What Car to go for next? Diesel Power.
18 February 2011, 03:35 AM
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What Car to go for next? Diesel Power.
My car is currently for sale and i am in a bit of a uncertainty as to what to look for when it sells.
I need a Diesel unfortunately, as the Scooby isnt agreeing with my bank balance with the amount of miles i do. There are a few obvious options, and some off the wall ones. Just wondered whether any of you had moved from/onto similar cars and can spread some thought or inspiration...
Audi A4/A6 3.0TDi
BMW 330d/530d/X5 3.0d
Alfa 159/Brera 2.4 JDTM
Seat Leon TDi FR
Skoda Octavia vRS TDi
All of them have their Pro's and Con's. I like the Audi interiors, i like the Alfa exteriors, i like the BMW performance, and the 2 VAG options are good allrounders and represent quite good value for money.
Ahhhh, decisions decisions!!! HELPPPPPP, lol!!
Cheers for any input!
I need a Diesel unfortunately, as the Scooby isnt agreeing with my bank balance with the amount of miles i do. There are a few obvious options, and some off the wall ones. Just wondered whether any of you had moved from/onto similar cars and can spread some thought or inspiration...
Audi A4/A6 3.0TDi
BMW 330d/530d/X5 3.0d
Alfa 159/Brera 2.4 JDTM
Seat Leon TDi FR
Skoda Octavia vRS TDi
All of them have their Pro's and Con's. I like the Audi interiors, i like the Alfa exteriors, i like the BMW performance, and the 2 VAG options are good allrounders and represent quite good value for money.
Ahhhh, decisions decisions!!! HELPPPPPP, lol!!
Cheers for any input!
18 February 2011, 07:40 AM
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I have the Leon Reference Sport which is the 140 tdi engine, it's a fantastic car and I love it but it is a bit smaller than your other options with the exception of the Brera maybe, what size car do you need?
18 February 2011, 09:28 AM
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But you don't give many hints as to what it is you really want from the car, apart from less money in the tank, in which case go for the smaller engined motors.
Dave
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18 February 2011, 09:58 AM
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That's a very wide range of cars!
Reckon you need to narrow it a bit - budget, mileage, what's most important, does it need to be quick, is mpg critical, etc?
As for BMWs, just had a cracking drive to the surf (dawnie), surfed overhead waves, blasted back on quiet country roads - fantastic fun!
Reckon you need to narrow it a bit - budget, mileage, what's most important, does it need to be quick, is mpg critical, etc?
As for BMWs, just had a cracking drive to the surf (dawnie), surfed overhead waves, blasted back on quiet country roads - fantastic fun!
18 February 2011, 10:12 AM
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6 cylinder diesels can press on like a potent petrol, but even with the lightest foot they aren't frugal. top 20's around town top 30's on a run mid 40's @ 70 on cruise. The 4 pot VAG stuff is pretty punchy and will do 40mpg minimum and 60mpg on a steady run. Insurance on a Leon for example will be half the price of the Audi/BMW to insure and depending on year will be cheaper on road tax.
It does really come down to what you want out of the car and realistically what you will use it for. The cost of living has gone up, and I bet it hasn't finished going up. £1.50+ a litre for diesel will be a thing of the not too distant future - I would take this into consideration too.
It does really come down to what you want out of the car and realistically what you will use it for. The cost of living has gone up, and I bet it hasn't finished going up. £1.50+ a litre for diesel will be a thing of the not too distant future - I would take this into consideration too.
18 February 2011, 10:16 AM
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If engine noise is at all important, don't get a 4 pot diesel - all sounds horrific.
Some six pots sounds reasonably good when pushed - Merc 320/350 CDI, Audi 3.0TDI and the BM six pots all make a fairly nice sound when played with. All still clatter at idle though.
Some six pots sounds reasonably good when pushed - Merc 320/350 CDI, Audi 3.0TDI and the BM six pots all make a fairly nice sound when played with. All still clatter at idle though.
18 February 2011, 12:36 PM
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well if you can ignore the badge, Ford Mondeo- the new ones. staggering value and more kit in them, than anything else on the market.
dirt cheap to run and service.
motoring/fuel/ins is so expensive now, cars in high ins groups with expensive servicing are surely going to go out in fashion, or conversely start to become a bargain.
always said buying a car is easy, but running it is the hard bit.
dirt cheap to run and service.
motoring/fuel/ins is so expensive now, cars in high ins groups with expensive servicing are surely going to go out in fashion, or conversely start to become a bargain.
always said buying a car is easy, but running it is the hard bit.
18 February 2011, 05:54 PM
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Wow, lots and lots of Response, sorry for lack of replies.
Just to try and narrow it down a bit... want something pretty quick, dont want to have to pull my hair out, had Scooby's for 3 years now so its going to be a shock to the system enough without having to drive a gutless wonder.
My Budget is about £8k-£9k and looking at 54reg onwards as a rough gauge, although the age would vary depending on the marque i go for. Other than that, i have a very open mind, nothing really pushed all the right buttons, performance, styling, interior, spec list etc.
Not fused about Insurance, the only way is down from the Scooby, so thats no problem.
MPG is obv quite important, but not as much as you would think. I am getting About 15mpg in my Scooby now, so even a combined MPg of 30 for a 6-cyl Derv might not sound great, but its still double what im getting now!
Also been tempted by a Big Turbo'd 1.8T Leon/Bora/Octavia, mates just bought a 325bhp Octy and recons he see's 30+ MPG average with normal driving... ahhh, decisions!
Just to try and narrow it down a bit... want something pretty quick, dont want to have to pull my hair out, had Scooby's for 3 years now so its going to be a shock to the system enough without having to drive a gutless wonder.
My Budget is about £8k-£9k and looking at 54reg onwards as a rough gauge, although the age would vary depending on the marque i go for. Other than that, i have a very open mind, nothing really pushed all the right buttons, performance, styling, interior, spec list etc.
Not fused about Insurance, the only way is down from the Scooby, so thats no problem.
MPG is obv quite important, but not as much as you would think. I am getting About 15mpg in my Scooby now, so even a combined MPg of 30 for a 6-cyl Derv might not sound great, but its still double what im getting now!
Also been tempted by a Big Turbo'd 1.8T Leon/Bora/Octavia, mates just bought a 325bhp Octy and recons he see's 30+ MPG average with normal driving... ahhh, decisions!
18 February 2011, 06:01 PM
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You'll be looking at an oldish Audi 3.0TDI or 330d for that money but still worth looking.
Discount the Bora - they handle like a pile of cack. A turbo'd and tuned 1.8T VAG unti will NOT give you 30mpg and that power through the front wheels will be a PITA. It will be big step back from the Scoob with very little mpg gain.
I think you'll struggle to find an Octy VRs diesel too.
How about a mk5 Golf 2.0TDI? You might just about be able to get the 170bhp one - quick, good on fuel, handles well.
Discount the Bora - they handle like a pile of cack. A turbo'd and tuned 1.8T VAG unti will NOT give you 30mpg and that power through the front wheels will be a PITA. It will be big step back from the Scoob with very little mpg gain.
I think you'll struggle to find an Octy VRs diesel too.
How about a mk5 Golf 2.0TDI? You might just about be able to get the 170bhp one - quick, good on fuel, handles well.
18 February 2011, 06:12 PM
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Agreed about the age of the Audi 3.0, its a shame the 2.7TDi is suck a shocking engine, otherwise that would have been an option, they are definitely the older end of what i am looking at.
Its a shame, as the Alfa's do look stunning imo, but no point if handling is dreadful!
I did think that was implausible about the Big BHP 1.8T, i used to have a 1.8T Leon, and although it was only remapped, i dont ever remember it being that good on fuel. And yeah, i massive PITA, esp in the wet.
High Mileage Octy vRS just about come in budget, and there are obv a few different 2.0TDi VAG derivatives to look at, but i drove a 170BHP A4 TDi S-Line Special Edition, and it was mind blowingly boring to drive, felt like it had no punch whatsoever!
Its a shame, as the Alfa's do look stunning imo, but no point if handling is dreadful!
I did think that was implausible about the Big BHP 1.8T, i used to have a 1.8T Leon, and although it was only remapped, i dont ever remember it being that good on fuel. And yeah, i massive PITA, esp in the wet.
High Mileage Octy vRS just about come in budget, and there are obv a few different 2.0TDi VAG derivatives to look at, but i drove a 170BHP A4 TDi S-Line Special Edition, and it was mind blowingly boring to drive, felt like it had no punch whatsoever!
18 February 2011, 06:18 PM
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The 170bhp Golf is a lot better - great chassis helps a lot.
Oh and I said the Bora (not Brera) is shocking to drive!
I'm not fan of Alfas either though - just tarted up GM-mobiles that break down a lot.
An Octy diesel vRS would be ideal if you can find one.
A bit leftfield but also check out Volvo diesel -stuff like the C30 and V40 are good looking and nippy with the 2.0D engine and pretty rapid with the D5 unit. They handle quite well too.
Oh and I said the Bora (not Brera) is shocking to drive!
I'm not fan of Alfas either though - just tarted up GM-mobiles that break down a lot.
An Octy diesel vRS would be ideal if you can find one.
A bit leftfield but also check out Volvo diesel -stuff like the C30 and V40 are good looking and nippy with the 2.0D engine and pretty rapid with the D5 unit. They handle quite well too.
18 February 2011, 06:27 PM
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I think the 4WD transmission prob sapped what power it was producing, 2WD Derv probs makes more sense, as there isnt so much power to go around.
Ah, my bad, misread, i have never driven one, but my Leon was a pretty good giggle.
Newer Alfa's 2007on supposedly much better reliability wise, but i know what you mean, they do have a bad rep for breaking down.
I had seen a S60 D5 that caught my eye, but had forgotten to go back and read up about them, so thanks for reminding me
Ah, my bad, misread, i have never driven one, but my Leon was a pretty good giggle.
Newer Alfa's 2007on supposedly much better reliability wise, but i know what you mean, they do have a bad rep for breaking down.
I had seen a S60 D5 that caught my eye, but had forgotten to go back and read up about them, so thanks for reminding me
Last edited by Eternal Rage; 18 February 2011 at 06:32 PM.
18 February 2011, 08:01 PM
#22
If i was you i'd most likely go for a 330cd or 530d, firstly they're quite nippy and also look great with the m-sport kit, and they can be remapped for more power, my mates got a 330cd, although the scooby slaughters it, they much more economical and there solid cars mate!
18 February 2011, 09:32 PM
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I've run a 'Tavia vRS for 4 years.
It's a company car and has been great on juice (50mpg+ on a run) and is fast although the PD engine, which at your budget is what you would be looking at, is rough, has a narrow power band and sounds awful.
Mine has also been fairly unreliable needing engine mounts, gear box mounts, suspension parts, wiring loom, sensors by the bucket load, an ECU (yes), an injector and more sensors.
The dealers are not that great either don't believe the JD Power survey!
I've got a BMW on order....hope that is more reliable.
Steve
It's a company car and has been great on juice (50mpg+ on a run) and is fast although the PD engine, which at your budget is what you would be looking at, is rough, has a narrow power band and sounds awful.
Mine has also been fairly unreliable needing engine mounts, gear box mounts, suspension parts, wiring loom, sensors by the bucket load, an ECU (yes), an injector and more sensors.
The dealers are not that great either don't believe the JD Power survey!
I've got a BMW on order....hope that is more reliable.
Steve
19 February 2011, 01:23 AM
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Hummm, i had Seats for 3 years, and the VAG stuff is nowhere near as reliable as people make out, and as you said, neither are the Dealers as competent as made out.
Had completely forgotten they did the 3.0d in the BMW 3 Series Coupe, that might be a nice option, quite smart looking cars, and i prefer the looks to a saloon 3 series anyday.
Had completely forgotten they did the 3.0d in the BMW 3 Series Coupe, that might be a nice option, quite smart looking cars, and i prefer the looks to a saloon 3 series anyday.
19 February 2011, 08:36 AM
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I have a 56 plate Golf GT 170, and can confirm it's a good car, handles fine.
Its never going to excite like a highly tuned scoob, but it is good fun.
Averages just under 40 mpg, virtually all town use.
Reasonably high torque and fwd do give some traction issues, and it tramps when the wheels spin. (this is out of corners, not idiot traffic light launches.)
Its never going to excite like a highly tuned scoob, but it is good fun.
Averages just under 40 mpg, virtually all town use.
Reasonably high torque and fwd do give some traction issues, and it tramps when the wheels spin. (this is out of corners, not idiot traffic light launches.)
21 February 2011, 04:07 PM
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Last edited by Andy M3; 21 February 2011 at 04:10 PM.
21 February 2011, 05:26 PM
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after having a look at the things said and weighing up what i really want from it, i think the E46 BMW 330cd is looking favourite atm.
As said, map up to 250bhp/400lb/ft roughly, and still do 35 mpg combined. They look nice, and with the M Sport Spec have a fair few nice touches too!
As said, map up to 250bhp/400lb/ft roughly, and still do 35 mpg combined. They look nice, and with the M Sport Spec have a fair few nice touches too!
22 February 2011, 08:35 AM
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My A4 3.0TDi is remapped to 280bhp and 390ft/lbs (06 plate B7 model) gives 50mpg on long runs when sat at 2K rpm (70mph).
It also sounds bloody great with the Milltek exhaust
A V6 diesel can be 'economical' (ish) but still give you a bit of fun when you want it. Still rattly in the morning though.
It also sounds bloody great with the Milltek exhaust
A V6 diesel can be 'economical' (ish) but still give you a bit of fun when you want it. Still rattly in the morning though.
22 February 2011, 08:54 AM
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I have similar outputs to Kieran (RR'd at just over 300bhp/440lbs-ft) but don't get anywhere near 50mpg!! 40 if I'm lucky, low 30s most of the time. I don't really care though.
Good choice on the 330cd - nice looking cars that go very well.
Good choice on the 330cd - nice looking cars that go very well.
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