2009 D3 3.0 SE wanted
 

Hi all,
Following the courteous actions of a drunk driver I am anticipating that I will be left seeking a replacement car in the very near future.

I know that you folks know of all of the better examples around and about and like to keep an eye on the classifieds.

Budget will be around £6k. I have loved owning mine so anticipate seeking a like for like replacement.

I believe that mine being an 09 will be just before a change over year to the d4? Are there greater gains to moving up to the newer model in peoples experiences?

Appreciate any thoughts and insights ++++++

2010 was changeover year and so 2009 was some of the last D3s. They do have 3GMMI and so a little more desirable, if you can find one. Haven't driven so cannot comment but I don't think you will find one in your budget

In terms of D4, the cheapest one listed on Autotrader is £8,000. As for the D3, there are four on Autotrader for under £6,000. From the pictures, all appear to be bog standard models with no options. There is one listed at £5,995 which the ridiculous comment of 'over £30000 of optional extras', yet it has nothing. Looks like someone either changed the carpets or dyed them and is calling them 'exclusive'.

When you say 3.0 and do not mention TDI, I assume you are after petrol which are very rare so could be for a long wait for one to come up for sale

Ah good point, could be better off looking for hen's teeth!

isn't the 3.0 petrol a non quattro ?

Sorry folks, it was the tdi I owned.

This is going to be a difficult car to replace. We have yet to move to an insurance valuation but I paid £4500 for it 2 years ago and am struggling to see anything like for like (age, mileage, condition) under 5k. And i am trawling every typical avenue.

Mine was / is LWB and in a gorgeous grey / bronze in sunlight.

Most available seem to be black, few LWB and few 09 plate cars.

So, to help broaden the search - I am going to look at a local 08 in black (not LWB) and just get an eyes on feel of it. BUT -

What are the other diesel engines like? Will the 4.2 be considerably better than a mapped 3.0 or do they just risk higher running costs / reliability issues?

Which are the more desirable / harder to find options? eg sunroof, B&O

What should be standard spec eg rear camera etc?

Thanks for any pointers here folks ++++++

The 4.2TDI is a great engine, better than the 4.0TDI it replaced. Sport spec will have more options than a SE model. Here is a link to the brochure so you can see what was standard

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7097

come along to AITP this sunday you never know someone might have one for sale..
the 4.2 tdi is incredible but £600 yearly road tax (£1000 is in the pipe 5x5)

Im intrigued now... Incredible in standard tune or having potential with a map??
Does the 4.2 have known issues / failings to be aware of?
A mapped 3.0 is more than a happy compromise of places to be but am aware that the market is a little dry and limited at the moment so happy to keep options open,

Appreciate the input fellas ++++++