Audi A6 Estate or VW Passat Estate - 6K budget - Help plse

[Mr. Magoo]

I am chipping in my LR Disco 3 after the summer holidays and looking for something less special but equally capable for a family of 4.

It will be mainly for the long runs as we have a town car. I quite like the idea of A6 or Passat estate from 06 - 09. Mileage 50 - 100K.

It must be clean and have FSH. Happy to have a 1.9 TDI unless convinced otherwise. Will do about 6K / yr. Budget 6K.

Does anyone have a firm opinion on which to go for. I have a preference for the Audi as it sits slightly higher on the boredom threshold. Seems to be plenty on Autotrader but thoughts on running costs and apparent troubles are welcome.

(Oh and if anyone wants to PX a LR Disco with FSH and 70K on clock plse let me know)

Many thanks

[Pablo16v]

Our 57 plate 2.0tdi Passat estate was decent enough as a family car, and cheap to run, but if you're only going to be doing around 6K miles per year I'd probably be looking for a 2.0t petrol version. They are a bit thin on the ground though as the majority will be 2.0tdi's. £5-6K should get you a decent one.

The last A6 I had was a 2002 3.0 quattro, so I can't comment on more recent ones.

[Mr Taxpayer]

Subaru Legacy or Outback. If you can't pick up one of the 08-onwards diesels, then consider a petrol with an LPG conversion.
You will struggle to reach your boredom threshold!

[Mr. Magoo]

Thanks all - was looking for low maintenance low cost comfortable family wagon. Errring on the side of the A6 not the VW. I had a Subaru Outback, I liked the boxer engine, the rest felt distinctly Japanese.

[va1o]

I'd go for a Passat, you'd just about get into a 2.0 TDI CR 140 Highline for that money. Nice engine and well equipped, signifcantly smoother than the older PD diesels like the 1.9. Something like this as an example - http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014... . DSG Box suits the car very nicely and helps gives it an upmarket feel.

Surely your D3 is worth more than £6k as a PX though? Even sheds with 6-figure mileage are going for £7k upwards on Autotrader

Edited by va1o on Thursday 10th July 18:57

[Mr Taxpayer]

Mr. Magoo said:

I had a Subaru Outback, I liked the boxer engine, the rest felt distinctly Japanese.

I don't understand this fetish for the 'quality of the plastics' that people who like German cars are obsessed with. Personaly I prefer the 'Quality of the bits that make the car go, steer and stop' and the 'quality of the dealer service'. Both areas where the Japanese knock the Germans into a cocked hat. Look at consumer reports, warranty claims, etc. But what would I know; I'm a mechanical engineer!

[va1o]

Mr Taxpayer said:

I don't understand this fetish for the 'quality of the plastics' that people who like German cars are obsessed with. Personaly I prefer the 'Quality of the bits that make the car go, steer and stop' and the 'quality of the dealer service'. Both areas where the Japanese knock the Germans into a cocked hat. Look at consumer reports, warranty claims, etc. But what would I know; I'm a mechanical engineer!

Obvious troll is obvious

This is the VAG section of the forum...

[ManOpener]

My boss a few years back had a Subaru Legacy estate. Late model 3.0 flat 6 from either 2008 or 9, I can't remember.
It perpetually needed extortionately expensive work doing on it and the interior literally fell apart.

Don't know whether he bought a dog but his experience and the service he had from the Subaru dealership put me off the later Leggy.