Diesel Estate ,fun and economical needed.

[rhino99]

Hi,
I'm after a replacement diesel estate for work no more than 2 years old , i cover about 30,000 a year so want something economical around 45mpg or more and lots of fun! My first choice is a Skoda Octy VRS Estate but can anyone recommend any alternatives or opinions, thanks.

[Tycho]

Volvo D5? You can get the V70 estate and they are pretty quick and the engine actually sounds reasonably good.

[sandman77]

A fun diesel economical estate? Sorry cant help but have you considered an MX5?


On a serious note, how about a 330D touring?

[Kong]

How do you define 'fun'?

[Christian85]

Has to be a 330d?

Or how about a 159 Ti?

[rhino99]

I've had a few different diesels in the past, maybe i should replace "fun" with trying not to hang myself slow! Ok maybe look it in this way what would you pick that does 45ish mpg that can carry a fair amount of kit and you have to drive 30k a year so fairly nice.

[rhino99]

The alfa worries me as do french cars after the issues i've had a peugeot a few years back.
I had a courtesy mazda 6 that wasn't too bad a few years back or even a honda accord 2.2dti tourer.

[Christian85]

Sounds like you need a diesel barge.

Is there such thing as sporty/fun estate which is comfortable over long journeys? Maybe a Volvo or Saab but not sure if they are "fun"

[the_lone_wolf]

330d is a nice car, bit more poke and more involving than the D5 V70, but tiny inside and expensive by comparison...

Alfa haven't built a petrol motor that could be called "reliable" yet so I doubt I'd trust them to build a reliable 30,000 miles a year car - weekend toy definitely, but something I had to rely on...?

I'm biased as I own the V70 but I love it, it goes very well, more than the bulk would suggest, and at almost 100,000 miles it's not got one squeak or rattle...

Plus, nobody suspects the "old man's estate"



Edit to add, on the economy side, I don't nanny it and get 40+mpg - that's with no motorway trips - on a long run it can easily get 50+

Edited by the_lone_wolf on Wednesday 13th February 19:44

[Sooty Zorsts]

Christian85 said:

Has to be a 330d?

Or how about a 159 Ti?

159 Ti is fun (for a smoker) but you might struggle to average over 45mpg and have fun at the same time.

330d would be a good choice, although I've no experience of the 'real world' economy.

[Tycho]

A lex said:

Tycho said:

Volvo D5? You can get the V70 estate and they are pretty quick and the engine actually sounds reasonably good.

But sporty, they are not.

Alfa 159SW is a good shout.

Looks a lot better than a vRS too.

Totally agree they aren't sporty but they do actually have decent poke if chipped and a good amount of grip if you take things smooth. You can surprise a lot of other drivers by totally destroying the Volvo stereotype.

[Caulkhead]

rhino99 said:

I've had a few different diesels in the past, maybe i should replace "fun" with trying not to hang myself slow! Ok maybe look it in this way what would you pick that does 45ish mpg that can carry a fair amount of kit and you have to drive 30k a year so fairly nice.

I don't think you'll manage 'fun', but you may achieve 'something I don't hate driving'.

[pikeyboy]

330D or 530D, Volvo drive the wrong end to be fun.

[rhino99]

I just don't like the finish on a Skoda thats why i'm struggling to commit it isn't a Audi thats for sure!

[Rolstone]

I have just done over 100,000 miles in a 330d Touring, which I purchased with 18,000 miles on the clock. Now 120,000 on the clock. I kept accurate records of fuel for the first 60,000 plus miles that I had it, i.e to 78,000 miles. Fuel in and fuel out. Averaged 41.3 mpg. Very little has gone wrong with it. An amazing car. Now ordered another.

Rolstone

[GenePoolReject13]

Left field choice it may be but the Seat Exeo isn't a bad shout. Can be had with the same 170ps 2.0tdi engine as the VRS. Its basically a B6 Audi A4 but Seat have played about with the suspension so its a better drive. Interior is a tad dull but well put together. Infact I think the dash is straight out of the A4 convertible. I've driven a few at work and they have impressed me.
Not going to compete with a 330d on performance but perhaps a better all round package?

[anonymous-user]

I have a S60D5 but like the 330d, almost went for one but there are far more issues with them than the Volvo lumps. Its true the Volvo isn't particularly sporty but it wins hands down for comfort, toys and stereo. There are quite a few tweaks you can make to them if you are that way inclined.

[Pablo68]

The Mk2 Facelift octy has a decent cabin and you can get them with some serious kit for pocket money too.

The exeo (as someone mentioned above) is also a good cheap choice.

Both are VAG cars although not quite an Audi.

[rhino99]

Thanks for the replies, think i'm going to have a look at v70/s60's aswell as a few others, 330d would be nice but for the year and milage would be out of budget i'm afraid.

[Welshbeef]

Rolstone said:

I have just done over 100,000 miles in a 330d Touring, which I purchased with 18,000 miles on the clock. Now 120,000 on the clock. I kept accurate records of fuel for the first 60,000 plus miles that I had it, i.e to 78,000 miles. Fuel in and fuel out. Averaged 41.3 mpg. Very little has gone wrong with it. An amazing car. Now ordered another.

Rolstone

Is that the new shape 3 er with 8 speed that does over 53 combined and 0-60 in 5.5 seconds.... Seriously quick seriously economical BMW just gets better every generation. Superb