I'm more than happy with my 2010 BMW 320d Touring. Remapped for extra power. Lovely to drive.
I've heard from separate sources that the vag 1.9tdi engine is pretty bullet proof. I've got an audi with one at 172k miles, a mate has one at 340k and another mate has a Passat with the same engine at 200k and a mechanic i use has a Bora at over 200k. It's not particularly powerful at 115 or 130hp and mpg is low 50's but they seem to last forever.
(every 8000 to 10000 miles)
yeah the service interval is waaaaaaaaaay too big. 18k standard interval between services? That's daft, If i stuck to that with the mileage I do, it would be nearly two years between services.
I'll cut that into 3. 6000 miles. I do it with the disco and it was the standard on my Evo. Oil and filters doesn't cost a lot and can be done in an hour tops. There's just no excuse to not do it.
Avoid the 2.0 tdi...oil pumps fail..Audi A4 Avant (B6 model) 2001-2005
pick up a well looked after model with cruise control, big brakes, sat nav, etc for a couple grand nowadays and they return 50mpg on motorway while pulling well too
It doesn't matter which car you look at tbh, there will be a forum post full replies (very similar to this one in fact) of folk telling you horror stories about that marque.
All cars have horror stories and if you listen to them you'd never actually buy a car.
Sounds like the D2 issue, yes I've had a few problems but creeping up to 200k now and getting hammered daily
3 series estates aren't very big in the rear. There is also the issue with timing chain (rear of the engine) failure up to 2012 so would limit the budget. I have one now and it's a good car as a saloon but the Mondeo beats it with ease as an estate