tom13
Part of things
Posts: 571
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Hi guys,
I am going to get a rwd motor soon but I have an issue.
The car must be under a grand and under 2litres so i can get decent mpg and insurance.
Now I would love an mx5 but being a very keen cyclist I need to takes bikes around which an mx5 would struggle with. I don't know which flavour to get either. Is the 1.6 a good drive or is it worth going for the 1.8. Has anyone seen any decent racks on one to carry items. Also is there an option to put a tow bar on as i wouldn't mind towing a little box trailer.
My other options include a porsche 924 but I'm not sure on reliabilty, insurance or part prices. A volve 340 or 60, I like them but not sure how well they will drift or handle without a bit of work. An e30 but I'm afraid of the same issues the porsche has.
Any help, options i have missed, or advice greatly appreciated.
Cheers
Tom
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Iain
Part of things
Posts: 351
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E34 520i. Touring for your bike in the boot.
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tom13
Part of things
Posts: 571
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I do like the tourings but not sure on the newer models. It would have to be the 316 or 318 and at my price range I'm assuming it would be a bit of a dog.
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Nozza
Part of things
I have an avatar!
Posts: 133
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I had a 20 year old 924 about 9 years ago whilst in the RN, only cost £1200, had mega milage but didn't mind going from Hartlepool to Portsmouth and back every weekend without fail, only gave up the ghost because of terminal crustyness due to being used in all weathers and being in salty air for the last few years of its life....Oh and the ex wife didn't like it, which was nice!
Comfy and reliable, but the sills go... Galvanising only lasts so long!
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Last Edit: Aug 2, 2013 9:43:38 GMT by Nozza
Rusty Deathtrap on Mercedes-190.co.uk
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E36 318IS Coupe with a roof rack.
140/150 bhp, cheap & good fun to drive.
Very good on fuel to, on a motorway run I would get 400 miles to a tank @ 80 from mine.
Could always look at the 318TI, which is the compact, would be able to fit bikes in the back as they are a hatch back and the seats fold flat.
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E34 520i. Touring for your bike in the boot. I'm going to second this suggestion, but change the 520i bit to a 525TDS. You'll easily get one within your budget. The engine is over your 2.0 criteria but probably more economical than the 2.0 petrol..plus a lovely bit of power too. Cruising on the motorway in complete comfort and silence at 85mph @2,000 rpm is an absolute joy. Masses of space in the back and generally one of the nicest cars I've ever driven, they have real road presence too. Mine was free (well, actually better than free) but you can easily pick them up for less than £1k. If I ever replace mine, it'll only be for another 5 series TDS Touring.  I've had a few MX5's, they are cracking cars but if I had to choose..... |
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I concur with the E34 suggestion. I really miss my 520 Touring, but a mate had 525TDS saloon at the same time and his was far more economical and quicker too I think.
Find a good one and trust me, you'll love it. Just try to avoid one with a dodgy twin sunroof and watch out for the wiring to the rear wash/wipe.
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The wiring for the rear wash/wipe is a relatively easy fix (as long as you can solder). It's probably the most common problem on E34 Tourings, but an hour or two max and you can not only have the rear wiper working again, but also that lovely glass hatch - such a cool feature. Mine has the twin sunroof. It doesn't work and I don't even want to start working out how to fix it....as long as it's closed properly, just leave well alone and pretend it's not there. It doesn't leak and doesn't cause any problems. It would be great if it did work though.... Also, more than most cars of the era, these things have the capability to swallow huge wheels! I've got 9" wide alloys on the back of mine PLUS 20mm spacers and I could still go wider if I needed to. 10" wide wheels not a problem. On standard, unrolled arches.  |
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Volvo 940 estate our one has done 70,000 miles in the four years we've owned it and 245,000(ish) miles all-together the one thing that broke in those four years was the indicator lens when dad drove it into a tree trying to avoid the bin...
Hot glue gun and sellotape sorted that out.
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Last Edit: Aug 2, 2013 11:57:36 GMT by charles97
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I spoke to a mate who's a BMW Tech when my twin roof started playing up and he gave me all sorts of horror stories about replacing the sunroof cassette and syncing them afterwards, so I did what you do and left well alone (after spending hooooooooooours messing around with the motors and generally getting very annoyed with it!) The sunroof was a wondrous thing for the first year or two or ownership though and I would certainly have another if the right one was available. There used to be a silver 530 Touring local to me, lowered with Alpina wheels and front spoiler on it and it looked absolutely stunning. I agree the tailgate wiring was relatively easy to sort...It would have been even easier had someone else not 'sorted' it earlier though!! And have you ever dropped an E34 tailgate on your finger? Take my advice; don't..!!  |
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tom13
Part of things
Posts: 571
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Cheers guys,
Seems to be a lot of love for the 5 series touring. I do like them but I just have in the back of my mind the tax and how much parts would be to replace. How sturdy are the engines in the big diesels anything I need to loom out for. The volvo is a good idea never thought of those.
On another note has anyone seen or own an mx 5 with a town at or some sort of rack.
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tom13
Part of things
Posts: 571
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Tow bar sorry. Bloody kindle.
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The tax on any E34 5 series is the same as on any MX5. No saving to be made there.
I'd say my big estate is far more economical than either of the MX5's I had, they aren't actually that great on fuel considering they are a light roadster. Don't get me wrong, they are brilliant fun, but when looking at one as a daily, I'd take the 5 (or a Volvo) any day.
The engines are pretty much bombproof as long as you keep up on the servicing. The only issue mine has is a slight diesel leak from the top of the pump and one of the leak off pipes to injector #2. I'm picking up a new (genuine Bosch) pump seal this afternoon along with a meter of leak off pipe. Total cost: £6.55. I also replaced the lower front arm bushes the other week. Cost for a pair: £26 from GSF.
Parts are easy to get and as cheap as any other car I've ever owned. My only regret with the E34 so far is wishing I'd just got one a lot sooner. Such a great all rounder....
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I don't have a huge amount to add, but I'd advise against giving yourself strict criteria in order to save on fuel and insurance as both are so variable and dependent on so many other factors (as has been pointed out pretty well above with the E34 example). My shout would be a Volvo 2/7/9 but that's probably bordering on fanboyism and is dependant on what you consider to be reasonable fuel economy  EDIT: actually, my first option would be to completely ignore that you want RWD unless you specifically want a drifter and suggest a B3 or B4 Passat TD/TDI for great fuel economy, cheap and well supported aftermarket, reasonable handling and room to carry as many bicycles as you desire. |
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Last Edit: Aug 2, 2013 11:57:29 GMT by ben711200
...proper medallion man chest wig motoring. |
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I agree entirely with Mystery Machine.
Apart from the usual brake pads/tyres etc, my only issues in 5 years of ownership were a new battery, replacing fuel pipes due to corrosion and a new coding plug for the dash, to cure an issue with the temp gauge. Other than than that; I just serviced it and enjoyed it really!
Mine did many trips from the East Coast to Hampshire over the years and you always felt like you could turn around and do it again straight away. It was even quite fun to drive in the twisty bits and as mine had a complete SS Scorpion exhaust the straight six sounded great.
It had numerous weird stuff thrown in the boot over the years and wasn't even that bad in the snow with the right tyres on it.
In my opinion they seem better built than the E39 and have more presence. Find a good one and enjoy it.......
Ben711200 has made a valid point though, why RWD?
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Last Edit: Aug 2, 2013 12:07:59 GMT by 'orrible
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Probably worth mentioning that ours is a 2.4 turbo weasel and does about 36mpg but it could do more with some reconditioned parts.
The fastest engine in one of those was probably the 2.3 turbo which was petrol if you're looking for fun...
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g40jon
Posted a lot
Posts: 2,569
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as others have said, an mx5 is not going to save you money on fuel. mine does 35 mpgs regardless of how it is driven, I always work out the mpg each time I fill up and the best I've ever seen from it was about 37mpg and at worst high 20s, but that ws spanking it. (mines a 1.6 btw and from what other mx5 owners report, 35 mpg on average is pretty good going!
On the plus side though, they are great fun, especially with the weather we have been having over the last few weeks
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BMW tourer mate
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If you can't beat em, knock em off
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