R Class Mercs

[PugwasHDJ80]

Trying to find an alternative to the flexibility of a discovery 3

are these completely borked and should be avoided at all costs, or a quirky motorway muncher that you can chuck 2 kids and their bikes in the back of and not worry too much about reliability?

[LayZ]

Nearly all of them are big tax. Also not ulez compliant if that matters.

Lots to go wrong. Air suspension particularly. Big and heavy so poor mpg around town, but decent possible from the 320 CDI on a run.

Big and comfy and cheap.

[trevalvole]

LayZ said:

Also not ulez compliant if that matters.

The diesels won't be, the petrols will be.

OP - have a read of this and I'm pretty sure bolidemichael lives in the London ULEZ https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[LayZ]

Yes true but petrols are pretty rare. 90% must be the OM642 3.0 V6 CDI.

[LayZ]

This one looks good.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/176384271905

last of the line 350 and I think they snuck these under the 225g/km limit for full fat tax.

I have thought about buying one of these for years hence beardary. Now have a similar GL 420 CDI.

[AndrewO]

Left field !

I know someone getting rid of a 2005 LHD Honda Odessey, 3.5 V6 petrol, low tax, towbar and its got 7 or 8seats. Bought new and brought back over from the US. We went camping together, he use to get his 4kids in plus all the camping stuff and bikes on the back, I had a Disco3 at the time and its similar loading.

[ZX10R NIN]

You'll be wanting a long wheelbase one, they're pretty robust but as others have said due to the air suspension they can be costly (around £500 per corner exchange) but they're no more costly than any other car with air suspension.

You'll want a 350 model as they're lower tax:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202405069...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202402287...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404148...

R500L:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202405139...

[bolidemichael]

ZX10R NIN said:

R500L:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202405139...

As trevalvole says above, I’ve been running one. It has the larger 5.5L V8 and as it’s the ‘facelift’ has seven as opposed to six seats.

ZX10R’s example looks good, but the price is toppy in my estimation. I’d be expecting that to be around £6k, perhaps a little more for low miles and ULEZ compliance, but at this mileage the air bags start to go and sink slowly overnight.

[G-wiz]

735 big ones, to tax it.

I'll pass on that.

[ZX10R NIN]

Another leftfield but good option is the Subaru Tribeca

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202405069...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403137...

[Jag_NE]

They are bullet proof and cost peanuts to run. I have one and cannot understand why they are so cheap to buy.

[PugwasHDJ80]

Thank you everyone, some really useful feedback.

We're going to go and have a look at a couple- thoughts on suspension noted; one of the few specialist garages we have near us is a merc specialist, hopefully can keep on top of things.

We currently have a subaru outback, which the r class will replace. Been extremely reliable, but its very slow, uncomfy and not been a great place to live!

[nobrakes]

Viano?

[bolidemichael]

Those things don’t hang around… I’ve been on the autobahn and autostrada over the last couple of days and the 350s shift!

[nobrakes]

bolidemichael said:

Those things don’t hang around… I’ve been on the autobahn and autostrada over the last couple of days and the 350s shift!

In your R class or E500?!

[eth2190]

How about a Nissan Elgrand? Might be a better bet in terms of reliability.

[PugwasHDJ80]

eth2190 said:

How about a Nissan Elgrand? Might be a better bet in terms of reliability.

that's an interesting idea- but i've already got one jdm import, not sure i want two!