Lude Generation

Hey, so my missis is going self employed. As a gift to get her started I am going to buy her a diesel estate to run up and down the motorway. Your opinions are requested as to which one and why.

Must be:
diesel
estate
no older than 2006/7
2.0l give or take (no 1.6 strugglers and no 2.5 munchers)

budget of around 3k. (£3,300 max)

so far the list is as follows:

Top tier
VW passat 2.0
honda accord 2.2
Toyota avensis 2.0
Skoda octavia 2.0(though it ugly)

Second tier
Audi a4 2.0
BMW 3series touring 2.0

No french, american, ford or vauxhell please....

What say you worthy car enthusiasts? Have I missed an obvious choice? Anyone have experience owning any of these? Id like the beemer but the servicing costs will be higher and I wonder if that should come later when she's making money.

I need reliability and economy.

Any thoughts much appreciated.

Personally I'd favour the Accord Tourer.
I've driven several versions, (Dad had a thing for the Tourers), and the iDTEC engine was more than capable and a comfortable cruiser, can't recall the sort MPG figures we got.
Always enjoyed a long drive in the Tourer, looks wise it's divisive, but, not many on the road so quite distinctive, imo.

yeah iv seen a couple on the road and its not to bad a looking old hekter. Prices seem to be good for just over 100k and 2007/8. Any obvious issues you are aware of?

I know the passat needs adblue but does this?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201712242269029?atmobcid=soc3

Quick search on AutoTrader..
I'll get back to re issues, see what the old man remembers

im driving an Accord estate sind 6 months and really enjoy it on the motorway

Car drives so smooth and was never over 6.5 Liter (45 mpg) per 100 km even when im driving over 160-180 kmh on a longer trip

Passat will only need adblue if it's the euro 6 engine that came into effect at the end of 2014 in vag cars.

I have adblue in my van and it's so far been 100% unreliable throwing error codes every month. Luckily it doesn't effect the way the van drives so many ignore.

yeah seems a bit of trouble attached to this adblue sometimes. not least having to buy it.

I like the accord and its a honda. thats always a bonus

Comments from my Dad, Ray:

It was called the accord tourer. The last one I had would reach 50 mpg quite readily on the long runs I did. The diesel engine was the same as the older CRV I had and it didn't have a particulate filter. The next model, however was the later engine fitted to the CRV. It's a much better engine with a particulate filter but not the latest diesel technology. I've no doubt it's mpg would be an improvement on the 2006 model that I finished up with. It'd be a very spacious car and the electric tailgate useful.

Didn't have any issues with it, just servicing costs but it's mileage was only around 40k when I parted with it. I did like the dash on the last of the line Tourer, but motoring commentators called it too fussy - but I liked buttons and fussy in my cabin. Because of the diesel technology, I'd steer clear of the earlier models like mine. They'll be scrappage diesels soon enough.

ran the 2.2 CDTI engine in a Civic and the thing was impressive on the MPG and decent motor. Had common issues with the fan sensor at the bottom of the radiator and the master cylinder. These I believe are common issues.
However not sure if these are the same parts in the Accord.
The new Passat's do they still have the suspension with umpteen arms think that was a bit of an issue when maintaining this on the older models but cant remember if the newer models have the multi arm suspension. Think these are the PD130 engines pretty reliable. Oil cooler can be a bit of a pussie.
Those would be my two choices though the Accord then the Passat.

cheers norks, very useful info there. Thank your dad for me.

sol-lude yeah its looking like its between those two at the moment. either or really. im gonna take a closer look at the toyota as the build on my surf is every bit as good as a honda but im not sure i like its looks as much.