Deleted - duplicate post.
What is the most comfortable yet quick estate or SUV for <12,000 quid ?
- Thread starter philnewmerc
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philnewmerc
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Sorry I'm forgetting one of my criteria, which was for comfort, so i think a golf R is ruled out
Doodle
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EDIT - Just seen OP's earlier post...that idea won't work 
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Also, I am sure very capable but just a little dull in terns of style and interior?
WilliamMaldivess211
Active Member
What about the diesel Porsche Macan - one of the best SUVs to drive, good fuel economy, comfortable with air suspension. However there is very limited choice at 12000
W1ghty
MB Enthusiast
What about smaller wheels and softer sidewall tyres instead of changing the car ?
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philnewmerc
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Yes good idea, i like those very much, nice compact size too, but not sure i want to spend any more, i am a depreciationphobe.... Maybe in 3 years
I drove mine today for a round trip to Brighton (lovely outskirts, but holy moly the town
). Anyway, the c350 was great (35 real mpg - 41 on dashboard ) just wish it rode a bit nicer, but i did think hmmm, this is quite nice actually 
. Maybe i will persevere with the war on squeaks and get the drift left sorted 
.Incidentally, i was given a lift in a colleague's brand new 3 series m sport and blow me if it didn't have*exactly* the same seatbelt buz mine did on rough roads (if i spent 60k and heard that in my earhole I'd be apoplectic with rage). It also had a bloody awful ride quality. Wtf is wrong with English people and rock hard ride? How did we go from valuing hydragas and long travel Rover suspension to "yes 3 mm of compliance is plenty as i need to take roundabouts without braking thank you".
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philnewmerc
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Thought about it but i think 16s would look odd, and would 17s, with another centimetre of sidewall, make much difference? I thought not but maybe I'm wrong
MikeInWimbledon
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Yes, 17’s would improve it, as would 16’s.
And it’s a cheap experiment as there are always used ones around. Because most are going in the other direction. If you decide against it, you can always sell them on.
Just don’t buy used wheels with ancient tyres.
But if you like the car why not replace it either one that isn’t an AMG Sport? Will take a while to find but seems an obvious solution
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philnewmerc
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I just think its the suspension and another 1 cm of tyre depth is only going to improve it marginally.
I suppose I could look for a non-sport v6 C class, except they don't exist... would have to be an E, no bad thing I suppose. Although even the Es are virtually all Sports. Plus, I was a bit cheesed off having to go through the interior to eradicate all the (albeit very tiny) rattles and squeaks, so I thought maybe look at [ahem] better built cars.
I suppose I could look for a non-sport v6 C class, except they don't exist... would have to be an E, no bad thing I suppose. Although even the Es are virtually all Sports. Plus, I was a bit cheesed off having to go through the interior to eradicate all the (albeit very tiny) rattles and squeaks, so I thought maybe look at [ahem] better built cars.
MikeInWimbledon
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Then the answer’s obvious. Keep the car and change the wheels and tyres
You’ll need to fettle any different car that’s this kind of age & mileage.
If you have a squeak less car, you’ve achieved something well worth having.
There are plenty of folk on here that can tell stories of how switching to bigger wheels ruined the ride of their vehicle
Remind us: what size wheels are you running at present, and is it on Summer or Cross-climate rubber?
MikeInWimbledon
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Unsold after 7 weeks
MikeInWimbledon
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Elegance, 17’s, good history and very low mileage.
But you'll need to learn how to use the accelerator
But you'll need to learn how to use the accelerator
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That blue one in Farnham has 20" wheels, but Elegance (comfort) suspension; it might ride well. The upholstery is 'Artificial Leatherette' rather than leather, but the driver's seat looks fine, and your bum can't tell the difference anyway. My E convertible (C class under the skin) has the same engine, now on 115K miles, and is as sweet as a nut (and gives 35 mpg on a run). The engine is well past the batch that had the balancer shaft problem, so no worries there. It has a proper COMAND unit with satnav, and a factory-fit reversing camera as well as parking sensors. I'd go and see it, and if the service history is as stated, and the ride is decent, I'd haggle hard and get it bought...
MikeInWimbledon
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To be clear, what I meant was "buy used wheels with tyres less than five years old." (ie. don't buy wheels with ten year old tyres)
And, as I indirectly said a couple of posts later, the if you choose cross climate or winter tyres, they will be more compliant that summer tyres.
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Check that any smaller diameter wheels fit over the brakes
MikeInWimbledon
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Absolutely: only go to the sizes printed on the car. (fuel flap or door frame)Check that any smaller diameter wheels fit over the brakes
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philnewmerc
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Thanks all. Food for thought, especially 17s on all seasons.
The E Class is a big petrol so I guess it will take a while to find a new owner.... I'd be up for it if I still only did 6 or 7 K a year, rather than 20 k.
Although I was disappointed with the 35 mpg running average I get in the diesel V6, I really do like the peacefulness and effortlessness of it. So I can't have a canal boat engine, it's just a step too far in the sack cloth direction. I have had a couple of tanks at 42 mpg but that is sat at 70 mph all day.
The E Class is a big petrol so I guess it will take a while to find a new owner.... I'd be up for it if I still only did 6 or 7 K a year, rather than 20 k.
Although I was disappointed with the 35 mpg running average I get in the diesel V6, I really do like the peacefulness and effortlessness of it. So I can't have a canal boat engine, it's just a step too far in the sack cloth direction. I have had a couple of tanks at 42 mpg but that is sat at 70 mph all day.
