10k Diesel Car

Gary ITR

Looking for a nice, diesel car. I will be doing around 20k miles per year so I would want something reliable and comfortable. Automatic would probably be nice too. Because of the low budget (also getting my first mortgage real soon)I may need to go back a few years to get something I like. Would I get two years out of the likes of a 00' 525d that has maybe 130k on the clock? Or any suggestions on any other cars?

Engine size would be as close to 2l as possible but I could stretch to 3l at a push (Tax and insurance being covered by the company and I get a generous mileage allowance so fuel consumption isn't a major issue but an issue none the less)

maidhc

10k is a lot of money for a car you only hope to last 2 years. It is 5k depreciation a year which brings you right into new car territory.

Either:
a) Buy a fresher petrol for smaller money
b) Get a car like the poster above mentioned.

Nothing with 130k of someone elses driving is guaranteed to be reliable.

commited

Just got a 03 530d Sport with 86k on the clock. Looks like its brand new. As long as you buy the right one they'll last forever.

Why do you want a diesel though? if I was only doing 20k/year, I'd be in a petrol.

Gary ITR

20k would be the minimum I'd be doing. Prefer diesels tbh

commited

Makes sense.

Get a 530d. I'm getting 50mpg from my manual model.

unkel

Onkle wrote:

Tax and insurance being covered by the company and I get a generous mileage allowance

Sweet

commited wrote:

Get a 530d. I'm getting 50mpg from my manual model.

+1

You should be able to get a decent, 100k+ miles '99/'00 one within budget. 50mpg is probably more exception than norm. Do you do a lot of long distance driving with a fairly light foot, commited?

GB15

Here's one that fits the bill
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=722290

Equivalent Audi is the same price even though its 2 years older
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=726268

If going for the Audi 2.5tdi try to get the quattro - pretty much the same power as the bmw.

maidhc

GB15 wrote:

Here's one that fits the bill
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=722290

That one has a tractor engine though.. and a tractor engine with a rep for burning more oil than it should.

bazz26

Here is a nice 530d (if the mileage can be verified):
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carid=744222

Shame though that it is typical Irish spec, no leather or climate control.

Or a higher spec new one but with higher mileage:
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=498652

Or maybe a wild card or two:
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=697908
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=726019

Henry Ford III

GB15 wrote:

Here's one that fits the bill
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=722290

Check out the reg :eek:

GB15

Henry Ford III wrote:

Check out the reg :eek:

Good point - scrap that suggestion.

commited

unkel wrote:

You should be able to get a decent, 100k+ miles '99/'00 one within budget. 50mpg is probably more exception than norm. Do you do a lot of long distance driving with a fairly light foot, commited?

Not really. On this tank, I've been to Carlow and back from Dublin, over to Greystones (M50) and up to Trim. All the rest of the stuff was urban driving (to work is 15miles).

I dont nail it when it's not necessary, and I use the cruise control to accelerate quite alot. It seems like I get higher economy than most other people with 530d's though, so I either got a good one or I'm very good at being economical.

A few pics:











June 2003 BMW 530d Sport with bluetooth, extended computer, CD player (an option!!) and full black leather. FSH and its in showroom condition.

Best car I've owned to date - though not the kind of car I thought I'd be driving at 23.

unkel

maidhc wrote:

That one has a tractor engine though.. and a tractor engine with a rep for burning more oil than it should.

No it's a modern common rail in the 525d. You're thinking of the diesel engine in the 525td / 525tds, that was ported from the old model 5-series (E34) '88-'95

commited wrote:

It seems like I get higher economy than most other people with 530d's though, so I either got a good one or I'm very good at being economical

Nice motor commited. I'd hazard a guess that it is you who is economical

commited

Dunno about that! I was thinking that maybe the ECU has learnt to use the power in a certain way. Max I could ever get out of my landcruiser or pathfinder is 27mpg and the book on them is much higher than that.

maidhc

unkel wrote:

No it's a modern common rail in the 525d. You're thinking of the diesel engine in the 525td / 525tds, that was ported from the old model 5-series (E34) '88-'95

The 525d is a pretty recent addition to the 5 series, I don't think it was there in 2001.

EDIT ...maybe it was...

commited

it was introduced in 2001. Lots of nice 2002 525d Sports available at the moment.

unkel

maidhc wrote:

The 525d is a pretty recent addition to the 5 series, I don't think it was there in 2001.

It was introduced in 2000

bazz26

Nice motor Committed, of all BMWs the E39 5 Series has aged gracefully imo.

Does anyone know if the 2.0 turbo diesel from the E46 was every put in the E39?

commited

unkel wrote:

It was introduced in 2000

Apologies, the man is right - introduced September 2000.

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/index.htm?p_make=BMW&h_make=BMW&p_model=%2041

bazz26 - there was a e39 520d in Germany I believe, but it never made it over here. Would be fairly underpowered anyway.

bazz26

commited wrote:

bazz26 - there was a e39 520d in Germany I believe, but it never made it over here. Would be fairly underpowered anyway.

Pitty, I might have been interested in one when my current car decides to call it a day. I would have thought that 150bhp would have been adequate at the time?

Anyway it is a moot point so back on topic.

Tabnabs

From pleasing on the eye
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=651150

to a childhood dream;
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=692551

Gary ITR

Just thinking about it more and more. I may increase the budget by 5k. Might yield me a much better car

commited

bazz - Go for a 520i if you want a small engine for insurance. Post facelift 525d is the one to go for if you want economy.

€15k would get you something nicer alright. A nice 01 525d would be do-able at that price if you were willing to head to the UK. Otherwise, a 320d is another great proposition. Just avoid 02/03 models.

Gary ITR

There are a few nice passats within my budget on carzone. I really would like something spacious and comfortable, currently driving a 06 Focus and find it cramped and uncomfortable.

bazz26

commited wrote:

bazz - Go for a 520i if you want a small engine for insurance. Post facelift 525d is the one to go for if you want economy.

Couldn't really justify the tax and insurance of a 525d at the moment as I am not doing the mileage I used to do.

Would like the economy of the E46 320d but perfer the looks and space of the E39.

Apologies to the OP for slightly hijacking this thread or going O/T.

Gary ITR

Hijack away.. I don't mind