High-end performance diesel which would you pick?

JQ.

Personally, I'd go for the Octavia and get it re-mapped, as at 167bhp stock it's more warm than performance as standard.

gilbert_and_sullivan

Flying-High wrote: »

I'd say none of them are High End cars... But is £6k the Maximum budget?


With regards to the Merc suggestion and "You'll never go back" . Is that based on experience and with what motor and box?

4 x W124's, 3 x 4 speed boxes, 1 x 5 speed box, 1 x 230 petrol, 2 x 320 petrol, 1 x 300 Diesel.
Not a single drive train problem apart from 1 CHG external leak.
I x W210 300 Diesel in family, 5 speed auto, again never a moments problem.

Its the 7 speed that should possibly be avoided, but hardly likely to be found in our OP's guessed budget.

bodgerx

attila_ wrote: »

See, i really like the accord but on paper its completely gutless. Have i just not found the right one?

The 180bhp Type S is pretty quick.

The same 2.2 in a Honda CRV I owned felt pretty pokey to me. But I don't drive around like my backside is on fire like a lot of people seem to do these days.

Flying-High_2

attila_ wrote: »

Can't justify more than £6k on a car really. However i'd like it to be fun and do all my own work so not worried about garage bills, just how often i'll be working on it!

Each to their own, but i'd say 0-60 in 7.3 sec for a diesel is pretty good going! Of course, petrols are different league.

Simplest Engineering out of that lot would be the Octavia... £6k should buy a nice enough non clapped out one with Sensible Miles

oliverr

I agree with the comment on the Merc. My dad has an 03 C Class and has had it 8 years this year and covered nearly 160,000 miles in it. Servicing and parts are a little expensive, yes, but the BMW and Audi parts are going to be just as high maybe even more in the case of Audi - but it passes the services and MOTs fine every time, no problem. Did fail an emissions test a few years ago, it was just due to the fact the garage didn't warm the engine up enough on a cold winter's morning.

If you dont fancy the Merc or it's out of budget, the Octavia would be my next choice. Not sure on the reliabilty though, should be like any VAG car.

skivenov

gilbert_and_sullivan wrote: »

MB C class, preferably around 07 reg, last of the W203 range.

W204 C class 07 on is a better car, but might well be out of your budget.

Do not be tempted to a manual MB, foot operated hand released parking brake is not manual friendly but mainly because MB's auto boxes are the best by a country mile, and you'll never sell a manual MB on.

Once you've gone MB you might never go back.

God no! It's not even like they're well specced o nice to drive, and at five years old, it'll just be all about to start going wrong and start rusting.

oscarward wrote: »

Anything with the PUG/JLR V6 diesel. I've had 2 cars with it fitted Pug 407c 2.7d and Jag XF 3.0d.

It's a Pug design , tweaked by Jaguar and built by Ford.

Fitted in Pug 407, Citroen C5/C6, Land Rover disco, Range Rover and Jag S Type/ XF/ XJ

An absolute joy to drive unlike my mate's Vauxhall Signum V6 3.0d with a fiat engine!

Second choice the 2.2d fitted in Pug 407, Cit C5, Ford S-max, Mondeo, Jag X type.

In terms of the engine - yes! I'd have it in a mondeo or a jag any day of the week. The 2.0 Ford/PSA is an equally good engine, available in the only "new" car I'd ever own, the Mazda 6.

The other one is the Nissan/Renny 2.7 in it's various guises.

gilbert_and_sullivan

Should qualify the MB recommendation somwhat.

Unless you are a very good mechanic they are not a DIY project apart from braking systems (not W211 E class pre facelift) and normal servicing, and using the MB dealer glass palace will lead to ruinous expense.

Thankfully there are a good number of very good make specialist indy's dotted about for all your maintenance needs.

gilbert_and_sullivan

skivenov wrote: »

God no! It's not even like they're well specced, and at five years old, it'll just be all about to start going wrong and start rusting.

.

Ah the beauty of poverty spec as some might think is that there isn't that much to go wrong.

Each to their own, i don't need silly toys to impress small boys with, memory seats digital displays climate and cruise control etc don't fail when they weren't fitted in the first place.

As to rust, you might have noticed that i suggested 07 as being a good starting point, agree with rust being a problem on some but not all earlier years.

skivenov

But... no spec and a complex, unreliable, set of wiring has got to be the worst of both worlds? Don't get me wrong, I love poverty spec, my personal vehicles are as basic as can be (30 year old polo, 15 year old Skoda).

Although, personally, I love cruise control. If I were paying MB prices, I would expect to have it.

Tilt

I would certainly consider an Alfa. But take a look around the Alfa forums to see what people with REAL experience of them think.

I'm currently looking around for either a GT, Brera, Mito or 159 myself but with the mileage I do, a diesel wouldn't make sense.