Is there a perfect vehicle for all ?

[del320]

No Cosworths at the time -but there was the Audi Quattro- which offered similar to Saab - plus 4WD
Or how about the 9000 Turbo - tons more performance, limousine space , luxury. 2 extra doors - all in a package just over a 1inch bigger in lenght than 99

No room for that fridge-freezer in the Audi - nor, indeed, the 9000!

The 9000 came seven years later and sported the same 175bhp motor as my 900T 16S - not as exciting as the 99T and not usefully quicker: 2nd gear in the 99 exceeded 60 whilst the the 900 could only hit 57 in 2nd (5sp box)

 

[Beetnik]

Has to be two cars.

I have the SLK for fun and roof down motoring and a Golf for when practicality is needed.

Strange thing is the Golf was half the price and has twice the equipment as standard

 

[tali]

No room for that fridge-freezer in the Audi - nor, indeed, the 9000!

The 9000 came seven years later and sported the same 175bhp motor as my 900T 16S - not as exciting as the 99T and not usefully quicker: 2nd gear in the 99 exceeded 60 whilst the the 900 could only hit 57 in 2nd (5sp box)

The 9000 was so spacious that at the time it was officially classified in the USA as a "Large Car" -the Rolls Phantom was the only other car to receive this distinction - Saab uk highlighted this is their magazine adverts
In terms of straight line acceleration the 99Turbo would be off the pace of a 9000

 

[del320]

In terms of straight line acceleration the 99Turbo would be off the pace of a 9000

In terms of straight line acceleration the 99Turbo would be off the pace of a Fiesta van up to 30mph. But that misses the point of the OP's question.

Have you owned/driven all three? With the benefit of 30 years hindsight, the 99Turbo was exciting to the point of dangerous.

 

[Londonscottish]

My vote goes for the S211 (of course).

As I've got a young family I like the space and versatility.

As I'm a petrol head I like the V8, air suspension and Harmon Kardon.

As a Londoner I like the fact that it's fairly anonymous and blends in well with all the 320 CDI's.

 

[SL300-24]

Mine too is for the W211 Estate in E320CDI sport with 7 seats. Smart, large enough, seats 7 when necessary, carries most things including my German Shepherd and Old English Sheepdog (both BIG) together, will cruise across Europe, decent MPG and a nice all round drive, especially with all the toys.

 

[st4]

Ray, my nod goes to the E320cdi. I like the saloon though. Lots of room, goes like stink, handles well, very comfortable, safe and so far reliable and really good on fuel.

Whats there NOT to like?

 

[Mudster]

I've just ordered a Ford S Max, not something I originally wanted at all, but it does everything so well. Plus it's half the price of some of the other cars I was looking at.

It was extremely difficult to justify anything else once we'd had a good look at one of these.

I have a stop spot for Range Rovers though.

 

[tali]

In terms of straight line acceleration the 99Turbo would be off the pace of a Fiesta van up to 30mph. But that misses the point of the OP's question.

Have you owned/driven all three? With the benefit of 30 years hindsight, the 99Turbo was exciting to the point of dangerous.

Not driven them
Autocar did compliment the superb in gear acceleration BUT warned with dreaded turbo lag on a winding road it takes forever to pick up speed as the car is always in the wrong gear
As for the 30mph comparison - i think that applies to most cars pitched against lesser cars
AS for exciting to point of dangerous, then the MG Montego Turbo has that well covered!

 

[del320]

Not driven them
Autocar did compliment the superb in gear acceleration BUT warned with dreaded turbo lag on a winding road it takes forever to pick up speed as the car is always in the wrong gear
As for the 30mph comparison - i think that applies to most cars pitched against lesser cars
AS for exciting to point of dangerous, then the MG Montego Turbo has that well covered!

We're getting sidetracked here .

Again the MG came later but as with all early turbocharged cars (of which the SAAB was amongst the very earliest) punters would experience for the first time, exponential rather than linear acceleration. LJK Setright proclaimed the mark of a truly fast car was if its 60-90 time was less, or equal to its 0-60 time.

In this, the 99T fulfilled his criterion with ease: above around 2800rpm the effect of the turbo cut in with a startling bang and would be accompanied with truly vicious torque-steer - even over 80 mph. No power steering, of course, so the unwary could well find themselves heading for the scenery at ever-increasing speeds! Little wonder SAAB turned down the wick on all subsequent turbocharged cars.

As Autocar said at the time, "Very occasionally a car comes along which shocks the seen-it-all, driven-them-all staff of Autocar out of our collective complacency. A car which is not simply fast - we've seen them come and go - but one which is so unexpected, so unpredictably thrilling that the adrenalin starts to course again even in our hardened arteries. Such a car is the SAAB 99."

I had one for seven years and 58k miles until it burst into flames. Factoring in my youth and its excitement (and remember this was 30 years ago) it remains far and away the best car I've ever driven.

 

[tali]

del320 - spotted this on flickr - seems to have rare red leather aswell

 

[A210AMG]

Too be honest

The E320Cdi Estate is pretty good at doing everything, Dads had his since new in 2003 and has yet to swap it, its That good !!

His has the removable towbar for lugging even more stuff, and a sunroof so can let more rays in on holiday. Its a real work worse and has moved houses a few times including one in France.

Its quick enough on our roads today yet he gets 40mpg on any journey, he's seen 50+ on a few occasions, it seems to get better with age.

I guess for my dad if it was 4Matic which you cannot get in the uk then it would be even better. Would save him using his winter spikes in the Alps.

Great car and while I also agree the equivalent BM something or other maybe as good, this is a MERECDES forum

 

[MrML]

Ml350 ?

 

[gIzzE]

I can think of 2 candidates - although I've not driven either.

1. Alpina D3 Bi-turbo estate
   
   Reasonably quick, plenty of space, and frugal. The original D3 got a 4.5 star review in Evo - I don't think they've reviewed the Bi-turbo model yet.

• BMW 535d estate
  
  Very quick (especially remapped), even more space, but not quite as frugal. Got a 4 star Evo review.
  

535d is not that economical, and for some reason you always want to rag it.
Going across Europe in mine I averaged 120kmph over 6000 miles, that is average, which is pretty high. It likes sitting at 200kph which is great on an autobahn, not so good over here.
All in all a fantastic car, but I would not swap my E320cdi estate for one as the E320cdi is comfier and more economical, and when you are talking about a family wagon that is more important.
However, I would take a mapped 535d round the 'ring, wouldn't bother with the E320cdi, so in that respect I guess it is a better 'all rounder'.


We had a mapped 123d auto, which is what is in the D3 BT Alpina, and we had a 335i E91 touring, I can imagine the D3 BT Alpina Touring being the perfect all rounder.
The E91 chassis is pretty much perfect, that twin turbo 4 pot diesel is seriously quick when mapped, 60mph in 6 seconds, and it will return stupid mpg on a run, figures that Mercedes can only dream of if you take it easy...

It is also perfectly balanced, with a light front end and is a joy to drive on motorways and back roads.

If I could get away with the smaller interior space, I would have a D3 Lux touring on my drive, however, I need load space and that brings us back to it not being the 'perfect vehicle for all.'.

 

[tali]

FAO del320!!
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201028363393595

[/url]

 

[TonyE280]

R Class Merc. SUV,MPV, and 4x4 with 4 matic

 

[st4]

Gizze, would a C250cdi estate not answer your needs. A tad more spacious than an E61, bit comfier (albiet slightly less sharp) but without the size of a 5 or E.

Seems like the best of all. MPG not as good, but not all bad either.

 

[developer]

Hmmm, let me think,

Prestigious (unlike the Skoda Superb estate)
Stylish (unlike the A6)
Powerful - especially chipped
Large (larger that the 5 series/4x4's with restricted load length)
Functional (flat load area/removable squabs)
Well equipped
Economical (40+ on a run)
Feelgood factor (it makes me smile everyime I drive it)

What's not to like?

 

[renault12ts]

Year old thread?

 

[st4]

What's not to like?

The fact that you are merely its custodian until you sell it to me...