Nige Posted January 20, 2015 Posted January 20, 2015 I steered away from Allroads as they have air suspensions which I thought was just a complication I didn't need. Though I was buying older. Look at petrol instead which probably won't be much worse than my 3.0tdi which I'm lucky to see 30mpg. Or buy a pre DPF model which I think is around 2006. With 4wd it handles ridiculously well and is fun to drive, I just don't get the Audi steering vagueness that all journos bang on about, but then they all reckon the 911 has the engine in the wrong place.
Fred Posted January 20, 2015 Posted January 20, 2015 Do you actually need a big car or is it just an image thing for your other half? plenty of great small cars out there!!
Northy Posted January 20, 2015 Posted January 20, 2015 I've got some experience with W124 - I ran one for 18 months. I actually quite liked it, but it was right in the middle ground between cool classic and 'just an old car'. They are cavernous and wonderful for hauling lots of stuff. However, I did have a issues with mine. Needed a new fuel tank (which is a common problem and the best part of £1K to fix), snapped a sunroof lifter (PITA but DIYable) and the suspension was starting to make the odd creak. Also, they do rust. Front wings and mine had some under the rear windows, but you could only see it from the inside. From experience, Mrs Northy wasn't keen on it because it wasn't modern enough (no air con, no central locking, heavy, no steering wheel controls etc). Mine was the 16v 2.0 - it didn't have enough grunt. So if you're thinking of going down this route, get the latest one with all the bells and whistles. We chopped it in for a new Skoda Yeti - I have to be honest, I think it's a cracking little car and on the whole doesn't feel cheap. If I was buying another estate I would get a VW passat - no question. Classless, frugal, reliable, bulletproof. IMO they are the modern W124.
Fatkenny Posted January 20, 2015 Author Posted January 20, 2015 Do you actually need a big car or is it just an image thing for your other half? plenty of great small cars out there!! Three growing kids not quit as tall as Kevin's lot yet but on the way Other half really not bothered what it is really just wants reliability we have a run around saxo that's not been a bother so not an image thing more me wanting a nice family car to get in other than the van
Nige Posted January 20, 2015 Posted January 20, 2015 (edited) Small cars are fine for most daily journeys but then you want to take the family out at the weekend, maybe stay over somewhere or go away for the week and all of sudden that small car only has enough room for a pairs shorts and flipflops. We have a new Mini and family does fit, but there only enough room for a couple of bags of shopping. Thought you had children Fred? Edited January 20, 2015 by Nige
Fred Posted January 20, 2015 Posted January 20, 2015 Other half really not bothered what it is really just wants reliability we have a run around saxo that's not been a bother so not an image thing more me wanting a nice family car to get in other than the van Sounds like a great women to me! In that case I would treat her with a very nice family car! A mate of mine had an Audi A4 avant full spec sport line . he traded it for a Skoda Octavia estate (top of the range). he told me that their is no picture between the 2 cars. the Skoda out perform the Audi on everything when it comes to family car and reliability. He pick it up on their way to holidays. The Audi was full with a roof luggage on the top. they moved every thing at the back of the Skoda without the need of the extra roof luggage system. Small cars are fine for most daily journeys but then you want to take the family out at the weekend, maybe stay over somewhere or go away for the week and all of sudden that small car only has enough room for a pairs shorts and flipflops. We have a new Mini and family does fit, but there only enough room for a couple of bags of shopping. Thought you had children Fred? I have a kid Nigel. I am just very well organised.
johndglynn Posted January 20, 2015 Posted January 20, 2015 Love the older CRV! Awesome little cars, super capable with space for 3 in the back but not great on fuel. Diesel engines unreliable so buy a petrol. Cayenne is great with three in the rear but huge. I am running a 62 plate Skoda Octavia VRS TDI DSG estate at the minute and that is a nice car: albeit maybe budget overkill for a school run DD.
topcarrera Posted January 20, 2015 Posted January 20, 2015 (edited) Some good deals on personal lease contract hire ....... https://www.contracthireandleasing.com/car-leasing-companies/main-dealers/marshall-honda/honda/cr-v/38922616/ Edited January 20, 2015 by topcarrera
johndglynn Posted January 20, 2015 Posted January 20, 2015 Also: I rented a Citroen Berlingo HDI in the Canaries last Christmas and only a serious motorway user would need more day to day as knock-around family transport. They are great cars - kids loved it and excellent to drive in a beachy kinda way. Cayenne may go for a Berlingo later this year, or I might go to new Skoda Fabia 1.4 TDI.
ALEX P Posted January 20, 2015 Posted January 20, 2015 Cayenne may go for a Berlingo later this year, or I might go to new Skoda Fabia 1.4 TDI. Shotgun first dibs on Triggers broom the Cayenne
johndglynn Posted January 20, 2015 Posted January 20, 2015 Lots of my Cayenne is still original - it has not been that difficult to run. As Cris says, the hardest thing is stepping out of one and back to normal cars, but the Skoda has grown on me and I really loved that Berlingo. Pre-reg pricing gives a lot of transport for not huge money.
alpole Posted January 20, 2015 Posted January 20, 2015 Hi guys been lurking in the backgound for a while with not a lot to contribute since the sale of my CS. However have had first hand experience of a 2008 320 Merc estate and must admit that its my favourite car and even with 110k miles on it it returns high 30's to the gallon and eats the miles effortlessly. You need to get a good one with full history and then find a good independent like MB services in Loughborugh to look at it.I have recently fitted Yokahama winter tyres and it is proving to be as competent as any 4wd in the snow and ice. (an unbelievable transformation as before there fitment the car was a bit slippy in cold conditions albeit rear wheel drive fun) I have just committed to buy a 2002 E55 AMG with 21000 on the clock as an investment car . (thats what i have told the wife anyway) Probably a bit thirstier than the e320 as well. Cheers Alan
runnersp Posted January 20, 2015 Posted January 20, 2015 (edited) If I was buying another estate I would get a VW passat - no question. Classless, frugal, reliable, bulletproof. IMO they are the modern W124. This is a very good shout, you'll get a far nicer condition Passat for the money than any other car mentioned (barring the Mondeo perhaps). As for the Allroad, a couple of people I know have had no end of misery with theirs, I don't know what it is, but sending the ride height north sends reliability south. W124 are just old cars now, with all the attendant stigma/gremlins associated. I love mine, but it's not a daily proposition (mainly because it likes a sip or three of unleaded, 25mpg on a good day). Edited January 20, 2015 by runnersp
ALEX P Posted January 20, 2015 Posted January 20, 2015 Lots of my Cayenne is still original - it has not been that difficult to run. No but it's had some of the 'nice to have done' bits done and the way I see it is that a 4.5 V8 Cayenne is probably no worse on fuel than my 2.8 Golf 4Motion which is returning a dismal 23.7mpg without enthusiastic driving! The LPG makes it even better and the nearest garage to me is a BP LPG garage my first dibs stands
johndglynn Posted January 21, 2015 Posted January 21, 2015 LOL, OK mate. Will be here a while yet - missing it this week. Definitely makes the Golf look expensive to run. I buy LPG at 52p a litre inc VAT, so even at 17mpg when enjoying the V8, it is equivalent of 35 to the gallon (£2.37/gallon vs £4.88/gallon).
Baz Posted January 23, 2015 Posted January 23, 2015 Audi A4 Avant is a good car but, as said above steer clear of DPF version if doing low mileage, even Audi say they need a proper run to clean them out. Mine is the 2.0 TDI 170 DPF failed so it was removed, EGR was blanked off and car rechipped the difference was chalk and cheese so much better to drive but now smells like a diesel. Also MOT stations are picking up on the missing DPF tax / Emission issues. I would have had a bill for £1200 to replace DPF. Also steer clear of common rail diesel engine injectors are an issue at £300 ish each plus VAT, 2 have now failed on mine, they are only 2 1/2 years old. I would go for a petrol next time. Baz
Ian Comerford Posted January 24, 2015 Posted January 24, 2015 I bought an E220 CDI estate in 2004 and have had it ever since. Comfortable, ridiculously reliable and economical as well as stylish. I'd buy another tomorrow. Ian
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