Recommend me an estate car.

[caduceus]

I need an estate car, for possibility of being a handyman temporarily when I move. So I don't want a van.
My budget is up to 3-4 thousand. I don't want anything French or Italian.
Whilst looking I've seen a=some lovely A4 Avant estates, etc, but some real horror stories regarding the oil pump set up on the BLB (?) engines. Can anyone tell me what range/year of A4 that is trouble free?

Other than Audi A4's, any other tips suggestions would be very much appreciated. As I've had a rather sh**ty morning so far.

Many thanks
Cad

[finishing touch]

My son has a Citroen C5 diesel well within your budget. Used by it's previous (from new) owner to transport a double bass.

I bought a 3.2 Merc E for that sort of money for my works car. I can fit a 2 metre sheet inside it.
( They say the older straight 6 is better than the later V6 ???????? )

[SilverSixer]

finishing touch said:

My son has a Citroen C5 diesel well within your budget. Used by it's previous (from new) owner to transport a double bass.

I bought a 3.2 Merc E for that sort of money for my works car. I can fit a 2 metre sheet inside it.
( They say the older straight 6 is better than the later V6 ???????? )

I have an older E with the 3.2 straight 6 (2005). Engine wise very reliable. Neighbour has a newer (2009) V6, just had to replace the turbo at £1500. The turbo has a poor reputation in the V6.

[finishing touch]

SilverSixer said:

finishing touch said:

My son has a Citroen C5 diesel well within your budget. Used by it's previous (from new) owner to transport a double bass.

I bought a 3.2 Merc E for that sort of money for my works car. I can fit a 2 metre sheet inside it.
( They say the older straight 6 is better than the later V6 ???????? )

I have an older E with the 3.2 straight 6 (2005). Engine wise very reliable. Neighbour has a newer (2009) V6, just had to replace the turbo at £1500. The turbo has a poor reputation in the V6.

Mine is a late 2003. Bought it in March this year with 110k on the clock. Very pleased with it. Super tow car.

[Dan_1981]

Saab 93

[caduceus]

Dan_1981 said:

Saab 93

With Saab no longer an entity, aren't parts and tech support a problem?

[Dan_1981]

caduceus said:

Dan_1981 said:

Saab 93

With Saab no longer an entity, aren't parts and tech support a problem?

Most of it is Vauxhall / GM tech I think.

Had no issues with my 08 9-3 - put 150k on it in 3 years, been mostly faultless.

[Deerfoot]

7th Gen Honda Accord.

[Christmassss]

Passat Estate

[C70R]

Have you considered a W210 estate? They tick a lot of boxes for me:

• Cavernous boot, more so with the seats down
• Still feel relatively modern to drive
• Plenty of creature comforts and ergonomics
• The 320 diesel is frugal, tractable and goes on forever
• £3k buys one

[Lester H]

Christmassss said:

Passat Estate

Well, we have had Passat and other VWs but for sheer value, great reliability and top notch build quality and paintwork, look at Avensis Estate (Tourer) or previous model.

[Ahbefive]

V70

[Pablo16v]

Saab 9-5 estate is pretty roomy and £4K will get a good example. I've had a couple and didnt have any issues with parts, although I sold the last one two years ago so things might have changed. Comfiest seats ever!

[Fermit The Krog and Sexy Sarah]

Plenty of nice enough E61 520d's at that money. Frugal, fast enough, a nice steer, and large. Where my money would go, and this or a 530d estate is where our money may go soonish on a family/ dog bus.

[caduceus]

Thanks for all the replies all. Have a few to choose from there I must admit I do love the look of the Audi A4, but it's such a shame about the engine/oil pump issues

[kiethton]

Standard handman's car is a Volvo 740/940, or a (7/9)60 if feeling flush!

For 25% of your budget it is unlikely to go majorly wrong and you'll sell it for what you bought it for when done - very practical too!

[zedx19]

Ford Mondeo ST220 or ST TDCI if you're that way inclinded. There's a few ST220 Estates on ebay within budget at the moment. Far more interesting than the drab Passat/Volvo/Audi stuff suggested by others.

[ZX10R NIN]

Hi Cad

2004 ST220

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

2006 Ghia X 41k FSH

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

2006 2.2 diesel

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

2009 Insignia

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

2008 Vectra 3.0cdti

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

[briang9]

Octavia vRS

[louiebaby]

kiethton said:

Standard handman's car is a Volvo 740/940, or a (7/9)60 if feeling flush!

For 25% of your budget it is unlikely to go majorly wrong and you'll sell it for what you bought it for when done - very practical too!

I would have thought this was the most logical answer. Depends on the sort of mileage you're hoping to do, but if most of the runs are local, I'd have thought something like:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

or

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

would be all you'll ever need. The second one even looks relatively tidy, although the leather has aged somewhat...