DanCossie

iTrader: (1)

Due to moving house this weekend I will be doing the dreaded M25 everyday and about 80-90 miles per day so I am going to have to buy a new daily driver as don't want to ramp up the mileage on the M3.

I have about 4-5k to spend but as had the M3 for 3 years I have no idea what I can get for that sort of money

Criteria
- Diesel
- Something with a decent badge ideally Mercedes, Audi, BMW, Jaguar etc...No Kias, Mazdas, Fords etc
- Decent spec as will be spending some time in it, as also will use it to meet clients

any thoughts/ideas are greatly appreciated guys

XRT_si

iTrader: (2)

You can get a BMW 1 Series diesel with decent miles for that, and they are brilliant cars. I'd look at those.

DanCossie

iTrader: (1)

Cheers Si, will have a look! how much did you pay for yours?

It's Czech Mate

Since when was an 8-9 year old car with a poxy clutch and over 100k miles good for doing 24k miles of commuting a year in

The only reason they are cheap is because they are hateful little cars and generally worn out

Same goes for anything that looks cheaper than it 'should' be

pani_k

iTrader: (1)

E46 320d really I would've thought should fit the bill. Might get an S-Type Jag for that also?

DanCossie

iTrader: (1)

I think it will have to be a BMW as looked some Mercs today and the interiors are boring!!!

You can get a decent 5 series too for not as much as I thought !

pani_k

iTrader: (1)

Some of the newer Mercs say 2008 onwards have had their game upped but anything older I think are far too boring and nowhere near as good to drive as BMWs. 520d isn't a bad shout either could also get a E39 525tds in that bracket. E60 you may find at the lower end but may be ropey in that price range.

Ginge !

Buy a smart car and use A406 to work so same miles and its quicker than M25

Ginge !

Less miles,,,, its what I would do

phil_rs

iTrader: (3)

Audi A4/A6 2.7/3.0 TDI Le Mans

gjh

Golf TDI? Gotta be worth a look?

DanCossie

iTrader: (1)

already have one of these Ginge and its not suitable.. plus the a406 is no were near were I work surely as a mate you should know that

DanCossie

iTrader: (1)

What is the Lemans bit about?? Going to have a look at these at lunch today
Could be good actually, as don't mind if its a 3 door

massivewangers

iTrader: (1)

The 3.0 diesel Audis are idiotically uneconomical aren't they?

You might get a decent B6 Passat TDI in that bracket if you're lucky. Maybe a nice E46 320d. Difficult buying a nice diesel in that price bracket really.

DanCossie

iTrader: (1)

What would you recommend ?

massivewangers

iTrader: (1)

I have literally no idea...

I spent a long time looking for a diesel car in that bracket that actually jumped out at me enough to want one, but I gave up and ended up buying an ST220 for a lot less, and using the saving to run it

SBT83

Lexus 250d??

XRT_si

iTrader: (2)

Mine's an E46 320d, drive it if you like - I do 70 miles a day in it and it's good to drive and good on fuel.

Are you thinking of a different car or are you a bit special?

£5000 will get you a 2004/2005 1 Series diesel with less than 70k on the clock - if you think that's worn out then have a look how many are on the road and have a look how many are for sale with over 150,000 miles and then let me know how hateful/unreliable they are

phil_rs

iTrader: (3)

It was a limited edition based on the S Line, 19's, leather and nav were all standard

http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgur...A&ved=0CAUQsCU

DanCossie

iTrader: (1)

didn't think of these!! will have a look as I quite like Lexus !

Cheers mate


Im over at the weekend mate so will give you a bell

It's Czech Mate

Will it really?

Autotrader says there wont be many (if any) to choose from

And how many of that huge number you see with 150k plus miles have had decent money pumped into them to keep them going (because they're a BMW )

You keep kidding yourself that theres lots to choose from

Heres a clue, there's 2 on Autotrader http://www.autotrader.co.uk/search/u...el-type/diesel

massivewangers

iTrader: (1)

I had a little look at IS diesels the other day, they seem pretty good value for money. Don't know much about them but can only assume they're fairly reliable being a Toyota!

phil_rs

iTrader: (3)

37mpg combined isn't that bad, the quattro doesn't help I guess

Glenn_

iTrader: (1)

Alfa 159.Stunning cars.Dont know how reliable these are.Im sure its just a Vauxhall Vectra.

I also agree about Mercs dashes being boring and bland.

DanCossie

iTrader: (1)

Cheers..its better than the 19 I get currently !

Not though of an Alfa, always hear shocking stories!

It's Czech Mate

Realistically the newest best mpg car in that price range with some 'badge' that wont be a risk is a golf s or if you're lucky a last gen passat

I wouldnt want to be looking at a nigh on 10 year old car for 25k a year commuting, but then it's less of a risk for you as you would have more than one car

Glenn_

iTrader: (1)

I used to work on Alfa for 6 years,years ago and they werent that bad.

fordsportjay

iTrader: (6)

bmw 530d. mine gives 45+ mpg at 80mph.... averaging 31.5 at mo with quite a few short journeys
very comfy being leather/auto
looks good as its a sport touring too!

bigchez

golf gt diesel. you'll get a lot more golf for your money than merc/audi/bmw and they're great cars, just come from one into my new passat cc gt. If you're fussy add a private plate to a facelift car from 57/08 and as far as anyone's concerned it could be just a few years old. great on fuel too & I signed up to a vw dealership service program that was £20 a month dd for all servicing and mot's for 3 years to keep it full vwsh.

ANDYRACER

Id personally go for a skoda octavia vrs diesel, but im not sure if its got the badge you want