4WD BMW and Audi (and other?) Buying Assistance

[BenDodds]

Hello All.

I would appreciate some advice regarding choosing a car for mixed-use. I spend a lot of time on muddy construction sites but often have to travel 120 miles or more round trip to get there. I'm a helpful guy, I think, so I often find myself ferrying folk around so decent space and four doors is necessary.

4WD appeals to me because I'm often in muddy places where my RWD 1-series has struggled. Also, the confidence that I can tackle a bit of ice and rain when I'm in the Scottish Highlands. I'm not convinced its an absolute must and could be convinced if you guys deem it unnecessary.

I like a bit of pace, I enjoy acceleration, make the commute and the weekend trips a bit more fun.

My budget, my wife says is about £11,000, but I'm pushing £14,000 Probably somewhere in the middle is a happy medium.

I've looked into the BMW 330d, A4 Quattro, A6 Quattro and A8 Quattro. All of which configured with the petrol or bigger diesels have good performance. The A8 wasn't a consideration but it seems to be in budget and costs equivalent money to an A4 or A6 used. The 2.0 diesels are cheaper but don't match performance. I like the Allroad models but unless they're higher mileage they tend to be out of budget. The Seat Leon Xperience is also an option but not sure if its 'fun' enough.

I'm not adverse to an 2.0 diesel say the 320d, A4 or A6 and remapping it. Maybe I could have similar fun with less money?

The fastest car I've driven was a 2018 Jag XF S which felt plenty quick but I'm not expert enough to know whether 0-60 in 7 secs feels much slower than 5 or 6.

I'm not sure much about ideal mileages. I hear about folk buying high mileage after particular works have been complete which could save money but I don't know enough to consider this.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks guys

[BenDodds]

Olas said:

defender for muddy building sites, aston for the weekend.

Currently have a company issued Land Rover Defender, not fun for the 120 motorway mile round trips. Wife might push to 14,000 but not 40,000 unfortunately!

[BenDodds]

stevemcs said:

Get a Freelander 2, Xdrive or 4 matic won't help, you need ground clearance and proper tyres.

The Freelander 2 obvs suits the site but out of my day, I might drive 400m on site and 100000m on motorway so to get something geared up for offroad seems unnecessary at the expense of motorway and B-road driving pleasure.

Meant to add, will the 4WD systems offer no benefit to traction? A lot of guys show up in fiestas etc. so there's no need for an SUV at all but if I can make some improvements to site driving competency for say £500 extra for the 4WD I guess I think its worth it?

Edited by BenDodds on Wednesday 19th February 13:54

[BenDodds]

blueg33 said:

We have (actually about to sell) a Skoda Octavia scout. Its a sort of better equipped Audi A4 allroad, and it replaced a Subaru Outback.

Personally, I like the 4wd slightly raised up estate cars and prefer them to SUV's, they will do what the Op wants easily. We are about to replace the Scout with the same sort of thing, this time a Volvo V60 T5 Cross Country

I like the Scout, its pretty similar to the Leon Xperience but pehaps lacks a bit of the performance at least on paper.

I agree with your logic, SUV's are expensive and overkill for a lot of applications, a raised estate offers the functionality if necessary, at a typically lower used price point with the driving pleasure.

I really like the V60 T5 cross-country but sadly over budget.

[BenDodds]

shelsley walsh said:

Audi a4 avant Quattro sline auto diesel for your mileages will see you right enough. reckon you should be able to find one with a decent spec. I recently had a company one from new for three years did 91k full dealer service history very high spec on the B9 66 plate would be in your price bracket. £14k.. was circa 45k new list. in terms of 'fun', well its safe, well built and decent kit if you can find one, no slouch but its not gonna make you think wow

Thanks for your input!

How are these if well looked after at 91k? How was yours to drive? Still get plenty out of it?

Will take a look

[BenDodds]

blueg33 said:

The Scout we have is 184 bhp, it’s as quick as the Seat Golf and Audi (engine and drive train are the same. ). IIRC for the year of ours ie late 2016 it had a bit more power than the A4 Alltoad.

Ours is for sale in ph classifieds just over £14 k
There is a 150bhp Version but that didn’t interest me.

Looks like a good car. Might open my search to octavia scouts. Unfortuneately you're a bit of a trek from me and pushing budget. If nothing shows up further north and its still available you may hear from me again

[BenDodds]

ZX10R NIN said:

Some leftfield options:

330d Xdrive GT

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

X1 25d M Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

508 RXH

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Insignia VXR

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Q50h

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

QX50

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

EX

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Thanks for these.

I've looked into the X1 25d... a solid possibility. I'm not a huge fan of the overarching looks... maybe I should buck the trend but they seem to be more popular with the over 40's!

I really like the Q50H... a lot of car for the money. As others have said in your posts, you seem to be an advocate. I would be but I don't know enough. People compare new costs and it may be hard to steer clear of german brands at 30 and 40k but I can't get a like for like car at 12k.

I'll use an indy garage, he seems clued in. Will he have any more difficulty making repairs or getting parts? If so, what premium will I pay.

You mentioned in a different post that a few of your family got them and you were considering. Did you buy one in the end? Have any of your family had much trouble?

Cheers!

[BenDodds]

ZX10R NIN said:

I haven't bought one myself mainly because my Mondeo Vignale is still piling on the miles with ease & I have two years left on the service pack also to be fair to it, it's a nice place to be but it's not quite as nice as the Q50, I will buy one when it's time to move on the Mondeo on.

I have two family members I've supplied the Q50h too between them they've covered 25k to date & looking at the numbers between the two they've averaged 39.6mpg they have two different commutes one from SE9 to central London the other SE6 to Woking.

On a run I've seen 44-48mpg on long runs & that's not driving like a nun, running cost wise they've had no issues (both have service packs which will carry over to Nissan) if you buy from an Infiniti dealer you can still get a years warranty as well as a service pack.

One thing to remember tyres aren't cheap as the tyres have noise suppression inside them, the reason I like them is because to me they're a proper hybrid whereas something like the IS300 is a bit more of a compromise yes real world it's about 8-10mpg better off than the Q50 but the Q50 counters with having proper performance when you want it plus a slightly better interior plus they're significantly cheaper due to a lack of brand recognition which is one of the reasons I recommend them.

In slow traffic you'll feel the change from electric to engine this is something the Lexus is better at.

Parts are a breeze as the engine is basically the same one used in the 350Z, none of the people I've supplied these to or my family memeber's have had any issues with the hybrid system, for me the only other hybrid that came close was the 335i AH but there really aren't many about.

I have also supplied a friend with the 3.0TT Q50 which is a great sleeper car as is the Q50h, one last thing they come in AWD/RWD formats.

You've been a great help thanks.

I'm increasingly drawn to one. US reviewers seem to rate them.

Two further questions if you would continue to be so kind:

1. Are noise cancelling tyres a necessity? There seems to limited options and they are very expensive. If I must fork out £1000 for new tyres say every 12-18 months that pushes the cost of ownership way up.

2. The hybrid with a big petrol seems like a mixed bag. I think however in my use case it probably works. When I'm going to my office it's through city traffic, takes about 30mins for about 2.5 miles. The hybrid would suit this because it should run predominantly on electric at these speeds for this distance. Then when I'm doing more miles to a site I get mileage money which will cover the fuel. Obvs I can 'make' money on this but i'm happy if most of it goes to fuel with a little extra for tyres and servicing. Also you said mpg isnt too bad anyway. I feel like my use case is fairly suited to this hybrid. Would you agree?

Thanks again,

Ben

[BenDodds]

shelsley walsh said:

Full Dealer service history, mostly motorway miles at pace. Was as good as new after the 91k. Shame to see it go but the company car tax saw common sense. Best car i've ever had by someway on the company. plenty of miles on the clock but it was just 3 years old to the day. Had it specced right mid 40's mpg, 4 wheel drive, 19" RS boots, adaptive sports suspension, tech pack, comfort and sound pack, handsfree boot opening, light and vision pack, alcantara leather, heated front and rear, virtual cockpit....... someone somewhere has picked up helluva car. i would have kept it 100% but the new kitchen saw to that. l

Sorry just getting back to you all.

Sounds like a great motor. We're looking at kitchens at the minute so I know your pain!

[BenDodds]

ikarl said:

I had a similar dilemma and went for a 2014 330d Xdrive estate and am over the moon with it. I took it for a remap of both the engine and gearbox and it totally transformed the car.

330bhp, 0-60 in 4.5s, and the ability to get me on/off site no worries and a very decent steer on the M, A and B roads I cover daily

See that sounds ideal. Site management and the higher powers often come on site with A6s and don't seem to have much bother, those guys have been round plenty of sites too.

You're in the same boat as myself so I really appreciate your feedback!

[BenDodds]

NewUsername said:

forget x-drive and the like, they're still utter dogmanure in snow/mud, just use the regular rwd on a set of cross climates or run winter and summer tyres.

My E91 320d has gone everywhere in all weathers on the right tyres, snow included, and its an auto

MUCH better

Winter tyres on my RWD 1 series have done the trick too. Obvs doesn't hep much in the mud (or does it?) I still slide about a lot but maintain control so sliding isn't a big problem.

I think 4WD is more suited but theres the premiums that come with and that is where opinion differs. My 1 series has done the job but its that little bit of security that the 4WD offers. It would nice to try them side by side!

Cheers!

[BenDodds]

blueg33 said:

I prefer 4wd on cross climates. Much better than 2wd on the same.

I can't remember the reference or the car but someone did a comparison and basically said that

RWD + Normal Tyres < 4WD + Normal Tyres
RWD + Cross-Climates = 4WD + Normal Tyres
RWD + Cross-Climates < 4WD + Cross-Climates

Thats obvs pretty arbitrary but they reckoned for said car traction was increased with cross climates to the extent of a 4WD without them.

[BenDodds]

PushedDover said:

Audi A6 AllRoad - 3.0D
Something like this :
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Driven carefully I saw *just* 50mpg. regularly on a run 40-45mpg. Air suspension for comfort, you can raise the ride height and it locks the 4wd (I believe) in 'All Road' mode.
Has enough shove if kicked.

Through some decent tyres on it - Cross Climates were £100 a corner and youve all the car you could ever want.

Great all rounder


ETA - because PH - you can take the 4.2L 345hp, V8 version instead. and spunk the £10k saving on the fuel. I don't think they do the previously acclaimed 50mpg

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Edited by PushedDover on Tuesday 25th February 09:27

Do you own one of these?

See the Scout may be the smarter (well, cheaper option) but for me the A6 Allroad has the aesthetics.

What is the reliability like of the Allroad models?

[BenDodds]

NewUsername said:

Huge Bork Potential here


If honestly concerned about all weather ability and looking at 3 series\a4 sized cars just get an Octavia Scout.

How does the Scout fair on Motorways and B-roads? Still a good ride?

[BenDodds]

ZX10R NIN said:

So OP have managed to test drive any of your shortlist?

Sorry I'm delayed in getting back to you (all).

I actually haven't. Had a job interview out of the blue on Tuesday and they provide a car allowance so I'm holding out a bit longer to hear back about it. Will make a decision when I find out.

Theres a a Q50S Hybrid down the road from me which I'm still tempted to test drive regardless. Really intrigued!

I'll keep you posted when I get behind a few