£3k Sporty oil burners - recommendations please
Discussion
Decided that my Impreza days are behind me and now my folks are moving to Cornwall (600 mile round trip for me) I've decided that I need to dabble in the DERV!
Now I had made my mind up to go for a 3 Door Mk4 Golf GT TDI 130 or 150, throw some money at modifying it (wheels, coilovers, remap etc) and make it a sporty punchy little thing that will do 50+ mpg as I can get one well within my 3k budget (prices seem to vary from £1500 to the optimistic). Problem is, I got bored with Golf overload last night and started looking around and found a few BMW 330D's for under 3k (not sheds either, some decent 1 owner cars).
This got me thinking, what else is out there that might suit my budget? The criteria is...
Must be sporty, nothing dull
Ideally must be easy/cheap to modify and remap
Would prefer a 3 door but realise some cars come at a premium for this (like the 330d Ci BMW)
3k is the max budget so please please no replies saying "i'd save up another £XXX amount and get a Blah Blah" as it wont happen. I need something in the next week or 2 but will have extra money on a monthly basis to tinker with it.
Cheers peeps.
Now I had made my mind up to go for a 3 Door Mk4 Golf GT TDI 130 or 150, throw some money at modifying it (wheels, coilovers, remap etc) and make it a sporty punchy little thing that will do 50+ mpg as I can get one well within my 3k budget (prices seem to vary from £1500 to the optimistic). Problem is, I got bored with Golf overload last night and started looking around and found a few BMW 330D's for under 3k (not sheds either, some decent 1 owner cars).
This got me thinking, what else is out there that might suit my budget? The criteria is...
Must be sporty, nothing dull
Ideally must be easy/cheap to modify and remap
Would prefer a 3 door but realise some cars come at a premium for this (like the 330d Ci BMW)
3k is the max budget so please please no replies saying "i'd save up another £XXX amount and get a Blah Blah" as it wont happen. I need something in the next week or 2 but will have extra money on a monthly basis to tinker with it.
Cheers peeps.
stuzzer said:
Decided that my Impreza days are behind me and now my folks are moving to Cornwall (600 mile round trip for me) I've decided that I need to dabble in the DERV!
Now I had made my mind up to go for a 3 Door Mk4 Golf GT TDI 130 or 150, throw some money at modifying it (wheels, coilovers, remap etc) and make it a sporty punchy little thing that will do 50+ mpg as I can get one well within my 3k budget (prices seem to vary from £1500 to the optimistic). Problem is, I got bored with Golf overload last night and started looking around and found a few BMW 330D's for under 3k (not sheds either, some decent 1 owner cars).
This got me thinking, what else is out there that might suit my budget? The criteria is...
Must be sporty, nothing dull
Ideally must be easy/cheap to modify and remap
Would prefer a 3 door but realise some cars come at a premium for this (like the 330d Ci BMW)
3k is the max budget so please please no replies saying "i'd save up another £XXX amount and get a Blah Blah" as it wont happen. I need something in the next week or 2 but will have extra money on a monthly basis to tinker with it.
Cheers peeps.
What about people saying "just keep the Impreza and spend the 3k on fuel, then you wont have to drive a diseasel" Now I had made my mind up to go for a 3 Door Mk4 Golf GT TDI 130 or 150, throw some money at modifying it (wheels, coilovers, remap etc) and make it a sporty punchy little thing that will do 50+ mpg as I can get one well within my 3k budget (prices seem to vary from £1500 to the optimistic). Problem is, I got bored with Golf overload last night and started looking around and found a few BMW 330D's for under 3k (not sheds either, some decent 1 owner cars).
This got me thinking, what else is out there that might suit my budget? The criteria is...
Must be sporty, nothing dull
Ideally must be easy/cheap to modify and remap
Would prefer a 3 door but realise some cars come at a premium for this (like the 330d Ci BMW)
3k is the max budget so please please no replies saying "i'd save up another £XXX amount and get a Blah Blah" as it wont happen. I need something in the next week or 2 but will have extra money on a monthly basis to tinker with it.
Cheers peeps.
I'd be warey of any £3k 330D though, VERY warey. At that price point mkIV Golf GT TDI would be my choice tbh.
Polo 1.9 Sport 100.
Those mk4 golfs are hopeless things to drive and £3k only gets you a tired example as prices are holding far higher than you'd expect. The mark 5 is a massive improvement but £3k wont get you one yet.
Take a look at the Polo Tdi Sport 100 or Sport 130 6 speed.
Far better to drive than the Golf, same engine as the golf, cheaper to buy, the sports seats are really comfortable on long trips (I did 400 miles in one at the weekend averaged 41 mpg at quite high speeds).
Spec should include climate, alloys, s/roof, sports seats, some have heated seats.
http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/use...
Those mk4 golfs are hopeless things to drive and £3k only gets you a tired example as prices are holding far higher than you'd expect. The mark 5 is a massive improvement but £3k wont get you one yet.
Take a look at the Polo Tdi Sport 100 or Sport 130 6 speed.
Far better to drive than the Golf, same engine as the golf, cheaper to buy, the sports seats are really comfortable on long trips (I did 400 miles in one at the weekend averaged 41 mpg at quite high speeds).
Spec should include climate, alloys, s/roof, sports seats, some have heated seats.
http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/use...
I know, I know, the words "Sporty" and "Diesel" dont belong in the same sentence, the same as "Frontera" and "Sport" lol.
Unfortunately, the reason I'm changing to another car is that my Impreza is no more and after having 2 I've decided that I need to be a tad more sensible now that 40 is knocking on the door. Running 2 cars, tax etc does take a chunk out each month and I'm travelling more socially so a Tdi makes sense.
These are the kind of thing taking my fancy so far, I'm just curious if theres something i'm overlooking.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/160903048505?ssPageName=...
Or this for £2750
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/110974929018?ssPageName=...
Unfortunately, the reason I'm changing to another car is that my Impreza is no more and after having 2 I've decided that I need to be a tad more sensible now that 40 is knocking on the door. Running 2 cars, tax etc does take a chunk out each month and I'm travelling more socially so a Tdi makes sense.
These are the kind of thing taking my fancy so far, I'm just curious if theres something i'm overlooking.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/160903048505?ssPageName=...
Or this for £2750
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/110974929018?ssPageName=...
thanks for the replies lads, the Alfa styling has never been my thing unfortunately, but you do get a lot of car for the ££.
I'll take a look at the Polo's, never thought about one as I didnt think it would be sporty/Gti enough for me. Main reason for considering a Golf was the 300lb/ft potential after a map, which is easily achieved and is similar to the poke of my Impreza. Its mainly B-roads round here so a punchy, torquey tdi make work better than 300+ Bhp.
I also do a yearly trip to the Nurburgring and the occasional track day, but I'm really just looking for a good alrounder
I'll take a look at the Polo's, never thought about one as I didnt think it would be sporty/Gti enough for me. Main reason for considering a Golf was the 300lb/ft potential after a map, which is easily achieved and is similar to the poke of my Impreza. Its mainly B-roads round here so a punchy, torquey tdi make work better than 300+ Bhp.
I also do a yearly trip to the Nurburgring and the occasional track day, but I'm really just looking for a good alrounder
You can get the same engine as the Golf in the Fabia, Polo and Ibiza if that's the direction you want to go.
Rumour has it (do your research) that the 130's were much more solid than the 150's. The 150's are also rarer.
A friend runs a Golf GT TDi 130 and really likes it - hasn't even mapped it yet.
Rumour has it (do your research) that the 130's were much more solid than the 150's. The 150's are also rarer.
A friend runs a Golf GT TDi 130 and really likes it - hasn't even mapped it yet.
Back in 2005 I had a brand new Fabia VRS which I remapped, and a X reg classic Mica blue Impreza.
I used to travel York to Plymouth every weekend, and although the Impreza was a more sporty feeling car the Fabia was every bit as fast in the real world......but it was exactly half the cost in fuel.
Yes it was a diesel, yes it had no grip in the wet because of the torque and FWD, and yes it sounded like a diesel but I certainly wasnt disapointed in its performance compared to the standard 215bhp Scooby.
I used to travel York to Plymouth every weekend, and although the Impreza was a more sporty feeling car the Fabia was every bit as fast in the real world......but it was exactly half the cost in fuel.
Yes it was a diesel, yes it had no grip in the wet because of the torque and FWD, and yes it sounded like a diesel but I certainly wasnt disapointed in its performance compared to the standard 215bhp Scooby.
elvismiggell said:
You can get the same engine as the Golf in the Fabia, Polo and Ibiza if that's the direction you want to go.
Rumour has it (do your research) that the 130's were much more solid than the 150's. The 150's are also rarer.
A friend runs a Golf GT TDi 130 and really likes it - hasn't even mapped it yet.
The 150 has a front mounted intercooler but the weak spot is cam wear, some suffer, some dont. The 130 is just as capable with a map and like you say, the 150 is harder to find. The 150's also suffer from "walnut dash syndrome" so changing to an R32 style interior is a must!Rumour has it (do your research) that the 130's were much more solid than the 150's. The 150's are also rarer.
A friend runs a Golf GT TDi 130 and really likes it - hasn't even mapped it yet.
BMW 320Td Compact? Cheaper than the coupes & saloon.
Merc C220 CDI Sport Coupe? Perhaps not sporty but is RWD...
Seat Leon (leggy) TDI Cupra 150bhp? Feels less stodgy than Golf.
Saab 9-3 1.9 TiD 150 Saloon or the older 3dr Coupe version with 2.2 IIRC?
Some Alfa GT JTD Coupes now below 3k albeit over 100k mileage
Merc C220 CDI Sport Coupe? Perhaps not sporty but is RWD...
Seat Leon (leggy) TDI Cupra 150bhp? Feels less stodgy than Golf.
Saab 9-3 1.9 TiD 150 Saloon or the older 3dr Coupe version with 2.2 IIRC?
Some Alfa GT JTD Coupes now below 3k albeit over 100k mileage
I did think about the Mondeo, but they dont do a 3 door and my mate has a Ghia X 2.2 TDCI and I just dont rate it for "spirited" driving.
Its scary to find that a 330d BMW can be mapped quite easily to 500 lb/ft if its a manual, and the gearbox will cope easily as the box is also used on the 335d
Its scary to find that a 330d BMW can be mapped quite easily to 500 lb/ft if its a manual, and the gearbox will cope easily as the box is also used on the 335d
stuzzer said:
I did think about the Mondeo, but they dont do a 3 door and my mate has a Ghia X 2.2 TDCI and I just dont rate it for "spirited" driving.
Its scary to find that a 330d BMW can be mapped quite easily to 500 lb/ft if its a manual, and the gearbox will cope easily as the box is also used on the 335d
No mate, the x35 is only available with an auto box as that is rated for the torque, the manual box cant take it.Its scary to find that a 330d BMW can be mapped quite easily to 500 lb/ft if its a manual, and the gearbox will cope easily as the box is also used on the 335d
I have a 335d with over 500lb ft torque, it certainly puts you back in your seat
I've had a MK4 Bora (Golf with a boot & a TDI @ 110 HP) and I didn't rate the chassis at all, and that era of Volkswagen isn't great for reliability. It's too floppy and doesn't give much feedback.
I now have an e46 320d and its a much better drive, and there are some decent looking 320d and 330ds around your price range. I have taken mine from 100k to 146k with no problems that aren't commensurate with mileage (suspension is a bit tired). Kind of wish I had got the 330d, but the 320 isn't underpowered.
Somebody did mention the 406 coupe. I had a sheddy estate, and while it was petrol I thought it had a great chassis for the kind of car, and not far off the e36 and e46's I've had since. It beats the mk4 vw hands down.
I was in a looking at similar vehicles to you about 3 years ago (although looking at estates), my budget was up to £6k, which taking into account depreciation is now about £3k. The 406, Mondeo and e46 were the only things to make the short list, and the e46 won out as I felt it had the best engine and least compromised chassis. I also considered depreciation and reliability would be the best of the three, assuming you get the later models (less turbo issues). Swirl valves are a scare but I think it's a bit overblown, and the blanking kits aren't hard to fit or expensive.
If a 3 door is a must I'd go for 406, as an e46 coupe will probably be out your price range. If a saloon is ok go BMW.
Regarding the petrol VS diesel debate: Unless its going to be a properly high powered petrol I'd rather the torque and economy of a diesel. I can drive with complete disregard for economy, use the full performance (ha!) of the engine and still get 38 - 47 mpg depending on what kind of roads I'm on. Each to his own though.
I now have an e46 320d and its a much better drive, and there are some decent looking 320d and 330ds around your price range. I have taken mine from 100k to 146k with no problems that aren't commensurate with mileage (suspension is a bit tired). Kind of wish I had got the 330d, but the 320 isn't underpowered.
Somebody did mention the 406 coupe. I had a sheddy estate, and while it was petrol I thought it had a great chassis for the kind of car, and not far off the e36 and e46's I've had since. It beats the mk4 vw hands down.
I was in a looking at similar vehicles to you about 3 years ago (although looking at estates), my budget was up to £6k, which taking into account depreciation is now about £3k. The 406, Mondeo and e46 were the only things to make the short list, and the e46 won out as I felt it had the best engine and least compromised chassis. I also considered depreciation and reliability would be the best of the three, assuming you get the later models (less turbo issues). Swirl valves are a scare but I think it's a bit overblown, and the blanking kits aren't hard to fit or expensive.
If a 3 door is a must I'd go for 406, as an e46 coupe will probably be out your price range. If a saloon is ok go BMW.
Regarding the petrol VS diesel debate: Unless its going to be a properly high powered petrol I'd rather the torque and economy of a diesel. I can drive with complete disregard for economy, use the full performance (ha!) of the engine and still get 38 - 47 mpg depending on what kind of roads I'm on. Each to his own though.
Edited by clunkbox on Monday 12th November 19:51
Edited by clunkbox on Monday 12th November 20:07
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