I'm after a new diesel estate to replace my "sensible car" - SORTED & PICS

[auf_wiedersehen_pet]

As the title really - I'm after a new diesel estate to replace my "sensible car".

We currently have a Volvo V70 Turbo SE - beautiful car with only 100k and in good nick apart from a dribble from the sump. I'm fed up with cleaning my drive and apparenly, to change the sump gasket means taking the engine out!!! I'm not prepared to spend so what is likely to be a small fortune.

So, I'm in the market for.........

Estate
Diesel (probably)
Good MPG
Decent Power
Sporty Looks
Cheap Road Tax
Suitable for 6'5" driver
Lots of goodies
Reliability

I'd love the RS4 Audi but it's not really in my league.

Your thoughts please?

I am not selling my Disco or Series 1 (unless I get an offer I can't refuse)!

[wvanman]

RS4   yes please           (if and when i win the lottery)                  well how about a VW Passat TDI ?   I have one borrowed to me from my local garage whilst im having faults fixed on my galaxy    and these things are nice cars    its 1.9 TDI estate   and roomy   comfy    and im putting in £15 in diesel    and it giving me 160+ miles to that money (diesel here is £1.02 a litre)     I am thinking of buying one now .   Mark

[auf_wiedersehen_pet]

Thanks for the suggestion. Nipped out to see a couple in Swanick/Eastleigh. Tidy looking motor and quite tall (good headroom for me) compared to others.

Definately one to watch.

 :clap: :clap:

[horsethief]

Try a zafria I've had two now,good on diesel and loads of room.

[Mud_Medic]

I run a skoda octavia estate 1.9 DT. It's brilliant.

Don't be put off by the green badge, they are all VW/ Audi under the bonnet. It is just the internal refinement that changes. Ask my local plod,  they use the Octavia VR as an unmarked car!

If you go to the dealer, they ask whether the part is for skoda - VW or Audi, as they often have 3 different prices for the same part. The engine i bomb proof and i get 45 mpg around town, 60-70mpg on a run (straight up honest) Done 92k.

Road tax is £120, climate CD changer - all the toys I need.

You can't run it on veg oil unfortunately

Hope this helps

Ed

[Mikieb1981]

I have a audi A6 tdi quattro sport avant (World's longest title!)
It is a 2.5 v6 tdi and has 180 bhp standard so goes well.
It returns decent mileage on long journeys (about half a tank to do 300 miles to my folks in scotland) and averages about 400 miles to the tank running about on short journeys.
One of the comfiest cars i've driven has half electric leather cruise climate etc etc and mine has done 115k on a X plate.
Huge boot with fold flat seats so loads of space.
Not sure on your budget but got mine for £3600 tested but no tax about 6 months ago.
No faults to mention although parts can be a bit pricey.
Hope this helps

Mike

[ben-dent]

i would recommed a VW passat 1.9TDi or a Scoda Octavia 1.9TDi (they are the same Vehicle) they are very quick and dont have many problems

[auf_wiedersehen_pet]

Many thanks for the suggestions.

My current shortlist is....

VW Passat
Audi A4/6
Jag X-Type
Ford Mondeo
BMW 3/5 Series
Merc E Class

Not on the list....
Anything French
Vauxhall Zafira (my mate had a terrible time with one - ended up giving it away - £0.00!!)

My budget is about 8K and for once in my life I want to have the latest model. As many of these changed in 2006/07 that means that they have not dropped enough in price yet.

Since my first post I've changed my mind daily - today's favourite is the Jag - yes I know it's a tarted up Ford but it is English (Coughing fit).

[auf_wiedersehen_pet]

This is turning out to be a right royal PITA.

I've now ruled out the following........

VW Passat; fine for me but SWMBO kept catching the back of her leg on the seat handles on entry/exit - it's going to be her car too.
Audi A4; far too small and absolutely no legroom behind me - I'm 6'5".
Jag X-Type; ludicrously small, the B pillar pushed right into my shoulder so much so it was painful.

Now need to try a BMW and Merc and then after that it's a Transit van!

[karlo]

We're on our 2nd zafira, the only reason the first went is some uninsured reckless ********************************** wrote it off. 

[stuvy]

No brainer really Mondeo ST TDCI in imperial blue 

[auf_wiedersehen_pet]

No brainer really Mondeo ST TDCI in imperial blue 

We haven't tried that one yet - the main problem with all cars so far is space. At 6'5" the seat is always fully back and there needs to be space for the oldies.

[auf_wiedersehen_pet]

No brainer really Mondeo ST TDCI in imperial blue 

Wow - just done the homework on Autotrader. Very tidy looking motor, amost as fast as our Volvo V70 2.5 (Petrol) Turbo but with substantially better mpg. We will test one after our hols and fingers crossed we fit in.

[Range Rover Blues]

Personaly I'd buy a plastic tray and 2 housbricks ;)

[Range Rover Red]

I have a 1996 Mondeo hatchback (petrol engine so I can't comment on diesel MPG).  It has carried 5 adults in rather cosy comfort on more than one occasion - RRB is nearly 6ft 4 - and three large-ish dogs in the boot.  I have had no reliability issues in the six years I have had it apart from the heated screen not working very well.

I don't know what the newer ones are like space wise but they may well be worth a look.  The cars are bigger overall than mine so I can't really see the passenger compartment being any smaller.   A couple of friends have the next-to-newest model estates and are very happy with them - they have three dogs apiece and tow caravans with them.  I think the newer diesels are about £150 to tax, maybe less.

I don't know how much help this will be, but whatever you decide, I hope you get a good 'un!

[auf_wiedersehen_pet]

No brainer really Mondeo ST TDCI in imperial blue 

Wow - just done the homework on Autotrader. Very tidy looking motor, amost as fast as our Volvo V70 2.5 (Petrol) Turbo but with substantially better mpg. We will test one after our hols and fingers crossed we fit in.

Gave up on the idea of an ST TDCI - very very expensive compared to the rivals.

Eventually got a Toyota Avensis T180 in August - just under two years old when we got it. 180bhp, 50mpg on a run and very nippy. When I'm in the front, there is still enough room for me in the back!! Big boot, high spec, etc. Well chuffed.

[Range Rover Blues]

I run a skoda octavia estate 1.9 DT. It's brilliant.
 i get 45 mpg around town, 60-70mpg on a run (straight up honest) Done 92k.

what sort of speed is that at though? because that's way better than my micra can manage!

[dxmedia]

If it's the same engine as the new passat (which it might well be) they will leave a prius for dust on mpg, just not as good on co2, so those figures are more than believable for real world driving.

[morson4x4]

the car infront is a toyota  :lol:

[dxmedia]

the car infront is a toyota  :lol:

I run a skoda octavia estate 1.9 DT. It's brilliant.
 i get 45 mpg around town, 60-70mpg on a run (straight up honest) Done 92k.

what sort of speed is that at though? because that's way better than my micra can manage!

;)

[Henry Webster]

I run a skoda octavia estate 1.9 DT. It's brilliant.
 i get 45 mpg around town, 60-70mpg on a run (straight up honest) Done 92k.

what sort of speed is that at though? because that's way better than my micra can manage!

I'd back that up - I've got a 1998 1.9 Tdi Passat estate and on long motorway trip, like my former commute 60 miles of mainly motorway, 60+ mpg wasn't entirely unusual at 70-75 mph.  I was disappointed if I didn't see more than 58 mpg on the clock and I tested the computer on a number of occasions against my own sums and it was all pretty accurate. 

On the other side of the coin, when using on a road rally I have got down to 35 mpg from it, but given my previous estate struggled to get double figures on a road event that's not too bad!