Wanted - cheap, simple diesel estate

Flearoy

Hi all

I'm considering getting rid of my 1.8 petrol Mondeo estate and getting a diesel instead. I would have considered a diesel Mondeo estate, but having had some grief with my petrol Mondeo with brakes and suspension, the thought of the same grief, plus the joys of a DMF puts me off.

I was thinking of getting an older style diesel, maybe a mid-late 90s Golf TDi, or maybe a Peugeot 306, and I'd prefer an estate again. Looks, mileage are unimportant. Fuel economy and reliability/cheapness of fixing are.

My mileage is 500 miles per week.

Budget would be 1500 or less.

Any suggestions, apart from get the bus or train as that is not practical...

Cheers

Lee

Rossy.

Thought about a Renault Laguna 1.9 DCI?

They had faults in the earlier models with blown turbo's but was rectified using fully synthetic oil and modifying the oil line to the turbo. Also the intercoolers used to burst as the Laguna put's out a hefty amount of boost but again was rectified using a revised banding around the intercooler.

That being said i've just picked mine up recently and i paid £1,495 for it. It's on a 02 plate and has 148K on the clock, the cambelt and pullies were done only 5k miles ago. Body work is immaculate and it drives like it's brand new.

It drivers superbly and is extremely comfy. It is very fuel effecient averaging around 40-45mpg around town and i've seen 63.8mpg on a run.

It's a lot of car for very little money. Only other thing that can go wrong is the electronic tyre pressure sensors. They can go haywire and show that the tyre is under inflated but i've had mine switched off at Renault for £20. It now shows that all tyres are properly lit. I don't need a gizmo to show me my pressures are low as i check them reguarly.

Others will say avoid as it's a Renault but honestly i think it's a great car plus it's extremely safe being a 5* NCAP rating

Servicing is cheap and ultimately parts are too

An all round strong, good looking, reliable, safe, cheap car

deejbee

Whenever I buy an older car the first thing I wlways ask is when was the cam belt changed last. If there's a receipt of when it was done then it's ok (as long as it wasn't too long ago of course!). The first time I didn't check the cam belt, it went and I ended up with a big chunk of usless metel on the motorway -> write off.

Lum

At that sort of money you really ought to be looking at condition and service history rather than a specific model.

I had good luck with a 1994 L reg Passat diesel estate with the ~70bhp "umwelt" diesel engine. Bought it for £700 with 250,000 miles on the clock, and apart from a single bit of flexi fuel hose which cost about 50p to replace, and a missing battery clamp that I replaced with a load of cable ties I had no trouble with it. Only reason I got rid of it is someone went around and smashed every window and it was only insured 3rd party with no windscreen cover.

Other models you might want to consider include the Peugeot 406 HDI, Volvo 940, volvo 850 or an old Mercedes E class (I think it's the E class anyway)

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers!

£1,500 is borderline shed territory, so buy purely on condition rather than mileage, marque, etc.

Have you looked at something like an E34 BMW 525TD?

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2261053.htm

Also at that budget, E39 5-series' are starting to creep in, although they'll be pretty leggy I would imagine, and saloon only. You could also look at a W210 Mercedes E-class E300TD, I have one and its been totally reliable over the 90,000 or so I've done in it. They do rust, however, so watch out for that.

Hammyman

Flearoy wrote: »

Hi all

I'm considering getting rid of my 1.8 petrol Mondeo estate and getting a diesel instead. I would have considered a diesel Mondeo estate, but having had some grief with my petrol Mondeo with brakes and suspension, the thought of the same grief, plus the joys of a DMF puts me off.

The MK3 Mondeo estate doesn't suffer the rear subframe bush issue the saloons and hatches do.

My MK3 TDCi 130 is on the original clutch, DMF and injectors and is just about to hit 148,000 miles.

Hammyman

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers! wrote: »

£1,500 is borderline shed territory, so buy purely on condition rather than mileage, marque, etc.

Have you looked at something like an E34 BMW 525TD?

Please don't. Economy is horrific, they suffer a fault with a metal fuel pipe that goes over the tank rotting and they eat through front wishbone arm bushes like you wouldn't believe. Wife had one. It was an endless money swallower. Went like stink, really comfy and looked nice parked on the drive but thats all there was in its favour.

Flearoy

Might need to get a new car sooner rather than later as some chump drove into the back of it last night!

Lum

At least you'll get a nice new courtesy car to drive around in until the insurance pay out, then 7 days to go car shopping before you have to give it back.

Saves you having to sell a big heavy petrol car in an age where everyone wants small diesels too!

Flearoy

Well, a bit more detail. Driving on the M6 in the outside lane, line of traffic in front slows down very suddenly. I managed to stop in good time, having kept a suitable distance and having paid attention. Felt a knock, thought it was ABS. Once stopped, saw a car very close behind. Moved to middle lane, car behind following and flashing. I eventually pulled over fearing something had falled off my car. So did the flashing car man. It transpired that the knock was his car butting my car! The damage to mine consists of a Seat Ibiza grill shaped imprint on the bumper. His car was a bit more battered. Details swapped. He asked if my insurance would pay for the damage to his car!

My car is minimally damaged, not even cracked bumper or dented. Just surface paint.

I've told my insurance to expect a call from his insurance. Not sure what to do, claim against him or not? Any advice?

wba31

Flearoy wrote: »

Well, a bit more detail. Driving on the M6 in the outside lane, line of traffic in front slows down very suddenly. I managed to stop in good time, having kept a suitable distance and having paid attention. Felt a knock, thought it was ABS. Once stopped, saw a car very close behind. Moved to middle lane, car behind following and flashing. I eventually pulled over fearing something had falled off my car. So did the flashing car man. It transpired that the knock was his car butting my car! The damage to mine consists of a Seat Ibiza grill shaped imprint on the bumper. His car was a bit more battered. Details swapped. He asked if my insurance would pay for the damage to his car!

My car is minimally damaged, not even cracked bumper or dented. Just surface paint.

I've told my insurance to expect a call from his insurance. Not sure what to do, claim against him or not? Any advice?

the surface damage doesnt always tell of damage to chassis or anything.
I went into the back of someone last year, only damage to the gent's car was the bumper, and he was very kind and said if i can get the bumper replaced and sprayed he would have no issue avoiding insurance but there was too much damage to mine to avoid it...