Car appreciation... the aesthetics, the engineering, etc

A4 and octavia are smaller platform car (a3/vw caddy van platform) than a passat (a6/superb platform) hence bigger in many ways.

3 series is generally about same as a4 and lexis 200 series type cars. Smaller than you think and not the practical car many think they are.

For practical Ness and not scary running costs get an accord or a mondeo. IF you can find any for sale, neither have sold anything like the numbers of tge Germans abd French cars recently, accord wagons are almost "rare" and higher spec mondeo (2.2 in graphite or titanium x) are equally hard to come by but drive quite rewardingly and have many gadget standard.

If you want German, get a superb, unless you get into current generation passat 2015 onwards and plummet value way worse than previous generations, which is odd). The older (2010/15) superb wagon I think is prob the best of those.

2008 on volvo v70 are ok so long as it has a volvo engine in it (any 5 cylinder petrol or diesel). I used to saw maybe avoid the 1.6 and 2.0 diesel ford units, but now i saw defo avoid, unless they have got way less than 50k on. Know too many people that have fallen fowl of this engine made of cheese.

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Tbh I really like them.

I have really fond memories of driving a (new) Panda 4x4 around Tuscany.
Although I swear driving on those roads was scarier than the old Death Road in Bolivia.

Part of the appeal is my day dream of driving a yellow one round the Canarys with a surfboard strapped to the roof.

This all makes sense. Did they sell pug 407/508 estates in the UK in any great number? Surely they'll be cheap. I remember test driving a 508 and it was quite large inside and completely unremarkable. Seemed as good as any modern car.

#rep

Same dealer has a 4x4 one in too. But as Dammit said to me, it's another thing to go wrong and the reviews I read all said it made it a bit more balls on road. If I lived back in the countryside in NI, maybe.

I've just had another browse through carsales... They are super tempting. A few nearby that are worth a look. Would save me buying a 30k BMW too. Still have fears over dsg shitting itself and that narrow angle v6 can't be the most bullet proof? Still, for a Passat the r36 still looks pretty fresh and a definitely last of breed (n/a larger capacity engine)

Going to a specialist alignment/balancing place in a minute to see if I can finally get rid of the vibration in my car. This will be the 4th garage and I'm sure they will say they can get rid of it by balancing the wheels AGAIN. Each garage I've been to has said the previous ones have done it wrong which seems hard to believe.

Not optimistic

508 Yeah, decent size, quite practical load space and child entertaining plastics in the back. They depreciated hard though, and AFAIK no where near popular as the 405 and 406 were for fleets, so just not many around to choose from. Would prob get an older one under 5k as they are still depreciating hard.

Always fancied a Citroën c6, prob stoked by the potholes we have here and wanting my spine not to be impacted every time I go anywhere lol

I'd love a c6. must be eye-wateringly expensive to maintain

I like the idea of a bigger mk5 gti. I'd need to go and test one. you def want dsg, too. however, I am also considering a cheap old estate, for towing/lugging shit and keeping the golf - it is a fantastic car.

doesn't cure my want for muchos luxos and gadgetry.

fuck, fatherhood has changed me.

I am embarrass.

I need to replace my Mark 4 Golf Estate. It's just about to hit 245000 miles.

Looking a couple of pages back at the options for a big estate for <£10k, what's the consensus on a 5 series?

There is a lot of F11 520d options on the market. Is there a reason these should be avoided? Or anything particular to look out for?

fuck, fatherhood has changed me.

I called this, some time ago.

I may have to release the PMs...

Pretty happy with mine - they are big (wide) though. Parking sensors make them pretty easy to park though.
ZF 8 speed box is very good.

Get the auto, so much better than old-school auto that most folk are familiar with.

Prob the most bland looking 5 series ever, but folk like them.
Don't think there is anything that common breaks on them, only timing chain and poss swirl flaps though not sure if BMW fixed these by that era

@hugo7
@BrickMan

I was wrong about Passat size. Soz.

Looks great! Good work on fitting it all yourself.

Thanks a lot, just eager to get that ball joint tightened and take it out now. A few people said I would have to take out the long upper control arm bolt but really glad that wasn't necessary. Thanks for all the help here over the last few weeks.

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Where are you based? Would be good to meet up for some "MX5 friend" time.

I'm in Hertfordshire these days. When I get some Rodders pads I'll book a track day (most likely Bedford) and will let you know, if that's any good.

I drove one of these (automatic) for a few months as a reallocated company car whilst I was waiting for the 330e I had ordered to arrive. Had 95,000 on the clock when I got it but drove well and got us to the south of France and back without missing a beat - I put around 10,000 miles on it in the 5 months I had it with no problems. They are huge, too big for my liking really, but drove nicely - if you do lots of motorway miles they're a no brainer.

Watch him...

Sounds good to me!

Think a test drive tonight might be on the cards. Now the car has wheels and is off jack stands I put the fronts on full lock. I thought there might be a chance with the weight of the engine on the ball joint the castle nut could be fully tightened. Wasn't enough room to swing the torque wrench (or split pin) but it's very tight. Rear coilovers are set at fully soft and fronts 5 clicks firmer to hopefully get an idea of the most comfortable setting. It's been nice knowing you...

fuck, fatherhood has changed me.

My car history - guess when my 1st daughter was born, then my 2nd daughter.

Renault 5 GT Turbo
Rentault Clio 172 Cup
TVR Cerbera
BMW M5 (E39)
VW Golf TDI
BMW 525d

now

Mini Clubman SD
Merc 230CE
'76 Series 3 Landrover