Help me choose!

mOdO · 14 Aug 2019 at 07:43

Hi all,

I currently drive a 2005 330ci
Work is 13miles away (m25/m4)
10month baby so need a decent boot
Budget 10k

Need help deciding what car to go for as I keep changing my mind... I know I should be going petrol, but there are so many diesels available it's hard not to look.

A few examples with my take on it:
Octavia VRS - quick with a decent boot
520d - comfortable but unreliable? (ideally want a 530d but not in budget)
Leon FR - cheap to run
Mazda 6 - don't know much about these cars (is the petrol version sluggish?)

Any help would be appreciated.

jsmoke · 14 Aug 2019 at 07:55

Why should you be going petrol are diesels not better mpg and longer lasting engines?

mOdO · 14 Aug 2019 at 08:07

DPF issues, short journeys does not allow the engine to warm up

[TW]Fox · 14 Aug 2019 at 08:12

26 miles of motorway a day is hardly a short town journey.

iamdjdz · 14 Aug 2019 at 08:36

[TW]Fox said:
26 miles of motorway a day is hardly a short town journey.

Will the 13 miles a day be enough to sufficiently clean the DPF though? Genuine question as both my wife and I have the same length commute (13 miles in opposite directions mainly motorway) and we have one diesel and one petrol car.

mOdO · 14 Aug 2019 at 08:40

iamdjdz said:
Will the 13 miles a day be enough to sufficiently clean the DPF though? Genuine question as both my wife and I have the same length commute (13 miles in opposite directions mainly motorway) and we have one diesel and one petrol car.

That's what I meant!

Also the timing chain of the 520d seems to be the biggest bill? Is there a recommended time to change?

[TW]Fox · 14 Aug 2019 at 08:58

mOdO said:
That's what I meant!

Also the timing chain of the 520d seems to be the biggest bill? Is there a recommended time to change?

Honestly the easiest thing to do is just avoid that engine. It's a liability and the chain was never meant to be a service item so it's not easy or cheap to change it.

200sols · 14 Aug 2019 at 08:59

mOdO said:
Mazda 6 - don't know much about these cars (is the petrol version sluggish?)

I think the sport nav 2.2 diesel would be better, and with your commute a diesel will be fine. The 6 are decent cars, usually a higher spec than your typical BMW etc.

Diagro · 14 Aug 2019 at 09:02

200sols said:
I think the sport nav 2.2 diesel would be better, and with your commute a diesel will be fine. The 6 are decent cars, usually a higher spec than your typical BMW etc.

The 2.2D in the Mazda 3 & 6 have chain issues.

200sols · 14 Aug 2019 at 09:10

Diagro said:
The 2.2D in the Mazda 3 & 6 have chain issues.

Isnt that a pre 2013 issue?

Diagro · 14 Aug 2019 at 09:11

200sols said:
Isnt that a pre 2013 issue?

I expect so.
Although his price range would be pre 2013 cars no?

200sols · 14 Aug 2019 at 09:14

Diagro said:
I expect so.
Although his price range would be pre 2013 cars no?

10k should get him a 14/15 plate depending on mileage. I wouldnt go with the older generation the car is not as nice.

Diagro · 14 Aug 2019 at 09:20

200sols said:
10k should get him a 14/15 plate depending on mileage. I wouldnt go with the older generation the car is not as nice.

For some reason I saw 6k as his budget. My bad.

Yea deffo get a 14/15 plate model, very nice cars

mOdO · 14 Aug 2019 at 09:24

[TW]Fox said:
Honestly the easiest thing to do is just avoid that engine. It's a liability and the chain was never meant to be a service item so it's not easy or cheap to change it.

Thought so, just needed someone to confirm.

Diagro said:
For some reason I saw 6k as his budget. My bad.

Yea deffo get a 14/15 plate model, very nice cars

I'll have a look, they do look smart and a 15 plate would be best.

mOdO · 14 Aug 2019 at 09:26

Should I not bother looking at the Octavia VRS? I guess it will be more expensive to run than the Mazda 6?

mOdO · 14 Aug 2019 at 19:04

So test drove the mazda 6 and ended up buying it today

Thanks for the advice

Mr Krugga · 14 Aug 2019 at 19:56

Glad to hear you found something suitable.

I just wanted to mention that it's definitely possible to get a nice 5 series from the F10 generation for less than £10k these days:

BMW 5 Series 3.0 530d SE 4dr - £8,500

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201908050815295

You could even get the facelift model in this price range:

BMW 5 Series 530D SE 3.0 Auto 258 Bhp 4dr *Pro Nav* *Heads Up Display * - £9,995

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201905047619285

With that said, there's nothing wrong with a modern Mazda 6.

mOdO · 14 Aug 2019 at 20:20

Personally I would prefer the msport.

Happy with the purchase but didn't quite realise how long the car was until parking on the drive!

[TW]Fox · 14 Aug 2019 at 20:23

Mr Krugga said:
You could even get the facelift model in this price range:

BMW 5 Series 530D SE 3.0 Auto 258 Bhp 4dr *Pro Nav* *Heads Up Display * - £9,995

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201905047619285

That isn't a facelift.

Dis86 · 14 Aug 2019 at 20:25

mOdO said:
So test drove the mazda 6 and ended up buying it today

Thanks for the advice

Good choice. They're great cars and I think really good looking. Get some photos up!