What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks

Perturboed

I currently possess a BMW320D auto purchased from new in 2002, now has 86,000 miles and turbo replaced at 73,000. I am concerned other expensive repairs may be needed in future (e.g. autobox, common rail fuel) and am therefore considering replacement. My wife has found the suspension hard and painful on rough roads. We are recently retired and are looking for a replacement in the next 6 months, to keep for a similar time and require reliability. We have in mind a SUV at the comfortable end of specification for more suspension movement and space for dog & bicycle, but I am concerned about the reliability of diesel common rail, and auto boxes. The Honda CRV only has a petrol auto, and Rav4 has CVT petrol and traditional auto with diesel. The Outlander and Qashqai seem far more real 4x4 but with higher fuel consumption and therefore rejected for moment. With the government considering killing off FM radio I would like a DAB radio but only seem available on European SUV which are more expensive at a high spec (Tiguan) Any ideas?

Asked on 26 September 2009 by

Answered by Honest John
The CR-V on 16" or 17" wheels is the most comfortable, but no diesel auto yet. (There might be soon, using the Accord diesel autobox.) The Qashqai diesel auto can do 40+ mpg (it did when we were driving it), but make sure you order it on 15" or 16" wheels as the ride deteriorates badly on 17" and 18”. The RAV-4 petrol CVT is lower CO2 and more economical than the RAV-4 diesel with torque converter auto, so it’s better as long as you don't need to tow. DAB radios are often optional these days, but you can buy a DAB converter for £70 from www.pure.com
Dear Honest John,

Please help me choose my next car. I would like it to have:
    Select a few terms below
Similar questions
I have a Freelander TD4 HSE on a 55 registration and have been very pleased with it. Months ago I had an accident indoors, and as a result of this had my foot and ankle in a cast for six weeks. I have...
I am shortly going to be looking to buy a used estate, 4x4 or people carrier for circa £15,000-£20,000. We have one child, which will soon probably be two, and a dog. I will be doing circa 15,000 miles...
Can you please point me in the right direction? Looking to buy a 2-3 year old MPV, Crossover or 4x4. Preferably automatic and preferably disesel (chain drive?), but petrol considered. Reliability is important...
 

Value my car

Save £75 on Warranty using code HJ75

with MotorEasy

Get a warranty quote

Save 12% on GAP Insurance

Use HJ21 to save on an ALA policy

See offer