The Zohan

Honda does around 30mpg and with fuel at a premium i am thinking Diesel.

theres 4 of ous so want 4/5 doors

Currently thinking my00 or there about Merc 250 or 220 c class diesel or even a SAAB 2.2tid or a BM 5 series 2.5tds these cars seem to be the same sort of money as Mundeos so seem like a good buy with the sort of miles rthey will have on them i guess 100-130k


want to spend about 2k, no more, ok a little more if it is the right car and right spec/miles.

any other suggestions or thought on these cars

nick172sport

iTrader: (6)

pikeys horse and cart

rossyboy

iTrader: (8)

I'd avoid a Merc of that era like the plague as it was right in the middle of their cost cutting drive. Rust seems to be quite nasty on a lot of them.

The Zohan

Ask your da what he has in stock or can steal for us I was going to ask does he like dags? but then again he married your mother so i guess so

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2a_ATxfEuLU

The Zohan

Yup, that seems to be the case, thanks.

BMW 530d engines - are they reliable (any known faults or things to look out for) and what sort of mpg

Jamo

iTrader: (23)

mondeo tdci ghia x mate, that's what im looking for 52 mpg without trying

The Zohan

as long as i can get more than 40mpg ai am happy.

I like this http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...46bh?logcode=p and this http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi.../100?logcode=p for mundeo money

chocolate_o_brian

iTrader: (22)

+1 I got the last of the good Mercs sat outside my gaff looking all porsh

I would go look at the Saab. Before I bought moleys dads merc I test drove a MY00 Saab turbo. Was the low pressure one with 150bhp and a petrol but the interior was a decent place to be (especially coming from Jap/French cars). Plenty of poke and with a diesel and all that space, it's not a bad choice. Different - yes, but a good solid car if you don't want what everyone else has

If not, get the Mondy

njkmrs

Cant go wrong with the Mundano .My 2.2 tdci does 40 ish round town which is what I tend to use it for and was showing 63 mpg on a steady 30 mile run on the motorway .
Comfy and rides the potholes well .!!!!

The Zohan

I like Saabs but from what i read they do not handle well on the backroads, the car will be used for a lot of commuting between Northampton and MK on the backroads due to traffic so this does not look like a good option.

Still not sure about a Mundeo, i have driven a few and they drive wel but with 100K on the clock. I am not sure how they last.

stilover

Don't BMW's suffer from Plastic Turbo vains giving way and destroying the engine?

Camoscooby

iTrader: (5)

I saw this and thought................................Paul....... ................



And in your favourite colour too

(at least its Jap you nobber!)

lordharding

iTrader: (1)

Skoda octavia diesel

I ran one for 6 years 70 k miles and averaged 55mpg

Great car
Taxi drivers swear by them to 250 k miles

F1 CJE UK

iTrader: (8)

as above you will get a lot of car with the Skoda octavia diesel , maybe even a VRS

fivetide

iTrader: (1)

As I said in your other thread which you gratefully said thanks for... that might not be the case...

If the car was properly looked after by the original owner, chances are it could have had panels replaced by MB on warrenty. After 2004 they are galvanised too.

Wouldn't get a mid 90's e-class though, those are the ones with the biodegradable wiring however c-class doesn't have that issue and taxi drivers the world over will all testify as to the strength and reliability of the motors.

Saab is just a GM wagon. Neighbour has had a 54 plate from new. The AGR valve has gone twice and over the past couple of months, both front springs have snapped leaving the car sitting literally on its tyres. Repairs weren't expensive as he can do it himself but quality seems a real issue.

And given the budget, rust will be a potential problem on anything you look at in the barge sector.

5t.

KAS35RSTI

iTrader: (73)

I know some chav selling a Ford Granada slammed on coilovers if you're interested.

Trout

iTrader: (1)

You would have to drive very slowly to get 40mpg out of a 530d.

We have averaged 33mpg over 80,000 miles in one.

AllanB

I picked up an A4 TDi red i engined Avant and it does silly mpg 58-60 quite often. OK its not exactly engaging to drive and not up to Subaru engineering standards but its very cheap to run.

However I've spent more on it that the Subaru so far on common VAG faults like wiper linkages and motors and front suspension wear so be aware of these things if you look at any VAG motors.

The Zohan

Thanks, well that answer that then - The claims of 40+ didn't seem to add up.

Dave Thornton

I'll assume that you're seeking mpg because you're after lower running costs with the recent hikes in fuel prices (like most of us no doubt). My way of thinking is to look at all costs and work out a lifetime pence per mile, especially depreciation and whether you like to line the pockets of a dealer each time you part ex and buy off a forecourt for ease and perceived peace of mind.

By calculating costs this way, for example over a 3 year period, a 3 year old Octavia diesel from auction would work out cheaper to run per mile than a brand new Polo Bluemotion from a VW dealer. Some people think that depreciation is only something you experience when you sell a car. If you make an allowance mentally for depreciation each time you fill up, the true costs of motoring become very clear.

chocolate_o_brian

iTrader: (22)

Early 90's is where it's at

Although the 40mpg may be a problem unless you have large arms to push it everywhere

Trout

iTrader: (1)

The new ones are more economical - mine is an E39.

The Zohan

I am looking at my 98/99/00, not sure what that model designation is. Is the 2.5tds more economical?

I like the look of the 5 series and also like having a big car from a safety pov. Our Mitsi Galant was hit hard from behind whilst stationary at a junction with Jenny and the girls on board and they walked away pretty much unharmed. Since then i would not entertain having a small car. BMs from that era do not seem to rust that much and wear the age and miles well.

I think i am talking myself into buying one! albeit a manual

Maz

iTrader: (34)

Manual will certainly be more economical than auto. Infact I would say the autos are quite thirsty.

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

The post 2003 9-3 does handle really well, not the last word in fun but I just came home quickly in my 2003 Aero an it corners fast and flat, mine has Eibach springs (to replace the cracked originals) and it handles really quite well.

You need to ask yourself if spending 2 grand on a diesel you dont know, basically not far off end of life and probably well worn is worth getting rid of a reliable car you do know, only takes a small failure to negate the fuel saving and a lot of the diesel owners I know seem to end up with big bills, for DUal Mass flywheels, clutches, DPF's, injectors etc etc, I think really its probably a false economy.