Need some help picking a new car

dava

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Like the post states I need some help picking a new car. My old trusty TDI Passat sport est needs replacing and I am really struggling finding a replacement, so as I have helped many on here in the past I would like members veiws on what to replace it with. I'm torn between an old shape c class 220 cdi sport edition and an A4 Avant TDI 140 S line, it has to be an estate car as I need the space to lug tools around and to be honest I think estates cars are so underrated. So hope fully I'll get some honest replies as to which one I should go for.
Regards
Ray
 

Miss Babs

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I had the A4 Avant, great car but very little space for feet in the rear, we've no kids so not a problem but lots of usable space when the back seats are down a very calm car to drive!
 

vijilants

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Your Mercedes
W204 C320 CDI Sport
bodywork wise the Audi is better than merc in that era.
 
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dava

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I'm looking for a 2005/6 model so the bodywork should not be a problem. My heart says the Merc but my head says the Audi, as I feel it might resell better in 3 years time. To be truthfull the Merc drives better than the Audi and the Audi in some ways looks better, also and the spec level is hard to find on an Audi, where leather etc is common place on Merc there are very few Audi's with it as it was such an expensive extra at the time of build.
 

Dinnie

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How about a BMW 3 series Touring? A new shape VW Passat? I think the 2008 Mazda6 looks sharp - apparently the drive and quality has vastly improved to challenge the Germans.
 

Xtractorfan

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Your Mercedes
S class
BMW 3 series without the sports suspension, unless ur motorway driving all the time.Mazda 6 top car, best of the japs followed bythe Honda civic diesel ..passat looks good but its got the dual mass flywheel big probs, as has the avensis and mondeo, Audi would be my pick especially the new shape model with the full frontl grille and in red..class..and a quick flash (chip) of the ecu to fire out 150+ horses..Tho the Audis do eat air flow meters as well...There again the merc does have a bit of class and it should be a consideration as well
 
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dava

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The Bmw dont rock my boat, also they are very small in the rear. Mazda 6? I looked at a Toyota RD 180 good spec and power but again did not rock it for me. Like said the C Class has that bit of class and the ride is good, but the new S Line Audi has a sporty look, but for what your paying I can get a low mileage C Class. The Honda, hmmm, does not look good in est, the new passat they are having issues with and I dont think it's as good as my old one, possibly I should keep my old one, with out doubt it's the best car I have ever owned.
 

hawk20

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Your Mercedes
ML250 BlueTEC Sport
I can't see why you would want to forego the luxury of a front engine, rear drive car like the Mercedes. All true luxury cars choose this configuration (other than 4wd of course), whether you look at Mercedes, BMW, Rolls, Bentley, Aston etc.

The Audi also has a very hard ride (as Clarkson said it was designed to ride on roads as smooth as the designer's desk) and offers far less space than a Merc.

IMO the Rolls Royce of estates is the E class (I have owned several and they are great load carriers as well as a very pleasant place to be on long journeys). Some pretty good value around on those at this quiet time in the market. But if not that, then the C is good alternative, and is one of the best looking estates ever IMO.
 
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dava

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This is the sort of thing I'm looking at and very pleased with some of the responces. I think the E class and the A6 are to big for what I want,shame really as they always seem to be better specked than the C and A4. So keep your views coming as I need to find a replacement or just run old faithfull into the ground.

http://www.mercedes-benz.motortrak....3741443,13741446,13641036,13766363&vidindex=5

http://www.fontain.co.uk/vehicle-de...nsmission=&intMin=&intMax=&RSpage=1&ID=480640

Again thanks for all your opinions on the subject.
Ray
 

stumpy

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various
Like the post states I need some help picking a new car. My old trusty TDI Passat sport est needs replacing and I am really struggling finding a replacement, so as I have helped many on here in the past I would like members veiws on what to replace it with. I'm torn between an old shape c class 220 cdi sport edition and an A4 Avant TDI 140 S line, it has to be an estate car as I need the space to lug tools around and to be honest I think estates cars are so underrated. So hope fully I'll get some honest replies as to which one I should go for.
Regards
Ray

How much does dealer back-up affect your choice? MB aren't covered in glory in that department.
 
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dava

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Not in the slightest, I bear the scars of dealer promises. The good thing is I work on MB Vans and Trucks, so I can by pass them for technical advise and apart from warranty work I would not use them. I should point out this is also why I'm swaying to a C class, having star etc is a big plus if things go wrong and also thats what is kind of swaying me to Audi, as I know all the faults MB deisels have and I'm sure some of you are saying well that's a plus.
 

hawk20

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ML250 BlueTEC Sport
How much does dealer back-up affect your choice? MB aren't covered in glory in that department.

Does Audi have Service Plus. I am very happy with my dealer and Mercedes did at least as well as Audi in customer satisfaction on JD Power.
 

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dava

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Thanks for that your imput is appreciated, interesting where Skoda is. I was once told Whats in Audi today is in VW tomorrow and Skoda the day after. The thing with MB they know the faults, ie injectors glow plugs etc but dont seem to do much about it and even when they know about injectors going tits up they are very reluctant to replace them FOC.
 

stumpy

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2 years ago I had a new Skoda, and in many ways it was a great car. The dealers (I tried 3) were all crap. I have MB Brooklands on my door step and they truly are appalling. But that said, most dealers round here are like that. Great for you though that you can do the work on a C class yourself and only sully their shiny glass emporiums if strictly necessary.
 
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dava

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Great reply. A couple of years back I bought a R171 for the Missus, I went into the show room and ask to have a look at one, I was in my work clothes, he said do you know how much these are! Spotty little git. I bought one 150 miles away from him! I went o lok aone the other day and as soon as I sat down he started filling a form in, name sir, why? just for the form, tel no, why? for the form, I just want to look at one, I dont give my name and number unless your Blonde and big chested, of which your neither. He did not see the funny side of it and left me to tyre kick.
 

NewMB

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If you really need (and want) a bigger estate I would suggest a Volvo V70.

Granted, not quite in the same league as a MB perhaps, but certainly bigger for less money and are usually packed with equipment as standard, ie Leather, auto, Dolby Sorround Sound, electric seats etc etc.

By the way, the A4, Passat, Octavia/Suberb all share same underpinnings. Engines, brakes, dashboard, gearbox....

I have no idea of where you are based, but a good dealer in MB Ipswich. Very welcoming and not snobbs.
 

hawk20

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ML250 BlueTEC Sport
If you really need (and want) a bigger estate I would suggest a Volvo V70.

Granted, not quite in the same league as a MB perhaps, but certainly bigger for less money and are usually packed with equipment as standard, ie Leather, auto, Dolby Sorround Sound, electric seats etc etc.

.

A visit to the Volvo website suggests these 'goodies' are just as much an extra as with other makes. Looking at the D5 it is well up into Merc prices by the time you put the 'goodies' on.
 
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dava

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Yeah and Volvo get a bad press in the motor trade, not that there is any thing wrong with them they are genrally not well recieved. I now duck behind the trench!
 

Dinnie

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If you fancy something a bit different, how about an Alfa 159 estate, Jaguar X-type estate or Lexus IS300 estate?
 
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