DJ's Car Hunting Thread - Advice on some search results.

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DJMK4

DJMK4

DJMK4

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Hi all,

Just reserving a thread as I am going to be searching for a new car over the next month or two, and instead of posting in others I thought I would create my own for my search and hopefully get some feedback, I own a 2004 MK5 Golf GT TDi 140 at the moment, and soon needs to be renewed.

I am looking either to stay in the VAG group, but I dont fancy another Golf (for now) as much as I love them, I am looking at the moment either Audi or BMW. But have had mixed reviews on if I should stay diesel.

My budget will be between 5-7K, but depending on what comes up, we will have to see.

For now when I search, I just want peoples oppinions, by all means if you dont want to post thats absolutely fine.

So for now I will gradually get some searching done now I have shifted some stuff out the way and managed to get some time to look, I will post anything that I want some second oppinions on in here.

Ta :)
 
What sort of mileage do you do? Does it justify owning a diesel?

Do you have a car size in mind? You state BMW or Audi but is this a 7 Series / A8 or a 1 Series / A3?

Are you happy to pay more in running costs for a quicker model or would you prefer something cheap?
 
If you can get past the marmite looks then maybe THIS would be worth looking at?

It's diesel and comes in budget.

If you want something quicker than maybe look at an A8 with the 4.2l diesel engine.
 
Fox, I know,

Just making sure they are fully aware they do not have to post if they dont want, ;)


Details, well before it would have needed to cater for milage, not so much these days, I do the odd long trip, but generally now I live 4 mile round trip from work, so looking like petrol milage terratory, I would say in a year I used to do between 15-20k, but these days probably between 10-14kish maybe, I dont know.

Milage wise that I am looking for, I will be keeping the car for 4 years or so, the MK4 golf I had, I bought on 98K, the MK5 I bought was on 70k, I want to try and keep the milage anywhere up to 80k if possible, the less the better.

however I have got used to the Diesel engines, the noise (some are queiter than others) does not really annoy me, the engines itself, since moving to the 2.0 on the Golf have been fine and has not let me down once.

I havnt had a great deal with more modern petrol engines, so cant comment on them?

I want something thats a bit more than, well a Golf GT TDi, in terms of manufacturer, so want to try something other than VW, want a better looking exterior and interior, features, still want things like climate, DO want cruise for when I do some of the longer trips and the engine well a good reliable engine with similar poke (or more) to what I am used to, but something that returns acceptable MPG.


Saloon, Hatch or Coupe are the ticks, so ideally would have to see the car.

As I said my focus has been around BMW, the newer side of the E46 Diesels (couple/msport) but people are suggesting petrol, but again my lack of recent petrol experience isnt doing me any favours, and some E90s if I can stretch my budget.

Also have been looking at Audi (A3, A4), BMW (118d M Sport, 318M Sport, 320 and 330 )



PS that 7 Series in that link above is a bit too much :p
 
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Get your last two MOT certificates and post up your mileage..

I definitely wouldn't look at an E46 BMW to replace a 2004 Golf though! Not much point trading a 10 year old car for another 10 year old car
 
chanjy said:
Get your last two MOT certificates and post up your mileage..

I definitely wouldn't look at an E46 BMW to replace a 2004 Golf though! Not much point trading a 10 year old car for another 10 year old car
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Yeah I guess, shame really as I liked the look of the E46 models. I need to go for something a bit newer.

Going to have a search tonight for a bit now I have some spare time.

Will compile a word document of some results but will post a few links if I find any on here for some feedback.

I was going to just go down the easy saving money route and take a stab at a decent condition A3 2.0 TDi someone posted earlier with FSH, cambelt, climate etc with 80k on for £3000

But that would be a boring change, looking to spend a little more, may aswel
 
That nicely sums up why I cannot see the point in bothering with an E90.

Nearly 10 years old, cloth seats, zero spec, no iDrive, crap reflector headlights, noisy 4 cylinder diesel engine, absolutely dog slow and it's 6 grand!

I had a 318d as a loan car in 2008 and put 1500 miles on it over about a week or two. I did a mini review at the time I think but the bottom line was that it was frustratingly underpowered. I had to downshift it from 6th to accelerate lightly up hills on dual carriageways.

It is the ultimate car you buy so you can tell everyone you have a BMW.

Buy a proper BMW or buy something else.
 
E90 goes up to 2011, so beyond that your looking at the newer generation, clearly not in my price bracket

E46 iv been told to stay away from their old (which they are I guess), E90 is apparently known as old, although up to 2011 doesnt bother me? how are some of them zero spec?

Seen them with Fully auto climate, CD with aux etc, rear parking sensors, cruise, double spoked alloys etc etc.

Im sitting on cloth seats now, I dont like leather seats.
 
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DJMK4 said:
E90 goes up to 2011, so beyond that your looking at the newer series, clearly not in my price bracket
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Maybe not go for a BMW or Audi then? Pick a different brand that'll enable you to get something newer, better specified and more modern for your money.
 
[TW]Fox;27093917 said:
Maybe not go for a BMW or Audi then? Pick a different brand that'll enable you to get something newer, better specified and more modern for your money.
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Because I dont want a 2012, 2013, 2014 car thats bland


May aswel go for a new Focus if I was going to do that,

Or a new "shudder" Seat with their horrible interior

Also decent Audi's are not as hard to find within my range
 
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I guess that would depend on what you consider a 'decent' Audi. I am guessing an A4 with no spec and a 2 litre diesel engine is 'decent' as far as you are concerned? :p

For £5-7k Audi wise you are looking at the generation of A4 that first appeared 14 years ago or a totally ropey version of the current generation.
 
Volvo, have no interest in them what so ever

Audi's ok they dont have much spec as some of the BMW's, cruise etc on the older models, but I would say I wouldnt turn down a 2005/2006 model. Some of the S-Lines are fine.


I think ill just end this thread and buy a new fiesta, as there is lots of passion in that
 
I'm struggling to think of an appropriate choice within your criteria for £5-7k. It's clear that you're being a bit of a brand snob, but I couldn't bring myself to buy a ropey and/or fairly old diesel BMW or Audi for that money.

Maybe look at something like a Skoda Octavia VRS. Your budget should get you a good one. Nice turbocharged petrol* engine and a decent overall car. OK so it has the same underpinnings as your Golf but it's overall a better car IMHO.




* - Try a decent petrol engine. You won't look back.
 
DJMK4 said:
Volvo, have no interest in them what so ever

Audi's ok they dont have much spec as some of the BMW's, cruise etc on the older models, but I would say I wouldnt turn down a 2005/2006 model. Some of the S-Lines are fine.


I think ill just end this thread and buy a new fiesta, as there is lots of passion in that
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If you want to be a brand snob, come back with more money.
 
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