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Mar 28, 2018 18:45:54 GMT
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Hello everyone.
I have an itch which it seems can only be scratched by a diesel estate. I currently own a '96 Felicia estate with a 1.6 petrol engine, not a bad car by any means and I do like it, but a growing family (Lukezilla Jr is on the way, but to be honest that's just an excuse I use to convince myself I need a bigger car) and moving further away from work and a motorway being a necessary route means I'd like something more diesely, and my lady likes old estates and she likes to visit her mum in the south of France so who am I to argue?
Ideally, my sights are set on the lofty heights of a W124 E300D. Love 'em, wanted one for a while and now seems to be the right time, I'm in love with a straight 6 and the diesel seems to be a good option for motorway eating.
I could be swayed if anyone has any other suggestions of nice, large, boxy estatey vehicles, to be honest it doesn't have to be diesel if it's interesting enough.
I suppose my questions are:
What are the real big issues to look out for with these cars?
Anything really bad I should know about?
Does anyone have any appropriate (or inappropriate) alternative suggestions?
I'm looking to buy some time around June/July, so if anyone has anything around that time, I'd love to hear about it!
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Last Edit: Mar 28, 2018 19:47:51 GMT by lukeisgood
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Mar 28, 2018 19:34:35 GMT
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peugeot 405 estate
Citroen something estate
old volvo estate
Primera estate
having a frenchie would make sense if it needing looking at in France
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69 Plymouth Fury Convertible
75 Range Rover 2 door
82 Range Rover 4 door
84 Range Rover 4 door
78 Datsun 120Y 2 door
78 Datsun 120Y Coupe
78 Datsun 620 Pickup
81 Datsun Urvan E23
86 Datsun Vanette van
98 Electric Citroen Berlingo
00 Electric Peugeot Partner
02 Electric Citroen Berlingo
76 Honda C50
04 Berlingo Multispace petrol
07 Land Rover 130
15 Nissan E-NV200
15 Fiat Ducato
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Mar 28, 2018 19:52:20 GMT
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Not entirely boxy but rock bottom values for a car I rate and have used daily for 3 yrs/ 40k mile......Rover 75.
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Mar 28, 2018 19:57:24 GMT
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E34 525tds touring could be a option.
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1994 BMW 525i touring
2004 BMW Z4 sorn and broken
1977 Ford Escort
1982 Ford Capri getting restored
1999 Mazda B2500 daily driver.
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Mar 28, 2018 20:04:59 GMT
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I certainly wouldn't say no to an E34 touring, are the 2.5 diseasels any good in those? I've heard some horror stories. 62herald: I have a bit of a soft spot for the 75 estate but the lady hates anything with round edges, her favourites are XJ cherokees, 240s and our old 309, just for some context. |
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Phil H
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,448
Club RR Member Number: 133
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Mar 28, 2018 20:10:52 GMT
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Take a slight step down - C250TD? Lovely 5-pot diesel that you can get 40mpg from (just).
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Mar 28, 2018 20:58:33 GMT
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M51D25 is a very good engine, they do need a chip as they are a little underpowered, MPG is noticeably better with the chip as torque is improved meaning less throttle is required, I think any horror story will be from severely neglected examples.
On a run mine will do high 40's easily, nudging into the 50's if you can face leaving the cruise control at 56 or lower.
unless you are doing significant mileage though I would not discount a 24v petrol E34.
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longman
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 506
Club RR Member Number: 3
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Mar 28, 2018 21:33:57 GMT
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Paul
98 500 SL
86 911 Carrera/sold
23 Octavia Phev
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Mar 28, 2018 22:13:01 GMT
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What's your budget?
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1988 Mercedes w124 superturbo diesel 508hp
1996 Mercedes s124 e300 diesel wagon
1990 BMW E30 V8 M60 powered!
1999 BMW E46 323ci project car
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What about a mk 2 or 3 Suby Legacy? (or Outback which is the same but for a tiny bit of lift and extra bumpers) Reliable, fast (esp the twin-scroll GT turbos), frameless windows, massive boot, AWD.  I'm not sure but i think later models have the 2.0 Diesel boxer? Definitely interesting as they're pretty rare compared to your Mercs/Bimmers/Octavias/Passats. Less retro but another leftfield choice: How about a Saab 93 Aero?  Or not exactly retro or interesting, but I like these a lot - especially the dash -. how about Volvo V50 - the 'DRIVe' model is super-economical, and the R-Design and T5 models haul a$$  |
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Audi A4 Avant, Had one with the 130 PD engine in. brilliant car, 230K miles when I sold it, only car ive ever had that the faster you drove on the motorway the more econmical it was..
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Take the Next slot right coming up on the left.
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Octavia Estate - there's loads of them about and there's precious little you can't fit inside one. VW parts bin so great parts availability and if you look after the engine it'll go on forever.
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tofufi
South West
Posts: 1,454
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I think this ticks all your boxes: Straight 6 diesel, boxy, cavernous, comfortable and practical. So long as you make sure the cambelt and oil changes are done on time, they're reliable and robust. Just don't rag it from cold and it'll go on forever. I'm averaging 44MPG, but it only ever does long runs. Mine has cruise and climate control, if you go for a 760 they're all higher spec (climate control, cruise was an option) like this. 940 diesels are a bit more common. Good ones still available (740/940/760) for around a grand when they come up.  You can't have the one in the photo though - it's mine  |
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Last Edit: Mar 29, 2018 9:46:21 GMT by tofufi
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paul99
Part of things
Posts: 410 
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Mar 29, 2018 11:03:57 GMT
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Depending on budget, keeping on the Volvo theme, 850/V70? The D5 engine is a peach.  |
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Mar 29, 2018 14:43:59 GMT
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Thank you all for your suggestions so far, keep them coming please!
To be honest, I wouldn't have minded a legacy but I think my wife would kill me if I brought one home, way too curved for her!
As for budget, I'd be looking to spend somewhere around £1000, but could be parted with more for the right car, of course.
I'd prefer to keep the age down a bit, as it seems anything late 80s-early 90s is cheaper to insure. (E300D being around £350 for the year, as opposed to about £900 for an 850).
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Last Edit: Mar 29, 2018 14:45:15 GMT by lukeisgood
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Mar 29, 2018 17:22:04 GMT
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I'm concentrating on your wife's desire for boxiness. 1990's Volvos are most realistic in terms of price but if you keep your eyes peeled you might spot one of these coming in on budget;   Wildcard 1: Montego Countryman. The 2 litre Perkins diesel is sluggish, agricultural, immensely economical and built to soak up astronomical mileages;   Wildcard 2: Mitubishi Shōgun / Pajero. OK it's a 4x4, (when you need it to be), usually 7-seater, and as square as Spongebob's underpants!   |
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Last Edit: Mar 29, 2018 17:32:14 GMT by MkX
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Mar 29, 2018 18:17:52 GMT
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Hi there you could try a 1995 / 96 / 97 audi c4 a6 avant. Usually 2.5 tdi 6 speed manual.great on fuel and are very cumfy. Huge boot.and they eat miles for fun. Hard to get a decent low mileage one. But I have had 2 of them and currently looking for another decent one. Wings usually are rusty and some can have lacquer peel. But great cars if you can get a good one.hope this helps.
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Mar 29, 2018 18:53:08 GMT
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W202 C250td fantastic cars
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Fraud owners club member
1999 Jaguar s type
1993 ford escort
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Mar 29, 2018 20:39:13 GMT
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E34 525tds touring could be a option. They are getting a LOT thinner on the ground than I realised! Audi A4 Avant, Had one with the 130 PD engine in. brilliant car, 230K miles when I sold it, only car ive ever had that the faster you drove on the motorway the more econmical it was.. Yup..or equiv passat, just don't buy an auto - it'll die waaaay before the engine or body will! |
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eternaloptimist
Posted a lot
Too many projects, not enough time or space...
Posts: 2,578
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Thank you all for your suggestions so far, keep them coming please! To be honest, I wouldn't have minded a legacy but I think my wife would kill me if I brought one home, way too curved for her! As for budget, I'd be looking to spend somewhere around £1000, but could be parted with more for the right car, of course. I'd prefer to keep the age down a bit, as it seems anything late 80s-early 90s is cheaper to insure. (E300D being around £350 for the year, as opposed to about £900 for an 850). You’ll struggle to find a good W124 diesel for less than £1000. If that’s your budget I’d be looking at a Volvo 700 or 900. |
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XC70, VW split screen crew cab, Standard Ten
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