Buying a new diesel

[loader]

Hi all
I have been looking on the web at price of diesel cars and wondered what peoples opinions are on a couple of things.

1. First off would you rather buy an car a couple of years old with say 60-70K or a car that was 5-6 years old with lower mileage and why?

2. I have put together a list of likely suspects that I am interested in if anybody has any prefrence to one or other feel free to air an opinion.

BMW 320 d E90 shape
Audi A4 2.0 tdi
Saab 9-3 1.9 tid 150 vector sport
Alfa GT 1.9 jtdm 16v Mjet 150Bhp
Ford Mondeo ST TDCI

Any other suggestions much appreciated.

Apologies for all the questions
Loader

Edited by loader on Wednesday 2nd February 21:18

[loader]

Any help much appreciated

[vryes]

Octavia vRS Diesel

[300bhp/ton]

loader said:

Hi all
I have been looking on the web at price of diesel cars and wondered what peoples opinions are on a couple of things.

1. First off would you rather buy an car a couple of years old with say 60-70K or a car that was 5-6 years old with lower mileage and why?

2. I have put together a list of likely suspects that I am interested in if anybody has any prefrence to one or other feel free to air an opinion.

BMW 320 d E90 shape
Audi A4 2.0 tdi
Saab 9-3 1.9 tid 150 vector sport
Alfa GT 1.9 jtdm 16v Mjet 150Bhp
Ford Mondeo ST TDCI

Any other suggestions much appreciated.

Apologies for all the questions
Loader

Edited by loader on Wednesday 2nd February 21:18

Something with a V8, TVR or Vette maybe.



HTH

[Kevin VRs]

I would go for the Saab from that group, or an Octavia VRs (170)

[_bondy_]

From my experience the Mondeo ST TDCI was a very good car - except for its appetite for expensive injector and EGR related issues around that sort of mileage...

[northandy]

How many miles are you planning to do?, how long do you want to keep it?.

I would say if you look at 3 series make sure you get one with sport seats, the basic and se seats are a bit flat and unsupportive IMO.

[Skodaku]

Volvo S60 or S80 with the 185bhp D5 lump. Best seats in the business and almost invisible at speed.

[loader]

Hi I do about 16k a year in it going to and from work. I plan on keeping it at least 5 years. What do you all think about buying a newer car (3 years old max) with 60-70k with higher mileage compared to the older cars (5-6 years old with say 40k) with lower mileage.

[loader]

Also it should do around the 45mpg or better mark

[blearyeyedboy]

Loader- I used to run an auto Saab 9-3 diesel. Well, its Cadillac BLS clone, but that's another story... essentially the same car.

I did enjoy it. It was a great cruiser but the auto drank fuel. 40mpg on a long run was about normal, which isn't much better than what I now get in my *petrol* Octavia vRS. Servicing was expensive too. I'd go for a manual which would be good for 5mpg better.

The Alfa uses the same GM/Fiat diesel engine as the Saab.

Off your list? I'd take the BMW if you don't mind the lack of boot space, or as suggested before the Octavia vRS if you want to put a lot of stuff in the boot and not drive an estate.

[northandy]

With the newer diesels you will get better mpg, with the 3 series the 163hp engine is not as economical as the 177hp efficient dynamics. I have the newer engine in a 1 series and it does 52-55mpg.

I'd be tempted with a newer car with higher miles.

[Ecurie Ecosse]

Be sure to check out the 123d. Great fun to drive, very little lag and no drop off towards the red line.

[Hell27]

loader said:

Hi all
I have been looking on the web at price of diesel cars and wondered what peoples opinions are on a couple of things.

1. First off would you rather buy an car a couple of years old with say 60-70K or a car that was 5-6 years old with lower mileage and why?

2. I have put together a list of likely suspects that I am interested in if anybody has any prefrence to one or other feel free to air an opinion.

BMW 320 d E90 shape
Audi A4 2.0 tdi
Saab 9-3 1.9 tid 150 vector sport
Alfa GT 1.9 jtdm 16v Mjet 150Bhp
Ford Mondeo ST TDCI

Any other suggestions much appreciated.

Apologies for all the questions
Loader

Edited by loader on Wednesday 2nd February 21:18

Don't apologise, people like reading and responding to posts, makes the grey matter tick over.

1. In my experience, depends on condition, but with a caution. in 2005, I bought a 2001 Mondeo 2.0 Zetec, fully loaded, 77k miles, FFSH, 1 owner. £3800 for a sub 100K popular estate, bargain. Here's what went wrong:
Cat - £160.00 at Kwik fit.
Clutch / Dual Mass Flywheel - £750.00 Mr Clutch
Some gubbins with the cooling system - £120.00 (but for a £5.00 part), competitive local garage
Cat detected by engine warning light, took to Ford, £560.00.

In 2004, bought a '99 Volvo V40. 1 owner, FSH, 59,000 miles. Here's what went wrong with it:


There's thousands of great cars out there, but research common faults and be aware. If I'd known the dual mass flywheel / clutch was a common issue with the Mondeo, might have exercised more caution. Or not, it was a great car other than the issues.

To summarise the point, depends on what I was using the car for. If it was a 5 year + keeper P&J, I'd happily get an older example, but scour for a good one. If it was transport, if it ran ok, I'd consider a 150,000 newer car.

2. In your list, I've driven the e90, and the Alfa and the Mondeo (Alfa and Mondeo 2.0 petrols)
I'd go for the e90 in a heartbeat if size was not a consideration. If size was important, I'd add the Audi A6 Avant and Volvo V70 D5 to the list.
The Saab, however has very good paper performance figures, so worth a look. However, if you are after a good all round package of size, performance, value for money and driving dynamics, add the Octavia VRs 2.0 TDi to the list. There's a very good and informative thread going at the moment about them, they are getting rave reviews.