131mirafiori forum

Looking to buy a car (fed up with hiring :() for my trips back to the UK. The car would only do about 6,000 miles per year and 4,000 of those would be in Continental Europe on holidays in June and August. Looking at about a 2007 Car (Ex Fleet high mileage 80k ish bought at Auction). Criteria as follows:

1) Diesel with reasonable maintenance costs and good reliability.

2) A good motorway cruiser.

3) Roomy for the families holiday luggage.

4) Nothing BMW, Mercedes, 4WD, MPV or Japanese.

5) Budget ?4k to ?10k (must be good value within these prices).

6) Slightly interesting (optional). 8)

I know this isn't a 131 Topic; but your answers would be interesting. :)

If I was writing this in the 80's the answer would be simple 132, Argenta or 131 2.0L Estate ;D

Alfa 159

Simple one that - mondeo estate ST diesel - If youd said earlier I could have had a 58 plate - with all the toys on board for 6k - Mileage about 84K but with full ford service history - and new michelin boots -missed it now though - a friend an IT genius workks for ** a petro chemical industry - I will ask tomorrow if I see him if anything else is going - they do volvo d5 estates - or mondeos -but  they are right hand drive - still i will ask - good luck in your search

I want right hand drive and it deosn't matter if its Saloon, Hatchback or Estate

Volvo V70 D5 auto  ;)

I look after one of these....cracking car- was very impressed overall.

Thanks for the suggestions  8)

My original thoughts were:

1) Audi A6 2.0 TDI Saloon (Sensible Option)

2) Peugeot 607 2.0 Diesel Executive (Budget Option)

3) Alfa 159 1.9 Diesel

4) VW Passatt / Skoda Octavia /Superb (Too sensible option)

My heart wants the Alfa (I had a 1997 Alfa 155 1.8 Twin Spark many years ago).

However are there any question marks over reliability. Considering that it will be fairly high mileage and for much of the year it will be lying idle and then when pressed into service would be covering quite a lot of miles in a short period.

Does anyone own a high mileage 159 and has it given good serive.

my choice would be an audi a6 tdi ,reliable ,roomy and great value if you look around also great mile munchers  and along with all that you get the class of the audi badge  ;)

Thanks for everyone for the advice. I do fancy the 159 as for an Italian Car Fan I have had an amazing lack of Italian Cars. :(

I would be interested to know about peoples experiences with the 159 at high mileage.

I notice Jack that you have a 1982 Audi 100 GL 5E. You may be interested to know that my Dad had a Audi 100 CS 5E 1982 Y Plate (the last of that shape); he bought it when it was a year old and kept it until the beginning of 1989.

2 /3 years ago I saw the car in Chester looking like new. It's registration number is FMJ20Y. Do owners of these Audi's have meetings etc similar to 131 owners on this site.

I know this is an old topic and not a 131 Subject. However the Forum Members input would be highly useful  :). It is that time of year again when holidays are been considered and I really need a decent reliable cheap ex fleet car to be based in the UK. Last year I was working in the UK over the summer, so I had a series of Hire Cars. The best being an Insignia 160 SRI  ;) :D.

Of all the suggestions I am drawn to the Alfa 159 :) ;D. However I am concerned about the reliability :-\. Any experiences information as regards this would be useful.

I went to British Car Auctions a few weeks ago to look at a late 2007 159 2.4 Lusso Sportwagon. The note from the Auction Company stated that the car smoked  :-\. Minor bit of smoke may be acceptable for a Diesel that may need some filters changing. I think it had done about 70k.

However when it was started up and driven into the ring there were 2 (Twin Exhausts) Enormous Plumes of Smoke  :o :o pouring from the car. Naturally I didn't bid  :-\

It did concern me about buying one of these cars. Ideally I'd be after the 1.9 Diesel. Any Information or should I look for an Audi A6 TDI  ??? ???

Rob,

if I'd be an Englishman I'd strongly advocate buying something like this: http://www.ebay.de/itm/300671493508 - a superb, powerful, reliable and economic cruiser. (would be even tempted to import one of these to Germany, regardless of RHD).

As concerning high-mileage Alfas, I can only speak for the Busso V6 powered 166 (195k miles now) that runs flawless as far as the engine is concerned (needs a brake job and new front wishbones as well as a look at the central lock system). If you want a real Alfa, the 159 is not your car (all Fiat DNA, petrol engines from the GM shelf [Opel or Holden]  :o) - however, it looks pleasant.

Thanks Robert. I did consider Volvos, but it is really between the Audi A6 or Alfa 159. I am looking to spend a total of about ?8k including Auction Fees and any servicing / repairs it may require.

The Alfa 1.9 Diesel is favourite. It is just that reliability issue  ??? ??? I don't want to be stranded in the Middle of Europe on our summer holiday with the Wife and 2 Children and the Alfa smoking like a Power Station  >:( :'( ??? :o.

Have you done a research on www.alfaowners.com? This site is quite comprehensive and to my knowledge the guys there are very helpful (quite contrary to the German site www.aflisti.net where you find almost 100% jerks with bad manners). However, from the German forum I learn that the 159 Diesel engines are reliable (suffering sometimes from EGR problems like all modern Diesels) and are capable of high mileages. Hope this can assist you in making the right choice (as far as I'm concerned, you already know I am not an Audi man  ;) - although I did own two in the past: one 1976 Audi 80 LS and one 1987 Audi 100 Avant 5S).

Forza Alfa!  ;D

Get yourself a nice chrysler grand voyager, perfect cruiser and uses about 7 litres of diesel when cruising about 115kmh on highway. you get lot of room inside and it is reliable, i know it all first hand as it is my third voyager that i have and my has now 390000km on the clock and still runs fine wit no signs of too much wear. i drive it through all europe a lot. Best get one in about 2002-2004 year with manual transmission and 2,5CRD engine. if you intend go drive faster then about 120-130kmh on the highways then do not buy it as it will get broken much quicker and will not be reliable. those cars ware not meant to be driven faster.
The car is very comfortable and you will not feel tired even after 1000km trip.
The longest trip i made was 8000km in 5 days(Katowice(PL) - Stockholm(S) - Katowice(PL)- Marseille(F)- KAtowice(PL) and it was no problem.
Just change the oil every 10000km not like the user manual says 20000km.

An old subject I know, but worthy of an update and it also highlights some problems for those of us who spend the majority of time outside the UK.  :-\

I increased my budget to ?13k  :o and was just about to close the deal on a '10' plate Audi A4 TDI 136 SE Start Stop (thats the slower and lower tax economy version) so know getting too excited Simon because I know you just love this type of version  ;D :o ::) :D ;D

However, a call to my insurance company to get cover revealed that most insurers would not touch me because I am out of the country for more then 9 months of the year. Specialist Insurance would cost a fortune and would be difficult for the wife and I. Steve how do you cope with this (and your fleet of vehicles) spending most of your time in Qatar.

So its back to multiple hire cars / budget airlines and hassle this summer  ??? ???

Rob,
We own 5 (modified to 6 see below!) cars and a motorcycle:
1 x Ford Ka in UK and on wifes UK insurance. SAGA
1 x Mini Hustler Kit car in UK and on my UK insurance 'Lancaster' (maintains my UK no claims discount).
1 x 2009 Ford Fiesta in Spain on wifes insurance, 'linea direct' .
1 x BMW Z3 in Spain on my insurance, 'linea direct'.
1 x Fiat 131 in Spain (not currently insured).
1 x Harley 883R in Spain on My insurance 'Mapfre'
Im 50+ so insurance tends to be less than when i was in my younger days, not so sure why the insurance companies are penalising you for working out of the country, are they assuming you are driving the car out of the country, i do know when i worked offsore in the UK my premiums were high, thats because they expected the work hard play hard scenario of a 2 week 2 week rota to affect the way i was diving my cars! are you still looking for an orange 131? drop me a pm if so.

Too many cas ive gone and forgotten about the XR3i!
1984 XR3i in Spain on my Linea direct insurance.

In a previous life and as a UK based Motor Insurance underwriter, customers living overseas presented a higher risk to us compared with domiciled customers for reasons such as:

High likelihood of constantly swapping from driving on the left/right and the increased risk of "getting it wrong".

Not being available in the event of a court case where testimony from the policyholder could influence liability decisions.

The inherent moral hazard of paying less attention to local rules of the road/regulations if living overseas.

Also the "unknown" aspect of the risk - Never to be under estimated when actuaries are calculating premiums.

Having a portfolio of business with an insurer could help sway their opinion from an outright decline to acceptance but with additional terms and conditions. In my experience, it was generally an outright decline.  :(

I can see the point when living abroad outside of Europe.
However i live in Europe! And i have a residential address in England and Spain, when applying for insurance i give me current address in the country the car is to be insured for.
Any one driving in a foriegn country should make themselves aware of the rules of that country before getting behind the wheel, their are countries i have been to where i refues to drive.
Plenty of contries accept a UK driving licence, if the law of the land accepts the UK licence surely the driver shoukd not be penalised when getting insurance. other countries have local driving tests which require to be passed before being. Allowed to drive.
It would be interesting to ask other country members if they have experienced the reverse scenario ie a German Italian or French resident insuring a car in his home country when working overseas, do they get penalised, or is it only the UK!

Steve / Kev

Many thanks for the enclosed information :). It has been forwarded to the relevant department (namely the wife).

Hopefully she will reconsider her current opinion of 'Awful Husband who is looking for excuses not to buy an Audi in England'  ??? ???

Now I must get back to my logistical problems and the joy which is Ryan Air, EasyJet and Jet 2  :D :D.

Then the Hire Car(s)  :-\ :-\

 

Maybe this is because I am a foreigner and not deep into the subject, but:

- considering your budget of up to 13k GBP and the idea of taking not an Audi but, let's say, a powerful Volvo V70/S80/whatever that can be obtained for around 3k GBP, this leaves enough money for any insurance. Why limit it down to just one car maker???????

- when I was young, my cars were "officially" owned and insured by my dad, because premiums for young guys with a brand new licence here are very very high. Is this not possible in the UK to have a car insured by a relative? And take a written authority (hope this is the correct English term) with you, if be in several languages, stating you can use the car temporarily??????

This is how that issue could be handled in Germany. Do UK regulations really differ that much?

I've heard of this approach being adopted in both the UK and Ireland...and if you never have an accident ...then it rarely has negative consequences.

If there is an accident however...and the insurer discovers that the risk was mis-represented then there could be problems with payouts. When the consequences of a car accident can be so catastrophic it is generally unwise advice to try to "hoodwink" the insurance company.  :)

Kevin- i agree completely, the only way to ultimately get insurance costs down/stable is to tell the truth.
Unfortunately far too many whiplash victims!   about at the moment.
In my past experience i have always found it beneficial to tell the truth and in most cases if just changing wheel size or adding a tow bar etc insurance companies did'nt peanalise me.
Ive only made one insurance claim in my driving career (touch wood) and i benefitted from that by buying my car back, insurance man visited and wrote a perfectly good car off so that the garage where it was being kept could put it back on the road and make some money! (pre cat A B etc) little did they expect me to want to keep the car and put it back on the road myself, garage manager was mortified when i drove the car away (no mechanical damage only a dented front wing and door.)
A lot of drivers forget that after an accident the car still belongs to them and they can negotiate its return for a reduction in  any insurance payout.
As well as drivers 'hoodwinging' insurers, their are car accident insurance companies 'hoodwinking' accident victims.
 Be Honest Be Safe. 8)
Steve

Robert

The problem with the insurance, is that the costs are so prohibitive it makes the whole thing not viable.

The cost increase (?3k to ?13k) with the more expensive car is only really the interest I would be losing on the ?10k. With interest rates being painfully low the costs are very minor.

There would however be increased depreciation on a more expensive car. However as we planned to keep it for a number of years this wouldn't be a mjor noticeable annual cost. There is also the issue of reliability where a '10' plate car (even with a higher then average mileage (say 45-50k Miles) would be more reliable then a ?3k car.

With regards to the Audi only part. Well I am a huge fan of the new Audi range. Moreover this is an 'us car'. Us being the Wife and I. She wanted a BMW 3 Series Saloon and I wanted a Alfa 159 2.0 Lusso Sportwagon. The Audi was the best compromise. ;D :D

I have just done the deal on a '09 Plate' Alfa 159 JTDM Lusso. It is finished in Alfa Red with Black Leather Interior. Lusso being the Luxury Version  :) :).

I tried the TI Version (the more Sporty Type) but was put off by the Aluminium Backed Wing Mirrors, Drilled Metal Pedals, Ultra Low Profiles and slightly firm ride.

I did also try an Audi A4 2.0 TDI Sportline. I was put off by the unbelievably firm ride  :-\ :-\. I was not impressed with the interior of the SE.

Pictures of the new car to follow.... 

Well done Rob!  8) Looking forward to the pics.  ;D ;D ;D

Here's the pics sent in by email:

(http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff477/TheoKyriacou/Rob159/IMG-20120820-00124.jpg)

(http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff477/TheoKyriacou/Rob159/IMG-20120820-00125.jpg)

(http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff477/TheoKyriacou/Rob159/IMG-20120820-00126.jpg)

(http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff477/TheoKyriacou/Rob159/IMG-20120820-00127.jpg)

(http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/ff477/TheoKyriacou/Rob159/IMG-20120820-00128.jpg)

After 4 years I unlocked the shed .... eventually  ::) and got out all my old car cleaning gear and various polishes, leather feed / cleaner etc. I then spent a most enjoyable day giving it a full valet.

I am really enjoying the Alfa and reminds me in some respects of my old 131 Sport  :) ;D
Must be some 131 DNA in there somewhere  ;)

Simon

I see you have purchased another 5 Series  :o :o. You must surely like them :)