Who is running a high mileage, modern, auto diesel
Discussion
Evening all,
Due to a longer work commuter, 100 miles a day plus client visits, I need to find a new commuter. I know I could move, but we're not going to.
So a diesel really makes sense to reduce costs and an auto would suit. I'm looking at the saloon / barge end of the scale as opposed to small hatchbacks.
I'm considering youngish cars about 4 years old that already have miles on them. Ideally I'd take something ex-fleet from 130k to 230k and then eBay it and enjoy a night out on whatever beer tokens it generates.
Conventional wisdom tells me the turbo will fail. The dpf will bork. The auto box will fail and write the car off. Basically that a modern diesel auto is a ticking time bomb outside of warranty and that my plan is a bad one, doomed to end on the side of the motorway in an expensive way.
So give me hope, I'm willing to run the gauntlet and cough up for maintenance but unplanned failures will impact my ability to work so it needs to be reliable.
Everything I show an interest in is swamped with internet stories or general doom and gloom
Are you running a high miles modern auto diesel and how are you finding it?
More importantly, what are you running?
Due to a longer work commuter, 100 miles a day plus client visits, I need to find a new commuter. I know I could move, but we're not going to.
So a diesel really makes sense to reduce costs and an auto would suit. I'm looking at the saloon / barge end of the scale as opposed to small hatchbacks.
I'm considering youngish cars about 4 years old that already have miles on them. Ideally I'd take something ex-fleet from 130k to 230k and then eBay it and enjoy a night out on whatever beer tokens it generates.
Conventional wisdom tells me the turbo will fail. The dpf will bork. The auto box will fail and write the car off. Basically that a modern diesel auto is a ticking time bomb outside of warranty and that my plan is a bad one, doomed to end on the side of the motorway in an expensive way.
So give me hope, I'm willing to run the gauntlet and cough up for maintenance but unplanned failures will impact my ability to work so it needs to be reliable.
Everything I show an interest in is swamped with internet stories or general doom and gloom
Are you running a high miles modern auto diesel and how are you finding it?
More importantly, what are you running?
Matt,
Don't run one myself, but had plenty of dealings with high mileage fleet cars. Never ever too many problems so to speak. There have been serious problems which have resulted in new engines being needed, but very rare. So long as it's been serviced well (being an ex fleet car it probably will have been) you would be unlucky to have serious problems.
You best bet will be to pick a reps car, so a 3 series/Passat/C-Class/A4/Mondeo. Find the youngest car with the highest mileage. If it fits in that category, chances are it will have been on the motorway 90% of the time and doesn't really put too much wear and tear on the engine or the gearbox.
Don't run one myself, but had plenty of dealings with high mileage fleet cars. Never ever too many problems so to speak. There have been serious problems which have resulted in new engines being needed, but very rare. So long as it's been serviced well (being an ex fleet car it probably will have been) you would be unlucky to have serious problems.
You best bet will be to pick a reps car, so a 3 series/Passat/C-Class/A4/Mondeo. Find the youngest car with the highest mileage. If it fits in that category, chances are it will have been on the motorway 90% of the time and doesn't really put too much wear and tear on the engine or the gearbox.
How much does a 300k mile E class diesel go for? Taxi firm my work uses keeps them for the duration of the 3 year unlimited mileage MB warranty and sells them after its up. They get 100 percent servicing as per the warranty and any big items like dpf and turbo will already have gone once...
Bought my XC70 in Feb with 122,000 on the clock - to give it the full title: 2007 Volvo XC70 D5[185] SE Lux Geartronic
Didn't want a high miler but it was literally the only one with the right options, trim, and engine in the UK and I needed a car for work, drove it and bought it based on the quality of the drive despite the mileage...
Now on 132,000 - I've done an interim oil and filter change as I'm not a huge fan of 18k service intervals, other than that I've replaced two tyres and about to give it some new rear springs, I carry a lot of heavy kit for work and the old ones are a bit tired
How am I finding it? Loving every moment... This is the second Volvo '70 I've had and if you do a lot of miles having a comfortable seat, great stereo, pothole swallowing suspension is an absolute must - the boot also makes the German offerings look pitiful in comparison, 4x4 and extra ground clearance suit my work environment too
On the flip side, yes, if something goes wrong it could be expensive, engine wise the D5 is pretty bulletproof and the DPF has no issues, but shocks are ~£200-250 each because it has silly electro-hydraulic suspension, I mitigate costs by doing most of the repairs myself
Would I do it again? Oh yes...
Didn't want a high miler but it was literally the only one with the right options, trim, and engine in the UK and I needed a car for work, drove it and bought it based on the quality of the drive despite the mileage...
Now on 132,000 - I've done an interim oil and filter change as I'm not a huge fan of 18k service intervals, other than that I've replaced two tyres and about to give it some new rear springs, I carry a lot of heavy kit for work and the old ones are a bit tired
How am I finding it? Loving every moment... This is the second Volvo '70 I've had and if you do a lot of miles having a comfortable seat, great stereo, pothole swallowing suspension is an absolute must - the boot also makes the German offerings look pitiful in comparison, 4x4 and extra ground clearance suit my work environment too
On the flip side, yes, if something goes wrong it could be expensive, engine wise the D5 is pretty bulletproof and the DPF has no issues, but shocks are ~£200-250 each because it has silly electro-hydraulic suspension, I mitigate costs by doing most of the repairs myself
Would I do it again? Oh yes...
Not an auto (and not exactly a "car"), but my brother has recently bought a T4 Caravelle that has 550k on the clock, and everything works OK. I dare say it has had a few new parts.
I put over 140k on my last company car that ran to the end of it's lease - a 54 plate Vectra 1.9 CDTi 150. Was still pretty much perfect, and no major work apart from a replacement inlet manifold in the first year (porous casting, according to the dealer that eventually cured the intermittent limp mode fault).
My current daily driver is a 57 plate E61 525d with 112k. AC compressor is the only mechanical failure - replaced under warranty when I bought the car 2 years ago.
I put over 140k on my last company car that ran to the end of it's lease - a 54 plate Vectra 1.9 CDTi 150. Was still pretty much perfect, and no major work apart from a replacement inlet manifold in the first year (porous casting, according to the dealer that eventually cured the intermittent limp mode fault).
My current daily driver is a 57 plate E61 525d with 112k. AC compressor is the only mechanical failure - replaced under warranty when I bought the car 2 years ago.
Facelift E220cdi auto.
From 56 build onwards.
Complete comfort, bullet proof all round, and 50mpg pretty easily.
In fact, doesn't even need to be a facelift now, the main reason was they dropped the SBC brakes, the pump needed replacing after 200-400k pedal presses and was £1200+vat and fitting.
However, Bosch now sell them direct for £480 if it does go.
From 56 build onwards.
Complete comfort, bullet proof all round, and 50mpg pretty easily.
In fact, doesn't even need to be a facelift now, the main reason was they dropped the SBC brakes, the pump needed replacing after 200-400k pedal presses and was £1200+vat and fitting.
However, Bosch now sell them direct for £480 if it does go.
Matt UK said:
Evening all,
Due to a longer work commuter, 100 miles a day plus client visits, I need to find a new commuter. I know I could move, but we're not going to.
So a diesel really makes sense to reduce costs and an auto would suit. I'm looking at the saloon / barge end of the scale as opposed to small hatchbacks.
I'm considering youngish cars about 4 years old that already have miles on them. Ideally I'd take something ex-fleet from 130k to 230k and then eBay it and enjoy a night out on whatever beer tokens it generates.
Conventional wisdom tells me the turbo will fail. The dpf will bork. The auto box will fail and write the car off. Basically that a modern diesel auto is a ticking time bomb outside of warranty and that my plan is a bad one, doomed to end on the side of the motorway in an expensive way.
So give me hope, I'm willing to run the gauntlet and cough up for maintenance but unplanned failures will impact my ability to work so it needs to be reliable.
Everything I show an interest in is swamped with internet stories or general doom and gloom
Are you running a high miles modern auto diesel and how are you finding it?
More importantly, what are you running?
I would fully agree with your worries RE: modern diesels. Not only do you have the problems you highlighted, you've (on manuals) dual mass flywheels, fuel pumps, injectors, turbo actuators, EGR valves etc, etc. Also, not only do each of these generate a big bill, its the time you're without a car whilst they diagnose a problem, order parts in, get it fixed, tested and back on the road.Due to a longer work commuter, 100 miles a day plus client visits, I need to find a new commuter. I know I could move, but we're not going to.
So a diesel really makes sense to reduce costs and an auto would suit. I'm looking at the saloon / barge end of the scale as opposed to small hatchbacks.
I'm considering youngish cars about 4 years old that already have miles on them. Ideally I'd take something ex-fleet from 130k to 230k and then eBay it and enjoy a night out on whatever beer tokens it generates.
Conventional wisdom tells me the turbo will fail. The dpf will bork. The auto box will fail and write the car off. Basically that a modern diesel auto is a ticking time bomb outside of warranty and that my plan is a bad one, doomed to end on the side of the motorway in an expensive way.
So give me hope, I'm willing to run the gauntlet and cough up for maintenance but unplanned failures will impact my ability to work so it needs to be reliable.
Everything I show an interest in is swamped with internet stories or general doom and gloom
Are you running a high miles modern auto diesel and how are you finding it?
More importantly, what are you running?
I'd probably go for, as has been suggested an E class merc OR an S60 volvo.
What about LPG?
I have a 2010 Honda Accord diesel auto - but it only has just 60k miles on it, 20k of which I've put on in the past year or so. It is fairly economical for a big motor, it has been ok reliability-wise, it has lots of working toys (ADAS) and the transmission is the best auto I've ever had. It just drives like a Transit van and, most of the time, sounds like a bag of spanners.
Compared with the number of people you know or how many diesels are sold, what is the percentage that have ever jad problems with any of the diesel scare mongering items? We have a BMW 530d e60 with 180k on and all that's ever gone wrong is the alternator failing, hardly a diesel only thing.
I have one friend who clogged up his dpf because he only drives is 5000 miles a year, I know no one who's had their turbo or auto box eat itself. Every model of car sold will have the occasional lemon
I have one friend who clogged up his dpf because he only drives is 5000 miles a year, I know no one who's had their turbo or auto box eat itself. Every model of car sold will have the occasional lemon
Thought i was mad buying a 96k mile 530D M Sport E39 on ebay a few years ago for 10k. Got 4 years out of it and sold it last year at 200k miles for £2k; spent about £700 on it - LP fuel pump, tranny filter and oil and some suspension bushes. With the massive money I saved in running that (serviced it myself) I bought a 535D and hope for more of the same! Just remove the swirl flaps, service the gearbox (we know it makes sense BMW) and look after/spool down the turbo... Would have kept it longer if I didnt need an estate - cracking drive too (although the E61 is better). I put £60 a month into a twin turbo fund - just in case they go - if they dont its all mine!
I used to have a Peugeot 407 SW diesel auto. It used to get through ABS sensors, but other than that it was no bother. I bought it with 120k miles and sold it 3 years later with 200k miles. I specifically bought the auto so as not to have any DMF worries. It wasn't an exciting or fun car by any means, but it was comfortable, reasoneably well specced and quiet. I don't miss it at all, though.
s2sol said:
I used to have a Peugeot 407 SW diesel auto. It used to get through ABS sensors, but other than that it was no bother. I bought it with 120k miles and sold it 3 years later with 200k miles. I specifically bought the auto so as not to have any DMF worries. It wasn't an exciting or fun car by any means, but it was comfortable, reasoneably well specced and quiet. I don't miss it at all, though.
Correct me if I'm wrong but looking at Fuelly etc difference between manual and diesel in real world fuel economy will easily pay for a dmf?Snollygoster said:
Matt,
Don't run one myself, but had plenty of dealings with high mileage fleet cars. Never ever too many problems so to speak. There have been serious problems which have resulted in new engines being needed, but very rare. So long as it's been serviced well (being an ex fleet car it probably will have been) you would be unlucky to have serious problems.
You best bet will be to pick a reps car, so a 3 series/Passat/C-Class/A4/Mondeo. Find the youngest car with the highest mileage. If it fits in that category, chances are it will have been on the motorway 90% of the time and doesn't really put too much wear and tear on the engine or the gearbox.
Interesting to hear. There's a 2010 F10 520d on AT with 150k miles for under £10k. It can only be mway miles racking up those miles. Don't run one myself, but had plenty of dealings with high mileage fleet cars. Never ever too many problems so to speak. There have been serious problems which have resulted in new engines being needed, but very rare. So long as it's been serviced well (being an ex fleet car it probably will have been) you would be unlucky to have serious problems.
You best bet will be to pick a reps car, so a 3 series/Passat/C-Class/A4/Mondeo. Find the youngest car with the highest mileage. If it fits in that category, chances are it will have been on the motorway 90% of the time and doesn't really put too much wear and tear on the engine or the gearbox.
AnotherClarkey said:
Of course there is always the Lexus GS450H if you want fewer worries (and, TBH a small boot).
It's a good call and I have considered it.Not sure though of real world MPG though vs the 300 - any experience?
Also the CVT 'box... not sure how I'd get on with based on a dim and distant CVT hatchback hire car experience.
Regards the gold-plated reputation for reliability, I seem to be the only man on the planet who was landed significant 4-figure bills by Lexus 3.0 V6 petrol engine
Toaster Pilot said:
How much does a 300k mile E class diesel go for? Taxi firm my work uses keeps them for the duration of the 3 year unlimited mileage MB warranty and sells them after its up. They get 100 percent servicing as per the warranty and any big items like dpf and turbo will already have gone once...
Exactly - a million private hire companies can't be wrong... I've never had a Merc so leaning that way.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff