Which Dacia Duster
Discussion
With time running out for my 1998 BMW, owned 22 years, due to the new ULEZ coming in a year's time, thoughts have been on a replacement.
So have been testing new cars like the Guilia Veloce but not liking them compared to my old e36, thus maybe it's time to look at something practical and more frugal.
I'm 58 and need to stop out braking newer but heavier cars into roundabouts
Since they were launched I've been quite taken with the Dusters but would like some input on the best engine.
I was looking at a 2019 Access model yesterday with the 1.6 petrol, only 5000 miles for £9000, but I believe that engine is supposedly a bit rough and the 1.3 petrol is much better.
Most cars have the 1.5 diesel but with the ever changing goal posts it would worry me about having to change car again.
I like the idea of basic and almost new so please no suggestions of older better cars for the money. Just input from owners.
If I go for 6 or 7 years old, I see that I can spend as little as £5k but what problems may there be? I understand that rust is present on the pre 2014 models.
So I'll stick to my budget of £9k, basic model with steel wheels but what engine, preferably petrol?
Cheers.
So have been testing new cars like the Guilia Veloce but not liking them compared to my old e36, thus maybe it's time to look at something practical and more frugal.
I'm 58 and need to stop out braking newer but heavier cars into roundabouts
Since they were launched I've been quite taken with the Dusters but would like some input on the best engine.
I was looking at a 2019 Access model yesterday with the 1.6 petrol, only 5000 miles for £9000, but I believe that engine is supposedly a bit rough and the 1.3 petrol is much better.
Most cars have the 1.5 diesel but with the ever changing goal posts it would worry me about having to change car again.
I like the idea of basic and almost new so please no suggestions of older better cars for the money. Just input from owners.
If I go for 6 or 7 years old, I see that I can spend as little as £5k but what problems may there be? I understand that rust is present on the pre 2014 models.
So I'll stick to my budget of £9k, basic model with steel wheels but what engine, preferably petrol?
Cheers.
Did you already tried the Duster/SUV driving position ?
I had one as a rental car, a week it was snowing, in 4x4. Was great fun! But I was also happy to give it back... Feels cheap, driving position not for me, Sat Nav screen really low to look at...
Are you sure you want an SUV ? So sad the e36 has to go for this reason.... For petrol VS diesel, it depends how many miles you do per month/year. Most of people needs petrol
I had one as a rental car, a week it was snowing, in 4x4. Was great fun! But I was also happy to give it back... Feels cheap, driving position not for me, Sat Nav screen really low to look at...
Are you sure you want an SUV ? So sad the e36 has to go for this reason.... For petrol VS diesel, it depends how many miles you do per month/year. Most of people needs petrol
baptistsan said:
I can be of absolutely no help on the Dacia front.
I am however interested to hear why you weren't taken with the Alfa. I keep getting budget creep & perusing them in the classifieds.
TIA.
I still keep toying with the idea of the Alfa, it's just that with it's excellent super smooth 8 speed auto, very light electric steering and odd electric brakes, I felt very uninvolved in the driving when I expected so much more. I am however interested to hear why you weren't taken with the Alfa. I keep getting budget creep & perusing them in the classifieds.
TIA.
Shame they don't sell the manual here.
Maybe I needed more than the half hour test drive but it is quick and I could see myself getting into a lot of trouble licence wise.
Edited by croyde on Tuesday 27th October 10:25
cedrichn said:
Did you already tried the Duster/SUV driving position ?
I had one as a rental car, a week it was snowing, in 4x4. Was great fun! But I was also happy to give it back... Feels cheap, driving position not for me, Sat Nav screen really low to look at...
Are you sure you want an SUV ? So sad the e36 has to go for this reason.... For petrol VS diesel, it depends how many miles you do per month/year. Most of people needs petrol
I have driven one with a salesperson next to me. Can't talk about the seating position as it was only half an hour. It did what it says on the tin so to speak. Nothing to write home about but its practical, I can use it to shift stuff, throw muddy gear and or bikes in the back and generally not car about it. I had one as a rental car, a week it was snowing, in 4x4. Was great fun! But I was also happy to give it back... Feels cheap, driving position not for me, Sat Nav screen really low to look at...
Are you sure you want an SUV ? So sad the e36 has to go for this reason.... For petrol VS diesel, it depends how many miles you do per month/year. Most of people needs petrol
I only do about 5000 on average a year so the petrol cost is no biggy but it'll be a lot less than the Beemer.
I'd more likely keep the BMW and not worry about having to do work on it that may keep it off the road for a day or more.
Is a shame, owned for 22 years, that has to be a very green way of running a car.
1.3 is sweet, revvy but lacking any torque and needs to be rowed on the gear-lever all the time. Pretty dreadful on the motorway when baulked, for example.
1.6 is more gutsy but coarse when revved, feels old.
1.5 diesel is subjectively the best for the car - torquey, feels revvy for a diesel, goes really well but like you, I would be concerned about possible changes in legislation.
BTW - for what they cost, I would be tempted to get a well-specced one for very little extra.
Wonder if a 172 Clio motor could be persuaded to fit...?
1.6 is more gutsy but coarse when revved, feels old.
1.5 diesel is subjectively the best for the car - torquey, feels revvy for a diesel, goes really well but like you, I would be concerned about possible changes in legislation.
BTW - for what they cost, I would be tempted to get a well-specced one for very little extra.
Wonder if a 172 Clio motor could be persuaded to fit...?
croyde said:
So I'll stick to my budget of £9k, basic model with steel wheels but what engine, preferably petrol?
I've driven the 1.5 diesel in a Laureate Prime 4WD version (previous generation), I found it surprisingly decent.
Finally a Pistonheads topic I can talk with experience on!
I've had a 2017 1.5 diesel Duster for just over 2 years now and done about 40,000 miles in it. I needed a basic 4wd and decided on an ex demo one as it was top spec and low miles I plan to keep it until it dies so wanted something new and that I knew the whole history of.
As far as engines I've only tried the diesel and it's pretty good, I get over 50mpg on motorway run and it pulls just fine. It's comfy enough for me but I've never owned a "comfy" car having had minis and such in the past. Apparently the 4wd ones are comfier than 2wd as they have better rear suspension (I've only driven the 4wd).
It's been perfectly reliable in that time too, a small bit of exterior trim came off about a week into ownership. Nothing bad just a bit of plastic that goes round a front fog light that's a dealer fit option. Replaced that on my driveway with a bit of adhesive.
One thing I wouldn't bother with is the infotainment screen, satnav etc. The navigation is never going to be as good as Waze and it likes to reset it's self randomly, deleting all your saved destinations and putting the radio on AM frequency. Also it's quite low on the dashboard so not great for looking at whilst driving. Although the parking camera is pretty good.
Overall I rate it highly, I needed something cheap to run that can do some off road and fit 3 dogs in the boot which it does well.
My only regret being I bought it just before the new Jimny was announced at a similar price to what I paid, although the dogs would be less happy...
I've had a 2017 1.5 diesel Duster for just over 2 years now and done about 40,000 miles in it. I needed a basic 4wd and decided on an ex demo one as it was top spec and low miles I plan to keep it until it dies so wanted something new and that I knew the whole history of.
As far as engines I've only tried the diesel and it's pretty good, I get over 50mpg on motorway run and it pulls just fine. It's comfy enough for me but I've never owned a "comfy" car having had minis and such in the past. Apparently the 4wd ones are comfier than 2wd as they have better rear suspension (I've only driven the 4wd).
It's been perfectly reliable in that time too, a small bit of exterior trim came off about a week into ownership. Nothing bad just a bit of plastic that goes round a front fog light that's a dealer fit option. Replaced that on my driveway with a bit of adhesive.
One thing I wouldn't bother with is the infotainment screen, satnav etc. The navigation is never going to be as good as Waze and it likes to reset it's self randomly, deleting all your saved destinations and putting the radio on AM frequency. Also it's quite low on the dashboard so not great for looking at whilst driving. Although the parking camera is pretty good.
Overall I rate it highly, I needed something cheap to run that can do some off road and fit 3 dogs in the boot which it does well.
My only regret being I bought it just before the new Jimny was announced at a similar price to what I paid, although the dogs would be less happy...
Thanks for your reply. What's the service interval on the diesel.
I am wondering if I should go oily as more choice and others have said that it suits the car.
Being cheap enough to buy almost new, I suppose I can factor that in when they change the rules, yet again.
Hopefully I'll have left bloody London by then.
I am wondering if I should go oily as more choice and others have said that it suits the car.
Being cheap enough to buy almost new, I suppose I can factor that in when they change the rules, yet again.
Hopefully I'll have left bloody London by then.
It's every 12,000 miles/12 months, I've done it at main Renault/Dacia dealers for warranty/goodwill reasons if needed and it's been pretty cheap. But I suppose it is basically a clio engine so was never going to be a lot. I'll soon be going to an indie now it's out of warranty and eventually doing it myself.
littleredrooster said:
1.3 is sweet, revvy but lacking any torque and needs to be rowed on the gear-lever all the time. Pretty dreadful on the motorway when baulked, for example.
1.6 is more gutsy but coarse when revved, feels old.
1.5 diesel is subjectively the best for the car - torquey, feels revvy for a diesel, goes really well but like you, I would be concerned about possible changes in legislation.
BTW - for what they cost, I would be tempted to get a well-specced one for very little extra.
Wonder if a 172 Clio motor could be persuaded to fit...?
I imagine it would, the Duster is sold with the petrol 2 litre f4r in Brazil. Not sure how useful that is to OP though 1.6 is more gutsy but coarse when revved, feels old.
1.5 diesel is subjectively the best for the car - torquey, feels revvy for a diesel, goes really well but like you, I would be concerned about possible changes in legislation.
BTW - for what they cost, I would be tempted to get a well-specced one for very little extra.
Wonder if a 172 Clio motor could be persuaded to fit...?
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