previous posted 3 series or a Volvo V60 T6, with possibly the Volvo taking it on ‘leftfield’ points and it’s also a bit of a sleeper.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206016...

ETA - the above Volvo has 306bhp…

Edited by wiliferus on Monday 12th September 21:48

[Clunkie66]

wiliferus said:

If you want to stay away from Ford and Vx, it’s the 10 year old requirement that you’re going to have to be flexible on.

But there are some interesting motors out there that tick your boxes. Having basically stuck your requirements into Autotrader, there’s a few Merc C250s. 2 Volvo V60 T6 (3.0 Straight 6 ) and also a Subaru Legacy B Spec which also looks nice.

If it was my money it’d be the previous posted 3 series or a Volvo V60 T6, with possibly the Volvo taking it on ‘leftfield’ points and it’s also a bit of a sleeper.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206016...

ETA - the above Volvo has 306bhp…

Edited by wiliferus on Monday 12th September 21:48

That does look tasty!

[stevemcs]

The mondeo is more comfortable than the A4 and a much better drive, plastics are not as good but if boot space is what you want then it beats the A4 and 3 series by a long way, the 3 series is pretty small with a narrow opening and wheel arches that eat into the boot space. You would be better off going for the E61 5 series.

Wild crds ...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/353943427760?hash=item5...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/185577058757?hash=item2...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/125506754742?hash=item1...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/255722922851?hash=item3...

Subframes rot on these and so brake pipes

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/284930836610?hash=item4...

These are good value, and bigger than the Insignia
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/304595766566?hash=item4...

newer legacy with less power

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/155121078799?hash=item2...

Sticking with your vag theme ... cambelts on these need to be done by someone with the correct tools, they need to be at 0.0 TDC.

[Clunkie66]

stevemcs said:

The mondeo is more comfortable than the A4 and a much better drive, plastics are not as good but if boot space is what you want then it beats the A4 and 3 series by a long way, the 3 series is pretty small with a narrow opening and wheel arches that eat into the boot space. You would be better off going for the E61 5 series.

Wild crds ...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/353943427760?hash=item5...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/185577058757?hash=item2...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/125506754742?hash=item1...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/255722922851?hash=item3...

Subframes rot on these and so brake pipes

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/284930836610?hash=item4...

These are good value, and bigger than the Insignia
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/304595766566?hash=item4...

newer legacy with less power

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/155121078799?hash=item2...

Sticking with your vag theme ... cambelts on these need to be done by someone with the correct tools, they need to be at 0.0 TDC.

Thanks, I might have to rethink the Mondeo.

[dhutch]

What's the spares availablity like on the Saab 9-5?

[stevemcs]

No real issue on the spares front for Saabs.

[Pistonheader101]

C class estage

[ninjag]

stevemcs said:

Good luck with an aging VAG 2.0tfsi, personally i'd go with the Insignia or Mondeo (not powershift) they are a much better car for the money. They will be more reliable than the VAG group rubbish too.

If you must go for one though, buy on condition, budget £1000 for a timing chain, £400 for an oil service and dropping the sump (more if the A4)

How do you come to over £400 for an oil service for an A4?

[Belle427]

Skoda Superb is very roomy, petrol engines not that common though.
Merc C Class Estate also nice but petrol engines a bit gutless.

[stevemcs]

ninjag said:

How do you come to over £400 for an oil service for an A4?

Because that includes dropping the sump, cleaning out the pick-up pipe and then new sealant. It’s a pain on the A4 as the subframe is in the way. Otherwise oil service £99.

[ninjag]

stevemcs said:

ninjag said:

How do you come to over £400 for an oil service for an A4?

Because that includes dropping the sump, cleaning out the pick-up pipe and then new sealant. It’s a pain on the A4 as the subframe is in the way. Otherwise oil service £99.

For every oil change?

[stevemcs]

ninjag said:

For every oil change?

No, once, but depends on the service history

[ninjag]

stevemcs said:

ninjag said:

For every oil change?

No, once, but depends on the service history

Isn't it the older 1.8T that predominately had the sludge issue?

[stevemcs]

2.0 TFSi too, we scrapped one a few weeks ago.