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I've suddenly found myself redeployed with work, and my 160 miles/month commute has increased rather dramatically to somewhere between 1500-2000 miles/month. Currently doing it in a 2.5L V6 MG estate, and as you may guess this is cripplingly expensive. So, I need a diesel. It's roughly 260 miles each way, about 220 of which are motorway.
I know nothing about diesels other than horror stories involving DPF & DMF replacements costing £thousands. I'd like space for a bike or two inside so I guess a saloon is out. Other than that, above 40mpg is my only criteria. 1100kg towing capacity would be nice but not a deal breaker. Budget is £1500 tops, preferably less.
BMW 325d touring? Focus 1.6? Mazda 6 ts d? I really have no idea.
Live with the pain of a saloon car get a focus saloon an ugly looking thing normally driven by pensioners
Avoid focus 1.6 TDci, engine is a well known hand grenade, leaks on injector port 3, sludges the oil, kills the turbo (and repeat as Ford Technical instruction to clean and replace turbo feed pipes and sump are rarely performed properly).
Rover 75 diesel. Bought mine for £1000 with a years MOT. Done 12k in it. Spent 700 getting through a recent MOT. If it survives another year I'll be very happy.
Smooth, comortable, cruises at 75-80 no problem. Does make me look like I'm 150 years old though!
If you only want 40mpg then a petrol for your budget, any reasonable sized petrol should get +40mpg on the motorway at the speedlimit- we got 54mpg out of a 2.0 petrol focus over 1600 miles recently....
Your milage is gonna be hard on any car you buy.......
40mpg is a minimum. The higher the better. I guess our other car will do 42mpg pottering about (FK Civic) so should top that on a long run. Could always pinch that and buy the wife something else. She hates the MG.
Good info re: the Ford 1.6 Tdci, that's off the list.
Bare in mind that if your scared of the ford tdci - thats pretty much any common rail diesel 1600 engine across the board. Its found in many many motors.
Mean while its not that scary if you look after it and dont buy one thats had a turbo replacement.
If your civic is reasonably low milage id use that and get your wife something else if her journeys much shorter.
your doing alot of miles , i dont see bangernomics cars lasting too long, and im pro bangernomics.- maybe just get good aa coverage 🙂
French do a good diesel engine so if you can find one where the rest has survived then you should get a bargain as they go cheap secondhand. Go for a minimum of 1.9 as small diesels are pointless especially if you want to tow.
You can get a VAG for around that price but it will be a lot older than a french version but the engines are great and the rest will be spot on.
You'll get well over 40mpg without any effort with a diesel and have great towing power.
There was an Audi A6 diesel in the classifieds recently for bangernomics money.... not me selling btw.
Older ones tend to be simpler and more reliable, but without the power and economy figures of the newer ones.
Diesel version of what you have as you are now familiar with all the surrounding bits.
Mk3 Mondeo TDCi, VAG 1.9pd, older Pug stuff but probably not Renault.
The newer 2.0 diesel used by Ford, Volvo, Pug I was a bit disappointed with after the Ford 2.0. Less economical, more fussy.
I'd get a VAG with the 1.9PD engine. Get one without a DPF (usually 2006 or older I think) as the PD engines weren't designed around a DPF leading to loads of DPF problems. I'd personally look at Skoda Octavias for motorway comfort and bike swallowing abilities. Maybe Passat if you want something bigger, Leon / Golf / Fabia / Polo if OK smaller.
your doing alot of miles , i dont see bangernomics cars lasting too long, and im pro bangernomics.- maybe just get good aa coverage
Mine will go for bangernomics money, barring the daft £800 MOT it had in May (front suspemsion rebuild) it's never been an expensive runner. Will do 56mpg and easily did that sort of mileage for most of the time I've had it (was averaging 15,000 a year).
2003 1.7 Civic (previous shape to yours) with an Isuzu (GM) diesel (common rail version of the one found in even older Astras and Corsas). 800kg tow limit though.
You could get more and probably better for your money, don't get me wrong, but discounting smaller engine sizes would be daft unless you're set on the towing aspect. Rover 75/ MG ZT are worth a look, solid old BMW diesel underneath, the ZT being the marginally less ammonia soaked of the two.
Mondo estate, find one titanium spec minimum and with the toys to make a 200mile drive every day bearable, decent ac stereo etc. Whatever you buy make sure the drivers seat is a nice place to be, get out on a decent test drive and make sure if it's got a few miles in the seats still support well. Cruise control! Go for a larger Diesel engine 1.8 or 2.0 best balance of economy cost and power.
ZT being the marginally less ammonia soaked of the two.
How dare you sir!
What DeeW said.
260 miles a day? How long can you see yourself putting up with that? Seems a bit excessive. What do you do for a job? Anything nearer home?
Devil you know sqirrelking
Unknown car is always a risk even more so at 1500 quid. 24k miles a year is a big ask of a 1500 quid banger of the ilk he is looking at. Id have no qualms doing it in either of my aging berlingos would i buy another high miler off someone to do 24k a year in - newp.
Good point, never really thought of it that way. To be fair though you can still get low (~60k) mileage ones for reasonable money.
How dare you sir!
I very dare 😛
You must admit though, it does have an, er, image.
Ha. I'm aware of the image. It's a MG ZTT I'm commuting in at the moment. 25mpg is not conducive to a happy bank balance.
Don't see this being a long term thing, but it's all I have at the moment. Plus, it's only a 6 month contract. Cost of petrol and digs leaves me with about £50/month once bills are paid so I desperately need to cut costs. Even if I buy something and it lasts me 6 months, I'll have saved around £200/month on fuel. By then I'm hoping to have found a different job, and if I haven't I'm up shit creek regardless of what car I have.
How about this,
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201509046608515
Only done 57k from new
Which part of that is a bargain. LUdacrisly over priced.
The inlaws had one. Was an electrical night mare. The plus point was that although it didnt lock- it was a laguna - no one ever stole it in 2 years.
They paid 700 quid for a similar age and similar milage - 4 years ago.
You can get a VAG for around that price but it will be a lot older than a french version but the engines are great and the rest will be spot on.
Every person I know with and older VAG (Audi/VW) diesel has had major problems. They're no more reliable then any other so don't believe the hype.
Left field reply - what about an LPG conversion on your current car? HAve run an LPG converted 4.3 litre beast of a car for 3 years now (athough my commute is only about 100 miles a day) and it halves the price of fuel. My car costs almost exactly the same as my wife's galaxy to run (around 16p per mile). WOuldbe well over double that on petrol.
Mk1/1.5 Focus 1.8TDCi.
Great engine, few problems, economical and powerful enough for you. Mk1 is still a hoot to drive. £1500 will get you a good one.
325d Touring wont return much more than 40mpg.
2001+ Peugeot 306 HDI.
Galvanised, will return 50-55mpg, cheap parts (£13 for pads, £31 for tyres) and cheap tax £130.
Remember that whatever you buy, you're going to have to tax it, nothing will come with free tax.
Mk1/1.5 Focus 1.8TDCi.Great engine, few problems, economical and powerful enough for you. Mk1 is still a hoot to drive. £1500 will get you a good one.
Agree with this. I had three mk1's over a long period including a 1.8 tdci which I had up until a few years ago. Great cars, never went wrong in my experience.
[url= http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2001-Peugeot-306-Meridian-20ltr-HDI-ESTATE-/321846152307?hash=item4aef868c73 ]306 HDI on ebay with camblet just done.[/url]
I used to get 750-800 miles to a 55l tank of diesel if driven carefully on the motorway.
That's around 62-65mpg
Mk1/1.5 Focus 1.8TDCi.Great engine, few problems, economical and powerful enough for you. Mk1 is still a hoot to drive. £1500 will get you a good one.
sounds like a decent shout.
i inherited a 2002 Mondeo TDCi with 130K on the clock a while back. It had already had the DMF replaced; since then i've put 30K on it, it gets around 60mpg if you don't welly it too hard, and i've not spent a penny other than consumables. The boot is about the size of a small planet. It's not a glamourous motor but it's certainly got its place!
Daffy - Member
306 HDI on ebay with camblet just done.I used to get 750-800 miles to a 55l tank of diesel if driven carefully on the motorway.
That's around 62-65mpg
Could alternatively go for a xsara hdi - same vehicle, different panels. But even cheaper due to being less desirable. Also you can get a 110 xsara, I think all 306s were 90s
No DMF or DPF on the 306 or xsara either. Only thing (well, one of the things) to look out for is the usual peugeot rear axle bearings.
Here's a good 1.8TDCi:
https://www.gumtree.com/p/ford/super-clean-ford-focus-1.8-tdci-edge-3dr/1124782553
Don't know where you are, but Gumtree usually has a few.
Love 'em.
And another:
Similiarly, I had a 1.8 TDDI mk1.5. Made less power than the tdci but ironically better delivery, outstanding drivability (*). A bit simpler so might be a better candidate for high miles. Mine was made uneconomic to repair by a failed clutch slave cylinder but to be fair that could happen to most older cars with a concentric.
(*after the clutch failed in mine I had to start it in gear and drive it everywhere in that gear... Can't imagine a better engine for that job. My mondingo might well make about 4 times the torque and 2 and a half times the power but what the focus had, it used brilliantly)
Mk1.5 focus is still the best focus imo in terms of ergonomics and interior- cheap and plasticky but everything in the right place and miraculous use of space. I'd love to find a really nice condition one and stick my 2.2 tdci in it, apparently it fits 
Another recommendation for a Focus mk 1 1.8tdci. The gf has one with 160k miles on it.Its suffering from rust a bit now but has been great.Generally reliable and cheap to fix,when its needed a wheel bearing or brakes.
I wouldnt be looking for a particular brand or model for that money, just whatever came up in good condition.
Remember that whatever you buy, you're going to have to tax it, nothing will come with free tax.
clearly not true.
chestrockwell - MemberEvery person I know with and older VAG (Audi/VW) diesel has had major problems. They're no more reliable then any other so don't believe the hype.
Whereas mine is on 267k miles (03 plate 1.9TDi Ibiza) and I've had no major problems.
Worst engine related issues have been a couple of new intercooler pipes and a leaky thermostat housing.
Still on original clutch/dmf, turbo, intercooler, exhaust, injectors....
I'd have another one.
Yeah but unless he buys it in infancy like iirc you did .... He has no idea how the previous owners have treated it.
Maintianance and driving style make a bigger odds on a second hand car than the badge on the bonnet,
Fwiw everyone i know whos bought a bomb proof aged pd motor recently has had costly issues with aux componants failing
chestrockwell - Member
You can get a VAG for around that price but it will be a lot older than a french version but the engines are great and the rest will be spot on.
Every person I know with and older VAG (Audi/VW) diesel has had major problems. They're no more reliable then any other so don't believe the hype.
My Octavia is a 51 plate, and the only real issue I've had was entirely due to very short runs, and that issue was the turbo waste gate sticking and forcing the engine into limp-mode. Long steady motorway runs are what the Octy excels at, it's a very comfy car, good seats and driving position, loads of room in the boot for bikes or other stuff, mine has a three person tent, sleeping bag, military folding camp bed, wellies, IKEA blue bag with various odds and ends in, and a large chunk of tree branch for a chopping block.
I did a steady run up to London and back yesterday, that's around 100 miles or so, and the readout on the dash was showing around 50mpg. VED is £110, and insurance isn't too bad.
trail_rat - Member
Yeah but unless he buys it in infancy like iirc you did .... He has no idea how the previous owners have treated it.
Mine was 3 yrs old when I got it, so not new but nowhere near bangeromics, either.
But I was responding to the view from another poster that older VAG diesels are unreliable. That's not necessarily the case.
Service intervals are 10k for that engine and I've been servicing it at 15k instead since 140k miles. And that includes oil change....I do 400 miles/week in it commuting alone and I don't treat it with kid gloves by any stretch.
My Wife often asks if I shouldn't drive it more sympathetically given it's age, so it's not like I panda to it's age or mileage.
ming ming
wilburt - Member
Remember that whatever you buy, you're going to have to tax it, nothing will come with free tax.
clearly not true.
VED tax can no longer be sold with a vehicle - The new keeper must tax it and the current keeper must claim any remaining tax back from the DVLA.
[url= https://www.gov.uk/government/news/vehicle-tax-changes ]Government Tax Website[/url]
Neither car in my drive is taxed.
You don't get "free" tax any more but you might get tax free.
Well whoever suggested I use the Civic is due an almighty hoof in the slats. 43.5mpg, which is great. Avoiding some helmet on my side of the road going round Ullswater and consequently shredding the p/s front tyre beyond repair however... Of course, Civic's have a Stan's NoTubes repair bottle and not a spacesaver, so now I'm stuck waiting on a recovery truck.
The whole idea of this exercise is to *save* me money, not have me spending more.
FWIW, the wife looks the idea of a Pug 306. Just need to persuade her the estate isn't all that granddad-ish.
Tax free. Bangernomics.
Pick one. We're not at the point to have both yet.
My banger £1500 mk4 golf estate 1.9tdi has cost more than I wanted.
Had 140000 when got it now on 165000 leaks diesel from the tandam pump serveral oil leaks and now has pissed power steering fluid from the seal on the end of the rack.
Dmf rattles liken mad but it still works
Only a 46 mpg average though
Had a few electrical issues and more rust than I would expect on 11 year old car
It had good history and I've serviced it every year or 10000 miles
Get a MK3 Mondeo, great cars and plenty about. Just gone from a 55 plate Mondeo Titanium X to a 62 plate Octavia VRS. Mondeo was a much more comfortable place to be than the Octavia. I had no problems with mine and now my mate owns it and makes me regret selling it each time I see it.
Mine was 2.2 tdci and had been tuned. Up to 40mph the Octavia leaves the Mondeo behind mainly due to the DSG gearbox after that the Mondeo soon catches up and leaves mine behind. The Mondeo would return around 38mpg on short mixed road journeys, on the motorways up to 60mpg fully loaded.
Bangernomics, it's a lot of car for not much money.
We've just bought a Citroën Xsara VTR 2.0 hdi for £200 this evening, 52 plate and full service history upto 120k miles, 129k on the clock. Goes like a bat out of hell and should run and run without a dpf or dmf.
Xsara is a Peugeot 306 underneath but can be bought for more cheaply, watch out for rear axle bearings and that's about it. Galvanised body shells tend to mean they only rust when accident damaged.
I really like my mondeo but tbh once they drop below a grand diesels are often well into potential sudden death territory- turbos, injectors, dmf and clutch hanging over them a bit. None of which are insurmountable but, that's the bangernomics dilemma isn't it.
squirrelking - MemberTax free. Bangernomics.
Pick one. We're not at the point to have both yet.
Sure we are, just buy something pre '75.
FWIW, the wife looks the idea of a Pug 306. Just need to persuade her the estate isn't all that granddad-ish.
You know what, I had one of those once, when I started commuting distance. Cheapest car I ever had. Bought it on 60k sold it 3 years later with 140k on. Lost £1500 on the car and it had one £500 failed mot. So £2000 in 3 years, I've lost more than that per year on every car I've had since...
Did sell it cos I wasn't happy commuting and working on the road in a car that old though, but it never put a foot wrong!
The diesel that went in it was well under a quid a litre then too... 👿
In response to a few posts above, I was not suggesting that all VAG diesels are mince, I was countering an earlier post that trotted out the incorrect 'Ignore everything else, buy a VAG, besest in the whole wide world' statement.
As was mentioned in another post, at that price choose any car that looks to be in good condition with history. You might get a good one, you might get bad. The badge on the front will have very little impact.
"Sure we are, just buy something pre '75."
I know your having a laugh but good luck with getting 40+ mpg out of it..... and good luck getting much more than a v5 and an ID for 1500 quid on a pre 75.
Fwiw my reputible unreliable french diesels both went through their MOTS first time with no advisorys again this year.... 102k/9 years old and 99k/11 years old......
trail_rat - MemberFwiw my reputible unreliable french diesels both went through their MOTS first time with no advisorys again this year.... 102k/9 years old and 99k/11 years old......
ssshhhh... Everyone knows they're all awful awful cars and hopefully it stays that way so we can buy 'em for pennies 😉
Mk3 Mondeo 2.0 TDCI. Comes with loads of toys. Easily 50mpg.
More imporatantly chain driven so no having to do the cambelt.
I did 90k miles in one and never had any issues.
"More imporatantly chain driven so no having to do the cambelt"
Almost as relevent as ensuring the rear window demist works.
FunkyDunc - MemberI did 90k miles in one and never had any issues.
Mine did 100000 with nothing but routine book servicing (well, and lots of front discs), shit got real at 100001 though 😆