Reply to: Girly question about Mercs

[original PM]

very true...

but if you are extoling the virtues of that fiat 1.9 jtd it works very well stuck in one of these

[Old Hack]

I've not been following this thread, but which Merc, why does it have to be a Merc (since a lot of them are RWD and you don't want RWD)?

If you want a well engineered saloon car, hatch or convertible, pretty much all the Audi range have quattro models.....

All the Mercs have 4 wheel drive....

Just not in the UK!

I find Audi's a tad dull, to be frank, although a few are nice. You are right though, a nice A4 quattro would do the work asked of it very well.

[DimPrawn]

I've not been following this thread, but which Merc, why does it have to be a Merc (since a lot of them are RWD and you don't want RWD)?

If you want a well engineered saloon car, hatch or convertible, pretty much all the Audi range have quattro models.....

[Old Hack]

Problem solved.

They tend to get a bit lairy over 70mph though, or my old one did...

[Sockpuppet]

I just hate the aggro in ice or snow, and I resented having to spend so much money on winter tyres when I drove a BMW.

OH thank you for that very comprehensive reply!

Problem solved.

[Old Hack]

I think you can get bigger engines for the panda 4x4 in CH and Italy; dunno if it's the 1.9 jtd and dunno how they fit the damned engine in them, but they haul all sorts of crap up mountains in them.

Top engine, that 1.9JTD, but I'd be surprised if it fitted. Their 1.3JTD is a top engine mind. FIAT are really on top of their games with regards to their engines.

[Mich the Tester]

As I have witnessed up the Gotthard Pass: an Audi A3 with winter tyres was perfect for the situation. An A3 3.2 quattro even better

I think you can get bigger engines for the panda 4x4 in CH and Italy; dunno if it's the 1.9 jtd and dunno how they fit the damned engine in them, but they haul all sorts of crap up mountains in them.

[Old Hack]

Panda 4X4

As I have witnessed up the Gotthard Pass: an Audi A3 with winter tyres was perfect for the situation. An A3 3.2 quattro even better

[Mich the Tester]

Panda 4X4

[SimonMac]

Just to clarify, I'm not after a 4wd particularly.

I just very definitely do not want a RWD.

You make a good point about the tyres though sas, yeah.

I think I'm probably going to go for a volvo.

Why not have a look at the Subaru Legacy, I'm on the process of buying one if I can find one I like and Portseven has just got one, nice and roomy, AWD but doesn't look like an soft roader, and pretty decent MPG

[Old Hack]

Do they deliver them with that fish on the back or is that an add-on extra?

The Polestar S60 comes with a devil

[Mich the Tester]

Which Volvo would you want to go for? They're canning the C30, which leaves the V40 and V50, I guess.

Do they deliver them with that fish on the back or is that an add-on extra?

[Old Hack]

Just to clarify, I'm not after a 4wd particularly.

I just very definitely do not want a RWD.

You make a good point about the tyres though sas, yeah.

I think I'm probably going to go for a volvo.

Sas is quite correct, but don't do a d000hg, and only put them on the front

In all seriousness, I leased a BMW 330i touring, and couldn't get out of the hamlet in the snow. I swapped it for a FWD Audi, and that was fine in the snow. But nothing beats winter tyres and 4wd.

The new CLA is tiny in the back, so I'd not recommend that. Which Volvo would you want to go for? They're canning the C30, which leaves the V40 and V50, I guess.

[MaryPoppins]

4WD is not a panacea for ice and snow. Can help dig you out if you're stuck.
But winter tyres are far more effective, especially for what matters: stopping distance.
I don't see why they should be expensive - I've got a set I paid £600 for.
I swap them out every summer and you end up with two sets of tyres that last twice as long.

Just to clarify, I'm not after a 4wd particularly.

I just very definitely do not want a RWD.

You make a good point about the tyres though sas, yeah.

I think I'm probably going to go for a volvo.

[sasguru]

I just hate the aggro in ice or snow, and I resented having to spend so much money on winter tyres when I drove a BMW.

OH thank you for that very comprehensive reply!

4WD is not a panacea for ice and snow. Can help dig you out if you're stuck.
But winter tyres are far more effective, especially for what matters: stopping distance.
I don't see why they should be expensive - I've got a set I paid £600 for.
I swap them out every summer and you end up with two sets of tyres that last twice as long.