72 replies to this topic

[Lightning]

Not an estate but have a 14 plate Mondeo 2.0 duratorq diesel. Never given me any grief, loads of room, pulls our 1500kg caravan like a dream, it's the titanium x so all the toys (for 2014 anyway) and didn't cost me an arm and a leg to buy. Gave me 60mpg on a long motorway run.

[Studley Ramrod]

Not an estate but have a 14 plate Mondeo 2.0 duratorq diesel. Never given me any grief, loads of room, pulls our 1500kg caravan like a dream, it's the titanium x so all the toys (for 2014 anyway) and didn't cost me an arm and a leg to buy. Gave me 60mpg on a long motorway run.

Been looking at the Mondeo hatchbacks, thinking towbar and a roof rack instead of an estate. Hmmmm

[harvey krumpet]

The local Federales are replacing the Holden (GM) Commodore fleet with Skoda's. Must be a generally good car.

 

I have a 2015 Yeti TDi which I really like, frugal, spacious and tows my bikes.. Not had any major issues. Water pump went early but a wee sensor told me it needed water so got onto it pretty quickly. It's coming up to 200'000km, I do service it diligently. Belts weren't as expensive as anticipated and DCT flush and lube, again, didn't hurt too much.

[waynedear]

I am a fan of long roof cars, currently running an 07 xc70, came into service when we were having the bathroom and lounge done, my god the amount of stuff you can get in them.

Comfort is exceptional, I have the d5 183bhp manual, commuting in the city I average 34mpg, open roads 45mpg.

Turning circle is not great 😁

 

 

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[Norwegian]

I have always had estates or MPVs. Currently an old A6, a Ford Galaxy (wife) and an S-Max (son). Had Volvo 850, Citroen XM, VW Passat and a Sharan, among others.

Some takeaways from experience and/or research in the age bracket you mentioned:

Avoid Ford 1.8 l diesel. The 2 l is good, as is the 2.2.
Avoid Ford Powershift and VAG DSG gearboxes.
Research thorougly the Volvo diesels in V50/70, some engine codes have extreme piston/cylinder wear and burns oil.
VW and Audi rusts, Skoda semingly less.
Ford also seems to rust less.
Citroen often has electric gremlins, can be hard to track down.
4x4s need tires of exact same wear. One tire damaged means 4 new. XC 70 is particularly picky, middle gearbox breaks in a jiffy if tires are different.
No experience with Opel.

Edited by Norwegian, 07 August 2022 - 10:12 am.

[jiff]

…..out of left-field, might I suggest the Subaru Legacy Sports Tourer RN (not called an estate, but is one) I’ve had my ‘06 model since 2010

and it’s been great for me… mines auto and with the biggest engine (3ltr) so don't think ‘economy’…but they did offer a smaller engine & diesel versions…..Plus points: very reliable, 4WD, well equipped, comfortable, convenient, big load capacity (back seats down easy + ‘boot space’ covered with easy-remove blind), custom fit roof bars available…..fast when required…Minus points: economy, rather firm suspension…..perhaps no main dealers in your street……certainly worth considering….Jiff

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[Norwegian]

+1 on Subarus. Solidly built and very DIY friendly, too, it's all 13 or 17 mm bolts, and with the boxers nearly everything is accessible.

Edited by Norwegian, 07 August 2022 - 02:50 pm.

[Studley Ramrod]

Subaru looks nice

 

Well, after all the generous comments, I've just bought an Insignia Elite 2ltr eco Diesel hatchback 2015, black with 19inch alloys and full leather interior. Seller only a mile from me.  Picking it up on tuesday. Zero road tax to pay and good fuel economy.

 

Looks the same as this one

 

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Except mine will need a proper valet and the wheels are curbed so will need refurbing.  Might get a tow bar fitted at some point.

[dapleb]

Noice Juan SR. The udder noice thing about older cars is that everyone elses cars feel luxurious.

Tishabelles folks got Juan just loike dat, same colour 2015. Very comfy car dat.

[chrisr]

No road tax eh Studley? Thats ok, Im paying enough for both of us!
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[Snowbird]

F'kinell, we pay £20 a year on the 1.6d fabia estate, makes me cry when I tax the TDM.

[Studley Ramrod]

No road tax eh Studley? Thats ok, Im paying enough for both of us!
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Cheers Chris

F'kinell, we pay £20 a year on the 1.6d fabia estate, makes me cry when I tax the TDM.

Mine's due on the mk1 end of August, £55.55 for 6 months

 

Just been reading through some of the 321 page user manual for the car

Noice Juan SR. The udder noice thing about older cars is that everyone elses cars feel luxurious.

Tishabelles folks got Juan just loike dat, same colour 2015. Very comfy car dat.

Cheers Daps. lol, coming from my 04 Focus I'll feel the same.  Tishabelles folks have great taste

[ChrisG]

Typical internet thread:  Looking for advice on which Estate to buy....Buys a hatchback    

 

Have they changed the VED bands again then?  I thought it was only EV's that were free?  My mother was annoyed some years ago when her Aygo went from free to £10/month

[fixitsan]

It's not on your list but I picked up a 2014 2.0 ltr diesel skoda superb estate last year. Bought it from my neighbour who was meticulous in servicing it. It's got 114,000 miles on the clock but runs beautifully. Pretty economical and has tons of room. Pre Blue model, might be worth a look.

 

Last June I got the Superb 2.0 D SE Business model (with umbrellas in the doors !) .

92k miles, 16 reg, £5600 (ex cat N write off)

Now has 117k miles.

Water pump failed 5k ago (common on these VW engines), the retrofit pump doesn't fail as frequently. Water pump and timing belt cost £120 and 3.5 hours, quite easy

I also uprated the front shocks to Bilstein B4 and B6 at the rear

You can reprogram the ECU to tell it it's an 'Audi' and all Skoda (grandad's car) throttle pedal lag disappears.

It runs literally superbly, rides like a well sorted cruiser and the long wheelbase helps stability in the wet (which mostly happens between September and March here)

Second largest boot of all estates (beaten only by a Merc model)

 

Spares are cheap, suspension arms can be used from Skoda, VW, Seat and Audi models, whichever is cheapest that day, same for all the common VW parts it's built from, so you get VW/Audi quality at low prices

 

I went to look at a Golf Hatchback for the wife recently, whcih has the same 2.0 diesel engine, which had clocked up 260k miles and had never been opened.

 

Keep up with oil/filter changes, and upgrade the water pump and they're reliable.

 

£20 road tax. Unbelievably !

 

I have to sell it next year when it goes over 7 years old due to company policy....if anyone wants one next year !

Edited by fixitsan, 08 August 2022 - 10:09 am.

[fixitsan]

It's not on your list but I picked up a 2014 2.0 ltr diesel skoda superb estate last year. Bought it from my neighbour who was meticulous in servicing it. It's got 114,000 miles on the clock but runs beautifully. Pretty economical and has tons of room. Pre Blue model, might be worth a look.

 

Have you done the ECU trick of telling it it's an Audi ?

Suddenly all throttle pedal lag is gone, sport mode feels more sporty !

[JohnnyW]

 
Have you done the ECU trick of telling it it's an Audi ?
Suddenly all throttle pedal lag is gone, sport mode feels more sporty !

No but am interested in how you go about doing this. Do you have an automatic gearbox as I have a manual box and don't have a choice of modes?

[dandywarhol]

Whatever you get or buy I advise against the supermarket diesel (Tesco being the exception) due to the ultra high pressure pumps not liking the lack of lube in the fuel. 30,000 psi not uncommon and microns of clearance in the pumps and injectors. A friends 2016 Octavia ate it's pump and injectors at 80,000 miles

[catsbum]

Sorry Studders but your not thinking outside of the box. You need to go big..........BIG

 

Fair to say I've had a few cars in my time but this is my choice for you.

3) Chevy Surburban. 9 seats you could get a Fiesta in the back. 12 mpg

2) Ford F150 Supercrew. Harley Davidson 100yr Edition. 5.8 Supecharged and around 400 bhp. 11 mpg

1) Ford F150 Flareside. Suicide doors. 5.4v8. On a run 22 mpg

 

Off you go and surprise the other half!!

 

Cats

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Edited by catsbum, 08 August 2022 - 06:09 pm.

[Pedro]

My MK1 is tax exempt because it's classed as clapped out (25yr old +), Ford Focus and daughters Pug 207 around 70euros each a year in tax. There's an advantage in living in a remote village in the middle of Nada, España 😆 Nice car btw Studley. Neighbour has one and it's Luxurious with a capital L.

Edited by Pedro, 08 August 2022 - 08:18 pm.

[ChrisG]

Whatever you get or buy I advise against the supermarket diesel (Tesco being the exception) due to the ultra high pressure pumps not liking the lack of lube in the fuel. 30,000 psi not uncommon and microns of clearance in the pumps and injectors. A friends 2016 Octavia ate it's pump and injectors at 80,000 miles

 

I'm never convinced by the arguments against supermarket fuel.  My Octavia with the 2 litre CR170 engine has done 150k miles on it so far and the only problem I've had was when a local main dealer fucked up a service