[Ham09]

Hi all, you'll see that I have put the 335i up for sale in the classified section as I need to free up some cash.

I'm now looking at cheaper replacements to see me through the winter. I have quite fancied an Audi Quattro of some guise, like a MK1 TT (225), S3 or A4 1.8T. My cap is 6k and preferably less than 100k miles and newer than 2001.
Anyone owned any of these cars and have opinions on them?

[Dr Dave]

Be careful - these Audis can be moneysponges - drive couplings, camshaft drives, coilpacks, dual mass flywheels all give trouble and all cost mega-dollar to fix.

[Ham09]

Originally Posted by Dr Dave

Be careful - these Audis can be moneysponges - drive couplings, camshaft drives, coilpacks, dual mass flywheels all give trouble and all cost mega-dollar to fix.

Doh.. what what you suggest for around 6k? I think most cars in this price range & age are potential money pits really. I've seen half decent E36 M3's or the E46 M3 at 9k (over my budget I know) with under 100k miles on the clock. Hmmmmm. There is always the Vauxhall Vectra route but Zzzzz.

[toxicnerve]

Ford Focus ST?

Not that original or inspired but the handling is decent enough and they're fairly rapid.

[buckethead]

Originally Posted by Ham09

Doh.. what what you suggest for around 6k? I think most cars in this price range & age are potential money pits really. I've seen half decent E36 M3's or the E46 M3 at 9k (over my budget I know) with under 100k miles on the clock. Hmmmmm. There is always the Vauxhall Vectra route but Zzzzz.

if you looking at an e46 m3 why not a 330i they go on forever

but at 6k any car at is a gamble

[Ham09]

Originally Posted by buckethead

but at 6k any car a gamble

I like to live dangerously lol.

Yeah I had thought about the E46 330i too. Didn't think about the hot hatch route though.

[toxicnerve]

Originally Posted by buckethead

if you looking at an e46 m3 why not a 330i they go on forever

but at 6k any car at is a gamble

That depends on what it is. The more exotic/expensive it was at the beginning of it's life is an indicator as to how expensive it will be to continue to run and maintain.

Something like a standard 2.0 Mondeo Ghia at £6,000 shouldnt (you'd hope) present massive bills...unless something major goes. All the servicing/consumables should with reasonably priced.

It always makes me laugh when, for example, someone buys a 2nd hand 7-series. Then when something goes pop or needs sorting they are shocked that costs run into 4 figures very quickly even for minor issues.

My thought is simply that the car was probably near enough £100,000 to begin with...of course running/maintenance costs are going to be fairly astronomical.

[Tunechisback]

Mini cooper S?

[Ham09]

Originally Posted by JonnyCOUPE

Mini cooper S?

Noooooooooooooooo! lol

[E92BSM10]

Originally Posted by JonnyCOUPE

Mini cooper S?

It a girls car my sisters got one

[V330d]

01 130 Audi A4, cheap to run and should be reliable, also easy to sell on when needed

[buckethead]

Originally Posted by toxicnerve

That depends on what it is. The more exotic/expensive it was at the beginning of it's life is an indicator as to how expensive it will be to continue to run and maintain.

Something like a standard 2.0 Mondeo Ghia at £6,000 shouldnt (you'd hope) present massive bills...unless something major goes. All the servicing/consumables should with reasonably priced.

It always makes me laugh when, for example, someone buys a 2nd hand 7-series. Then when something goes pop or needs sorting they are shocked that costs run into 4 figures very quickly even for minor issues.

My thought is simply that the car was probably near enough £100,000 to begin with...of course running/maintenance costs are going to be fairly astronomical.

dont think his looking for a mondeo audi aronnd the £6000 mark are a nightmare ive had one clutch abs pump electrics only a A4 130bhp tdi
90000 miles only kept it 11months so glad to get rid of it

[toxicnerve]

Originally Posted by buckethead

dont think his looking for a mondeo audi aronnd the £6000 mark are a nightmare ive had one clutch abs pump electrics only a A4 130bhp tdi
90000 miles only kept it 11months so glad to get rid of it

No, I appreciate that, it was merely an example. For that kind of money my preference would be a maybe a Focus or a Golf. Anything else that is much bigger or "premium" could get expensive to run/maintain...

[E92BSM10]

Golf GTI

[m1bjr]

Renaultsport something, or maybe a 225 Megane
Any older Subaru

[rup]

Seat Leon, cheap Golf.

[ElegantSpoon]

The Audi TT would be my choice. Had one before and it was a great car!! Coil packs are an issue after a service and make sure the cambelts been done

[zltm089]

Type R!

[kdiz]

prob a golf gti or a type r would be best bet at 6k, not terribly slow and still nice to drive.

[Tippo]

Originally Posted by ElegantSpoon

The Audi TT would be my choice. Had one before and it was a great car!! Coil packs are an issue after a service and make sure the cambelts been done

+1

All you need to check for really is that the cambelt as been done around 60-80k, the haldex gearbox oil has been changed every 40k, put in a Forge DV and that should be it. Coil packs should have been changed on nearly all the effected cars now I reckon.

Find a local VAG specialist and common things like MAF/Coolant temp themostat and ABS sensor failures will cost not much to do, as they are VAG generic issues really not just TT.

[Ham09]

Thanks for the pointers everyone. Not been a big fan of the (bread van) Civic type-r but I hear the engines are bullet proof. The Integra type R looks a bit better IMO.

I'll see how quickly or not the 335i sells, then buy a £500 sh*t box with mot until I can locate something semi desent. Still have an inch for silver TT quattro. Whatever I pick a good local independant is a must.

Some day I will own an M3... just not today

[dxb335d]

Keep yours, drive it more carefully. Service is wisely and shop around for a better insurance quote.