Which used Mercedes (or other brand) would you recommend for £10k..

[Charles Morgan]

..that offers good economy, slow depreciation and decent load lugging? Trying to rationalise my fleet down and am thinking (like ***) that trading in my AMG may be a better option than having the hassle of a private sale. I am looking at younger things than W124s or W210s really.

A non-Mercedes possible - I still love looking over a star though!

 

[trapperjohn]

1994 MERCEDES E300 TD 24V ESTATE AUTO | eBay

This one is bidding up a storm Charles. Perhaps its a little slow, old and too "samey"

 

[englishdas]

Skoda VRS estate? It can look a bit like a taxi if chosen incorrectly, but for ten grand you can get the right colour, plus the VRS badge, alloys and accompanying options, and amusingly, folk look and think you've been rather savvy. The VRS ain't exactly an AMG, but it covers a lot of bases. And at that money, someone else has took a hit on most of the initial depreciation.

I'm just waiting for the 7 seater yeti next year... not a prestige choice, ill admit, but they are cracking cars.

 

[Charles Morgan]

Will - thanks for the Pm - you are full up so can't reply! Yes is the answer!

 

[Charles Morgan]

1994 MERCEDES E300 TD 24V ESTATE AUTO | eBay

This one is bidding up a storm Charles. Perhaps its a little slow, old and too "samey"

I have one already TJ!, and having now had the joy of the 210 engine and gearbox, I can't go back to a non-turbo / 4 speed auto, and they are just getting too old.

 

[Ian_Mac]

Shame about the "service history in the post" comment.

 

[aka$h]

A e320 cdi sport estate would be the obvious choice. The load spaces isn't as big as the w210, but still bigger than thE offerings from bmw and Audi.

 

[DSM10000]

Charles

The obvious candidate to me if not MB would be a 525 or 530 diesel estate. Beautifully built and excellent to drive, as a left of field choice the Subaru Legacy estates are worth a look.

 

[LTD]

What's wrong with the estate car already in your fleet ?

It just costs you to move it around - can't get much cheaper than that ...

 

[Charles Morgan]

The 210 may or may not go, but this is a separate exercise as part of the AMG solution.

 

[Deleted member 37751]

Is the C55 up for sale Charles, and if so where have you advertised it?

 

[Charles Morgan]

Haven't advertised it yet SPX, some interest privately here but I need to get a couple of things done before doing, but I just haven't the time to deal with enquiries for a month or so and don't want to have it unused for a long period.

 

[Deleted member 37751]

What about a Discovery 3?

I've had mine for a month now and after initially being a bit wary of the bad reputation, it's turned out that Land Rover have built a cracking motor.

If you don't mind 25-30mpg, you should find it the best all-rounder out there because I certainly do; smooth gearbox and engine, good build quality and most importantly (with how often I change cars) brilliant residuals.

 

[Charles Morgan]

Not such an off the wall idea, SPX, although I think the mpg though would kill me using it regularly. I have had a Range Rover and thought it probably the best all-round car I ever owned, but for the fuel economy.

Is yours a 2.7 or a later 3 litre diesel?

 

[Deleted member 37751]

2.7.

Remaps seem to be well recommended on the Discovery forum that I joined; takes you up to circa 220bhp and about 35mpg.

If load area is part of your thinking, the rear of these are as big as some of the vans I sell.

 

[Charles Morgan]

Very interesting, given what I am carting around at the moment. Much more fun than contemplating a small Benz.

Food for thought.

 

[gIzzE]

The Discos have always had superb residuals, as does the Disco 4.

You could buy a base model 2.7 Disco 4 for £27k in 2009 and 3 years later they are returning £22k as a trade in price with 36k miles on them.

The residuals will certainly outweigh any 5 mpg difference in consumption on a £10k E class or similar.

 

[Deleted member 37751]

To give you an example of the load space Charles, I've just packed the car for our week away.

There's a pushchair, luggage for a family of five for a week away, two mini surf boards and three bikes.

And that's just the boot area! It'll also be transporting us five; if the second row of seats were laid flat you'd have even more room.

 

[BigSilverEstate]

We just sent just over £8k on a B7 2008 Audi Avant. Looks like £10k might get you into an early B8 3l v6 which would probably be quite good fun if you don't mind having your bones rattled a bit.

 

[Charles Morgan]

Audis have always rattled my bones alas - never ever bonded with one because of it. Good residuals though.