Some advice and opinion sought

[Deleted member 6183]

I am going to be moving house in the next few weeks.

We are going back to an older house that needs lots of modernising and has a lot of trees and bushes to be either cut down or drastically trimmed. I intend doing lots of the manual stuff myself.

Why is this motoring, even less Mrecedes, related?

Well, I want to sell the A4 and buy a cheaper, bigger load carrier.

I was thinking of a 3 series estate, I've had one before and it drives like a car but has some useful space to carry the rubbish to the tip.

I would prefer to buy another Mercedes.

My thoughts are as follows:

Mercedes

Estate or 4X4

Not over fussy about diesel or petrol. Employer pays business mileage at cost.

Thinking of a budget £5k to £8k

Although must be reliable as I do 20 to 25k miles a year I am thinking of going for an older (pre 2001) car to avoid huge car tax or a newer car which falls into a lower band

I prefer lower mileage cars

must have air con

If this works out then I'll be looking to swap for a saloon in an couple of years.

Does anyone have any ideas? Suggestions?

Thanks in advance

 

[A210AMG]

Hello

If you want to stick with Merc you will get some great deals on the pre faclifted ML, either ML320 petrol or ML270 CDI.

Most people say get the faclifted model but my father in law has a ML270cdi on 80K and goes great, he gets over 30mpg.

Alternativley buy a trailer? and pretty much what ever car you want.

I looked at 3 series estates but its pretty small inside?

 

[Deleted member 6183]

Just seen a nice CLK and from the pictures it looks likethe rear seats fold forward, is this so?
I'm sure that I read a glowing report on the CLK bootspace somewhere, anyone able to comment on boot size with the rear seats folded?

Cheers

 

[Piff]

I tested an ML270cdi recently (54 plate) and found it to be a very different drive to an estate car.
I don't know if it was the particular one I drove or if they are all the same, but the loud pedal needed a substantial amount of pressure to get things going (and maintained presure to keep speed going) and there was quite a bit of body roll.
I know (before I get shot down) that it is a big 4x4, but my point is that it is a very different driving experience.
What about an e-class estate?
Or a trailer?
Or both?

 

[Ted]

Perhaps sir may be interested in my Lexus?

Blooming bargain if you ask me!

 

[Piff]

Perhaps sir may be interested in my Lexus?

Blooming bargain if you ask me!

If we are following that route, my A6 Avant will be up for sale soon!

 

[Deleted member 6183]

Thanks Ted, that Lexus does look tempting and it was one that I had considered.

 

[Dieselman]

Perhaps sir may be interested in my Lexus?

Blooming bargain if you ask me!

But does that mean it is?

Assuming it's an SN version.

Retail: £7,175

Private Good: £6,285
Private Average: £5,625
Private Poor: £5,075
Part Exchange: £5,955
Trade: £5,736

 

[Ted]

Always prepared to haggle!!

 

[chriswt]

But does that mean it is?

Assuming it's an SN version.

Retail: £7,175

Private Good: £6,285
Private Average: £5,625
Private Poor: £5,075
Part Exchange: £5,955
Trade: £5,736

..and Ted is hardly going to come in with the sales line "probably a bit over priced if you ask me"!!!!

 

[nickcc101]

C180 W203 estate 2001 May onwards, 2litre auto non turbo 7-8k app. Good car fair amount space with seats down.

 

[rf065]

Just seen a nice CLK and from the pictures it looks likethe rear seats fold forward, is this so?
I'm sure that I read a glowing report on the CLK bootspace somewhere, anyone able to comment on boot size with the rear seats folded?

Cheers

My rear seats fold (W209), the boot is surprisingly large for a coupe especially with the seats folded down. An estate would have easier access for bulky items due to the tailgate though, and there are no rear doors in the CLK, so everything has to go in via the boot.

Russ