Estate Search

Wednesday

snotrag said:

Buy this. Seriously. It is lovely.

I miss my W212 massively.

https://www.wrcarsales.co.uk/used-mercedes-benz-e-...

Everything thats good about them, but being an Import its also a high spec, lovely smooth V6 petrol, will be mint underneath, and low miles. Rocking Horse, Hens Teeth, etc etc..

Mine is even better than this with a 5.5 V8 and will be available for considerably less than this……

Rear subframe was replaced last year which is a big issue on the 212. I’m not sure I would buy one without this (import may be a lower risk but no guarantee )

BUG4LIFE

2,053 posts

220 months

Wednesday

snotrag said:

Very good to drive. Comfy, cossetting, Air suspension, takes massive loads without affecting the ride. OP is asking for a big practical family estate car 'keeper', not a hot hatch, not trying to be a BMW etc.

Honestly - In between all the sports cars and fun stuff I've owned, my prefacelift E350 estate is the one car I wish I'd never sold.

I guess it depends what the OP means by 'enjoy driving'?! Being comfy could be a form of enjoyment smile

I like the Merc btw.

stevemcs

8,757 posts

95 months

Wednesday

MrBig said:

Just last week I picked up a Skoda Superb Sportline 270 4x4 and I'm genuinely blown away by how good it is. More rear legroom than the Ford Ranger I had before, massive boot and more importantly handles really well. The steering is so sharp and it corners far better than anything the cheap side of an RS6 has a right to do.

It might not be right for you but I would recommend having a test drive.

I have the 280, I wouldn't say the steering is the best and handling is best described as ok. The Mk4 Mondeo it replaced had better steering and handling.

Stephen-0jlhl

14 posts

68 months

Wednesday

This is a great post, I'll be keeping a close eye on it, and sorry to hijack a little. It's just that I've started looking recently for the exact same criteria and have almost settled on the Superb 280 4x4.

I do have an eye on the 535i touring and E-Class, as I'd like something big, comfortable, with a bit of grunt when needed. But I'm concerned about running costs, especially when these cars are around 90,000 miles. Have I got any concerns?

I'm coming out of a 2 year lease (Skoda Kodiaq 1.5 Sportline) in September and as much as I like the car, I cannot get another low powered car, and there's nothing around the same deal currently, so looking at an outright purchase.

Thanks...

Gin and Ultrasonic

199 posts

41 months

Wednesday

If you're looking for something relatively modern, I had a Volvo V60 (2018 onwards) with the T5 engine and a Polestar upgrade in Inscription Pro trim which I could thoroughly recommend, although it was a bit small in terms of boot space and (rarely used for me) rear legroom compared to cars in the class above like the V90, Superb etc.

It was perfect for my wife and I with occasional passengers, tip runs etc.

The Polestar map transformed the gear shifting (a known issue with the Volvo gearboxes) and mid-range power, with no noticeable impact on mpg. I think it had around 250bhp, which was plenty power for the UK roads.

Reasonably rare as well compared to BMW, Merc and Audi.

MrBig

2,863 posts

131 months

Wednesday

stevemcs said:

I have the 280, I wouldn't say the steering is the best and handling is best described as ok. The Mk4 Mondeo it replaced had better steering and handling.

Sportline Plus? I'm surprised. My brother had a Mk4 mondeo and I never thought it was particularly good.

Rich135

770 posts

244 months

Wednesday

Biglips said:

Thank you!

I am going to run the Boxster as a second car for a month or so to make sure I gel with it before selling the E500.

I need to make sure I am making the right decision to sell the E500 as it is the complete car really. Final trip in it to the south of France with the family in July ( they are happy to come home when a free holiday is on offer…)

Gratuitous picture

Is that Putsborough by any chance??

Biglips

1,345 posts

157 months

Wednesday

Rich135 said:

Is that Putsborough by any chance??

Good spot! My favourite beach

dunc69

705 posts

249 months

Wednesday

MrBig said:

Just last week I picked up a Skoda Superb Sportline 270 4x4 and I'm genuinely blown away by how good it is. More rear legroom than the Ford Ranger I had before, massive boot and more importantly handles really well. The steering is so sharp and it corners far better than anything the cheap side of an RS6 has a right to do.

It might not be right for you but I would recommend having a test drive.

I had a 272 L&K Superb (‘68) for 12 months recently. I had it mapped to 350bhp.

It was very fast and had all the toys. Interior and boot room were comically vast too.

But, the suspension was either too soft and wallowy, or too firm in the sport setting. It was also quite creaky over bumps. I had the dampers changed under warranty, but 6 or 7k miles later the creaking came back.

I had quite a few issues with the car (it could have just been a Friday afternoon car, but previous Skodas I have had were better screwed together) and in the end I had to let it go before I went mad.

But, if you get a good one, it does tick a lot of boxes, especially with a growing family.

stevemcs

8,757 posts

95 months

Wednesday

MrBig said:

stevemcs said:

I have the 280, I wouldn't say the steering is the best and handling is best described as ok. The Mk4 Mondeo it replaced had better steering and handling.

Sportline Plus? I'm surprised. My brother had a Mk4 mondeo and I never thought it was particularly good.

L&K with DCC (one seems to be knocking) came from a 2.2 Titanium Sport X

21,818 posts

261 months

Wednesday

Biglips said:

Mr E said:

Biglips said:

I will be putting your old E500 up for sale in August - kids have left home and downsizing to a Boxster.

Congrats/condolences on the kids leaving.
Don’t tempt me. The 500 is a much more memorable car than the Tesla is.

Thank you!

I am going to run the Boxster as a second car for a month or so to make sure I gel with it before selling the E500.

I need to make sure I am making the right decision to sell the E500 as it is the complete car really. Final trip in it to the south of France with the family in July ( they are happy to come home when a free holiday is on offer…)

Gratuitous picture

It was always a car that just did the work.

21,818 posts

261 months

Wednesday

Biglips said:

( they are happy to come home when a free holiday is on offer…)

And, noted for about 8 years time (give or take a couple)

Chicken Chaser

7,937 posts

226 months

Wednesday

VW Passat R Line 4 motion BiTDi? Probably slightly better build quality than the Skoda, comes with a lot of spec and I think about 240hp.

21,818 posts

261 months

Wednesday

Chicken Chaser said:

VW Passat R Line 4 motion BiTDi? Probably slightly better build quality than the Skoda, comes with a lot of spec and I think about 240hp.

When you could have 400bhp of creamy smooth v8 and air suspension. Tsk.

smile

nobrakes

3,064 posts

200 months

Thursday

Biglips said:

snotrag said:

Buy this. Seriously. It is lovely.

I miss my W212 massively.

https://www.wrcarsales.co.uk/used-mercedes-benz-e-...

Everything thats good about them, but being an Import its also a high spec, lovely smooth V6 petrol, will be mint underneath, and low miles. Rocking Horse, Hens Teeth, etc etc..

Mine is even better than this with a 5.5 V8 and will be available for considerably less than this……

Rear subframe was replaced last year which is a big issue on the 212. I’m not sure I would buy one without this (import may be a lower risk but no guarantee )

Rarer than a rare thing.

But, 17grand and it’s already 10yr old, even if from Japan.

Actually, a quick auto trader check suggests it’s not too out of the ball park. Maybe 15.

Edited by nobrakes on Thursday 27th June 01:42

nobrakes

3,064 posts

200 months

Thursday

Mr E said:

Biglips said:

Mr E said:

Biglips said:

I will be putting your old E500 up for sale in August - kids have left home and downsizing to a Boxster.

Congrats/condolences on the kids leaving.
Don’t tempt me. The 500 is a much more memorable car than the Tesla is.

Thank you!

I am going to run the Boxster as a second car for a month or so to make sure I gel with it before selling the E500.

I need to make sure I am making the right decision to sell the E500 as it is the complete car really. Final trip in it to the south of France with the family in July ( they are happy to come home when a free holiday is on offer…)

Gratuitous picture

It was always a car that just did the work.

Epic cars.

21,818 posts

261 months