A6 V E class

bcmf

04-06 model. Diesel.
Am thinking of upgrading from my A4 to either the A6 or E class diesel.

I know there is an older thread on here but decided to start a new one (if thats ok with the mods)
Ideally the 2.0 litre A6 or 2.1 E. Cant really decide on which one!
One of the main problems that I have in the A4 is rear leg room. With two sons over 6ft tall rear leg space is high up there.
Very few Avant /estate models out there within budget (circa 6k) .

What are the real world running costs of both?
Boardsie's speak to me?

Sobanek

join the BMW brigade

bcmf

^^^^
unless it has documentation of swirl flaps and chain replaced....it's just not worth it imo.

Sobanek

M47 is fine, it's the September 2007 N47 that's the issue.

Swirl flaps - yeah, common enough, but a common enough job and not a wallet breaker.

bcmf

Sobanek wrote: »

M47 is fine, it's the September 2007 N47 that's the issue.

Swirl flaps - yeah, common enough, but a common enough job and not a wallet breaker.

Will keep it in mind if there is any decent estates out there

Sobanek

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-525-diesel-touring/8076374

Would this be out of the question? Higher tax than on a 2.0, but a 6 cylinder is a much more refined engine.

Nivo gone - typical enough issue, so plenty of room to haggle

bcmf

Nice find. Will have a chat with my mechanic to see what his thoughts are on the the suspension.

Sobanek

bcmf wrote: »

Nice find. Will have a chat with my mechanic to see what his thoughts are on the the suspension.

Yeah, it's a common enough issue. It's usually the bag itself, not the compressor.

bazz26

Volvo V70 D5 is worth looking at too:


http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/volvo-v70-d5-se-7-seater/7691402

bcmf

bazz26 wrote: »

Volvo V70 D5 is worth looking at too:


http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/volvo-v70-d5-se-7-seater/7691402

Wow....€4k but been for sale for 40 days. Big tax- no one wants but a contender....

Seweryn

bcmf wrote: »

Big tax- no one wants but a contender....

Great option, because of it. You pay a few grand less for the car, as it costs a few hundred extra in ownership tax.

_Kaiser_

As someone who owns a 2005 A6 (albeit a 3.0 TDI Quattro, not the 2L version) and has driven E-classes of that vintage I'd have to say it's not an easy one.

- The A6 in saloon form has a lot of rear seat area and a huge boot. The E would be a bit smaller

- The E is very comfy and like driving a couch No pretence of sportiness there, but if that doesn't matter it's a very comfortable cruiser

- Spec is key for both. Base A6's strip out things I'd consider essentials like the full colour MMI, all-round parking sensors, cruise control.

- There's issues with both and neither will be cheap to maintain at that age. Do your research and only get one with a verifiable history

- BMW is beloved here but I don't rate the E60 5 series as anywhere near the same level myself having driven those a fair bit too (others will disagree)

Alternatives? Nice Jag?

bcmf

_Kaiser_ wrote: »

- The A6 in saloon form has a lot of rear seat area and a huge boot. The E would be a bit smaller
leg room and boot space could be a deal breaker.

- The E is very comfy and like driving a couch No pretence of sportiness there, but if that doesn't matter it's a very comfortable cruiser

yep cruiser more then sport

- Spec is key for both. Base A6's strip out things I'd consider essentials like the full colour MMI, all-round parking sensors, cruise control.
Starting to get fussy about what I want.Deffo full colour MMI

- There's issues with both and neither will be cheap to maintain at that age. Do your research and only get one with a verifiable history
Not going near one that hasnt got any kind of s/h

- BMW is beloved here but I don't rate the E60 5 series as anywhere near the same level myself having driven those a fair bit too (others will disagree)

Alternatives? Nice Jag?
Certainly entertained the tthought but just think the inside is a bit meh!!

Thanks Kaiser.
Answered in the qoutes...

_Kaiser_

bcmf wrote: »

Thanks Kaiser.
Answered in the qoutes...

Answers to your answers

- Well there's plenty of room in the A6 saloon. Boot is huge and you can drop the rear seats if needed

- Yea the E would be a great motorway cruiser.. that said, mine is very comfy too and has that sporty feel when you want it.. best of both maybe

- Spec is very important. I was looking for a while before I found mine and it's very high spec for an Irish car (Factory Xenons, Leather, Full MMI, auto lights and wipers, full MMI, all-round parking sensors with display, full climate, steering wheel controls, tiptronic gearbox with paddle shifters, BOSE sound and a few other bits). If you're spending money on a "premium car" you should get more than a badge I reckon!

- I looked at a 7 series when I was shopping but those of the same vintage are prone to electrical issues and not as nice as the newer facelift model. Next car will be an 08 upwards A8 I think. I do like the E, but I like the size and looks of the A6/8 (it's the big grille and low wide stance I think)

bcmf

Anyone else .......

Seweryn

bcmf wrote: »

Anyone else .......

I know this one is below your budget, but it ticks a lot of boxes:

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/volvo-v70-2002-auto-2-4-l-lpg-convertion/7858508

positivenote

can i get some clarification regarding the e60 and problems with the chain and swirl flaps?
what year cars/engine size are affected by chain issues and swirl flaps… manual or auto make a difference?
I'm currently looking to migrate from my e39 530d due to the on going tax costs (1400+ a year) and after 180k miles theres a fair few niggely bits going wrong.
id appreciate it
cheers

bazz26

Anything with the 177bhp engine from about September 2007 onwards. 163bhp is the older engine.

Swirl flaps were rectified with the introduction of the 177bhp engine but they are a very easy and cheap enough job to have replaced with blanks.

positivenote

so any 520 pre 2007 doesn't have timing chain or swirl flap issues? manual or auto doesnt matter?
thanks

bazz26

The 520d with 177bhp from Sept 2007 doesn't have swirl flap issues as the manifold was redesigned but does suffer from timing chain problems. The older 520d manual or auto with 163bhp prior to Sept 2007 can have swirl flap issues but it's an easy and cheap job to have them replaced with blanks. Your E39 530d would be prone to swirl flap issues too afaik.

bcmf

So I tried to test drive an A6. The empahsis was on tried to. It was a dealer. The handbrake (electronic) wouldnt release. A tad embarrasing for the dealer.
He rang me back a few days later saying he had it sorted. As the place is close enough to work I said 'May as well' They had it out filled it with diesel and had just finished valeting it.Told me the diesel was an apololgy for the cock up last time.
Guess what....Handbrake didnt release....See ya. Pity ass it seemed nice and clean with decent service history,

Went and drove an e 220 form a private guy. Cartell came back nice and clean.
Seller seemed honest up front and not afraid of answering any questions up front.
Literally couldnt find anything wrong with it. Agreed a price but there is just a niggly thing in my head that somethings not right.

Anyway what do yis reckon I could get this for - cash in hand - if I could clench my butt cheeks hard enough to take the tax.
http://www.carsireland.ie/detail.php?ad_id=1116153&r=s.php%3Fm%5B%5D%3D53%26o%5B%5D%3D448%26d%3D4000%26e%3D7000%26f%3D2%26g%3D0

Ferris

My dad had an '05 A6 2L (PD) diesel from new and it was the most unreliable car he has ever had. It needed:

- DMF/clutch
- Windscreen leak fixed
- Turbo #1 in warranty
- 2 x oil pumps (common issue)
- Turbo #2 due to 1st oil pump failure
- ECU
- collapsed engine mount

All in 150k easy miles. He sold it to the mechanic that was fixing it after the second oil pump failure.

He has since bought an E220 CDi ('05) and loves it. The merc specialist he brings it to reakons that he'll have to shoot it. In saying that the E classes were a lot better following the '06 facelift, better wiring and rust prevention.