Morning

I have been told very firmly that the solution to the Fabia being too small for dog plus 5yr old plus baby plus pram is most certainly not an Octy hatchback.

So unless I can convince her to get a TSI Oct estate I am looking at either a Mazda 6 or an A4 Avant / estate from 2008 onwards. There is a nice 2009 TSI B8. From a look on the VAG Audio forum apart from the water pump, I need to look for door locking problems. I seem to recall that electrical issues are common on A3s so does that extend to A4s?

Does anyone here have any suggestions on things to look out for please?

Thanks

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

Edited 26 April, 201610 yr by MattHunt

Given the choice, id probably get the mazda.... but thats just me as i quite like them in particular the lift back rather than saloon due to the accessible boot.. much more practical than the A4 unless its an estate?

Thanks. Yes I ought to have said it would be an Avant aka estate

I'd probably also say the Mazda but with caveats.

 

You'll get a bigger car and probably better specced than the Audi for less money.

 

But it won't last as long. I'd check carefully for rust, alloy condition and the service history. Lower mileage ideally.

 

Most of the other problems I know of are diesel issues and you appear to be looking at petrol.

Thanks

Yes we are going with petrol as most of my wife's drives are less than 5 miles. I am fairly sure that the Octavia was smoky last year because of the many short hops she was doing.

For an A4 can I assume that 80k miles is nicely worn in rather than knackered?

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

Thanks

Yes we are going with petrol as most of my wife's drives are less than 5 miles. I am fairly sure that the Octavia was smoky last year because of the many short hops she was doing.

For an A4 can I assume that 80k miles is nicely worn in rather than knackered?

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

Years ago, working for a car sales, I drove an Audi 80 sport with circa 150k miles. Drove like new.

 

My A4 is low miles at circa 50k, 2nd owner, but ten years old now. Still drives like new, so yes, very nicely worn in at 80k so long as looked after with not too many owners, and no hooligans, Lol.

Thanks

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

Buy an Audi badge and put it on an Octy.

The only problem with the Mazda 6 of that year is I see a lot of very rusty ones. Seems they have a common rust problem round the rear arches.

So on that basis I'd be drawn towards the Audi.

Not encouraging ☺...looks like an Avant may be on the cards although I shall push an Octy one more time just to save the bank account

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

Mates Mazda 6 (2007) was pretty shot after 80k. Admittedly he doesn't look after his cars.

He had the rusting sills but also problems with brakes, sensors and diesel getting into the oil.

 

Neighbor has a 2012 Mazda 6 diesel and is very happy with it including using at as a tow car.

Ok leather seats would be very nice ( I do agree) so an Avant is looking likely.

Before I settle on one, as the car will do c. 15 thousand miles a year, but in many short hops, petrol really is the only option? Would a 1.6 tdi cr survive or would the dpf die a terrible clogged death.

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

I'd expect 15k of short trips to do bad things to a diesel pretty quickly.

 

TBH it won't do the petrol much good either.

I could suggest a horse but not sure it would be appreciated

A good bicycle with a trailer??? The suggestion will pribabbly kill you quicker than them short hops will knacker the dpf..

Petrol is your incandesent friend for that type of driving...

My wife would be incandescent

Get her in the Audi and when she agrees buy an Octavia of the same spec ect.

What about the seat exeo? Based on the A4, think they started production around 2008/2009. Very well kitted out in top spec.

Hummm...test drove a lovely 1.4tsi Elegance hatch this morning. Emailed Mrs H to say that it was, although a hatchback, very nice, well spec's and affordable.

The answer was rather dusty. So she can clog up the diesel and then wonder why it fails the MOT...

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk