7 seater 4x4, which one?

[p1tse]

Currently have a bmw 535d touring, brilliant car.

With 2 kids nearly 5 and 2 in age, would like a 7 seater to ferry their friends, grandparents on day trips rather than 2 cars

Any recommendation at c.£15k and auto, no big tax band
Ideally would go for the equivalent x5 but probably need closer to £20k

Any suggestions, don't fancy a mpv

[jellypig]

We came close to buying, and really liked , and it would particularly suit smaller kids (single handed seat folding, nice design that) an XC90.
For £15k you'd be looking at a 2009 vintage (roughly)or maybe slightly older..

It passed our "live-ability" tests, and we even considered spending a lot more for a newer one, but then, not needing 4WD bought an S-Max.

[Barchettaman]

15k buys a lot of Mercedes R-Class.

I know, weird car, I'm just trying to think a bit outside the box for the OP.

Having said that, his needs to fit the S-Max rather well, which is a lot sleeker than your usual MPV and drives very well to boot.

Otherwise, a Multimac rear seat conversion for the BMW and starve the grandparents? Inhumane, but that way you get to keep your current wheels.

[Boshly]

Barchettaman said:

15k buys a lot of Mercedes R-Class.

I know, weird car, I'm just trying to think a bit outside the box for the OP.

Having said that, his needs to fit the S-Max rather well, which is a lot sleeker than your usual MPV and drives very well to boot.

Otherwise, a Multimac rear seat conversion for the BMW and starve the grandparents? Inhumane, but that way you get to keep your current wheels.

Just bought a 59 plate R350 with 1 owner full history 40 k miles for £13k including 3 years MB Warranty! Admittedly petrol (diesels available for a few 000 more) but as it's only a car to use when we take the dog out or need multiple seats it didn't matter to us.

It's a bit quirky but so functional and comfortable and easy to drive.

[Phil Dicky]

Another vote for the XC90..served me very well. Pretty sure all the issues had been ironed out by 2007.

[milu]

Nissan pathfinder is lots for your money. Mine was spot on for the last 18 months but with 27-28 mpg.
Quite chunky,agricultural but very versatile.

[CharlesdeGaulle]

If is must be a 4x4, an XC90 is a fantastic family car.

Otherwise, don't dismiss an S-Max; they're surprisingly good.

[Snowboy]

Discovery 3.
Lots around for 10-12k from about 2004 so you might get cheaper tax.

Get one that's been well looked after though, and check the 100k miles hit list to make sure things have been done or to plan budget for.

[larrylamb11]

Mitsubishi Outlander would do that job pretty well AND be a 'sensible' car when you aren't ferrying everyone around. Switchable 4x4 and amazingly good on fuel. Elegance are really well spec'd as well.

[LayZ]

Was just looking at XC90s and R classes. Ended up with an S-Max and glad we did. Interior quality probably better than the Volvo, and they are very good to drive.

[Barchettaman]

Boshly said:

Just bought a 59 plate R350 with 1 owner full history 40 k miles for £13k including 3 years MB Warranty! Admittedly petrol (diesels available for a few 000 more) but as it's only a car to use when we take the dog out or need multiple seats it didn't matter to us.

It's a bit quirky but so functional and comfortable and easy to drive.

That is a LOT of car for the money! Good grief. Are petrols really that cheap in the UK nowadays?

[Schermerhorn]

Audi Q7 3.0 Tdi

It might be an older model but still alot of car for the money.

[Ciaran]

Another XC90 owner, the rear seats are great - plenty of room for an adult. We've had ours for 3 years and has been almost trouble free (two small issues).

Make sure you go for the 2007 onwards model.

[blindswelledrat]

Boshly said:

Just bought a 59 plate R350 with 1 owner full history 40 k miles for £13k including 3 years MB Warranty! Admittedly petrol (diesels available for a few 000 more) but as it's only a car to use when we take the dog out or need multiple seats it didn't matter to us.

It's a bit quirky but so functional and comfortable and easy to drive.

I really like them and cant comprehend why they aren't more popular as an MPV.
Why are they so unloved?
Are you pleased with yours?

[skyrover]

Mercedes GL?

[blindswelledrat]

Ciaran said:

Another XC90 owner, the rear seats are great - plenty of room for an adult. We've had ours for 3 years and has been almost trouble free (two small issues).

Make sure you go for the 2007 onwards model.

Out of interest what changed 2007+?
I had an earlier one and it was brilliant and reliable until it suddenly needed £7k of work doing to it when that was its current value mended.
Despite that I still loved it and would own another but I would have to know that those things would not happen on it.

[p1tse]

Thanks

Agree s max is a good range car, but I don't fancy spending that money on a ford versus what my 535d is like from build, engine, better interior etc

Disco, r class, q7 good shout but in auto diesel pushes it to the high price bracket

Xc90 I had a nosey around one at £12k forgot the year, but the trim around the door was loose, then looked at another and the door didnt close to the gap and so has put me off

[blindswelledrat]

p1tse said:

Xc90 I had a nosey around one at £12k forgot the year, but the trim around the door was loose, then looked at another and the door didnt close to the gap and so has put me off

Really surprised at that.
Mine was utterly bomb proof for that kind of thing. 3 kids relentlessly abusing it for 6 years and not a break, crack or scratch on the interior.

[CharlesdeGaulle]

blindswelledrat said:

p1tse said:

Xc90 I had a nosey around one at £12k forgot the year, but the trim around the door was loose, then looked at another and the door didnt close to the gap and so has put me off

Really surprised at that.
Mine was utterly bomb proof for that kind of thing. 3 kids relentlessly abusing it for 6 years and not a break, crack or scratch on the interior.

I'd agree. I've had two, and they were utterly indestructible.

[Snowboy]

p1tse said:

Thanks

Agree s max is a good range car, but I don't fancy spending that money on a ford versus what my 535d is like from build, engine, better interior etc

Disco, r class, q7 good shout but in auto diesel pushes it to the high price bracket

Xc90 I had a nosey around one at £12k forgot the year, but the trim around the door was loose, then looked at another and the door didnt close to the gap and so has put me off

My Disco is the non-expensive tax bracket.
It's one of the first Disco 3s so it sneaks in under the 2004 changeover.

Not the a few hundred quid matters in a £10k car.