Reliable motorway estate car, sub 4.5k, vag 1.9 engine?
Discussion
V70 D5 from the same era is the obvious alternative (which, on the whole, is probably the better car).
Nothing wrong with the last of the line C5 1.9 TDI's though but watch out for failing 6-speed gearboxes (where fitted - you're better off with a 5-speed) and clutches can be a bit weak.
Nothing wrong with the last of the line C5 1.9 TDI's though but watch out for failing 6-speed gearboxes (where fitted - you're better off with a 5-speed) and clutches can be a bit weak.
I can help, from my experiences.
I've had the 1.9 PD engine in a Passat Auto doing 700 miles p/w.
Was great with a £60 tuning box.
I've had the Vauxhall 1.9 CDTi (150) in a Vectra.
Amazing performance and economy with a DTUK tuning box.
Cheap in Estate guise too.
Currently have a Volvo D5 Auto SE (s60) but the V70 estate is the same engine.
Lovely to drive and very well made (plus no one wants a Volvo behind them on the dual carriageway!).
- All the above are worth a look.
Re Volvo, you would ideally get the pre Euro 4 (DPF) model as these are less powerful although cheaper to tax.
I think the Audi of that era will feel old compared to both the Vauxhall and Volvo as it's an older design.
Nice car though.
G.
I've had the 1.9 PD engine in a Passat Auto doing 700 miles p/w.
Was great with a £60 tuning box.
I've had the Vauxhall 1.9 CDTi (150) in a Vectra.
Amazing performance and economy with a DTUK tuning box.
Cheap in Estate guise too.
Currently have a Volvo D5 Auto SE (s60) but the V70 estate is the same engine.
Lovely to drive and very well made (plus no one wants a Volvo behind them on the dual carriageway!).
- All the above are worth a look.
Re Volvo, you would ideally get the pre Euro 4 (DPF) model as these are less powerful although cheaper to tax.
I think the Audi of that era will feel old compared to both the Vauxhall and Volvo as it's an older design.
Nice car though.
G.
Edited by Gallen on Thursday 4th December 09:56
jason61c said:
Ideally I'd like 50mpg on the motorway. I'm guessing the volvo won't manage that?
Mines averaging an indicated 40.9 mpg on my 15 minute station commute.I would hope to achieve 50 on the motorway, or very close.
The auto box + 2.5 Diesel engine (5 cyl) is low revving and very, very smooth.
I'm slightly wary of the 2.0 engines. I'm going to avoid quattro's as with my mileage the extra 5mpg is a plus. I've been looking at skoda's.
I did see this...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VOLKSWAGEN-PASSAT-HIGHLI...
With the 105bhp engine, will it be a bit more frugal?
I did see this...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VOLKSWAGEN-PASSAT-HIGHLI...
With the 105bhp engine, will it be a bit more frugal?
Avoid said passat like the plague. Friend and old man both have one. Constant problems with them that VW seem to pretend don't exist. Definitely the perfect car to buy however if you want to sit in the middle of a busy junction with your electronic handbrake stuck on...
Friends owned his 2 years odd now and has easily spent over 2k in repairs my old man most likely going on 3k+.
Friends owned his 2 years odd now and has easily spent over 2k in repairs my old man most likely going on 3k+.
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/automotive/vw_passa...
Have a read of that as a warning.
406 is alright but a bit bland I find, the other half has one and its cheap no trills.
I've got a V70 I've owned 4 years on 190k which owes me the grand total of £180 in repairs, it is however the T5 which I imagine would be a bit too thirsty to use for work etc.
Have a read of that as a warning.
406 is alright but a bit bland I find, the other half has one and its cheap no trills.
I've got a V70 I've owned 4 years on 190k which owes me the grand total of £180 in repairs, it is however the T5 which I imagine would be a bit too thirsty to use for work etc.
I'm a fan of Volvos but a V70 D5 will not average 50mpg.
Yes maybe you will see 50 on a mway run doing 60-65 but once you get off the mway it will drop.
What about an Avensis?
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
My wife has the latest shape and average mpg hovers around 50mpg mostly A road and dual carriageway.
Well equipped, feels solid and large inside.
Not a lot of character but it just feels like it will go on forever.
What about a Mondeo? Yes DMF problems are well documented but its a good car to drive and prices are lower than equivalent VAG models.
Yes maybe you will see 50 on a mway run doing 60-65 but once you get off the mway it will drop.
What about an Avensis?
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
My wife has the latest shape and average mpg hovers around 50mpg mostly A road and dual carriageway.
Well equipped, feels solid and large inside.
Not a lot of character but it just feels like it will go on forever.
What about a Mondeo? Yes DMF problems are well documented but its a good car to drive and prices are lower than equivalent VAG models.
I'm going Volvo too.
Mine was LPG. Superb comfort, best seats ever, covered similar miles to you, never missed a beat & didn't cost much to maintain, biggest cost was tyres it came on Michelin & I stuck with them for preference.
I had Audi too, rode much harder, had a costly auto box replacement & always needed something replaced when in for service.
Mine was LPG. Superb comfort, best seats ever, covered similar miles to you, never missed a beat & didn't cost much to maintain, biggest cost was tyres it came on Michelin & I stuck with them for preference.
I had Audi too, rode much harder, had a costly auto box replacement & always needed something replaced when in for service.
I can give advice on both!
Owned a B5 Passat 1.9TDi 130 estate, '52 reg. Had it for seven years and loved the ownership. Only outlays were a clutch (£750 - dual mass flywheel thingy) and new discs/pads all round. Bought it with 70k miles, sold it with 140k miles.
Changed it for an C5 Audi A6 1.9TDi 130. Quality was more noticeable in the Audi but I didn't have the same affinity with it. Still a massively capable car though. Just sold it with 149k on it.
Many people put the Passat in the same size category as the A4 estate. It's not. The A4 isn't even close. I would guess the A4 is closer to the Golf estate maybe? My sister has the A4 estate and it's not big in the boot at all.
Buy either and you won't be disppointed. Both cars returned 50-55mpg on the motorway and around 40-45 around town.
Looked at the later Passat but didn't like the interior. Massive boot though.
Owned a B5 Passat 1.9TDi 130 estate, '52 reg. Had it for seven years and loved the ownership. Only outlays were a clutch (£750 - dual mass flywheel thingy) and new discs/pads all round. Bought it with 70k miles, sold it with 140k miles.
Changed it for an C5 Audi A6 1.9TDi 130. Quality was more noticeable in the Audi but I didn't have the same affinity with it. Still a massively capable car though. Just sold it with 149k on it.
Many people put the Passat in the same size category as the A4 estate. It's not. The A4 isn't even close. I would guess the A4 is closer to the Golf estate maybe? My sister has the A4 estate and it's not big in the boot at all.
Buy either and you won't be disppointed. Both cars returned 50-55mpg on the motorway and around 40-45 around town.
Looked at the later Passat but didn't like the interior. Massive boot though.
ben5732 said:
Avoid said passat like the plague. Friend and old man both have one. Constant problems with them that VW seem to pretend don't exist. Definitely the perfect car to buy however if you want to sit in the middle of a busy junction with your electronic handbrake stuck on...
Friends owned his 2 years odd now and has easily spent over 2k in repairs my old man most likely going on 3k+.
Lol. The passat is one of the best vehicles in the world why do you think taxi's use them? Friends owned his 2 years odd now and has easily spent over 2k in repairs my old man most likely going on 3k+.
If you're going to go for the VAG 1.9 TDI then make sure it's not one of the later 07/08 ones. There's a thread on here somewhere about catastrophic failures on them.
For my money it would be an 03/04 1.9 TDI 130 in an A4 with that leggy (40 mph/1000 rpm) 6spd box.
Edit: Or an accord/crv 2.2 CTDI
For my money it would be an 03/04 1.9 TDI 130 in an A4 with that leggy (40 mph/1000 rpm) 6spd box.
Edit: Or an accord/crv 2.2 CTDI
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