Workhorse replacement - Suggestions

[dunc_sx]

Apologies for another which car thread

I've currently got a 2002 v70 D5, previously had 2005 Mondeo estate and 1999 e39 3L diesel estates.

It's got to be comfy for commuting and good at towing (so bigger engine required). Manual or auto acceptable.

If I'm honest I'd prefer RWD but willing to accept others.

Are the Saab's worth looking at or mercs? Which versions? Can't think of much else.

Cheers,

Dunc.

Edit: Budget is probably a couple of grand, could stretch it by a grand or two if required though.

Edited by dunc_sx on Tuesday 24th May 18:59

[Valgar]

How much are you towing?

[Output Flange]

I do exactly the same in a 530d Touring. Just replaced mine with a.....530d Touring!

[dunc_sx]

About 1 tonne.

Yeah I'm tempted by another 530d touring but there's not that many about, especially up here. There's a Saab 9-3 estate in a dealer near me, just not sure if they are any good.

Cheers,

Dunc.

[Dog Star]

I was going to suggest a V70....

[ZX10R NIN]

I can recommend the E Class as a good option, but finding one will be hard as most people will keep them.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

[dunc_sx]

Dog Star said:

I was going to suggest a V70....

It's a bit of a snoozefest though, I've to do approx 20k a year in it as well. My v70's been better than the Mondaneo but not in the same class as the 5 series.

The merc looks like a good shout. Are mercs put together well at this age, I was under the impression that good build quality was a think of the past for Merc. Also is it still the case with merc that an auto is the better choice?

Thanks,

Dunc.

[ZX10R NIN]

Hi Dunc

Yes these Mercs (these are the W211's) are the well built ones they'll pretty much all be auto's (I'm not even sure if they sold a manual E Class) the previous generation were the one's that suffered with rust.
The main thing I recommend getting done is getting the gearbox fluid & filters changed unless there's a bill saying it's been done.

The straight 5/6 cylinder diesels are easy to maintain & take big miles in their stride they don't have DPF filters so that's one less thing to go wrong, the EGR Valve can be cleaned in situ, a good indy will maintain one for reasonable money.

[finishing touch]

A couple of months back I bought a '53 plate E320 cdi as a replacement workhorse for a Passat estate.
Every time I drive it I have to pinch myself that a car so nice was so cheap. It's bigger inside, (1.1 x 2m floor area with seats down )
and tows a car trailer as if its not there. Averages 39mpg, less around town, more on a run.

It has the odd niggle, some of which I've fixed. Bought a full size alloy of eBay for the spare instead of the skinny. It has a hole for a
dipstick but MB think you don't need one so plug it with a red plastic cap. eBay to the rescue again with a universal one marked off in mm,
look up your model and a couple of dot punch marks later and problem solved.


There must be a downside, but I'm yet to find it.

Paul G

[anonymous-user]

ZX10R NIN said:

I can recommend the E Class as a good option, but finding one will be hard as most people will keep them.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

Second one has done 227k miles according to MOT history. And the MOT fails would indicate a bit of a nail.

[Dan_1981]

I've had a 9-3 estate - 1.9tdi on an 08 plate for the last 2.5 years.

I've taken it from 78k up to 203k

Apart from a fair few sets of tyres, one set of discs & two sets of pads i've had one serious problem which was the DPF was completely blocked at 160k - not due to lack of regens but it had just reach the end of it's life.

I've had two front springs replaced & one front suspension arm.

And that's it.

It's got heated leather that is supremely comfortable, decent BOSE speaker / audio set up and returns 54mpg at 75mph cruise.

I do 165 miles a day in it and when it dies I'll probably try to get another.

Can't help on the towing bit though don't know what it's limited to or how it goes.

[dunc_sx]

Very interesting, thanks for the responses. Going to look at a 9-3 1.9tdi, Jag x-type and 530d sport estates at the weekend and see which I like.

Cheers,

Dunc.