Big Commute Car Advice

EdiCas

The 1.9 renault diesels aren't much better either!

I'd suggest something along the lines of the Civic/Accord, Passat, Mondeo, Octavia.

If you aren't worried about speed i'd also consider a straight diesel as it'll increase your MPG again! Friend has a Skoda Fabia straigh diesel and get 79mpg on a 50 mile round trip.

Straight diesels will certainly not beat anything in a traffic light GP, but for economy there's nothing better!

rob7475

Winger15mk wrote: »

Any have any thoughts on the Diesel Renault Megane? Seen it can get a whopping 80mpg on spec! And has bt/sat nav?

I've got a megane 1.5dci on an 08 plate. I bought mine when it was 2 and half year old for £5500. Had it over 3 and half years now and never had a problem. I drive about 80 miles a day on mostly motorway and can quite easily get about 58mpg.

It's 6 year old now with over 110,000 miles and still drives really well and returns good mpg.

Some people slate the 1.5dci but if serviced regularly with fully synthetic oil, it seems very reliable.

For your 7k, you should get one around 3 year old.

gilbert_and_sullivan

rob7475 wrote: »

Some people slate the 1.5dci but if serviced regularly with fully synthetic oil, it seems very reliable.

.

No no no, you've got it all wrong, it isn't German (even thought Reno engines might possibly find their way into other prestige marques) it hasn't been made at the Panzer factory by upright no nonsense German folk in full lederhosen, and it wasn't sold at an upmarket German car dealership, so it will break every November at the first sign of frost...;)

motorguy

gilbert_and_sullivan wrote: »

No no no, you've got it all wrong, it isn't German (even thought Reno engines might possibly find their way into other prestige marques) it hasn't been made at the Panzer factory by upright no nonsense German folk in full lederhosen, and it wasn't sold at an upmarket German car dealership, so it will break every November at the first sign of frost...;)

I know your post was somewhat tongue in cheek, but sadly my dislike and distrust for renault diesels is based on actual experience whilst motor trading.

Turbo failure, injector failure, pump failure are all quite prevalent with the 1.5 and it does get a name for once a problem does occur its "difficult to resolve". They are generally treated with extreme caution in the trade.

Also the issue with renault electrics is no joke either - i'd say 70% of all scenics i've had have had a new dash fitted because of electrical failures, and 90% of meganes i've had have had electric window / central locking problems. Not terribly expensive to cure but annoying all the same.

The later meganes are supposed to have better electricals, but the car itself is rather dull and off the mark.

As i said in my earlier post i'd avoid the 2.0TDI VW engine 05-07 as there are known and well documented issues.

The earlier 1.9TDI is robust capable of high miles.

The other one i would avoid would be the 1.6HDI peugeot engine as fitted to Peugeots, Citroens, Volvos and Fords. Animal of a thing.

There are several german engine variants i'd avoid too, but the only reason i havent mentioned them is because they're not on the O/P's radar.

I've a 1.6TDI Golf, and i'm not hearing much in terms of major failures, other than the EGR valve can get clogged up and its a pain to get at BUT i think this is generally restricted to cars doing low miles and lots of stop starts. They are however, capable of high MPG, hence my recommendation.

rev_henry

gilbert_and_sullivan wrote: »

There is an alternative, given your mileage your present or another car converted to LPG would do the job, it doesn't have to be Diesel, 'payback' on the typical good conversion takes roughly 20k miles, and if you happen to pass Sainsbury's at London Colney on your commute you have one of the cheapest LPG sites around, currently 69ppl, several slightly higher priced sites on your journey too.

Be warned once you've gone LPG few people go back, but all conversions are not the same, all converters are not the same and some cars don't convert well, so if you are at all interested do your research well.

Some stand alone sat navs have Bluetooth, so thats an easy fix anyway.

I think this might be the way to go. Your current car is quite new and hardly on its last legs, just doesn't give particularly good MPG. If you're happy with it why spend £6000 on a new one, an LPG conversion is what, £1500 these days?

gilbert_and_sullivan

rev_henry wrote: »

I think this might be the way to go. Your current car is quite new and hardly on its last legs, just doesn't give particularly good MPG. If you're happy with it why spend £6000 on a new one, an LPG conversion is what, £1500 these days?

Far less than that, and thats not getting bodgit and scarper to fit it, around £1100 will get a good system on a 4 cyl car incl a standard vacuum flashlube.

Those who like LPG usually get it fitted to 6+ cyl engines and enjoy Diesel hatchback fuel costs from proper old fashioned luxobarges, surprised you haven't gone down this route yet Father...;)

rev_henry

gilbert_and_sullivan wrote: »

Far less than that, and thats not getting bodgit and scarper to fit it, around £1100 will get a good system on a 4 cyl car incl a standard vacuum flashlube.

Those who like LPG usually get it fitted to 6+ cyl engines and enjoy Diesel hatchback fuel costs from proper old fashioned luxobarges, surprised you haven't gone down this route yet Father...;)

Ahh right, that figure was what it cost for my father's old V8 jag iirc.

I am tempted, but I do so few miles I can live with the fuel economy on petrol. Unless a decent pre converted one came up of course.

bigjl

motorguy wrote: »

I know your post was somewhat tongue in cheek, but sadly my dislike and distrust for renault diesels is based on actual experience whilst motor trading.

Turbo failure, injector failure, pump failure are all quite prevalent with the 1.5 and it does get a name for once a problem does occur its "difficult to resolve". They are generally treated with extreme caution in the trade.

Also the issue with renault electrics is no joke either - i'd say 70% of all scenics i've had have had a new dash fitted because of electrical failures, and 90% of meganes i've had have had electric window / central locking problems. Not terribly expensive to cure but annoying all the same.

The later meganes are supposed to have better electricals, but the car itself is rather dull and off the mark.

As i said in my earlier post i'd avoid the 2.0TDI VW engine 05-07 as there are known and well documented issues.

The earlier 1.9TDI is robust capable of high miles.

The other one i would avoid would be the 1.6HDI peugeot engine as fitted to Peugeots, Citroens, Volvos and Fords. Animal of a thing.

There are several german engine variants i'd avoid too, but the only reason i havent mentioned them is because they're not on the O/P's radar.

I've a 1.6TDI Golf, and i'm not hearing much in terms of major failures, other than the EGR valve can get clogged up and its a pain to get at BUT i think this is generally restricted to cars doing low miles and lots of stop starts. They are however, capable of high MPG, hence my recommendation.

The 1.9dci is a well known hand grenade.

But i have not hearf the same about the 1.5dci.

It is fitted to many different cars.

Nissan Qashqui to Dacia Dusters. And a whole lot of Renaults for many years.

Certainly doesn't have the same reputation as the 1.9.

Perhaps the higher tuned versions are more troublesome?

Or maybe in previous generations such as the mk2 Clio?

Ours has been troublefree. My sister has my dads old Quasqui with the same 1.5dci lump. Again reliable and super.economical.

I know somebody that drove from Peterborough to East London for five years in a petrol Kia.

Have looked seriously at the current Megane with a 1.5dci engine to replace the Clio. But wife not sold on the looks.

I am not a huge fan of VWs as i think they are expensive for what you get. I would be much more likely to advise a Skoda or Seat.

The Sweeney have a Skoda Superb in London, 4x4 petrol engined version. The current one was put on the run last year. And replaced an old shape Superb with the same top spec petrol engine and 4x4(the one that looked like a lwb Passat).

When fleet managers as well placed as the Met Police start using Skodas it is time to pay attention.

London Ambulance now uses Skoda Octavias, 4x4, 2.0 tdi with DSG box.

East.of England are going the same way.

Yorkshire Ambos have had Octavia Scouts for a few years now.

Met Police Traffic are now moving from BMWs to Octavias. As are the Area Cars.

The OP could also consider the new Skoda Rapid. They are pretty cheap new. There may be a ex demo around for not much more than budget.

Though i do find myself drawn to an above average miles ex fleeter. Bought for pennies at Auction at 3 yrs old.

More stone chips the better as it has been on the motorways a lot.

It was how minicab drivers bavk in the day bought their cars.

3yrs old. High miles. Low cost. Run into ground and repeat.

Noctu

A car frequently overlooked is the Fiat Bravo. Lots of gadgets for your money. Many of the older ones (e.g. my 58 reg) don't have a DPF. I did a 130 mile commute until recently and had no issues at all with it, got around 48mpg from it and I drove it like I stole it with very decent (cough) speeds on the A1.

DKLS

I see the usual dreary tat has been mentioned, if your spending 180 miles per day you needs some where nice to sit, have a look at oil burning 5 and 7 series and Audi A8/A6s,