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OK, me and my friends are going on a 2000/2500 mile road trip around Europe this summer and I would like some suggestions for a good car to buy.
I have done similar trips in the past in a diesel Passat B4 and a Petrol B3. I sold the B3 because it was too expensive with diesel being much cheaper in Europe.
I got a 306, which wasn`t really big enough for the four of us going and it just terribly failed at the MOT.
I was thinking again of another Passat or maybe an Audi 80, although I know nothing about them other than they are similar to the Passat. However there aren`t that many of either around.
I want something I can find quite soon, so I have a few months of use to get to know the car and it`s squeaks and rattles.
I have about 700 quid to spend, I could maybe get to 1000 if I borrow some. If all goes well, I would probably sell it once we made it back as it won`t be to practical for my daily drive. So something I can put 3000 miles on in 5 months and sell on for close to what I paid for it.
I`ve mostly had German cars in the past and my two French ones both didn`t last very long. So what else would people suggest?
Do older MPV`s get any good MPG? MPG is going to be a big factor on this trip.
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grumpy
Part of things
Posts: 557
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THE_Liam
Yorkshire and The Humber
If at first you don't succeed... HAMMERS.
Posts: 1,363
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My money would be on a 405, Xantia or 406 with a Bosch injector pump. Pour veg oil straight in, 75p a litre, big, roomy, comfy cars, go well with a pump and wastegate tweak and being PSA cars, good in the twisties too.
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LowStandards
Club Retro Rides Member
Bigging Up The Sum Sum Man Since '99
Posts: 2,647 
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I'd get a nice comfy LS400 or summat
3000 miles at 30mpg is roughly £600 in proper fuel and at 50mpg is roughly £380 in crude oil, that's a grand saving of £55 each over 5 months
I know which was i'd be swaying
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Mk3 golf TDi or Audi 80 Tdi, both available in estate form. They share the same engine.
Make sure you get the 1Z or AHU engine code. I've had 3 and they have all been ridiculously reliable. They still go well for an old diesel as well and can be had for peanuts (more so the golf than the audi).
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I drive my mk3 golf and use it for work, Its a 1z 1.9 tdi . Ive done 14,000 totally trouble free miles in it (see link in signature ) in the last year. Its only needed tyres and servicing! Id realy realy reccomend one! Only thing other than that was the thermostat went which made it run cool hence the 47mpg.. Its now just done 58mpg at the last fillup.. And would do better if my tyres were pumped all the way up , But i run them slightly low due to the farm tracks i visit.. Mine is an estate too.. Theres a nice one on ebay atm.. Although not mine... ,mine is green.... www.ebay.co.uk/itm/390812208006?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1431.l2649 |
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Last Edit: Apr 4, 2014 16:15:59 GMT by Deleted
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406/306 Estate?
I would probably buy a E39 528i and put up with the extra running costs lol.
What about a e39 525td? Avoid any BMW with the 2.0d engine though.
Mk4 Golf SDI estate? Slow but seem to go on forever.
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700 would easily get that 306 you already have through an MOT surely.
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In most of the countries we are planning on going, diesel is cheaper than petrol, so it has to be a dirty derv really.
A 405 would be good as I have some veg oil left over. Anything to look out for on them?
The 306 wasn`t big enough and was going to cost much more than it was worth to fix.
I keep thinking a mondeo would do the job, but I`m not sure I could cope with owning one, even if it was only for 6 months.
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B5 Passat with the AFN engine..if you shop around they can be had for as little as 400 notes....quick enough, comfy enough and you'll get 45 to 50 mpg. You could even sell it for profit in eastern Europe and fly home!
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What about an old Benz maybe a 190d or a w124 diesel or even possibly a w210 diesel. If your gonna do some miles you might as well be comfy. The first two suggestions will run on veg and are about as simple as diesel engines get i.e fixable with a hammer and/or a screw driver. Don't worry about high miles, these things are just getting run in by 250k.
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Last Edit: Apr 5, 2014 19:47:28 GMT by bigfella2
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mk3 mondeo estate tddi (early engine), just come back from switzerland in ours did 1400 miles on a tank and three quarters ,no tdci problems either
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THE_Liam
Yorkshire and The Humber
If at first you don't succeed... HAMMERS.
Posts: 1,363
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A 405 would be good as I have some veg oil left over. Anything to look out for on them? Engine wise, make sure it boosts ok and the turbo isn't too noisy, check the HG very carefully, it's the only really weak point until you're pushing 160-170bhp. Make sure it has a Bosch pump for veg oil, most did. Rust isn't really an issue, electrics WILL be iffy but who cares about central lockong really? Other than that just the usual old car stuff. |
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I'd get a nice comfy LS400 or summat 3000 miles at 30mpg is roughly £600 in proper fuel and at 50mpg is roughly £380 in crude oil, that's a grand saving of £55 each over 5 months I know which was i'd be swaying This man speaks the truth! If you're buying the car for a holiday, then you may as well do it in style. Life is short, take a V8 on a road trip before the fuel gets even more expensive! |
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Buy my 405 estate, it has a bosch pump. I've had it for 3 years and done 30k miles, i replaced the clutch when I got it and have serviced it but other then that it has been fine, always started and got me to where i want to go. It's a bit beaten up on the outside but it has full black leather on the inside.
The aircon worked when I first got it, I think it needs a regas but I will be getting that done soon anyway.
I've run it on veg oil when I've been hard up on cash, it has been fine on 100% veg. I use diesel now as I can't be bothered with the hassle of filling it with veg lol. It's due an MOT soon but again, I will be getting that done regardless of whether I keep or sell it.
Or you could buy my 406 coupe HDi, but I would want more then a grand for it!
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recarouk
Yorkshire and The Humber
Posts: 435
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Apr 12, 2014 12:26:27 GMT
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