I don't know what diesel to buy?
Not this one unless there is a cheap, easy maintenance fix (like a chain kit for starters):

 

If its the 1.8 in a transit connect then yes there is a conversion kit. The others no as there's not enough space for the chain.

20 hours ago, Shearers said:

I don't know what diesel to buy?

BMW👍

22 minutes ago, DaveT70 said:

BMW👍

But not one with the dodgy chains.  

 

I'd also be interested to know which modern diesels (or petrols) offer the best reliability though.  Obviously wetbelts are out.  But there have also been plenty of issues with chains on various models as well.

As some of you will have seen, I replaced a chain driven 1.0 Focus (wet oilpump belt) with a dry belt driven Golf, as I knew it would be sitting unused for long periods of time.  But then found out the newer Golf also uses a wet oilpump belt, so is potentially no safer than the Focus!   Having asked a couple of VW guys though, they say they've never seen these belts break, and they don't get replaced as part of any service at the dealership.  That should give me some reassurance, but it doesn't because I can't see how VAG could make a wetbelt any differently to Ford or PSA/Stellantis. 🤔

If I did start driving again (and that is a big if at the moment), it would be all short journeys, so I would need a car that can handle that.  Of course, EV is the ideal for my circumstances, but not viable unless I can move somewhere with charging access.  So would need to stick to ICE for now, and honestly have no idea which engine I would choose.

N47/57 has been out of production since 2014, they're very reliable now and great on fuel

1 hour ago, TomsFocus said:

But not one with the dodgy chains.  

 

I'd also be interested to know which modern diesels (or petrols) offer the best reliability though.  Obviously wetbelts are out.  But there have also been plenty of issues with chains on various models as well.

As some of you will have seen, I replaced a chain driven 1.0 Focus (wet oilpump belt) with a dry belt driven Golf, as I knew it would be sitting unused for long periods of time.  But then found out the newer Golf also uses a wet oilpump belt, so is potentially no safer than the Focus!   Having asked a couple of VW guys though, they say they've never seen these belts break, and they don't get replaced as part of any service at the dealership.  That should give me some reassurance, but it doesn't because I can't see how VAG could make a wetbelt any differently to Ford or PSA/Stellantis. 🤔

If I did start driving again (and that is a big if at the moment), it would be all short journeys, so I would need a car that can handle that.  Of course, EV is the ideal for my circumstances, but not viable unless I can move somewhere with charging access.  So would need to stick to ICE for now, and honestly have no idea which engine I would choose.

Based on your bit about not knowing how vw could make the belts any diffrent that l would imagine might come down to the material used ford / stallantis might use cheaper stuff where as vw look like they'll trial n error stuff ( ie my parnter has had 2 vw new beetles 1 a Y reg 2.0 1 a 06 plate 1.6 the 06 reached about 1k miles n being newer l was surprised to find you can't buy new bits they stopped the production of it so that went to scrap 🤯 but yet her Y reg what was on 130k at the time we thought the clutch had finally gone you can still get parts for the engine also the clutch was fine n original only about half used ) plus when you look at it ford collabed with vw then tried carrying on with there tech only for it not to work as well so it could just be down to material n not being tight gits on vws side of it 🤷‍♂️