diesel estate recommendations

gilbert_and_sullivan

Before you take the plunge and get rid of a good and loved car take a step back and take a really good look at your present car.

Is it good enough for another 5 years and 50k miles?, be honest now, would a few quid spent bring it up to scratch and would you prefer the devil you know?

If its only fuel costs the reason for sale, then consider putting LPG conversion on it.

Shoparound and a good chance you'll get a decent conversion for between a grand and £1200.

Have a poke nose on http://www.filllpg.co.uk
its a very slow site but worth the wait, see what LPG is available near you but remember the prices on the sire are only as current as when last updated.

I'm currently paying 66 p per litre, and run a 3.2 24v auto (so probably similar consumption to your Volvo) and get around 250 swift miles for between 34 and 37 quid.

Worth a think about.

mattyprice4004

Anything you get that's an estate diesel and relatively quick is going to be a shed for £2000.

I got a Rover 75 diesel estate for £1600 and it needed a few bits and bobs doing... but it was so slow out the box. A remap, tuning box, stainless exhaust and a few other bits and pieces means it's now at 180bhp and it's set me back about £2200 in total.

auroan

Stick with what you have. As already said, £2K budget is shed money. I'd look at where your buying your tyres from though. 18 inch low profiles for my 56 plate A4 quattro only cost me £110 a corner fitted for Toyos.

poppasmurf_bewdley

£2k will buy you a nice tidy Mk 3 Mondeo estate 2 litre TDCi, about 2003-2005. Big enough for anything you need and 45mpg.

Road_Hog

poppasmurf_bewdley wrote: »

£2k will buy you a nice tidy Mk 3 Mondeo estate 2 litre TDCi, about 2003-2005. Big enough for anything you need and 45mpg.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

What he said or what others have said in keeping the current vehicle.

I'd stay away from an Audi/BMW estate with your budget, it's only going to cost you a lot of money in upkeep, especially the Audi.

attila_

Passat tdi estate 130bhp. Get the five speed as the 6 has issues. For around 2k tou should get an honest 130k serviced one.

CrazyRed

threemuttleys wrote: »

155bhp...lord the boyo is going to cry (Wilma is 200:)) will have a looky tho.

Does anyone have any experience with BMW/Audi estates?

Yup. I have a BMW E34 estate.

Swallows two large dogs (Lab and a long-legged Staff) with ease, as it does the wheelchair and, when we still had it, the mobility scooter too.

I paid £700 for it two years ago. My second one of the same make and model - which is unheard of for me!

Pick your model right, and you'll find E34 525tds's for around £600-650 with sensible MOT's and tax on the 'Bay or the 'Trader. Don't be concerned about mileage - the E34 will go easily 3 times round the clock, and more, without major mechanical attention. My previous 2.5 was on 190,000 when I sold it and my current one's not far off of a quarter-of-a-million. Both have never had a head gasket and each only had one clutch replacement in their lives. Both still on original engines and gearboxes and neither showing any appreciable signs of wear considering the mileage.

OK, fuel consumption isn't great - petrol you'll be lucky to see 23-25 round town, 36 on a run. Diesel you'll see around 36 round town, 40-45 on a run.

On the flip side of the coin, parts are relatively cheap - tyres for mine are around £60 a corner, most of the servicing parts are peanuts and they're pretty DIY-friendly to work on. It's a rare garage that can't work on an E34, either!

I've driven a V40 T4 and know what you mean about being a smoker - they are an amazing wolf in sheep's clothing but the fuel consumption does leave a lot to be desired it would be fair to say.

Yes, I'm a BMW Touring fan but only certain models. The newer E39 models I'd be very cautious of because, although they'd be in budget, they're likely to need expensive repairs - especially if anything electrical goes wrong.

Personally, I'd spend £650-700 on a really decent E34 tds Touring, with a good service history and as few owners as possible, chuck another £2-300 at it for a thorough service and any repairs needed to bring it up to scratch and then run the thing until it dies.