What cheap diesel?

[DannyScene]

I've got a budget of 3-4 grand, would prefer a 2 or 3 door and must be manual, looking to do a few UK roadtrips this year and I cant justify the fuel costs I was getting from my old Celica (was definitely running rich which didn't help)

So far my short list is as follows:

Volvo C30
Honda Civic Type S GT 2.2 CDTi
BMW 1 Series Coupe 118d/120d
BMW 1 Series 3door Hatch engine as above
BMW 3 Series Coupe 320d

Are there any similar cars I'm missing?

Did consider a focus Diesel but I'm just not a fan

Lean FR diesel looks a good shout but I've never lusted over anything from the VAG group at this level

Fabia VRS again looks a shout, my mate has an SE and it does look and go reasonably well but again VAG brand and doesn't excite me

I should add I will be adding a mk2 MX5 to the driveway for local B-road fun having north Yorkshire on my doorstep, the diesel would almost exclusively be for the longer journeys and winter/rain duties

[ZX10R NIN]

Just out of interest why are you looking for manual only? I say this because if it's going to be a winter/long haul car then an auto would be a bonus.

If it has to be a manual because you want a fun drive then the only diesel worth looking at is the Megane RS 175 but they're hard to find:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Or sticking with Renaults there's the easier to find than the Laguna Coupe:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

I'm bias but I'd be going for a CLK220/270/320 depending on how much performance/fuel economy you're looking for, the sweet spot is the 270 but the 220/320 in Sport/Avantgarde Sport spec with the better seats are also great.

220 Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

270 Avantgarde

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

320 Avantgarde

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Or the smaller CLC 220 Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

If it has to be a manual:

CLC 200 Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

CLK220 Avantgarde

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[DannyScene]

Thanks for the replies mate, I hadn't actually considered a merc assuming they'd be out of budget but some of those are looking very tempting! I'll take a proper look at lunch time

The only reason I'd prefer manual is I borrowed a friends automatic a few years back and just could not seem to get along with it

[ZX10R NIN]

Test drive some the Mercs suit autos better than manuals as they flow along on the torque curves of their diesel engines, also the later (2008 onwards) CLC's come with the seven speed auto, the five speed is a good nigh on Bulletproof as is the seven speed.

Also select Sport when driving one because if it's in comfort it will pull away in 2nd & not use as many revs, in Sport the opposite is true.

[ZX10R NIN]

Test drive some the Mercs suit autos better than manuals as they flow along on the torque curves of their diesel engines, also the later (2008 onwards) CLC's come with the seven speed auto, the five speed is a good nigh on Bulletproof as is the seven speed, but with the longer ratios the seven speed is better on fuel as well as having better acceleration.

Also select Sport when driving one because if it's in comfort it will pull away in 2nd & not use as many revs, in Sport the opposite is true.