A smart, prestige 7 seater (ideally 4x4) needed....

[CIS121]

I've got an ageing 330 Coupe currently and want to replace it with a 7 seater. It needs to be of a similar or higher standard and something reasonably prestige so no Galaxy, Alhambra and ideally not Volvo etc.

The new X5 from 2008 would be ideal but over my budget (upto 12k) and the previous X5 only has 5 seats.

Anyone recommend anything? I'm out of ideas and think probably my limited budget is a show stopper

[markmullen]

Merc R Class.

[ensignia]

Stop being fussy or up your budget. You'll not get a decent prestigious 7 seater for that sort of money.

The XC90 has quite a good image anyway, you can't discount it because of that alone.

[Shaw Tarse]

http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds?Cat...

[farrendahl]

You've actually discounted your best option in the Volvo, to me that says effortlessly classy. The X5 just screams out "I HAVE A BMW" and that doesn't mean class, it just means you've got a BMW.

[JREwing]

As soon as I read this I thought "R-Class".

[Targarama]

GL

http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/use...

[Arbathnot]

The 4x4 type 7 seaters are pretty crappy as 7 seaters. If you need a 7 seater buy one designed for the job ie galaxy/alhambra etc (I know this is not what you wanted to hear)

[TooLateForAName]

Targarama said:

GL

http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/use...

OP said:

budget (upto 12k)

[Mr Tom]

LR Discovery, put it on private plates an no one will know the age! (If that concerns you)

[ukzz4iroc]

farrendahl said:

You've actually discounted your best option in the Volvo, to me that says effortlessly classy. The X5 just screams out "I HAVE A BMW" and that doesn't mean class, it just means you've got a BMW.

This is what most people have thought for the last 7 or 8 years which has meant the bell ends have now bought these (XC90) thinking they are different. This is precisely what happened with Audi, which as we all now know are driven by peni's.

R Class.

[Maxus]

I saw this at the weekend. Smart, prestigious, diesel, seats 8 and in budget (£4k). Not 4x4 though. What's not to like!

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C352078#

[Mr Tom]

Maxus said:

What's not to like

You look like your off to a funeral...

[SWoll]

If Volvo's aren't your thing (which I personally understand) the only option I can think that meets all of your requirements is the R Class as mentioned above

MB R350 - 7 seats, 4-Matic
£12,450

[mattnunn]

12K is not a lot for a car in this category really, I'd rather take a 2 year old S-Max than German marque at twice the age, miles and running costs. It's what I did. Having said that I was very tempted by the XC90.

http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/use...

[Maxus]

Mr Tom said:

Maxus said:

What's not to like

You look like your off to a funeral...

Good point. Add plenty of courtesy from other road users to the list of pluses.....

[CIS121]

Thanks folks

The Merc R class only has 6 seats pre 2008 and that's all my budget will stretch to. I do need the 7 seats sadly

I didn't realise the Discoveries have 7 seats so will check those out. Yes, the XC90 fits the bill, but I can't just can't stand the look of the thing. Maybe it's personal taste, but it's not something I'd want to get into every day!

[Roger Woods]

ukzz4iroc said:

This is what most people have thought for the last 7 or 8 years which has meant the bell ends have now bought these (XC90) thinking they are different. This is precisely what happened with Audi, which as we all now know are driven by peni's.

R Class.

Not been called a bell end for a while!

[farrendahl]

CIS121 said:

Thanks folks

The Merc R class only has 6 seats pre 2008 and that's all my budget will stretch to. I do need the 7 seats sadly

I didn't realise the Discoveries have 7 seats so will check those out. Yes, the XC90 fits the bill, but I can't just can't stand the look of the thing. Maybe it's personal taste, but it's not something I'd want to get into every day!

Which is fair enough, it does all come down to personal taste and preference at the end of the day anyway.

[Snowboy]

You can get a Discovery 3 for that money if you shop around.
I've recentry got a high mileage HSE (top spec) one for 10k, 2004 plate.

It has 7 decent seats.
Although the boot is small with all the seats in play.