Volvo S40 V Saab 93 V 'other diesel??'

Hidalgo

Hi all.
I'm mulling over upgrading and looking for any advice.
At the minute I'm thinking of a Volvo S40 2.0 diesel or a Saab 9.3 1.9 diesel. Other possibilities would be a Skoda Superb but it would have to be the 130bhp effort. Originally I had a VW Passat 05-06 2.0D 140bhp in mind but they seem troublesome between injectors, parking brake and shocks. Open to other suggestions.

Milage wise, its varied. At the min I travel 160 miles on a Monday morning then do the return trip on a Friday, dont use the car during the week.
At times its more local driving but in genral I would average 200-300 miles per week. A comfortable driving position is quite important to me, esp over long journeys as my lower back gives me a bit of bother at times.


At them min I'm driving a Corolla saloon 1998. A great yoke in fairness but the seat is too low to the floor and a bit soft for my liking. She's starting to give a small bit of trouble and at the age it is I think I might just change.

Budgetwise, I dont really have any definite limits. One day I have the notion of going for a Saab 9-3 AERO model, 2009-10. Other times I think I might just pick up a 05-06 for handy money.
The main reason whu I'm not really inclined to go for something too new is because I work in construction so its not easy keep a car clean.

Any advice on costs of servicing, common problems etc would be greatly appreciated

bazz26

The S40 is much smaller than the other two as it's based on the Ford Focus platform. Both 1.6d and 2.0d are PSA engines. The 1.6d is underpowered and tends to be less reliable than the 2.0d. The S40 can suffer from other problems too and parts are expensive if sourced directly from Volvo.

The Saab 9-3 can suffer from flimsy build quality especially the interiors, they can rattle like hell. They got a facelift in 2007 which improved things. 1.9 diesle is a proven Fiat unit but they do like flywheels. Both Swedish offerings will be comfortable though.

The Superb is really based on the B5 Passat launched back in 1997, rear space is huge and the 1.9 TDi is solid. It's hard to find a clean tidy one these days that hasn't been taxied to death.

Hidalgo

bazz26 wrote: »

The S40 is much smaller than the other two as it's based on the Ford Focus platform. Both 1.6d and 2.0d are PSA engines. The 1.6d is underpowered and tends to be less reliable than the 2.0d. The S40 can suffer from other problems too and parts are expensive if sourced directly from Volvo.

The Saab 9-3 can suffer from flimsy build quality especially the interiors, they can rattle like hell. They got a facelift in 2007 which improved things. 1.9 diesle is a proven Fiat unit but they do like flywheels. Both Swedish offerings will be comfortable though.

The Superb is really based on the B5 Passat launched back in 1997, rear space is huge and the 1.9 TDi is solid. It's hard to find a clean tidy one these days that hasn't been taxied to death.

The 1.6D S40 wouldn't interest me. I'd like a bit of giddy up. The 2.0D S40 is 136bhp with a Saab 93 Vector at 150 with similar enough torque afaik.


Ya I've been a backseat passenger in a Superb and as you say its huge. Loads of legroom. That's not overly important to me tbh, I don't have young lads and its rear enough in general I'd have backseat passengers. I don't know if even the 130bhp would be a bit more sluggish in take off than the other 2 options??

The likes of a Lexus 220 is another option but tbh €994 a year on tax for an 06 is severe. I'll draw the line at €710

Any idea if big services i.e timing belts are of a similar cost labourwise, has the entire engine to be pulled out??

Lookswise, a Passat sport would probably be my number 1 choice, but no point in a nice looking machine if its on a mechanics trolley too often.

bazz26

The IS220 is a dog to be honest. That engine has a rep for head gasket failure and the gearing is all wrong on them making them frustrating to drive. Early 05/06 new shape Passats can suffer from their fair share of niggly problems too.

Being honest 200 to 300 miles a week is not a huge amount of driving, you should look at petrol cars too. Everyone is jumping on the diesel band wagon but when your looking at 9 year old examples they tend to be tired old dogs discarded by their previous owners. Your money will go alot further with buying a petrol car.

kermitpwee

I would buy a petrol and would buy this! http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/legacy-immaculate/8677473?offset=17