Quick estate

[DonkeyApple]

Not exactly much around at the moment but not in a rush as I suspect the market for large cars that drink fuel might be tanking or at least pulling back to fair value over the next 24 months.

The thinking is to by something 3-5 years old that will be a family hack for the next 10-15 years and then binning.

Anyway, had a bit of a shortlist:

S6
E43
XFR
540

E43 seems most space but lowest taxes. S6 has a nicer, more traditional cabin and 4WD. XFR has the most silly engine and a nice cabin. 540 is just a solid allrounder.

However, I never knew there was a Golf estate and that it came in R spec! It's going to be smaller than the others, I guess more comparable to a 340, C43 or S4 but it struck me that this was much more like a Subaru estate of old, a bit of 4WD, good performance and not much money.

I know the cars on the list but is the Golf worth looking at? I'm always drawn to the innocuous when it comes to runabout cars and even as an R it seems pretty invisible and can probably be found for nearly £15k in the next year or so.

[ZX10R NIN]

If you want an innocuous VAG estate then look at the Skoda Superb in 280 AWD form:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202212302...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202212092...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301032...

Rather than the E43 I'd recommend spending a little extra & get the E53 it's a sweeter drivetrain but it's a little less powerful:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210241...

Premium Plus:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207308...

[Hackney]

I owned a Golf R estate for a few years. 66 plate.
Easily the best all rounder I’ve owned.
More subtle, and rarer than the hatch. Plenty of space in the boot, I replaced it with a Focus ST estate and the Golf had the larger boot IMO.
Only lacked for space once and that’s when we took the whole family to Ireland for a fortnight over Christmas. Two young children, clothes for all, presents for the whole family, hand me downs for a toddler etc, etc and we hired a roof box.
I’d have another one in a heartbeat (although a 7 or 7.5 as the new controls in the 8 have put me off even though the car itself seems a step on)
Get DSC and the panoramic roof is a nice add on for the kids to look out of but just makes a noise if it’s open.

PM me if you have any specific questions.

[troika]

What are you using it for? If doing distances, I’d far rather be in a 5 series or E class than a golf.

[therams]

I have a 18 plate s6 black edition
Nice place to be
CarPlay installed so it feels up to date tech wise
30 mpg on a motorway run. Obvs less if “pushing on”
£150 ish for decent pirelli tyres
It’s been a good car for me

[SiT]

Picked up a 2017 Golf R estate just before Christmas and as per my posts on other threads - it’s incredible at what it can do. You don’t get associated running costs like you do with an Audi/Merc/BMW, the boot is better than the competition because the back end isn’t raked downward and much more square. Although the litre’age on the Merc/BMW looks promising - check if the space works for you as tailgate and suspension struts encroach quite a bit.

The Golf is quick, like pants on fire quick but then my wife can jump in on ‘normal’ and it’s just a Golf. It flys under the radar, doesn’t shout about itself but can bother some much more exotic machinery.

Go try one - I guarantee you will be hooked!

Si

[DonkeyApple]

ZX10R NIN said:

If you want an innocuous VAG estate then look at the Skoda Superb in 280 AWD form:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202212302...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202212092...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301032...

Rather than the E43 I'd recommend spending a little extra & get the E53 it's a sweeter drivetrain but it's a little less powerful:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210241...

Premium Plus:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207308...

Thanks. The E53 would be more than I'd want to spend for a wagon that will sit doing nothing for maybe 300 days a year. I'm thinking around the £20k ballpark. I'd probably use a Golf estate more as it's smaller and more basic and looks a bit of a secret yobbo mobile, so fun for the more local stuff.

[DonkeyApple]

Hackney said:

I owned a Golf R estate for a few years. 66 plate.
Easily the best all rounder I’ve owned.
More subtle, and rarer than the hatch. Plenty of space in the boot, I replaced it with a Focus ST estate and the Golf had the larger boot IMO.
Only lacked for space once and that’s when we took the whole family to Ireland for a fortnight over Christmas. Two young children, clothes for all, presents for the whole family, hand me downs for a toddler etc, etc and we hired a roof box.
I’d have another one in a heartbeat (although a 7 or 7.5 as the new controls in the 8 have put me off even though the car itself seems a step on)
Get DSC and the panoramic roof is a nice add on for the kids to look out of but just makes a noise if it’s open.

PM me if you have any specific questions.

Thanks for that. I have a roof box so reckoned that's would compensate for the smaller boot on occasions. From what's I'd read so far I had gathered that a 7.5 on 18's might be the sweet spot.

[DonkeyApple]

troika said:

What are you using it for? If doing distances, I’d far rather be in a 5 series or E class than a golf.

A general smorgasbord of uses. Tip runs, dead animals, bad weather, towing child related paraphernalia, some proper long journey stuff like to the Highlands or France but mainly 100 mile runs to London or South Coast and back in a day.

The larger stuff will be nicer and what I would typically gravitate to but the Golf was a left field discovery that looks like it might be a bit more fun for local roads so get used more.

It struck me as a modern replacement for the Forrester when that was a practical Imprezza in terms of silly driving.

[What The Deuces]

DonkeyApple said:

Thanks for that. I have a roof box so reckoned that's would compensate for the smaller boot on occasions. From what's I'd read so far I had gathered that a 7.5 on 18's might be the sweet spot.

Debadged and on some non gti/r 17's would be my choice for an R Wagon.

[DonkeyApple]

What The Deuces said:

Debadged and on some non gti/r 17's would be my choice for an R Wagon.

Would definitely opt for higher profile tyres when workable. I'm never looking for track day efficiency but being able to get down rubbish roads with a bit more compliance.

The question would be whether 17s would fit over the brakes and whether there was enough information re any change in handling.

[rewild]

Do you need a towbar? Not an option on the Golf R.

[What The Deuces]

DonkeyApple said:

Would definitely opt for higher profile tyres when workable. I'm never looking for track day efficiency but being able to get down rubbish roads with a bit more compliance.

The question would be whether 17s would fit over the brakes and whether there was enough information re any change in handling.

My view on tyres was based on my dad and i both having matching Octavia VRS a while ago, his was on optional 18's and mine 17's........ mine was a good bit better to "push on" in on the roads we use regularly (Shropshire borders up to North Wales)

Plus the less it looks like an R/GTi the better for me

[vaud]

Had a Golf R estate. Was lovely, for all of the 5 weeks until it was stolen.

[VeeReihenmotor6]

Golf R or its euivalent from Skoda/Seat would be my default choice for a quick reasonable estate. Otherwise something a bit different like this Volvo T6 Polestar - 345hp & 6 cylinders

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210170...

[Jonno02]

vaud said:

Had a Golf R estate. Was lovely, for all of the 5 weeks until it was stolen.

I was this close to getting one after going to see it etc. But I had this thought in my head all the time. Ended up with a boring V90 but don’t feel the need to look out the window every time I hear someone outside when it’s dark.

Can’t help but want one still though.

[vaud]

Jonno02 said:

I was this close to getting one after going to see it etc. But I had this thought in my head all the time. Ended up with a boring V90 but don’t feel the need to look out the window every time I hear someone outside when it’s dark.

Can’t help but want one still though.

It was a targeted robbery (break in), a gang did loads in our area, suspiciously they even got cars that had just been delivered from a covered trailer... police suspected they had a list from somewhere.

Anyhow, they got them in the end and they got 5 years in prison (large organised chop shop, assaulted police, all manner of driving offences, etc)

I have young children and I have opted for boring for a while... XC60 and an A4 avant (slightly quick as its the 3.0tdi)

[DonkeyApple]

rewild said:

Do you need a towbar? Not an option on the Golf R.

That's an interesting snippet and quite surprising. In my book it's not really an estate car if it doesn't have a tow bar so this instantly solves the issue.

[DonkeyApple]

VeeReihenmotor6 said:

Golf R or its euivalent from Skoda/Seat would be my default choice for a quick reasonable estate. Otherwise something a bit different like this Volvo T6 Polestar - 345hp & 6 cylinders

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210170...

I quite like Volvos. £600 VED on a workhorse estate is an unpleasant way to throw some money away though.

[troika]

DonkeyApple said:

troika said:

What are you using it for? If doing distances, I’d far rather be in a 5 series or E class than a golf.

A general smorgasbord of uses. Tip runs, dead animals, bad weather, towing child related paraphernalia, some proper long journey stuff like to the Highlands or France but mainly 100 mile runs to London or South Coast and back in a day.

The larger stuff will be nicer and what I would typically gravitate to but the Golf was a left field discovery that looks like it might be a bit more fun for local roads so get used more.

It struck me as a modern replacement for the Forrester when that was a practical Imprezza in terms of silly driving.

If you don’t need a bit of ground clearance for tracks etc, I’d get a 540. Plenty fast enough, comfy and AWD. A new Outback would be a great all rounder but isn’t fast.