Been looking about for a diesel estate (for work and getting gear down to the boat) .. but i think ive been spoiled over the year by owning Z's S14a's and dare i say it .. GTO

 

So far the only thing ive seen and like the look of is the bmw 530 touring

 

anything else i should consider?

small boot but plenty of Go but watch out for the 2.2d as there a sucker for eating there own oil thou the turbo and piston rings but gen faults like EGR/injectors/dmf

 

Mondeo mk3/4 hatch/estate has the biggest boot in the size of car your looking for

but yet again they have problems like injectors/DMF

 

Vectra good boot size bigger then bmw but not mondeo sized ...

injector/clutch/electrical as you see on all vaxhall

Vauxhall Vectra 1.9TD, outstanding car.

 

We had one as a work runabout and it's still going strong with 150k on the clock. My mate recently sold his VXR8 and replaced it with a Vectra, not exactly in the same league but still reliable, spacious and torquey'

Budget ?

Vauxhall Vectra 1.9TD, outstanding car.

 

We had one as a work runabout and it's still going strong with 150k on the clock. My mate recently sold his VXR8 and replaced it with a Vectra, not exactly in the same league but still reliable, spacious and torquey'

 

sounds like what i need .. something that will get used and abused .. and trust me , doing pyro .. it will get abused

Budget ?

3-8k

small boot but plenty of Go but watch out for the 2.2d as there a sucker for eating there own oil thou the turbo and piston rings but gen faults like EGR/injectors/dmf

 

Mondeo mk3/4 hatch/estate has the biggest boot in the size of car your looking for

but yet again they have problems like injectors/DMF

 

Vectra good boot size bigger then bmw but not mondeo sized ...

injector/clutch/electrical as you see on all vaxhall

 

mark, i cant stand mondeos .. its a shame because the inlaw can get me a brand new one for less than a decent used one :hammer:

I have a 99 Mercedies C220 tdi estate and its very good with a small turning circle, they are a great work horse and go on forever.

The new Mondeo's are great cars

I have a 99 Mercedies C220 tdi estate and its very good with a small turning circle, they are a great work horse and go on forever.

 

not looked at mercs.. i like the look but going back to when i was in the motor trade .. the bloody things just fell apart.. what they like now? more plastic than a mondeo?

The new Mondeo's are great cars

 

you wont convince me lol

My advice - anything German....

 

....Audi A4/A6; VW Passat; (similar to Audi but cheaper); BMW 3 or 5 series; Merc C or E class

 

not looked at mercs.. i like the look but going back to when i was in the motor trade .. the bloody things just fell apart.. what they like now? more plastic than a mondeo?

 

Mercs are once again decent cars nowadays mate! 2003 onward Mercs will be just fine - and sooo much better than anything Ford can produce!!

 

I'm on my third SLK now; I've had a 1999 230 Kompressor; a 2006 SLK350 and now a 2009 SLK350. The build quality is just superb...!!

 

Plus back in 2008 when my car was being repaired after an accident, I seemed to be given their entire range as courtesy cars. I had a couple of C classes (petrol and diesel); an M-class (280CDi) and my favourite of the bunch, a brand new (then) E320CDi - that was lovely (if a bit slow for my personal taste; but still not too shabby)!!

 

Richard:thumbup1:

not looked at mercs.. i like the look but going back to when i was in the motor trade .. the bloody things just fell apart.. what they like now? more plastic than a mondeo?

 

Mine is 12 years old auto and is like new very tight car and no rust but it is a pampered car with just 74,000 miles I have no pic's of it (not like me) but like Rich has said its hard to beat the Germans:yes:

Cheers Richard & Gary ... been years since i touched a german motor .. had 2 many moons ago ,, scirroco and an M3 .. both just kept eating into the wallet ..

 

Thats given me a few more options ... im struggling like hell to find something i like .. snsible car for work and hopefully a nice shiney 99 spec R Z in the summer

dont discount Honda, CRV more 4x4 than estate but great cars had 2 of them , the skoda octavia estate is very well equiped built like a tank and cheap to run , the daddy of all estates the Volvo..... and take a look at the saab 95 estate ..basicaly a vectra underpinnings but with a difference of style and somethinga bit different.......

we had the Octavia and it was fantastic. basically an audi with a skoda badge on. I would highly recommend. we are toying with the Superb estate now as the family motor just would prefer 4wd..

Same as i always say, BMW 330D six speed and get it chiped :cool3:

Same as i always say, BMW 330D six speed and get it chiped :cool3:

 

and remember to hang your jacket on a coat hanger from the clip on the drivers side door.. reps cars... lol...

As much as you hate them i'm another mondeo lover, i've had mine since feb, put nearly 40k on the clock since then and apart from the injectors failing it's been a strong tow car, good on diesel and easy to fix.

 

I got the 130bhp version and it flies for a diesel, even with a zed on the trailer behind it.

 

Slick pete had one so that has to be a recommendation!

 

Given the money though i'd buy an 08 plate Skoda Superb estate - vast boots and amazing quality!

Bmw E39 530D or E46 330D. Without a doubt the best Diesel daily drivers you can get for the money and much better than anything else mentioned here.

Edited December 14, 201113 yr by Yowser

Yep, I have a 330d touring, love it, would definitely consider a a 530d as a replacement. Still miss my diesel Xantia Estate though !!!!

Chrysler Grand Voyager mate, most versatile car I've ever owned. If you get the stow and go seating, all the seats fold into the floor to give you a van. Electric side sliding doors and tailgate on the LTD and LTD XS. 2.8 TD, brilliant vehicle. Seat foam was actually designed by NASA for the comfort of their astronaughts, the seating is so comfortable.

Edited December 14, 201113 yr by 300ZX_666

Another vote for the Octavia Estate.....had one for a short while as a company pool car and it was fantastic

yeah im really liking the 530d its a smart presentable car, with the added bonus i can fill the back back up with "erm the nice sparkly stuff i work with" the skoda looks like a good contender , went and had a look at an A4 today .. wasnt impressed by the room inside

3-8k?

 

so you have a choice of basically any decent 4-5 year old estate. u cud get a jag for that. Or buy another zed and get a roof rack.

 

It'll probably brake but an old alfa romeo 156 sportswagon gta? they were lovely

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ALFA-ROMEO-156-V6-24V-GTA-BLUE-2004-/380393526003?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item58913892f3#ht_742wt_932

only big things to watch for on any diesel BMW, Turbo wear on high mileage cars. Swirl Flaps on ANY Diesel BMW, and on newer models the damned DPF. Otherwise they are awesome vehicles. If it has swirl flaps though, budget on getting them out asap