X-Type or V40

[tinweevil]

I need a new car, an HGV driver put me backwards into the central reservation on Monday. The replacement will probably be a diesel estate, the choices are I think an x-type or a V40. Both claim 60 ish MPG on the motorway from the oil burners which is a good improvment on my dead V70 with LPG that gave the cost equivalent of 40 (25 ish actual). The V70 appears from the torn metalwork to be aluminium which explains why you never see a rusty one, are the 40 or the X steel? Do they come with a dual-mass wallet destroyer at around 2003 vintage? I'll be spending around 2k, does that money guarantee trouble or are there good value cars to be had at that money? Any engine choices worth avoiding or any other comfortably specced caverns on wheels I should consider?

[SprintMWU773V]

The V40 is OK but the Jag is a nicer place to be. Both are made of steel, the Jag's can rust but some are better than others. The Volvo is Focus based if you're talking about the more recent one, the older one 1996-2004 is half Mitsubishi and in other parts Renault, assembled in Holland. The later car is far superior. Smart money is on a petrol X-Type. Friend just bought a 2.5 estate for a grand and it's exceptionally good. The diesel is cheaper to fuel of course but will probably give more trouble at your budget level.

Both will have DMF's almost certainly. Don't know why people worry about them so much. Treat it with some respect and it'll last the life of the clutch easily. It makes the drive a million times better. Some people swap out to a solid flywheel but you're then left with a car that rattles like a Trannie van. Frankly if you're spending £2k on a car and the clutch alone goes, the car is scrap on a modern as it's so time consuming to change.

Alternatively why not buy another V70 with a diesel engine or some kind of VAG product?

[NickMorgan]

If you get a lot of snow, then I wouldn't recommend the V40. They seem to have no traction at all in snow, or off-road. I hadn't realised they were based on the Focus, but I had terrible trouble with that off-road, too. That explains a lot. I only know to people who had V40s. Both of them had electrical problems. One messed up the whole heating/air con system and the other caused the car to cut out randomly on motorways!!

[tinweevil]

I'd be looking at the earlier Mitsu/Renault age car so that's good. I wouldn't have a 4arseholes and my previous exprience of VW was not at all harmonious so I'm unlikely to go there again. Vauxhalls are out until the post-Insignia generation build and interior quality filters down to my price range. Mercs are out for much the same reason I don't fuel the BBQ with wads of £50 notes. 1 series beemer is desirable but outside my price range for a few years yet.

I'm only nervous of DMFs because of what it's cost folk I know to get their clutches changed, eg almost a grand on a vauxhall family bus of some kind. Happy to be proven wrong though.

I did quite like the V70. It's worst points were only getting 240 ish miles per tank (only 45ltr usable), all be it very cheap, and some minor electrical gremlins. A diesel one should get 45 ish to the gallon or a manual petrol should do better than my auto did and converted to LPG it should have a bigger tank than the factory fit teacup. Neither would get close to the V40 or X though.

An Octavia is another option, I need to sit in one really. The mileage is there and there's a main stealer close by. I couldn't live with a fabia, just too damn ugly.

[SprintMWU773V]

I like the Octavia but you have to be aware that if you pull up outside the railway station then someone will get in assuming you're a taxi.

[sprint95m]

an HGV driver put me backwards into the central reservation on Monday.

Hope you are okay Julian.







Ian.

[Jon Tilson]

The Scoctavia is a VAG, so just like the 4 holes variety only cheaper. The cheapness is on the interior slightly and maybe you dont get alloys on the pov spec ones.

Both the mk4 Golf based and PQ35 (mk5) versions are good. Most will have the 1.9 PD engine. I've got 140 k miles up on the one in mine (mk5 Golf). All I've done is change a starter and a cam belt kit at 80k bar the usual oil change. It returns usually over 50 mpg on mixed commutes and outer London stuff.

I would say buy one without hesitation, with the caveat that bro in laws earlier one did loose the turbo oil seals expensively going over the lecht....but he had it fixed for sensible-ish money.

Older Passats will also come into the frame, as will Seats of various sorts.

Daughter had a PD engine mk1 fabia, which was a brilliant car, but no great looker I agree.

X types are cheap for a reason. Look at the road tax cost of a petrol one and walk away quickly.....
You wont get a decent diesel for your money yet sadly, or I would be in one too.

Jonners

[mbellinger]

The Jaguar X Type is a horrendous vehicle with absolutely no redeeming qualities whatsoever.

Frankly you would be better piling your £2K in the garden, dousing it in petrol, and setting light to it.

The X type platform came from the Mark 3 Mondeo, yet managed to be inferior in every respect of its road manners. You name it - handling, ride quality, performance, economy, steering feel, NVH, high speed stability - I could go on and on. The X Type also managed to offer about two thirds of the interior and boot volume as well. To put a tin hat on it, X types have proven unreliable in service, and the narrow engine bay prohibited the use of the auto or six speed manual 'boxes that were available on the Mondeo.

I don't know why you don't look at a Mondeo estate - it is a miles better car, is much more practical, is better to drive in every aspect of its behaviour (as it is than a Passat, Octavia, Toledo, et al) and there is simply loads of choice - especially at your price point. If you don't like the one you are looking at, simply move on....

The Volvo is a mixed bag. They have actually proven pretty reliable in service, though they are a bit stodgy to drive. They also lack seat adjustment, and this proves uncomfortable for some longer legged folk. The biggest drawback is that, unusually for a Volvo, they aren't very practical. The boot is small and its access opening poorly designed. Interior accommodation is all a bit cramped. There have been some issues with dash electronics too, and you need to watch wheel bearings and rear suspension bushes.

The unsung hero in this class is the big Cit C5 estate. The suspension is superb and reliable in service (though everything else will slowly pack up over time), they are swift, comfortable and practical. They also don't seem to rust much. Go for the bottom of the range LX or SX trims and avoid the versions with masses of toys, as these are a source of grief.

But, whatever you do, please don't touch an X Type.......

[tinweevil]

Don't hold back Martin! The only point I cannot see is on economy, the diesel manuals have some of the best figures of the candidates. Jonners is half right about them being expensive, autos are but manuals are not. I guess I should be suspicious of that. Handling I'm really not fussed on, I rarely throw my daily about. I'm interested in longevity with minimal visits to the garage and fuel economy. I did 20k miles last year despite having hire cars for around 13 weeks.

I'm not ruling out a Mondeo, this is why I asked for opinions. I used to be dead against the blue oval but I've had dozens of hire cars in recent years and the Focuses have been consistently the best. Utterly dire rear visibility and the diesels that give stunning mpg are years off my price range. Still, Ford is off my personal s##t list.

The VW I had was a great car apart from the alternator which was unique to the model, eye wateringly expensive and lasted 20k kilometres each. It was every interaction I had with the stealerships that really put me off, I visited 4 or 5 around the country as I moved about for work and every one was rude, unhelpful, slow and in about 50% of cases tried to blame me when the wrong part came in. Still, it's much easier to get parts online now so my arm might be twisted into a VW.

[tinweevil]

Don't hold back Martin! The only point I cannot see is on economy, the diesel manuals have some of the best figures of the candidates. Jonners is half right about them being expensive, autos are but manuals are not. I guess I should be suspicious of that. Handling I'm really not fussed on, I rarely throw my daily about. I'm interested in longevity with minimal visits to the garage and fuel economy. I did 20k miles last year despite having hire cars for around 13 weeks.

I'm not ruling out a Mondeo, this is why I asked for opinions. I used to be dead against the blue oval but I've had dozens of hire cars in recent years and the Focuses have been consistently the best. Utterly dire rear visibility and the diesels that give stunning mpg are years off my price range. Still, Ford is off my personal s##t list.

The VW I had was a great car apart from the alternator which was unique to the model, eye wateringly expensive and lasted 20k kilometres each. It was every interaction I had with the stealerships that really put me off, I visited 4 or 5 around the country as I moved about for work and every one was rude, unhelpful, slow and in about 50% of cases tried to blame me when the wrong part came in. Still, it's much easier to get parts online now so my arm might be twisted into a VW.

[edited to add]
Just worked it out, it needs to be over 60 mpg extra urban quoted on Autotrader to get the economy I need (diesel) or over 45, cheap and a good LPG conversion candidate for petrol.

[Jon Tilson]

While Mr B is right about the Mondeo and Jaguar's common DNA I really cant agree with him about the road manners.

Both are equally on the money. The X type's 4 wd makes it an interesting steer on the twiddly bits. and for an enthusiast pre classic
buy a 3.0V6 with a manual box would be very interesting bar the sub 30 mpg economy and high road tax.. That being the case I would
park my 2k in an X300 and have a proper cat and not just a Mondie with whiskers. The autos in the X type I really dont like. Some fuzzie logic
seems to go on so they cant decide quite which of any of 3 gears they should be in, so swap about between them for fun without much input from the driver. The J gates ix X300's only have 4 to choose form, and always get it right. You don't get the creamy V6 in a mondeo either.

However while the Mondie is in many ways a good choice it still has the DMF and the potential TDCi woes that Jod and co bang on about. I think I'd
stick my money behind a VAG PD than the blue oval.

I would also consider a Vectra estate too. And an Omega (late diesel one) has to be on the list surely too....I'd rather swap alternators on the big O though.

E39 520d maybe?

I dont think the latest shape focus based V40 is cheap enough yet, but is pretty inside if not that spacious. An Octavia would never give you that issue, even the hatch is pretty enormous for a Golf class car.

What about a diesel early S60 Volvo too?
Fun spending someone esle's money

Jonners

[tinweevil]

Keep it coming though I shall be going quiet for 5 days.

What are the French options like? A friend has had 2 Pug D's and though neither has been trouble free both have in the end been excellent value. Then I see this which seems one hell of a lot of car for the money.

[Autonet7]

Christ, don't touch a Gooner. I had one at 5 years old and it spent 3 of my 6 month ownership back at the dealer rectifying electrical faults. The alarm, ignition card reader (common fault apparently), rear subframe bushes, tailgate lock problems. There was other stuff but can't remember it all now. Steer well clear. Brother in law has one as well and has had gearbox and clutch problems.

I had a V40. 2003/53. Had to have a new DMF but apart from that I loved it. Regularly got 50 mpg from here to Tonbridge and back every day. Would have another tomorrow.

Have also had 2003 525 touring recently. A hell of lot of car for the money. Nice motorway cruiser. Not too many toys to go wrong and bullet proof mechanicals

[Howard81]

I'm going to out on a limb here and say go for the X-Type!

I always thought the X-Type saloon to be ugly, the back is all out of proportion making it look like a dead fish. The estate version is vastly better looking and brings the cars proportions back to reality.

Back in 2006 my parents wanted to buy an estate car but something different from the obvious Passat and Volvo that dominate the sector. So they purchased one in August 2006 (2007 facelift model year) in Glacier Blue, SE trim and the 2.2-litre Diesel engine. I always found it a perfect car to do a long journey in. We kept the car until 2013 when it went as a PX.

The Mondeo ride quality issue has always confused me as I've driven several Mondeos and always found them to be vague and most uninspiring.

I did drive an X-Type with the 2.0 engine once, the power on acceleration is noticeably lacking in comparison with what you get in the 2.2. The 2.0 was bandied around as being the economy engine, but in reality there's not a great deal of distance between them. The 2.0 had a 5-speed manual whereas the 2.2 came with a 6-speed.

Now it's no secret that I detest driving modern cars, but my parents Jaguar was a lovely car to sit in as a passenger and also to drive. The ride quality was incredibly smooth.

I will actually admit that should I have to get a modern car, this would be at the top of my list!

[Neil907]

I had a v70r which I scrapped when the dual mass flywheel started to fail, have to say the interior was very fragile but load space impressive, I replaced it with a 5 series diesel, they are terrible on fuel, poor load space compared to the Volvo despite being a bigger car. My dad has a Mondeo estate, seems to be a pretty good car but it did strand him in the middle of Spain recently when the dual mass flywheel fell apart