Reliable, Comfortable, 35+ MPG Barge required max £2k

[Sparkzz]

A change in circumstances means it's curtains for the S Class.

I need a need a reliable steed to guide me in comfort through the next 4 years.

Current considerations are:

Saab 9-3
E39 530d (Possible dogs?)
E46 320/330d (Also dogs?)

Thanks all.

[otolith]

Any reason not to go 9-5 rather than 9-3?

[ericmcn]

I hope you are factoring in a good couple of more 2ks in servicing for the next 4 years, even if you pick up a barge for 2k, its servicing wont depreciate like the car itself.

[ericmcn]

a LS430 is about as good and reliable barge you can get, fall asleep in them luxurious seats and be amazed at the silence around you and be prepared to be startled when you open the door and a derv passes you out.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

[Sparkzz]

ericmcn said:

I hope you are factoring in a good couple of more 2ks in servicing for the next 4 years, even if you pick up a barge for 2k, its servicing wont depreciate like the car itself.

Why would it cost me a couple of 2ks to service a Saab 9-3 1.9?

[Sparkzz]

ericmcn said:

a LS430 is about as good and reliable barge you can get, fall asleep in them luxurious seats and be amazed at the silence around you and be prepared to be startled when you open the door and a derv passes you out.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

I like these, but running costs too high. I'm doing 20k P/A, must do 35mpg really.

[Sparkzz]

otolith said:

Any reason not to go 9-5 rather than 9-3?

The oil sludge on the 2.2 put me off.

[otolith]

What sort of driving are you hoping to get 35+ on? My petrol Aero used to get that on the motorway, obviously less in traffic.

My Merc E320CDI does low to mid forties on a run.

[Sparkzz]

otolith said:

What sort of driving are you hoping to get 35+ on? My petrol Aero used to get that on the motorway, obviously less in traffic.

My Merc E320CDI does low to mid forties on a run.

35+ on a real combined cycle, I'd want to see 45 motorway really. The S does 28 on the commute and 38 on motorway.

[Mr Tidy]

Oh well, my E46 won't work as the OBC is showing 34.9 mpg right now!

But you could easily get a 320d E46 in budget that will do mid 40s at least (got over 600 miles out of a tank in my 320td more than once).

Good luck with your search.

Edited by Mr Tidy on Wednesday 28th June 02:01

[CX53]

Sparkzz said:

The oil sludge on the 2.2 put me off.

They did the 1.9 in the 9-5 as well. The 2.2 is supposed to be an old Isuzu lump. A bit slow and agricultural but very reliable.

The 1.9's must be pretty good though, they've been in loads of cars.

[ericmcn]

Sparkzz said:

I like these, but running costs too high. I'm doing 20k P/A, must do 35mpg really.

So you dont really want a barge then, i dont classify a Saab or a 320d in the barge league!

[ZX10R NIN]

The Mondeo is the obvious choice but they hold they're money well so a good one will be hard to find:

Mondeo 2.2d Titanium X

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Mondeo 2.2d ST

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Mondeo 2.0d Ghia X

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Go for cars that weren't as popular & you'll get a decent car:

MG ZT CDTI (low power 2.0d BMW lump) The clutches aren't cheap but it'll keep on going.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Vectra 1.9d Elite (same running gear as the Saabs but a bit cheaper to service)

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Vectra 3.0d Elite

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Honda Accord Executive 2.2d

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

Renault Laguna 2.0d Dynamique S (these were much improved on the electrics front & running gear wise are no less reliable than anything listed)

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Nissan Primera 2.2d SE

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Or you could go for a bit of an older Merc:

W210 E320cdi Avantgarde it's half (before haggling) your budget obviously check for rust & change the gearbox fluid but it will just keep going engine wise.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

If you don't need four doors C Coupes are good value:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Or if you do need four doors a C class could work:

C200 ( I reckon £1500 buys this make him put a new ticket on it & you could snag a bargain)

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

C220

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

The last 5 benefit from having an auto box which will be a bonus for the 20k a year you'll be doing those cars that are just over you'll have to haggle.

[RizzoTheRat]

Skoda Superb? Or if you don't need it quite as big an Octavia. I average well over 45mpg around town and am usually pushing 50 on a tank if doing a bit more long distance driving in my Octavia.

Otherwise Mondeo's tend to be pretty plentiful which keeps the prices down.