Daily Driver....what should i buy ?
Discussion
I do alot of motorway driving at weekends (500 miles every other weekend) and as i'm using my S2 as my daily car i am putting alot of mileage on her. She's also not the most comfortable motorway car and the wife drives an MX5 which is no better (no luggage space & noisy)
As such i'm thinking of buying a car capable of good motorway mileage and daily use without breaking the bank, however i cant see myself in a eurobox, so here are some of the options, what do you think..... budget is 2.5k
A 1996 Audi A6 2.5Tdi
A 1994 E280 Merc with leather
A 1997 VW Vento VR6
A Volvo 850
A BMW 5 or 7 series (how do i get around the Nikasil issue)
I figure for motorway comfort, i need a bigger luxury car rather than sporty, however i'm only 34 so a Toyota Avensis just wont do, it needs to have character.
Any thoughts / comments ?
thanks
As such i'm thinking of buying a car capable of good motorway mileage and daily use without breaking the bank, however i cant see myself in a eurobox, so here are some of the options, what do you think..... budget is 2.5k
A 1996 Audi A6 2.5Tdi
A 1994 E280 Merc with leather
A 1997 VW Vento VR6
A Volvo 850
A BMW 5 or 7 series (how do i get around the Nikasil issue)
I figure for motorway comfort, i need a bigger luxury car rather than sporty, however i'm only 34 so a Toyota Avensis just wont do, it needs to have character.
Any thoughts / comments ?
thanks
Hi Giles,
not an expert but I'd look for a 5 series. My old fella has been driving a J-reg 5 for a few years now and loves it. Does loads of motorway miles visitng grandchildren and it's never let him down yet. Still looks qute stylish inside for the age as well. Costs him a fairly expensive service each year (but you'll be used to that) but he thinks it's well worth it.
A mate also lent me his P-reg 525 for a week last year trying to sell it (around 4k). I went up and down the M1 in it and found it fantastic to drive. It had leather and all the extras and felt very luxurious still for the money. Would definitely have bought it but just not right for my family situation(now got Grand Voyager for the kids and V8S for me).
Definitely gave me the impression that older upmarket models were very good VFM motoring.
not an expert but I'd look for a 5 series. My old fella has been driving a J-reg 5 for a few years now and loves it. Does loads of motorway miles visitng grandchildren and it's never let him down yet. Still looks qute stylish inside for the age as well. Costs him a fairly expensive service each year (but you'll be used to that) but he thinks it's well worth it.
A mate also lent me his P-reg 525 for a week last year trying to sell it (around 4k). I went up and down the M1 in it and found it fantastic to drive. It had leather and all the extras and felt very luxurious still for the money. Would definitely have bought it but just not right for my family situation(now got Grand Voyager for the kids and V8S for me).
Definitely gave me the impression that older upmarket models were very good VFM motoring.
Thanks for those comments, however
A Pug coupe is too expensive at 5k i'm affraid
A 318is is possible but only 2 door and not really powerful enough, or different enough.
A 5 series would be great but the Nikasil Ali block issues are a nightmare, any 3/5/7 series with 6 cyl's built between 94 & 98 will basically develop low compression at some point and eat away the Ali cylinders. I was keen on a 735/728 and 530 but i've been so put off.
Any other ideas much appreciated, i am going to the auctions tomorrow, just to have a look, not to bid........so i told the wife !
Cheers
A Pug coupe is too expensive at 5k i'm affraid
A 318is is possible but only 2 door and not really powerful enough, or different enough.
A 5 series would be great but the Nikasil Ali block issues are a nightmare, any 3/5/7 series with 6 cyl's built between 94 & 98 will basically develop low compression at some point and eat away the Ali cylinders. I was keen on a 735/728 and 530 but i've been so put off.
Any other ideas much appreciated, i am going to the auctions tomorrow, just to have a look, not to bid........so i told the wife !
Cheers
Of the cars you list I'd pick the Volvo for comfort and motorway cruising.
The seating of the others just isn't as comfortable as a Volvo unless you like harder seats and suspension. I have a V70 Classic (850 style) and a S3 (plus a Westfield) and find the S3 comfortable although noisy and harsh on rough roads. The Volvo handling while not as good as either car isn't bad for a FWD vehicle knockning on the 1.5 tonne mark.
Watch out for worn swing arm bushes on 850's - they're about £120 a pop because the swingarm has to be replaced. During the V70 Classic period they went to replacable bushes so it was only £18 a time - thankfully.
The seating of the others just isn't as comfortable as a Volvo unless you like harder seats and suspension. I have a V70 Classic (850 style) and a S3 (plus a Westfield) and find the S3 comfortable although noisy and harsh on rough roads. The Volvo handling while not as good as either car isn't bad for a FWD vehicle knockning on the 1.5 tonne mark.
Watch out for worn swing arm bushes on 850's - they're about £120 a pop because the swingarm has to be replaced. During the V70 Classic period they went to replacable bushes so it was only £18 a time - thankfully.
The Legacy was on my list but i was a bit dissapointed with the interior, typical JAp and not very luxurious, the same went for the Honda Legend.
The Volvo, i do like except for the image & the fact my dad was an antique dealer & we always had them when i was a youngster.
No comments on the Merc E280 - lots of em around in great condition for £2-3k
Or the Vento VR6 - great engine, poor image ?
The Volvo, i do like except for the image & the fact my dad was an antique dealer & we always had them when i was a youngster.
No comments on the Merc E280 - lots of em around in great condition for £2-3k
Or the Vento VR6 - great engine, poor image ?
Hey Giles,
As you know, I have an 850 estate. It's not as boring as you might think, as long as you get the 2.5 litre, 20 valve version. Plus, the engines are bullet-proof. If you are doing lots of brain-out miles on boring roads, get an automatic. Changing in and out of gear while inching along in a traffic jam with all the other victims is pointless! Even the later V70 can be obtained for the kind of budget you have.
PM me if you want a chat. I am offshore Norway again already!!
Cheers, JW
As you know, I have an 850 estate. It's not as boring as you might think, as long as you get the 2.5 litre, 20 valve version. Plus, the engines are bullet-proof. If you are doing lots of brain-out miles on boring roads, get an automatic. Changing in and out of gear while inching along in a traffic jam with all the other victims is pointless! Even the later V70 can be obtained for the kind of budget you have.
PM me if you want a chat. I am offshore Norway again already!!
Cheers, JW
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