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

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