Best diesel engine for reliabilit around mid 2000s

[dazl1212]

Hi,

I may have to get a diesel car sometime next year.

Wont have a massive budget so looking for something around 2005-2008.

Ideally without a DPF and without common expensive problems.

So far Ive looked at 2.0 vag diesels but they seem to have some really big issues with the oil pump that can wreck the engine.


My 1.9 110 TDI Golf was a hoot to drive though but they seem to be getting rare.
The Honda 2.2 CDTI seem decent.

Mazda and Toyota seem a no go which is a shame as my Celica has been brilliant.

Was looking at S40s and their PSA diesels seem a nighmare which rules out Fords as well.

I had an Astra 1.7CDTI which was pretty reliable but seemed to lack a bit of power. Heard horror stories about the 1.9 CDTIS though.

Any suggestions?

[Triumph Man]

If you're willing to go a little older (although you can get 2005 ones just) I had a 2003 VW Passat 1.9 tdi B5.5 (with the PD 130 bhp engine) and it was the most reliable car I have ever owned. There are still lower mileage examples out there.

[CampDavid]

The 1.9derv in an VAG product appears to be bomb proof.

The 4 pot Merc CDI also seems to have a history of not bothering to give issue prior to 500k miles

[dazl1212]

Good shouts, I had a look at A3/A4 TDis and they're definitely and option.

I'll check out the Mercs as well, I don't think they're too great on fuel although I could be wrong.

[S100HP]

163bhp D5 found in Volvos

[Monkeylegend]

dazl1212 said:

Good shouts, I had a look at A3/A4 TDis and they're definitely and option.

I'll check out the Mercs as well, I don't think they're too great on fuel although I could be wrong.

The Merc 4 pot is very reliable from personal experience. I had a 2003 and 2007 E220CDi, both did over 310k with no issues and averaged high 40's overall with mid 50's achievable.

They also are chain driven so no cambelts to worry about.

[CampDavid]

Around that age a Skoda Fabia VRs would be high up the list. My mum bought hers new before passing it on to my wife in 2013. It's fun, reliable, economical and handled a baby and pushchair comfortably. Ours is on 100k-ish now and hasn't really missed a beat

[dazl1212]

I must admit Ive always wanted a Merc and the diesels on Autotrader seem to be going for not much. So I find that quite tempting.

I wouldnt mind a Fabia VRS I just wonder how it would be for towing? I imagine its dasmn good fun to drive.

[dazl1212]

Monkeylegend said:

The Merc 4 pot is very reliable from personal experience. I had a 2003 and 2007 E220CDi, both did over 310k with no issues and averaged high 40's overall with mid 50's achievable.

They also are chain driven so no cambelts to worry about.

Do you have the auto or the manual?

The MPG difference between the two seems quite high.

[Monkeylegend]

dazl1212 said:

Monkeylegend said:

The Merc 4 pot is very reliable from personal experience. I had a 2003 and 2007 E220CDi, both did over 310k with no issues and averaged high 40's overall with mid 50's achievable.

They also are chain driven so no cambelts to worry about.

Do you have the auto or the manual?

The MPG difference between the two seems quite high.

Always had and still have automatic, all mine have had the 5g box which again is bullet proof if serviced properly.

My current 2011 E220 is on 302k and still going well and over that time I have averaged 47ish, the best being 60.9 from memory.

[MYOB]

dazl1212 said:

Was looking at S40s and their PSA diesels seem a nighmare which rules out Fords as well.

Look at the D3, D4 or D5. These were Volvo's engines, not PSA. They have 5 cylinders too.

[CampDavid]

dazl1212 said:

I must admit Ive always wanted a Merc and the diesels on Autotrader seem to be going for not much. So I find that quite tempting.

I wouldnt mind a Fabia VRS I just wonder how it would be for towing? I imagine its dasmn good fun to drive.

As far as I know you can't tow with the VRs, it's not got any weights specified.

It's a fun thing to punt about. Skill is to get the car into a corner managing the front grip and then get on the power early to make the most of the torque. Found mine hilarious when chasing a mate in a Porsche 928 around the roads near the Nurburgring. Brakes completely failed though through overheating though.

[dazl1212]

MYOB said:

Look at the D3, D4 or D5. These were Volvo's engines, not PSA. They have 5 cylinders too.

I only have up to two grand so I think they maybe out of my price range which is a shame as I had a D4 V40 as a courtesy car for a few months and its probably the best diesel I've ever driven.

[Nealio]

dazl1212 said:

Hi,

I may have to get a diesel car sometime next year.

Wont have a massive budget so looking for something around 2005-2008.

Ideally without a DPF and without common expensive problems.

So far Ive looked at 2.0 vag diesels but they seem to have some really big issues with the oil pump that can wreck the engine.


My 1.9 110 TDI Golf was a hoot to drive though but they seem to be getting rare.
The Honda 2.2 CDTI seem decent.

Mazda and Toyota seem a no go which is a shame as my Celica has been brilliant.

Was looking at S40s and their PSA diesels seem a nighmare which rules out Fords as well.

I had an Astra 1.7CDTI which was pretty reliable but seemed to lack a bit of power. Heard horror stories about the 1.9 CDTIS though.

Any suggestions?

The PSA HDis are great... in PSA cars. It's the stuff that Ford changed that goes wrong.

[dazl1212]

CampDavid said:

dazl1212 said:

I must admit Ive always wanted a Merc and the diesels on Autotrader seem to be going for not much. So I find that quite tempting.

I wouldnt mind a Fabia VRS I just wonder how it would be for towing? I imagine its dasmn good fun to drive.

As far as I know you can't tow with the VRs, it's not got any weights specified.

It's a fun thing to punt about. Skill is to get the car into a corner managing the front grip and then get on the power early to make the most of the torque. Found mine hilarious when chasing a mate in a Porsche 928 around the roads near the Nurburgring. Brakes completely failed though through overheating though.

Sounds like a lot of fun. Maybe a bit on the small size but will definitely have a look into it!

[MYOB]

dazl1212 said:

MYOB said:

Look at the D3, D4 or D5. These were Volvo's engines, not PSA. They have 5 cylinders too.

I only have up to two grand so I think they maybe out of my price range which is a shame as I had a D4 V40 as a courtesy car for a few months and its probably the best diesel I've ever driven.

There's quite a few on Autotrader that are hovering slightly over £2000 - there ought to be some haggling over prices to bring them down to your budget. Avoid the 1.6l.

[dazl1212]

Nealio said:

dazl1212 said:

Hi,

I may have to get a diesel car sometime next year.

Wont have a massive budget so looking for something around 2005-2008.

Ideally without a DPF and without common expensive problems.

So far Ive looked at 2.0 vag diesels but they seem to have some really big issues with the oil pump that can wreck the engine.


My 1.9 110 TDI Golf was a hoot to drive though but they seem to be getting rare.
The Honda 2.2 CDTI seem decent.

Mazda and Toyota seem a no go which is a shame as my Celica has been brilliant.

Was looking at S40s and their PSA diesels seem a nighmare which rules out Fords as well.

I had an Astra 1.7CDTI which was pretty reliable but seemed to lack a bit of power. Heard horror stories about the 1.9 CDTIS though.

Any suggestions?

The PSA HDis are great... in PSA cars. It's the stuff that Ford changed that goes wrong.

Are they? Say in the C4? I quite liked the petrol Loeb edition I used at work. Very nice drive and comfortable.

[ZX10R NIN]

Mercedes 220/270 engined cars of that era are pretty much bulletproof.

[dazl1212]

Renault DCI 1.9 and 1.5 any good? They seem to have 2008-2010 roughly in my price range.

[kurt535]

Honda 2.2 ICDTI

42 mpg in a CRV, more in the Accord. No DPF pre 2007. 10/10 engine.