What Diesel car...

[ipsg.glf]

Just got rid of my Volvo T5 (only because I needed a fuel tanker behind me). Now running around in a 1.9d Skoda which I'll be keeping for the next 9 months or so.

I do 20-25k per year (mainly motorway) at 70-75mph. I think a Polo would just about do in terms of space - Bigger is OK subject to getting a minimum combined MPG of 50MPG.

I'm tentatively interested in:

Bluemotion Golf - combined cycle is 74.3 MPG
Bluemotion Polo - combined cycle is 80.7 MPG
Octavia Greenline - combined cycle is 83.10
Octavia vRS Tdi - combined cycle is 49.6 MPG

If I go for one of the above it will be PCP with option to buy at the end.

Other possibilities:

Volvo S60 D5 - second had - around 4k

My worry is that having had a 330d sport (remapped) previously the temptation to make use of that power means that the MPG was through the floor. With my current car, there is no power so I have no problem sitting at 70-75 and I don't even think about making progress.

I'll probably need to keep this car for 5 years so need to be sure I make the right choice.

My preferences:

Not french
Skoda rather than Vw
Not a money pit (obviously)
Nice waftability (if possible)

I don't get hung up about mileage at all (as long as there is full service history and evidence of repaits/parts changed).

I'd very much appreciate thoughts and suggestions for other vehicles.

Cheers

[4sure]

Is diesel working out a cheaper option these days, especially with the increased servicing.

[y2blade]

4sure said:

Is diesel working out a cheaper option these days, especially with the increased servicing.

this^^^

older (pre Euro-4) diesels are the best bet imho..the older the better
they run on and on 200000+miles without breaking a sweat

I "was" looking at replacing my S60D5 (Euro3) next spring with a newer V50 D5, but the more I read the more I do not want

[Bonefish Blues]

Shoot me down in flames...

Have you considered a Prius?

I get mid 50s mpg on a similar journey profile to yours.

Just a thought.

[pilchardthecat]

y2blade said:

4sure said:

Is diesel working out a cheaper option these days, especially with the increased servicing.

this^^^

older (pre Euro-4) diesels are the best bet imho..the older the better

they run on and on 200000+miles without breaking a sweat

Some of them do. My e46 330d was a money pit though, and I know someone with the e39 with the same engine which is costing him a fortune.

I would love to see some actual numbers/facts on the diesel vs petrol / older vs newer maintenance and servicing situation, rather than just impressions and anecdotes (like mine above)

[t955daytona]

I would take a look at an Audi A2 TDI, you should be able to pick up a nice spec one with decent mileage for £5-6K. They return a genuine 60+ mpg and are £30 tax band. For the money they can't really be beaten, not the most dynamic drive in the world, but really practical and very cheap to run, parts are also cheap except for A2 specific bits (body panels etc)

[y2blade]

pilchardthecat said:

y2blade said:

4sure said:

Is diesel working out a cheaper option these days, especially with the increased servicing.

this^^^

older (pre Euro-4) diesels are the best bet imho..the older the better

they run on and on 200000+miles without breaking a sweat

Some of them do. My e46 330d was a money pit though, and I know someone with the e39 with the same engine which is costing him a fortune.

I would love to see some actual numbers/facts on the diesel vs petrol / older vs newer maintenance and servicing situation, rather than just impressions and anecdotes (like mine above)

I'm not surprised
personally I wouldn't touch any BMW diesel with a barge pole.

[4sure]

Bonefish Blues said:

Shoot me down in flames...

Have you considered a Prius?

I get mid 50s mpg on a similar journey profile to yours.

Just a thought.

We have a Prius too, bloody great cars,good mpg especially remembering its a full 5 seater large hatchback and its auto.

They are waftastic and we have done 82000 miles in ours so far,last big full service last week was £180 at main dealer.

Forget all the green issues....it does mid 50s mpg,costs a tenner to tax every year and cheap to insure.

Ok it looks like a fridge,but so does my fridge and that does its job too !

Great car.

[ipsg.glf]

Servicing? Volvo was every 10k. Skoda is every 10k.

A prius? Thanks for the suggestion but not for me. I'd rather buy a Citroen, move to Paris, change my name to Jacque and stop washing.

Audit A2? Mmmm. Maybe.

Euro III D5 is looking promising.

Keep 'em coming.

Edited by ipsg.glf on Thursday 17th March 10:37

[ipsg.glf]

I'm also tentatively thinking about a Seat of some description.

[VeeFour]

Prius is a good call - and if you don't like the looks, then the Auris HSD is a more conventional looking alternative.

[Bonefish Blues]

VeeFour said:

Prius is a good call - and if you don't like the looks, then the Auris HSD is a more conventional looking alternative.

Nope - Smelly Jacques won't have 'em.

[Rammy76]

y2blade said:

this^^^

older (pre Euro-4) diesels are the best bet imho..the older the better
they run on and on 200000+miles without breaking a sweat

I "was" looking at replacing my S60D5 (Euro3) next spring with a newer V50 D5, but the more I read the more I do not want

I agree with this, I was looking to update mine but hearing some of the horror stories of the newer diesel technology I think I'll stay with my trusty old PD Passat!

[ipsg.glf]

I forgot to add in my original post, that I am also considering a Mk 1 Skoda Fabia vRS. Thanks to Gareth for his PM prompting this.

[edo]

You dont mention your budget...

[y2blade]

edo said:

You dont mention your budget...

ipsg.glf said:

I'm tentatively interested in:

Bluemotion Golf - combined cycle is 74.3 MPG
Bluemotion Polo - combined cycle is 80.7 MPG
Octavia Greenline - combined cycle is 83.10
Octavia vRS Tdi - combined cycle is 49.6 MPG

If I go for one of the above it will be PCP with option to buy at the end.

Other possibilities:

Volvo S60 D5 - second had - around 4k

too add...you'll get a Euro3 S60 D5 for £3k ..I wouldn't touch the Euro4 D5 myself

Edited by y2blade on Thursday 17th March 15:45

[300bhp/ton]

ipsg.glf said:

Just got rid of my Volvo T5 (only because I needed a fuel tanker behind me). Now running around in a 1.9d Skoda which I'll be keeping for the next 9 months or so.

I do 20-25k per year (mainly motorway) at 70-75mph. I think a Polo would just about do in terms of space - Bigger is OK subject to getting a minimum combined MPG of 50MPG.

I'm tentatively interested in:

Bluemotion Golf - combined cycle is 74.3 MPG
Bluemotion Polo - combined cycle is 80.7 MPG
Octavia Greenline - combined cycle is 83.10
Octavia vRS Tdi - combined cycle is 49.6 MPG

If I go for one of the above it will be PCP with option to buy at the end.

Other possibilities:

Volvo S60 D5 - second had - around 4k

My worry is that having had a 330d sport (remapped) previously the temptation to make use of that power means that the MPG was through the floor. With my current car, there is no power so I have no problem sitting at 70-75 and I don't even think about making progress.

I'll probably need to keep this car for 5 years so need to be sure I make the right choice.

My preferences:

Not french
Skoda rather than Vw
Not a money pit (obviously)
Nice waftability (if possible)

I don't get hung up about mileage at all (as long as there is full service history and evidence of repaits/parts changed).

I'd very much appreciate thoughts and suggestions for other vehicles.

Cheers

I'm confused. Hoe do you make use if the power on a motorway? Do you continually slow down to 30mph and then floor it until you think it unwise or do regulary treat the m way as an unrestricted autobahn and cruise at 120-140mph??

Think I'd personally opt for a rwd diesel BMW 1 Series over any of the above if I'm honest. 118d is rated at 62mpg I think.

Although that said I'd also look at LPG powered machines too. It'd open up a huge potential of different and interesting cars.

A diesel car I quite liked driving the other year was the Dodge Avenger. It uses a VW 2.0 diesel. Thouht it was comfy and well specced and rode very well. Certainly more a comfy cruiser than sports car but I thought it went quite well.

Of course as it's American it gets slated in the UK by the motoring press and ignorant types. So prices are low and they'll depreciate quite quickly. By it does mean you can snatch a bargain right now.

[VeeFour]

300bhp/ton said:

A diesel car I quite liked driving the other year was the Dodge Avenger. It uses a VW 2.0 diesel. Thouht it was comfy and well specced and rode very well. Certainly more a comfy cruiser than sports car but I thought it went quite well.

Of course as it's American it gets slated in the UK by the motoring press and ignorant types. So prices are low and they'll depreciate quite quickly. By it does mean you can snatch a bargain right now.

I looked at them, because they looked cheap and sensible for someone opting out of the company car scheme.

What I found was the cheapest, most shoddily built heap of junk since the Dacia Duster was last seen on UK roads - with a strangely harsh, but wallowy ride and all the handling prowess of a narrowboat.

In fact, they were so bad, one of the big new car brokers was punting them out on a BOGOF deal a few years back.

[Rammy76]

VeeFour said:

I looked at them, because they looked cheap and sensible for someone opting out of the company car scheme.

What I found was the cheapest, most shoddily built heap of junk since the Dacia Duster was last seen on UK roads - with a strangely harsh, but wallowy ride and all the handling prowess of a narrowboat.

In fact, they were so bad, one of the big new car brokers was punting them out on a BOGOF deal a few years back.

I remember that deal at the dealership here, BOGOF. There were a few taxi firms took advantage of the offer thinking they were getting a good deal. That proved to be a mistake from any driver I've spoken to.

[ipsg.glf]

Sorry - I missed a £ off the 4k in the original post - £4k unless I go down the PCP route in which case, say, £300 per month.

Power? Yeah I live spirited driving......