Fast ULEZ compliant petrol estate ~ 30k(ish)
Discussion
I currently have a 2011 Audi A4 Allroad 2.0 TDI, which has been a great car (an A4 Allroad with an S4 engine would be perfect), however its getting on and costing more and more every time it goes for a service, as well as it not being ULEZ compliant means its probably time to move on, I want to steer well clear of Diesels. I'm not concerned about tax or MPG so much as I don't do any more than 5-6k miles per year. My heart says C63 AMG 4.0, but my head is worried about big maintenance bills.
At the moment I can't see past the B9 Audi S4 Avant, others I've considered are (in no particular order):
A4 Avant 45 TFSI
BMW 340i Touring
Jaguar XF Sportbrake 300
Mercedes C43 AMG estate
Volvo XC60/XC90
Mercedes CLA 45 shooting-brake
Any others I'm missing (out of the box options welcomed, but not a fan of Vauxhalls)? I don't think I can realistically go any smaller, need boot space for a dog, and my wife likes to take a lot of crap when we go away.
At the moment I can't see past the B9 Audi S4 Avant, others I've considered are (in no particular order):
A4 Avant 45 TFSI
BMW 340i Touring
Jaguar XF Sportbrake 300
Mercedes C43 AMG estate
Volvo XC60/XC90
Mercedes CLA 45 shooting-brake
Any others I'm missing (out of the box options welcomed, but not a fan of Vauxhalls)? I don't think I can realistically go any smaller, need boot space for a dog, and my wife likes to take a lot of crap when we go away.
Pretty much all petrol cars made after 2006 will be ULEZ compliant.
Out of all the cars on your list, I'd pick the 340i.
Some other ideas
You can do better than a 45 TFSI Audi A4 - why not go for this S4?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209099...
Volvo V60 T6 Polestar
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301263...
Skoda Superb Estate Sportline 280 4x4 DSG
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301263...
Out of all the cars on your list, I'd pick the 340i.
Some other ideas
You can do better than a 45 TFSI Audi A4 - why not go for this S4?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209099...
Volvo V60 T6 Polestar
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301263...
Skoda Superb Estate Sportline 280 4x4 DSG
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301263...
georgeyboy12345 said:
You can do better than a 45 TFSI Audi A4 - why not go for this S4?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209099...
The Audi S4 Avant is top of my list - this one caught my eye - https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211292... My question would be is buying from a dealer worth it, do they still offer warranties for example?https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209099...
AllyBee said:
The Audi S4 Avant is top of my list - this one caught my eye - https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211292... My question would be is buying from a dealer worth it, do they still offer warranties for example?
If you go through the images there's an Audi AUC sign states cars come with a warranty & roadside assistance. AllyBee said:
The Audi S4 Avant is top of my list - this one caught my eye - https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211292... My question would be is buying from a dealer worth it, do they still offer warranties for example?
Contact the dealer and ask.Similar vein to your current car a V60 Cross Country T5?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202212282...
Brisk, not fast though and not the first word in driver involvement but a lovely place to sit.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202212282...
Brisk, not fast though and not the first word in driver involvement but a lovely place to sit.
Surely your heart saying C63 has it right all along as let's face it, if you drive anything else, particularly the unbearably average 340i (it really is, that interior is gash) and you see a 63, you're just going to think "f
ks sake, why am I in this when I can clearly afford that having the perfect use case for one?"
Or an E63.
But I mean seriously, a whiff of old man Superb justified bc it has a detuned Golf engine and the nastiest seats in the world and you can bore your mates at the Scrabble club with how much of a genius you are for saving a few quid despite it being 'the racy one', or an actual event every time you drive it?
For 5-6k p/a, treat the dog.
ks sake, why am I in this when I can clearly afford that having the perfect use case for one?"Or an E63.
But I mean seriously, a whiff of old man Superb justified bc it has a detuned Golf engine and the nastiest seats in the world and you can bore your mates at the Scrabble club with how much of a genius you are for saving a few quid despite it being 'the racy one', or an actual event every time you drive it?
For 5-6k p/a, treat the dog.
I bought a 4.0 C63 estate last year. I was advised to avoid the C63S due to the electronic diff that if it fails is very expensive. I was also looking at 2013-16 (5.5) E63 estates but again advised to avoid that model and go for the 4.0 C63 by a couple of specialists I know. They're also reliable with a remap should you want a little extra power as the 4.0 is in varying states of tune in different models. Mine runs c.580bhp with a remap and is otherwise standard.
If you're worried about big bills, perhaps buy a Mercedes service plan and spread the servicing costs and help cushion any expensive parts? They're fairly reliable cars from my research. My 6.2 C63 was faultless.
If you're worried about big bills, perhaps buy a Mercedes service plan and spread the servicing costs and help cushion any expensive parts? They're fairly reliable cars from my research. My 6.2 C63 was faultless.
CG2020UK said:
A C63 is brilliant if you have the funds. You might find it a bit frustrating as it will require a lot more traction management on the road which can get annoying if you aren’t up for it.
I've been pleasantly surprised by the MPS4S tyres on my C63 compared to the MPSSs on my old M4 but yes, traction can be limited if you're a bit keen with the throttle. I can't say it's been a problem for me as if you drive to the conditions, it's docile. Edited by Mark83 on Tuesday 14th February 20:56
CG2020UK said:
I’d definitely go the S4 over the BMW 340i.
A C63 is brilliant if you have the funds. You might find it a bit frustrating as it will require a lot more traction management on the road which can get annoying if you aren’t up for it.
Thanks for everyones comments. I think I'm going to try and get a test drive in an S4, 340i and C63. I'm still leaning towards the S4, but i'd like to try the BMW, the C63 is going to require some more research into things like warranties/service plans etc I think. A C63 is brilliant if you have the funds. You might find it a bit frustrating as it will require a lot more traction management on the road which can get annoying if you aren’t up for it.
I have similar criteria, have been looking at all sorts...
Here are some of my thoughts:
Coming from a 2015 m135 with an MHD map, I always wanted a v8 so the e class is currently top of my list. Any at a decent price either have no options or high miles or both. I have driven one and it was an event!
C63 would be second in the list, mainly because of the higher price and I'm not keen on the cheaper interior and iPad type screen. Drove a coupe and it was more of an event than the e63 below 60 mph, sounds amazing.
C43, drove one, felt slower than my tuned m135 and less fun thanks to the surefootedness of the 4matic. Sounds good.
S4, I drove that blue one linked above, the sound is disappointing compared to an n55 and c43 but the interior is the best out of the lot. Felt about at fast as the c43.
Last week I drove a 440i GC just to see, as this or a 340 touring are on the list too. It has the best engine and gearbox out of the 3.0l cars and rwd for the win. The interior is identical to my old 1 series which I lived with for 3 years, I'm not sure I could do it again.
Tough choice, I've since driven an F80 m3 and this is now on the list too. I can live with the interior on that because the car feels and looks a lot more special.
Here are some of my thoughts:
Coming from a 2015 m135 with an MHD map, I always wanted a v8 so the e class is currently top of my list. Any at a decent price either have no options or high miles or both. I have driven one and it was an event!
C63 would be second in the list, mainly because of the higher price and I'm not keen on the cheaper interior and iPad type screen. Drove a coupe and it was more of an event than the e63 below 60 mph, sounds amazing.
C43, drove one, felt slower than my tuned m135 and less fun thanks to the surefootedness of the 4matic. Sounds good.
S4, I drove that blue one linked above, the sound is disappointing compared to an n55 and c43 but the interior is the best out of the lot. Felt about at fast as the c43.
Last week I drove a 440i GC just to see, as this or a 340 touring are on the list too. It has the best engine and gearbox out of the 3.0l cars and rwd for the win. The interior is identical to my old 1 series which I lived with for 3 years, I'm not sure I could do it again.
Tough choice, I've since driven an F80 m3 and this is now on the list too. I can live with the interior on that because the car feels and looks a lot more special.
Ok. So I'm reviving my own thread. Not sure if anyone else has noticed this but there seems to be a distinct lack of cars of the type listed above coming on to the market, is anyone else finding this. For example there has not been a new S4 Avant from an Audi dealer listed on Autotrader for quite some time now. There are also low numbers of both C63 AMG W205s and BMW 340i listed.
I've also not had much luck arranging test drives, a few weeks ago I made appointments to see 4 cars from a mixture of independent dealers and franchised dealers, I only got to drive one (a Golf R estate, which wasn't on my list but I was passing a dealer who had one in stock)
I've also widened the search to an Alfa Stelvio Veloce, S5 hatchback and a Mercedes GLC 43 AMG as getting a new car is getting more urgent now.
I've also not had much luck arranging test drives, a few weeks ago I made appointments to see 4 cars from a mixture of independent dealers and franchised dealers, I only got to drive one (a Golf R estate, which wasn't on my list but I was passing a dealer who had one in stock)
I've also widened the search to an Alfa Stelvio Veloce, S5 hatchback and a Mercedes GLC 43 AMG as getting a new car is getting more urgent now.
Edited by AllyBee on Tuesday 6th June 19:09
AllyBee said:
Ok. So I'm reviving my own thread. Not sure if anyone else has noticed this but there seems to be a distinct lack of cars of the type listed above coming on to the market, is anyone else finding this. For example there has not been a new S4 Avant from an Audi dealer listed on Autotrader for quite some time now. There are also low numbers of both C63 AMG W205s and BMW 340i listed.
I've also not had much luck arranging test drives, a few weeks ago I made appointments to see 4 cars from a mixture of independent dealers and franchised dealers, I only got to drive one (a Golf R estate, which wasn't on my list but I was passing a dealer who had one in stock)
I've also widened the search to an Alfa Stelvio Veloce, S5 hatchback and a Mercedes GLC 43 AMG as getting a new car is getting more urgent now.
Have you discounted the C43?I've also not had much luck arranging test drives, a few weeks ago I made appointments to see 4 cars from a mixture of independent dealers and franchised dealers, I only got to drive one (a Golf R estate, which wasn't on my list but I was passing a dealer who had one in stock)
I've also widened the search to an Alfa Stelvio Veloce, S5 hatchback and a Mercedes GLC 43 AMG as getting a new car is getting more urgent now.
Edited by AllyBee on Tuesday 6th June 19:09
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