What with impending new arrival, I am thinking of getting rid of the wife's mini and getting her a big f*ck off estate, oil burner: does anyone have any opinions on:

320d/330d touring (not exactly big, is it?)
E320 CDi (not exactly cheap)
Mondeo TDCi
Laguna Smoker (I know, I know, french and all that, but they do have a lot of toys for the money)

or any alternatives. Realistically, I would be looking to spend under 30k, so for the more expensive motors it would have to be secondhand.

tia

 

Everytime I fill the Scooby up (twice a week!) I consider a diesel alternative... and would also be looking at the Tourer side of things.

As far as I'm concerned it would be a decision between a 320d Beemer, or the MG ZT-T CDi. Both have a 2.0 litre BMW engine, though the BMW is actually tuned to give more bhp (150 compared to 135).

I'm torn between the reliability of a Beemer, but tempted for the far more sporty looking ZT-T. If by the time I'm serious about changing motors, MG have upped the performance of the ZT-T to similar terms to the Beemer, then the local car will be my choice.

 

E320CDi is the best large diesel estate car you mention there.

If depreciation is not an issue get the mondeo- good engines and a lot of space in them.


Have you considered a 130BHP diesel Passat? I had one for a while and it was a good car. Or if you want something classier looking (but no better really) an A4 diesel?

 

Thing about the 3 series touring is lack of room in the back. Has anyone been in the back of one? Could you get 2 kids in there (thinking ahead a bit here )

For some inexplicable reason I am thinking the laguna might not be a bad option - bit slow though. quotes figures are 0-62 in 10s, 150 bhp and 42 mpg combined. List price for a fully loaded one is only 22k and apparently renault dealers are the most likely to give you a discount. Suppose they corner like canal boats though?

 

ahh - hadn't thought about a passat

/wanders off to their website for a bit more window shopping

 

Stuff the main dealers if you are going to buy a Laguna- buy a nearly new or new supermakret car and save ££££'s on depreciation.

FYI prices for Laguna II at "trade sales" 2.2DCi Privelege estate
£14,699

Mondeo TDCi estate Ghia £13999

Passat 130Tdi Sport estate £16599

Of those I imagine the Passat will depreciate the least and be the better built. The Mondeo and Laguna will both lose a lot in depreciation

 

Just received my copy of Auto Express mag - the new X-Type Estate is in there. Now that is nice. The back is slightly Volvo / ZT-T like, but it's mighty tempting...

 

I'm in the same boat as you. Done the rounds on diesel estates and I'm about to order a new E270cdi Avantgarde Estate (plus full leather, parktronic, 17" wheels and sports suspension. The E320cdi was over my budget and I thought the E220 was most likely underpowered (for a Scoob owner like me anyway!). I'm told Mercs ought to be Auto too really so that's meant I'm spending £35K all in..gulp. Best I managed price-wise was 4% discount on a UK car.

The Brabus tuning (and styling..Pimp wheels & quad pipes anyone?) for the E class look brilliant, and not THAT expensive, so although it's a sensible choice, I can add a few toys too in the longer term.

Only thing I can't decide on is the colour, anyone seen a Cubanite Silver one (a smoky, slightly beigy silver)? Black looks mean but is a bu**er to keep clean!

The new 5 series estate won't be here till next year, same for the new Audi A6. Diesels aside, Volvo V70 Type R looks good but the residuals and economy aren't so hot. Quite liked the Accord Tourer (MUCH cheaper) but there's no Type R so it was a bit plain for me. Lack of hot models in the new Legacy UK line up put me off this too...

 

Omega. Underrated, very comfy, good diesel injun (bmw unit IIRC). Lot's of space.

 

The only diesel lump they (vauxhall) seem to have is a 2.2 TDi which is AFAIK a van engine. Looks comfy inside though.

 

C270 estate.

 

Omega's used to have a 2.5 bmw diesel but it now seems they only have the 2.2 diesel. Must've removed the 2.5 when the new model came in I guess.

 

dont know why they droped the bmw engine in the omega that was the best bit

 

gregjd,

My Father`s E 270 saloon is Cubanite. It`s OK and is a good choice after the obvious silvers and blues that most E`s appear to be. It really is a good car, I was suprised when he got it (He`s had Audi`s for the past 8 years) but it really has impressed me. He also tried a 220CDI and said that is was not too bad.

The Auto gearbox is fantastic, the stupid foot operated parking brake is total garbage, it`s worth getting the auto-box just so you don`t have to struggle with that stupid brake.

 

We got a 320d SE touring for the same reason (impending arrival that has now arrived).
It's a fantastic car - lots of torque, excellent chassis that you can throw around, very skimpy on fuel, nice toys. There should be no problem getting kids (or adults) in the back...

...but...

The boot is not that big. Once you get the travel system inside, there aint much room for much else.
If you're getting something to put a new baby and all their paraphernalia in, I'd look for something bigger.

Unless you want to buy mine, so I can get something bigger?

 

Cheers Simon!

 

I know it's a bit "old man"
But, my dads just ordered a Saab 9-5 Estate, And it's the 3.0 diesel.

Had a shot of the demo car with the same engine and was really impressed, great spec too.

Johnny

 

Audi A4 2.5TDi Sport brand new for £27k Very Nice!
Audi A6 2.5TDi Sport brand new for £31k Also Very Nice!
Both are 180 versions
Save a bit on nearly new I guess!

 

dharbige - if you want to sell drop me an email with details. probably won't be looking to buy anything for a couple of months though. Fancy a MINI Cooper in part x?

 

I wouldn't bother with a 3 series.

I'm 6'2" and my 4 year can't fit behind me in the 330d I'm driving! Totally useless for me!

I'd also add that if your miles are on anything other than motorway petrol may be a better option... On a motorway Journey I get 35-37mpg from the 330d (and about 28-30 from the 330 petrol), round town and on b roads 20-22mpg from the 330d (and 21-23mpg from the 330 petrol - I guess I use too much throttle?)

Performance delievery is different for the diesel, but ultimate results are quite similar.

I wouldn't spend my cash on one!

 

Oh - well I'm 6'3" so maybe the 3 series is not the answer. interesting about the fuel use too. TBH one of the reasons I wanted a diesel is driving down to the south of france. usually go twice a year and it's pretty dear in a thirsty petrol car. last year I took a friend's 3.0 legacy outback - only marginally more mpg that the scoob, but more room for cases of wine