Lost with purchasing a diesel.
Discussion
Morning, morning.
So, I've currently got an Octavia 1 which I bought for a short term run around in 2018. Spent about £1200 on it last year with servicing and new exhaust, tyres, battery, alternator etc etc. Was hoping to keep it until mot runs out on April but recently the turbo has gone and other problems have occurred so I don't intend on spending any extra for a car I don't want.
Because of this I have only got a 3k budget. I'm finding it very difficult to find something a little newer. Obviously I've been checking up reviews on cars I like but theres always one problem or another I.e DSG gearboxs are bad, DPF models are poor, certain cars like Corsa 1.7 cdti goes in limp mode and poor response from the turbo, 150bhp astras should be avoided.
I personally want an audi a3 but either the 1.9 or 2.0 tdi but been told the engines are poor. Looked at bmw 3 series but read that engines from 2005-2012 have typical timing chain issues and I know this one personally from owning a 116i which is still sat on my drive now after 14 months hense why I have the Skoda.
I'm very fussy with looks when it comes to diesels. I want something that looks nice, is going to last 3 years minimum, only needs for general maintenance costs, comfortable as I do a lot of motorway driving as well as having decent power.
I've gone through thousands of cars and looked at dozens in person but they were all either in bad shape underneath or there was something not mentioned in the description. Like I looked at a mk4 golf pd150 with a lot of mechanical work done costing ££££'s but It wouldn't start up because the fuel went back to the tank lol.
If anyone can give me some advice on what's genuinly good and what to properly avoid I'd really appreciate it as I'm very desperate to find something else now the turbo has packed up.
Thanks, Dave.
So, I've currently got an Octavia 1 which I bought for a short term run around in 2018. Spent about £1200 on it last year with servicing and new exhaust, tyres, battery, alternator etc etc. Was hoping to keep it until mot runs out on April but recently the turbo has gone and other problems have occurred so I don't intend on spending any extra for a car I don't want.
Because of this I have only got a 3k budget. I'm finding it very difficult to find something a little newer. Obviously I've been checking up reviews on cars I like but theres always one problem or another I.e DSG gearboxs are bad, DPF models are poor, certain cars like Corsa 1.7 cdti goes in limp mode and poor response from the turbo, 150bhp astras should be avoided.
I personally want an audi a3 but either the 1.9 or 2.0 tdi but been told the engines are poor. Looked at bmw 3 series but read that engines from 2005-2012 have typical timing chain issues and I know this one personally from owning a 116i which is still sat on my drive now after 14 months hense why I have the Skoda.
I'm very fussy with looks when it comes to diesels. I want something that looks nice, is going to last 3 years minimum, only needs for general maintenance costs, comfortable as I do a lot of motorway driving as well as having decent power.
I've gone through thousands of cars and looked at dozens in person but they were all either in bad shape underneath or there was something not mentioned in the description. Like I looked at a mk4 golf pd150 with a lot of mechanical work done costing ££££'s but It wouldn't start up because the fuel went back to the tank lol.
If anyone can give me some advice on what's genuinly good and what to properly avoid I'd really appreciate it as I'm very desperate to find something else now the turbo has packed up.
Thanks, Dave.
I've got a 2006 Alfa 147 jtdm that I've had for a couple of years and has been absolutely brilliant. It looks great, doesn't have a dpf and apart from having to replace a couple of turbo pipes has been completely reliable! Would definitely recommend at least having a look about for one
Listen to the internet and you would never buy any car!
The 1.9 Tdi pd engine in the vag group is virtually bomb proof, the newer common rail is also very good, but can suffer dpf issues if used for short trips.
I’ve read stories of the 2.0 pd engine not being so good though, but again I have known people owning these without issues.
The 1.9 Tdi pd engine in the vag group is virtually bomb proof, the newer common rail is also very good, but can suffer dpf issues if used for short trips.
I’ve read stories of the 2.0 pd engine not being so good though, but again I have known people owning these without issues.
This could have been written by me, it is essentially the same thought process I go through with my £3K, more than shed money, but not enough to get anything decent budget.
Firstly, with regards to the VAG 1.9 TDI, I understand that the 130PD engine is rock solid, infact Car Throttle on YouTube have just bought one with 541K miles on the clock. The later 105BHP version has a reputation for conrods snapping and making a nice big hole in the engine block.
I think the best all round option is to go for the best car you can get for £3K with the VAG 1.9 PD130 engine, for me I would be looking at an Audi A4.
I also keep coming back to the pre facelift BMW E90/E92 325d but these tend to be a little bit over the 3K budget. I did however recently see a 2007 325d auto E92 with 115k miles on ebay for £3400 which unsurprisingly sold pretty quickly. I think for the money that would have made a fantastic car.
Another car I consider is the Mercedes C220 Cdi, the post 2007 W204. These can be found for around £4K now, and I have actually looked at a couple but the thing that put me off was to me the engines sound quite agricultural when started from cold.
The only other car I look at is the Audi A6 with the 3.0 TDi, but again there are few and far between for £3k
I currently drive a megane MK2 1.5 DCi which has been great, if I literally needed to get a new car today I would be quite happy to get a MK3, probably with the 1.9 DCi. This however would not be my first choice, it would literally be a case of needing a car that day. You could also probably get a 2010/11 car for the money
Firstly, with regards to the VAG 1.9 TDI, I understand that the 130PD engine is rock solid, infact Car Throttle on YouTube have just bought one with 541K miles on the clock. The later 105BHP version has a reputation for conrods snapping and making a nice big hole in the engine block.
I think the best all round option is to go for the best car you can get for £3K with the VAG 1.9 PD130 engine, for me I would be looking at an Audi A4.
I also keep coming back to the pre facelift BMW E90/E92 325d but these tend to be a little bit over the 3K budget. I did however recently see a 2007 325d auto E92 with 115k miles on ebay for £3400 which unsurprisingly sold pretty quickly. I think for the money that would have made a fantastic car.
Another car I consider is the Mercedes C220 Cdi, the post 2007 W204. These can be found for around £4K now, and I have actually looked at a couple but the thing that put me off was to me the engines sound quite agricultural when started from cold.
The only other car I look at is the Audi A6 with the 3.0 TDi, but again there are few and far between for £3k
I currently drive a megane MK2 1.5 DCi which has been great, if I literally needed to get a new car today I would be quite happy to get a MK3, probably with the 1.9 DCi. This however would not be my first choice, it would literally be a case of needing a car that day. You could also probably get a 2010/11 car for the money
The Alfa 147 with it's 1.9d is as bulletproof as the VAG 1.9d the early VAG 2.0d 140bhp cars are reliable to as is the PSA 2.0d found in the Fords/Citroen/Peugeots.
Some cars do have inherent problems (2.0d BMW) but with your budget you'll be looking at cars that are just before diesels got overly complicated.
Collezione
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
Sport
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Now this car is a steal where your doing the miles this car is hard to beat & for me it's being sold cheaply so I'd be going to take a look you're doing the miles but you may need to take into account the DMF may need replacing in your tenure.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
CLK270/320 these may be older than your Octavia but these are truly trouble free but you do need to change the gearbox fluid & filters every 40k (£250-300) but they'll soak up your miles with ease.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
C220 Sport Edition
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Mondeo Titanium X Sport
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Some cars do have inherent problems (2.0d BMW) but with your budget you'll be looking at cars that are just before diesels got overly complicated.
Collezione
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
Sport
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Now this car is a steal where your doing the miles this car is hard to beat & for me it's being sold cheaply so I'd be going to take a look you're doing the miles but you may need to take into account the DMF may need replacing in your tenure.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
CLK270/320 these may be older than your Octavia but these are truly trouble free but you do need to change the gearbox fluid & filters every 40k (£250-300) but they'll soak up your miles with ease.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
C220 Sport Edition
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Mondeo Titanium X Sport
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
How about a civic?
https://www.stellarmotorcompany.co.uk/used-cars/ho...
Depends if you like the way they look but it's quick, reliable and no dpf. My mate took his to about 180k miles.
https://www.stellarmotorcompany.co.uk/used-cars/ho...
Depends if you like the way they look but it's quick, reliable and no dpf. My mate took his to about 180k miles.
I would fix what you already have. With the exception of the alternator, that 1200 quid was essentially on consumables, a 3k car could easily throw up some bills. Unless the other non specific issues that you reference are significant, I would get a reconditioned turbo fitted to the Skoda.
RazerSauber said:
What you're looking for is something fast, inexpensive, reliable, good looking, comfortable and economical.
...all while absorbing a lot of miles too!If you're going to be regularly chucking cars away it might make sense to just lease a new one - although the economics of that gets a bit killed by doing high mileage.
Or, as has been suggested earlier, fix one of the cars you've got. If you buy another at the sort of age you're looking at then there's a good chance you'll keep being hit by the same set of bills over and over.
So the story with the bmw and why I'm not fixing it... Potentially, it has a knackered engine after the tensioner came loose whilst driving. I took out the sub and magnetized the oil only to my horror finding small particles of metal so that really isn't a good sign.
To get it back to road standard without having the engine properly checked I've been quoted around the £1400+ Mark. That's for a full timing chain replacement, full Service, 4 new tyres and mot. In my eyes it's going to cost grands to fix on top of paying the finance. I've only just reached my half term but would you spend eye watering sums of money that's took a while to save? Only to hand it back to clear the finance? The plan I have is break it for parts and pay off the finance that way..
As for the octy, it was £600 when I picked it up and wasn't intending to keep it long. That was my budget when the bmw went bang. I bought it for a laugh really after seeing miles on car throttle to see if it lived up to its reputation. In fairness, yes the engine is spot on, I've had battery issues but rectified that and didn't affect the engine at all. It seems to be everything else that's a problem.
As you know the turbo gone, the clutch is slightly slipping, I hit some water on the motorway so an abs sensor has gone, the interior lights flicker and turn off when they feel like it. Something went bang at the rear last week so every time I go over a speed bump it sounds like grinding metal. Also I had new pads and discs last mot but Since November they seem to make the steering wheel shudder and wobbles the car at a complete stop, warped?
Since then I've drove my partners range rover until I find something new. This is basically the reasons why I'm not fixing the cars it's too much money and if I'm honest can't be bothered being as I like neither. I got the bmw because it was hire purchase and worked closer than I do now, as well as thinking it was highly reliable. Boy I was wrong there.
Hopefully you can understand why I'm fussy and want something reliable.
To get it back to road standard without having the engine properly checked I've been quoted around the £1400+ Mark. That's for a full timing chain replacement, full Service, 4 new tyres and mot. In my eyes it's going to cost grands to fix on top of paying the finance. I've only just reached my half term but would you spend eye watering sums of money that's took a while to save? Only to hand it back to clear the finance? The plan I have is break it for parts and pay off the finance that way..
As for the octy, it was £600 when I picked it up and wasn't intending to keep it long. That was my budget when the bmw went bang. I bought it for a laugh really after seeing miles on car throttle to see if it lived up to its reputation. In fairness, yes the engine is spot on, I've had battery issues but rectified that and didn't affect the engine at all. It seems to be everything else that's a problem.
As you know the turbo gone, the clutch is slightly slipping, I hit some water on the motorway so an abs sensor has gone, the interior lights flicker and turn off when they feel like it. Something went bang at the rear last week so every time I go over a speed bump it sounds like grinding metal. Also I had new pads and discs last mot but Since November they seem to make the steering wheel shudder and wobbles the car at a complete stop, warped?
Since then I've drove my partners range rover until I find something new. This is basically the reasons why I'm not fixing the cars it's too much money and if I'm honest can't be bothered being as I like neither. I got the bmw because it was hire purchase and worked closer than I do now, as well as thinking it was highly reliable. Boy I was wrong there.
Hopefully you can understand why I'm fussy and want something reliable.
ChrisH72 said:
How about a civic?
https://www.stellarmotorcompany.co.uk/used-cars/ho...
Depends if you like the way they look but it's quick, reliable and no dpf. My mate took his to about 180k miles.
I’d have no hesitation recommending the 2.2 I-ctdi Honda’s - they are great cruisers and are quick considering having 138bhp. Easy to maintain too. The newer I-dtec engines produce 148bhp but come with a dpf so another potential part to go wrong. https://www.stellarmotorcompany.co.uk/used-cars/ho...
Depends if you like the way they look but it's quick, reliable and no dpf. My mate took his to about 180k miles.
While the Civic llinked above has low miles it is an 06 plate so at 3k its strong money. There is plenty out there and for even better value find an Accord rather than a Civic. Rarer but cheaper from what I’ve found.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
Low mile 66k ‘08 Executive model with service history and branded tyres all round. I-CTDi engines are Cam Chain too so no need for cam belt replacement considerations
Low mile 66k ‘08 Executive model with service history and branded tyres all round. I-CTDi engines are Cam Chain too so no need for cam belt replacement considerations
At 3k what you want doesn't exist unless you go for a 1.8 petrol Toyota Avensis. The Audi is no better than the Skoda when it comes to reliability, if yours is the 1.9 then you have the most reliable VAG car. Personally i'd stick a turbo on it, becuase 3k won't buy you anything any better than you already have.
Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff