What Commuter Thread..

[bulldog5046]

Hi,

I lost my job a few weeks back and had to sell my E36 commuter for scrap due to terminal rust, i've just taken a new job but now i need something for commuting.

I've been looking at BMW 320d E46's but i'm finding there are alot of turbo issues with them and its put me off alot. A real shame as they are so comfy to be in!

Criteria:
has to be comfy, i'll be doing 80 miles/day.
high MPG because of the mileage.
cheap as possible to run/service.
up to £3k budget.

As it looks like the 320d isnt going to be an option i'm wondering if an A4 might be? are they nice to drive for distance? engine any good?

Any more idea's welcome as i'm pretty stuck for them at the moment. Not looking forward to driving the track car in the mean time!

Thanks,
Ry

[EV11NED]

VW Bora. Diesel engine is very strong, and can take big miles. Comfy cabin and quieter than a Golf as it's a saloon. Also a nice place to sit.

[Stu R]

Lexus LS400, not the best MPG, but should come in under budget, and it's worth the slightly higher fuel bills

[Stuart70]

Mondeo diesel. Comfortable, smooth and economical. Just not very exec image...?

[bulldog5046]

Bora looks like a good one, will look into it some more.

Stu R said:

Lexus LS400, not the best MPG, but should come in under budget, and it's worth the slightly higher fuel bills

Not keen on the LS400 if i'm honest.

[eltax91]

Octavia TDi 130. Same as the bora really, but better load space with the hatch over the saloon.

[XJ40]

I had pretty much the same criteria, went for a mk4 Golf GT TDI 150. It's a good all rounder, does everthing I want from it. Has all the toys, 52 mpg combined, about eight n'arf to sixty, etc.

[Bitzer]

Stu R said:

Lexus LS400, not the best MPG, but should come in under budget, and it's worth the slightly higher fuel bills

LS400 for a daily commute of 80 miles

It's costly enough doing 120 miles in a Golf GTI MK5.

[bulldog5046]

i've found a very low priced 2006 Ford Mondeo 2.0 TCDI local to me, are they any good? seems like it good viable option to me...

[bulldog5046]

I know this is a bit odd but i ended up buying a 2010 BMW 118d Sport Coupe.

It seemed every car i looked at someone could pick out expensive common faults so i decided it was best to get a newish car with low miles and in warranty as i'll be doing 20-25k/year.

Hopefully be a good little commuter for 2 years, even if a little over budget!

[matt21]

Good choice. Sometimes never cars with good residuals work out cheaper to run

[ManOpener]

How about an 8 year old Volvo S60 D5? Plus some change...

[bulldog5046]

Your a bit late with that one, but its only got cloth interior and galactic miles anyway. too paranoid about something like that packing up and costing a bomb to fix.

picking up the 118 tomorrow morning, cant wait!