I'm currently looking at buying a 2004 ST TDCI (ex company car from my employer) with 60k on the clock.

There are 2 main known issues with the car so I was just wondering if anyone had experience with either....

1) black cloud of smoke on start up - disappears as soon as its running (ie it doesnt persist until up to temp or anything like that).

2) air conditioning - I believe the compressor is cracked or somethign along those lines. is this a mega bucks main dealer job? I've been told by the lad who used to run it that they'd had a quote of near £400. I'm not really bothered about air con and the price will reflect.

3) Drivers heated seat seems to work but not anywhere near as well as passenger - tbh i can live with this but wondered if there's an easy fix?

Other than that it seems spot on.