What 3k diesel estate?

[white_goodman]

My dad retired last year and traded his "sensible" car in for a new MX5. He loves the MX5 but would now like an additional vehicle that is more practical and more economical, as he does some voluntary work that involves doing some extra mileage and also wants to be able to take stuff to the tip and take the bikes on the walking holidays that him and my mum go on.

He only wants to spend a maximum of 3k though (ideally 2k but up to 3k for something really nice). He would prefer diesel, as he has ptimarily driven diesel hatchbacks/estates for the last 20 years (I think he would have bought a diesel MX5 if they made one)! He also doesn't like automatics, so would prefer a manual.

He asked my opinion and the following all seem like solid choices (I have driven most of them when they were new/newer and used to sell the Rovers and VWs when they were new) but as most of them at this age and budget are going to be north of 100k, I don't know how they each stand up to this kind of mileage and looking on www.honestjohn.co.uk, they all seem to have a few potential issues. As ever, condition and service history at this age will be more important than what it is in some ways. By the way, my dad favours comfort, practicality and good fuel economy over performance and handling!

So, what to go for?

B5 Audi Avant TDI?



E46 BMW 320d/330d Touring?



Peugeot 406 HDi Estate



Skoda Octavia TDI Estate



Rover 75 CDT(i) Tourer (or a ZT-T but my dad would probably prefer the Rover)



B5 Volkswagen Passat TDI 130 Estate (Highline spec seems the nicest in terms of features and comfort)

[white_goodman]

t400ble said:

How many miles a year is he going to do?

Probably only about 10000 miles but his voluntary work/the tip are all 10+ miles away and do any of the models we discussed even have DPFs? My parents have both had diesels for years and never had any major problems (they normally buy new/nearly new though).

[white_goodman]

Pebbles167 said:

My money would be going into an E39 530d estate with its decent auto box if it was for the old man. My colleagues one has just hit 260k miles amd still going strong.

Sounds like a good combination, although doesn't the auto box significantly dent fuel economy on these? I've been trying to get my dad to try an auto (I've owned a few and like them) but he says that a manual is more economical (on this age car he's probably right) and he likes to use the gears and engine braking when he's slowing down. Otherwise, I would have thrown a C-Class Estate into the mix. I had a W202 C250TD Estate Auto with 218k on the clock for a while and it was awesome. An easy 40mpg, very comfortable and a massive boot. They're all rusty now though, so he wouldn't really be interested (he's very car proud even if it's a cheap car) and I'm not sure if a W203 would be as bombproof mechanically (and possibly just as rusty)?

[white_goodman]

d3llams said:

Jaguar X-type estate? manual, very comfy, good fuel economy...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

Good shout. We hadn't considered one of these (didn't realise they were in budget) but I hear they're pretty good cars and economical. He might think a Jag's a bit fancy though!

[white_goodman]

va1o said:

Just the newest/ most modern you can find. These cars are quite capable of taking big miles so I wouldn't be looking at old French sheds like a 406 myself

Probably an early E91 3er or B6 Passat

Edit: e91s are slightly pricier than I thought (start at £3500) but you could comfortably get a nice b6 for that money:



I just think that all of the cars in the original post look about 2 decades old

Edited by va1o on Sunday 27th July 21:35

The B6 Passats are nice cars but a lot bigger than the B5 (we thought the B5 was quite a nice size but still with a nice, practical, square-shaped boot) and assumed that we would get a nicer B5 than B6 for the money. Also, aren't the newer VAG diesel engines and electronic parking brake more troublesome? I thought the B6 Passats were always nicer with the 2.0 TDI engine and the DSG box (which also comes with its own set of problems) and the 1.9 TDI felt a bit underpowered in such a big car.

[white_goodman]

Bump

[white_goodman]

How about these?



Not as practical as the car it replaced but my dad has mostly owned Peugeots/Citroens for the last 20 years, as he likes the diesel engines, smooth ride and comfy seats.

[white_goodman]

y2blade said:

This^^^^^^

I'd be looking for Euro 3, so they won't have DPF.


V70 D5?

Edited by y2blade on Monday 28th July 13:47

When did Euro 4 come in out of interest? i.e. what's the newest vehicle I can look at to avoid DPFs?

[white_goodman]

y2blade said:

Nicely done yep black top engine (163bhp) on as new plate as you can.

My dad is not so keen on the larger Volvo estates but quite likes these.




Any good? Who's engine is the 1.9 diesel?