We are looking at selling both of our cars we have now and reducing to 1 car. Currently we have a '61' mk2 fabia in red with 33k but new engine fitted 4k ago and a ''59' plate peugeot 107.

 

The main reasons for changing are i can walk to work, wanting a bigger car due to a new arrival and also my family living all over the country from me in Northampton. (norfolk, plymouth and Nottingham).

 

We have narrows the choice down to 3 cars we like and could do with peoples opinions and reviews. Also if there are any others which you think would be suitable. We have about 15k to spend. Car number 1 is our firm favourite but worried about service costs etc but i have heard they are very reliable.

 

car 1

 

BMW 520D SE touring

 

http://usedcars.bmw.co.uk/5-Series/2.0TD-520d-SE-184BHP-Touring/Wakefield/3611726-605044954-3497097.aspx?srcmdc=se_na_re_

 

Car 2

 

Audi A6 avant Sline

 

http://www.audi.co.uk/used-cars/used-car-locator/a6/2.0-tdi-170-ps-s-line-special-edition-avant/coventry/605138298-26085.aspx?srcmdc=se_na_re_

 

Car 3

 

Skoda Superb estate

 

http://www.skoda.net.r66.co.uk/carview.aspx?id=605103788

 

Thoughts?

Of those three, only two are auto's like your present car so I'm guessing you'd not really want to move to a manual car? The Skoda IMHO will give you more for your dosh than the others.

I have not looked directly at your posts, but on that list I would chose the Superb estate for the money as easier to fix & spares are cheaper. Plus bigger than both the others, & insurance might be cheaper too.

BMW - 2010

Audi - 2010

Skoda - 2013

 

I'd be looking at the Skoda for the value if you're planning on keeping the car.  I might also have a look at a Mondeo Estate or an I40, might save yourself a few thousand for unexpected baby expenses!

 

http://www.ford.co.uk/Approved-used-cars?eUsedCmd=vehicleDetail&vid=2929403&dealer=42123CA&id=0

 

https://used.hyundai.co.uk/model-search/Hyundai/i40-Tourer/page1/i40-17-CRDi-Active-Blue-Drive-115PS-Tourer-mmbeyky7?manufacturer=22&model=2174&zip=BS34+7PD&radius=2000&view=list

 

 

I suppose the one upside of having an over-3 year old car is that you can get them serviced by indie specialists, as you have no warranty commitments to worry about, so it might not be as expensive as you think (the BMW).  And if it's the one you want, you'll probably regret not getting one anyway!  Good luck with whatever you choose.

Id discount the bmw

The 2.0 n47 engine in it is plagued with timing chain issues. Just google n47 timing chain and it will put you off in a heartbeat.

Obviously the skoda gives you the lowest mileage / newest car. But personally i would much rather be driving the Audi.

So i would choose the audi but thats my personal preference. All depends what you want

I was gonna say BMW, but reading Jase's post above, maybe not.

So id take the skoda and the audi for a test drive.

Probably be the superb because of the age and mileage but you might not even like it to drive... You never know.

thanks for all the comments. 

 

I used to have a 13 plate passat which was nice to drive and i know the superb is based on that. The only thing i hated about the passat was the driving position. but everything else was top notch. We are going to arrange test drives of these cars over the next few weeks. 

 

As you can see we are looking at big estates as I am not a huge fan of the 3 series or a4 but i have to say the hyundai looks really striking. Again another possibilty. As for the mondeo, i owned an 08 plate titanium x a few years ago and was one of the shortest ownerships (4 weeks) of a car as was riddled with electrical faults and poor dealer help.

Id discount the bmw

The 2.0 n47 engine in it is plagued with timing chain issues. Just google n47 timing chain and it will put you off in a heartbeat.

 

The later engines are less prone to the issue, the time bomb engines are from around 2008 to 2009 I believe.

 

BMW have acknowledged the potential problem with the chain and have a service campaign out for it. If you feel your chain is noisy, book it in to a dealer and they'll replace the chain tensioners if they are out of tolerance.

 

I have a 2011 N47 unit, I don't worry about it one bit..maybe because my last car was a MK2 VRS! :p I'm used to the danger haha.

 

I wouldn't stay away from the BMW for the potential engine issue, I'd stay away because the 5 is a big car, and although the N47 has some punch, it's best suited in the 3er or 1er.

 

My choice would be the Audi! (thought I'd never say that)

Edited 29 July, 201510 yr by Ally_bassman

Just a thought.

 

4x4 Octy Scout for £199 per month?

 

http://www.simpsonsskoda.co.uk/new-car-offers/july-scout/

New arrival on the way.

 

Newer car & largest boot in its class - I dont need to say which one   

 

Looking at the picture of rear legroom in the Audi behind passenger, front seat right back, does look a bit small for such a large car., cant see a similar pic for the Skoda.

Looking at the picture of rear legroom in the Audi behind passenger, front seat right back, does look a bit small for such a large car., cant see a similar pic for the Skoda.

 

The Superb has more rear leg room that my Audi A8, as it's not the £4k more long wheelbase version.

I'd still say an Octy is more than big enough for a family.

We have had the arrival. Laura is not keen on the Octavia for some reason but I think until we try them for ourselves we won't know.

They are all nice cars but out of them I would be choosing the Superb.

 

My step son has an A6 S-Line (Le Mans) with the 2.7 TDI and I had it for a week recently, whilst it was a lovely smooth drive (apart from in sport mode where the gear changes were a bit jerky) the fuel consumption was not great however, I managed to coax 44 mpg (trip computer) out of it driving very smoothly and not exceeding 65mph, he usually gets low to mid 30’s!

The 6 cylinder 2.7 only produces 180 bhp but it certainly does not feel quick, the 170 will IMO feel worse as it is a big car.

Rear leg room is certainly adequate on the A6, but not in the same class as the Superb, the A6 has slightly better trim quality... but not worth the extra expense IMO, plus you get less spec compared to the Superb.

 

The Superb has more rear leg room that my Audi A8, as it's not the £4k more long wheelbase version.

I'd still say an Octy is more than big enough for a family.

 

I’m sure I read a few years ago the Superb had better rear legroom than even the long wheelbase Audi’s??

I’m sure I read a few years ago the Superb had better rear legroom than even the long wheelbase Audi’s??

 

The LWB has an extra 130mm, so that would be very close.

 

I had a 2010  SE Audi A6 Avant with the less powerful (143ps) engine. It was OK, but we found that it wasn't a big inside as expected, it was a bit a squeeze getting 3 people across the back seat.  It also seemed very awkward to manoeuvre (very long bonnet) in confined areas.  In fact it was a reverse TARDIS - big on the outside and smaller on the inside. It wasn't fantastic on fuel either but it did ride and drive nicely.

We have made a decision and we both agree the Audi is too small for the size of car. 

 

We are going to look for a 520d touring but going to hold out and make sure we find the right one for us. We have made a list of must haves and preferred colour etc.

 

Thanks for all the in put and opinions on the cars. 

http://www.emg-subaru.co.uk/used-cars/4534846-subaru-outback-d-s/

 

don't dismiss one of these without trying it.

The BMW 520 is one I would avoid only because a friend bought a 50k miles 59 plate and had a major fault to do with swirl flaps/turbo set him back just over £2k and after it happened apparently he was told it is a common failure?

If you like Skoda I would go for an Octavia CR170 vRS a totally good all-round car with huge boot, I just do not like the Superbs they look a bit too leggy in the middle for me.

There are some good examples around with low miles but depends how new you need to go?

If its got to be rear wheel drive, IMHO :( for all weather driveability especially if your other half is anything like mine and has no idea about dealing with the different characteristics of skids etc

Then look at the 530d now that is a much better engine

Edited 1 August, 201510 yr by Defenderben