Discussion
Hello!
I have a little problem, I don't know which car too choose.
I have a budget of about £3k for a car and I do about 400 miles a week mostly motorway.
I'm looking for a smaller car than my current Nissan Primera Estate, something as big as a 206.
The main criteria would be able to cruise at 80mph on motorway easily, I want to be able to do the maintenance myself, so no big fat computer controlling everything like in the Primera, cheap to run and the seat needs to be able to fold down. I have a toy, Caterham 21, so I don't need something "sporty" I only need something which is comfortable and easy to drive.
Which french car could you recommend for that type of money?
Cheers
Jack
I have a little problem, I don't know which car too choose.
I have a budget of about £3k for a car and I do about 400 miles a week mostly motorway.
I'm looking for a smaller car than my current Nissan Primera Estate, something as big as a 206.
The main criteria would be able to cruise at 80mph on motorway easily, I want to be able to do the maintenance myself, so no big fat computer controlling everything like in the Primera, cheap to run and the seat needs to be able to fold down. I have a toy, Caterham 21, so I don't need something "sporty" I only need something which is comfortable and easy to drive.
Which french car could you recommend for that type of money?
Cheers
Jack
Problem is anything you buy now even the diesels are computer controlled!
For that money i would have to say a 306 or Xsara HDi, its a bit bigger than the 206 so should be a little more comfortable. And as there are lots about it should be easy to get parts for and all the engine needs is regular servicing.
For that money i would have to say a 306 or Xsara HDi, its a bit bigger than the 206 so should be a little more comfortable. And as there are lots about it should be easy to get parts for and all the engine needs is regular servicing.
Anything with a HDi, though the older Tdi 1.9 engine might be better. Not quite so great on economy on motorway cycles, but tons easier to work on/maintain/repair/costs...
Suppose it depends how tight fisted you are really. Hdi is better in lots of other ways, like ABS/airbags/appearance/brakes/refinement etc as they came on later better equipped cars generally.
Dave
Suppose it depends how tight fisted you are really. Hdi is better in lots of other ways, like ABS/airbags/appearance/brakes/refinement etc as they came on later better equipped cars generally.
Dave
The smaller HDi engines suffer from pump failure, i know someone with a 1.4 HDi who had 2 pumps in a year, and from others i have heard have similair problems. The 2 litre engines dont seem to suffer with this. You may be better off getting the earlier 1.9 D Turbo 206 if thats the size of car you are looking for.
regarding the performance, economy between the old 1.9td and the newer 2.0 HDI
Is there a lot of difference?
What are the service schedule on the 1.9 and 2.0 HDI? Any thing in particular which goes wrong? head gasket? turbo failing?
On the 206 does the back seat can be folded flat?
Thanks for the help
Jack
Is there a lot of difference?
What are the service schedule on the 1.9 and 2.0 HDI? Any thing in particular which goes wrong? head gasket? turbo failing?
On the 206 does the back seat can be folded flat?
Thanks for the help
Jack
Jack_and_MLE said:
regarding the performance, economy between the old 1.9td and the newer 2.0 HDI
Is there a lot of difference?
What are the service schedule on the 1.9 and 2.0 HDI? Any thing in particular which goes wrong? head gasket? turbo failing?
2.0 Hdi and 1.9 Tdi are about equal standard, the Tdi is a little more laggy but revs more freely, the Hdi is more punchy at sub 2000rpm but feels strained over 3000rpm.Is there a lot of difference?
What are the service schedule on the 1.9 and 2.0 HDI? Any thing in particular which goes wrong? head gasket? turbo failing?
Tune either (remap on the Hdi, or a mechanical pump adjustment on the Tdi) and both get around the same mpg but are much quicker (90 > 120bhp)...
Pretty much equal there, it really is a case of how much you want to spend.
As for what goes. Pretty tough really, main thing is coolant. Keep it fresh and a good radiator, and make sure the waterpump/cambelt are all healthy and they should go forever.
Tdi can suffer from a worn pump but they are relatively easily replaced/reconned.
Hdi can suffer pump failures, one in tank and one on engine, lots to fix, but I've heard it's more down to running them very low on fuel all the time.
Tdi is cheaper to maintain in that regard, Hdi a little more, but again it just depends how much your happy to spend.
Hdi engines generally come in newer lower mileage cars, which are generally more expensive anyway.
I did about 30k in a Tdi 405 Peugeot without any significant issues bar the radiator going, just after I got it I did a coolant change and it cleared out the radweld
A few other small niggly issues but nothing major. Cambelt cheap and easy to do... engines so common in 90's cars there are tons of parts around and new bits are cheap.On about 20k in a Hdi 306 now, noticeably more expensive to maintain or correct if you have issues, but hardly silly money.
Really is down to how tight you are with wanting to save money
Dave
Cheers Dave
From what you are saying the TDi is probably better for my needs.
I'm really going to do only motorway with that car so I will rack up the miles quite quickly.
I know about coolant and radiators as I also own a Caterham powered by a K!
What do yuo mean by: a mechanical pump adjustment on the Tdi? and who could do it? What might the cost of having it done?
is there a website where I could get more info about the different trims of the 206?
Cheers
Jack
From what you are saying the TDi is probably better for my needs.
I'm really going to do only motorway with that car so I will rack up the miles quite quickly.
I know about coolant and radiators as I also own a Caterham powered by a K!
What do yuo mean by: a mechanical pump adjustment on the Tdi? and who could do it? What might the cost of having it done?
is there a website where I could get more info about the different trims of the 206?
Cheers
Jack
Jack_and_MLE said:
Cheers Dave
From what you are saying the TDi is probably better for my needs.
I'm really going to do only motorway with that car so I will rack up the miles quite quickly.
I know about coolant and radiators as I also own a Caterham powered by a K!
What do yuo mean by: a mechanical pump adjustment on the Tdi? and who could do it? What might the cost of having it done?
is there a website where I could get more info about the different trims of the 206?
Cheers
Jack
Not sure the Tdi engine came on the 206, but Parkers has this list...From what you are saying the TDi is probably better for my needs.
I'm really going to do only motorway with that car so I will rack up the miles quite quickly.
I know about coolant and radiators as I also own a Caterham powered by a K!
What do yuo mean by: a mechanical pump adjustment on the Tdi? and who could do it? What might the cost of having it done?
is there a website where I could get more info about the different trims of the 206?
Cheers
Jack
http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/specs/data.aspx?mode...
Looks like just a 1.9D, not Tdi, and I think it's a 1.9D based off the Hdi engine (DW), not the older XU engine type.
So it's either 206 2.0 Hdi or 1.9 Tdi 306??
The pump on the Tdi is tuned manually. You can do it all DIY if your handy with a spanner and things, or find someone to do it, so maybe £50. Not really that hard if your happy to do stuff on a car.
The Hdi is easily remapped for £200 to 120bhp and 200lbft. Really is worth doing. I drive my 306 quite hard and manage 43-44mpg, but fellow owners who do motorway miles manage 50mpg on remapped engines. My 405 Tdi doing motorway miles on the other hand never really got much over 44mpg irrespective, so the Hdi does pay off on the economy side if your doing steady miles!
The extra power really does transform the cars though. Go from 70bhp/tonne > 105-110bhp/tonne is quite a jump, matching a standard ST TDCi Mondeo which is considered a brisk derv, going from really too slow to fast enough for daily use/overtaking etc...
Dave
Edited by Mr Whippy on Friday 13th July 11:44
www.pug306.net is pretty good for the diesel 306's
Since it shares it's engines with all the other cheap french diesels (XUD9 and DW10 engines) then they will all be happy to help there I think
Dave
Since it shares it's engines with all the other cheap french diesels (XUD9 and DW10 engines) then they will all be happy to help there I think
Dave
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