Alternative to a fast diesel 3-series?

[fjord]

I want a fast diesel estate, less than 5 years old, with plenty of toys, and economical. I cant look past the 330d.

Budget would be about 15k. The only other alternative is the Skoda Octavia VRS, but it's hideous, and the newest facelift is nice but out of budget.

Any other suggestions?

[ewenm]

Presumably you've already rejected the options from Audi, Merc, Volvo...

[veevee]

There's a Passat with the same engine, but I'm pretty sure both of them would be a lot slower than a 330d.

Audi A4 3.0 TDI, Merc C320 CDI?

[waynedear]

Alfa 159ti with the 2.4 engine, about 210 plus remap options

[dazwalsh]

how about a mondeo titanium x? Toys galore if your not a badge snob, which im assuming your not if you have considered a Skoda. Should pick a 12 plate low miles up for 15k.

Edited by dazwalsh on Wednesday 13th November 15:00

[funkyrobot]

Why does it need to be fast?

Bankjob on a bank that is miles away?

[nbetts]

fjord said:

I want a fast diesel estate, less than 5 years old, with plenty of toys, and economical. I cant look past the 330d.

Budget would be about 15k. The only other alternative is the Skoda Octavia VRS, but it's hideous, and the newest facelift is nice but out of budget.

Any other suggestions?

530d, 535d

[fjord]

ewenm said:

Presumably you've already rejected the options from Audi, Merc, Volvo...

Sort of. The 2.0d Volvo doesnt look fast, and the D5 doesnt look that much better. It's difficult to find something with a decent level of kit too. This is likewise for the 220mercs and 1.9 audi's.

The 3.0d units in the Audi and Merc are also very difficult to find for a reasonable price.

[anonymous-user]

fjord said:

I want a fast diesel estate, less than 5 years old, with plenty of toys, and economical. I cant look past the 330d.

Budget would be about 15k. The only other alternative is the Skoda Octavia VRS, but it's hideous, and the newest facelift is nice but out of budget.

Any other suggestions?

Having driven rather a lot in all of the various oil burning models from the usual suspects I find myself genuinely baffled at why anyone in the market for such a thing who gives half a st about how it drives would buy anything other than a 3 series. It really is that much better to drive than the competitors equivalents and knocks them all for six in terms of real world economy.

[Neezer]

It's probably worth checking out Audi a4/a6 avants. You can get the 3.0 litre diesel quattro for that sort of money nowadays. Probably one of the most versatile cars as well.

[Pixelpeep]

funkyrobot said:

Why does it need to be fast?

site slogon said:

speed matters

[TangerinePool]

What about a 330d?

[funkyrobot]

Pixelpeep said:

funkyrobot said:

Why does it need to be fast?

site slogon said:

speed matters

But it's diesel. Purists don't like diesel.

[New POD]

waynedear said:

Alfa 159ti with the 2.4 engine, about 210 plus remap options

Yes.

[Vladimir]

335d. A 330d with proper steering and another turbo.

[anonymous-user]

Vladimir said:

335d. A 330d with proper steering and another turbo.

And a gearbox that changes gear as badly as my mum......... ;-)

[Vladimir]

Max_Torque said:

And a gearbox that changes gear as badly as my mum......... ;-)

My mums not a bad gear changer ;-)

Try finding a manual 330d...

[TransverseTight]

Nissan juke with a roof box? Lol. You might think I'm joking but my x trail was off the road so we took the juke camping for a week. Fitted so much stuff in the boot I was gobsmacked (including 7 man tent, stove and chairs). All the way from brum to poole I wans't over taken once. Pretty sure I overtook dozens off 330ds a few porsches an xkr and even a ferrari. Oh the way back home a citroen picasso beat me back up the A34 to the M40 though.

Since then I've taken the opinion "fast" in the traditional sense just means "uses more fuel" and real fast means how far over the speed limit you are willing to risk. So all cars are fast enough.

[Fox-]

TransverseTight said:

Nissan juke with a roof box?

Yes, I can totally see why somebody in the market for a 330d and would opt for a 4 pot Juke. Definately.

[anonymous-user]

Vladimir said:

Max_Torque said:

And a gearbox that changes gear as badly as my mum......... ;-)

My mums not a bad gear changer ;-)

Try finding a manual 330d...

I did. That's why i've got a 335d.............