What Diesel car? advice sought

[y2blade]

as per title
we are currently looking at Audi A4, VW Golf/passat 1.9tdi 130bhp and such like, but really have no real knowledge of the more modern diesels as my last and only Diesel was a 90bhp Audi 80 tdi so I'm somewhat out of touch with the oilburners now

up to £3k to spend

I don't mind either estate, saloon or hatch so all recommendations duly noted

thank you in advance



Edit to change the price bracket (down a lot) as it will be a 2nd car and general hack

Edited by y2blade on Tuesday 13th July 20:20

[ManOpener]

My dad's run a 3.0 A6 TDi quattro for a year or so now, before that he had a 330d and before that a 530d.
If you want to have even the vaguest amount of fun with your diesel, look at the 330/530d. They have a reputation for eating turbos but neither of his did.

[pilchardthecat]

I am baised, but the BMW diesels are a million miles better than the VAG lumps. Much more linear, RWD. Just better.

The reputation for eating turbos is limited to the earlier 320d, the six-pot ones are fine.

[nottyash]

pilchardthecat said:

I am baised, but the BMW diesels are a million miles better than the VAG lumps. Much more linear, RWD. Just better.

The reputation for eating turbos is limited to the earlier 320d, the six-pot ones are fine.

The new ones are, but at £7k I doubt you will get the latest technology BMW engine.I reckon VAG PDI engine at that budget. Theres loads, Take your pick

[dowahdiddyman]

Skoda Octavia vrs. 2LTRTDI. Cracking motor.

[KieronGSi]

Saab 9-3 gets my bet, it's the best looking mid sized diesel estate in my opinion.

I'm not bias at all.

[confused_buyer]

VAG 1.9 TDi 130 lump in any of the various VAG cars (Skoda probably best value) is never a bad choice. It is a bit noisy, a bit old fashioned but very economical, generally reliable and very well known if it isn't.

Volvo's D5 lump in pre-Eu4 guise is also excellent - fast, economical. The BMW diesel are likewise also pretty good, the 2.0 litre is a lot more economical than the 6's and can be found in a variety of guises - cheapest being in something like a MG ZT CDTi (which is actually an excellent left of field budget choice) and of course endless 3-series, 5-series etc.

The PSA diesels go well and are usually OK but sometimes have DPF issues. These can be found in lots of cars from Fords, smaller Volvo's, Pug, Citroen, Jag etc.

The GM 1.9 unit (Vauxhall, FIAT, Alfa, Saab etc.) goes well and is econmical but watch out for EGR issues, DMF failures and early cambelt failures.

[pilchardthecat]

nottyash said:

pilchardthecat said:

I am baised, but the BMW diesels are a million miles better than the VAG lumps. Much more linear, RWD. Just better.

The reputation for eating turbos is limited to the earlier 320d, the six-pot ones are fine.

The new ones are, but at £7k I doubt you will get the latest technology BMW engine.I reckon VAG PDI engine at that budget. Theres loads, Take your pick

The old ones are too; the 330d e46 is much much better than the VAG equivalent

[The Riddler]

Currently in a similar situation!

Booked a test drive in the DS3, RCZ and TT TDi.

Also looking at used A4 Avants and 330D's, as I'm not sure whether to sink a st load (to me) of money into something brand new or to go down the used route.

[nottyash]

pilchardthecat said:

nottyash said:

pilchardthecat said:

I am baised, but the BMW diesels are a million miles better than the VAG lumps. Much more linear, RWD. Just better.

The reputation for eating turbos is limited to the earlier 320d, the six-pot ones are fine.

The new ones are, but at £7k I doubt you will get the latest technology BMW engine.I reckon VAG PDI engine at that budget. Theres loads, Take your pick

The old ones are too; the 330d e46 is much much better than the VAG equivalent

Can you get a decent 330D without starship miles for £7000? i was looking at a 320D M sport coupe 2 months ago and even a decent one of them is 10 grand for a 55 plate.
I love Beemers, but think they are expensive.

[AndyT955]

The BMW is much better than the VW or Audi especially at high mileage, I wouldn't buy anything else

[G_T]

Seat Ibiza Cupra diesel.

Allegedly 0-60 ~7.5 seconds, 50+mpg combined, decent drive, looks decent and drivetrain and engine are VAG so of reasonable quality.

330D is obviously the better car but for £7000 you won't get anywhere near as clean an example.

[Mr Dave]

The petrol BMWs dont get much worse MPG in teh real world. BMW diesels drive so well because the rev and ae very petrol like to drive, at the expense of really great MPG. Reliable enough though and better to drive than any of the VAGsbut not as high MPGs.

Though a 3/530d with the boost up is epic. Two fellas called ant and pete did the gumball in one and it kept up very well apparently.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjf34Yk8RPo


I would also look at any of the Volvo D5s. Latest Mondeo diesels are very nice to drive as well but dont know about the budget. Mazda 6 diesel is nice too.

[eltax91]

Octavia octavia octavia

[pilchardthecat]

nottyash said:

pilchardthecat said:

nottyash said:

pilchardthecat said:

I am baised, but the BMW diesels are a million miles better than the VAG lumps. Much more linear, RWD. Just better.

The reputation for eating turbos is limited to the earlier 320d, the six-pot ones are fine.

The new ones are, but at £7k I doubt you will get the latest technology BMW engine.I reckon VAG PDI engine at that budget. Theres loads, Take your pick

The old ones are too; the 330d e46 is much much better than the VAG equivalent

Can you get a decent 330D without starship miles for £7000? i was looking at a 320D M sport coupe 2 months ago and even a decent one of them is 10 grand for a 55 plate.
I love Beemers, but think they are expensive.

Would have thought so - i part ex'ed mine 2 years ago for 3k

[kiwifraser]

Chris, I've just been through the hunt for exactly this. The best option for me was the Volvo D5 (S60/V70/S80). Suitably fast, very comfortable, great MPG, good reliability reports, good factory stereo, etc. Knowing your love of flying bricks... it would be a fitting choice!

[S Line Luxury]

y2blade said:

as per title
we are currently looking at Audi A4, VW Golf/passat 1.9tdi 130bhp and such like, but really have no real knowledge of the more modern diesels as my last and only Diesel was a 90bhp Audi 80 tdi so I'm somewhat out of touch with the oilburners now

up to £7k to spend

I don't mind either estate, saloon or hatch so all recommendations duly noted

thank you in advance

For that money you wont find a better car than the audi, stunning examples of how a car should be, forget other marques, stick with the best

[pilchardthecat]

S Line Luxury said:

y2blade said:

as per title
we are currently looking at Audi A4, VW Golf/passat 1.9tdi 130bhp and such like, but really have no real knowledge of the more modern diesels as my last and only Diesel was a 90bhp Audi 80 tdi so I'm somewhat out of touch with the oilburners now

up to £7k to spend

I don't mind either estate, saloon or hatch so all recommendations duly noted

thank you in advance

For that money you wont find a better car than the audi, stunning examples of how a car should be, forget other marques, stick with the best

Can you get one with imagine for that money?

[tstain]

S Line Luxury said:

y2blade said:

as per title
we are currently looking at Audi A4, VW Golf/passat 1.9tdi 130bhp and such like, but really have no real knowledge of the more modern diesels as my last and only Diesel was a 90bhp Audi 80 tdi so I'm somewhat out of touch with the oilburners now

up to £7k to spend

I don't mind either estate, saloon or hatch so all recommendations duly noted

thank you in advance

For that money you wont find a better car than the audi, stunning examples of how a car should be, forget other marques, stick with the best

weak.

[y2blade]

kiwifraser said:

Chris, I've just been through the hunt for exactly this. The best option for me was the Volvo D5 (S60/V70/S80). Suitably fast, very comfortable, great MPG, good reliability reports, good factory stereo, etc. Knowing your love of flying bricks... it would be a fitting choice!

Hey Fraser, I didn't realise you'd bought a Volvo catch up with you at BBQ

yeah the D5's are on the list already, what sort of real world MPG are you getting from yours?