Which of these diesels...

[Bigadz]

Okay so after quite a bit of looking with my 10k budget for a quickish family diesel for 16k annually, I have landed on the following favourites, both with around 50-60k on the clock:

Alfa 159 2.0 JTDM Lusso
Mondeo 2.0Tdci 163 Titanium

Both claim around 53mpg on a combined performance, but from reading it seems owners for both struggle to get near 50 even on a decent run so I'm confused which one will be better in this respect?

The Alfa looks better but the Mondeo beats it for practicality, kit is similar on both although the Alfa has full leather. Performance is similar and the tax is the same (I think)

Reliability - who knows, both have proven engines and the Alfas seem pretty good these days but I guess the Ford is slightly better regarded?

Any advice on these 2 is appreciated.

[anonymous-user]

Never been in the 159. I'm a big fan of the mondeo. A friend runs the 163 and I think it's a great all rounder.

Have you considered a Octava VRS?

[randomman]

Have Ford fixed their 2.0 diesel yet or does it still eat injectors for fun?

[anonymous-user]

I thought the new 2.0 tdci was a lot better than the old one?

[Swoxy]

159 - with the big wheels, is one of the best looking saloon cars in the world. Ever.

[Bigadz]

I also thought that about the newer 2.0 being better?

I have considered the VRS but having driven one found it pretty dull to be honest.

[vikingaero]

I thought Mondeos lunch their DMF's?

[Bigadz]

Indeed the 19's are gorgeous wheels but the Lusso comes with 18's (not the standard 17's) which I think is a good compromise. The 19's surely have expensive rubber and apparently get through tyres as well according to some owners. This is the car I had in mind:

http://usedcars.alfaromeo.co.uk/alfa-romeo-159/alf...

[Sir Fergie]

randomman said:

Have Ford fixed their 2.0 diesel yet or does it still eat injectors for fun?

Can't say for certain that they have - however if your thinking of injector issues from the Mk 3 era - the Mk 4 has a different engine.

My understanding is that the mk 4 Mondeo 2.0 tdci - is actually a Peugeot 2.0 diesel engine - open to correction on that however.

The previous Mk 3 used a Ford engine - and as you suggest - they do have injector issues.

[wiliferus]

Sir Fergie said:

randomman said:

Have Ford fixed their 2.0 diesel yet or does it still eat injectors for fun?

Can't say for certain that they have - however if your thinking of injector issues from the Mk 3 era - the Mk 4 has a different engine.

My understanding is that the mk 4 Mondeo 2.0 tdci - is actually a Peugeot 2.0 diesel engine - open to correction on that however.

The previous Mk 3 used a Ford engine - and as you suggest - they do have injector issues.

I too am unsure if the Mk4 has less issues, but the Mk3 was an absolute disaster. Injectors, DMFs, disintegrating fuel pumps, undiagnosable limp modes, just an absolute pig of an engine.

I for one, will never own another Ford as long as I have breath in my lungs (that's as soon as I find someone stupid enough to buy my Mk3 )

[TheDoggingFather]

Swoxy said:

159 - with the big wheels, is one of the best looking saloon cars in the world. Ever.

In estate variety, even better.
GOD.


YES.

[Rumple]

I think the Mondeo has had its engine issues sorted by the time the mk4 came out, its a really good drive as well, it beat the current A4 in a group road test, all in all a very good car, the Alfa, well the 159 is stunning, its way more stylish than the Mondeo, its the only Alfa I have liked the look of....

[Kolbenkopp]

IMO, objectively, the Mondeo is the better car. But stuff can / will go wrong on either of them and I'd be much happier spending money on that Alfa. The 159 is just *so* pretty inside and out, a work of art really. And not a bad car at all. It is a bit heavy so does not like to be pushed around "hot hatch style", but all "bella machina" apart from that.

If overall running costs (including depreciation) is an issue, I'm afraid a fastish Skoda of some sorts is the best bet.

[Frenchie87]

Swoxy said:

159 - with the big wheels, is one of the best looking saloon cars in the world. Ever.

I'd love a 159 ti sportwagon, I think they're look gorgeous. Only thing is the size of the boot is ridiculous.

[Chris_VRS]

Out of the two I'd go with the Mondeo, for family duties it has a more spacious interior, especially rear seat legroom & a bigger, more practical boot.

I'd have an Octavia VRS over both though

[Bigadz]

Yeah I like the sportwagon as well but there are fewer to come by and not sure of much practical benefits. The 156 SW famously had less boot space than the saloon - lol.
Need to go out and test both to see how much less practical the alfa is, just need to compare real world economy too.

[DrDeAtH]

For 16k miles, a diesel ?

Surely a petrol would be far better.

[Bigadz]

I thought 16k was above the point when petrol makes more sense?. A petrol equivelent will be roughly 15mpg less so even if the diesel is 2k more then it pays for itself in fuel bills alone in less than 2 years without considering lower tax and resale values.