Ongoing Dilemma: Is this car available?

[dan98]

Hi all,
I'm new here, please be kind
Ongoing palava finding a car which meets the following criteria, starting to believe such a thing doesn't exist,

- refined/strong high speed cruiser (UK and autobahn, cruise control, 6 speed or low RPM)
- smallish (for inner city parking, no bigger than focus sized, ideally hatchback)
- diesel - 20k/year
- VERY COMFORTABLE!!
- 2006 or newer (required for EU cities)
- decent quality, built to last (I guess not French..?)
- not bothered about low speed handling / cornering
- budget up to 9k

So, tearing my hair out and getting nowhere on endless test drives.
Just as a reference, I've found my old Audi A3 TDI 130 1.9 SE 2002 to be perfect in every way, except that its not Euro4 and so is useless now.

- Ford Focus 2.0 TDI - far too noisy and unrefined over 80mph (tyre/wind roar)
- Audi A3 2.0 TDI SE - beautiful but (is it just me?)...the suspension is bouncy and unsettled in the UK
- VW Golf 2.0 TDI GT - sports suspension isn't appropriate.
- Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDI - slightly too big, ones in budget feel rather knackered
- BMW 118d/120d SE - runflats are a nightmare, and frankly scared of buying an N47 engine

I appreciate my fussiness, but any suggestions are most welcome !
Cheers

[thatdude]

I would go with the BMW 120D. Can you not get a 2005 (pre-DPF) models?

With regards to the cam chain failures, was it restricted to a particular batch of engines, or can it affect any engine at any time? It's my understanding (perhaps erroneously) that the fault lies with the crankshaft sprocket

[IanCress]

Is the Volvo S60 too big? It's certainly comfy and powerful enough with the D5 engine.

[dan98]

Thanks for the suggestions
120D - it has to be 2006 or newer unfortunately. From what I read on the internet it seems any N47 engine can be affected, and can happen without warning.
S60 - does look comfy, but is too big for us

[ikarl]

Volvo C30

[anonymous-user]

C30 or S/V40 would seem to tick your boxes.

[Supercell]

Was just going to post the same (C30)) such as http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

Or something like a Citroen Ds3 hdi, but that breaks the French rule

[roboxm3]

I've currently got a Volvo V40 D3 on long-term loan and I'd say that it ticks most of your boxes, just about.

Edit: I didn't see your budget and I'm not sure whether these are available for £9k.

[dan98]

Interesting thanks - I'd never considered a C30.

But would anyone care to comment on the ride quality on the 2.0 TDI - they all seem to come with 17" wheels, which is pretty big for a small car?

On the other hand is the 1.6 TDI pretty low RPM and strong enough to fit the bill ?

[Supercell]

I think ride comfort overall is very good, 17" isn't that big, I think it's more to do with the damping rates but I might be talking tripe. The none r design may have a softer ride, although you lose some of the "aggression" around the front of the car in my opinion.

[RizzoTheRat]

I had a V40 as a rental car last week, only the D2 so possibly a bit underpowered for refined high speed autobahn cruising but very comfortable and economical. Think it was on 15" or 16" tyres though which probably helped the comfort.

[dan98]

V40 - sadly outside budget.

Right, so I'm going hunting for a C30 2.0 TDI, and hope the ride is OK.

Thanks all !