Diesel car advice needed. 1.8T going..

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JayB5UK

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As per title, I have an A4 1.8T saloon and have regrettably decided it has to go.
Not that I dislike it or it's knackered but the worst thing is it's not got enough room, the rear seats don't fold flat and me and the mrs. have got into camping now and then in the summer so I could do with a diesel estate. Don't much fancy long journey's to family in Cornwall in her 306td! Can hear the ****** thing rattling from here...

Plus I have a bought another 750 bike for fun after 3 years off one.

Anyway, to the point - I want some advice on a decent diesel, have been thinking obviously of another A4, (but dunno if I can afford a 99 on TDi), A6 TDi or maybe a BMW 325 or 525tds
Gonna spend about £3.5k providing I get good money for mine.
Anyone know much about the above cars, MPG, possible engine problems with the bigger diesels i.e the BM or the Audi V6 Tdi?
I know the 1.9TDi is popular but would probably prefer a bigger one as have a few long trips such as Le Mans etc I want to do this year.
Any info much appreciated.
 
BMW 320d would give more performance once remaped that the 1.8T and most 2.0T. The torque is the key factor here.

I have a 120d remapped to 203BHP and it shifts (faster than the 3 series due to weight).

If it is Diesel then Audi dont really perform to well up against BMW, but if its not just performance then go see a few cars, test drive them and make your mind up that way...
 
Supprise d your out of room, assuming that there are two of you...

We manage to get all the camping stuff with a big tent,chairs, tables etc etc, sports stuff including two mountain bikes and climbing gear in ours...with still room forwine and goodies to come home with.
 
3.5k aint gonna get him a 320d tho is it,

the old 325tds isnt a bad car, my choice would be a passat estate tdi tho.

More room than any human being can possibly ever need
 
It's a bit of a minefield. Could squeeze in with 2, but with cream leather, i'm not really one for piling **** all over the back seat and stretching or marking it.
Have thought Passat TDi, but am doubtful that the 1.9TDi would be entertaining enough.
If cash allowed I would probably go for a 530D, have also considered a 525tds, 96 on, but although I have had and enjoyed BM'sm the older stuff I can afford is a bit plain inside compared to the A4 and they are not exactly specced out to start with, people seem to want a huge premium over the top for the "pleasure" of offering one with climate in!
The A6 or A4 V6 TDi is tempting but I dread to think how much they are to have belts / turbo's / head gaskets done?!
 
audi upgrades
Don't go for any 2.5 TD or TDS BMW. They are dogs of engines and extremely unreliable. The later 2.0 and 3.0 on the other hand are decent, powerful lumps.

I wouldnt say that a Beemer would out pace any comparable Audi, in the diesel stakes, got to take into consideration the Power To Weight Ratio, and Beemers are heavier than Audi's due to the RWD (unless we're talking Quattro).

Both the VAG 1.9 and 2.5 TDi engines are good powerful engines, and if I were choosing a diesel, it would be between those two. Probably a 1.9 TDi 130
 
Never get a decent 530D for that money mate, my old man had one they're great cars but seriously expensive to fix, and at 140k plus(what you would porbably be looking at) i'd steer clear, suspension has a habit of breaking.

the V6 tdi isnt really any better than the 1.9, only kicks out about 163bhp.

You could maybe get a 525d for the money but remember the seats dont fold down in them either(big boot tho)
 
i just bought an 1999 a4 tdi avant 110bhp(facelift model) for under £4000 and im well happy with it,it was immaculate inside and out, lovely light interior and does shift well in midrange,quicker than my escort gti!! no rattles, feels solid and tight,there are plenty out there for about your price range..:cool:
 
All good points.
I would really prefer to stay an Audi man now, think I will have to take a drive in a 1.9TDi, anyone know when the PD ones appeared? I'm not an expert on them but know they are more responsive to a chip and probably better performance & MPG as they are.
I would only be considering a Touring BMW for the space they offer, not a saloon.
I had always vowed to go Diesel when I could afford a modern one a few years back, a mate worked for Ford in about 2001 and took me out and let me drive a Mondeo TDCi 6spd, ****** hell, changed my mind about diesels that did! 145mph 4-up he did in it. Mind you I think he blew it up on the way to work eventually! LOL
 
im sure my dad had a PD passat and it was 2000 on a W, i think they were the first.
 
I would definately advise you to go for the 1.9 tdi over the 2.5 v6 tdi, and have a tuning box fitted. You will then have similar performance, and much better economy over the v6 tdi.

You will get a newer car for your money if you chose a passat estate over the A4 Avant, and some say the boot in the passat is slightly bigger than the A4 Avant, but i can't saw i have ever noticed.

I once considered a BMW 325 TDs myself, but they are well over priced, and not very cheap to run either.
 
Cheers, have also consodered a Passat for the reason you mention, but I have never been in one. I know that the Golf 4 doesn't feel / sound as well screwed together inside, plus the depreciation is obviously worse with a Passat. But I have considered a Passat as a stop gap until bonus time comes around again in Spetember. Don't really like chopping and changing too much anymore though.
 
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