Quickest, Cheapest Dirty Derv for ~ 3k? (Yes its a what car)
Discussion
I was looking at an astra 1.9 CDTi 150 as DTUK do a tuning box which ups the BHP to ~215ps & ~400nm of torque as I remember, although its around £6k for the cheapest (older low mileage one) which I just can't afford so I was wondering if anyone had any other suggestions?
Just been researching the 2.9 V6 E39 530d which looks incredibly impressive figures (192bhp & 400nm standard?) although weigh alot more so the astra would probably be quicker ... Realistically I have around £3k to spend but if I wanted a 530d it would be a W or Y reg with ~180k on the clock which is kind of off putting
Does anyone have any other suggestions for me to look at?
Thanks
Just been researching the 2.9 V6 E39 530d which looks incredibly impressive figures (192bhp & 400nm standard?) although weigh alot more so the astra would probably be quicker ... Realistically I have around £3k to spend but if I wanted a 530d it would be a W or Y reg with ~180k on the clock which is kind of off putting
Does anyone have any other suggestions for me to look at?
Thanks
) is awesome, (biased, er maybe!) I would say its quicker than the Astra, also a plus point its not a VX. Merc 250 TD C Class 150 BHP tunable to 180BHP
Merc E class 300 TD - 177 BHP tunable for an extra 44 BHP.
In fact, try the super chips website for tunabilty and "reverse research" your model back to your budget.
Neighbour went from a 318i to a Passat 110BHP chipped car and could not believe how fast the car was, so there's lots of choice out there. I'd say a very desirable leftfield choice would be a Volvo S60 D5. 163 BHP, tunable to 187 BHP.
Depends what your strategy is - if you want a fast tunable car, go for an ex bib Volvo V70 T5 and bite the bullet on the fuel consumption.
Or if you want a fast TD and cheap running costs, Id go for a pre 2001 Merc or Volvo as you can run them on veg oil. The Merc you can actually run on PFA and anthracite if the legends are true?
Merc E class 300 TD - 177 BHP tunable for an extra 44 BHP.
In fact, try the super chips website for tunabilty and "reverse research" your model back to your budget.
Neighbour went from a 318i to a Passat 110BHP chipped car and could not believe how fast the car was, so there's lots of choice out there. I'd say a very desirable leftfield choice would be a Volvo S60 D5. 163 BHP, tunable to 187 BHP.
Depends what your strategy is - if you want a fast tunable car, go for an ex bib Volvo V70 T5 and bite the bullet on the fuel consumption.
Or if you want a fast TD and cheap running costs, Id go for a pre 2001 Merc or Volvo as you can run them on veg oil. The Merc you can actually run on PFA and anthracite if the legends are true?
Byard said:
Straight 6 530d that what I ment! 
Also just realized older 330d are within budget and lighter than 530d, still anymore suggestions?
Beg to differ: Also just realized older 330d are within budget and lighter than 530d, still anymore suggestions?e39 530d 1575kg: http://www.carfolio.com/specifications/models/car/...
e46 330d 1615Kg: http://www.carfolio.com/specifications/models/car/...
So, er, the smaller car is heavier.
Current BMW models are similarly surprising: the 5er tends to use a lot more aluminium than the 3.
C
Byard said:
Just been researching the 2.9 V6 E39 530d which looks incredibly impressive figures (192bhp & 400nm standard?)
If you consider that 192bhp from a 3L engine is only 64bhp/L, it's actually not all that stressed (particularly given the fact it's a straight-6 thus has very good inherent balance). Later BMW factory 3.0L diesels (e.g 535d) have anything up to 290bhp from a modified version of the same layout and capacity.If we applied the same bhp/L number to the GM diesel you were comparing with, it would be running 122bhp from 1.9L.
That might give you an idea of the comparative stress levels of the 530d versus the GM 1.9 4-pot.
BMW 5's are special. I count them in a class above just about everything else except real exotica.
Having said that, I can't recommend an e39 unless you have the dough to keep it running. If £3K seems like a lot to spend on a 530d, I recon you don't have the money to keep it shod in tyres and brakes etc, so I'd recommend something cheaper to run, for that reason.
C
as mentioned the 530d and 330d are probebly the best bets.
Alternatives (Both could probably benefit from a re-map.)
Saab 9-5 3.0v6 - 215nhp and 403nm after re-map claimed
Vauxhall Signum 3.0v6 - 215bhp and 430nm after re map claimed
both are diesel, manual and available for under 3k although for lower milages you might want to set aside another £600 - £1000?
Alternatives (Both could probably benefit from a re-map.)
Saab 9-5 3.0v6 - 215nhp and 403nm after re-map claimed
Vauxhall Signum 3.0v6 - 215bhp and 430nm after re map claimed
both are diesel, manual and available for under 3k although for lower milages you might want to set aside another £600 - £1000?
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