possibly impossible... V8 estate tow car
Discussion
Starting to think about replacing my current S210, E300 merc (1997ish) as its getting on a bit, and as good as the engine is, (and it IS good), the body is really showing its age, and as people will know, that era of mercs like to rust....
My issues occur, where Id really like a V8 petrol, because, well, V8.... I dont really do all that many miles, about 6-7k in this car, so the obvious choice, given how much ive enjoyed the merc i have now, is a AMG e class wagon. However, about 1/2 the time im using this car, it has a car trailer on the back (not half the milage by a long shot, its usually local stuff) so i need something thats type approved for towing 2t. Estate requirement is sort of flexible, but it must be big enough to comfortably seat 5 full sized humans and a weekends worth of stuff, so an estate seems the best option, plus i prefer the look of them.....
Only options ive found are:
S213 Merc E500 (not the AMG one, none of them are type approved for towing, by the E500 is) Im keen on this option, but theres not a huge amount of them about
Newest shape AMG merc e class, but theyre mental money
300C wagon, not the worst option enginewise, but theyre not a pretty car by a long shot, and tend to look at bit drug dealer-y which is not me....
If we go away from estate, and entertain 4x4 stuff, then a RRS is an option, with the supercharged v8, but im really not keen, on either JLR stuff, or the 4wd stuff....
BMW all seem to be 6 pot, which whilst im sure is an excellent engine, is two cylinders short of the requirement here....
Budget is flexible, but ideally under 30k, with running costs that wont bankrupt me (other than fuel, that one, ill take my medicine on)
Can anyone think of any other options that I should be looking at??
Cheers
My issues occur, where Id really like a V8 petrol, because, well, V8.... I dont really do all that many miles, about 6-7k in this car, so the obvious choice, given how much ive enjoyed the merc i have now, is a AMG e class wagon. However, about 1/2 the time im using this car, it has a car trailer on the back (not half the milage by a long shot, its usually local stuff) so i need something thats type approved for towing 2t. Estate requirement is sort of flexible, but it must be big enough to comfortably seat 5 full sized humans and a weekends worth of stuff, so an estate seems the best option, plus i prefer the look of them.....
Only options ive found are:
S213 Merc E500 (not the AMG one, none of them are type approved for towing, by the E500 is) Im keen on this option, but theres not a huge amount of them about
Newest shape AMG merc e class, but theyre mental money
300C wagon, not the worst option enginewise, but theyre not a pretty car by a long shot, and tend to look at bit drug dealer-y which is not me....
If we go away from estate, and entertain 4x4 stuff, then a RRS is an option, with the supercharged v8, but im really not keen, on either JLR stuff, or the 4wd stuff....
BMW all seem to be 6 pot, which whilst im sure is an excellent engine, is two cylinders short of the requirement here....
Budget is flexible, but ideally under 30k, with running costs that wont bankrupt me (other than fuel, that one, ill take my medicine on)
Can anyone think of any other options that I should be looking at??
Cheers
Id defo consider a s212, s211 im not a fan of especially, all of the bad bits of the 210 im trying to get away from, with a worse feeling interior.... Dont get me wrong, i know theyre good cars, but ive done a fair few miles in one that had half the miles of my 210, and it felt like it was the other way round.....
I don't do more mileage than you, but often tow stuff, including a horse trailer, which with two horses on board is 2.5 tonnes., and a car trailer.
I have solved my recent tow car issue (my X Trail is knackered) by going V8 too.
My V8 choice, which will handle all the stuff you mention and tow 3.5 tonnes really well, is a Range Rover. The Full Fat version.
I have gone for a 4.4 TDV8, which has over 500 lb ft of torque and over 300 bhp, but they do a supercharged 4.2 or 5.0 as well if you prefer petrol.
It's a comfortable, airy, spacious thing with plenty of tech, as oyu would expect from a car that was £70k plus when new.
If you are on a tight budget, you can get a 2011 or 2012 one for less than you might expect.
I have solved my recent tow car issue (my X Trail is knackered) by going V8 too.
My V8 choice, which will handle all the stuff you mention and tow 3.5 tonnes really well, is a Range Rover. The Full Fat version.
I have gone for a 4.4 TDV8, which has over 500 lb ft of torque and over 300 bhp, but they do a supercharged 4.2 or 5.0 as well if you prefer petrol.
It's a comfortable, airy, spacious thing with plenty of tech, as oyu would expect from a car that was £70k plus when new.
If you are on a tight budget, you can get a 2011 or 2012 one for less than you might expect.
im just not sure i can get on board with *anything* JLR unfortunately...... Ive spent enough time around them over the years to know that on paper, theyre pretty much the correct answer, except for when they break. which they do a little too often for my liking..... Ive got a good mate that likes to buy broken disco 3&4, and rebuild the engines. Hes really good at it, and makes good money doing so, but he shouldnt be able to find as many broken ones as he does.....(i know the tdv6 is the bad one, not the v8, but its left kinda a bad taste in my mouth, as much as i enjoy hanging out with him whilst he rebuilds them....)
In other news, ive just discovered that the Landcruiser amazon came with either a petrol v8 (thats going to be the 'UZ' engine im guessing) or a diesel option.... as much as im not a 4wd lover, i *might* be willing to comprimise for a landcruiser (its another itch i need to scratch at some point). The same also applies to a g wagon, but wow those buggers are expensive......
In other news, ive just discovered that the Landcruiser amazon came with either a petrol v8 (thats going to be the 'UZ' engine im guessing) or a diesel option.... as much as im not a 4wd lover, i *might* be willing to comprimise for a landcruiser (its another itch i need to scratch at some point). The same also applies to a g wagon, but wow those buggers are expensive......
sasquar said:
actually a 212 e500 would be best, @383hp, its dam close to matching the numberplate off my 210!! im not sure its the *best* reason to buy one, but im going to roll with it.... just need to find one for sale now, currently i can find....none.....
My 212 wagon was easily the most complete car I’ve ever owned. Genuinely could do anything. Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff