What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks
Long chainey
I am after your advice with regards to the best option for long term motoring. I presently drive a 2001 BMW 320d which has 117k miles and has started to suffer from minor niggles. I recently secured a long term contract that means I am likely to be covering 35k miles a year (mainly cross country). As I am self employed (and VAT registered) I have been looking into a PCP for a VW Scirroco TDi Auto but, due to the high mileage, this is now looking at £450 + per month, which is too much, so I am also thinking of buying second hand. Which car would suit? I have a family so need something more than a city car and would ideally like something ‘interesting’ to drive.
Asked on 23 May 2009 by
Answered by
Honest John
For high mileage like this you need a chain-cam diesel to avoid the £500 cost of timing belt replacements every couple of years. All BMWs (apart from MINI diesels) are chain-cam, all Mercedes, not many Audis. A Hyundai i30 1.6 chai-cam diesel would make sense with its 5 year unlimited mileage warranty. Nissan/Renault 2.0 diesels are chain-cam. Toyota 2.0 and 2.2 diesels are chain-cam.
Our honest used car pricing is a little bit different to all the others. You can get to our values through make or model - you don’t have to follow a prescribed route. Plus, it’s live, which means we can react to changes in the market quicker than any printed price guide.
Honest Used Car Prices
From which small car to buy at which price point to the best UK-built cars, our Top 10s have the lot. Click now for your shortlist.
Unsure of what to buy? Our Top 10s are here to help you....
Dear Honest John,
Please help me choose my next car. I would like it to have:
Please help me choose my next car. I would like it to have:
Similar questions
Just out of interest for very high mileage, is there anything that could be described as 'bulletproof'? Or at least, more bulletproof than a VAG 2.0 litre diesel?
Trying to decide between a 2010 BMW 318i or a 320d. I do about 10k miles per year. What would you recommend - also do they both have timing belts or chains?
We've just bought a Skoda Felicia 1.3mpi 2000 (V) for my wife. It has a genuine 30k on the clock despite its age - but does it have a cam belt that I need to change - or does it have a chain? I find different...
Related models
.jpg?width=115&height=75&rmode=crop)
Well equipped. Refined. Good ride and handling. Economical. Available as a 1.6 diesel auto, which is rare. Five-year unlimited mile warranty.
.jpg)
