from a fellow sparky, we have had a 2000 v6 and now have a '04 td4 manual the v6 was an es spec (leather, heated seats, all electric etc) the td4 is an hse all the bits of the es plus heated screen and sat nav. Got to say around town there is not a lot in them performance wise unless you really want to gun it, the v6 doesnt really get going till 3500 rpm + whereas the diesel is all bottem end and mid range. v6 will absolutly smoke a td4 on a fast a road or motorway but driven this way fuel consumption is dramatic. like you we were not really bothered about economy but now we rarely fill up and that makes you smile. Both can be money pits if you are unlucky but touch wood ours have been pretty good, one thing often overlooked when looking ALWAYS check the sunroof works fully and smoothly as well as all the usual stuff its a bugger to fix ! good luck and post your results cheers sd