I Now Own A Responsible Car...

[Batfink 201]

My god its been horrible. Looking for a car with a sensible hat on has been boring, but finally we have purchased a half decent motor.

Its been traumatic to find a car that satisfies both mine and the missus needs.

She wanted lots of boot space, a third person able to sit in the back, but not too long (ruling out Mondeo's and Insignias) - basically a mini MPV

I wanted a car that did not scream 'family' had a bit of class and was good to drive. (basically a BMW) Personally I dont like tall vehicles - aerodynamics are worse so poor mpg, and COG is higher so not quite suited to how I drive corners...

 

BMW 3 series have sporty side bolsters so you cannot get three in the back - that ruled out my choice of E91 318D M-sport

We looked at nearly new Focus. Nice size but poverty spec grey interiors. Dull to look at too.

Vauxhall Zafiras - boring spec, boring vehicle - dull dull dull and overpriced

We nearly got a Leon 1.9 TDI which was really nice, but the missus got jitters due to its rear boot.

She wanted an Altea XL but they seem rare as hens teeth.

Passats were very big, but we nearly got one as urgency set in...very nice specs interior wise

 

 

but instead put a deposit on a Audi A4 170 TDI Estate.

 

It needs a few things cosmetically on the interior but its solid to drive with good power and a decent 6 speed box. Has a BOSE sound system for all those kiddy songs. I'll slap on a towbar for towing my 205. Its certainly going to beat the 206 we are currently surviving in! Looks alright too for what is essentially a workhorse

[Tom Fenton 1,541]

I've had two A4 estates now, I like them and will probably have another, if not an A6 estate.

 

Perhaps not the ultimate in a drivers car, but the double wishbone front set up means you can certainly pedal the things at a surprising rate along a flowing road.

 

The interior is one of the nicest things for me, certainly once you are used to it, the likes of Ford and Vauxhall seem decidedly low rent.

[matt.f 16]

Nice cars,had one in work the other day with 160k on and still going strong no problems!

[chipstick 382 1 Cars]

Good choice.

 

I think when I go for an estate it is likely to be an A4.

[MiniGibbo 142]

Nice cars the newer a4's..

 

Don't know how you couldn't fit three in the back of a 3 series though..?

[Batfink 201]

certainly you cannot fit twins in car seats and fit another person in the middle on the BMW. To say I was gutted was an understatement. The side bolsters by the doors are simply too steep and push the baby seats almost central. Great for car safety though. Beemers float my boat in terms of chassis balance and handling

[S@m 156]

It could've gone a lot worse surely! And theres me eyeing up 405 estates, i'm stuck in the past.

 

Sam

[MiniGibbo 142]

O yeah you didnt say baby seats, theyre a nightmare its a struggle to jsut get two in without trying to get someone in the middle lol..

[Batfink 201]

It could've gone a lot worse surely! And theres me eyeing up 405 estates, i'm stuck in the past.

 

Sam

 

I didnt want to buy french. My Clio certainly was not reliable with its electrics and the parts silly expensive considering the value of the car. My BMW gave me 4 years almost hassle free motoring..

[welshpug 1,657]

pah, your experience of french cars sullied by a bloody renfault

[kyepan 291]

And drive it irresponsibly no doubt.

 

Speak to ryan, he can chip those, and i'm sure would give you a very good deal. More economy... cough boosty boosty boost.

 

J

[welshpug 1,657]

is the 170 a 5 pot? bwarble...

[MiniGibbo 142]

Depends on age, the newest ones are four pots with twin turbos.

[SAW 1]

Good cars them. Not bad choice at all.

[Miles 331 1 Cars]

You own a Ring-piece, You'll going going all VAG on us next with Stretched Tyre's and ultra low suspension, Brov

[Richie 32]

You own a Ring-piece, You'll going going all VAG on us next with Stretched Tyre's and ultra low suspension, Brov

 

Agreed, I think we should ban him.

[Batfink 201]

is the 170 a 5 pot? bwarble...

Depends on age, the newest ones are four pots with twin turbos.

 

I was under the impression it was a standard 4 pot with one turbo??? 2007 model...

Agreed, I think we should ban him.

 

I have a 205 still ...honest

[j_turnell 137 3 Cars]

REVO makes a world of difference on these!

[MiniGibbo 142]

Being an 07 its on the borderline for which engine it has, if yours is a four pot with a single turbo it would only be 140hp on the newr design engine or a five cylinder on the older engine with a single turbo..?

 

The new VW audi engines are all four pots but as i said above the 170 is a twin turbo.

[Tom Fenton 1,541]

They do a 170bhp single turbo version of the 4 cyl 2.0 16v TDI in the Passat, I am sure the A4 will use this same engine. Not sure where this talk of a 5 cyl comes from, to my knowledge Audi haven't put a straight five diesel in any passenger car since the early 90's 100/A6 estate which had a 140bhp straight five 2.5 TDI, replaced by the 2.5 V6 TDi from about 1996. The vans did continue to use the straight five.