Car Buying Dilema- Newish Skoda or Oldish Audi??

[MikeVR6 0]

I'm in a bit of a conundrum. Looking for a new family wagon. I've spent the last 10 days almost solid looking at cars online and calling Dealers. (I need to buy from far away in Germany)

I've come down to two candidates.

 

2006 Audi A4 Quattro S-Line Avant (Estate). 2.0Tsi Special Edition (220bhp Petrol)

Red

93k Miles

Long MOT - No TAX

Manual

Full Audi Dealer History

Full Leather

Bluetooth, Cruise Control, Multifunction Steering Wheel, Tints, Dual Climate, Parking Sensors. Only really missing Sat Nav

£6,000

 

2011 Skoda Superb 170BHP TD CR "Elegance" Estate, Diesel

Sumatra (Literally a Nutella colour, I know some hate it!) :)

138k Miles

1 owner (Lex Leasing) from new and FULL Skoda History. Last service 2k miles ago included CamBelt. All printouts from Skoda

Long MOT - No Tax

Manual 6 Speed

Full Leather

Fully Loaded. In addition to the Audi spec it has Auto Lights/Wipers, Puddle Lights, HID Headlights, Sat Nav.... etc etc etc

£8,000

 

I'm really leaning towards the Superb as it is much bigger, newer, the interior and exterior are mint (so are the Audi's). However, it is extremely high mileage for the year. I would want to remove the DPF, do an EGR delete and Economy remap immediately (I had big DPF issues with my last family car, hateful things!)

Now I don't do a lot of miles. I drive the Corrado most days and the Family car is really only used for shopping and family outings more than 30 mins drive away (We all love the Corrado). And I would keep the Skoda a long time. Long enough that the Age/Mileage would eventually equalize. Fuel economy is not a massive issue due to the miles we cover between the 2 cars. 5k per year per car.

But my good friend. Who is a VW Specialist Mechanic. Is pushing me towards the Audi. Lower miles, Petrol (less complicated), it's am AUDI!!

I like the Skoda a lot and it certainly has plenty of room, much more than the Audi. it's newer, still has a few months Skoda warranty left and is still the current model.

 

What experience do you guys have of these 2 cars? I've heard the 2.0 TSi is pretty bulletproof. But the 170 TDi has issues with injectors, oil pumps and engine blocks cracking. The real risk here is the outlay if anything is to go wrong with the car. I can't buy an extended warranty for either due to age on one and mileage on the other. Plus those warranties are a con normally IMO.

Driving enjoyment is a consideration. But I think outright motorway cruising is much more important. We do quite a few 5-8 hours drives around Europe throughout the year. Diesel is 20% cheaper than Petrol here in Germany too!

 

Any advice, anecdotes or witty remarks appreciated ;)

[pbradley98 0]

Does the Skoda have unlimited mileage on the warranty? Impressed if it's still under warranty with that mileage.

 

Am biased as have got an 05 A4 avant, which am a big fan of. Quattro handling is immense and I think in s line trim it looks way better than the super - b, but boot size is definitely small for the size of car, especially with two kids a a large dog! Our compromise is a roof box for the family holiday!

 

I think both will be solid cars, the a4 a bit more fun, the super b a bit more practical.

[n3p 3]

No experience of either, but I wouldn't buy a diesel if I were doing 5k miles a year, let alone a 138k one - DPF and whatnot puts me right off!

 

Mix of both - A6 maybe? If you did want a diesel though I'd probably check out E60 535D

[MikeVR6 0]

Does the Skoda have unlimited mileage on the warranty? Impressed if it's still under warranty with that mileage.

 

Am biased as have got an 05 A4 avant, which am a big fan of. Quattro handling is immense and I think in s line trim it looks way better than the super - b, but boot size is definitely small for the size of car, especially with two kids a a large dog! Our compromise is a roof box for the family holiday!

 

I think both will be solid cars, the a4 a bit more fun, the super b a bit more practical.

 

You're right. It's likely out of warranty after 100k miles. Or maybe less. I'll look into that. It was my own assumption.

My problem is my love for gadgets and the Superb is full of them. It makes the Audi look like a poverty spec motor. And I could get my full Geek on, adjusting things with VCDS until the wee small hours every weekend.

However, I believe the Audi is the more fun car and (probably) more robust. Every engine has its issues but the 2.0 Tsi seems pretty solid. I haven't driven the Audi yet. I have driven a Superb and it was smooth and sedate. A big comfy cruiser. But I have the Supercharged mental Corrado for FUN driving.

We have only one Toddler but this car will need to see us through the next addition to the family. Whenever he/she comes. And one kid already generates a lot of luggage!

 

 

No experience of either, but I wouldn't buy a diesel if I were doing 5k miles a year, let alone a 138k one - DPF and whatnot puts me right off!

 

Mix of both - A6 maybe? If you did want a diesel though I'd probably check out E60 535D

 

I've looked at A6's and they're also a possibility. Still big money for a 2006 with Nav and Leather though. And E60 Bimmers are mental prices. I don't like the dash layout either. I need an E61 "Touring" anyway and it would need to be the Facelifted post-2007 model. (I've spent a lot of time on research) ;)

The 5k miles we do in the Family motor are all over 30 mile trips. Normally longer. I learnt my lesson about modern diesels and town driving with a Mk5 tdi. Disaster!

My heart says Skoda. But my Head says Audi. I won't get the chance to drive the Audi but it's not far from my Mechanic mate. He'll go see it tomorrow. I have driven a similar Superb and it was very nice. But not something to throw into the twisties. Much too long!

Then there's price. £6k is ok. £8k is a stretch at the moment and really the most I could afford.

[MikeVR6 0]

Audi is also better in the snow. Especially with Winter Tyres, which are mandatory here in Germany.

I'm buying RHD by the way. Hence I can't get a car locally. Gotta do as much of the inspection process remotely as possible.

[MikeVR6 0]

Leaning towards the Audi now after doing some more research. It has only slightly higher than average mileage at 93k and is (probably) the more reliable, given age and mileage.

[Jim 2]

At the end of the day it's your choice. The Skoda sounds pretty good to me but does have more miles and costs more so the A4 seems the better value proposition. Though the Superb is an extremely nice car :)

[coullstar 0]

Octavia VRS an option? Massive boot and loads of room.

[MikeVR6 0]

Hadn't really looked at those. Good idea...

[corrado wannabe 12]

You dont really want the Audi sat nav to be honest....its sheeite! Doesnt allow you to put in a full postcode and ends up forcing you into the centre of the destination town/city if you dont know the address.

 

I have never been in a new Skoda, however having come from a 2006 A4 Avant Tdi170 and into the 2012 A5 sportback, the interior is like night and day, the B7 A4's feel really dated inside, although are still a really nice place to sit.

 

Agreeing with what has been said earlier, I had so much problems with my TDI I dont think I would ever go back to diesel, especially if I was only doing the low miles you are. I would reckon at 130k the Skoda may start to see some of the Tdi issues start to materialise. Mine was going to pot after 70k!

 

As has been said, loading area although flat and straight sided, is not big in the Avant considering its an estate, but it is a good looking car. This was mine here:

 

http://www.audi-sport.net/vb/audi-s4-a4-a4-cab-b7-chassis/126367-my-a4-avant.html

 

http://www.audi-sport.net/vb/audi-s4-a4-a4-cab-b7-chassis/133044-rs4-black-optics-grill-lava-grey-pics.html

 

Hope this helps

 

Dougie

Edited June 27, 2014 by corrado wannabe
Spooling mistakes

[KipVR 1]

I'm so happy to be getting rid of my diesel mk5 140, did everything brilliantly except provide me with a smile. I only bought one because I was doing a crazy long commute. Given that you are only doing 5k a year, you will never get the extra back you paid for the diesel. Now the most reliable car I've ever owned is a 2003 330i touring, bought on 63k now on 129k, and it's just a big lump with no extra valves or turbos to cause problems. Despite the extra fuel cost (24 mpg) when you take depreciation and servicing into account, it's been the cheapest car to own, and I love driving it.