I've been thinking, we've always warrented having an estate and still do have one (Mr P's) but it's so old now, I drove it the other day and it was so sluggish I wouldn't really want to rely on it for much longer. So the dog, surfing equipment, all the long trips away including luggage and obligortory trips to ikea have been happening in my Fabia vrs. I'm not saying it's impossible, just a little limiting.

I have always liked the A4 Avant but this is due to looks and assumptions of build quality rather than test driving and factual knowledge of the car and what it's like to own. I have been looking on auto trader this evening and would be willing to go second hand but would still like some warranty on the car. What car suggests the 2.0 diesel that's 138 bhp I think.

Has anyone owned one of these beauty's and can tell me facts from experience? Or maybe reccommend me something else? I have pulled 12k out of the air because I suppose that's what I'm comfortable spending on getting another car. That would be total price, not 12k and my vrs.

TVM

The A4 estate isn't actually that big... saying that though it might be plenty big enough for your needs. The A4 is lovely, but tends to ride a bit hard...

How about an Octavia :eek:

The size would probably be not a lot different to Phils 306 so not an issue. Thanks Tom

A friend had one a few years ago that was a company car. SE spec with the 130 PD engine. Car was ok and felt solid enough but spec wasn't great and it was a bit boring to drive (that might not be a concern to you if it's a load lugger ).

Depending on how big an estate car you were looking at, you could look at Focus, last shape Mondeo, Mk1 Fabia, Octavia, Golf, Passat, Honda Accord, Laguna, BMW 3-series, 5-series, Astra, Vectra, Signum, Transit, etc.

World is your oyster

Chris

Well I assume the 2.0 TDI PD140 is the same one as in the Octy II so you will have all the same plus points and issues with it.

What is the old estate then, if it's for the dog etc then it might be cheaper just to have a quick tune up done on that?

EDIT: Ohh a 306

Hmmm, well as Chris rightly says, the A4 can be a bit stingy on spec, but the interior especially still feels seriously classy, and has lots of nice touches... if you are going used then hold out for a christmas tree of a spec

The Octy estate looks quite big or the prev gen Mondeo estate is huge.

I'm warming to a roomster myself, but My Felly is fine atm.

Ahem

Skoda did a nice little number called a Fabia TDi Estate.

£12K could buy you quite a lot of car TBH, Colin.

Octy is roomy inside for the size of the car

Passat is a good choice as well.

What about considering a 'soft roader' like Nissan Xtrail? they get really good reviews and would suit your Extreme lifestyle:yeahdude:

New Fabia estate is out soon...and top spec is around £12k

£12K could buy you quite a lot of car TBH, Colin.

The name is Kuwheen - and I sense retaliation on the horizon

I am not saying you should get one but this seems like a lot of car for the money...

Motorpoint - View Stock

It's got a fair bit of kit, a fair bit of power, a fair bit of space and there is a lot of them in stock. Plus it's £1500 under budget

As discussed and at your request Pixi:

- Put a double dose of millers diesel clean/power sport 4 in the fuel and give the car a highish revs drive out once warmed up and assuming you can find a bit of road on the island

- Get an oil change with a good oil (I used to use millers XFD/Mobil 1 oil, but any decent fully synthetic 10w40 will be fine) and a new good quality oil filter.

- Change the air filter and inspect the seal on the box. This is very important if you have the cylindrical air filter as this is located at the lower passenger side of the car and will let in lots of dirt.

- Change the fuel filter.

- When this is being done it is essential to clean out the EGR/EGR pipes the intakes and the intercooler. The amount of carp that build up in this is huge and massively effects the performance of the engine.

- Get the antifreeze changed and if you can afford the extra few £, the thermostat is hidden under the fuel filter so well worth changing this and the antifreeze as the engine is badly effected by overheating.

Additionally it is worth getting a quote on having the injectors taken out and properly cleaned or replaced as they tend to lose their spray pattern over a higher mileage. When the injectors are done have the 2"ish leak off pipes changes as these comonly degrade and will let a small amount of fuel out over the engine which can smell otherwise.

Oil should be about £25 for 5L (IIRC it was 4-4.5L for a change)

Air/fuel/oil filters and a sump plug washer should total about £20-25.

Millers power sport 4 is £10 for 500ml, which will treat 500L of fuel on a single dose.

The inter cooler/pipes are not hard to get at either as it's all on top of the engine so labour shouldn't be too bad if you were to pay sombody to do this.

Injectors for the XUDt appear to be about £28.00 each too

United Diesel UK – Peugeot Diesel Injector Parts

That would mean the engine should be running properly again too

That is about £150 for parts plus labour which shouldn't be much as I could do the filters and oil inside of 30 minutes

what sort of money is the HONDA ACCORD?

i think they are a really nice motor

£12K could buy you quite a lot of car TBH, Colin.

Octy is roomy inside for the size of the car

Passat is a good choice as well.

What about considering a 'soft roader' like Nissan Xtrail? they get really good reviews and would suit your Extreme lifestyle:yeahdude:

Yeah thanks Roy James.

I have investigated a Passat only by sitting in it and saying 'Isn't the interior a lot nicer than the Octy' but this was high spec in a show room so it was bound to be. I don't need anything mahoosive like, but I would consider what you call a soft roader aswell. Although I would then become one of those PIA people that park next to me in the supermarket and block my view when coming out.

I don't want another Fabia, I would want something completely different so the Fabia estate is out. The Honda Accord does look nice and it has a low tail gate iirc which would be better for the mutt.

Thanks Marky Mark, I have passed on a lot of what you were saying last night but it's nice to have it all typed up like that then I can say, Ere, read that!

X trail is great.It is just a big estate.

In all honesty I really wanted an A4 Avant.One of the best looking estates on the market.

The reality was it was too small for us and a bit posh for grubby kids.We needed a 'wipe clean car'with space.

If you don't,I'd definately get a nice A4 on the drive (sadly,I have a soft spot for V70's too:O)

Volvo V70 is also definitely worth a look. Loads of kit, lovely comfy seats and a huge boot. If you can find a D5 you can have decent performance and diesel economy too, or if you're feeling brave (and rich!) go for the T5

Chris

V70 was my suggestion too.

Motorpoint has nearly new Vectra cdti (150) estates for under £12k and petrols for under £9k.

Mondeo estates are a little cheaper and look less like a hearse.

Used C5 would be a big estate for pennies too.

Used C5 would be a big estate for pennies too.

Yeah there is a reason for that...... I'd never ever ever recommend getting a C5. They are aweful cars

Second hand A6, around the 2l tdi mark, often go for little more than the similar spec'd A4's do. Much larger and more refined car (old shape anyway), with the added bonus of actually having rear legroom. I loved ours, but it was getting on a bit.

Phil

Yeah there is a reason for that...... I'd never ever ever recommend getting a C5. They are aweful cars

Like to give some evidence for that?

I've driven them and you can not get a better suspension set up for just soaking up the bumps and crap surfaces. That plus it stiffens up as you push on.

The engine is the HDI, same as the TDCI and just as reliable as the VAG stuff.

As a car which can be picked up very cheaply then I think it's perfectly good.

Bear in mind that both PSA group cars (Citroen and Pug) beat everything VAG in the latest what car reliability survey, before you use the it's French line!

Peugeot 207 estate?

Like to give some evidence for that?

I've driven them and you can not get a better suspension set up for just soaking up the bumps and crap surfaces. That plus it stiffens up as you push on.

The engine is the HDI, same as the TDCI and just as reliable as the VAG stuff.

As a car which can be picked up very cheaply then I think it's perfectly good.

Bear in mind that both PSA group cars (Citroen and Pug) beat everything VAG in the latest what car reliability survey, before you use the it's French line!

My Dad is currently running run one.(2.2HDI estate) When I drive it, it corners like a barge, even with the suspension set to sport. The interior looks old and dated, plus the plastics feel very cheap and it isn't particually well put together.

For a 2.2 the engine needs to be worked very hard, and has no where near the grunt VAG PDs have of lesser cc output. It's cheap for a reason. You may have driven them, but with having one in the family, I can say that I'd never want to own one personally and would never ever recommend one.

Plus they are pig ugly.

The suggestions are great but I really don't need a massive estate. (Thanks for taking note Em ) But I wouldn't get another Peugeot because the experience with the only dealer over here has been laughable. So, anyone got any suggestions for an estate that isn't space ship size, apart from the A4 and the Fabia?

So, anyone got any suggestions for an estate that isn't space ship size, apart from the A4 and the Fabia?

Does it need to be an Estate? Would an MPV possibly be better for providing maximum internal space with a smaller footprint? Something like the Zafira is about as small as an Astra, but has plenty of room inside and really flexible seating. And a rather funky handbrake...

Rob.