Help choosing snotter no dpf

[Jaroon]

Any suggestions before I go on a full in depth car search. A new job in the new year will have me, potentially covering more than my 4k average and parking in random places from multi stories to back streets where the car may be left for a few days.

If you could help me get up to speed with diesels I'd be grateful. A quick check suggest a DPF is not fitted to all pre 2009 cars and as I may have periods of only making short journeys I have a, perhaps illogical , fear of DPFs. Budget 3-4k and 5 door would be nice. Hit list is pre 2009 Volvo V50s, A3,A4s, Golfs, BMW 1/3 series.

My adored XFR may have to go on the promise of something mighty for my 50th or I might keep her as a second car if private selling proves as difficult as it seems out there.

Any advice, other options or getting me up to speed on diesel ownership would be most welcome.

[Paynewright]

The 1.9 tdi vw/audi engine can achieve star ship mileage and mainly without dpf’s.

We had one in a Skoda Octavia estate which was a good car - SWMBO says it was her favourite car. I doubt a skoda would attract much attention either (vRS excluded)

Ian

[Lester H]

Paynewright said:

The 1.9 tdi vw/audi engine can achieve star ship mileage and mainly without dpf’s.

We had one in a Skoda Octavia estate which was a good car - SWMBO says it was her favourite car. I doubt a skoda would attract much attention either (vRS excluded)

Ian

Pre-dpf 1.9 Peugeots and Citroens can offer excellent service to high mileages. Old 406 springs to mind . I used to use an “Executive” one of these with 120 on the clock. Lovely rich leather- not pleather- memory seats, rear window blind, oil temp gauge etc. Totally un sexy and French cars have wrongly in some respects gained a bad name. Though cheaper than VAG and BM, they are less corrosive and bad reputation comes from daft bits of plastic trim dropping off, and electrical gremlins but these cars are so common that the corner street garage - maybe not back street- can fettle them.Engineer friend says same for Laguna, we are talking here of a “disposable” price tag. VWs are silly money new and this taint never fully leaves them. Skoda, less so. My son had Octavia, it drove like a VW, who cares(at bargain money) whether it has soft feel fascia fabric or not.

Edited by Lester H on Friday 9th November 21:11

[Stuart M 1976]

I have been really happy with my civic 2.2 diesel. Might be worth considering?

I think the newer models might have dpf but my car from 2008 definitely doesn't. It has a chain rather than cambelt too which is always a bonus for longevity but possibly makes the engine a little more noisy perhaps? No diesel car is going to sound brilliant though and it's not intrusive in the car.

I have found it very practical with a decent size boot and plenty of space to carry 4 adults. It never drops below 45mpg no matter how hard you drive it and is reasonably cheap to tax /insure.

Clutch might be the weak spot of the diesel model, mine has slipped on a couple of occasions (uphill and accelerating in too high a gear) 99% of the time it doesn't and considering I have taken it from 65k to 130k I am not complaining.

Ride is perhaps a bit hard on 17inch wheels with 225/45 tyre size - may be more suited to the potholes of this country on the 16 inch wheels?

[Eyersey1234]

I'm quite happy with my diesel Focus, no DPF on it as it's a 1.8.

[Lincsls1]

I've been running a mk5 Astra 1.7cdti (not an SRI variant) and quite frankly its a brilliant car so far as in being a good all round A to B machine.
From my research, the 1.7 is the one to have. Its a Japanese engine for one thing and apparently much more dependable than either the 1.3 or 1.9 versions which aren't Jap engines.
Its currently on 133k miles and the whole car feels proper tight and like its got at least another 70k in it. I plan to take it to 200k and then re-evaluate.
Its a bit dull, but that makes it even better for its purpose as a runabout.

[kiethton]

Lincsls1 said:

I've been running a mk5 Astra 1.7cdti (not an SRI variant) and quite frankly its a brilliant car so far as in being a good all round A to B machine.
From my research, the 1.7 is the one to have. Its a Japanese engine for one thing and apparently much more dependable than either the 1.3 or 1.9 versions which aren't Jap engines.
Its currently on 133k miles and the whole car feels proper tight and like its got at least another 70k in it. I plan to take it to 200k and then re-evaluate.
Its a bit dull, but that makes it even better for its purpose as a runabout.

Had one myself from 6m to 3.5 years old and put 90k miles on it

Was dead at the end...

[Jaroon]

Great replies gents, any more welcome but plenty to chew on there thank you.

[ZX10R NIN]

Mercedes 270/320 diesels are great engines & will see you have starship mileage if looked after.

[imck]

First Gen Kia Ceed. I think pre-2010 are all non-DPF. My 2008 was. And no DMF.
Bought at 2 Years old. 6 Years from 20K to 130K. Sold to a Colleague. Now on 160K.
Drop Link and Wheel Bearing under warranty. DIY AC Repair just outside warranty.
Nothing else yet outside of Servicing, Tyres and Brakes.

Well put together, drives OK (115BHP better). Decent Rear Passenger and Boot Space.
Anonymous. Ideal for leaving unattended.
I guess the same would apply for the Hyundai i30.

[georgezippy]

Paynewright said:

The 1.9 tdi vw/audi engine can achieve star ship mileage and mainly without dpf’s.

We had one in a Skoda Octavia estate which was a good car - SWMBO says it was her favourite car. I doubt a skoda would attract much attention either (vRS excluded)

Ian

I have the 115PD in a 2000 Audi A4 avant. Currently on 166k, it isn't a nice engine, very lumpy and goes DAG DAG! but has no DPF, it does have decent shove, MPG always in the 50's, and in my 9 years of ownership has always just worked. It will never die........

[Harji]

Don't know if the OP has bought his snotter, but I have pre-dpf A6 Avant, 2.7 V6 engine. You should be able to find one within snotter price and a pretty bullet proof engine.