The best 2 litre diesel estate.....
Discussion
OMG_TURBOZ said:
RizzoTheRat said:
Depends how big the kids are, Octavia is probably about the bottom end of your size requirements. Fits 4 adults in comfort, 5 is reasonably comfortable, and has a decent sized boot, but if you're looking at booster seats or child seats then it might be a bit cramped in the back. I've averaged about 47mpg over several years in my vRS, and regularly get mid 50's on longer journeys.
I shall check 'em out. What are they like to drive?RizzoTheRat said:
Road noise is a bit more noticeable than more "premium" cars, but the CR170 ('59 plate onwards, I've not driven the older PD170) is pretty smooth, handles reasonably well, and the vRS comes with comfy seats and most of the toys. Door seal leaks tend to be quite common (get the occasional drip from the top in really heavy rain), but other than a problem caused by a bad dealer service (leaking fuel filter caused some follow on issues) I've had no trouble in 105k miles. Plenty of companies will remap them them to 200ish bhp (Shark Performance get a lot of love on Briskoda.net) but I've never bothered.
The door seal leaks have put me ever so slightly off.There's no such thing as 'best' - each car offers its own pros and cons. For example:
320d: Rear wheel drive and a well sorted chassis gives great weight distribution and handling (the standard E90 is great, which is what £7k will get you - whereas the new shape needs MSport to re-create this), but RWD also removes interior space, making it one of the smaller estate cars in its class, particularly in terms of rear passenger space and boot space. Very quiet at speed (with standard wheels and tyres...) and great mpg/bhp ratio.
Mercedes C Class: As above with more room, but tuned more for relaxed cruising than keen driving. Hard to find with a manual gearbox, although they're more common on the cheaper 2L models as sought by the OP.
Audi A4: Well thought out, high quality feeling and cossetting interior, and a bit bigger inside than the 320d, but somewhat wobbly handling when pushed and worse mpg/bhp than the 320d (I had an A4 2.0TDi on hire for three months so that is an informed opinion, not a prejudicial one). Like all Audis, they're dull and efficient to drive.
Ford Mondeo: Another car I've spent some time with up and down the country, but I won't give my opinion on PH because I don't want to be shouted at for fifteen pages. New prices are surprisingly close to the above, but as usual the secondhand market is a better judge and you'll get a newer car for your money.
Citroen used to do huge estate cars with really practical loading space and lots of waftability, but I've not driven one, only been a passenger, so won't comment in too much detail. My friends have found theirs reliable and dependable though.
Sadly there is no one answer, you just have to decide on your priorities, make a shortlist and then look at and drive the cars. Beware of the usual PH image and marketing centered opinions when reading this thread though.
320d: Rear wheel drive and a well sorted chassis gives great weight distribution and handling (the standard E90 is great, which is what £7k will get you - whereas the new shape needs MSport to re-create this), but RWD also removes interior space, making it one of the smaller estate cars in its class, particularly in terms of rear passenger space and boot space. Very quiet at speed (with standard wheels and tyres...) and great mpg/bhp ratio.
Mercedes C Class: As above with more room, but tuned more for relaxed cruising than keen driving. Hard to find with a manual gearbox, although they're more common on the cheaper 2L models as sought by the OP.
Audi A4: Well thought out, high quality feeling and cossetting interior, and a bit bigger inside than the 320d, but somewhat wobbly handling when pushed and worse mpg/bhp than the 320d (I had an A4 2.0TDi on hire for three months so that is an informed opinion, not a prejudicial one). Like all Audis, they're dull and efficient to drive.
Ford Mondeo: Another car I've spent some time with up and down the country, but I won't give my opinion on PH because I don't want to be shouted at for fifteen pages. New prices are surprisingly close to the above, but as usual the secondhand market is a better judge and you'll get a newer car for your money.
Citroen used to do huge estate cars with really practical loading space and lots of waftability, but I've not driven one, only been a passenger, so won't comment in too much detail. My friends have found theirs reliable and dependable though.
Sadly there is no one answer, you just have to decide on your priorities, make a shortlist and then look at and drive the cars. Beware of the usual PH image and marketing centered opinions when reading this thread though.
RizzoTheRat said:
It's fking annoying but I don't get it that often. I tend to give the seals a clean and wipe with some silicone grease and it stops doing it. If I could be bothered to replace the door seals that would probably fix it.
bet it is. I'm tempted by the Pug 508 Station Wagon.phil1979 said:
Blanchimont said:
159 Sportwagon.
the 2.0 is good (so I'm told) but the 2.4 is better.
Plus, those looks!
As an owner of one, three older kids in the back would be a squeeze - they are not that roomy.the 2.0 is good (so I'm told) but the 2.4 is better.
Plus, those looks!
Are they on par with those?
OMG_TURBOZ said:
scorcher said:
Sadly you're probably all wasting you're time anyway as OMG_TURBOZ is about 14 years old! It'll be a car for mummy or daddy or just another of his "what car?" posts he likes to make occasionally with no intent of ever buying one.
Obvious troll is obvious.Estate car for 3k?Toyota Supra? Imprezza estate?Saab 9-5 estate? Alfa 156? MX5? And probably others. And here you are doing you Ice bucket challenge last year. You don't look much older than 14 to me!
Zachary........... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFNNraXegOY
scorcher said:
OMG_TURBOZ said:
scorcher said:
Sadly you're probably all wasting you're time anyway as OMG_TURBOZ is about 14 years old! It'll be a car for mummy or daddy or just another of his "what car?" posts he likes to make occasionally with no intent of ever buying one.
Obvious troll is obvious.Estate car for 3k?Toyota Supra? Imprezza estate?Saab 9-5 estate? Alfa 156? MX5? And probably others. And here you are doing you Ice bucket challenge last year. You don't look much older than 14 to me!
Zachary........... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFNNraXegOY
phil1979 said:
Blanchimont said:
159 Sportwagon.
the 2.0 is good (so I'm told) but the 2.4 is better.
Plus, those looks!
As an owner of one, three older kids in the back would be a squeeze - they are not that roomy.the 2.0 is good (so I'm told) but the 2.4 is better.
Plus, those looks!
frodo_monkey said:
RicksAlfas said:
Skoda Superb?
Seconded, I have one and it's epic.Edit: had a quick look and you're looking at more like £9k
wal 45 said:
phil1979 said:
Blanchimont said:
159 Sportwagon.
the 2.0 is good (so I'm told) but the 2.4 is better.
Plus, those looks!
As an owner of one, three older kids in the back would be a squeeze - they are not that roomy.the 2.0 is good (so I'm told) but the 2.4 is better.
Plus, those looks!
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