Need recommendations diesel automatic car.

screamer

So, I have a 06 newer shape Leon, bought from new, and it has literally started falling apart. Spent 1200 on it last year, shoddy work which garage wouldn't stand behind (he replaced the dual mass fly wheel with a solid one) and then said best he could do was put the old bad one back in!
Anyways, head also blew and was replaced, now EGR is sticking, back box needs replacing, and there are more lights on the dash than a christmas tree.
Fed up of Seat, Seven years and they fall apart.
So, I commute 4 to 5 hundred miles a week, and want a diesel preferably automatic car that is pretty reliable. I've not got millions to spend either, so looking at something 2006 to 2008. Please can you give me some suggestions? Thanks.

bazz26

There are a lot of 2006 to 2008 diesel automatics ranging from Fiestas to S Class Mercs so you need to be more specific around the budget.

ambro25

Merc C-class CDi, preferably a low-miles 2007 (W203, just before facelift), with all the trimmings. Go for 220if budget will stretch to it.

Mile-munch in supreme comfort, best for reliability (all the problems ironed out, 10 years or so after it first came out), and now cheap as chips because-it's-the-old-face.

I'm sure I don't need to waste time waxing lyrical on the Merc autobox, either.

screamer

Thanks will look at merc. I can stretch budget for the right type of car. Needs to be saloon or estate with 5 doors, comfortable ride, not sports suspension, oh, and not a 3litre 1800 euro tax bander either. Thanks again.

_Kaiser_

I'd recommend the E-class over a C myself as having driven both for a while at various times, I found the C to be nowhere near as good and you feel like you're sitting on top of the dash.

Also worth considering is a Passat of that era (I had a 2006 one with DSG for 5 years and no major issues), an A4/A6 or the obligatory 5-series that loads of people here will suggest (but which I don't rate myself)

A 6/7 year old diesel will have fairly high mileage (not a problem if it's been looked after - in fact, it's preferable over the low-miles post 08 ones that are just disasters waiting to happen in my opinion), and WILL cost money every now and then - particularly if you're thinking higher end cars like Mercs

bazz26

Honda Accord:



http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Honda/Accord/DTEC-EX/43213928967222150/

ltdslipdiff

As always I'll throw in the wild card - how about a 2011 Fluence dCi 110 auto? Won't be the most exciting car but not badly equipped and still has Warranty to 2016 (unlimited mileage warranty)? Can be got for around the 10k mark. Cheap tax too.....

Its a dual-clutch system so 6 speed seamless gear changes.

screamer

Thanks for that, looking at the renaults now.... what about a megane 1.5 are they the same as in smooth car and do they also have the warranty with them?

colm_mcm

ltdslipdiff wrote: »

As always I'll throw in the wild card - how about a 2011 Fluence dCi 110 auto? Won't be the most exciting car but not badly equipped and still has Warranty to 2016 (unlimited mileage warranty)? Can be got for around the 10k mark. Cheap tax too.....

Its a dual-clutch system so 6 speed seamless gear changes.

Linky?

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime

C-class has less faults over the E-class

Wouldn't go reno myself,

Volvo S80 - had myself and never missed a beat as well as been a great comfy yoke to drive with plenty of space and extras !

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/volvo-s80-auto-diesel-04/6138966

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/volvo-s80-d5-2004/6559712

the 2009 models are about 20K

MuppetCheck

ltdslipdiff wrote: »

As always I'll throw in the wild card - how about a 2011 Fluence dCi 110 auto? Won't be the most exciting car but not badly equipped and still has Warranty to 2016 (unlimited mileage warranty)? Can be got for around the 10k mark. Cheap tax too.....

Its a dual-clutch system so 6 speed seamless gear changes.

Never knew they were dual clutch, but a family member rented an auto one and the gearbox was good, smooth and responsive. It was extremely light on juice too. It was a bit of a surprise to be honest.

Pity the rest of the car isnt all that great, interior is awful and it is too soft to drive.

Old diesel

bazz26 wrote: »

Honda Accord:



http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Honda/Accord/DTEC-EX/43213928967222150/

Didn't realise Honda did an auto in the Accord diesel - I take it they are rare???

What is the tax on it do you know - and what box - torque converter or twin clutch DSG type????

Sent my brother a link to it - to see what he thinks.

Thank you for putting up the link.

Gael23

Octavia DSG gets my vote. Decent size but reasonably priced and good solid car too.

bazz26

Old diesel wrote: »

Didn't realise Honda did an auto in the Accord diesel - I take it they are rare???

What is the tax on it do you know - and what box - torque converter or twin clutch DSG type????

Sent my brother a link to it - to see what he thinks.

Thank you for putting up the link.

It was only made available in the current model and as you say is quite rare and expensive when new. Straight forward torque converter afaik, no fancy double clutch, etc. Motor tax is €570 a year but then again the manual is still €390.

Cleveland Hot Pocket

I'd take a look at the DSG options from the VAG stable tbh, hard to beat for autoboxes.

Bigus

How many miles are on the Leon as a matter of interest ?

Anyway a Prius although petrol automatic , will do big miles with no trouble that diesels give and 50 to 60 mpg.

screamer

Almost 150K miles at the moment. Not great TBH, should have another 100K in it.

Piratez

I've had a 07 diesel auto C Class Merc with over a year. It's been 100% reliable all the time I've had it averaging 45mpg for the mixture of long and short runs that I do.

It's up for sale at the moment though as we need a bigger car. Will be sorry to see it go.

ltdslipdiff

screamer wrote: »

Thanks for that, looking at the renaults now.... what about a megane 1.5 are they the same as in smooth car and do they also have the warranty with them?

Same engine/set up as the Fluence, will only have 5 Year Warranty if original owner added it. All Fluences have as standard.

ltdslipdiff

colm_mcm wrote: »

Linky?

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Renault/Fluence/AUTOMATI/43713935253300680/advert?channel=CARS