Advice needed - Estates

[Smarty]

Hello all,
Just joined as feel you are the best people to speak to as I would like to own a second hand Mercedes estate.
I have not long turned 50 and feel I have earned the joy of driving a comfortable quality car.
We own 5 dogs, two of them are Newfoundlands, if you know what they are they are 15 stone of big hairy bears... so an estate is a must.
My initial reaction is a diesel, I only do around 7-8000 miles a year and intend to keep my little 1.25 fiesta to run to work and back.
What I would like to know is... which are the best for economy, high milage, robust and age-less.
I have been looking (sometimes drooling) at some estates being sold, then seeing 3.2 or 4.2 petrol or 3.0 diesel, but what economy etc do these return? As I said I dont expect to do many miles but one trip may be from the Midlands to Cornwall. I am (dreaming) of an E class estate as I have been told the E class has more room, is this true?
...sorry here I go, new to the board and using all the ink up... I will go now..

Smarty

 

[timskemp]

Well, as the song goes, E's are good! What kind of budget, and what kind of age car are you looking for? 7-8000 miles at 28mpg in an E500 isn't a big cost difference to 40mpg in an E220CDI - I'm assuming you'll be a gentle driver with the dogs in the back!

 

[PXW]

Welcome! I suspect you will get loads of advice on this, and hopefully some of it will even be useful

It would be helpful to have an indication of your budget, so we know which category of estate you are looking for - eg 211 series (the one just outgoing now), 210 series (the one before that), 124 sereis (just in case you thought you might be following the numbering sequence!).

By way of example, I run a 2005 E class 280CDi estate, which is a 3 litre turbodiesel. Very strong performance, though without quite the edge of the 320, which for 2005 onwards is essentially the same engine but in a higher state of tune. I get 30-35mpg in normal mixed driving, and up to 44mpg on a careful run. Stop-start around town it might fall to 28-ish. Current retail is prob around £15-16k.

 

[BTB 500]

Hi & welcome. You will need a very big boot to comfortably transport 5 dogs (particularly if 2 of them are Newfies) - what vehicle do you use now (presumably not the Fiesta )?

Be aware that the E Class had rust issues up to 2004 or so.

Pick of the bunch engine-wise is going to be a 320 CDI, but they do command a price premium. With low annual mileage a big petrol could make more sense.

We have 6 Collies and use a Vito Dualiner with two-level caging in the back.

 

[Smarty]

Wow thanks for the replies so quick... I should has said as this is a second car.. I was hoping to get something under £3000... not much but as time goes on will add to the kitty...
I had a Transit Mk 6 with cages in the back (for when we did watework and showing) but sold that with the view to getting another van but decided as we tend to take out the dogs in pairs and estate will do...
I just wanted an estate with an edge of luxury, not just end up with a volvo or Mondeo.

Smarty

 

[andy_k]

I just wanted an estate with an edge of luxury, not just end up with a volvo or Mondeo.

Smarty

£3k buys you a lot of Mondeo

 

[hawk20]

£3k buys you a lot of Mondeo

And not much Mercedes, sadly.

 

[wemorgan]

£3k would buy an early W210 E-class. Though at this price the condition of the body work is unlikely to be very good, with rust a particular issue.

Some other suggestions of estates would be:
Saab 95
Rover 75 (MG ZT)
Audi A6

 

[trapperjohn]

Hi and welcome. Have a look at some W124 300D Estates. Go for an "M" or "N" Reg with a 24v engine. With the seats down in the rear you should get quite a few of your pack in there. They have self leveling suspension (the car not the dogs) so a couple of Newfoundlands in there is easy peasy lemon squeezy. 2k will find you a cracker of a car. OK they are not an "E Class" as we use the term now but they aint half bad. Good luck. Lots of dog lovers on here so welcome again.

 

[Seamster15]

You would be surprised how much build quality the Mondeo now has. To put you're budget into perspective, I sold a very clean 54 plate petrol Mondeo estate with 136k for under £2500 last week. No rust, full history, one owner lease car.

Only one problem with it, it had the wrong badge...... But for a second car it makes you think.

 

[renault12ts]

£3000, is more than enough to bag a W210 300td or w124 300d. Both will fit the bill nicely.

 

[219]

Although not an estate , look at a LWB G Wagen . You do have to look for rust issues , but there are good ones out there and within your budget ( and more of them well beyond it ) .

The ones listed by this dealer are a little more , but you could pick one up in a private sale

Dealer Stock Search

 

[jonnyboy]

Although not an estate , look at a LWB G Wagen . You do have to look for rust issues , but there are good ones out there and within your budget ( and more of them well beyond it ) .

The ones listed by this dealer are a little more , but you could pick one up in a private sale

Dealer Stock Search

I agree with the sentiment, i'm not convinced an estate is roomy or rugged enough.

Having owned 3 x G Wagens (460 model code - the early one) I would advise caution as to the driving experience as an "everyday car" . The 460 G Wagen (which at £3k is all you would get in reasonable condition). drives, and is inside, somewhat agriculturally.

For me, I would spend an extra £1500 and get an early 463 diesel 463 lwb G Wagen, or alternatively consider an ML, maybe a diesel one which will drive even more car-like than a 463 G Wagen.

Far from convinced that a w210 or a w124 will be big enough

 

[Smarty]

Thanks again, I had the feeling on my budget (at the moment) it would not be easy to get a dream of a merc. I am not in a hurry, I will look around on your recommendations... if I see something shiney and nice, I will enquire first as not to buy a known problem money pit. I shall now go visiting websites and garages (and classified ads) this weekend to see what is out there. thanks again, Smarty

 

[G.O'Rilla]

How about a used vectra C estate? A bit boring but a lot of space and pretty reliable. Probably a slightly cheaper money pit!!

 

[Apial]

I agree with the sentiment, i'm not convinced an estate is roomy or rugged enough.

Having owned 3 x G Wagens (460 model code - the early one) I would advise caution as to the driving experience as an "everyday car" . The 460 G Wagen (which at £3k is all you would get in reasonable condition). drives, and is inside, somewhat agriculturally.

For me, I would spend an extra £1500 and get an early 463 diesel 463 lwb G Wagen, or alternatively consider an ML, maybe a diesel one which will drive even more car-like than a 463 G Wagen.

Far from convinced that a w210 or a w124 will be big enough

You will not find a 463 LWB diesel for £4500 anywhere. They were like hens teeth.Try more like £14500 perhaps if you can find one.

 

[jonnyboy]

You will not find a 463 LWB diesel for £4500 anywhere. They were like hens teeth.Try more like £14500 perhaps if you can find one.

Absolutely right !!!!!

What I actually was thinking (but didnt type) was an early 300 GEL (petrol lwb) or an ML diesel.

Thats what comes of thinking ahead when you are typing.....

 

[andyhiggy26]

vectra

i wouldn't have one given me, i had one and it cost me a fortune, you can't beat the mercs

 

[BTB 500]

One of my Collies is a bit elderly and has to be lifted in and out of the Vito now. Wouldn't want to try getting a Newfie into any kind of SUV that way! Also regularly jumping down from that height isn't going to do their joints any good IMHO.

 

[st4]

VW Passat old shape 1.9Tdi could be had for £3k.