Tips for buying an old Diesel Modeo

mkirkby

Older diesels (generally before 2000) usually have a rule of thumb engineering behind them and last much longer. Modern computer design techniques allow then to design engines with a life-span and won't last as long. I believe diesels are especially prone to this because of the higher pressures involved (especially in the pumps). Skodas used the good old fashioned (but very economical) VW engine right up until 2004. A car with the 90hp or 110hp 1.9TDI engine will be even better as it has the indestructible Bosch fuel pump. Look at these mileages and check the mpg figures:-
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201237484677042/sort/default/usedcars/maximum-mileage/over_100000_miles/price-to/2000/fuel-type/diesel/model/octavia/make/skoda/onesearchad/used/onesearchad/nearlynew/onesearchad/new/radius/1501/page/1/postcode/hx37hq?logcode=p
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201226476670339/sort/default/usedcars/maximum-mileage/over_100000_miles/price-to/2000/fuel-type/diesel/model/octavia/make/skoda/onesearchad/used/onesearchad/nearlynew/onesearchad/new/radius/1501/page/2/postcode/hx37hq?logcode=p

Same with modern electrics. Ever ask why 1960's vacs will still work will after a modern one will have bitten the dust?

ado

A few people have suggested buying an ex police car but as a PC I'd be cautious about doing this. My force uses diesel Focus and although get regular services they basically get run into the ground before being disposed of. I would imagine the same would happen with any force using Mondeo's for response duties as well. On the flip side an ex traffic police car is going to have been driven by a smaller pool of people, at motorway speeds, away from speed bumps, so one of these might be a better buy.

Notmyrealname

mkirkby wrote: »

Older diesels (generally before 2000) usually have a rule of thumb engineering behind them and last much longer. Modern computer design techniques allow then to design engines with a life-span and won't last as long.

Utter rubbish. Tell me when any manufacturer of older pre-2000 diesels offered a 100,000 mile guarantee.

Modern computer and construction techniques allow them to design engines that would've been considered a blue-print engine in years gone by. Modern techniques allow them to build a diesel that can accelerate a 2 tonne car as fast as a petrol yet still return fantastic economy.

forgotmyname

Notmyrealname wrote: »

Modern techniques allow them to build a diesel that can accelerate a 2 tonne car as fast as a petrol yet still return fantastic economy.

Thats the issue, Everyone wanted diesel economy but without any loss in performance.

The final result, An engine littered with sensors. A glitch in one of them maybe nothing or may cause what seems like a major fault.

The issue is your buying a car on a budget BUT running it on a budget can be its downfall. It needs regular servicing.
And if a clutch or injectors costs as much as the car then thats what it takes.

When i 1st drove a 130bhp mondeo it shocked be how rapidly it joined the motorway, My own 2L petrol was no slouch. But the midrange from the turbo diesel impressed.

But big bills put me off buying one. But i have now submitted and own one. Tweaked to nearly 160bhp.

mkirkby

Notmyrealname wrote: »

Utter rubbish. Tell me when any manufacturer of older pre-2000 diesels offered a 100,000 mile guarantee.

Modern computer and construction techniques allow them to design engines that would've been considered a blue-print engine in years gone by. Modern techniques allow them to build a diesel that can accelerate a 2 tonne car as fast as a petrol yet still return fantastic economy.

That's not the point I'm arguing. You are correct, they do outperform older diesels in all respects, except longevity and reliability.

If you don't get 250,000 miles out of an older peugeot XUD or pre-PD VW TDI engine you're not really trying very hard. It makes sense for any manufacturer to build something that will get the job done as cheaply as possible and modern computer design techniques allow them to do this in ways they could only dream about in the past.

sj999

Diesel Mondeos wear well can can do huge mileages. Best to buy with a FSH. Had one myself many years ago, sold it with 140,000 miles and it looked and drove like a new one.