FabSwingers.com > Forums > The Lounge > Car advice...
Car advice...
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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"Get a good vw golf for that. So reliable and comfy. "
Everyone i know with golfs and passats around ten years old have had alot of trouble. One has just had to replace the ecu. Which took a month and the best part of £700. The other had a cam sensor go. Which cost him £450. Im just not tempted. |
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"Get a good vw golf for that. So reliable and comfy.
Everyone i know with golfs and passats around ten years old have had alot of trouble. One has just had to replace the ecu. Which took a month and the best part of £700. The other had a cam sensor go. Which cost him £450. Im just not tempted. "
These things happen as a car gets older, I guess
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Skoda
Octavia or Fabia if you want something slightly smaller
Basically all the advantages of a VW; all their reliability and design;
Much Cheaper, spares are cheaper too.
The 2 litre Diesel 140 PS in the Skoda is ideal for long commutes .
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"The scenario...
90 mile round trip per day. Obviously diesel.
Needs to be comfy after a 12.5 hour day.
Budget £2000."
Go for a Volvo around a 55 plate, an S40 or S60 don't go for a base model though. |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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"The scenario...
90 mile round trip per day. Obviously diesel.
Needs to be comfy after a 12.5 hour day.
Budget £2000.
Go for a Volvo around a 55 plate, an S40 or S60 don't go for a base model though."
They have been on my radar i must admit. |
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"The scenario...
90 mile round trip per day. Obviously diesel.
Needs to be comfy after a 12.5 hour day.
Budget £2000."
Buy my galaxy. I do 90 miles a day - get over 43 to the gallon. Can take rear seats out and put s mattress in.
Still going strong at 248k - can overtake cyclists with ease  |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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"The scenario...
90 mile round trip per day. Obviously diesel.
Needs to be comfy after a 12.5 hour day.
Budget £2000.
Buy my galaxy. I do 90 miles a day - get over 43 to the gallon. Can take rear seats out and put s mattress in.
Still going strong at 248k - can overtake cyclists with ease "
No issues with the turbo then? |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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"Skoda Skoda Skoda.
Not a bad shout these days.  "
I don't know. I asked an octavia driving taxi driver about his, he said "the engine is great, everything else is shit and expensive". |
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Any higher mileage vw engined car will be susceptible to turbo/egr failure, a common vw weakness. Ford mondeo is a good choice but check for noisy duel mass flywheel. View any diesel car before it has been run up, a cold engine will show up faults. Check for smoke from the tail pipe and don't be afraid to rev the nuts off it to see if it smokes. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"The scenario...
90 mile round trip per day. Obviously diesel.
Needs to be comfy after a 12.5 hour day.
Budget £2000."
Pretty good Audi A4, or Passat for that. passats from 1999/2005 suffered with front wing corrosion, although many had wings replaced under 12 year corrosion warranty. Some suffered water ingress due to blocked drain plugs, but again, many were sorted. Message me for more details. Always loved Passats. |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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"The scenario...
90 mile round trip per day. Obviously diesel.
Needs to be comfy after a 12.5 hour day.
Budget £2000.
Pretty good Audi A4, or Passat for that. passats from 1999/2005 suffered with front wing corrosion, although many had wings replaced under 12 year corrosion warranty. Some suffered water ingress due to blocked drain plugs, but again, many were sorted. Message me for more details. Always loved Passats."
Thankyou, but i won't be buying a VW. |
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By *olgateMan
over a year ago
on the road to nowhere in particular |
"Rover 75 CDT. That diesel engine goes forever and don't be put off by all the Rover scare story rubbish. 75s are fantastic cars and a good one will be half your budget
"
Steer clear of the 1.8 petrol, go for a high spec and they are awesome |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"The scenario...
90 mile round trip per day. Obviously diesel.
Needs to be comfy after a 12.5 hour day.
Budget £2000."
400+ miles a week and 12.5 hour days, you need a new job not a new car 
I'm rubbish with car suggestions, touch wood I've never had any issues with most small ish modern cars for work. Sure you'll get a good deal with good advice |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Skoda
Octavia or Fabia if you want something slightly smaller
Basically all the advantages of a VW; all their reliability and design;
Much Cheaper, spares are cheaper too.
The 2 litre Diesel 140 PS in the Skoda is ideal for long commutes .
"
You mean they actually design Skodas? The Fabia is one of the ugliest cars I have ever seen. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"I have a Vauxhall Astra 08 plate. Really comfortable drive. Its first owner was a sales rep, so some heavy mileage was done, must have been comfortable for him too."
I have a 57 plate Astra CDTi SRi. Had it three years and covered 70k miles in that time.
It averages 51.3mpg (I kept fuel receipts over a 30k mile period and calculated myself). I have not particularly driven "nicely" either.
Comfortable and reliable! |
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"Skoda
Octavia or Fabia if you want something slightly smaller
Basically all the advantages of a VW; all their reliability and design;
Much Cheaper, spares are cheaper too.
The 2 litre Diesel 140 PS in the Skoda is ideal for long commutes .
You mean they actually design Skodas? The Fabia is one of the ugliest cars I have ever seen."
Who gives a fuck what it looks like?
It's a commuter car..... |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"The scenario...
90 mile round trip per day. Obviously diesel.
Needs to be comfy after a 12.5 hour day.
Budget £2000."
MK4 Mondeo... great on fuel, and a comfortable drive too |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Skoda
Octavia or Fabia if you want something slightly smaller
Basically all the advantages of a VW; all their reliability and design;
Much Cheaper, spares are cheaper too.
The 2 litre Diesel 140 PS in the Skoda is ideal for long commutes .
You mean they actually design Skodas? The Fabia is one of the ugliest cars I have ever seen.
Who gives a fuck what it looks like?
It's a commuter car....."
So it has to be ugly? There are many that aren't, and most cars can be termed commuter cars, it's a meaningless statement.
I think you'll find a lot of people give a fuck what their car looks like. |
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"The scenario...
90 mile round trip per day. Obviously diesel.
Needs to be comfy after a 12.5 hour day.
Budget £2000.
MK4 Mondeo... great on fuel, and a comfortable drive too "
I'd suggest a Mondeo too. Got a hue boot too - bigger than a Jag. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Skoda Skoda Skoda.
Not a bad shout these days. "
Still VAG so the same age related problems and expense as VW/Audi, the only upside is your money will buy a better car with better a spec.
Another shout for the Mk4 Mondeo (the Jag Xtype shares the same platform), provided you find one with a recent clutch (make sure it hasn't had a single mass flywheel fitted), turbo and injectors done.
Nice and comfy on long trips, big boot and plenty cheap enough now. And a heated windscreen for lazy winter mornings |
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"The scenario...
90 mile round trip per day. Obviously diesel.
Needs to be comfy after a 12.5 hour day.
Budget £2000.
Buy my galaxy. I do 90 miles a day - get over 43 to the gallon. Can take rear seats out and put s mattress in.
Still going strong at 248k - can overtake cyclists with ease
No issues with the turbo then?"
Nope. Clutch had to be replaced at 160k. That's about all |
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"Rover 75 CDT. That diesel engine goes forever and don't be put off by all the Rover scare story rubbish. 75s are fantastic cars and a good one will be half your budget
"
My suggestion too. BMW diesel engine that should go forever. You can still get them for a reasonable price too and lots of them got loaded with every extra going to push sales originally. |
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Bangernomics! I spent 4k three years ago on a 2009 2.2 Citroen C5 with 60k on the clock. She is like driving in a big sofa. I click the cruise control and then let her amble down the motorways in quiet comfort. In almost 40k I've replaced oil, filters and a couple of two minute job headlight bulbs.I need to do some work on her now but at £26 for the parts I'm not grumbling. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"honda accord or civic diesel mine has over 200k on it still runs and drives well. toyota are good as well a lot of taxi drivers use them and skoda octavia"
isis drive toyota pick ups too to carry large calibre guns so must be reliable
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"Rover 75 CDT. That diesel engine goes forever and don't be put off by all the Rover scare story rubbish. 75s are fantastic cars and a good one will be half your budget
My suggestion too. BMW diesel engine that should go forever. You can still get them for a reasonable price too and lots of them got loaded with every extra going to push sales originally."
I've just done 50k on mine (MG ZT), bought at 160k. Fab engine, dead easy to service, but there are common issues, which aren't too hard to resolve.
Main thing is to keep the plenum chamber dry, the drain hole gets blocked and the ecu is in there!
Handbrake linkage is a pile of shit - swap it for a modified one that won't stretch.
Rear light cluster gasket must have been designed by a yts with an nvq in pizza box design, make them continuous with contact adhesive and then use silicone sealant on both sides on re-assembly. Also, use dabs of silicone sealant on chrome trim strip fasteners as they also leak.
Clutch master cylinder is tiny and on top of clutch pedal. It's designed to be "filled for life", but they do weep esp if your slave cylinder is old (but it's in the bell housing so you may as well have clutch changed at the same time). You can get the cap off the master cylinder and top up with a syringe, but it's a real pain.
Headlamp bulbs are a pain to change - need to turn wheel on full lock and remove access panels in wheel arch and thread your arm in and do it blind - helps if you have a spare headlamp to practise on so you can get in your head how to release the bulb without losing the retaining spring clip.
Cheap rubber O ring seals on intercooler inlet which swell and leak, leaving an oil drip under the front left. Need to drop the front off to get at the joint and replace with Viton rubber O rings. Had to modify the joint on mine as it still kept popping out.
The PCV filter is not in the service schedule - I swap mine out every oil and air filter change (I soak the old one in white spirit and re-use at next change). If you don't change it, pressure builds up in the crank case and forces oil out of the dip stick - long term will damage engine.
EGR can be disabled easily as it's vacuum operated and no adverse diagnostic lights (pull hose off EGR valve and block with a golf tee or self tapper). So once cleaned, it stays clean.
Door locks prone to failure, but relatively inexpensive to replace.
Interior is cheap and rattly on an old one - used practically a whole tube of silicone sealant to stop the rattles and creaks on the trim panels.
Seats are comfy though and it pulls like a train.
All cars have issues and niggles as they get older. Thankfully, the ones itemised above are all doable by anyone who can use a spanner and screwdriver. |
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"Rover 75 CDT. That diesel engine goes forever and don't be put off by all the Rover scare story rubbish. 75s are fantastic cars and a good one will be half your budget
My suggestion too. BMW diesel engine that should go forever. You can still get them for a reasonable price too and lots of them got loaded with every extra going to push sales originally.
I've just done 50k on mine (MG ZT), bought at 160k. Fab engine, dead easy to service, but there are common issues, which aren't too hard to resolve.
Main thing is to keep the plenum chamber dry, the drain hole gets blocked and the ecu is in there!
Handbrake linkage is a pile of shit - swap it for a modified one that won't stretch.
Rear light cluster gasket must have been designed by a yts with an nvq in pizza box design, make them continuous with contact adhesive and then use silicone sealant on both sides on re-assembly. Also, use dabs of silicone sealant on chrome trim strip fasteners as they also leak.
Clutch master cylinder is tiny and on top of clutch pedal. It's designed to be "filled for life", but they do weep esp if your slave cylinder is old (but it's in the bell housing so you may as well have clutch changed at the same time). You can get the cap off the master cylinder and top up with a syringe, but it's a real pain.
Headlamp bulbs are a pain to change - need to turn wheel on full lock and remove access panels in wheel arch and thread your arm in and do it blind - helps if you have a spare headlamp to practise on so you can get in your head how to release the bulb without losing the retaining spring clip.
Cheap rubber O ring seals on intercooler inlet which swell and leak, leaving an oil drip under the front left. Need to drop the front off to get at the joint and replace with Viton rubber O rings. Had to modify the joint on mine as it still kept popping out.
The PCV filter is not in the service schedule - I swap mine out every oil and air filter change (I soak the old one in white spirit and re-use at next change). If you don't change it, pressure builds up in the crank case and forces oil out of the dip stick - long term will damage engine.
EGR can be disabled easily as it's vacuum operated and no adverse diagnostic lights (pull hose off EGR valve and block with a golf tee or self tapper). So once cleaned, it stays clean.
Door locks prone to failure, but relatively inexpensive to replace.
Interior is cheap and rattly on an old one - used practically a whole tube of silicone sealant to stop the rattles and creaks on the trim panels.
Seats are comfy though and it pulls like a train.
All cars have issues and niggles as they get older. Thankfully, the ones itemised above are all doable by anyone who can use a spanner and screwdriver."
And for someone who works 12 hour days and doesn't have time to fuck about with issues and niggles you would suggest??? A horse, a push bike? I think you just told the op exactly why he shouldn't spend his hard earned money on a Rover!! |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Citroen / Peugeot Diesel Engine. Cant fault them.
Xsara Picasso (the old style) are dirt cheap - but get the 2.0 HDI engine as its got the extra pull that makes it less of dull drive.
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"
And for someone who works 12 hour days and doesn't have time to fuck about with issues and niggles you would suggest??? A horse, a push bike? I think you just told the op exactly why he shouldn't spend his hard earned money on a Rover!!"
Any old car is likely to have issues, my rule of thumb is to have savings of at least the same as the purchase price to sort them out.
The ones I listed above are relatively simple fixes I've been able to do myself for just a few pounds.
Gave it a full service this morning - total time 2 hours - cost £40 in filters and oil.
The engine, gearbox and running gear are all BMW. |
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The fact is this, any car properly serviced and regularly maintained will last for over 150000 miles, diesels require more care than a petrol. It isn't about what make and model it is about knowing its history. You can never be sure when buying a second or third hand motor, all you can do is take someone who knows what they are looking at, carry out the simple checks I outlined about 4 hours ago and hope for the best. Oh and if you do nothing else buy breakdown cover.
Source - 30 years as a mechanic. |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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"Any higher mileage vw engined car will be susceptible to turbo/egr failure, a common vw weakness. Ford mondeo is a good choice but check for noisy duel mass flywheel. View any diesel car before it has been run up, a cold engine will show up faults. Check for smoke from the tail pipe and don't be afraid to rev the nuts off it to see if it smokes. "
Is the duel mass fly wheel still an issue with an auto transmission? |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"The fact is this, any car properly serviced and regularly maintained will last for over 150000 miles, diesels require more care than a petrol. It isn't about what make and model it is about knowing its history. You can never be sure when buying a second or third hand motor, all you can do is take someone who knows what they are looking at, carry out the simple checks I outlined about 4 hours ago and hope for the best. Oh and if you do nothing else buy breakdown cover.
Source - 30 years as a mechanic."
Pretty much this. I tend to buy fairly newish cars (around the 30k mileage mark, but never brand new), then run them till the wheels fall off (or the repairs become too expensive to justify keeping it going).
I have a spreadsheet for tracking yearly mileage and repair costs so that I can understand the running ratio and watch for when it gets too high.
But Im probably way too nerdy about stuff like that. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Any higher mileage vw engined car will be susceptible to turbo/egr failure, a common vw weakness. Ford mondeo is a good choice but check for noisy duel mass flywheel. View any diesel car before it has been run up, a cold engine will show up faults. Check for smoke from the tail pipe and don't be afraid to rev the nuts off it to see if it smokes.
Is the duel mass fly wheel still an issue with an auto transmission?"
I know that VW Golf Diesel Autos can suffer with really bad turbo problems; where they go into 'limp mode' at random (usually when you want the turbo to actually, well, turbo).
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"Any higher mileage vw engined car will be susceptible to turbo/egr failure, a common vw weakness. Ford mondeo is a good choice but check for noisy duel mass flywheel. View any diesel car before it has been run up, a cold engine will show up faults. Check for smoke from the tail pipe and don't be afraid to rev the nuts off it to see if it smokes.
Is the duel mass fly wheel still an issue with an auto transmission?"
No although newer autos technically have a clutch they don't have a dual mass flywheel. It isn't essential on any car it is designed to cut down on vibration but solid mass conversions are available for many makes now. |
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By *eavenNhellCouple
over a year ago
carrbrook stalybridge |
lump out for an older mercedes diesel not one of the newer tdci common rail ones as when they go wrong your talking big bucks to fix from any manufacturer but one of the slightly older tdi diesels with the mechanical pumps as they will go on for ever cost pennies to repair and can run on chip pan oil if needed . the more modern common rail diesels are a night mare when they go wrong |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Mondeo TDCi... If you drive sensibly you'll get 50+ mpg on motorway drives.
If you're spending a couple of grand there in't a car out there that will never go wrong.. |
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By *eavenNhellCouple
over a year ago
carrbrook stalybridge |
"Mondeo TDCi... If you drive sensibly you'll get 50+ mpg on motorway drives.
If you're spending a couple of grand there in't a car out there that will never go wrong.."
yeah right ford tdci engine also used in volvos and jag xtypes is the biggest lump of shit going constant problema with injector failure and ecu faults but hey if your happy to lump out £100 + every time the injectors loose there code buy one and enjoy .watch out for the flashing light if doom on the dash |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I'd say Vectra 1.9, Saab 9-3 1.9 or an Alfa 156 or GT 1.9.
All will eat that kind of mileage for breakfast if properly serviced and return around 50mpg+. |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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"I'd say Vectra 1.9, Saab 9-3 1.9 or an Alfa 156 or GT 1.9.
All will eat that kind of mileage for breakfast if properly serviced and return around 50mpg+."
Hmmm those GT's look pretty sexy! |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"I'd say Vectra 1.9, Saab 9-3 1.9 or an Alfa 156 or GT 1.9.
All will eat that kind of mileage for breakfast if properly serviced and return around 50mpg+.
Hmmm those GT's look pretty sexy! "
I've had mine for a couple of years now. No major issues, just a clutch at 100k miles and a drive shaft a couple of months ago which is to be expected with 450lbs of torque (the engine has been tweaked a little ) |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Anything jap will last you, anything fancy for that money isn't gonna be reliable or is going to have stupid miles on and you are gonna be racking them up !! |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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My mates got a Honda Accord and to be honest the mpg is really good and the performance isn't that bad at all. it's full of toys and hasn't cost him anything to keep on the road. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Anything jap will last you, anything fancy for that money isn't gonna be reliable or is going to have stupid miles on and you are gonna be racking them up !! "
Rubbish.
I know loads of cars bought for a few hundred quid that are people's daily drivers racking up a thousand miles a week with zero reliability issues. All they need is fuel and proper servicing, which if you can do yourself costs next to nothing. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Anything jap will last you, anything fancy for that money isn't gonna be reliable or is going to have stupid miles on and you are gonna be racking them up !!
Rubbish.
I know loads of cars bought for a few hundred quid that are people's daily drivers racking up a thousand miles a week with zero reliability issues. All they need is fuel and proper servicing, which if you can do yourself costs next to nothing."
Fuck me cars must go cheap up t'north ! Or you know a lot of lucky people. It's ok giving it a good service yourself but not if the 5 people before you have tagged the shit out of it and it's his mate works at a garage with a handy stamp |
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"A Jaguar X-type 2.0D SE will give you loads of comfort and that engine can take very high mileage with regular services
My 54 plate one has just breezed through the 1630000 mile mark"
"Mondeo in Jag Drag"!!!  |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Mazda 6, basically a ford mondeo.
When I find a new job and have to give my company car back I'll be buying one."
I'd be careful normally I'd say Mazda very good reliability but I believe the 6 has a few pretty terminal know common issues.. I think it was either gearbox or engine failure but at quite a low mileage . ...
Best thing to do is hit the forums relating to any car you are thinking about buying and weigh up the results you find ....
Just recently I was looking at buying an Audi s4 the 4.2 v8 variety but the cam chain is a known issue and it's a very considerable amount of money to put right up to £4K so I decided against it even though I loved the car.
At the end of the day it's all a crap shot you never really know what you are gonna be getting you can only use your best judgment when viewing but I would say don't stretch yourself to buy the car I always save some for putting a few unforeseen issues right which you find out about about a week later! That's if you buy private .
Just don't buy French unless you love electrical faults and engine management . Unfortunately that's why there's so many so cheap!!
Also you can buy a code reader from eBay for a few quid take it up the road and plug it in the can bus see what comes up it may save you a fortune who knows?? And avoid modern diesels post 08/09 that have been town cars the egr will no doubt be knackered and the dpf will be clogged to buggary!
Good luck |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Get a good vw golf for that. So reliable and comfy.
Everyone i know with golfs and passats around ten years old have had alot of trouble. One has just had to replace the ecu. Which took a month and the best part of £700. The other had a cam sensor go. Which cost him £450. Im just not tempted. "
Cam sensor £450? You've been robbed. £30 for the part and 5 minutes to fit. |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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"Get a good vw golf for that. So reliable and comfy.
Everyone i know with golfs and passats around ten years old have had alot of trouble. One has just had to replace the ecu. Which took a month and the best part of £700. The other had a cam sensor go. Which cost him £450. Im just not tempted.
Cam sensor £450? You've been robbed. £30 for the part and 5 minutes to fit."
Not me. Says a lot for the dealer network though.. |
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By *mmabluTV/TS
over a year ago
upton wirral |
"I have a Vauxhall Astra 08 plate. Really comfortable drive. Its first owner was a sales rep, so some heavy mileage was done, must have been comfortable for him too."
I have an 08 astra diesel great car does the job |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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What i need i magical formula that can tell me whether i should change my old petrol car for a newer diesel. Cost of running that over buying something more efficient. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"08 vectra 1,9 sri cdti 150 . Used to get 700miles to £70 in mime and i drove it hard also never spent a penny on it in all the years of owning it."
Same engine as my Astra.... It does either 130mph or over 50/gallon...but not both at same time! |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"What i need i magical formula that can tell me whether i should change my old petrol car for a newer diesel. Cost of running that over buying something more efficient."
Do you do above 12k miles a year including lots of motorway miles?
If yes a diesel is what you want. Don't worry about the horror stories about the EGR valve, they take 45 minutes to remove and clean even if you're a total plank with a spanner. The only real pain is the DPF but a good motorway blast in 4th at 70mph will trigger a regen when its needed.
Service them regularly and do an oil change between full services and don't use supermarket fuel and it'll be fine.
If, however, you do mostly town driving I'd stick with petrol. |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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"What i need i magical formula that can tell me whether i should change my old petrol car for a newer diesel. Cost of running that over buying something more efficient.
Do you do above 12k miles a year including lots of motorway miles?
If yes a diesel is what you want. Don't worry about the horror stories about the EGR valve, they take 45 minutes to remove and clean even if you're a total plank with a spanner. The only real pain is the DPF but a good motorway blast in 4th at 70mph will trigger a regen when its needed.
Service them regularly and do an oil change between full services and don't use supermarket fuel and it'll be fine.
If, however, you do mostly town driving I'd stick with petrol."
Best sell the beemer then  |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"The scenario...
90 mile round trip per day. Obviously diesel.
Needs to be comfy after a 12.5 hour day.
Budget £2000."
I've just had a VW Golf doing the same mileage mate, go for the 2.0 tdi, absolutely faultless! And amazing MPG |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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There are a few good vehicles our there that fit your filters. ..do a search with best diesel under 2000. Then read what Honest John says about each of those in that post. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Wont go far wrong with a mondeo mk3 or 4,for that money.
Try and get one with the clutch flywheel and injectors already done and good evidence of frequent servicing.
Ghia x and titanium x are very comfortable and well equiped. I have 2 both have done 200k miles and cost nothing to run. |
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By *ittie4UCouple
over a year ago
Watford |
"Bangernomics! I spent 4k three years ago on a 2009 2.2 Citroen C5 with 60k on the clock. She is like driving in a big sofa. I click the cruise control and then let her amble down the motorways in quiet comfort. In almost 40k I've replaced oil, filters and a couple of two minute job headlight bulbs.I need to do some work on her now but at £26 for the parts I'm not grumbling."
Personal choice, but I'd never buy a German car: the German car industry is a crime against humanity!
I'd go Citroen too. My company bought a Citroen Berlingo Multispace as a workhorse - sold it after 175k without spending a penny on it other than tyres, brake pads, oil and oil filters. I lie, two tail light bulbs too.
Peugeot Citroen diesels go on forever and a second hand Citroen has all that depreciation removed from the price. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Buy an edition of What Car, cut out all the different marques and models, put all the little pieces of paper in a polythene bag, give it a shake, draw one out and bob's your uncle. |
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"Bangernomics! I spent 4k three years ago on a 2009 2.2 Citroen C5 with 60k on the clock. She is like driving in a big sofa. I click the cruise control and then let her amble down the motorways in quiet comfort. In almost 40k I've replaced oil, filters and a couple of two minute job headlight bulbs.I need to do some work on her now but at £26 for the parts I'm not grumbling.
Personal choice, but I'd never buy a German car: the German car industry is a crime against humanity!
I'd go Citroen too. My company bought a Citroen Berlingo Multispace as a workhorse - sold it after 175k without spending a penny on it other than tyres, brake pads, oil and oil filters. I lie, two tail light bulbs too.
Peugeot Citroen diesels go on forever and a second hand Citroen has all that depreciation removed from the price."
Yep the depreciation was a big selling factor for me. I got a car loaded with toys at possibly half the price of an equivalent German our Jap car. In terms of reliability over three years it has been as good as anything German. Yes, like a number of Citroen, she does use four headlamp bulbs a year. But it takes all of two minutes to swap then rather than at best a fiver at Halfords or a trip to the mechanics to get them replaced. I can live with her foibles for the low purchase price, low running cost, comfort and reliability. |
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By *andlebarMan
over a year ago
South Northumberland |
Ive got a peugoet partner combi.. 1.9d.. no turbo.. and at the moment its sitting at 120k.. its not fast.. i can get 80 flat out.. but at 65-70mph.. its great i fuel.. the engine id bomb proof.. and although ive got the base model its very comfy ( could do with electric windows which i might fix up in the future) and the driving position is great, with fantastic all round visibility... all for £600 |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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One engine to avoid like the plague is the 1.6 hdi which is found In everything from Ford Focus to volvos and also Citroen Peugeot etc ... They suffer with the injectors leaking which in turn contaminates the oil which in turn eats the turbo bearings which then requires replacing however the turbo replacement is not as straight forward as most as the engine requires an unbelievable amount of flushing to remove contaminants in order not to bugger the new turbo.. So much so that when you order the turbo for this engine the suppliers often will not warrant the longevity of it .
Believe me I know this one from personal experience they are great little engines and very good mpg but what you save in fuel will cost you a lot more when it all turns to shit . It just wrote one of my cars off which still had a resale value of prob about 2k to 2.5 |
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By *andlebarMan
over a year ago
South Northumberland |
"One engine to avoid like the plague is the 1.6 hdi which is found In everything from Ford Focus to volvos and also Citroen Peugeot etc ... They suffer with the injectors leaking which in turn contaminates the oil which in turn eats the turbo bearings which then requires replacing however the turbo replacement is not as straight forward as most as the engine requires an unbelievable amount of flushing to remove contaminants in order not to bugger the new turbo.. So much so that when you order the turbo for this engine the suppliers often will not warrant the longevity of it .
Believe me I know this one from personal experience they are great little engines and very good mpg but what you save in fuel will cost you a lot more when it all turns to shit . It just wrote one of my cars off which still had a resale value of prob about 2k to 2.5 "
Yep i concur |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Bangernomics! I spent 4k three years ago on a 2009 2.2 Citroen C5 with 60k on the clock. She is like driving in a big sofa. I click the cruise control and then let her amble down the motorways in quiet comfort. In almost 40k I've replaced oil, filters and a couple of two minute job headlight bulbs.I need to do some work on her now but at £26 for the parts I'm not grumbling.
Personal choice, but I'd never buy a German car: the German car industry is a crime against humanity!
Bought an older Citroën C5 with 145000 on the clock...regularly serviced. Had it for 5 years...put on 90000. Nothing went wrong easy maintained. ..cheap PSA parts. I'd have bought another but I got a 2006 407 estate instead .... same engine...not as comfortable ride though. Have had many Citroëns. ..I'll buy an older one again. Value for money...cheap repairs....economical.
I'd go Citroen too. My company bought a Citroen Berlingo Multispace as a workhorse - sold it after 175k without spending a penny on it other than tyres, brake pads, oil and oil filters. I lie, two tail light bulbs too.
Peugeot Citroen diesels go on forever and a second hand Citroen has all that depreciation removed from the price.
Yep the depreciation was a big selling factor for me. I got a car loaded with toys at possibly half the price of an equivalent German our Jap car. In terms of reliability over three years it has been as good as anything German. Yes, like a number of Citroen, she does use four headlamp bulbs a year. But it takes all of two minutes to swap then rather than at best a fiver at Halfords or a trip to the mechanics to get them replaced. I can live with her foibles for the low purchase price, low running cost, comfort and reliability. "
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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There was a time that the French made the best diesel engines in the world. Sadly with the mandatory introduction of EGR valves, swirl flaps, DPF filters and direct fuel injection they're almost scrap when new! I certainly wouldn't touch one with someone else's bargepole, they're absolutely shocking. My ex had a Megane 1.9 DCI and it misfired like a twat and smoked more than I used to, Renault couldn't figure it out and neither could several specialists we took it to. The ECU was saying it was an EGR fault and it was replaced multiple times to no avail.
Eventually, after two days with a multimeter I traced it back to a fault (not actually a fault, it was empty) with the aircon. I had it regassed and it fixed the car!
The money spent trying to fix it actually far exceeded the value of the piece of junk! |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"So, in Mr Who's honest opinion, and great expertise and widespread knowledge on these matters
What's the best diesel engine around ?  "
Cummins, but you won't find one in a car!
Honestly though with the emissions systems currently required most suffer the same issues if you don't preemptively service them and check them for wear. EGR valves, swirl flaps and DPF filters make these engines troublesome and in many instances actually make the car less efficient and environmentally friendly after a few thousand miles (the EGR is the worst culprit for this).
Me being me I'd recommend the 1.9 Saab, Vauxhall or Alfa as they're all the same (Alfa) engine and are very robust powerplants. If you want a little more go then the 2.4 Alfa 156 is a storming car but it can eat the odd driveshaft. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"So, in Mr Who's honest opinion, and great expertise and widespread knowledge on these matters
What's the best diesel engine around ?
Cummins, but you won't find one in a car!
Honestly though with the emissions systems currently required most suffer the same issues if you don't preemptively service them and check them for wear. EGR valves, swirl flaps and DPF filters make these engines troublesome and in many instances actually make the car less efficient and environmentally friendly after a few thousand miles (the EGR is the worst culprit for this).
Me being me I'd recommend the 1.9 Saab, Vauxhall or Alfa as they're all the same (Alfa) engine and are very robust powerplants. If you want a little more go then the 2.4 Alfa 156 is a storming car but it can eat the odd driveshaft."
I was laying bets that you'd say the Fiat/Alfa 1.9 or 2.4 JTD 
From all I've heard they're the biz.
But still like my cloverleaf |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"So, in Mr Who's honest opinion, and great expertise and widespread knowledge on these matters
What's the best diesel engine around ?
Cummins, but you won't find one in a car!
Honestly though with the emissions systems currently required most suffer the same issues if you don't preemptively service them and check them for wear. EGR valves, swirl flaps and DPF filters make these engines troublesome and in many instances actually make the car less efficient and environmentally friendly after a few thousand miles (the EGR is the worst culprit for this).
Me being me I'd recommend the 1.9 Saab, Vauxhall or Alfa as they're all the same (Alfa) engine and are very robust powerplants. If you want a little more go then the 2.4 Alfa 156 is a storming car but it can eat the odd driveshaft.
I was laying bets that you'd say the Fiat/Alfa 1.9 or 2.4 JTD
From all I've heard they're the biz.
But still like my cloverleaf "
Which Cloverleaf? Many of them were diesels anyway with tweeked mapping and slightly bigger injectors. The rest was just extra trim. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"So, in Mr Who's honest opinion, and great expertise and widespread knowledge on these matters
What's the best diesel engine around ?
Cummins, but you won't find one in a car!
Honestly though with the emissions systems currently required most suffer the same issues if you don't preemptively service them and check them for wear. EGR valves, swirl flaps and DPF filters make these engines troublesome and in many instances actually make the car less efficient and environmentally friendly after a few thousand miles (the EGR is the worst culprit for this).
Me being me I'd recommend the 1.9 Saab, Vauxhall or Alfa as they're all the same (Alfa) engine and are very robust powerplants. If you want a little more go then the 2.4 Alfa 156 is a storming car but it can eat the odd driveshaft.
I was laying bets that you'd say the Fiat/Alfa 1.9 or 2.4 JTD
From all I've heard they're the biz.
But still like my cloverleaf
Which Cloverleaf? Many of them were diesels anyway with tweeked mapping and slightly bigger injectors. The rest was just extra trim."
2.O TS |
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Got to be French for comfort citrioen c4 2008 - 1.6 diesel executive £2 k
Not a sexy car not fast. I got given one a curtesy car and drove to Naples and back in it. I found it really good and I suffer from a bad back but nothing and I felt refreshed.
The last two times I drove there one was a Bmw 520d msport I was crippled. And a vw golf which I found really good fun but still sore after.
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"The scenario...
90 mile round trip per day. Obviously diesel.
Needs to be comfy after a 12.5 hour day.
Budget £2000."
Been told Volvo's are solid reliable and go on forever get a nice one on your budget |
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