Insigna CDTI 160 v Mondeo TDCI v Passat Bluemotion

[lesstatt]

OldGermanHeaps said:

I had an insignia on an 09 plate new as a company car, in 100k it broke down somewhere in the region of 24 times, and had to be recovered 8 times for various engine faults, and it felt really tired by 105k and 3 years when it went back. One of my colleagues had an 09 that was similar. Other guys got 11 plates and newer and had very few problems with them and they were much nicer to drive with a few miles on them so i suspect vauxhall started to get their st together. Sti 160 is a nice place to sit, sat nav is ste though not as good as a tomtom. The electric handbrakes are utter ste. One of my colleauges ones rolled down a hill and hit an hgv that was going flat out, torn the car in half. I was sitting parked in a pool car, key out, no feet on the pedals reading my ipad, never touched anything or moved and i heard the whirr from the back axle and the handbrake released itself without me touching it. ,
Mondeos have been hit or miss quality wise too.

Same happened to mine it rolled away into a hedge in a car park one day. Also loads of problems with the sat nav freezing, heated seats not working and small things that are very annoying. The radio used to turn itself on randomly anywhere and anytime, they couldn't find out why at all. Mechanically it went to 130k in 4 years and only needed a clutch at 110k, it was a 60 plate elite. Put me off Vauxhall for life I'm afraid.

[tr7v8]

Only driven two of these & both as hire cars. The Isignia isn't bad but the bloody indicators would put me off. A petrol 1.8 struggled on Newcastle hills as well. The Passat, I agree with others here, VAG cannot do ride & handling. Steering wasn't great either. Also the black somber interior made me feel like suicide after an hour. The electric handbrake, absolutely crap, the one on my Jag was intuitive & just worked. The Passat one was the complete opposite.

[greenarrow]

BUMP** Update**

In the end I held onto my 2005 Mazda 6 2.0 TS, as it was running so sweetly at 130K miles, never went wrong etc, that for a twice a week 95 mile each commute it wasn't worth changing it. However, a new contract looms, Bournemouth area to Reading, every day potentially, so I am back looking for a comfy diesel...

Vauxhall currently have 0% finance on USED cars, so I can get a 2011 Insigia for about £7K and spread the cost out.

Alternatively, I am really drawn to a few 2008/9 Mondeo TDCI Titanium X's I have seen! They're around £4K with 100K miles and you get loads of kit. Having seen a 2008 model advertised locally with 260K miles on it, they clearly can take the miles. I cant help thinking these would be brilliant at soaking up the miles and also double up as a great family wagon....

The 2007/8 Passat can be had for similar money, but opinion is divided on the reliability of the PD engines....

Questions really..is it risky buying a 100K mile example, or even the 160K one I saw for £2495? What tends to fall off, go wrong at the 100K mark? Does the suspension hold up ok. I am thinking that an older car is maybe better, because I will be putting around 2500 miles a month on it up and down motorway which would kill the residual value of a newer car.

That said, last weekend got tempted by a 2016 Insignia 2.0 CDTI 140 Energy. £11500, 10K miles, basically half price for an ex-demo car....it sold after one day!

So, as ever, any advice from you guys is welcome!!

Edited by greenarrow on Thursday 2nd February 09:29

[Loyly]

A mate of mine has picked up an ex demo Insignia estate recently. It makes the old Octavia he got rid of look like a fking piss pot. I quite like it, it's certainly got the feel of something that was made to slug it up and down the country.

[ZX10R NIN]

The Mondeo is a good choice our 2.2 Titanium X Sport pool car is well past 160k & wearing well, I'm not sure where you are in the country but if you don't mind travelling you can gat a lower mileage Mondeo for you outlay.

2008 Mondeo Titanium X 53k FSH

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

As above but an Estate 48k

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

2009 Insignia SRI 160bhp 43k
not as well spec'd as the Ford's which for me would make a difference when doing 20k+ per year

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Are the Insignia's on offer are newer & lower mileage than the above then they may be worth a look especially with 0% finance but I'd rather keep the 2-3k saving in my pocket.

The closer you are to 100k+ miles the more suspension components will be closer to wearing out but as you can see you can buy a low mileage car as it get around 100k sell/trade it in for another with around 50k on the clock & repeat the process.

[greenarrow]

ZX10R NIN said:

The Mondeo is a good choice our 2.2 Titanium X Sport pool car is well past 160k & wearing well, I'm not sure where you are in the country but if you don't mind travelling you can gat a lower mileage Mondeo for you outlay.

2008 Mondeo Titanium X 53k FSH

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

As above but an Estate 48k

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

2009 Insignia SRI 160bhp 43k
not as well spec'd as the Ford's which for me would make a difference when doing 20k+ per year

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Are the Insignia's on offer are newer & lower mileage than the above then they may be worth a look especially with 0% finance but I'd rather keep the 2-3k saving in my pocket.

The closer you are to 100k+ miles the more suspension components will be closer to wearing out but as you can see you can buy a low mileage car as it get around 100k sell/trade it in for another with around 50k on the clock & repeat the process.

Two of those cars are petrol unfortunately, which is no good. I may as well keep my current n/a 2 litre Mazda 6 rather than trade for Mondeo with the same engine!

Insignia is a good price. I am in Bournemouth area and sadly nothing like that mileage or price anywhere local!!!

However, re suspension, my feeling is that if you buy a car where there are no suspension advisories on the MOT, even if it has 100K miles on it, the motorway mileage I am doing is unlikely to stress it too much further? Would that be fair? My experience is that the dampers themselves are still pretty good well past 100,000, its stuff like bushes that wear out and cause soggy handling.

I changed the front dampers on My Mazda 6 just before Christmas, to see what difference it would make. The car had done 128K miles at the time. Truth be told, it hasn't really made that much difference. More control on fast roundabouts, but now I have a little more understeer in tight turns, as the front end is stiffer than it was!

[daemon]

ZX10R NIN said:

The Mondeo is a good choice our 2.2 Titanium X Sport pool car is well past 160k & wearing well, I'm not sure where you are in the country but if you don't mind travelling you can gat a lower mileage Mondeo for you outlay.

2008 Mondeo Titanium X 53k FSH

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

As above but an Estate 48k

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

2009 Insignia SRI 160bhp 43k
not as well spec'd as the Ford's which for me would make a difference when doing 20k+ per year

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Are the Insignia's on offer are newer & lower mileage than the above then they may be worth a look especially with 0% finance but I'd rather keep the 2-3k saving in my pocket.

The closer you are to 100k+ miles the more suspension components will be closer to wearing out but as you can see you can buy a low mileage car as it get around 100k sell/trade it in for another with around 50k on the clock & repeat the process.

As has been pointed out - the two mondeos are petrol?

What year was your works Mondeo?

[ZX10R NIN]

Ours is a 2010 model, no idea why petrols came up on my search sorry about that.

2007 Titanium X 2.0D 79k

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

same as the above

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

With regards to the suspension I was talking about bushes etc as you said dampers will still be okay depending on useage. That Insignia is around 90-120 minutes away from you & is surely worth a look if you can't find anything close to it.

[daemon]

ZX10R NIN said:

Ours is a 2010 model, no idea why petrols came up on my search sorry about that.

2007 Titanium X 2.0D 79k

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

same as the above

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

With regards to the suspension I was talking about bushes etc as you said dampers will still be okay depending on useage. That Insignia is around 90-120 minutes away from you & is surely worth a look if you can't find anything close to it.

Is that 2.0TDCI engine not the one with injectors that cost a fortune to replace when they go wrong?

Not that Insignias are without their faults - DMFs are a common failure for one thing.

[greenarrow]

daemon said:

ZX10R NIN said:

Ours is a 2010 model, no idea why petrols came up on my search sorry about that.

2007 Titanium X 2.0D 79k

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

same as the above

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

With regards to the suspension I was talking about bushes etc as you said dampers will still be okay depending on useage. That Insignia is around 90-120 minutes away from you & is surely worth a look if you can't find anything close to it.

Is that 2.0TDCI engine not the one with injectors that cost a fortune to replace when they go wrong?

Not that Insignias are without their faults - DMFs are a common failure for one thing.

Someone can correct me if I am wrong, but I think it is the Mk3 TDCI that is better known for injection failures, along with pretty much guaranteed DMF failure at any point beyond 80K miles and also problematic EGR valves. I think the Mk4 uses a PSA engine and on the whole has been more reliable (so far) than the Mk3 became, as the miles mounted up.

Since travelling many miles only to be disappointed by poorly described cars some years ago when changing my car, I try to look within a 10-25 mile radius for a car these days. That Insignia DOES look promising and is almost suspiciously cheap tbh, for the mileage - but its a fair trip and a four door as well I think. I don't see the point of hatchbacks which have been designed as such and then sold as a four door! Also (and I maybe ultra fussy here) the MOT history doesn't give the impression that the car has particularly been cared for by its owners!!!

Edited by greenarrow on Thursday 2nd February 18:19

[ZX10R NIN]

The Mazda is supposed to have timing chain problems in truth it depends on the car & how it's been treated the injectors are around £150 each, forgot to say OP ours is a 2.2 model.

[greenarrow]

ZX10R NIN said:

The Mazda is supposed to have timing chain problems in truth it depends on the car & how it's been treated the injectors are around £150 each, forgot to say OP ours is a 2.2 model.

Yeah, the Mk2 diesel has timing chain issues and I wouldn't buy one unless it had been done. I have a petrol mk1 and I've never heard of a timing chain snap on a Mk1.

I'd quite like a 2.2 diesel Mondeo, but they do fetch a premium and tbh I don't value the extra poke that much to pay the extra £1000 or so they fetch, year on year over a humble 140 TDI.

Actually talking of 2.2 diesels there's a late model Mk3 for sale near me with only 60,000 miles. Trader wants £3495 for it, which is strong money for a Mk3, but the MOT history is good. I am just not sure I would risk one if its still on original clutch and DMF!! Also, they are starting to look and sound dated, where as the Mk4 still seems a reasonably fresh car with better refinement. All IMHO obviously! Thanks for your help!

[ZX10R NIN]

You could always map the 140bhp version I understand what you mean about travelling but I've had to travel to get everyone of my cars (& traveled to some rubbish ones to) & I'm happy I did, also waiting until March when another crop of ex lease cars hits the market is also a good call.

[Jag_NE]

there is a citroen c5 saloon in black, exclusive trim (air suspension), auto box, 60k miles on autotrader for 6k.

it would be an absolutely sublime cruiser, i understand the engine is similar/same as the Mondeos?

borrow 7, buy the car for 6 and have a 1k repair fund.

[greenarrow]

A Citroen C5 appeals in some ways as being different. However, I need a reliable daily driver for my commute; As a Contractor I don't get paid if I take time off and therefore putting aside money for the inevitable "days off road" isn't really a starter! Not to say a Mondeo wont go wrong, but the evidence of people on my thread suggests you'd be unlucky to get a really bad one.

Returning to the Mondeo. Another Q. For the same money, would you go pre 2010 facelift, but higher spec Titanium X with toys, or the newer car, say a 2010 Zetec with similar miles..?

I am not really that clued up on what changed with the mid life refresh, other than on paper fuel efficiency and lower Co2 ratings from 2010 on....

My feeling is the higher spec comfier car might be preferable for big miles.....

[Whistle]

As said before I have a 2013 titanium x sport 2.2.

Last week I drove to London did a four hour job then drove home, about 450 miles round trip.
It just eats the miles without any issues.

[ZX10R NIN]

greenarrow said:

A Citroen C5 appeals in some ways as being different. However, I need a reliable daily driver for my commute; As a Contractor I don't get paid if I take time off and therefore putting aside money for the inevitable "days off road" isn't really a starter! Not to say a Mondeo wont go wrong, but the evidence of people on my thread suggests you'd be unlucky to get a really bad one.

Returning to the Mondeo. Another Q. For the same money, would you go pre 2010 facelift, but higher spec Titanium X with toys, or the newer car, say a 2010 Zetec with similar miles..?

I am not really that clued up on what changed with the mid life refresh, other than on paper fuel efficiency and lower Co2 ratings from 2010 on....

My feeling is the higher spec comfier car might be preferable for big miles.....

Personally I always go with spec before newness so I'd go for a pre facelift Titanium X over a Zetec.

[willmagrath]

My dad had the insignia 160. It wasn't very reliable tbh, lots of dpf issues, even with high mileage. A colleague of mine also had one, the water pump one day, subsequently rendering the car almost worthless. Get the mondeo.

[PaulV]

I have a 2008 Mondeo 2.2 TitX (with nav)
Just passed 150k this week, had it four years now since 90k.

Newbury to Reading J11 daily, plus assorted longer runs.

So far:-
New rear bushes }
Turbo oil feed pipe replaced (smokey regens - turbo off job) } £600
Intercooler -> intake pipe split (£40 new one)
Cam belt £200 (10y / 125k)

I do an oil/filter change every 10k, fuel filter every 20k.

Other than tyres and brakes, nothing much goes wrong other than the steering buttons don't always work.

Get around 40mph

Is a good car.

[greenarrow]

PaulV said:

I have a 2008 Mondeo 2.2 TitX (with nav)
Just passed 150k this week, had it four years now since 90k.

Newbury to Reading J11 daily, plus assorted longer runs.

So far:-
New rear bushes }
Turbo oil feed pipe replaced (smokey regens - turbo off job) } £600
Intercooler -> intake pipe split (£40 new one)
Cam belt £200 (10y / 125k)

I do an oil/filter change every 10k, fuel filter every 20k.

Other than tyres and brakes, nothing much goes wrong other than the steering buttons don't always work.

Get around 40mph

Is a good car.

So probably about £1000-£1200 in replacement parts in 4 years and 60,000 miles is pretty good and I doubt its depreciated massively in that time...Certainly cheaper than leasing.....

A 2.2 Titanium X close to me popped up on Gumtree yesterday, seller wants £4700 and its on 88000 miles I think. Tempted to go and have a look. MOT history is very good, only one advisory I think in its entire history....will need a cambelt next year however as 2008 model.

Can someone confirm for me please, is the 2.0 TDCI cam belt or chain? I seem to get conflicting info on the 'net.