1.9 to 2.4 diesel for European trip?

andygb

We may be going to Italy in the Summer, and I want to make a good holiday of it, travelling down through France, and Switzerland. Both our petrol cars do around 35 - 40 on a run, but I want more!!!
I want to sell our Mazda 3 and get a diesel, and I have been looking at Alfa 156/159 1.9/2.4 JTD because they do good mileage and the 1.9 is very economic. I don't want a Mondeo, but could be tempted with a Jaguar X type or some kind of Mercedes if they are frugal enough.
My budget is £5K tops, and I want a manual box.

hartcjhart

I would go for a merc, if anything goes wrong spares will be a lot easier to get abroad

mind youI have just done a 2.5k trip in europe in my vectra diesel estate and got around 45/50 mpg

waynedance

Xtype is a mondeo with less room and smaller boot and is the same diesel engine.

harveybobbles

The money you save by buying a cdti GM unit, you will wast on putting it right when it fails.

I'd be more than happy with 30-40mpg from a petrol car.

The 2.4 Alfa engine is a pretty horrid lump to be honest.

daveyjp

5k for an X type or Merc diesel is a massive gamble. Stick to what you have, its a few hundred quid extra fuel betwen 40 and 50 mpg on a European trip. A european breakdown could cost you thousands.

GolfBravo

waynedance wrote: »

Xtype is a mondeo with less room and smaller boot and is the same diesel engine.

yet much less reliable and very very expensive to service and fix. Avoid.

Get something reliable, big and comfortable: Mondeo, Vectra, C5, Passat 1.9, C or E class Merc (both superb on motorways), Mazda 6, Avensis. You should easily get 45/50mpg - don't forget you'll be doing mostly 70-90mph on motorways, plus luggage, so don't expect any mpg miracles. 45/50mpg is still very good - we usually fill up (65 litres) in Oxfordshire, then drive past Berlin along A2 autobahn and fill up again past Liepzig. Fantastic!

And apart from the usual service/inspection make sure the tyres are well balanced (no vibration at 80-90mph) - unbalanced/uneven tyres with even the slightest vibration can easily ruin such long trip. Plus new engine oil and air filter.

And don't forget the EU-wide roadside assistance from German ADAC (forget the AA, too expensive and very limited) - ADAC single Plusmembership €79 a year, and includes the UK.

Notmyrealname

andygb wrote: »

I don't want a Mondeo,

Why not? It is the current class leader. High spec for the money and amongst the highest fuel economy with the 20TDCi.

The Alfa will never be out of the garage. The Jag is a Mondeo. The Merc isn't that frugal.

£5k buys you a very good low mileage MK3 Mondeo with change. £5k buys a tired Jag and Merc.

attila_

Notmyrealname wrote: »

Why not? It is the current class leader

Because they are as exciting as a tax return.

torbrex

I have a 51 plate C-class Mercedes that I've had since new, it still gives me 55/60 mpg on m'way driving and although its an automatic there is not much difference in the manual (especially for cruising at 70)

andygb

torbrex wrote: »

I have a 51 plate C-class Mercedes that I've had since new, it still gives me 55/60 mpg on m'way driving and although its an automatic there is not much difference in the manual (especially for cruising at 70)

Thanks Torbrex, that is the kind of info I am after. What size engine is that?

torbrex

andygb wrote: »

Thanks Torbrex, that is the kind of info I am after. What size engine is that?

its a 2.2 CDi 4 door saloon.

My last long journey was Sept last year, I drove home from south Wales to Fife in one jump with just stops for food and toilet on the way:
491 miles in 8.5 hours (driving) ave speed 58mph ave fuel 64.2mpg