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Looking for a new (to me, but still second hand) car but not wanting to limit the search.
in Motoring
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in Motoring
I've seen a car for sale that i'd be quite interested in. The one and only thing that's holding me back is the power output. This makes me feel like i could be going round in circles on this and I wondered if there's makes & models that may be worth a look at but that i've so far not considered.
Right now i'm not in a position where I need to look for a car. That could change.
The car I just mentioned is a 2009 A3 1.9 TDI 103bhp. I know a remap would put it in the 130-140bhp area which wouldn't be awful, but that was the base of what i had been looking at.
What also makes me consider this is the MOT history. Out of everything i've been looking at, it's the first car that isn't littered with oranges and reds on the Vehicle Smart app. It's had greens all the way (no advisories) since 2014 which only showed a something-or-nothing orange (advisory). On the surface ... it appears looked after.
What i had been looking at were the Mondeo ST TDCI on around the 2006-2007 plate.
Focus 2.0 TDCI 134bhp on around same age.
I'd looked at the MK5 Astra 1.9 CDTI 150bhp although this was more of an if i must, which at the moment i don't. We own the 5 door 1.6 which i think looks awful but the wife is happy enough with it. It only looks decent (my opinion) in 3 door format with XP kit but then i'm not a fan of 3 door cars. The interior is bland as hell. There's annoyances when you fit an aftermarket head unit.
I'd considered the MK5 Golf 2.0 TDI 140bhp. My sister has one & hasn't had anything major go. I'd stay away from the 170bhp version as i believe these all had DPFs whereas the 140s don't.
All in the £3k tops bracket.
What i'm looking for is a car that can be cheap to run - the only thing i can't complain about right now with my car is the insurance. The tax is terrible for what it is at £300 or more per year and the fuel economy is 35-37MPG which i'd prefer to be higher. It's a 1.8 MK4 Astra.
Out of interest, anyone here had the 103bhp unit that i mentioned earlier with the A3? Not necessarily in Audi format but any VAG & can comment on it, especially if remapped?
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Replies
Find a 140 or 170 (which does have a DPF) 2.0 TDi if you want more power.
Are you ok breathing on your own?
Why does a car with just 108bhp tow better than a car with 142bhp? Because the top speed of the 108bhp is
110mph where the 142bhp car needs to be geared for almost 150mph.
Just because a car has 6 gears and pulls along fine as low as 40mph does not mean thats the
most fuel efficient. I tow in 5th gear as 6th gear uses more fuel until you reach closer to 70mph.
Similar results using 5th gear at or below 40mph, yes it will do it, but its not as efficient which is not
what they taught us when learning to drive, change us ASAP but that may no longer be the case.
An old tech diesel with 103bhp in a mid size hatchback will be plenty quick enough for most people.
BHP is argueably a meaningless figure for most people, as that power peak is usually produced at an RPM they rarely drive at.
Im A Budding Neil Woodford.