Well having drilled SWMBO to what a Navaro is to a point she now knows the difference between king cab and the other things, like box backs and sport packs; I think I've changed my mind.

I've borrowed a tired passat, 140k on the clock but you know what I like it.

Not a lot of power but comfey.

So as per Stuart once, I think I might actually go looking for a diesel 4 motion passat estate of 6 to 12 months.

While I'm here though, any other solid diesel estates that enter into the mind. Now I'm thinking older Merc or BM, volvo or somthing aka bomb proof. It won't be tracked, it may tow and it maybe mapped.

Problem is I've now got to pick my car up adn that means slowing down for every dam bump in the road again :(

5 series touring?

it maybe mapped.

The M word!

Well in my opinion you'd be best sticking with forced induction.

On that note I would suggest the Saab 9-5 Estate' date=' a petrol turbo or diesel turbo. There are two diesel options, 2.2 4-cylinder (125hp?) and 3.0 V6 (177hp).

Petrol you have a number of 4 cylinder turbo motors, 2.0 LPT/HPT - 2.3 LPT/HPT (ranging from 150hp through to 250hp stock)

A BSR remap is the one I'd recommend from personal experience. It's a little like the one-click, you can plug the unit into your OBDII and remap to standard whenever you like. The remap + a catback took my 205hp 9-3 to 250hp.

[url']www.bsrab.se[/url]

Whats the budget Col ? BMW 530d or 540i ? Both of which are often to be found sporting factory fit M5 style body kits.

Colin,

stick with the diesel passat idea.....lots of fun to be had.....

I struggle to think of any car, that with minor attention, can chuck out 173bhp (and a monstrous 306lb./ft torque), that can easily sit at (and pull away from) the NSL, five adults and luggage and still return 50mpg.........

go on, you know you want to join "mr average".......

Brother has swapped his Disco for w reg c200 kompressor Merc estate.

£4k with 100,000 on the clock.Auto and seemed to go ok.

I was just disappointed with the interior.Expected mercs to be a lot nicer

S80 D5, SE so all leather interior, satnav, cruise, winter - the lot.

Budget?

As little as posible, as much as it takes.

Octy has just had fsd's fitted, I'm trying desperatly not to let the 3year itch get hold...

Thinking oil burner as I'm getting bored of petrol forecourts and plan on doing a lot of Scottish work (winter and summer) in the next couple of years.

Another reason the Navaro in the cold light of day is not going to win...greatfor 4 people and 4 peoples climbing /walking, but it would actually cost me more than the Octy to run on a similar range.

Hence oil burner and estate. The irony that the Octy vRs has more covered boot space than the 4x4 I had means I love the boot space and anything less is a no no.

I might / may look at a signum, I know vauxhaul egod run for the hills...but I like comfort it seems from my 20 miles in the tired passat.

BM 5 seires, big mofo's, but yes.

Other items are C5 or next gen C5 as the old C5 is a vomet comet (Used to own a xantia and bx/xara (dad citroen mad) so feel I can comment).

Honda Accord too now they have taken the annoying rabbit lsd inspired advert off.

Dunno, TBH by time I've sat down and worked it out, I'm not sure many will make it past the SWMBO is it worth changing clause as 34+mpg at 95 is actually ok in my book....old oil burners will only be up 10 on that....so very open to rapidly depreciating marque in the first 6 to 12 months suggestions

old oil burners will only be up 10 on that....so very open to rapidly depreciating marque in the first 6 to 12 months suggestions

Vauxhall 3.0CDTI Signum it is then

Seriosuly nice car if you can get past the badge, and lets face it - you bought a Skoda :eek: I drove one recently and really really liked it. The diesel lump can be remapped too.

One car I like more and more is the Nissan X Trail.

Every time I see a used one for sale I have to pull up and have a sit in it and a play.They seem rock solid.

Anyway,it's not about me:D

Vauxhall 3.0CDTI Signum it is then

Seriosuly nice car if you can get past the badge' date=' and lets face it - you bought a Skoda :eek: I drove one recently and really really liked it. The diesel lump can be remapped too.[/quote']

I'd second that.

Both the Signum and the Saab 95 fall into the 'rapid depreciation' category! Both, great 'used car' buys.

AFAIK, the 3.0 V6 diesel is shared between the two cars.

Some useless information follows:

Peter Wheeler (ex-TVR boss) drives a Signum

Nearly new C5 estate?

Warrantied, comfort, masses of space, good-ish engines, creature comforts, and cheap as chips!

The W6 version of the Passat is bl*dy quick, had some joy keeping up

The W6 version of the Passat is bl*dy quick, had some joy keeping up

V6 or W8 version? :confused:

My mate had a W12, I think ( it may have been W8, but it was a Wsummat)

Average mpg over 20K miles...... 13.5 mpg....gulp!

Actually saw a W8 4motion est today, first one I've seen!

Back on thread.

Mk1 Oct'y est L+K 130 tdi?

Nobody has mentioned the A4 estate yet - how about a diesel quattro ? You'll obviously need to go older or higher mileage for the same money as the Passat, but great car !

Audi A6. 2.5tdi with 4 wheel drive....

Or new shape?....

Nobody has mentioned the A4 estate yet - how about a diesel quattro ? You'll obviously need to go older or higher mileage for the same money as the Passat, but great car !

I looke dat the A4 estate but saved some money and got an Octavia. The Audi diddnt feel any better than the Skoda and rear leg room was apauling. The boot was no bigger either.

Or have a look at my current fav, a Mazda 5 2.0D Sport

Beemer 330d Sport Touring? Depends how much actual estate lugging ability you need, as there are more capacious vehicles available

Steve

Will check the badge on the back of his car when I get mine cleaned a bit later

330d sure shifts

Again.. depends on budget... your lookin minimum 15k for a OK 330d.. around similar for a old shape leggy 530d

i agree with the Audi idea.. i "borrowed" a A6 from work.. had done 150k and still felt as good as it did out the factory

so either A4 or A6 avant, with the pd130... *real* quattro if you want it.... very handy on mapped TDIs and you know that the engines are bombproof, and your still keepin it in the family

My father drives a 2.2cdti Signum, it goes ok and feels comfy enough but only managed an average of 40.5 mpg last time we met up, mind you he did have 2 bikes on the roof!

tough one this!

IMO and in no particular order i'd have a browse of:-

3/5 series touring - 320d, 330d, 525d, 530d

A4/A6 Avant TDi's

Mondeo TDCi Estate

Accord CTDi Tourer

Volvo S60 D5 / V70 D5

Signum 1.9CDTi

Mazda 6 D Estate

all good cars in their own right & all have positives/negatives:)