High MPG medium sized automatic car wanted
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Soldato
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Actually it's a 165bhp 2.0 156 JTS with a 98k on it. But again we know accuracy isn't the strong point in your posts.
![[TW]Fox](/data/man-of-honor/2009.png){kind=avatar}
Build quality - I'll give you that. But then as its more than twice the price of a Mondeo, so it should. Mechanical reliability though? Unfortunately not.
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Ooopps when I typed 12k I mean't 7K erm ok thanks !
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Whilst trying to avoid getting involved in the existing scrap in this thread...
Before you start worrying about models, go have a look on autotrader at just what options you have. I did exactly that quite recently, i.e. looking for a diesel saloon with an auto box. The bad news is that there really isn't much choice. There's a small number of Saabs, VWs and Peugeots, the vast majority are BMWs or Mercs.
Bearing in mind the ability of someone like Merc to build an E class, that would be top of my list of cars to be looking at if you want to spend 12k.
Failing that, you could consider a Mondeo TD. I had a look at one very recently. I hadn't realised how OK, but nothing better these are until I checked one out. It was the perfect appliance. OK interior, OK to look at, cheap to run, probably very reliable. So if you focus is on just doing the job with maximum efficiency, it's the right car. If you want more, I'd look at an E.
Before you start worrying about models, go have a look on autotrader at just what options you have. I did exactly that quite recently, i.e. looking for a diesel saloon with an auto box. The bad news is that there really isn't much choice. There's a small number of Saabs, VWs and Peugeots, the vast majority are BMWs or Mercs.
Bearing in mind the ability of someone like Merc to build an E class, that would be top of my list of cars to be looking at if you want to spend 12k.
Failing that, you could consider a Mondeo TD. I had a look at one very recently. I hadn't realised how OK, but nothing better these are until I checked one out. It was the perfect appliance. OK interior, OK to look at, cheap to run, probably very reliable. So if you focus is on just doing the job with maximum efficiency, it's the right car. If you want more, I'd look at an E.
The 96-03 model E Class, the one you will get for this budget, does not have the famed Mercedes build quality. The engine and gearbox are solid but the car itself is not - amongst other things they have rather serious rust issues.
Drop your budget and get a pre 96 E Class if you fancy a Merc becuase despite its age this is a car which will outlast you rather than you outlast it. There is a reason other every car in back of beyond Middle Eastern places is an old Merc.
Drop your budget and get a pre 96 E Class if you fancy a Merc becuase despite its age this is a car which will outlast you rather than you outlast it. There is a reason other every car in back of beyond Middle Eastern places is an old Merc.
Soldato
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I reckon the Mondeo then. Although they do seem to have a few issues, they still are a good buy for that sort of money.
Ah the JTS engines....Those were the replacement ones that Alfa Romeo brought out to replace the Twin Sparkys because the latter were so unreliable...
Q.E.D.
Soldato
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Well it takes your BMW another cylinder and 300cc to make whole 5bhp
Well it takes your BMW another cylinder and 300cc to make whole 5bhp
It's ok they do another one which has the same running costs but another 30bhp
Well it takes your BMW another cylinder and 300cc to make whole 5bhp
It's an agricultural engine in comparison AND less reliable.
BMW straight six -v- Alfa four?
It would be like saying that Bolton FC are as good as Barcelona FC because they both have 11 players on pitch.
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Soldato
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[TW]Fox;10845598 said:It's ok they do another one which has the same running costs but another 30bhp
Opps, sounds like a bit of homework like you do on your motors may have paid off in this situation.
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The Twin spark engines in the 156 (and late 155s) bear almost no relation to the old Twin spark engines. They were redesigned from a different base engine (the F.I.A.T. F.R.E.E.) in the mid 90s.
My dad's 156 is at 120k now and it's still perfectly fine.
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Actually the current JTS was done because it fits in the 159 and Brera, it's a vauxhall engine with the Alfa treatment.
Alfa are currently working on a euro 5 Twin Spark engine that fits the Vauxhall floor pan used by the 159 and Brera.
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The original JTS was the Twin Spark bottom end(Fiat Twin Cam that was used in the Intergrale) married to the a direct injecton head. They also redesigned the cambelt tensioner to cure the infamous cam belt failures suffered by the Twin Spark. The power was then increased from 150bhp (155bhp eurospec)to 165bhp and the engine was also able to meet more stringent emmision requirements.
You quite right the next generation is indeed a GM bottom end with an Alfa JTS designed head. Apart from now eliminating the cam belt in favour of a chain the engine is hugely cheaper to produce, with the benefit of being already tried and tested. The power figures are very impressive from the new units.