Recommend a good, economic car with looks

longwalks1

will soon be moving and after something a little more economical, but would still like a nice looking car, always had Audis, BMW's etc

What sort of car should i be looking for, any recommendations? Up to about £8k to spend, preferably diesel as will now be doing 250 miles a week (up til now only ever done about 40 miles a week)

Cheers

motorguy

250 miles a week is only 13,000 a year.

A diesel is the wrong engine type for those miles.

What size of car are you looking for Focus sized? Fiesta sized? Mondeo sized?

Hintza

Getting close to the crossover point though. Question is:- Is 25 miles long enough for the DPF to regenerate?

Gloomendoom

Hintza wrote: »

Getting close to the crossover point though. Question is:- Is 25 miles long enough for the DPF to regenerate?

That would depend on the route and traffic conditions.

We commute 23 miles each way in a diesel and, in three years, have had no problems with the DPF.

longwalks1

thanks all, was looking at maybe a 3 series BMW 320d, as wanted something that kind of size, would a 1.8 or 2.0 petrol engine be better then? Surely more MPG is better?

motorguy

britishboy wrote: »

thanks all, was looking at maybe a 3 series BMW 320d, as wanted something that kind of size, would a 1.8 or 2.0 petrol engine be better then? Surely more MPG is better?

Well, the petrol variant will be cheaper, so you'll get a younger one for your money, and probably lower miles.

A diesel 3 series will have several time bombs built in - the turbo, the fuel pump, the injectors, the dpf, the EGR valve, etc. Timing chain problems with some 320d's too, that lunches the engine. Typically expect a bill for one of those of £500 to £2000 to resolve properly.

What about a Lexus IS250?

Going to average probably mid 30's overall. A 320d is going to do about 45mpg

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201409037097567/sort/default/postcode/bt622hb/usedcars/model/is/page/2/price-from/7500/fuel-type/petrol/price-to/8500/make/lexus/radius/1500/onesearchad/used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew/site/uk?logcode=p

To put the price in perspective, the same money is only going to buy you an 07 poverty spec 320d.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201408276910215/sort/default/price-to/8500/postcode/bt622hb/maximum-mileage/up_to_60000_miles/make/bmw/onesearchad/used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew/page/1/fuel-type/diesel/model/3_series/engine-size-cars/2l_to_2-5l/price-from/7500/radius/1500/site/uk/usedcars?logcode=p

JustinR1979

As you've had bmw's, I would say the 320d.
Sometimes people prefer the way a diesel drives, I do

motorguy

JustinR1979 wrote: »

As you've had bmw's, I would say the 320d.
Sometimes people prefer the way a diesel drives, I do

I prefer the way they drive too - not so fond of how they can incur large unexpected bills though. :eek:

And they're not that economical, unless you've a really fresh one.

My son has a late 09 120d, and hes only getting around 45mpg.

darkmatter101

I suggest the Lexus IS220d

Or if you really want to be economical the VW Polo Bluemotion TDI

JustinR1979

motorguy wrote: »

I prefer the way they drive too - not so fond of how they can incur large unexpected bills though. :eek:

And they're not that economical, unless you've a really fresh one.

My son has a late 09 120d, and hes only getting around 45mpg.

Wow, similar mpg to my brothers E46 330D!

Gloomendoom

Odd isn't it. I tend to think anything over 30 mpg is good.

I wonder if it's generational thing.