Practical, easy to fix & decent on the juice?!
Discussion
Howdy everyone!
im not sure on a new car....
For the last few years ive been running about in my trustworthy 2002 Mazda MX5 which hasn't went a foot wrong in 4 years or motoring (apart from 2 sticky calipers plus usual servicing done by myself) Circa 25000 miles in those 4 years, travelling 10 miles a day commuting and a hoon every weekend.
However August last year I started a new job which meant a commute of approx 2500 miles a month, after a few weeks commuting in my Mazda I rushed out & purchased a E90 2006 BMW 320d MSport. Great economy, liked the looks, happy days.
However after 2 months commuting I was offered very cheap digs closer to my place of work, cutting my commute to 2 miles away. So ive been using the bmw nipping about but the diesel is not very eco around town & since this has been my first diesel, ive been underwhelmed driving it anywhere else apart from motorway driving which I rarely do now.
I have also found the BMW not very practical (no split seats) & not the most reliable (DMF replaced last week, ouch!) plus the diesel is a false economy unless its a lot of miles being done so im looking to sell the bmw on for something petrol, reliable, cheap enough to maintain & not too bad on the juice.
After browsing Pistonheads classifieds, Autoteader etc, I cant make my mind up. It would be used for a weekend hoon, with 2 mountain bikes or snowboards in the back, seats folded down of course, but also good for nipping about. I like the look of the Skoda Fabia Vrs estate, octiava vrs, even the suzuki swift sport popped up. With DMF and other little problems, the BMW has left a sour taste in my mouth so cant see myself going for another one.
I guess its really a practical version of a MX5 that I am after!
I have a budget of up to 8k, any other cars that anyone would possibly recommend?
Cheers guys,
Elliot
im not sure on a new car....
For the last few years ive been running about in my trustworthy 2002 Mazda MX5 which hasn't went a foot wrong in 4 years or motoring (apart from 2 sticky calipers plus usual servicing done by myself) Circa 25000 miles in those 4 years, travelling 10 miles a day commuting and a hoon every weekend.
However August last year I started a new job which meant a commute of approx 2500 miles a month, after a few weeks commuting in my Mazda I rushed out & purchased a E90 2006 BMW 320d MSport. Great economy, liked the looks, happy days.
However after 2 months commuting I was offered very cheap digs closer to my place of work, cutting my commute to 2 miles away. So ive been using the bmw nipping about but the diesel is not very eco around town & since this has been my first diesel, ive been underwhelmed driving it anywhere else apart from motorway driving which I rarely do now.
I have also found the BMW not very practical (no split seats) & not the most reliable (DMF replaced last week, ouch!) plus the diesel is a false economy unless its a lot of miles being done so im looking to sell the bmw on for something petrol, reliable, cheap enough to maintain & not too bad on the juice.
After browsing Pistonheads classifieds, Autoteader etc, I cant make my mind up. It would be used for a weekend hoon, with 2 mountain bikes or snowboards in the back, seats folded down of course, but also good for nipping about. I like the look of the Skoda Fabia Vrs estate, octiava vrs, even the suzuki swift sport popped up. With DMF and other little problems, the BMW has left a sour taste in my mouth so cant see myself going for another one.
I guess its really a practical version of a MX5 that I am after!
I have a budget of up to 8k, any other cars that anyone would possibly recommend?
Cheers guys,
Elliot
Most modern cars run DMF (dual mass flywheels), if the clutch goes, it's likely being replaced. Unless you meant DPF (diesel particulate filter) from running on constant short journeys? The DPF requires a minimum of 72c water temperature to regenerate and clean the filter, so really requires a motorway run every few weeks.
Any of the cars listed would work, also, Golf GTI hatch, or even a Bmw Tourer, just get a petrol one.
Do you really require the mountain bikes in the car, add a tow bar, and you can still have an MX5?
http://www.mx5city.com/part/tow-bar-supply-fit-756
Any of the cars listed would work, also, Golf GTI hatch, or even a Bmw Tourer, just get a petrol one.
Do you really require the mountain bikes in the car, add a tow bar, and you can still have an MX5?
http://www.mx5city.com/part/tow-bar-supply-fit-756
Ive had my fun with the Mazda, so its time for something more practical (4seats & a boot) I live in Glasgow & usually go a run up to the north of Scotland, to be able to take my own gear would be a nice privilage (bike etc, rental equipment is s**te!), also for trips the skip etc. I found the bmw woeful in ice & snow, miles so than the mx5.
I was refering to the Duel Mass Flywheel, ideally like to avoid one in my next car, wouldnt write off an auto though, having had a shot in a Seat with a dsg box left me impressed
I was refering to the Duel Mass Flywheel, ideally like to avoid one in my next car, wouldnt write off an auto though, having had a shot in a Seat with a dsg box left me impressed
I thought most modernish cars had a DMF these days?
Practicality wise you wouldn't go far wrong with the Octavia vRS. Seats adults in the back with plenty of legroom, and still has a decent sized boot, and if I fold the seats down I can get a mountain bike in the back without taking a wheel off. A lot of people reporting 30ish mpg around town with the petrol ones so not bad on the fuel (I average about 46 from the diesel).
The down side you'll find coming from a BMW is they're not quite as well sound proofed inside, some people used to more expensive cars find that annoying but I don't find it any louder than other mid range hatchbacks.
Fixed price servicing from main dealers works out cheaper than most independents too, but they try to make up for it on non scheduled stuff, independent aircon bloke replaced my compressor with a genuine Bosch one for about 2/3 the money the dealers wanted.
Practicality wise you wouldn't go far wrong with the Octavia vRS. Seats adults in the back with plenty of legroom, and still has a decent sized boot, and if I fold the seats down I can get a mountain bike in the back without taking a wheel off. A lot of people reporting 30ish mpg around town with the petrol ones so not bad on the fuel (I average about 46 from the diesel).
The down side you'll find coming from a BMW is they're not quite as well sound proofed inside, some people used to more expensive cars find that annoying but I don't find it any louder than other mid range hatchbacks.
Fixed price servicing from main dealers works out cheaper than most independents too, but they try to make up for it on non scheduled stuff, independent aircon bloke replaced my compressor with a genuine Bosch one for about 2/3 the money the dealers wanted.
Edited by RizzoTheRat on Monday 16th February 14:28
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff