Diesel Saloon car - Reliable and Fuel efficient

aravmithun

Hi Everyone,
I am planning to buy a diesel saloon car.
Reliability and fuel efficiency are the core points.
Should be comfortable and a bit of fun to drive as well.(off from 2.0 140 bhp petrol xtrail)
previous petrol cars,all were reliable and i am stepping in first time for a diesel car

Would really appreciate your valuable suggestions and advices on this,as i am stuck on what car to buy next.

Initially 3 cars came to my mind,mazda 6 2.2d,passat and bmw 520d(all 2008 n above)

But later checking on reviews,found timing chain issues with 520d,dpf with mazda 6 and bit of else with passat(found less on passat)like Passat CC as well.

My driving is mixed - outer city and rural,roughly 2500 kms per month and more
Dont mind if its below 2008 also.

Thanks in advance

dgt

How much to spend?

bazz26

Even by modern diesel standards, none of those you called out are exactly bomb proof.

What sort of budget do you have?

aravmithun

dgt wrote: »

How much to spend?

up to 16k,thanks

bazz26

Including or plus the value of the X-Trail?

Greentree_uk

would buy a skoda superb. Had a 2010 for two years. could not fault it build quality drive all better than the 2008 passat, had that feeling of luxury too. IMO nicer looking than passat too.

aravmithun

bazz26 wrote: »

Including or plus the value of the X-Trail?

xtrail sold....so need a car,stretch upto 16 k,dont mind cars from 2005 and above as well if its good reliable and fuel efficient

thanks

bazz26

OP, have a look at the Honda Accord:


http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Honda/Accord/DTEC-ES/38713922816561570/

Fuel economy not the best in class but as modern diesels go it is pretty reliable.

aravmithun

bazz26 wrote: »

OP, have a look at the Honda Accord:


http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Honda/Accord/DTEC-ES/38713922816561570/

Fuel economy not the best in class but as modern diesels go it is pretty reliable.

what mpg will u get on accord on mixed driving,almost every day drive on to city but not really that much stuck in traffic,just the signals mainly.

thanks

Old diesel

Aren't the post 2008 Passats with the CR engines supposed to be better then the 05 to 08 models.

Id say a lot of the bad press you see online about the post 05 Passat is down to the pre 08s - I think they sorted a lot of the issues out by 08.

Just to reinforce that - you seem to hear a lot less about issues with the CC model - which came out in 08.

Personally I think the CC is a stunning looking car.

bazz26

Well my 11 reg CC with less than 50k miles ate it's gearbox and subsequently needed a new flywheel and clutch too. Luckily all 3 were replaced under warranty. Not saying that is a common problem on them but it happened to mine all the same.

OP Accord should return low to mid 40s mpg but I'd live with that with the knowledge it is less likely to break on you.

Old diesel

bazz26 wrote: »

Well my 11 reg CC with less than 50k miles ate it's gearbox and subsequently needed a new flywheel and clutch too. Luckily all 3 were replaced under warranty. Not saying that is a common problem on them but it happened to mine all the same.

OP Accord should return low to mid 40s mpg but I'd live with that with the knowledge it is less likely to break on you.

That's a fair point

Thought yours was just a one off when you mentioned it before

Was that an oil leak or something that caused all the harm - or am I thinking of someone elses car

bazz26

Yeah, oil leaking from a fracture in the gearbox subsequently spilling onto the clutch plate causing the clutch to start slipping, also leaked onto the flywheel damaging it and beginning to judder, gearbox was close to ceasing obviously too.

To be fair though both dealers that looked at said it was unusual to get one in with that problem.

Old diesel

bazz26 wrote: »

Yeah, oil leaking from a fracture in the gearbox subsequently spilling onto the clutch plate causing the clutch to start slipping, also leaked onto the flywheel damaging it and beginning to judder, gearbox was close to ceasing obviously too.

To be fair though both dealers that looked at said it was unusual to get one in with that problem.

thank goodness you had a warranty to sort it all out

bazz26

Yep, VW UK covered it but VW Ireland offered 75% goodwill as they didn't cover the 3rd year of the UK warranty.

BigEejit

I have a 2009 accord 2.2 es gt idtec and its great to drive, getting about 46 - 48mpg with 85% motorway driving ....but I dont tend to hang about and usually drive at low to mid 80's mph if the conditions are suitable. On the type accord website there are taxi drivers doing 99% town work getting 44/46mpg.

Few things though; Boot is surprisingly small for a car that size. Most of them do not come with a spare tyre, just a can of latex, not going to help with a large hole in tyre. Lots of town driving will clog the DPF like most diesels with them fitted, I dont know if accord is better or worse for it. Speakers can buzz in early models (2008, 2009) and Honda replaced them in the first couple of years but pretend they never heard of the issue now and will not help with replacement (one of mine started buzzing). There is also reports of rust around the sunroof (only sunroof models) and some clutches needing to be replaced early....

colm_mcm

I wouldn't believe anyone who says they get that mpg around town.

Going over 120kmph can have a huge effect in your mpg.

aravmithun

Hi All,
thanks for all your valuable inputs....

Whats your opinion on nissan qashqai 1.5dci,seems to give good mpg,thought this one for one reason only,the height which is easy to bring in and out children off car seats.Not to break my back.

How is the ride comfort,will it soak all the harsh bumps and potholes ?
How is the handling,my xtrail was good at handling even at sharp bends and corners.
Also,is 1.5 dci sluggish or not ?

Any technical,mechanical issues on them...

aravmithun

Hi All,
Thanks for all the valuable discussions....

Now got a deal on a vw passat 2010 1.6 tdi with 125000 kilometres/77 miles,in black, highline spec,irish car for 14.5k,what u all think abt the price ?
Is it bit high or normal market price ?
The car comes after 4 years lease back to the original fleet company for sale,told it was properly serviced by a garage all 4 years.

On my way within next few days to test drive.

Need all your valuable suggestions....

Thanks in advance

bazz26

Here is a 2011 B7 model with similar mileage for around the same money. 2.0 TDi is more powerful and a lot nicer to drive than the 1.6 TDi in the heavy Passat:


http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Volkswagen/Passat/2.0-TDI/38713921174837910/

aravmithun

Thanks mate,
but somehow i dont like the new b7 shape,prefer the old b6 shape.

yes,that was a good deal,thanks for pointing out.....

bazz26

The B7 is just a heavily facelifted B6 anyway.

Old diesel

bazz26 wrote: »

The B7 is just a heavily facelifted B6 anyway.

B7 can look really nice (imo) when specced up a bit - nice leather rear privacy glass, nice colour etc

noelf

E

aravmithun wrote: »

Hi All,
Thanks for all the valuable discussions....

Now got a deal on a vw passat 2010 1.6 tdi with 125000 kilometres/77 miles,in black, highline spec,irish car for 14.5k,what u all think abt the price ?
Is it bit high or normal market price ?
The car comes after 4 years lease back to the original fleet company for sale,told it was properly serviced by a garage all 4 years.

On my way within next few days to test drive.

Need all your valuable suggestions....

Thanks in advance

Check for electrical issues on B6 dash rattles on B7

aravmithun

noelf wrote: »

E

Check for electrical issues on B6 dash rattles on B7

which all are the main concerns on electrical issues other than parking brake switch

aravmithun

bazz26 wrote: »

Here is a 2011 B7 model with similar mileage for around the same money. 2.0 TDi is more powerful and a lot nicer to drive than the 1.6 TDi in the heavy Passat:

how is the mpg on 2.0 tdi ? city driving and r roads mainly,occasional motorway miles

MuppetCheck

aravmithun wrote: »

bazz26 wrote: »

Here is a 2011 B7 model with similar mileage for around the same money. 2.0 TDi is more powerful and a lot nicer to drive than the 1.6 TDi in the heavy Passat:

how is the mpg on 2.0 tdi ? city driving and r roads mainly,occasional motorway miles

You should be buying the 1.4tsi in that case.

bazz26

Yes, with that sort of driving it sounds like you don't need a diesel.

aravmithun

bazz26 wrote: »

Yes, with that sort of driving it sounds like you don't need a diesel.

Any petrol (saloon not a must) with good mpg you could recommend....

thanks

bazz26

Not too many petrol cars available in the Passat size segment these days.

Passat 1.4 TSi, despite it's size it has a turbo charger and produces 122bhp.


http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Volkswagen/Passat/Comfortline-1.4TSI/39313926760345340/

Toyota Avensis 1.6 dual VVTi (130bhp). No turbo or anything fancy under the bonnet to go wrong. They are not bad on fuel either.


http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Toyota/Avensis/1.6-STRATA/37113873830965010/

A hybrid is worth looking at too if you do a lot of city driving, something like a Prius. Again these are very reliable and can return good fuel economy:


http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Toyota/Prius/T-SPIRIT/44213947333271600/

Cleveland Hot Pocket

Greentree_uk wrote: »

would buy a skoda superb. Had a 2010 for two years. could not fault it build quality drive all better than the 2008 passat, had that feeling of luxury too. IMO nicer looking than passat too.

Obviously a +1 from me on this one
I struggle to get below 48-50 mpg, my last tank was €70 and did 550 miles for instance.

aravmithun

Hi All,

When did Commor Rail CR diesel engine launched for passats here in ireland,hear they are far better than old pd engines and trouble free....

does passat cc have these same engines.....
any one out there with passat cc,hz it to ride,reliability,is mpg same as passat or not,any issues with these cc..........

thanks

Cleveland Hot Pocket

aravmithun wrote: »

Hi All,

When did Commor Rail CR diesel engine launched for passats here in ireland,hear they are far better than old pd engines and trouble free....

does passat cc have these same engines.....
any one out there with passat cc,hz it to ride,reliability,is mpg same as passat or not,any issues with these cc..........

thanks

You're having a laugh right??
They sound more refined, yes. But they are more prone to issues than the old tried and trusted PD units.

bazz26

Cleveland Hot Pocket wrote: »

You're having a laugh right??
They sound more refined, yes. But they are more prone to issues than the old tried and trusted PD units.

The 2.0 PD TDi wasn't a particularly reliable unit, it was designed to replace the old 1.9 PD TDi but never actually did. CR units are reliable, it's the bits bolted onto them that are not so robust but the same could be said of any modern diesel engine.

2.0 litre CR engines were launched in 2008 in the Passat with 110bhp, 140bhp and 170bhp. Passat CC has the same 140bhp and 170bhp engine.

aravmithun

bazz26 wrote: »

The 2.0 PD TDi wasn't a particularly reliable unit, it was designed to replace the old 1.9 PD TDi but never actually did. CR units are reliable, it's the bits bolted onto them that are not so robust but the same could be said of any modern diesel engine.

2.0 litre CR engines were launched in 2008 in the Passat with 110bhp, 140bhp and 170bhp. Passat CC has the same 140bhp and 170bhp engine.

thanks my friend.....hope its the same on 1.6 105 bhp as well,is it from 2008 beginnin g or mid 2008 plz....

aravmithun

bazz26 wrote: »

The 2.0 PD TDi wasn't a particularly reliable unit, it was designed to replace the old 1.9 PD TDi but never actually did. CR units are reliable, it's the bits bolted onto them that are not so robust but the same could be said of any modern diesel engine.

2.0 litre CR engines were launched in 2008 in the Passat with 110bhp, 140bhp and 170bhp. Passat CC has the same 140bhp and 170bhp engine.

whats your opinion on high mileage above 100 miles on clock 08 + passats with low tax,does the high mileage be an issue if they have service record,recent timing belt and water pump done.
Does clutch and flywheel go wrong on them at this mileage,if so hw expensive to get it sorted....
is that mileage like 100 + plus upto 150 k miles nmormal for these cars.....ot too much used...

thanks

bazz26

aravmithun wrote: »

thanks my friend.....hope its the same on 1.6 105 bhp as well,is it from 2008 beginnin g or mid 2008 plz....

1.6 did not appear in the Passat until mid 2010. It's nothing special in the heavy Passat anyway. 2.0 litre 140bhp is much better.

aravmithun wrote: »

whats your opinion on high mileage above 100 miles on clock 08 + passats with low tax,does the high mileage be an issue if they have service record,recent timing belt and water pump done.
Does clutch and flywheel go wrong on them at this mileage,if so hw expensive to get it sorted....
is that mileage like 100 + plus upto 150 k miles nmormal for these cars.....ot too much used...

thanks

That mileage is pretty normal for the UK but they have a good motorway network and lots of people commute. There are lots of fleet cars too though and most of the cheaper stuff tends to be ex fleet or dodgy. Clutch and flywheel are classed as consumables these days so they can fail at any mileage. Mine along with the gearbox were replaced on a 3 year old CC with less than 50k miles because of a gearbox oil leak. So make sure you have any car extensively inspected by a mechanic before buying.

aravmithun

bazz26 wrote: »

1.6 did not appear in the Passat until mid 2010. It's nothing special in the heavy Passat anyway. 2.0 litre 140bhp is much better.



That mileage is pretty normal for the UK but they have a good motorway network and lots of people commute. There are lots of fleet cars too though and most of the cheaper stuff tends to be ex fleet or dodgy. Clutch and flywheel are classed as consumables these days so they can fail at any mileage. Mine along with the gearbox were replaced on a 3 year old CC with less than 50k miles because of a gearbox oil leak. So make sure you have any car extensively inspected by a mechanic before buying.

thanks bazzz...was planning to take a mechanic along with me and will definitely do....cheers

aravmithun

bazz26 wrote: »

1.6 did not appear in the Passat until mid 2010. It's nothing special in the heavy Passat anyway. 2.0 litre 140bhp is much better.



That mileage is pretty normal for the UK but they have a good motorway network and lots of people commute. There are lots of fleet cars too though and most of the cheaper stuff tends to be ex fleet or dodgy. Clutch and flywheel are classed as consumables these days so they can fail at any mileage. Mine along with the gearbox were replaced on a 3 year old CC with less than 50k miles because of a gearbox oil leak. So make sure you have any car extensively inspected by a mechanic before buying.

Hi,
Whats your opinion skoda octavia 1.9 tdi,same from vw group,are they reliable,any major issues....?

Bpmull

aravmithun wrote: »

Hi,
Whats your opinion skoda octavia 1.9 tdi,same from vw group,are they reliable,any major issues....?

They won't have any more issues than the passat. It's the same 1.9tdi engine in them all. I have the same engine in my golf find it good. My parents had a 05 octavia 1.9tdi up until recently and it proved very reliable they currently have a 11 octavia 1.6tdi and it hasn't caused one issue. I personally prefer the golf but Octavia's are cheaper and have a bigger boot so it just depends what your preference is.

aravmithun

Bpmull wrote: »

They won't have any more issues than the passat. It's the same 1.9tdi engine in them all. I have the same engine in my golf find it good. My parents had a 05 octavia 1.9tdi up until recently and it proved very reliable they currently have a 11 octavia 1.6tdi and it hasn't caused one issue. I personally prefer the golf but Octavia's are cheaper and have a bigger boot so it just depends what your preference is.

thanks friend,prefer octavia for its boot size....
need fuel efficiency and reliability.....thats main concern....off from 05 xtrail 2.0 petrol,was heavy on juice....

any thing particular to look out while buying octavia,seen 05 1.9 tdi with 112km or 68 miles for 3950....how to check t belt and water pump,turbos,clutch etc.....
plz advice me....

thanks

bazz26

Octavias are very popular as taxis, there are a lot of dogs out there that have had their mileage altered. I'd be very suspicious of any 9 year old Octavia diesel with only 112k km without seeing hard evidence of a full service history to back it up.

Timing belts need to be changed on the 1.9 TDi every 60k miles or 5 years and don't take a tip-ex mark on the engine as gospel that it was been changed as a bottle of tip-ex is cheap.

As I said in other threads I'd rather buy a 100k miles car with a full verified service history and plenty of receipts for work done than a 50k mile car that has no service history. I think you and alot of people put too much emphasis on low mileage especially where a diesel car is concerned. Dodgy sellers know this which is why clocking is very profitable for them.

aravmithun

would like to give u the url link to car,but boards is not allowing me being a new user.........

there is a similar one in silver in cavan for 4300 in donedeal 112k,the one i told is white with 17"alloys,cavan for 4000 in gumtree or 3950 in donedeal

vasch_ro

bazz26 wrote: »

Octavias are very popular as taxis, there are a lot of dogs out there that have had their mileage altered. I'd be very suspicious of any 9 year old Octavia diesel with only 112k km without seeing hard evidence of a full service history to back it up.

Timing belts need to be changed on the 1.9 TDi every 60k miles or 5 years and don't take a tip-ex mark on the engine as gospel that it was been changed as a bottle of tip-ex is cheap.

As I said in other threads I'd rather buy a 100k miles car with a full verified service history and plenty of receipts for work done than a 50k mile car that has no service history. I think you and alot of people put too much emphasis on low mileage especially where a diesel car is concerned. Dodgy sellers know this which is why clocking is very profitable for them.

interested in your opinion as I was looking at 2010 Skoda Superb estate today at Bill griffin motors, 190,000 K on the clock ex company car, but has a full service history the price is tempting me as I am in the market to change and have been following this thread. The Skoda seems to be highly recommended here, the downside is 3 month engine warranty, there are a few others on carzone at not bad prices

Cleveland Hot Pocket

2010 superb you say?

vasch_ro

Cleveland Hot Pocket wrote: »

2010 superb you say?

looked at your add but trading in my current motor:)

R.O.R

vasch_ro wrote: »

interested in your opinion as I was looking at 2010 Skoda Superb estate today at Bill griffin motors, 190,000 K on the clock ex company car, but has a full service history the price is tempting me as I am in the market to change and have been following this thread. The Skoda seems to be highly recommended here, the downside is 3 month engine warranty, there are a few others on carzone at not bad prices

We had a pair of 2010 Superb 1.9Tdi Ambition's on our fleet. Both were out for 3 years and came back with 192,000 and 196,000km. One had a few issues with the A/C (compressor can fail on a few different VW/Audi/Skoda's), but apart from that, both were pretty much trouble free.

If the one in Griffin's has a decent history available to have a look at, it's worth a shot. As long as it's cheaper than others that will have a proper warranty (Griffin's just give a 3rd party warranty), then it's worth a shot.

Make sure there isn't a vibration from the clutch pedal when you press it (Dual Mass Flywheel issue) and that the A/C runs nice and cold.