Best budget diesel?
Discussion
I have to cover 70 miles a day to get to work and back, and I'm looking for something that's happy eating the miles, gets good MPG, and is under 5 grand.
Back story:
Back story:
- Used to have a Mk1 MX-5 which was fantastic in the right conditions, but it got a bit grating on the daily commute.
- Tried a 57 plate Twingo but got sick of that after about a month (max speed of 60mph up hills on the motorway is NOT much fun).
- Swapped it for a 2.0 20v Passat. It's a nice enough cruiser, and it feels surprisingly energetic at motorway speeds - but it's not exactly economical (average of 27.5 mpg over the last 2500 miles).
Buddy of mine (not a PHer but into his cars nonetheless) used to run a 306 XTDT or some form of lettering, it was the 1.9 turbodiesel. I drove it a few times, it was actually quite a nice car to be in and drive, and I think he sold his at 210,000 miles and it was running absolutely fine.
ETA if you like the Passat size, a Mk2 Mondeo (i.e. not the one with tape on the rear bumper) with a standard diesel should see you well, even if you have to change down a gear on very steep hills.
ETA if you like the Passat size, a Mk2 Mondeo (i.e. not the one with tape on the rear bumper) with a standard diesel should see you well, even if you have to change down a gear on very steep hills.
Get an older 110bhp passat and get a costco card, their veg oil is £1 a litre or cheaper for used stuff off ebay.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/en...
This article indicates diesel supplies could be at risk.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/en...
This article indicates diesel supplies could be at risk.
I used to have an E46 320d (had done 130K miles). Despite its slightly annoying diesellyness, I still ended up missing it once it was gone. And looking back, why wouldn't I?
It was fun to drive: performed well on the motorway, was entertaining on B roads, steering wheel felt like it was actually connected to wheels, the pedals were nicely weighty, and it had a nice exact steering action which I imagine is due to the rear wheel drive.
It was fairly fuel efficient: driven at 70mph with cruise control, it would get 48mpg; driven by hand at a normal rate, more like 43 or 44mpg.
It was relatively inexpensive to keep running, though you might have to be prepared for some uneven bills. Mine was worryingly expensive for the first 18 months, and then started to cost me very little; averaged out, it was about as expensive as the knackered Renault Clio I drove before.
And it was nice to look at, but fairly unpretentious with it. My knackered Renault Clio would make children point and laugh, and some of my friends' friends were openly scornful of my jalopy; but the BMW generally passed without significant comment either way. Which suits me.
Sadly, mine eventually fell foul of a common BMW problem, one that (as far as I can tell) the manufacturer persistently refuses to fix, whereby the car becomes irreparably damaged after upside-down usage, particularly when in a muddy ditch. (However, I am still here to describe this fault, and the only side-effects are a marked reluctance to go round that particular corner at more than 45mph, no matter how sunny it is, and no matter how dry and free of piles of horse manure the roads appear to be. Which is probably worth something.)
But if you can find one that doesn't suffer from this fault, I'd recommend it. Lower-mileage cars were surprisingly expensive when I was looking earlier this year, though...
It was fun to drive: performed well on the motorway, was entertaining on B roads, steering wheel felt like it was actually connected to wheels, the pedals were nicely weighty, and it had a nice exact steering action which I imagine is due to the rear wheel drive.
It was fairly fuel efficient: driven at 70mph with cruise control, it would get 48mpg; driven by hand at a normal rate, more like 43 or 44mpg.
It was relatively inexpensive to keep running, though you might have to be prepared for some uneven bills. Mine was worryingly expensive for the first 18 months, and then started to cost me very little; averaged out, it was about as expensive as the knackered Renault Clio I drove before.
And it was nice to look at, but fairly unpretentious with it. My knackered Renault Clio would make children point and laugh, and some of my friends' friends were openly scornful of my jalopy; but the BMW generally passed without significant comment either way. Which suits me.
Sadly, mine eventually fell foul of a common BMW problem, one that (as far as I can tell) the manufacturer persistently refuses to fix, whereby the car becomes irreparably damaged after upside-down usage, particularly when in a muddy ditch. (However, I am still here to describe this fault, and the only side-effects are a marked reluctance to go round that particular corner at more than 45mph, no matter how sunny it is, and no matter how dry and free of piles of horse manure the roads appear to be. Which is probably worth something.)
But if you can find one that doesn't suffer from this fault, I'd recommend it. Lower-mileage cars were surprisingly expensive when I was looking earlier this year, though...
Edited by to3m on Thursday 2nd June 02:13
Edited by to3m on Thursday 2nd June 02:18
sebhaque said:
Buddy of mine (not a PHer but into his cars nonetheless) used to run a 306 XTDT or some form of lettering, it was the 1.9 turbodiesel. I drove it a few times, it was actually quite a nice car to be in and drive, and I think he sold his at 210,000 miles and it was running absolutely fine.
ETA if you like the Passat size, a Mk2 Mondeo (i.e. not the one with tape on the rear bumper) with a standard diesel should see you well, even if you have to change down a gear on very steep hills.
http://www.jack-frost.co.uk/mondeo_gaffer_tape.htm...ETA if you like the Passat size, a Mk2 Mondeo (i.e. not the one with tape on the rear bumper) with a standard diesel should see you well, even if you have to change down a gear on very steep hills.
MK2 Mondeos with gaffer tape, made me raise a smile
Guessing you mean the mk3's? I would definitely recommend those as a motorway muncher. Very comfortable and bloody cheap too, now.Fabia VRS...
The wifes does 50-60mpg, pretty decent off the mark too..
I have done the expansion tank mod and the tank can easily last two weeks, and she does a 60 mile commute to Nottingham everyday...
The suspension is pretty brittle though. If you do consider one then check the CV joints, and replace the bushes with cupra ones.
The wifes does 50-60mpg, pretty decent off the mark too..
I have done the expansion tank mod and the tank can easily last two weeks, and she does a 60 mile commute to Nottingham everyday...
The suspension is pretty brittle though. If you do consider one then check the CV joints, and replace the bushes with cupra ones.
js281 said:
Interesting, sounds like there's a lot of love for the Skoda vRS's...they've definately made the list now.
You can *just about* get an Octavia vRS TDi for under 5k, there's an 06 on Autotrader with 84k miles for £4999. Tempting! These are built on the Golf platform are they not?
Seriously?? Thats very tempting...If i was after a bigger car i would buy that!!!!!!!!!You can *just about* get an Octavia vRS TDi for under 5k, there's an 06 on Autotrader with 84k miles for £4999. Tempting! These are built on the Golf platform are they not?
Unsure about the Octavia...but i think it may be the golf platform.
I think my Fabia VRS is based on the Polo platform. Still a fair bit of space though...
Depending on budget, another vote for the 306dt. I've driven a few and friends have owned examples for years and never had serious problems. A mate bought one for £500, did 36,000 miles in 15 months and sold it for £500. Great little cars. My only gripe with them is the odd pedal spacing, but that's small fry really.
js281 said:
Interesting, sounds like there's a lot of love for the Skoda vRS's...they've definately made the list now.
You can *just about* get an Octavia vRS TDi for under 5k, there's an 06 on Autotrader with 84k miles for £4999. Tempting! These are built on the Golf platform are they not?
If it's this one you're talking about:You can *just about* get an Octavia vRS TDi for under 5k, there's an 06 on Autotrader with 84k miles for £4999. Tempting! These are built on the Golf platform are they not?
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/search/used/cars/skoda...
Then
AdTrader said:
SKODA OCTAVIA SPORT 2.0 TDI PD SILVER DSG AUTOMATIC 2006 LIKE VRS
So not quite 
ETA - My contribution would be VW Bora 1.9TDI PD130 (mainly because I have one). The reaosn being you get all the perks of a golf, for much much less money!! Very pokey 130BHP Engine and 55+MPG coupled with a comfortable ride - the all round package! If you get a Highline trimmed version, expect heated leather seats, climate control, cruise control etc!
See here - Bora Highline
Edited by Mikeyplum on Thursday 2nd June 16:29
Courtesy of my own garage I nominate this - if you can look past the plastic fantastic interior they can be found with low miles and good condition for £1500 - £2000 and they are rock solid engines.
Only because they are stupidly cheap due to being a company that no longer exists, well kind of does now...but you know what I mean.
If you want to spend more but withinh the £5k a Fabia VRS? Octavia?
I have heard bad stories about VAG group diesel repair bills on high mileage ones, but they are very refined and impressively powerful units.
Only because they are stupidly cheap due to being a company that no longer exists, well kind of does now...but you know what I mean.
If you want to spend more but withinh the £5k a Fabia VRS? Octavia?
I have heard bad stories about VAG group diesel repair bills on high mileage ones, but they are very refined and impressively powerful units.
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