Conference terri::cars_uk

    Peugeot did a diesel auto 505, but I don't know if it was available on
    the big estates.
    
    Richard
    

    From what I've read in the past, auto-box diesels are *extremely* rare.
    
    J.R.

    Citroen have a BX Auto diesel, but I'm not sure if it's available in an
    estate.
    
    Richard

    Citroen also do an auto option on the XM turbo diesel estate, and you
    can't get much bigger than that! I think What Car? tested it a few
    months ago, if I remember correctly...
    
    
    
    Cheers,
    Stephen

    The Pug 505 estate is no more. The 605 estate is due out "real soon
    now", I understand. Whether there was or will be an automatic, I can't
    tell you.
    
    Laurie.

        Just out of interest, why are diesel automatics so rare? I was
        considering one  a couple of years ago, but about the only one 
        I found then was the FX4 taxi!.
        
        As earlier replies have said, very few manufacturers allow the
        automatic option with a diesel power plant. I guess there must
        be a reason.
        
        Ian.
        

    Thanks for the swift replies.
    
    -2. Tep, the problem seems evident!
    
    -1. It's big enough, my Audi is about as roomy, the payload is generous
    too. The XM in question is however the top model of the top range and 
    just as expensive as the Merc 250 TD �nd only available new.
    
    -4. Yes, the 505 was even made as a 4wd TD but....I have come across one 
    only once, some five years back and that owner didn't want to sell.
    The estate diesel auto is every bit as rare.
    
    -3. No non-estate or full-size 4wd stands a chance to stow away my dogs 
    (worked Bullmastiffs). Close to 500 pounds of very active dog is a lot,
    I even have to keep an eye on the load capacity! Dogs + two persons +
    fuel + a few odds and ends = 1000 pounds of load without any luggage!
    Just one will occupy all of the backseat area of say a Uno.
    The BX, with the bench down, will house two IF THEY KEEP DOWN. The
    payload is only 800 pounds and there is no diesel/auto estate. I will
    however go have a look at the TD/auto hatchback anyway. So thanks for
    the suggestion.
    
    All suggestions, however far fetched, are still wellcome as I plan to
    replace the Audi in may/june. If I can do a good trade on another
    suitable vehicle I will do it, be it sooner or later.
    
    Peter

    re .6
    
    Reasons: 
    1. Diesel engines are sometimes larger so the space needed can be a problem.
    2. The torque/rev band is specific and the autotrannies available
    rarely match up as they were develloped for use on petrol engines. 
    3. Diesel is more expensive, autotran is too so a diesel/auto is far
    more expensive.
    4. It's a niche market only.
    Conclusion: too much hassle and investment for only a small number sold with
    a minimum margin. This is a big risc, small return combination so they
    back off.
    
    Peter    

    Re the base requirements, have you looked at either LandRover or
    imported Jeep-type vehicles?

    
    Dont Range Rover and/or Discovery do an italian diesel ? 
    

    If you are looking for a second hand car then Volvo have the 760 GLE TD
    wich costs around 14k for a '90 (G).
    
    It has everything as standard and has a 2.4 Litre straight six motor
    that churns out 129BHP.
    
    Fuel consumption is around 35MPG+.
    
    Grant

    I Know that Renault are bringing out the Espace Diesel for the UK
    market in Feb. Not sure about auto box tho' - that could be a problem.
    I don't know if the diesel Espace (already available in France) is
    available over there with auto option.

    Re .10
    
    Land Rovers (Defenders), Range Rover and Discovery models are not
    available as diesel autos although petrol autos are available.
    
    The manual diesel versions do have quite heavy clutches so that rules
    them out.
    
    ...and just to put the record straight the Italian VM engine was binned
    in favour of the home grown 200Tdi

    If you want a car, even if it's rare, you can usually get it.  I have a
    copy of TVT (Sept '92) on my desk, and it has:
    
    	88/E Peugeot 505GTDT 7-seater Turbo Diesel Estate, auto,
    	ming met blue, 96,000m ............................�8499
    
    ...so there's some about.  Alternatively, have you thought about
    (seriously) something like a horse-box?
    
    Richard
    
    

    Nor the Jeep/Chrysler/Dodge cars.
    
    Espace ditto.
    
    Volvo �s an option but.....they are VERY far and few between and....I'm
    not brain dead.
    
    Just visited a VW/Audi dealer.
    Answer: "Sure we have that! We offer a diesel and a turbo diesel in
    both the Golf and the Passat with automatic."
    Me: "Just pretend we've made a deal, so order one!"
    Dealer to importer: "Do you have the Passat in any diesel in any
    type/colour with an automatic? What...no? How about the Golf? No...?
    Will you get them? Why not!!!!!??? Oh...technical problems."
    Result: No Audi/VW diesels will be produced with an automatic.
    
    Opel however does make one: the Omega Caravan 2.3 turbo diesel. It'll
    cost about 26K pound over here, which I consider a lot of money for any
    Opel. But seems there is not much else...let me have a look at the Merc
    200 TD again. What?????....45K!!!!! For a base car? NOT IN 45K YEARS!
    The search continues.
    
    Peter 
    

    .13� The manual diesel versions do have quite heavy clutches so that rules
    .13� them out.
    
    	As a last resort, there are (or were) ways to add on a hydraulic
    mechanism to drive the clutch pedel on a manual car from a hand
    control. 	
    	When my grandfather lost the strength in his legs, he had his
    Austin 1300 converted to hand-controls. The accelerator and clutch were
    controlled from two levers that came out to the side of the steering
    wheel as below. The top lever triggered a hydraulic piston (fitted as
    part of the conversion) to operate the clutch while the lower lever
    just had a mechanical link to the accelerator.
    
    		   ________
    		  /        \
    		 /          \
    		|	     |	|
    		|     /\    =|=<
    		|     \/     |	|
    		\	    / 
    		 \         /
    		  -------- -

    re .13:
    I definitely want the dogs in the same space as us.
    
    re .14: 
    Please remember that the UK has about 20 times as many cars as us so the
    chances are about 5% of those in the UK.
    Could you e-mail me the details of the Peugeot? If the guy's still got
    it... As I stated I will import it myself if I cannot find one over
    here.
    
    Peter

    It was A & J French, Oxford Road, Kidlington, Oxon.
    
    Phone 0865 841184.
    
    I don't know anything about this outfit, just saw the ad...
    
    Good Luck
    
    Richard
    
    

                  
    Have/will the UK get the Ford explorer, its Fords equivalent to the 
    cherokee/nissan terrano/RR  etc.. seems its huge and has an auto shift
    on the steering column. Its due to be released in Germany next week and
    over here, (at least) they will only be delivering the top of the range
    model, leather seats Aircon etc etc.. cost is ~50k DM oe �20k
    
    
                                      

    I saw a Mercedes TD 300 auto estate in Geneva secondhand for about �25K
    the other day, but I imagine it would be a fair amount of hassle to
    import it (Switzerland has no VAT, amongst other considerations). I
    don't remember much else about the car except that my wife wanted it
    and it had a high mileage for its age (over 150,000km for a two year
    old). We passed.
    
    Piers

I think that there is an article in February's Car magazine talking
about this one. It is a joint venture between Nissan and Ford, with
the radiator grill being just about the only visible difference between
the models from each manufacturer.

Looks like Ford have been hit badly be the Vauxhall Frontera!

mb

    re .21  Yes, the joint venture Explorer is a "mini". About the size of 
    the Chevy S10 and the frontera. 
    There is, as yet, no talk of a Diesel.
    
    All US manufacturers have  Full size truck/4x4 models with a HUGE, say
    6 litres, diesel engine and auto. These are however NOT imported into
    Europe. Only one, the Chevy pickup is. Not being imported before means
    no type approval which means a private person can't afford to bring one
    in. I tried this option already.
    
    Am currently chasing the auto-clutch option. Seems there is a gear
    lever operated servo clutch available somewhere. If this is a practicle
    dirveble option this would make all diesels available to me. The Dodge
    Mini Ramvan with the VM diesel would be ideal! The cost of the conversion 
    will be covered by my insurance so...
    
    Peter

    Result:
    1. Diesel/automatic = too rare/expensive
    2. Auto clutch not practical enough
    
    Conclusion:
    Choose LPG which makes all Petrol/automatic estates a possibility.
    
    Thanks for all the inputs.
    
    Peter