whats the best diesel car for driveability and pace with reliability?

The will depend on what size of car you are looking for, for a family saloon the best is probably a BMW 330D, for a family hatchback the VW Golf 150tdi gets good reviews, personally I don't need the space and am looking for a Seat Ibiza tdi Sport(130)

That's easy, the BMW 330d is the best oil burner so far.

I was reading an artical that says VW are bringing out a car with a 331bhp tdi engine.
I wouldn't mind a shot of that car.

Audi A4 2.5 V6 QUATTRO - chipped from 180 to 210bhp and 273lb/ft torque to 310 lb/ft.

BMW great but I'll take 4 wheel drive anytime thank you.

(I'm biased as I had the previous model A4 chipped to 185bhp)

A useful tool:

Freelander Td4 (BMW 2ltr 16v) - 40mpg locally and 27mpg towing the car / horses. Impressive build quality and reliability over the first 10k with surprising performance too.

I would like to ask the same question, but for 3-4 year old diesel car, as the time has come for the WRX to go, we was thinking maybe the Peugeot 306 T Diesel, low milage about £7K, any other suggestions for that money?

Steve

I drive a BMW 330d Sport as a company car and it is great, I do own a scooby for evenings and weekends!!!

Not much keeps up with the 330d though.

Phil

If the BMW's are out of your price range try the TDCi Focus or TDCi Mondeo.

Get to drive a lot of mainstream motors due to having to use hire cars alot at work. IMO these are the best of the rest.

The Mondeo feels faster and quiter than the Passat 130PD, build quality not that different and the Focus is not far behind the Golf 130PD in performance (On the Road) and is far smoother and more refined (Focus drives loads better than the Golf anyway)

I'm that impressed with the Focus TDCi when I swap our second car next year I'm going to have a look round for a low milage second hand one.

Lee

G/F has a TdCi - very very similar to the Passat 130 on the road (so it should be as similar torque,weight etc)

Good chassis and ride.

Probably even better with a bit more power - say 150bhp and 250lb/ft.

Tuning Box, Hopa, Alpin, Bromleys etc etc anyone ?

Lee, I'm interested in finding out more about the Mondeo TDCi, they've had some good initial test reports. Did it have good poke?

I'd like to get something like a Volvo S60 D5 or 320d as company wheels but the tax is high because of the purchase price, which means a high BIK even though emissions are low.

It seems the Mondeo has similar performance and economy, and would save me a lot of cash.

Yes it had some midrange grunt. Same power as the VW PD130, more torque and more refined.

If its for a company car the Zetec trim level would be best. Not too expensive on list price but you get loads of toys. Electric windows/mirrors, heated screen, aircon, lumber adjustment on both front seats, electric adjustable drivers seat, leather wheel, 16" Alloys, cd player etc etc. You'll have to see the build quality to see how Ford have moved forward. Tax liability of 18% on a list of about £17000.

You get sod all in the Passat TD130 S for similar money.

Lee

Brickboy

I agree with what LogicLee said re the 'Mondy'

When I had my 185bhp A4 V6 Tdi (a very close match for the 330d) I had several head to head sprints with the G/fs TDci (she got one of the first batch).

Very similar low and mid range but the Audi would pull away a bit over 90 ...!

4 faults I find with it are:-
1) Rattly at idle (but bearable)
2) Wind noise from middle of sides, not the 'A' pillar
3) My foot catches on the bottom of the steering column
4) Clutch springing a bit odd - GF stalls it now and again

Picky ?
Shows what a complete car it is.
And as I said, get a plug and play tuning box to add that bit of extra poke.

I've driven a 330d sport and a PD150 golf in the last 2 days.

I love the refinement of the bmer - but I've decided upon the golf as I can't justify 14K for a bit more leg room and a badge.

Admitedly the RWD 330d would be more fun to drive. but the golf goes about its business and returns a steady 50mpg on long runs...costs bugger all to insure and service. Besides - you can only have so much fun on the roads these days.

And it can tow this :D :D :D

http://yellowmelon.dnsalias.com/xtr2...ng/5_small.jpg

There is a chipped PD150 (with a few other gizmos) that managed a 1/4 mile in < 15secs with a terminal speed of 102mph. Watch out new WRX - the golf may end up on its roof on a country lane - but thats well impressive for an oil burner.

Ian