What car? Large-ish quick-ish diesel, interesting? £6-7k
Discussion
Looking for something to do quite a few motorway miles in. Must have a large boot and reasonable economy on a run, but no real other requirements. I realise this gives a huge range of cars, hence I need some help! Open to coupe/saloon/estates, prefer reasonably quick/six cylinders if possible. Also tempted by an auto box, as I've never had one before.
Would like something that's sort of OK to drive, I'm aware that a big diesel auto isn't a great start, but something that doesn't make me want to cry every time I go (or don't go) around a corner.
List so far:
3/530d
A4/A6 3.0 TDI
Alfa 159/Brera
CLK (not sure about this one)
Would like something that's sort of OK to drive, I'm aware that a big diesel auto isn't a great start, but something that doesn't make me want to cry every time I go (or don't go) around a corner.
List so far:
3/530d
A4/A6 3.0 TDI
Alfa 159/Brera
CLK (not sure about this one)
I changed from an A6 2.0 TDI to a 2.4 Alfa 159. The Audi was very good, and certainly the 3.0 V6 diesel is a very smooth engine. Build quality was definitely better than the Alfa. If you go for the Audi ensure you test drive it with a stone cold engine to begin with - Audi clutches are really expensive and the first sign of them on the way out is clutch vibration when pulling away with a cold engine.
The Alfa is a much nicer place to be- the seats are actually designed for a normal person rather than a fat German banker. After I deleted the DPF, EGR and had the engine remapped, the car uses the same amount of fuel as my old Audi - I am glad I changed to the Alfa. Although you notice the weight of the 2.4 in the front the car overall is much better to drive than the A6, and the 250hp/380lb ft makes it a pleasure to drive on the motorway, and good for overtaking if any of your commute is on A roads.
BUT I would say though that nigh on every alfa 159 in your budget will almost certainly have something wrong with it - I'd look at a few 159s at around the 5k mark and save the rest of your budget for fixing issues in the first six months - there is nothing wrong with a well maintained alfa and I'm getting thousands of reliable miles out of mine after changing the oil cooler/bushes/belts/thermostat/egr/swirl flaps and intake manifold.
The Alfa is a much nicer place to be- the seats are actually designed for a normal person rather than a fat German banker. After I deleted the DPF, EGR and had the engine remapped, the car uses the same amount of fuel as my old Audi - I am glad I changed to the Alfa. Although you notice the weight of the 2.4 in the front the car overall is much better to drive than the A6, and the 250hp/380lb ft makes it a pleasure to drive on the motorway, and good for overtaking if any of your commute is on A roads.
BUT I would say though that nigh on every alfa 159 in your budget will almost certainly have something wrong with it - I'd look at a few 159s at around the 5k mark and save the rest of your budget for fixing issues in the first six months - there is nothing wrong with a well maintained alfa and I'm getting thousands of reliable miles out of mine after changing the oil cooler/bushes/belts/thermostat/egr/swirl flaps and intake manifold.
I saw the title and was about to suggest the 2.4 159 myself 
(the 1.9jtdm engine is OK but I'd like more oomph from mine every now and again). Good looking cars and really are a nice place to be with very comfy and supportive seating (better than the c class I had whose seats where too small and flat as a fart with zero support). The ti's look good but are a wee bit on the bumpy side (then again I've only ever driven mine) and the 19" tyres are pricey so a Lusso spec is the one to look for if the thought of coughing up £82 for budgets/£152 min. for mid/premiums is too much (avoid the Turismo these are the base spec without Bessy plastered in side).
(the 1.9jtdm engine is OK but I'd like more oomph from mine every now and again). Good looking cars and really are a nice place to be with very comfy and supportive seating (better than the c class I had whose seats where too small and flat as a fart with zero support). The ti's look good but are a wee bit on the bumpy side (then again I've only ever driven mine) and the 19" tyres are pricey so a Lusso spec is the one to look for if the thought of coughing up £82 for budgets/£152 min. for mid/premiums is too much (avoid the Turismo these are the base spec without Bessy plastered in side).Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff