Volvo or Merc or BMW model?

[Mell74]

Hi guys,

I think this is the best time to own a conti car as the price been effortable for people like me. I recon this conti car such as Volvo 240SE/GLT or Merc 230E W123 or BMW 520i 80's model are worth to buy rather than buy Wira or Waja!
But again, as a person who never have a friend who own those car it quite difficult for me to determin which model is worth to buy that not going to make my pocket dry interms of maintenance and fc. If question been ask to mechanic, some of them pro Volvo and some of them pro Merc and Volvo.
Could any real owner of this brand can give a valuable input and help to resolve this conflic?

Thanks.

 

[Mell74]

Guys,

Am I in a wrong forum or I'm asking a wrong question? I just need some input, is it wrong or too much to ask for?

 

[mojam]

i currently drive a Volvo 760T.... a different drive than a 240.... for input for 240glt go to www.volvoclub.com.my.... for the other cars, that i'm not sure about.... can wait for them to reply for a better picture..... but for me... instead of getting a 240, jump to the 700 series.... or better yet 900...

 

[boggysv]

Has the C5 audi A6 ever crossed your mind? imho, the most luxurious of them all.

 

[Mell74]

Hi boogysv,
those model are expensive and I can't effort it! The latest Audi is eyes catching and will buy it if strike a lottery la....

Hi mojam,
the 740GLE has the same engine as 240SE right? Better be with the turbo or not? but what about the maintenance wise, is it more expensive compare to 240?

Thanks guys!

 

[Dino@Casper]

240SE i'm driving one... can anyone tell me where 2 find a chop shop for conti cars...

 

[Ingolstadt]

wats ur budget mell? RM20k ? RM30k ? RM40k? Audi A6 C4 costs RM30k++ , Audi A6 C5 costs RM100k. :)

 

[Mell74]

Bro,
my budget is way too low, we're talking budget car like Merc W123 (200 or 230E), BMW E28 and Volvo 200SE or GLT. Audi, I'm not too sure... someone who own Merc W126 (300SE) recomment me that but market price is still around RM20k, can't affort!

Thanks, bro.

 

[Ingolstadt]

My recommendation is this one, converted engine to RB20 Turbo, nissan engine.. reliable.. :D This is the best conti car which is good, affordable and still had the looks to kill.

 

[Mell74]

Bro,

This is great... I'll try to call. The problem is I'm far away from them! But I'll try to call, thanks.

 

[Mell74]

Ingolstadt,

Are you driving Audi? Which model? Can you tell it story coz Audi stories seldom been heard or told! I love the new Audi it's really a killer look!

 

[Ingolstadt]

I'm driving a 1997 Audi A4 1.8T. Bought it recently.

Audi, got really famous in the 80s when Audi integrated 4WD and racing, cos by then, 4wd were for industrial usage, farm tractors and so on, nothing to get associated with speed, Audi invented quattro, tuck it into the Audi Ur Quattro, raced rallys and wins almost every single race for 2 years consequtively, almost instantaniously, Audi is reknown for racing development... but the thing i like about Audis is not the racing legacy it has, ironically, i knew of its racing legacy after i've loved Audis for so long. What i love them actually contradicts to the recent new ones that were just launch. I love Audis for their understated looks, clean and clear cut designs that stand out of the crowd, but eventually it seems the'crowd' doesnt like this kinda styling, hence the new Audis looked garang, with head lamps that stare at you, and grills that almost 'roar' in sight.... to me, thats very BMWish. :)

 

[Mell74]

Bro,
thanks for the intresting info, what is the maintenance bill look like?

 

[Ingolstadt]

Maintenance wise, its just rumours that Audis are hard to maintain. The bad reputation of Audis were actually cause by Auto Dunia back in year 2000 to 2002, during then, Audi Ingolstadt wanted Auto Dunia to set up a big Hangar which is estimated to cost RM30 million, however Auto Dunia wasn't willing as its a big investment, hence Audi Ingolstadt decides to cut off their distributorship, knowing this will happen, Auto Dunia slashes the price of A4 1.8T to RM155k, from RM220k; attracting many buyers, but the ugly thing is, they overcharged heavily on almost everything, for example a pair of rear headlamps which now costs RM 280 per piece, was charged for RM1600 per piece ! and there's even an aunt of my friend who by then bought the A4, went for routine service and the bill came out with
RM32,000 ! claiming they've changed a very critical part of her engine, when she doesn't want to pay, Auto Dunia suggested that they will pay half of the bill which is RM18,000 because the car is still under warranty (they claim that part wasn't under warranty). This kinda bullshit turns many consumer away from Audis since then.

Ok, sorry for the long story, maintenance wise, an A4 costs almost the same as any other Jap makes and German marques, its the parts that are slightly more expensive, parts are abundant, you can find almost everywhere. The thing about Audis is that, you cannot neglect the car, for example if oil change were to happen every 5000km, you have to change them by then, they weren't as crazy as local cars whereby you can ignore the 5000km thingy and change it at 7000km, and for timing belt change, thou they claim 120,000km per change, do it at around 90,000km if you aren't a hard driver, or change every 60,000km for optimum condition. Lastly, A4's control arm was made of aluminium, being light and agile, it weren't as robust as steel parts, cos Malaysian road conditions was slightly worst than country roads of germany (hehehe) so the wear and tear is quite obvious.

Lastly, i Audis are just like any BMWs or Volvos, rides comfortably, and very long lasting provided you service them periodically. oh, Audi's are made galvanised steel, wont rust !

p.s. Since you're intending to get some 20 yr + contis that costs around RM10k++ means you gonna pay cash right? Why not opt for a 96/97 Audi A6 C4 and get loan? RM30k+ with a 7 year loan wouldn't end up much per month right? then use the 10k you have to slowly service it part by part... then you'd get urself a relatively modern conti, and one that rides damn smooth ! good luck in ur buy friend !

 

[boggysv]

not to mention autodunia not mentioning the arrival of the 1.8T when they were still selling the 1.8NA.

my family got awesomely pissed when we saw the 1.8T for sale just weeks after we got the 1.8NA

euromobil now has a crapload to do to revive the brand. Simply saying, anyone who can afford a new 325 can easily afford the new A4(which imho, is a better daily dar), but the "bmw" image in malaysia is just too strong.

 

[Ingolstadt]

my family got awesomely pissed when we saw the 1.8T for sale just weeks after we got the 1.8NA.

:cry_smile: now i felt awesomely pissed, someone offered his A4 B5 1.8T Avant for sale !! That is actually the model i'm looking for!! shit! Awesomely pissed now tha the Avant is available just weeks after i've purchased my sedan.... !! arghh~~~~

 

[Mell74]

Ingolstadt,
have this issues already settle? Reading the story make me scared... it more harder to make decision than buying a Merc or BMW!
But the new Audi really a killer, it really wipe off my mind of others name!

 

[Ingolstadt]

Ingolstadt,
have this issues already settle? Reading the story make me scared... it more harder to make decision than buying a Merc or BMW!
But the new Audi really a killer, it really wipe off my mind of others name!

Audi is now brought over here under Euromobil using AP, which they always claim they're better than Auto Dunia, however, i think they're just less of a bullshit because they're now monitored more closely, and that they're still new, give them a few years and these suckers will return the same i guess, moreover, the people who's now doing Audis once did Protons. How good can that be? Of course that i've meet some pretty sincere, nice sales person from Glenmarie Audi Hangars, but i've also met some cheeky big talker sales managers as well.

But, whats so fuss about? You aren't buying the latest ones are you? Go get any 2nd hand Audis and service your car at Old Klang Road Ever Auto, look for Alex, very nice person, and the shop next to Ever Auto stocks Audi parts.... no problem ! :)

 

[boggysv]

ingolstatd,
can I have the contact for the person selling the avant? details about the car please. please pm me


mell74,
if you want more choices, there is another workshop named "audible" which is near to "everauto" both have lots of audis parked outside and are easily identifiable.
and if you want to diy, see soon in jalan ipoh stocks a decent amout of parts. there is also another shop at jalan puchong, but Icant remember the name(it is more expensive hence I dont go there often)

 

[Mell74]

Bro, you mean like this model
AUDI 1 100 (A) 93 RM18,800. -, excellent cond, l/mileage, acc-free, full loan, d/payment RM"0", trade in welcome, view now., call 012-233 9877 (Loc. Sri Damansara)

Is it ok to have this or what? Anyway just to remind you guys, I'm in Penang! Thanks for the info!