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Post by Roadrunner on Jul 24, 2020 22:01:59 GMT
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Post by Andy C on Jul 24, 2020 23:57:05 GMT
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Post by Roadrunner on Jul 25, 2020 0:02:27 GMT
Two nice suggestions, thanks, but we are going to need more room than a 3 Series will offer and the 535 is missing the essential sunroof and HK sound. |
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Post by Martin on Jul 25, 2020 6:47:18 GMT
Andy has got it right and I had similar requirements a few years back so have done the work for you!
A 535d Estate with the right spec is a great car, more comfortable, better to drive and has a more solid/quality feel than an E class of that era. Pretty quick too. I’d also look for a 535i, but won’t be as easy to fine one.
Having said all that, the XF would suit you pretty well and wasn’t that far off the 535d when I had a test drive. It’s not quite as quick as you’d expect and you’d also think it would ride better than the 5, but it doesn’t and it felt a bit dated in comparison but that’s not going to bother a vintage car lover too much!
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Post by Andy C on Jul 25, 2020 8:03:33 GMT
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Post by bryan on Jul 25, 2020 9:28:57 GMT
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Post by Roadrunner on Jul 25, 2020 10:08:04 GMT
That is lovely, but definitely out of budget. Also, although we live in a low crime area, everybody around here with an S or RS Audi has a lockable bollard behind it on the drive and some have CCTV on the house. I really can't be doing with a car which attracts that sort of attention. |
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Post by Alex on Jul 25, 2020 14:01:26 GMT
I think that the first Merc and the XF you identify are fine choices and would suit you well, perhaps the Merc more so. The Jag would have the appeal of being something different. Whether the running costs or reliability are better in one than the other I do not know and you'll just have to do your research.
From an SUV point of view have you looked at the Lexus RX450h? Not overly sporty but most have all the luxuries you're after and running costs and reliability should be competitive.
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Post by Martin on Jul 25, 2020 14:43:50 GMT
I've spent quite a few miles as a passenger in that generation of E Class as my old Boss had several over about 18 months (short term hires as the company car policy was suspended) and it felt dated back then plus it wasn't particularly comfortable, the seats really let it down as they are flat/hard and have a very short backrest. The XF will be much nicer to spend time in.
An estate is going to be much better than any SUV within budget.
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Post by Roadrunner on Jul 25, 2020 14:56:39 GMT
The XF has been sold already, not to me. Having given it more thought, my commute will be over 30 miles each way, so maybe something closer to the 60 MPG of a 520d or A6 TDI will make more sense. A guilty pleasure of mine is the Volvo V90, so one of those with the Bowers & Wilkins sound system might make it onto the list.
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Post by Martin on Jul 25, 2020 17:29:35 GMT
The XF has been sold already, not to me. Having given it more thought, my commute will be over 30 miles each way, so maybe something closer to the 60 MPG of a 520d or A6 TDI will make more sense. A guilty pleasure of mine is the Volvo V90, so one of those with the Bowers & Wilkins sound system might make it onto the list. That’s not a big mileage, the purchase price and residuals are much more important, as the saving between 520d-530/535d won’t be huge. (£25-£30 a month?). That’s based on a 520d achieving more like 50mpg on a 30 mile commute and a 535d 40mpg, as you wouldn’t get quite the same mpg as you’re used to with the A4. Won’t a well specced V90 be well into the £20’s(k)? It will be newer than the other options though. What have you been and looked at / driven today? |
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Post by Roadrunner on Jul 25, 2020 19:43:43 GMT
Not been to see anything today, just online so far. I have found a V90 Inscription with almost every conceivable optional extra for £18,500.
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Post by ChrisM on Jul 25, 2020 20:51:19 GMT
Not been to see anything today, just online so far. I have found a V90 Inscription with almost every conceivable optional extra for £18,500. That sounds like an absolute bargain, presuming it doesn't have inter-galactic mileage |
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Post by Roadrunner on Jul 25, 2020 20:56:22 GMT
Not been to see anything today, just online so far. I have found a V90 Inscription with almost every conceivable optional extra for £18,500. That sounds like an absolute bargain, presuming it doesn't have inter-galactic mileage A 2016 car with about 38,000 on the clock. |
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Post by Martin on Jul 25, 2020 21:49:35 GMT
That sounds like an absolute bargain, presuming it doesn't have inter-galactic mileage A 2016 car with about 38,000 on the clock. I can’t remember the detail, but do you think there’s a risk the V90 could end up being another Superb and you’d be happier with an E350? Doesn’t need to be an E class of course, but IIRC the appeal of the Superb waned over time and the E class felt like quite a bit of a step up? |
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Post by Alex on Jul 26, 2020 10:23:07 GMT
The latest Superb is a much nicer car than the last and could be worth a look but to get all the luxuries you want you're looking at £30k+
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Post by Roadrunner on Jul 26, 2020 11:47:54 GMT
A 2016 car with about 38,000 on the clock. I can’t remember the detail, but do you think there’s a risk the V90 could end up being another Superb and you’d be happier with an E350? Doesn’t need to be an E class of course, but IIRC the appeal of the Superb waned over time and the E class felt like quite a bit of a step up? The Superb was fine for what it was, which was a good value company car, but it lacked the finesse of the quality brands and is not something on which I would spend my own money, unless value were the main driver. By all accounts the V90 is a quality piece of kit, with a very nice interior. Not last word in driving dynamics, but more than good enough in that department for what I want. I am looking more for a refined miles-eater than a B-road blast car. That job can be done to a certain extent in the MINI and also in the possible new vintage/classic option which may appear... |
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Post by PG on Jul 26, 2020 12:59:16 GMT
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Post by Roadrunner on Jul 27, 2020 11:24:43 GMT
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Post by racingteatray on Jul 27, 2020 11:26:32 GMT
Oh definitely.
I like the CLS wagon a lot. Just never needed one.
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Post by Martin on Jul 27, 2020 11:57:57 GMT
I had a soft spot for the facelifted CLS, but agree the estate is marmite. Looks even more like a hearse in black, but a grey one with those wheels can look quite smart.
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Post by Roadrunner on Jul 27, 2020 22:12:55 GMT
It even has Airmatic suspension and proper walnut wood...  Phone call to be made in the morning... |
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Post by Martin on Jul 28, 2020 6:27:46 GMT
That’s a good spec, voodoo cruise and premium plus plus surround cameras, which were an option as PP included reversing camera.
If it’s available will you just go for it or are you planning to drive some other options?
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Post by Roadrunner on Jul 28, 2020 7:00:49 GMT
That’s a good spec, voodoo cruise and premium plus plus surround cameras, which were an option as PP included reversing camera. If it’s available will you just go for it or are you planning to drive some other options? I shall speak to them this morning to check out a few points and then make a decision. |
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Post by Martin on Jul 28, 2020 7:23:41 GMT
OK. Only asking as I’ve never bought the car I thought I would when I’ve made a shortlist.
If your budget starts with a 2, then aren’t you into the newer shape? Appreciate it would be a 220 rather than 320, but I’ve been in a few and the engine is pretty quiet. My BIL has just bought an 18 month old E400 CDI Premium Plus saloon for his funeral business (and occasional family duties as he’s got a 435d coupe) and he got that for just under £30k so it must be possible?
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Post by racingteatray on Jul 28, 2020 7:33:43 GMT
There can't be many red E-Class estates.
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Post by racingteatray on Jul 28, 2020 7:38:32 GMT
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Post by Bob Sacamano v2.0 on Jul 28, 2020 8:32:11 GMT
Isn’t the Airmatic suspension notoriously unreliable?
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Post by ChrisM on Jul 28, 2020 8:37:39 GMT
There can't be many red E-Class estates. Even fewer with plates starting with "BF" (Stoke IIRC) I'd get a non-dating plate thrown in as part of the deal if at all possible - if you go ahead (and maybe a blue flashing light bar on the roof....) |
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Post by Roadrunner on Jul 28, 2020 8:43:18 GMT
I have looked at all those and others, but favour the red one, not least because of the exterior and interior colour and the very high spec - this car has everything, including the super-rare Airmatic suspension which I really like. They all have air suspension at the back, so that reliability issue is there on all of them. If that exists, then you might as well go air on the front as well and do the job properly. I want to keep the mileage as low as possible, so anything with the mileage of the new shape model is not an option. By rights the budget absolutely does not start with a '2', but it has crept up for this one since it is pretty much exactly what I would have specified had I walked into a Mercedes showroom in 2015. Refundable deposit paid and going to drive it tomorrow. |
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