Thinking of buying a 320D high miler...

[mattikake]

I'm looking at a 10 year old 100K+ miler 320D E46 estate for "load lugging".

Anything I should know about these? Common faults. Common age expirey issues?

Also, anyone know what the real-world performance is like for 0-60, handling, RWD fun etc.?

[Sir_Dave]

Research swirl flaps, vortex filter & turbo failure.

Bar that they are fine. Mine used to do 48mpg (facelift 6sp).

Personally, unless you are regularly doing 25k a year id just buy a petrol one - less to break.

[Oi_Oi_Savaloy]

The vortex filter should really be a service item (it's £50). First you do is change it once you've bought the car.

You can do the swirl flaps yourself if you've handy with the tools or get someone else to do it.

the vortext filter will protect your turbo - make sure you change (I didn't realise it was such a big deal - and ended up blowing my turbo - £1,500 later and that was doing it as cheaply as possible, including all the parts, epic labour hours to clean out exhaust etc etc of all old oil). nightmare.

[mattikake]

Oo-er thanks for the heads-up. That's put me right off unless I can find one that's had that failure and work done already and I haven't seen one yet on autotrader...

Back to the Mondeo being the best all-round option methinks! Pity a bit of RWD would've been cool.

[Max M4X WW]

Mondeo Diesel? It will be just as bad.

Get a petrol.

[mattikake]

I need the mpg.

[Max M4X WW]

VAG then

[Oi_Oi_Savaloy]

Yep - something like a MK4 golf 110 or 130. the 150's have an issue with the camshaft(s). oil starvation or something.

Or passat/bora if you don't like the gold shape.

[mattikake]

I need something that can fit exercise bikes, push bikes, barbells, benches, all at the same time, so it needs to be an estate.

I still think a mondeo is the best vfm option and by some distance, I was jsut thinking BMW for a bit of RWD fun along the way, at the expense of insurance and mpg.

[bigdom]

Passat estate 130 1.9tdi