Cheap estate car for long European trip?

[ElectricSoup]

993kimbo said:

ElectricSoup said:

I had the same experience as you with my Merc, you can add the torque converter and the air springs to the list of expensive failures you had though.

That's nasty, bad luck. I love older Mercs but would never buy another. The actual engines might 'go on for ever' but the rest doesn't.

I did have a Saab on the list and I'll give one a try. Thanks.

Edited by 993kimbo on Wednesday 11th December 09:40

I have driven extensively in Spain and France, and, being a car nerd, I take note of what's about on the roads. SAABs are very, very rare in my experience. Which gives me pause for thought regarding maintenance etc. But if you go for the diesel 1.9, that engine was used extensively in FIAT, Alfa and Opel cars for a long long time, so that should mean it's easier to find somewhere which knows the engines if you have a problem, and parts should be available from Opel dealers (as was my experience with Vauxhall dealers in the UK).

I'd probably not buy a Renault in the UK, but if I were living in France/Spain and needed an estate car, I'd be tempted with a Laguna. I had a 2.0dci estate once (MkIII), and it was once of the nicest, comfiest and most economical cars I've ever had. Lots of electrical niggles though which is why I ditched it, but I was probably unlucky. They are stupid cheap to buy in the UK too. I used to manage to get 70mpg on the motorway out of mine, which is remarkable for a large, relatively powerful estate car.

[993kimbo]

ElectricSoup said:

Eek. Have you considered no-deal Brexit is still a possibility, meaning you'll only be able to stay in France or Spain for three months at a time? Assuming you only hold British nationality. In fact there's a risk with any form of Brexit to our right to live in EU countries unhindered.

Apols if that's not the case, but worth pointing out at the moment, as it's a big risk for a lot of people.

Eek back!

No, I had not even considered this. Thanks for pointing that out. That would put a spanner in whatever car I get.

Edited by 993kimbo on Wednesday 11th December 10:36

[993kimbo]

Pothole said:

This will do the job in immense comfort. This era of Volvo seats are some of the comfiest I've ever used

Thanks for the link. I can see where you're coming from but I think it feels like a step too far in terms of age, performance and handling for me. My wife kills all my spirited driving but there will be times (I hope) when I'm on my own up some twisty mountain Spanish road...

[Maracus]

vaud said:

dmsims said:

Given it's a diesel why is the mpg so bad ?

It's an older engine (2005 IIRC) and is has permanent quattro. Great cruiser though. You can get a little more with a delicate right foot and good tyres.

We did a EuroTrip 5 years ago in a 2008 A6 3.0 TDI Quattro Tiptronic (Same engine/box). Four up with a bootful of stuff and averaged 40MPG over 2000 miles.

We've done trips in a F31 328i Touring and a Volvo XC60.

Of the 3 vehicles, the XC60 was overall the best option - mainly due to the R Design seats, although the A6 sport seats are good.

I appreciate the latter 2 are over your budget.

[993kimbo]

vaud said:

A6 SE Quattro for 5k- will give 33-36mpg
A6 SE Quattro

That should do the job.

I like the seller's blurb: "... with more extras than I've known what to do with."

[vaud]

993kimbo said:

That should do the job.

I like the seller's blurb: "... with more extras than I've known what to do with."

They tend to have a lot.

That one is missing Bose
Looks like it is running on 17" wheels (better ride).

I ran one from 28k to 110k miles and had no issues. Was gutted when it was stolen.

[993kimbo]

Anything stolen is indeed gutting. Sorry to hear that.

Yes, the difference between 17 and 18" wheels is noticeable, especially with the taller sidewalls. My BMW estate was on 17's which certainly gave a firm ride. I tried one on 16's and that was ten times better.

[vaud]

993kimbo said:

Anything stolen is indeed gutting. Sorry to hear that.

Yes, the difference between 17 and 18" wheels is noticeable, especially with the taller sidewalls. My BMW estate was on 17's which certainly gave a firm ride. I tried one on 16's and that was ten times better.

Thanks

It might even be 16"s looking at the photos. It was very good on tyres - my first set of Michelin Primacy (IIRC) covered 52k. In winter with some M&S tyres it was pretty unstoppable, very very competent in snow and heavy rain - thanks to quattro.

[ElectricSoup]

Aren't the auto gearboxes dodge/poor reputationally on A6s?

[vaud]

ElectricSoup said:

Aren't the auto gearboxes dodge/poor reputationally on A6s?

The multitronic, yes (normally on the 2.7).

The 3.0tdi is a regular auto and I heard no bad things though clearly my personal sample size was one (though I have friends who had the Avant with no issues)

[Osinjak]

993kimbo said:

vaud said:

A6 SE Quattro for 5k- will give 33-36mpg
A6 SE Quattro

That should do the job.

I like the seller's blurb: "... with more extras than I've known what to do with."

That looks alright, that one.

[993kimbo]

I've just read this:

"Full turbo rebuild at last service".

110,000 miles only. Not what you want.

Was that just unlucky or expected on these big Audis?

[nobrakes]

993kimbo said:

I've just read this:

"Full turbo rebuild at last service".

110,000 miles only. Not what you want.

Was that just unlucky or expected on these big Audis?

Look up A/T - plenty with mega miles.

Audi’s are expensive to service though.

Understand your grief re the E class, but your journey is what they are built for.

[Pothole]

993kimbo said:

Pothole said:

This will do the job in immense comfort. This era of Volvo seats are some of the comfiest I've ever used

Thanks for the link. I can see where you're coming from but I think it feels like a step too far in terms of age, performance and handling for me. My wife kills all my spirited driving but there will be times (I hope) when I'm on my own up some twisty mountain Spanish road...

It won't let you die...

[ericmcn]

DoubleD said:

That elite insignia is a lot of car for such a small amount of money!

Vauxhall's are cheap for a reason, would it be rude to suggest a Legacy wagon. Will tick all the boxes and then some.

[ericmcn]

mickyh7 said:

Until the pick up gasket says New bottom ends please. Avoid like the plague unless said gasket has been replaced on cars up to 12 plate.
Check Ebay for non runners requiring bottom end work.
It starts with low oil light flash on start up.

Like I said, cheap for a reason. The op wants a reliable car so don't get a friggin vauxhall.

Double D makes me smile too come to think of it...for a supposedly car expert.

[ericmcn]

Osinjak said:

993kimbo said:

vaud said:

A6 SE Quattro for 5k- will give 33-36mpg
A6 SE Quattro

That should do the job.

I like the seller's blurb: "... with more extras than I've known what to do with."

That looks alright, that one.

More extras bs, minus Xenon lights it seems, which would be high up on my list for a continental cruising car - but what would I know....

[stevemcs]

As far as i'm aware the 3.0 Tdi is a multitronic box unless its a Quattro in which case it becomes a conventional torque converter. I've never found modern Audis reliable or comfortable, the steering wheel and pedals are far too offset.

Spending 5k isn't going to buy you reliability, its just going to buy you a newer car with things that need fixing. I'd still be looking towards a Mondeo, big, comfy mechanically pretty good and they steer well. Insignias are ok too, yes they have the pick up problem but if you catch it early enough its a couple of hours labour and a seal. Get one with a very good service history and you should be ok.

The Laguna 3 as mentioned would also be a great car, comfy and pretty reliable. If your feeling brave you could always consider a C6 or if you want a bit more wood how about an S Type or even XJ

[vaud]

stevemcs said:

As far as i'm aware the 3.0 Tdi is a multitronic box unless its a Quattro in which case it becomes a conventional torque converter. I've never found modern Audis reliable or comfortable, the steering wheel and pedals are far too offset.

The A6 3.0tdi only came in quattro (IIRC) and as you say is a conventional (tiptronic) box.

[DoubleD]

ericmcn said:

mickyh7 said:

Until the pick up gasket says New bottom ends please. Avoid like the plague unless said gasket has been replaced on cars up to 12 plate.
Check Ebay for non runners requiring bottom end work.
It starts with low oil light flash on start up.

Like I said, cheap for a reason. The op wants a reliable car so don't get a friggin vauxhall.

Double D makes me smile too come to think of it...for a supposedly car expert.

Aww thanks Eric, im glad we can have a good laugh about what each other say.