Help choosing a cheap Diesel commuter (BMW/Merc)

My Nephew has a circa 2002 330D BMW and has had nowt but trouble with it over the year he has had it. Ball joints, discs, alternator etc etc along with various running or electrical issues. For my money, I would buy the best bodywork looking Merc I could find because whilst the engines are virtually bullet proof, the rust is strong in that era. Look for dodgy arches, rust inside filler cap as well as behind any body kit parts.

I personally would avoid the 320d, had one and loved the car but the engine absolutely ruined it. Worst diesel engine I have had, was slightly better with a egr delete but it was a 2004 euro 4 engine so it kept throwing up the eml.

I was in a similar position about 8/9 months ago and I looked at all sorts ended up buying a 2004 Alfa GT 1.9jtd

Had zero trouble with it in the time I’ve had it and has returned consistently 40+mpg despite being driven spiritedly and 50/60+ on long runs

More interesting looking than a lot of the German options in my opinion.

£1500 should get you one although not perfect and unlikely with the leather and such. They’re simpler than you think to work on and go wrong less than people say, the fiat diesel isn’t quite as refined as the VAG Tdi but there’s nowt wrong with it

For example, quick eBay search this ones £1600

rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F152988466511

Slight curveball but can I suggest a VW Bora Highline TDi 130? Lots of toys, cheap to buy, cheap to run, 50mpg all day. It's comfortable too. I run one as a daily and have put 60k on mine with nothing more than regular servicing. For some reason the booted Golf doesn't attract the same sort of attention as a normal Golf so they're cheaper to buy and insure.

The boot is also massive. I've regularly carried 1/4 ton of wood, engine parts, all the shopping, bed frames, flat-pack furniture and rolls of carpet. The only thing I have not been able to get in there with the lid shut was an oven. It's a cracking workhorse.

I have to say you have been lucky then . I have a Saab with the same engine . Turbo can go , as do injectors . Injector seals go and cost a fortune to replace . Gear linkage can and does seize . Clutch and flywheel usual high expense . Inlet manifold swirl flaps go and or leak meaning expensive replacement or removal . If water pump siezes it takes the cambelt with it and the engine .

 As long as its very well looked after they are ok but can be money pits !!