Estate - Diesel - €8000 - Reccommendations?

discombobulate

Hi all. A friend is looking to pick up an estate around the 8k mark. Engine size 1.6 - 2.2 max. Reliability and running costs are important. Approx. 20k miles per year.

Estate preferred for kids, dog and to put a roof rack up for surf boards.

He had spotted a 407 and a 2.0 Mazda 6 which I put him off due to their reputations. Had a friend with a 407 electrical nightmare and believe that Mazda 6 (circa 08) has engine problems.

He also mentioned the Nissan X-Trail but I know nothing about these

Any advice appreciated.

bazery

we've been doing exactly the same, bout 8000ish. there are a fair few megane estates around.

richj

If it was my money I wouldnt buy anything other than a 320d touring. For 8k you would get a very nice one too.

Wheelio

kia cee'd 1.6crdi SW, very reliable

discombobulate

richj wrote: »

If it was my money I wouldnt buy anything other than a 320d touring. For 8k you would get a very nice one too.

Can't see much for around 8k in 320 tourings without around 150k miles or 10 years old. He'd prefer something that wasn't needing the NCT every year for the near future at least. Also less maintenance costs if something was to go wrong.

One other thing is that his missus insists on a warranty so ideally from a dealer as he'd also like to be able to easily get rid of his old car.

Personally my choice would be a 159 Sportswagon.

richj

Alfa = Less maintenance costs if something was to go wrong ????

should read

Alfa = WHEN something goes wrong.

discombobulate

richj wrote: »

Alfa = Less maintenance costs if something was to go wrong ????

should read

Alfa = WHEN something goes wrong.

How many Alfas have you owned??

Where did I say an Alfa has less maintenance costs if something was to go wrong?

I said it'd be my choice for me not for him.

bazz26

Saab 9-3:

http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Saab/9-3/1.9-TID/36313795024871810/

Renault Laguna III:

http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Renault/Laguna/2.0-DCI/37013844284469130/

discombobulate

That Saab looks great. Whats the reliability like in them? Also the Lagunas. I had the previous model for a couple of months (in a 1.6 petrol) and found it awful. What are their Diesels like in that Mark and are the electronics more reliable than previously?

pete4130

Honda Accord Estate. Great spec, within budget.

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/honda-accord-2-2-litre-diesel/5357864

dr.fuzzenstein

bazery wrote: »

we've been doing exactly the same, bout 8000ish. there are a fair few megane estates around.

The problem with that is that the OP would then own a Renault...

richj wrote: »

If it was my money I wouldnt buy anything other than a 320d touring. For 8k you would get a very nice one too.

After hearing about timing chain trouble that can cost up to €8k to fix, you couldn't pay me to take one of those.

Nice Audi anyone? Here's one I picked at random, just an example.
I wouldn't be upset if I had to drive one of those:

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/audi-a4-1-9tdi-nct-05-15-tax-01-14/5927546

discombobulate

Nice Audi anyone? Here's one I picked at random, just an example.
I wouldn't be upset if I had to drive one of those:

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/audi-a4-1-9tdi-nct-05-15-tax-01-14/5927546[/QUOTE]
I know the A6 around that era had I think turbo problems. Know of 2 people that had to get new engines. I think it was the 2 litre rather than 1.9 though. What are the A4's like reliability wise?

Old diesel

They aren't everyones cup of tea - if your into having a really nice car.

But how about an Avensis Estate - with the 2.0 D4D engine.

Also if don't mind hopping up to a 2.4 (I see the max engine size is 2.2) - would a Volvo V70 D5 be an option - or would it be too big.

Are Mk 4 Mondeos below 8 k yet??? (haven't priced one up in a long while) - if so the 2.0 tdci would be a decent option I would say.

(mk 4 Mondeo is the 2007 to present shape Mondeo).

And finally a question to the forum - what is the proper value for a 2006/07 Mondeo petrol estate.

Pick up a 1.8 or 2 litre petrol version -and if it can be got cheap enough - it may be an option (I think).

tipperary

pete4130 wrote: »

Honda Accord Estate. Great spec, within budget.

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/honda-accord-2-2-litre-diesel/5357864

that looks a bit too much like a hearse for my liking!

Old diesel

Is this too cheap for a Mk 4 Mondeo 2.0 diesel estate do we think


http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2008-ford-mondeo-estate-2-0tcdi-140bhp/5756017

Old diesel

tipperary wrote: »

that looks a bit too much like a hearse for my liking!

That car combines black (not a great colour for the Accord estate) with privacy glass.

Not the best - but the Mondeo I posted has privacy glass as well.

But in a nice colour like blue - and with the chrome around the windows that most/many Gen 7 accords come with - it looks a lot better imo

neddynasty

bazz26 wrote: »

Saab 9-3:

http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Saab/9-3/1.9-TID/36313795024871810/

Looking in this area myself with maybe about 2k more to spend. Never even though of a Saab 9-3. Something to think about.

bazz26

discombobulate wrote: »

That Saab looks great. Whats the reliability like in them? Also the Lagunas. I had the previous model for a couple of months (in a 1.6 petrol) and found it awful. What are their Diesels like in that Mark and are the electronics more reliable than previously?

The Laguna III has nothing in common with the model before it. The Laguna III so far has proven not to have any major issues.

discombobulate

Old diesel wrote: »

Is this too cheap for a Mk 4 Mondeo 2.0 diesel estate do we think


http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2008-ford-mondeo-estate-2-0tcdi-140bhp/5756017

I wonder is it an import due to the high reg? Don't know what Limerick imports start at but I doubt that many cars sold in Limerick in 08. Potential for clocking if it doesn't have a full history.

Had mentioned the Avensis too him also if what he really does want is reliability and low overall running costs mainly due to every second taxi driver having one.

Thanks for the advice lads have passed on all recommendations.

dr.fuzzenstein

discombobulate wrote: »

I know the A6 around that era had I think turbo problems. Know of 2 people that had to get new engines. I think it was the 2 litre rather than 1.9 though. What are the A4's like reliability wise?

Stay away from the 2 litre ones and you should be OK.
The drive to the oil pump would fail in them, that would then destroy your engine and turbo.

discombobulate

dr.fuzzenstein wrote: »

Stay away from the 2 litre ones and you should be OK.
The drive to the oil pump would fail in them, that would then destroy your engine and turbo.

Yep that's what it was that went rather than the turbo! Went in the bosses a month ago. New engine required for around 4.5k inc. some sort of grace from Audi admitting that it's a problem with their cars. I think they gave the labour for free.

Lex Luthor

Saab 9-3 would not be as big in the boot as others

dr.fuzzenstein

Lex Luthor wrote: »

Saab 9-3 would not be as big in the boot as others

Did somebody say...Big Boot?!:cool:

Noccy_Mondy

Old diesel wrote: »

Is this too cheap for a Mk 4 Mondeo 2.0 diesel estate do we think


http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2008-ford-mondeo-estate-2-0tcdi-140bhp/5756017

Not necessarily too cheap, almost 6 years old at this stage. That particular one is an Irish car, estate mondeos aren't popular in this country, maybe that sways the price slightly on the lower side.

dr.fuzzenstein

discombobulate wrote: »

Yep that's what it was that went rather than the turbo! Went in the bosses a month ago. New engine required for around 4.5k inc. some sort of grace from Audi admitting that it's a problem with their cars. I think they gave the labour for free.

The problem is a chain from the crank that is attached to a pair of balancing shafts.
The guide/tensioner breaks and your chain runs metal to metal until it snaps.
That in itself would not be too big a deal, but there is a drive shaft coming off the balancer shafts which drives the oil pump.
This will leave your engine and turbo without oil at possibly motorway speed. Result? Shredded metal and a massive bill.



To top it all off, the drive shaft for the oilpump is a half moon shaped affair that is too soft and will eventually wear, no drive the pump, with the same, unfortunate result.
One of the newer models (not sure from when on) had the chain replaced by a gear drive (you can also buy an upgrade kit for an older one) and the shaft lengthened (phnarr phnarr) and toughened, so on a newer or converted car this problem should be sorted.
So, yes, you can buy a 2.0 TDI (whatever brand it sits in, VW, Audi and possibly Skoda), but make sure it has been converted or is the newer model that has had all the upgrades.
Otherwise stay away or negotiate a heft discount on the price.