Because Estate Car
Discussion
Estates are brilliant, had my 535d for 2 years now, not had an estate before but don't think I'd want to be without one now. Went away with the family for a few days last week, boot full, still averaged 49mpg over 160 miles. Couple of days later went to ikea and loaded it right up, could barely even feel the additional weight, although to be fair it's a heavy old beast even when empty.
sjj84 said:
Estates are brilliant, had my 535d for 2 years now, not had an estate before but don't think I'd want to be without one now. Went away with the family for a few days last week, boot full, still averaged 49mpg over 160 miles. Couple of days later went to ikea and loaded it right up, could barely even feel the additional weight, although to be fair it's a heavy old beast even when empty.
Not notice the weight of a boot full of stuff from ikea? With a 535d you’d hardly notice towing a small fairground ride. It must be a riot to drive?
Davie said:
My last V70 D5 worked hard but since replaced by an 850 T5...
Bloke at the tip seemed genuinely impressed.
In my case the tip bloke seemed genuinely unimpressed with comments like."thats not a car you've turned it into a van".Bloke at the tip seemed genuinely impressed.
My reply was "no its an estate car with removable seats"....seems im "on his radar now"
Idiots...then they wonder why country lanes are full of rubbish.
The reason behind me getting my first estate car, was quite daft and not very well thought out, because it came down to the fact that saloon version of the car had archaic drum rear brakes, and no electric socket aft of the dash board, which the estate version gave me. Having sampled the delights of using an estate car, I would not go to back to a saloon for my everyday driver.
Many hatchback type saloons are very versatile (compared to true booted saloons), and with a bit of ingenuity it is amazing just what can be got into them, but the sheer ease of slinging just about anything into the back of an estate, without having to think about how it can be got in is just great.
there is also the extra internal space at the back which an estate provides, which would just be open air above the boot lid in a standard saloon. which when needed allows even more `stuff' to be squeezed in. For me now, my every day driver has to be an estate car.
Many hatchback type saloons are very versatile (compared to true booted saloons), and with a bit of ingenuity it is amazing just what can be got into them, but the sheer ease of slinging just about anything into the back of an estate, without having to think about how it can be got in is just great.
there is also the extra internal space at the back which an estate provides, which would just be open air above the boot lid in a standard saloon. which when needed allows even more `stuff' to be squeezed in. For me now, my every day driver has to be an estate car.
I've been enjoying everyone's estates - here’s my current A4 B8 wagon in winter mode on Exmoor. Everyone secretly loves the winter wheel and tyre look right? It’s usually full of bikes/cricket bags/logs etc. I do like being back in a wagon after a few hatchbacks, my first car was a Volvo V40 in 2007.
I find the Audi Immensely practical but a bit dull. I fancy a bit more zip next, must be a manual, and I really miss having a sunroof! I recently test drove a V50 T5 Sport of the same 2009 vintage as a potential successor. But the interior felt a bit old-tech in comparison to the A4 (probably due to being an older design), there was also damp in the foot wells and behind the OBD port and that put me off.
My shortlist of wagons so far is an E91 330i/d, Legacy SpecB 3.0R, Mondeo 2.5T. The Insignia VXR tourer was on my list until I found out there isn’t a sunroof model. Let the searching resume!
Welshbeef said:
Why didn’t Audi make a B6 RS4 that would have followed the B5 lovely jubbly
They sort of did, the only thing was they changed the grille design to match the rest if the range and called it the B7. B6 and B7 was just a new grille design and new rear light cluster to bring the A4 in line with the other models design wise.
Seems that there are a few people with V70s on here. Mine did well.
As well as carrying 3 full suspension bikes, camping kit for 3 guys, food and drink, riding kit etc etc, it also doubled up as a kitchen work top and bar. Loved the car, but it started having too many problems and I needed to go for an auto due to a knee problem.
Now have a Saab 9-3 estate, better day to day (decent turning circle and fits in most parking spaces), but doesn't have the capacity of the V70.
As well as carrying 3 full suspension bikes, camping kit for 3 guys, food and drink, riding kit etc etc, it also doubled up as a kitchen work top and bar. Loved the car, but it started having too many problems and I needed to go for an auto due to a knee problem.
Now have a Saab 9-3 estate, better day to day (decent turning circle and fits in most parking spaces), but doesn't have the capacity of the V70.
Max M4X WW said:
g3org3y said:
Sadly the 328i Touring in the OP is to be retired at the end of the month. 
Here is its replacement: E91 330i.
Why? What is the mileage now?Here is its replacement: E91 330i.
E91 Looks like a nice spec.
Don't think we could do without an Estate in the household. They are just so practical and I do think the E91 (especially in M Sport trim) has aged extremely well and looks great.
Got to love a fast estate. My first was a '98 V70 T5 which is still sorely missed. Reliable, quick and capacious, the only real downside was its insatiable thirst for petrol. Luckily it was a 2nd car and used for band rehearsals, gigs, general drum kit lugging and tip runs. Would have another one (or an 850R) in a heartbeat although I would probably try and have a manual box next time.
After 4 years with the Volvo I then picked up this '06 9-3 Sportwagon 2.8T. Not quite as mahoosive as the Volvo it still is a size able car and can happily deal with the aforementioned music & life duties. I've tinkered with this one a little and it has a stainless catback, maptun intake and running a stage 1 Maptun map (so approx 290bhp). It is brisk to say the least
House hunting has put a stop to any real car hunting until probably next year but I'm likely going to sell my Focus ST hatch & Saab and replace with a single estate car. Current ideas are Focus ST Estate, Leon Cupra Estate, or Audi S4 Avant (3.0T).
After 4 years with the Volvo I then picked up this '06 9-3 Sportwagon 2.8T. Not quite as mahoosive as the Volvo it still is a size able car and can happily deal with the aforementioned music & life duties. I've tinkered with this one a little and it has a stainless catback, maptun intake and running a stage 1 Maptun map (so approx 290bhp). It is brisk to say the least
House hunting has put a stop to any real car hunting until probably next year but I'm likely going to sell my Focus ST hatch & Saab and replace with a single estate car. Current ideas are Focus ST Estate, Leon Cupra Estate, or Audi S4 Avant (3.0T).
Joe5y said:
C350cdi with a map making it fast and fun. Sadly the throttle response (or lack of) is becoming unbearable and I’m testing other cars.
The 350cdi got slated for being to sharp on the first cars, the later ones it is mapped completely differently and just makes it feel lazy.
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