New Diesel Replacement Wanted..

OREGATO

We currently have a 2005 Audi A3 2.0 TDI for the motorway grinds.

It's failed the NCT on a few things: headlight alignment, some wishbones, trackrod ends and brake caliper, as well as that, the injectors seem to be close to failing and possibly the clutch could need doing again.

The car has racked up 169,000 miles and has been reliable up to date, but we're now considering replacing it for something a bit newer that won't need that much work done, will handle the daily grind and hopefully provide a good few years of trouble free motoring.

My thoughts were to just get it fixed up, through the NCT and drive on but repair costs for the above if I'm not mistaken could rack up and there is no guarantee that further stuff won't go wrong, we're looking into replacing it as an alternative option.

Budget would be circa 5k - 7k plus trade in value of the A3. Don't really want the hassle of putting the A3 up for private sale as we're both working some sh1tty hours currently and she would prefer to go to a garage..

Thoughts?

Main wants from a replacement:
1. Reliable
2. Economical (enough)
3. Probably diesel, given the mileage we do (20k plus a year)
4. Not that soul destroying.
5. Comfortable enough to cruise on the motorway
6. Have a bit of poke for when overtaking etc.

Some car's we've considered in no particular order:
1. Ford Focus TDCI
2. Hyundai i30 - what are these like?
3. Toyota Arius/Corrolla

Sorry for the mundane thread.

JohnBoy26

OREGATO wrote: »

We currently have a 2005 Audi A3 2.0 TDI for the motorway grinds.

It's failed the NCT on a few things: headlight alignment, some wishbones, trackrod ends and brake caliper, as well as that, the injectors seem to be close to failing and possibly the clutch could need doing again.

The car has racked up 169,000 miles and has been reliable up to date, but we're now considering replacing it for something a bit newer that won't need that much work done, will handle the daily grind and hopefully provide a good few years of trouble free motoring.

My thoughts were to just get it fixed up, through the NCT and drive on but repair costs for the above if I'm not mistaken could rack up and there is no guarantee that further stuff won't go wrong, we're looking into replacing it as an alternative option.

Budget would be circa 5k - 7k plus trade in value of the A3. Don't really want the hassle of putting the A3 up for private sale as we're both working some sh1tty hours currently and she would prefer to go to a garage..

Thoughts?

Main wants from a replacement:
1. Reliable
2. Economical (enough)
3. Probably diesel, given the mileage we do (20k plus a year)
4. Not that soul destroying.
5. Comfortable enough to cruise on the motorway
6. Have a bit of poke for when overtaking etc.

Some car's we've considered in no particular order:
1. Ford Focus TDCI
2. Hyundai i30 - what are these like?
3. Toyota Arius/Corrolla

Sorry for the mundane thread.

If reliability is a big factor, then out of that list id have the I30.

OREGATO

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

If reliability is a big factor, then out of that list id have the I30.

Cheers for the quick reply JohnBoy, any particular faults or problems you're referring to with the Focus and Toyotas?

Like I say, we're really open to suggestions, that's just a short list that came to my head.

JohnBoy26

OREGATO wrote: »

Cheers for the quick reply JohnBoy, any particular faults or problems you're referring to with the Focus and Toyotas?

Like I say, we're really open to suggestions, that's just a short list that came to my head.

Well with regards to the Toyota Auris/Corolla the 1.4 diesel is underpowered Imo and the cars themselves are not as well built as previous Toyota's.

For example the electric power steering can give issues in them and does cost around €600 to 700 to repair. This doesn't effect all examples but it's still common enough.

Another issue with the diesel models is that the gearbox bearings can fail which initially will cause a whine and if not replaced they will eventually end up destroying the gearbox.

As regards the Focus, they are far from a bad car. They drive very well with crisp sharp handling and they are pretty comfortable. Just a few thing to bear in mind below if you intend to buy one.

The psa 1.6 diesel Imo isn't that good of an engine. Yes while it works it's great but they are known to sludge the engine oil which causes turbo failure due to oil restriction. Some people say maintenance will prevent this but this hasn't been the case in my experience (although maintenance will prolong the the life of the turbo)

Ford also used their own 1.8tdci engine in the focus. This is slightly rougher but more reliable than the 1.6, or at least it was. From september/october 2007 ford(for some bizarre reason) changed from a reliable chain setup to a wet belt setup. These belts aren't up to the job and snap prematurely. Belts must be changed before fords interval to avoid major engine damage but these belts are costly to buy let alone fit.

Im sure there will be a few on that will disagree with the above but that's my honest experience and opinion. While I have never owned an I30 I do know plenty of happy owners with them and I have driven one myself and have found it good.

While they are not up to focus standards in terms of driving dynamics, they are certainly better than the auris corolla. That coupled with good mechanicals and reliability would make it my choice of the three.

Why limit yourself though? Would you go back to vag again? Something like a Golf or Octavia with the Ultra reliable 1.9tdi engine would be a good choice Imo.

OREGATO

Great post JohnBoy, appreciate it. Some good points there and food for thought on a few of the models I've mentioned.

In terms of going back to VAG - the problem is, we assumed that the A3 2.0 TDI lump was going to be pretty much the same as the 1.9 - am I mistaken? Not only that, but its things like track rod ends, wishbone bushings etc. and the cost that has put us off another VAG - unless there are ones out there that wouldn't be as troublesome as what we have?

Any other suggestions on cars outside the ones I mentioned?

bazz26

Opel Astra 1.7 CDTi is worth looking at:


http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Opel/Astra/SC-1.7/34013637988186440/

bazz26

Though my choice would be something like this:


http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Honda/Civic/2.2-CDTI/36313811514063390/