Which estate car from these 2?

[scooters]

OK, Family Scoob is looking like it might cost more than it is worth to repair the suspension, the oil leaks and the welding required for the MOT in the Spring - given it is a 4x4 the Missus is suggesting we get rid of it now and replace it.

 

Budget is low but I have found 2 possibles and want to ask opinions:

 

1/ 1994 Audi A6 Estate 2.0l Manual: looks like it is in good fettle and has about 180k on the clock MOT till July some ticket, pov spec, part sh and some rust on front arches

 

2/ BMW E34 Touring 520i, 150k, long MOT decent ticket - slight dent on offside wing (looks like it will pull, small rusting at bottom of doors - I've asked when the timing belt was last done

 

Audi is trade sale £495, in Midlands so £60 on train, BMW is in Washington so only 2 hours on the train from Edinburgh and £30

 

I know the E34 as a car but only in hooligan 535i spec - whats the 2.0i six like on a manual box

 

I am unreasonably prejudaced by all Audis made after 1990, mostly because of the tendency of enourmous cocks to drive them (present company excepted) - I have no idea what the Audi is like - looks like a rebadges Passat

 

what are your thoughts?

[Lufthansa-Terminal]

Audi is my choice as I dont think I have seen one of that type? Rare?

[scooters]

I've never seen one either - pov spec maes the Audi brilliant Autoshite whereas the 5 series is a bit "Kebab Delivery"

[Lufthansa-Terminal]

No pics or advert links to view for better thoughts /advice?

[Shep Shepherd]

I'd go for the Audi because I prefer 1990s Audis to 1990s BMWs. Having said that, I'd eschew them both for a good Volvo 940

[DSdriver]

Boxy but good: Volvo 850 Estate AWD 4WD, on ebay starting price £500, location Yorkshire.

Just a suggestion as neither of the two above would appeal to me.

[scooters]

I'd go for the Audi because I prefer 1990s Audis to 1990s BMWs. Having said that, I'd eschew them both for a good Volvo 940

 

 

agreed - but the Doris has an influence and she'll only consider a 960 or a newer V70 both out of price point (spoilt her with the Sport edition and although I am after Kinker's one I can't afford it just now and would want it for myself anyway!)

 

won't have another 850 AWD - wonderful cars but they drink the gas round town big time - worse than the Scoob, worse than the 535i

[scooters]

links:

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/260894870503? ... 1438.l2649

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/220901085135? ... 1438.l2649

 

there's always the Merc 200 Manual Diesel W124 Estate on RR at the moment - 300k on the clock long MOT..£500...thoughts?

[Pete-M]

Both are underpowered and not that good on fuel.

 

Out of the two I'd go for the Audi.

 

The E34 is a better drive, but the lack of power just makes them frustrating to drive.

The Audi is less frustrating as it won't encourage you to go quickly.

 

Both are well built if you find good ones.

[Shep Shepherd]

I'd go for the Audi because I prefer 1990s Audis to 1990s BMWs. Having said that, I'd eschew them both for a good Volvo 940

 

 

agreed - but the Doris has an influence and she'll only consider a 960 or a newer V70 both out of price point (spoilt her with the Sport edition and although I am after Kinker's one I can't afford it just now and would want it for myself anyway!)

 

won't have another 850 AWD - wonderful cars but they drink the gas round town big time - worse than the Scoob, worse than the 535i

 

How about a normally-aspirated 2.5 petrol V70 'classic' with a manual gearbox? I consistently get 34mpg overall from TV2

 

Pawnote: Rusty wings aside, the Audi looks the business. The BMW looks like it's on the wrong side of average...

[scooters]

just priced up the bits for the scoob-

 

rear shocks - the cheapest I can find are £65 each inc P&P

rear discs and pads - £30

front discs and pads - £30

rocker cover gaskets - £50

Looks like I need some oter suspension bits as well....

 

loking at £300 on bits with me doing the work......

 

hmmmmmm....well, no hurry to do this but looks like it might be off

[Lufthansa-Terminal]

In the style of this site I should say the Bimmer as its white and looks shite BUT I still say the audi as for the money its a better looking car and most likely should last longer.

[scooters]

hmmm...

 

not sure about either of these - the Audi is edging it - the BMW looks like it has been owned by an 'ah'

 

What about this:

 

Mrs S likes a lot - 300k though - ok its a Merc but that is rather high

 

http://retrorides.proboards.com/index.c ... ead=117312

[DSdriver]

Class!

[RobT]

I'd choose the Merc although there's probably lower mileage ones around for similar money. That Audi just looks too dismal, even as a winter hack.

[Lufthansa-Terminal]

Now you have broadened the field that Mercedes is the way forwards as it Diesel. Did you see the trouble annoying bint Vicky Butler Henderson had in killing one on 5th gear.

 

[scooters]

I think we'll leave it just now. Ill see if I can find some 2nd hand shocks for scooby mot on it till may and we can use the bx for any long journeys....

Compared to those others....except maybe the merc ...I'd rather have the scooby

In 2.5 non turbo it ain't that bad on the gas

[Shep Shepherd]

Better the devil you know?

 

To be honest, I imagine that even a needy Legacy (which I'm sure that someone of your calibre will be able to sort out easily enough) would be far more satisfying to own long-term than an A6, a 5-Series or a scabby old Merc.

[Felly Magic]

If its a post 1991 Merc, it will be nothing but trouble, and rust like an absolute bastard EVERYWHERE! 1991 was when the accountants took control, and the parts quality and build quality took a massive nosedive. A mate had a J plater E class estate, it was hopelessy geared, and built about as well as a Lada. It had deffo seen paint on the doors and sills, and the front wings were going, and the tailgate & rear arch. It lasted him less than 6 months before terminal engine failure. Head gasket went first, then a few weeks later the camshaft snapped, and it was game over. I've also heard way too many horror stories of rampant rot on later C& E's, no doubt because of the South African build of RHD cars.

[Luxobarges_Are_Us]

You 're thinking of scrapping the Scooby essentially for the sake of a pair of shock absorbers? Better the devil you know...

 

By the way, speaking of shocks, I am not sure of the precise model that you have, but onlineautomotive seem to have some cheapo Nipparts in stock...£28.43 each inc VAT (it just says 2.5 98-03 without specifying further details).

[peter9000uk]

The Audi has probably had the wings replaced if the are rusty as they were galvanised from new

 

The BMW will probably have the M50 engine which is camchain and being an earlish one no Vanos, I have owned 2 of these 520 estates and they are not as bad as made out

You have to rev them a bit to get going but mine used to trundle up the M40 to Brum quite happily at 80-85. Beware of metric wheels/tyres. My last one was sold with 276k on the clock and I still see it about even though it is a nice shade of pogweasel pink. Tailgate electrics can be a mare as there are 2 looms, one on each hinge and they break with age causing odd faults. Not a drama as (1) replacements are avaible (2) I fixed both mine with a soldering iron and shrinktubing. If it has the twin sunroofs make sure they work, they tend to get dodgy through lack of use and can be a sod to get working properly again. Waterpumps can go especially if they are the original, brilliant design of plastic impeller on metal waterpump, replacement are all metal. Plugs have a coil pack each but are generally more reliable than my current Laguna ones! There is a very good 5 series owners website/forum which is a mine of useful information. Don't worry too much if drivers seat is worn as nos replacement covers are still available from BMW. Some have self levelling rear suspension, beware. Oh and RWD FTW

[peter9000uk]

The Audi has probably had the wings replaced if the are rusty as they were galvanised from new

 

The BMW will probably have the M50 engine which is camchain and being an earlish one no Vanos, I have owned 2 of these 520 estates and they are not as bad as made out

You have to rev them a bit to get going but mine used to trundle up the M40 to Brum quite happily at 80-85. Beware of metric wheels/tyres. My last one was sold with 276k on the clock and I still see it about even though it is a nice shade of pogweasel pink. Tailgate electrics can be a mare as there are 2 looms, one on each hinge and they break with age causing odd faults. Not a drama as (1) replacements are avaible (2) I fixed both mine with a soldering iron and shrinktubing. If it has the twin sunroofs make sure they work, they tend to get dodgy through lack of use and can be a sod to get working properly again. Waterpumps can go especially if they are the original, brilliant design of plastic impeller on metal waterpump, replacement are all metal. Plugs have a coil pack each but are generally more reliable than my current Laguna ones! There is a very good 5 series owners website/forum which is a mine of useful information. Don't worry too much if drivers seat is worn as nos replacement covers are still available from BMW. Some have self levelling rear suspension, beware. Oh and RWD FTW

[garethj]

Beware the Audi A6, a friend had one and it really wasn't cheap when it needed parts.

 

For the next MoT it needed 2 grand's worth of parts and labour so it got sold, mileage wasn't particularly high either

[hairnet]

merc - but why do people say that??

 

so in reality youll take scrap value for it???

 

buy the bimmer over the oodi for cheapness of bits

[Skizzer]

Did you fix the oil leak on the Legacy? I'm with Shep and Luxobarges on this - I'd keep that unless SWMBO is fed up with it or there's something else terminal.

 

Sending you a pm...

[scooters]

#skizzer - pm back your way old cheese - have decided to retain Scoobness, oil leak not yet fixed - had a poke yesterday and discovered that the washer bodge has already been attempted so new gaskets are the order of the day

 

crankshaft seal and crankcase seal need doing as well - might tackle the timing belt, water pump and tensioners whilst I am at it but beig a quad cam boxer it will be about as much fun as inserting a rusty phillips scredriver up my Jap's eye!

 

#Peter9000, I've had E34 with the larger 3.5 engine in the past - cracking car but TBH this example looks a bit hopeless - the vendor replied to y question about when the timing belt wass last done with - "It's a petrol engine" - so I think we'll leave it at that

 

#Felly - top tip, thanks buddy, wasn't aware Merc went off the rails that early! Explains a lot why the 80's W124s usually look mint whereas the 90s ones are often dogs

[scooters]

You 're thinking of scrapping the Scooby essentially for the sake of a pair of shock absorbers? Better the devil you know...

 

By the way, speaking of shocks, I am not sure of the precise model that you have, but onlineautomotive seem to have some cheapo Nipparts in stock...£28.43 each inc VAT (it just says 2.5 98-03 without specifying further details).

 

 

2.5 1996 Legacy onlineautomotive rear gas shocks coming in at £84quid each!

[cort16]

Scooterz, check this just up the road for £500. Mot and tax until June.

http://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-motorbikes/subaru-legacy-estate-lucx-2000-160000-miles-mot-and-tax-june-2012/92186802

[marcello-gandini]

I have no idea what the Audi is like - looks like a rebadges Passat

 

Incorrect.

[Cheggers]

I have no idea what the Audi is like - looks like a rebadges Passat

 

Incorrect.

 

Sorry, what's incorrect - that he doesn't know what it's like or that he thinks it looks like a Passat??