Best £4k diesel auto?

[white_goodman]

As much as I love my Subaru, a change of circumstances means that I need to get something more economical to run. I will be doing more motorway miles, so ride and seat comfort/refinement is more important than sparkling handling. I quite fancy an auto, as I have not had one before but would still be looking for a real world mpg of 40mpg+ and a reasonable turn of speed for safe overtaking. I don't need an estate but would consider one and would appreciate a few toys such as leather, heated seats, climate control, cruise control CD changer etc. The catch is that I only have £4k to spend. These are the cars that I have been considering. Any thoughts, good or bad on these or any alternative suggestions would be welcome.

Audi A6 2.5 TDI
BMW 330d/530d
Mercedes-Benz C-Class (W202/W203)
Mercedes-Benz E320CDI (W210)
Rover 75
Saab 9-5
Skoda Superb 2.5 TDI
Volkswagen Passat 1.9 TDI 130 Highline
Volvo S60 D5

[slippery]

I would also add the S80 to that list. I had an S80 2.9 at the same time as my wife had an S60 T5 and the S80 was usefully more spacious and armchair like, for no more money.

[martin84]

Well one of your options at least, the Rover 75 would be acquirable for far under £4k with the CDT engine, even on low mileage with 35-45mpg realistic.

[Deva Link]

Dont buy a Merc in the age and price bracket you're looking at or you'll drop right into a pretty dodgy era.

W203 C Class is good from the mid-2004 facelift but I would guess they're still a bit dearer than your budget, but E Class needs to be a W211 from mid 2006 facelift onwards.

[Liquid Knight]

Bus?

[Spanna]

Lots of cars on the list there. I think the best value for money out of those would be the S80 or S60.

Not considering the diesel X-Type?

[martin84]

Spanna said:

Lots of cars on the list there. I think the best value for money out of those would be the S80 or S60.

Not considering the diesel X-Type?

I'd have thought a diesel auto X-Type would be above the OP's budget.

[Rob_F]

Well, time for 'recommend your own car' time, but genuinely I'd have this: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2003-03-MG-ZT-CDTI-AUTO-...

[sparkythecat]

My mates selling his nice 03 Saab 9-5 3.0tid.
A big comfortable barge with leather and lots of toys.
176bhp V6 that will do 40+mpg all day.
Despite it being a 2 owner car with only around 92k and FSSH He's struggling to get any interest at 2k.
Unfortunately it isn't an auto.

[martin84]

sparkythecat said:

My mates selling his nice 03 Saab 9-5 3.0tid.
A big comfortable barge with leather and lots of toys.
176bhp V6 that will do 40+mpg all day.
Despite it being a 2 owner car with only around 92k and FSSH He's struggling to get any interest at 2k.
Unfortunately it isn't an auto.

Signs of buyers very wary of Saabs now perhaps?

[V8Wagon]

Honda Accord? My dad's got the manual derv and it is a very nice car. Great spec too! Most have satnav, leather, sunroof, dual zone climate, xenons + more!

[slippery]

martin84 said:

sparkythecat said:

My mates selling his nice 03 Saab 9-5 3.0tid.
A big comfortable barge with leather and lots of toys.
176bhp V6 that will do 40+mpg all day.
Despite it being a 2 owner car with only around 92k and FSSH He's struggling to get any interest at 2k.
Unfortunately it isn't an auto.

Signs of buyers very wary of Saabs now perhaps?

I ran one of these from 59k to 159k with no significant issues. Others weren't so lucky if you believe the forums. It was a great companion at a time when I was doing 1000 miles a week with a similar agenda to the OP.

[SD1992]

sparkythecat said:

My mates selling his nice 03 Saab 9-5 3.0tid.
A big comfortable barge with leather and lots of toys.
176bhp V6 that will do 40+mpg all day.
Despite it being a 2 owner car with only around 92k and FSSH He's struggling to get any interest at 2k.
Unfortunately it isn't an auto.

I have noticed that insurance is absolutely nuts on them for some reason?! As in would be cheaper for me to drive an E39 540i or a Vectra 3.2 GSI than one of them!

[zaphod42]

Read up on the Audi 2.5 engine first, some key things to look for as it's not the strongest engine in Audi's history.

[poing]

SD1992 said:

sparkythecat said:

My mates selling his nice 03 Saab 9-5 3.0tid.
A big comfortable barge with leather and lots of toys.
176bhp V6 that will do 40+mpg all day.
Despite it being a 2 owner car with only around 92k and FSSH He's struggling to get any interest at 2k.
Unfortunately it isn't an auto.

I have noticed that insurance is absolutely nuts on them for some reason?! As in would be cheaper for me to drive an E39 540i or a Vectra 3.2 GSI than one of them!

Aren't they mostly GM parts now anyway? Surely getting parts for them is no harder than getting parts for a Rover?

[zaphod42]

I think the 9-5 3.0 engine was an Isuzu unit; reliable if well maintained but not the strongest unit, I've heard that they should not be re-mapped.

[Lippy Kid]

martin84 said:

Signs of buyers very wary of Saabs now perhaps?

Are the general public (i.e non-car geeks) really aware of the Saab situation?

[Prof Prolapse]

zaphod42 said:

I think the 9-5 3.0 engine was an Isuzu unit; reliable if well maintained but not the strongest unit, I've heard that they should not be re-mapped.

Isuzu unit. Prone to overheating and subsequent headgasket failures.

Some issues with diesel injector pump failures. SAAB list price for pump is £1600. Add another £400 for labour.

A friend suffered from the former, I've never heard of the latter beyond the interweb but if you're a paranoid man (like me) it might always be at the back of your mind.

You can get piggy back ECU maps, piece of piss to fit, makes it really shift with better economy too.

Swings and roundabouts. Good car if you're happy with a bit of gamble and a decent pre-purchase inspection. With a decent warranty you can't go wrong.

[DavidY]

Saab 9-5 3.0TiDs have a reputation for dropping liners so one to avoid, and not available in auto.

How about a 9-3 1.9TiD auto, I picked a 55 plate one up for £4.5K 18 months ago with 76k on the clock, 150bhp TiD, full leather, auto lots of toys, averages 47mpg overall and sees 55mpg regularly on long runs. very comfortable (like all Saabs)

[zaphod42]

DavidY said:

Saab 9-5 3.0TiDs have a reputation for dropping liners so one to avoid, and not available in auto.

How about a 9-3 1.9TiD auto, I picked a 55 plate one up for £4.5K 18 months ago with 76k on the clock, 150bhp TiD, full leather, auto lots of toys, averages 47mpg overall and sees 55mpg regularly on long runs. very comfortable (like all Saabs)

I had one of those; excellent seats and very good on a run.