Need more seats

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Tan

MB Enthusiast
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Oct 2, 2002
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Location
Woodford Green
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W140 S-Class, Porsche Cayenne and Porsche Boxster
Hi

I am contemplating changing my car, I had decided that my next car would be a Cayenne, but unfortuntaley 5 seats isn't enough.

Well, at the moment its not so much that 5 seats isn't enough its that when the baby seat is in place the back seat is only comfortable for one adult and we often travel as 4 adults and one toddler.

I have been looking at what is available and within budget its looking like the Mercedes R-Class or the Audi Q7. I really fancy a 4x4, for the high driving position and the fact that its still kind of youngish.... I am under 35.

With a stretch of the budget, the GL could be a possibility.

There is also the Land-Rover Discovery, but Land-Rovers scare me in terms of reliability.

What are people experiences and opinions of the R, GL and Q7?

Many thanks

Tan
 
Wouldn't rule out the landie - have a look at the latest Discovery 4. It's a very fine vehicle, and I think much of the reliability stuff has been sorted. Of the others, the R isn't in quite the same category for me; yes, it's 4 wheel drive, but it doesn't have the high driving position. Q7 is huge, as is the GL...take a test drive, and go into the Buckhurst Hill Waitrose car park before deciding!
 
If you're stretching your budget to a GL, I'll assume that you've got a budget of around £20k.

I wouldn't rule out the Discovery3 TDV6, they can get a bad press (a bit like Mercedes) but they are good cars. My neighbours son has had his from new and he's done 80k in the car and it's only had a starter motor fitted besides routine servicing.
In fact, I'll be probably be buying one for the wife, as it happens.

I wouldn't put the R-Class in the same category as the others, it's more of a people carrier than a '4x4'.

The GL is one big motor, I saw one parked next to a Range Rover yesterday and it seemed to dwarf it. If you were to go for one, you'd have to get the 420 CDI; V8 + 305bhp, what's not to like?

The Q7 is another car that I looked at earlier on in the year, it takes some searching to find one with decent specification. 'Johnnyboy' on here has just sold his only last month.
 
Mrs RedC220's cousin owns and runs a Porsche independent specialists in Wiltshire.

I mentioned to him I'd like a Cayenne as I like 4x4 - his option, don't touch one with a barge pole once it's out of manufacturers warranty. Awful cars, and he loves Porsche!
 
Steve G has an R class CDi .. loves it. Comfortable, reliable and cheap to buy.
 
We have an R class but beware, its a 6 seater with a tiny boot.

I bought it for the exact same reason you have said.. but just to get the pushchair in the boot i have to remove its wheels etc, and even then its tight... So often end up folding down one of the seats, so then its just a 5 seater..

But its the most comfortable car in that range IMO. Ive sat in the third row of seats and it feels nice, not like its meant for kids.

However I feel im going to have to find a viano or something soon.

Im sure the later R class are 7 seaters? They could so easily have made the middle row a 3 seater, then it would be soooo much better.
 
We have an R class but beware, its a 6 seater with a tiny boot.

I bought it for the exact same reason you have said.. but just to get the pushchair in the boot i have to remove its wheels etc, and even then its tight... So often end up folding down one of the seats, so then its just a 5 seater..

But its the most comfortable car in that range IMO. Ive sat in the third row of seats and it feels nice, not like its meant for kids.

However I feel im going to have to find a viano or something soon.

Im sure the later R class are 7 seaters? They could so easily have made the middle row a 3 seater, then it would be soooo much better.

Yes the later R Class is a 7 seater, but when you look at it the middle seat looks like an after thought. I believe the longer wheel base variants would also provide more luggage room.

We've also pondered getting an R Class, having 6+ seats would be useful when we go out with the family (i.e. parents). Our kids are 4 and 1, so the puschair we have is relatively compact anyway. I could see how the larger baby buggies would pose a problem. As others have said they're pretty good value. I like the sound of an R500 and I've seen some cheap ones (although as the earlier model they're all 6 seaters). I've not driven an R Class yet, I think it's probably better suited to the Diesel.

7 seaters are always a compromise (unless you look at something like a Viano) as the 6th & 7th people generally go where the luggage would be!
 
LWB R Class would do :)

The disco or volvo xc90 are good sized 7 seaters. The disco feels a bit plastiky inside.

I would think for the price the R class R320cdi LWB would suit, I also like the look of them.

The G class would be at the top of my list if I can afford one / run it. Don't think I would be happy now with 25mpg....but a great bus for the money.

I guess any of these cars would be around 25 to 30mpg? given the size / 4wd
 
Love my R350. It's a LWB but the extra 1ft or so is spread between the middle and rear so there's still little extra room behind the 3rd row. Got a roof box when needed. Petrol comsumption is poor though, getting maybe 25mpg on motorways but could get less if I went slower! Got 29mpg during a 50-60 stint.

If you go for an R-class, make sure it has a reversing camera and parking sensors as it's a big car.
 
Steve G has an R class CDi .. loves it. Comfortable, reliable and cheap to buy.

Ah... I saw a Cayenne for sale recently for sale that sounded like it might have been his old one.
 
My in-laws have a 2006 R350 LWB (6-seater) which we've been in many times. Had no problems fitting a pushchair in the boot :dk: guess it depends on the make/model!

Theirs has been very reliable, no issues I know of.
 
Never discount the Land Rover.
The wife, who is a childminder, had a 12 seater 110 (on an 'F' plate) for many years with no problems with regular servicing; now drives a 12 seater Renault Bus.

I've had two LR's; Discovery and a Freelander; only problem was trying to satisfy the exhaust emission criteria at MOT time.

The daughter had a Freelander; no problems only her driving!!
 

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