E46 320d compact v MkIV Golf TDi?
E46 320d compact v MkIV Golf TDi?
Author
Discussion

BUG4LIFE

Original Poster:

2,518 posts

247 months

Monday 14th March 2011
quotequote all
I was looking into diesel cars costing less than £4k and less than 80k miles [though condition is obviously more important] and the obvious choice is the 130/150hp MkIV Golf. Nice looking car, 55mpg, good performance [for a diesel], reliable [hopefully].

But reading the E46 compact thread already on here I thought I'd have a look at some prices...I was surprised to see there are plenty of 320d compacts for around £4k. You get a bit more performance than the Golf; 150 v 130 [unless you can find one of the 150hp dubs]; maybe a better built car. Though it does lose in the look department - not that this would matter as I'd be buying for it's mpg and fun factor [for a diesel!!!].

Anyone had experience with both cars???

300bhp/ton

41,030 posts

219 months

Monday 14th March 2011
quotequote all
Had expeirience of neither. Can't understand why you'd want the ugly van like looking VW though.

And why diesel? Not that I've got anything against it, but if its down to perceived running costs then make sure you do some number crunching to verify the sums add up.

Epic Winning

107 posts

186 months

Monday 14th March 2011
quotequote all
Turbos on the 2.0d can go quite easily. More clued up members may have more info on this, sorry..

BUG4LIFE

Original Poster:

2,518 posts

247 months

Monday 14th March 2011
quotequote all
I think the vdub looks good - just nice and tidy smile

But yeah, mpg is the important factor here so a whole bunch of sums need to be done! At the mo, I'm driving my 30mpg car up and down the motorway to work and back like my Mum would drive [though I must say, 65-70 on the motorway is quite relaxing]. I'm doing 60 miles a day and it does seem a tad pointless owning a 'performance' car if I'm not actually enjoying the 'performance'! Thus, I've been thinking about selling up, buying a decent enough diesel and spending my extra cash on holidays, clothes and gadgets for the house [until my daily commute drops and I can buy something exciting again] smile

BUG4LIFE

Original Poster:

2,518 posts

247 months

Monday 14th March 2011
quotequote all
Epic Winning said:
Turbos on the 2.0d can go quite easily. More clued up members may have more info on this, sorry..
I'll have a search...

va1o

16,113 posts

236 months

Monday 14th March 2011
quotequote all
Wouldn't touch either, they will both cost loads to fix when they invariably go wrong and there is a high chance that it will be clocked or written off as those cars seem to attract a certain type...

Look beyond the badge. A Skoda Octavia L&K may not have the 'prestige' but it will be cheaper, very well equipped and less likely to have been abused.

Patrick Bateman

13,154 posts

203 months

Monday 14th March 2011
quotequote all
I got my 320Td and it already had a new turbo at 77k. Old style oil separator would get clogged and lead to the turbo problems, replaced with the new style.

Removed the swirl flaps and blanked off the holes.

I'd be after a later car (from 2004 I think) that had the new style oil separator or one that has already had the turbo replaced if it was an older one.

I haven't driven a mark 4 golf but going on pretty much every review around I'm pretty sure it'd be a crap driving experience in comparison and with a poorer interior.

Epic Winning

107 posts

186 months

Tuesday 15th March 2011
quotequote all
va1o said:
Wouldn't touch either, they will both cost loads to fix when they invariably go wrong and there is a high chance that it will be clocked or written off as those cars seem to attract a certain type...

Look beyond the badge. A Skoda Octavia L&K may not have the 'prestige' but it will be cheaper, very well equipped and less likely to have been abused.
..or a Seat Leon TDi 130 / 150 Cupra/FR

BUG4LIFE

Original Poster:

2,518 posts

247 months

Tuesday 15th March 2011
quotequote all
Epic Winning said:
va1o said:
Wouldn't touch either, they will both cost loads to fix when they invariably go wrong and there is a high chance that it will be clocked or written off as those cars seem to attract a certain type...

Look beyond the badge. A Skoda Octavia L&K may not have the 'prestige' but it will be cheaper, very well equipped and less likely to have been abused.
..or a Seat Leon TDi 130 / 150 Cupra/FR
Cheers for the info guys.

I would certainly look at the Skoda Octavia [and little Fabia vRS if I could find one in my price range] and Leon.

Reliability would be an issue cos if I spent a bunch of money getting the diesel up to scratch, it kind of defeats the object of getting one in the first place...I might as well keep my 328. Would the Skoda/Seat be any more reliable than the VW though, all being VAG?