Well, since I'm struggling to get a Octavia I like what about a Audi A4 or A6 avant 2.0 tdi 140? There's a couple on autotrader in my budget (£9k absolute max) but reading the autotrader reviews it seems a few people have had problems with timing belt breaks and egr faults which has proved expensive, my mate has the same engine in a 04 golf with 122,000 mls on it and he's never had a problem, are they actually that bad or just a select few owners experiencing issues? Also what's the timing belt interval on them? Is it 70k 5 years?

Lastly here is one I like:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201304096176667/sort/default/usedcars/price-to/9000/maximum-age/up_to_7_years_old/fuel-type/diesel/body-type/estate/maximum-mileage/up_to_80000_miles/transmission/manual/model/a6/make/audi/onesearchad/used/onesearchad/nearlynew/onesearchad/new/page/1/radius/1501/postcode/ca157nl?logcode=p

What do you guys think? Any problems with thing like the electronic handbrake? We had some vauxhalls at work which suffered problems with them.

Cheers.

I use a vauxhall merviva cdti at work :p the handbrake alarm keeps lighting up ! I hate electronic handbrake as for te audi looks lovely but you'll turn into a male chicken

Edited 12 April, 201313 yr by seboni121

I'd try an A6 for size first, see how you get on with it. It's a fairly big motor and I don't particularly like the way they drive. Comfortable over long distances and a good cruiser though, just not that great dynamically IMO.

When you say you're struggling to find an Octy, what are you after?

Any timing belt or (presumed diesel) EGR issues that Audi 4-pots have could also occur with Skodas (and Seats and Vws).

As Wardy says, the A6 is a big old bus, and probably more like a Superb than an Octavia to drive.

I'd like an A6 2.7d or 3.0d Quattro Avant for my next motor. But I do like 'em big. I hate the idea of the electronic handbrake but it's not enough to rule out a car.

I've driven the 2.7d (2wd) and it was a lovely machine.

2.7 and 3.0 are chain cam.

Edited 12 April, 201313 yr by Aspman

I had an A4 Avant, it was a good car, it had electronic handbrake and it was very good, infact I preferred it to the normal handbrake in the Yeti (except when it snows)

The cambelt was changed at 125,000 miles and the only thing that ever happened in the 135k I had the car was an issue with a DPF sensor that was warranty rectified.

I preferred the A4 to the A6 our sales director had, outside there was a big difference but inside the A6 didn't seem much bigger.

The car I had,

Size doesn't bother me and tbh I prefer a big car (have small man syndrome!) my current laguna is a big bus and I liked our old V70 patrol cars for size.

I am also looking at A4s too, there's a 07 plate one with 50k ish on the clock for 9k that's rather nice and I may be going to look at it tomorrow. Does anyone know the timing belt interval for the 2.0?

When you say you're struggling to find an Octy, what are you after?

Can't seem to find a 2.0 diesel in a FL estate.

Last I saw was 80k/4yr for the belt interval.

Are you looking for a vRS TDI FL wagon, or a 2.0 CR140?

I like that Audi,nice looking car for the money.

But it's brown!

Towbar fitting on that A6 btw if you didn't spot it. Might be a plus or a negative depending on your point of view.

Last I saw was 80k/4yr for the belt interval.

Are you looking for a vRS TDI FL wagon, or a 2.0 CR140?

Just a cr140, thought the Audi would a good choice since cant find a octy and maybe the Audi will depreciate less?

But it's brown!

Ha ha, very true but then I do like brown lol.

Towbar fitting on that A6 btw if you didn't spot it. Might be a plus or a negative depending on your point of view.

Yeah noticed that, not overly fussed tbh, but all in all I'm in two minds, there's a A4 also within my price bracket that I'm going to see on Sunday but I don't know if that'll be too small to fit 5 adults in as I car share for work. I'm just going have to take them both for a spin, but glad to hear there's no real problems with them.

Edited 12 April, 201313 yr by mdon

Nick Andrew - ca15 7nl

That's a bit much information autotrader is putting out there.

A6 with the 2.7 tdi is very nice car and much cheaper to buy than a 2.0.

Edited 13 April, 201313 yr by cheezemonkhai

Nick Andrew - ca15 7nl

That's a bit much information autotrader is putting out there.

A6 with the 2.7 tdi is very nice car and much cheaper to buy than a 2.0.

I didn't realise you could get that info from autotrader!

Yeah I'm unsure about the 2.0 being in such a big car so I'm going to have a test in one, and I'm going to test a A4 avant with the 2.0 as well. So fingers crossed, I'm also hoping mine sells on eBay so I don't have to trade it in.

Edited 13 April, 201313 yr by mdon

Have you considered a Superb Combi - for your budget you'll get a Cr170 Elegance on perhaps a 58 plate, probably be a c80k model?

Ticks all the boxes that the Audi does, perfect for towing

Have you considered a Superb Combi - for your budget you'll get a Cr170 Elegance on perhaps a 58 plate, probably be a c80k model?

Ticks all the boxes that the Audi does, perfect for towing

I take it that by superb combi you mean the hatch/saloon? I thought about that but it needs to be an estate to get my bike rack on the roof and so I can stand two wheelchairs in the boot.

No, no., not the hatch, the estate.

Much more practical than the hatch/saloon.

The few times I've looked the Superbs have been dearer than the Audis.

Try this as an example http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201301184971811/sort/pricedesc/usedcars/price-to/9000/engine-size-cars/2l_to_2-5l/fuel-type/diesel/model/superb/make/skoda/onesearchad/used/onesearchad/nearlynew/postcode/le674gl/page/1/radius/1500?logcode=p

Try this as an example http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201301184971811/sort/pricedesc/usedcars/price-to/9000/engine-size-cars/2l_to_2-5l/fuel-type/diesel/model/superb/make/skoda/onesearchad/used/onesearchad/nearlynew/postcode/le674gl/page/1/radius/1500?logcode=p

That's a bit too far away and its a hatch not an estate.

Nice car though! I've made an appointment to see a car in Huddersfield tomorrow so we'll see how we get on.

Edited 13 April, 201313 yr by mdon

If you regularly carry 5 adults, the A6 will be a better bet than the A4. I've found the '4 to be a bit narrow in the back and think the Octy has slightly better legroom.

Superb wagon is a good shout, if you can find one in budget.

That's a bit too far away and its a hatch not an estate.

Nice car though! I've made an appointment to see a car in Huddersfield tomorrow so we'll see how we get on.

Just posted to give you an idea - apologies thought it was an estate! Now realise you are in the Huddersfield area - it was just a nationwide search.

Definately agree with Wardy - the A6 is much wider than an A4, although a Superb won't be any wider than an Octy but does give you legroom.