large, powerful estate cars - buying advice
Discussion
Hope I can tap the forum's knowledge and good sense for advice. One of my best friends recently bought an E61 M5 touring 'to scratch that itch'. He has three small boys and wanted a seriously powerful engineering icon. Three months after he bought it, and several hoons and a trip down to France later, it was stolen.
Naturally on one level he's heartbroken, but while the insurance claim works itself through the system, he's thinking about what to do next. My thinking (the 'ultra-rational option' as he puts it) is to forget fast cars for two or three years while the insurance blood suckers gorge their fill: buy a nice honda accord estate with a reasonable number of toys, marvel at its technical excellence, absorb the insurance premium hit, then move on in three years.
He sees (intellectual) merit in that argument but having had the M5 is hankering after a slightly older RS6 or AMG Merc (though he's convinced Mercs don't go round corners). We came to the conclusion that only the Germans make big, powerful estates. He'd like a move away from the BMWs he's had over the last decade, just for a change.
Is there anything we've forgotten that would have a serious kick when pushed but would be docile, comfortable and well-appointed? Budget GBP 20k (but of course less for the Accord option!). Any other suggestions for a 'sensible' estate with sophistication also welcome
Tiger
Naturally on one level he's heartbroken, but while the insurance claim works itself through the system, he's thinking about what to do next. My thinking (the 'ultra-rational option' as he puts it) is to forget fast cars for two or three years while the insurance blood suckers gorge their fill: buy a nice honda accord estate with a reasonable number of toys, marvel at its technical excellence, absorb the insurance premium hit, then move on in three years.
He sees (intellectual) merit in that argument but having had the M5 is hankering after a slightly older RS6 or AMG Merc (though he's convinced Mercs don't go round corners). We came to the conclusion that only the Germans make big, powerful estates. He'd like a move away from the BMWs he's had over the last decade, just for a change.
Is there anything we've forgotten that would have a serious kick when pushed but would be docile, comfortable and well-appointed? Budget GBP 20k (but of course less for the Accord option!). Any other suggestions for a 'sensible' estate with sophistication also welcome
Tiger
Want some real power E55 AMG depending on year upto 500+ BHP
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1466184.htm
American V8 muscle (although not the most dynamic car ever)
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1784324.htm
I have mercs and I manage to get round corners just fine.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1466184.htm
American V8 muscle (although not the most dynamic car ever)
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1784324.htm
I have mercs and I manage to get round corners just fine.
Alfa 159 Q4 Sportwagon would be quite nice I reckon. Especially if you bought one for £12k and spent the rest at Autodelta.
Failing that, something like this:
http://www.volkszone.com/VZi/showthread.php?t=4282...
If you took the badges off it, nobody would know.
Maybe an MG ZT260, and bolt a supercharger to it?
Failing that, something like this:
http://www.volkszone.com/VZi/showthread.php?t=4282...
If you took the badges off it, nobody would know.
Maybe an MG ZT260, and bolt a supercharger to it?
My only issue with the W8 Passat would be when it goes wrong...
I can imagine standing at a service desk somewhere with a worried looking parts guy scrolling down the model list...
As far as I can remember, that engine was never used in anything before or after the low-volume W8 passat?
I can imagine standing at a service desk somewhere with a worried looking parts guy scrolling down the model list...
As far as I can remember, that engine was never used in anything before or after the low-volume W8 passat?
Guys (and possibly gals) this is superb material. Keep the ideas coming.
The M5 touring was obviously a monumentally imposing machine. The replacement need not be, but I think it would be hard for my friend to go back to 'poverty spec' cars. I completely agree on the Legacy - in fact I've considered one myself were I to need an estate.
He has three small boys though and I would be wondering whether they, their mum and all the bits and pieces would all fit in. Passat W8 is intriguing - what's the view on the engineering in the W8 engine? I don't recall hearing anything worrying about the VAG W12 but I have to admit I haven't heard anything, good or bad, about their W8. Would the Passat be big enough? I think the current one is, but does it come in a W8 version?
Ostentation - I don't think that is high on the list, so much as not feeling that he is somehow being punished for the theft of his previous car (i.e. best not to swing too far the other way).
Tiger
The M5 touring was obviously a monumentally imposing machine. The replacement need not be, but I think it would be hard for my friend to go back to 'poverty spec' cars. I completely agree on the Legacy - in fact I've considered one myself were I to need an estate.
He has three small boys though and I would be wondering whether they, their mum and all the bits and pieces would all fit in. Passat W8 is intriguing - what's the view on the engineering in the W8 engine? I don't recall hearing anything worrying about the VAG W12 but I have to admit I haven't heard anything, good or bad, about their W8. Would the Passat be big enough? I think the current one is, but does it come in a W8 version?
Ostentation - I don't think that is high on the list, so much as not feeling that he is somehow being punished for the theft of his previous car (i.e. best not to swing too far the other way).
Tiger
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