A4 Avant 1.9TDi v E46 Touring 320d

[petrolveins]

Looking at cars for a mate of mine, he runs his own business and needs a car to get him around the country, he has a pop-up marquee that is about cubic metre, which currently just squeezes into his Mum's 07 clio. He wants to be able to fit passengers as well as the marquee, he really wants a Defender, but doesn't know much about them. His budget is £6k so I've gently pushed him away from the Land Rover, mainly because his fortnightly trip from the office to the warehouse is about 4 hours one way and I don't think he will enjoy that in a defender.

So I've come up with a B6 A4 Avant 1.9 TDi 130 or a E46 320d Touring, both fit his budget, both good on fuel, both reliable, and will fit people and luggage, he also likes the look of them both. He is hoping to get them all done up with company logos and things so they need to look smart.

Which of these are better? And have I missed out something better?
Reliability is important, and the cheaper to run the better, he would also quite like a manual.

[Bitzer]

Firstly stay clear of a FWD A4 auto, stick with the manual. It will have a cambelt that will require changing every 5 years or 60K (depending on who you speak to).

The 320D will most likely have swirl flaps - have a read of this - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-206372...

[DanielJames]

Bitzer said:

Firstly stay clear of a FWD A4 auto, stick with the manual. It will have a cambelt that will require changing every 5 years or 60K (depending on who you speak to).

The 320D will most likely have swirl flaps - have a read of this - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-206372...

I think you may have posted the wrong link

[petrolveins]

DanielJames said:

Bitzer said:

Firstly stay clear of a FWD A4 auto, stick with the manual. It will have a cambelt that will require changing every 5 years or 60K (depending on who you speak to).

The 320D will most likely have swirl flaps - have a read of this - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-206372...

I think you may have posted the wrong link

Thanks for that, I figured it would be an idea to steer clear of the Autos, as for the E46, I've got a 330i myself, so know the general stuff, but nothing about the diesels, I thought it was just the 330d with the swirl flap?

Excellent link too

[CubanPete]

Bitzer said:

Firstly stay clear of a FWD A4 auto, stick with the manual. It will have a cambelt that will require changing every 5 years or 60K (depending on who you speak to).

The 320D will most likely have swirl flaps - have a read of this - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-206372...

Swirls flaps are about £25 for blanking plugs to remove. My indy charged £70 labour for mine, but not a difficult job if you have a few tools and a couple of hours.

[Tuvra]

How about a Ford Mondeo Estate ST TDCI, something like this:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2006-FORD-MONDEO-2-2-TDC...

[Bitzer]

petrolveins said:

Thanks for that, I figured it would be an idea to steer clear of the Autos, as for the E46, I've got a 330i myself, so know the general stuff, but nothing about the diesels, I thought it was just the 330d with the swirl flap?

Excellent link too

Wrong link. oops!

Worth a read though!

[SVX]

I'd look at a Mercedes C220 CDI estate - surprisingly good for lugging loads and the 220 DERV lump is damn reliable.

[petrolveins]

SVX said:

I'd look at a Mercedes C220 CDI estate - surprisingly good for lugging loads and the 220 DERV lump is damn reliable.

See I just ignored the Merc, thinking they were unreliable, I guess that will have to be an Auto though, they reliable?

[mustard tab]

I ran a E46 320D for a few years and it was an excellent car, sporty when you felt like a bit of fun, comfortable when cruising, didnt experience any swirl flap problems as it was gone by around 80K

[bodhi]

I would spend the extra and get a 330d, much nicer engine, lots more reliable too. Still has swirl flaps but they seem less prone to ingestion than on the 320d, and you can still remove them anyway.

There is bugger all in economy between the two (most I ever got out of a 320d Auto was 40mpg, my current 330d is doing 44), don't think there is much in insurance either.

After a 330d anything with the 1.9 PD engine feels awful, narrow power band and terrible acoustics.

Plus, everyone knows you need at least 6 cylinders for a proper engine

[petrolveins]

bodhi said:

I would spend the extra and get a 330d, much nicer engine, lots more reliable too. Still has swirl flaps but they seem less prone to ingestion than on the 320d, and you can still remove them anyway.

There is bugger all in economy between the two (most I ever got out of a 320d Auto was 40mpg, my current 330d is doing 44), don't think there is much in insurance either.

After a 330d anything with the 1.9 PD engine feels awful, narrow power band and terrible acoustics.

Plus, everyone knows you need at least 6 cylinders for a proper engine

If it was for me I'd agree, love my 330i. However I do think a Manual 320d will have quite a fuel saving over a 330d. I don't think he would want a 3.0 car anyway.

Damn all this is making me want a E46 diesel touring now :/

[redtwin]

bodhi said:

I would spend the extra and get a 330d, much nicer engine, lots more reliable too. Still has swirl flaps but they seem less prone to ingestion than on the 320d, and you can still remove them anyway.

Not all 330d had swirl flaps. Depends on year of manufacture and transmission fitted.

Of the two suggested by the OP I would have the BMW. No cambelt to worry about would be reason enough to sway me.

[gregpot2000]

Mondeo needs a new dmf by sounds of the advert, v expensive job, doubt the trader is unaware, bit naughty him pretending not to know what it is

[Wise]

gregpot2000 said:

Mondeo needs a new dmf by sounds of the advert, v expensive job, doubt the trader is unaware, bit naughty him pretending not to know what it is

The ad says its just had an new clutch and single mass fly wheel fitted

The rattle/chatter will be from the single mass fly... Like this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vb9Z6O_Czow

Single mass fly will tend to be more reliable, especially if your going to go down the remap/tuning route with it But the car will be a lot nosier as per the video.

[ajb85]

Alfa 159 JTD Sportwagon? His £6k will get him a newer car than the alternatives if he's conscious about appearance for the business. JTD is reliable, if the car has done anything over 50k I'd just want to make sure it's had a clutch/DMF, that's about it.

[gregpot2000]

Oh yeah, ill read it fully next time lol. Had heard single mass flywheels rattle, but wow that video is loud! Not sure I could live with that!

Edited by gregpot2000 on Saturday 8th December 13:48

[petrolveins]

ajb85 said:

Alfa 159 JTD Sportwagon? His £6k will get him a newer car than the alternatives if he's conscious about appearance for the business. JTD is reliable, if the car has done anything over 50k I'd just want to make sure it's had a clutch/DMF, that's about it.

Would the alfa actually be reliable? Because that would be an excellent choice if it was.