Diesel suggestions to replace my cooper

[Moonshine]

I'm probably going to replace my cooper in the next month or so after 5 years and 2 MINIs.
I was pretty impressed with the PX offer for my car so far - an indi blue / white 52 plate cooper, with Chilli pack, xenons and Cruise control and without A/C, and 89,000 miles - £7,000. I was expecting less,
so now choices, choices, choices.... I'd like thoughts and suggestions re a replacement - prob diesel, as it will save me £3k over 3.5yrs in fuel alone - budget about £18k (inc.PX)

so options are -
1) my dads 3yr old BMW 320D SE (150bhp)touring, 30K miles - mint condition, leather etc for about 12K,
2)new or Pre-reg Golf TDI 140 - approx £15 - 18k
3)new golf TDI 170 - approx 19k (ok a bit over budget:))
others - BMW 120d, Audi A3 etc - what others are worth looking at (plus feel free to turf some exotica in there for about the same money if you want to!

Thanks

Gerry:)

[james f]

i like the sound of your dads bimmer tbh

[john]

I recently sold my 330d SE Touring for £10k

it was fantastic,220 bhp and very very economical

[miniminx]

It would be your dads beemer for me

[Mon the fish]

Sod the diesel. Go to autotrader, and pick up an M Coupe for similar money. So much more fun

[Scottie]

120D

don't listen to anyone who has never owned a 1 series cracking car cracking engine

[Craig]

I would go for pop's touring..

[ianking]

I agree with Fiona re the 120D. I used to have a 120D sport and now im wishing I had kept it. 50mpg all the time and super fast. Get the leather seats option though as they are much more comfier. :)

[SpongeBob]

Im with the 1 series brigade,Very nice to drive and quite nippy to.

[bigcoyote]

Check out

www.zapworld.com

very interesting cars....gas, ethenol, electric....up to 250HP