O/T Diesel estate car advise

[potster]

Bit O/T but looking for opinions on diesel estate cars for the other half. Budget of 10-13k. Needs to be not too old and not too many miles as the current estate has been doing 25k a year.

Current list is: -

Merc E Class

320D Touring

X Type/Mondeo

Toyota Avensis

VW Passat

Any experiences positive or negative appreciated.

[Major Stare]

Honda Accord 2.2 ?

[RABoon]

A4 or A6 Avant TDi

[DavidR]

If you go for the VW Passat then beware of  the 2.0 engine 6spd versus the 1.9 5spd for fuel economy.

I used to get 53 mpg on a run with my 1.9 but the 2.0 6spd only gets 45mpg which is the same as my old cavalier SRi, all on the same journey.

David

[wacomuk]

rover 75 cdti are good 130bhp BMW engines

[dannyboy]

Volvo D5 gets my vote every time.

[peterg]

Skoda Octavia    you'll get a nearly new one for that budget  

[Man On The Clapham Omnibus]

It's difficult to be very helpful, not having owned and run all available models. However I am happy with my 2002 Mondeo TDDi (not common rail) and had a Mk1 Mondeo before that which has just gone to its maker at about 240,000 pretty trouble free miles since 1996, partly with me and partly with my daughter over the last 100,000 miles.

The nice thing about Mondeos is that they have not got the badge-premium on price that some have and that means you get all the toys for a good price. They drive nicely too.

[cidersurfer]

Just my 2p...

Merc E Class - Huge! We wanted one as the dog carrier, tow barge, load hauler but couldn't find one within the budget and ended up with a Honda Accord Exec 2.2CDTi. I think you'll struggle for the budget with low miles and not too old. Beware, older ones (pre 2003 IIRC) can have rust issues...

320D Touring - Small for an estate.

X Type/Mondeo - Modern Mondeos great cars, I have done over 250,000miles in 'em. Estates are a good size too. X Type saloons plummeting in value, look excellent value 2nd hand, not sure how the estate's residuals will cope though as still relatively new.

Toyota Avensis - No idea...

VW Passat - Good size, excellent diesel. Make sure it's well spec'd

Good luck!  

[Captain Colonial]

Volvo D5 gets my vote every time.

Have to agree, may not be most desirable or prestigious motor, but what a mile eater, best seats ever, 185bhp motor after '05 and 45mpg on my saloon.  Quite reliable too. Only problem is the huge turning radius because of the 5-cylinder engine, but it's OK when you're used to it.

[JeffC]

From a seller of cars point of view...

Merc crap build quality poor bodywork, injector problems(just had a big bill with one ) plus side cracking auto box.

320d would be an old shape car on that budget , small inside (had some nasty spends on those too)

xtype its a modern Ford (bargepole for me )

Avensis  no experience but guess it will drive like all Japanese cars ( not keen)

Passat is good value for money and you should sneak into a new shape, only had one (2.0tdi) and I wasnt 100%impressed, ( I was comparing it to a new shape 2.0tdi A6 which it is loosley based upon) it seemed to have a lot of road noise and felt bland and lacking inside. plus sides are they are huge inside with loads of room.

Skoda estate like a Passat (not quite as well finished.)

Volvo V70 D5 are good cracking engines no real probs with them , loads of room well specced  etc Im not keen on how they drive feel a bit numb like sitting in armchairs  and I always  like Im driving my dads car ..

a4 avant tdi  is good but not so roomy for passengers. you will prob be looking at a prefacelift model though for sub £13k. (sold 100s of them with no scarey bills even with 250,000 miles )

A6 avant is bigger than A4  and better built  / finished off but again you wont get a new shape with low miles for £13k. not a bad thing but they look there age parked next to a new model,  I run a new shape for a while and rated that highly also the new 5 series tourer is good but again wouldnt fit into budget..

edited to say ..

sorry all that doesnt sound any help at all      

[highwayman]

Just bought a Honda Accord 2.2 tourer EXEC. Extremely happy with it. You can get a pretty new one for your budget depends on model exec is worth the extra I bought an exlease 54 plate with 64K for £8.5K . £24K new

[MK11]

Another vote for the Volvo D5 here.

Was looking at Passats, A4/6s and Accords, went to a local dealer to see a Passat and they had an S60 D5 which had everything I wanted so took it for a short spin and to my suprise it was great and it makes a nice noise too.  Only done 30k in it so far and I average 42mpg on my journey to work more on longer runs.  The only problem I have had is front tyre wear, which was caused by tracking and possibly the way I have been driving it!

Never thought I'd see the day I buy a Volvo and the chap who came into the sales office behind me bought exactly the same model, neither of us could believe we were buying Volvos  but I love it and would recommend one to anyone.

[Bean]

I'll probably change cars 2nd half of this year, get rid of my everyday hot hatch in favour of a Diesel work horse.

Got a 60 mile commute each day, looking to spend between £5-7k.

What do you suggest Jeff C?

I was thinking a Golf TDI 130/150.

Sorry for the thread high jack Potster

[JeffC]

I'll probably change cars 2nd half of this year, get rid of my everyday hot hatch in favour of a Diesel work horse.

Got a 60 mile commute each day, looking to spend between £5-7k.

What do you suggest Jeff C?

I was thinking a Golf TDI 130/150.

Sorry for the thread high jack Potster

anything with that engine in gets my vote  

6 months time you will be able to get a new shape 2.0tdi 140bhp Golf for £7k I would imagine the way prices are dropping on them     they are a lot better than the older shape