V12
MB Enthusiast
Others are more fuel efficient and much better ride.
Seat position and road noise is greatly improved in the 169 over the 168.
Seat position and road noise is greatly improved in the 169 over the 168.
Little daily driver with super fuel efficiency
- Thread starter Charles Morgan
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grober
MB Master
Suffice it to say when they designed the replacement they went to Renault who know something about how to make small cars? 
Its a short *rsed people carrier 
-- which its pretty good at. 
Expensive to repair in relation to its size because of the ingenious " packaging"
Its a short *rsed people carrier -- which its pretty good at. Expensive to repair in relation to its size because of the ingenious " packaging"
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Charles Morgan
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Went down there today, the ford was showing a depth of about 1 3/4 ft so I turned right round and went via Fulmer. Amusingly though on the other bank was an Audi that hadn't turned right round and had conked out. Given the wading depth of most 4x4s is about half a meter, I would have turned round even if I did have an off-roader, (unless it had a snorkel!).
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Charles Morgan
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Smart can be ruled out - the absence of rear seats would mean I'd keep using the estate to visit family and friends, which would defeat the whole exercise.
Something built around the 1.9 tdi PD VW engine starts to look the best idea.
Something built around the 1.9 tdi PD VW engine starts to look the best idea.
grober
MB Master
How about the Auto Express CAR OF THE YEAR 2012 Driver Power 2012 winner | Videos | Auto Express
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Charles Morgan
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Too expensive, not as efficient as smaller cars, wouldn't offer the load length requirement I can satisfy with the W210. A Superb 1.6 estate would be better, but then I am going round in circles.
What, like "1 careful lady owner- Snow White"?
The choice is vast, so you'll not be short on choice. The 1.4TDi is also reliable, but naturally more efficient so don't rule it out.
Audi A2 1.4 TDI SE 5dr Diesel Hatchback 2004
SE is not Special Edition, but just SE.
Climate Control is not mentioned, so worth asking.
Audi A2 1.4 TDI 5dr Diesel Hatchback 2003
FSH not mentioned, so maybe some scope for price negotiation if patchy.
Nice car, but they're almost twice the £6k budget.
trapperjohn
MB Enthusiast
January's "What Car" has a report on the new Dacia and a Panda has just joined their fleet of test cars. Didn't get a chance to read the whole mag as I was at the dentist.
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Charles Morgan
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You ran screaming from the building Mr T?
WillDeBeest
Active Member
Spending £6,000 on a second car, then paying twice for VED, insurance, servicing, all to save wear and tear on an S210 worth - what - £4,000? I don't get it, I'm afraid, even if individual journeys in the smaller car do cost less in fuel. Yes, the friend who needs driving practice gets an easier car to practise in, but it would have to be a very good friend to merit that kind of expenditure.
No, it's not kind to the big car to drive it short distances, but it won't be kind to the small car either, and that - initially anyway - will be the more valuable asset.
So wouldn't it make more sense just to use the Mercedes, and give it the occasional gratuitous long run (maybe to Waitrose in Henley - they'll pay for your parking too) to blow out any cobwebs from trundling round the houses?
No, it's not kind to the big car to drive it short distances, but it won't be kind to the small car either, and that - initially anyway - will be the more valuable asset.
So wouldn't it make more sense just to use the Mercedes, and give it the occasional gratuitous long run (maybe to Waitrose in Henley - they'll pay for your parking too) to blow out any cobwebs from trundling round the houses?
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Charles Morgan
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I'm not keeping the 210 beyond the very short term.
I have a 300D multivalve coming back to me and that will be used for any load lugging or long distance cruising until I get rid of it. The small car will be used far more than for short stops - I regularly do 500 miles a week - but too much of that is around London and that kills the efficiency of the W210. 55 mpg vs 35 mpg makes a decent difference.
Then, if I need real load lugging I will hire as required, or if I happen to have something like a 4x4 use that.
I have a 300D multivalve coming back to me and that will be used for any load lugging or long distance cruising until I get rid of it. The small car will be used far more than for short stops - I regularly do 500 miles a week - but too much of that is around London and that kills the efficiency of the W210. 55 mpg vs 35 mpg makes a decent difference.
Then, if I need real load lugging I will hire as required, or if I happen to have something like a 4x4 use that.
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WillDeBeest
Active Member
I see - I think. The 300TD Multivalve is a 124, isn't it, and arguably too old for regular use? So you'd keep that for the occasional long trip or bulky load, and use a smaller car for every day and around London.
500 miles a week is serious use - not something I'd be wanting to do in a biscuit tin like a Ka or a Rio. The unloved Vauxhall Insignia seems to fetch seriously low prices at 3yo. Should be more comfortable than a tiny car, if parking size isn't critical.
500 miles a week is serious use - not something I'd be wanting to do in a biscuit tin like a Ka or a Rio. The unloved Vauxhall Insignia seems to fetch seriously low prices at 3yo. Should be more comfortable than a tiny car, if parking size isn't critical.
V12
MB Enthusiast
Insignia was an awful car when I drove a brand new one, can't imagine they are much better at 3 years old. It's just a better looking vectra IMO.
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Charles Morgan
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The Multivalve is coming up to 20 years old, it is efficient and comfortable, but I don't want to use it as a daily driver. I suspect a Golf or similar sized car is going to be the ultimate choice, I am not small and on occasion I might have to pick up the odd thing that a small car won't cope with.
WillDeBeest
Active Member
Yeah, I know the Insignia is cheap for a reason, but I get the impression they're not as bad as the used prices suggest. Doesn't mean I'd actually buy one, though.
Golf is the answer to a lot of questions - I'm thinking of one as the eventual successor to our Volvo S60 as no.2 car - but I suspect you can have 3yo or £6,000 but not both.
Golf-sized, though: I've been quite impressed by the Citroën C4, with the 1.6D engine and provided it's a manual and not the awful EGS semi-auto. Bit different from the Ford-VW norm too, and looks great in metallic red, but it's been a while since I tried one so I don't know how the latest compare.
I also really like the Volvo C30, although it's short of two doors and a lot of space but it's nicely designed and has Volvo seats, which those of us above the 90th centile appreciate. Its front half is the same as the V40 saloon but it seems much more characterful. I'd have to try extricating myself from one in a tight space before making a commitment, though.
Golf is the answer to a lot of questions - I'm thinking of one as the eventual successor to our Volvo S60 as no.2 car - but I suspect you can have 3yo or £6,000 but not both.
Golf-sized, though: I've been quite impressed by the Citroën C4, with the 1.6D engine and provided it's a manual and not the awful EGS semi-auto. Bit different from the Ford-VW norm too, and looks great in metallic red, but it's been a while since I tried one so I don't know how the latest compare.
I also really like the Volvo C30, although it's short of two doors and a lot of space but it's nicely designed and has Volvo seats, which those of us above the 90th centile appreciate. Its front half is the same as the V40 saloon but it seems much more characterful. I'd have to try extricating myself from one in a tight space before making a commitment, though.
My bodyshop paint for a local company that stick great big massive V8;s into new Land Rovers and then send them to Dubai complete with funky paintwork...
Now those I could have...
The body shop once twisted one quite badly when they tried to show off the power of that engine before the company had finished strengthening the chassis..
Dieselman
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Rolling them also seems to twist them quite badly, though fortunately, mine only went onto it's side.
I was quite impressed with the 160bhp cdti I ran for 3 years. Pretty dynamic, decent performance, though clattery (and bigger than you might expect). Worth a drive.
I imagine that the used prices are in part due to 30% discounts on new.
