Diesel Motor purchase help?

Omahony92

Hi All,

Believe it or not this is my first ever post on a forum anywhere.

Anywho I am looking to buy a new car sometime in September/October but I can't seem to make up my mind I change my mind almost every time I go on done deal so I said I'd throw it out here for some advice.

I will be spending between 9-11k on the car hopefully.

Here are my current ideas:

BMW 320D E90 preferably m sport model
BMW 520D E60 ^^^
Skoda Octavia VRS model
VW Passat b6 1.9/2.0 tdi (concerned the 1.9 105bhp would be very sluggish)
Audi a4 1.9/2.0 tdi s line (Same as above about the 1.9 115bhp model)
Honda Accord 2.2 CDTI (This would have to be 08 or above as I don't want to spend nearly a 1000 a year on tax)

I am open to any suggestions here are is some of the criteria I would like:

Comfort
Power ( Not majorly important but would prefer to be confident when overtaking)
Economical on fuel
Something that doesn't look like its my mother or fathers car ( I'm 21:))
Oh and the car is coming completely from my own earnings I'm not a spoilt brat


I was also thinking of spending less and getting a BMW E46 320CD the coupe version that is as I think they are very aesthetic but are dated at this stage.

Also as childish as it sounds I would like a car that will portray I am doing well for myself

Cheers for any responses,

Mahony

ironclaw

A good few people will claim no diesel is sporty

That said however, whats your mileage? They are all big engine cars and for any sort of economy, especially on diesel, your mileage would want to match. You'd also want to be avoiding large segments of city driving with the host of DPF issues we see here daily. Diesel does not equal economy just because its cheaper to buy at the pump.

What do you drive now? 21 in those cars may attract a large insurance bill.

You would also get a seriously better car for about half that money in petrol. €8k these days will get you all sorts of nice motors including GTI's and old school super charged Jags (If that's your thing)

As regards the 'doing well for yourself', its a really false sense of security to be honest. If you can't afford to run the car, people will quickly notice Also any car nut, will notice. So really just drive what you enjoy because honestly, no one else cares.

Omahony92

Hey,

Cheers for the reply.

Well I drive around 400-500 miles a week and mostly motorway miles the odd bit of city driving but not too much.

I don't think I could run a high performance petrol car with my mileage to be honest. Regarding my insurance I currently drive a 98 Honda civic 1.4 which will cost me 1560 to renew in October whereas if I was to get a BMW 320d it will only cost 1120. Insurance companies don't like hondas

Ah well the part of doing well for myself comes more from me after having years of bangers and people slagging my car history. Finally I'm in a good job and after a lot of hard work and saving I will be able to put them in their place.

Max Power1

you could get an 05-06 e60 535d for the top end of your budget.

Chimaera

For that kind of budget, you could do very well looking in the UK. You should be able to get at least a year newer and with better spec than you'd get for the same money here. www.autotrader.co.uk would be a good start.

Omahony92

@Max Power1 - Thanks for the reply They are a lovely motor but I couldn't justify paying the tax on it.

@Chimaera - Cheers, the only thing that would turn me off that would be having the car properly checked out like I'd probably have to bring a mechanic the whole way over with me wouldn't i? Or would there be another way around it.

whomitconcerns

Omahony92 wrote: »

I don't think I could run a high performance petrol car with my mileage to be honest....

Omahony92 wrote: »

Here are my current ideas:

BMW 320D E90 preferably m sport model
BMW 520D E60 ^^^
Skoda Octavia VRS model

Im confused..you want a 3series M sport or a 5 series M sport or a skoda VRS...but you dont want performance car?

ironclaw

Omahony92 wrote: »

@Chimaera - Cheers, the only thing that would turn me off that would be having the car properly checked out like I'd probably have to bring a mechanic the whole way over with me wouldn't i? Or would there be another way around it.

A good few companies specialise in looking at a car and sending your a report. So you don't have to go yourself. You'd want to be fairly sure you want to get the car however as I think they are pricey enough. However flights to the UK are half nothing so you could do a sweep through a few garages in a weekend if you were half interested, then drive / fly back.

Just remember though you have VRT etc to factor in to the price.

On a personal note, I think your mad spending €10k on a car at 21. The depreciation will be mental and by 25, the car will probably be worth closer to €6k if not less. I think you'd be better off getting a decent motor in the €6k range (Of which there are plenty) and not take such a large hit with depreciation. Then at 25, start to seriously trade up without having taken such a huge financial hit. Just my two cents. And I'm a similar age to yourself in case I sound like an old fogey :pac:

bazz26

whomitconcerns wrote: »

Im confused..you want a 3series M sport or a 5 series M sport or a skoda VRS...but you dont want performance car?

The last time I looked none of those were performance cars.

whomitconcerns

bazz26 wrote: »

The last time I looked none of those were performance cars.

ok not performance....but they are hardly slouchs...a VRS is pretty decent performer all the same

bazz26

whomitconcerns wrote: »

ok not performance....but they are hardly slouchs...a VRS is pretty decent performer all the same

I suppose it depends what you are comparing any of those against really. I have a 170bhp diesel and it's ok for our roads but it's nothing to get excited about in reality.

Omahony92

ironclaw wrote: »

On a personal note, I think your mad spending €10k on a car at 21. The depreciation will be mental and by 25, the car will probably be worth closer to €6k if not less. I think you'd be better off getting a decent motor in the €6k range (Of which there are plenty) and not take such a large hit with depreciation. Then at 25, start to seriously trade up without having taken such a huge financial hit. Just my two cents. And I'm a similar age to yourself in case I sound like an old fogey :pac:

Hmmm I'm starting to think this myself maybe the BMW 320CD would be the best option for me? Or possibly a decent passat or audi.

Thats the thing I don't want a slouch, would like something with a tad bit of oompf for overtaking on the motorways.

Since day 1 I've always wanted an A4 but just recently I've been turned off them by people saying they're unreliable and that parts will cost an arm and a leg... I do love the Audi A4 05-07 s line models.

Can anyone tell me if they have driven the Passat or A4 1.9tdi? The Passat putting out 105bhp and the A4 putting out 115bhp? Are they sluggish or have they enough power for the body...

Omahony92

bazz26 wrote: »

I suppose it depends what you are comparing any of those against really. I have a 170bhp diesel and it's ok for our roads but it's nothing to get excited about in reality.

Out of curiosity what is it you drive bud?:)

bazz26

It's a 3 Series M Sport actually.

Omahony92

Would ya recommend them or have you had trouble in the past? I'd probably be aiming for a 06 e90 m sport for that money...There's something about them that I just love aesthetically.

bazz26

Mine is 2008 and I've had no bother with it in 3 years but your probably better off with the 06 as the older engine is known for being more reliable but really it depends how the individual car was cared for. Ideally you would be better off buying one from an enthusiast who knows their weak points and has looked after it. It is worth registering over on bmw-driver.net and getting some advise there, plus there maybe a car for sale over there by an enthusiast that may be of interest to you.

If you are looking at the 320cd then you are looking at the older E46 coupe model whereas mine is the newer E90 saloon. The E46 coupe ran nearly a year as the E90 was launched so most 2006 coupes are the older E46, these were replaced in 2007 by the E92 coupe but I'd say these are outside your budget. They are both very different cars and I have no direct experience of the E46 other than having the odd drive in one.

Omahony92

Hey,

Yeah if it was a coupe I was getting it would be the e46 version but I would want the e90 version if it was a 4 door I ended up buying. Love the look of the e92 but they are far too pricey for me.

I think the VRS maybe the way to go for some reason. Anyone have any experience with one of these?

ironclaw

Omahony92 wrote: »

Can anyone tell me if they have driven the Passat or A4 1.9tdi? The Passat putting out 105bhp and the A4 putting out 115bhp? Are they sluggish or have they enough power for the body...

For comparison, a sub-€5k T-Sport Corolla will put out upwards of 185BHP, supercharge and you'll reach 215BHP easily. A GTI will be in the 197BHP range. The Corolla will also do 40MPG. Above all, they come in way cheaper than €10k.

But I get the impression your after a badge and standard as opposed to raw performance? Which is perfectly ok too.

Omahony92

I would like a good standard car and badge well although it would be nice to be driving Beamer it looks like i'll get more for my money if I get something different.

With that kind of power in the corolla I can imagine my foot getting ever so slightly heavier haha and with a then heavy foot I doubt i'd get the 40mpg. I would love a GTI but the petrol would kill me and I'm sure my insurance would go up a fair amount.

ironclaw

Omahony92 wrote: »

I would like a good standard car and badge well although it would be nice to be driving Beamer it looks like i'll get more for my money if I get something different.

With that kind of power in the corolla I can imagine my foot getting ever so slightly heavier haha and with a then heavy foot I doubt i'd get the 40mpg. I would love a GTI but the petrol would kill me and I'm sure my insurance would go up a fair amount.

Well it all depends on what you mean by 'more for your money' As I said, you'll get a faster car for half the price. However you won't get leather seats. But if that's what your after, again you could get an older Jag or BMW for again circa €6k. I think you could get a GTI for under €10k all in.

And as regards fuel, even a 2.0L diesel is going to cost you to run. A full fill might be 60L (~€90) or more. There's no saving there. Once you put the foot down and start actually driving (As opposed to MPG nanny) then your going to be on par with petrol. If you want fuel economy, I don't think your looking in the right place with diesel (Your mileage isn't high enough in my eyes) Fuel economy really is down to the driver, not the overall size of the engine.

Really and truly the only thing you get more for your money these days is a newer plate and depreciation. There are so many great cars out there for half nothing. If you were in your 30's and insurance wasn't a concern, you could literally buy anything for €10k.

Just my two cents! And I have no issue with bigger cars nor am I trying to bash you (Though I'm sure it looks that way! Sorry). At the end of the day, buy what makes you happy! :cool:

Omahony92

ironclaw wrote: »

Just my two cents! And I have no issue with bigger cars nor am I trying to bash you (Though I'm sure it looks that way! Sorry). At the end of the day, buy what makes you happy! :cool:

Ah no I completely see where you're coming from and I appreciate you giving you're opinion. I'd say I'll have to head out and do some test driving and see how that goes.

Cheers again you've been a great help.