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.

Tags: belts and chains buying high mileage used cars

Similar questions

Bulletproof invest

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 petrol and diesel bmw estate i do about 10k miles per year

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?

Does it have a belt or a chain?

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