Hello!
I don't know how much experience you guys here have with station wagons overall but thought I'd ask the question in case you guys have any input that could help me in the right direction. I'm currently after a new car and have a few requirements. It needs to seat 5 people, be able to tow 2000kg and be somewhat sporty. Another thing I have as a requirement is self leveling suspension in the rear so the car doesn't squat like crazy when loaded and towing which my current car does. I also want it to be a newer car and for it to be as reliable as possible. I know the german cars aren't known for their reliability but I can't find anything else that meets my requirements as I don't want a SUV or truck at the moment. These cars I've mentioned are on the upper limit in terms of my budget. I also feel like a petrol engine suits me more than a diesel engine as I only drive roughly 6000km per year.
Which of these cars should I go for? Or should I go for something else entirely? And are these engine options the best ones for my needs or should I consider a less powerful engine as well for reliabilities sake etc? I did look into the Mercedes E-class as well but there's something in regards to the exterior design I don't really like. It's not completely out of question yet though in case it's the allround best option.
Any tips or tricks are greatly appreciated!
Location? Are diesel manuals an option?
These choices are a mechanics dream, expensive parts and very labor intensive maintenance 🙂 (things like cleaning the fuel injectors on that Volvo every 50,000km, changing the timing belt, or reprogramming new injectors when the old ones fail… you’ll make the mechanics day! and month!)
as much as I too love wagons, I advise you to reconsider “sporty” and maybe look at highlander or a landcruiser (a proper V8, not a “Prado” though - those are just crappy).
I'm in Sweden and a manual is not a problem as my current car is a manual. The main reason for why I'm primarily looking at a petrol is that I've read that they're more economical than a diesel in my case as I only drive roughly 6000km per year and only need to use it for towing roughly 6 times per year.
I'm aware that neither of these are known for reliability (except Volvo years ago) but haven't found anything else that seems interesting yet, hence the openness of my question. I plan on doing most of the work on the car myself but would prefer a car I don't have to work on constantly as I didn't become a mechanic for a reason 🙂 I'll look into the highlander and landcruiser as well as I'm open to suggestion.
@Dan can you copy and paste your answer into the ‘Your Answer’ box down below? Thank you.
I would look at something else than the ones you mentioned above. In terms of towing, 2000 kgs. is equivalent to 4400 lbs. (US). You are going to have to find something that is powerful enough to tow. My choice is try to find something with a V8 because you are looking into towing. V6s are powerful and but only a few engines can tow that much.
Yeah the 4 cylinder 2.0L on that Volvo will be turned to dust from that towing load…
And on that BMW, the N55 is the N55 - Vanos, terrible fuel system, it’s truly a Big Money Waster (aka BMW)
The Audi 3.0 ironically (Audi is known for crappy engines) might be the best choice but still when (not if) it breaks… it’s not going to easy or cheap
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i agree that for that kinda loads ya need either a V8 or a proper diesel.
I'm open for suggestions as I want something I don't have to wrench on all the time. Do you guys have any suggestions? Both V8 and proper diesel can be of interest, the main reason as to why I'm primarily looking for a petrol is that I've read that they're more economical than a diesel in my case as I only drive roughly 6000km per year and only need to use it for towing roughly 6 times per year
Also, what are the main failure points of the three mentioned? I've read that Audi in particular fixed a lot of issues of the A6 starting with the 2016 model. I don't doubt it as the germans aren't known for reliability and neither is Volvo lately but would appreciate concrete known issues etc. If there are any forum threads, videos etc in regards to this that would be greatly appreciated as well as I want to do an as educated choice of vehicle as possible 🙂
If you want a reliable transportation, you better off buying a SUV for your needs.
I'll start looking into SUVs as well then. Do you have anything in particular you would recommend based on my needs? Based on my license here in Sweden I'm able to tow up to 3500kg ( ~7700 lbs) and if I go with a SUV I'd prefer a reliable one as close to that limit as possible. The main reason for the 2000kg limit was that that's what I need atm and some station wagons can tow that much on paper but if I go up to a SUV I'd appreciate an even higher capacity 🙂 The reliability is more important than a 7700 lbs tow rating though!
Get highlander or of you need more towing capacity, consider land cruiser.
@TS1997 what cars are available in Sweden? Do they sell there Toyota LandCruisers or Toyota Highlanders with big petrol engines?
@Dan Both seems to exist here but there are only 2 Highlanders for sale (only 1 in my price range) on our main site for used cars whereas there are 30 LandCruisers for sale. The Highlandser has the 3.0 V6 and is from 03. Which year models and engines are the main ones I should look for and stay away from?
@TS1997 The 3.0L V6 was a good engine (MZ-series) but an '03 is very old for heavy use - The 4 speed automatic transmission will not be able to handle that load (the planetary gearset is known to wear out on these even with regular use) so the only transmission I'd recommend on that generation is the 5 speed auto.
I'd avoid any GR or AZ engine.