Arghh what car 7k conundrum
Discussion
So I'm coming off the lease wheel and will need a car to carry two bikes and be a general reliable beater.
Must be big enough for 3 plus bikes.
The idea is buy private, under 70k miles, as new as possible, 1.5l+ (upto 3 if its diesel).
So far I've found private sellers asking the same pricing as dealers. I.e post covid robust pricing plus how can private sellers ask the same?!
Ideally an estate, or SUV etc.
Seat Exeo estate looks a good leftfield choice.
I know nothing about Mercedes estates and worry about big bills - any of those in particular to go for?
Ideas and inspiration please.
Must be big enough for 3 plus bikes.
The idea is buy private, under 70k miles, as new as possible, 1.5l+ (upto 3 if its diesel).
So far I've found private sellers asking the same pricing as dealers. I.e post covid robust pricing plus how can private sellers ask the same?!
Ideally an estate, or SUV etc.
Seat Exeo estate looks a good leftfield choice.
I know nothing about Mercedes estates and worry about big bills - any of those in particular to go for?
Ideas and inspiration please.
Skoda superb estate?
It's amazing how little £7k gets you these days. Volvo v70s seem to be incredibly high prices, but the v60 estate seems to be considerably better value for some reason, so I perhaps one of them?
D5 is a lovely engine, although the auto gearbox is a bit meh. It's fine though, and better once warmed up.
It's amazing how little £7k gets you these days. Volvo v70s seem to be incredibly high prices, but the v60 estate seems to be considerably better value for some reason, so I perhaps one of them?
D5 is a lovely engine, although the auto gearbox is a bit meh. It's fine though, and better once warmed up.
Skoda Octavia Hatch can get a 29er in with the seats down and the handle bars turned, is a bit tight on length with the wheel attached still and not sure I'd want to try and stack another bike on top of it.
An estate would definitely have an easier loading hole. A Superb is bigger than an Octavia and one of the longest estates on the market, so I'd imagine without moving to something like a Skoda Roomster or another van-ish type vehicle you might struggle if you need to have all 3 bikes inside the cabin rather than roof rack or trailer.
An estate would definitely have an easier loading hole. A Superb is bigger than an Octavia and one of the longest estates on the market, so I'd imagine without moving to something like a Skoda Roomster or another van-ish type vehicle you might struggle if you need to have all 3 bikes inside the cabin rather than roof rack or trailer.
I had an Exeo estate for 10 years / 100k from almost new. It was a lovely car but specific Seat parts are obsolete and hard to find (bumper, wings, lights) so a minor parking incident would write the car off if going through insurance. They are also quite small inside, an Octavia/Golf Estate has a much bigger boot.
Mine was immaculate, annual servicing and never put a foot wrong until the steering rack went and it became impossible to find a replacement (obsolete in Germany, but not for the B7 Audi equivalent) and my specialist didn't want to refurbish mine due to time and effort waiting and car taking up a ramp. Sold it for spares repairs for £2k. Bought it for £15k with 3k on the odo so not a bad thing over 10 years.
Superb as mentioned is massive. Audi A6 is another option but you'll be getting an older car of course vs Skoda.
Mine was immaculate, annual servicing and never put a foot wrong until the steering rack went and it became impossible to find a replacement (obsolete in Germany, but not for the B7 Audi equivalent) and my specialist didn't want to refurbish mine due to time and effort waiting and car taking up a ramp. Sold it for spares repairs for £2k. Bought it for £15k with 3k on the odo so not a bad thing over 10 years.
Superb as mentioned is massive. Audi A6 is another option but you'll be getting an older car of course vs Skoda.
As in big enough to put the bikes in? Not to mount a thing on the back/roof?
Quite a few choices but I guess it depends what you want to do with age vs mileage.
Passat is gigantic inside and the VWs are robust and easy upkeep. Mondeo is also huge, lesser badge but better to be in than the Passat.
If you want a bit more leftfield, be tempted for a Volvo of some kind, V60, V70, XC60 or XC90 as they're nice to be in but slightly smaller.
Quite a few choices but I guess it depends what you want to do with age vs mileage.
Passat is gigantic inside and the VWs are robust and easy upkeep. Mondeo is also huge, lesser badge but better to be in than the Passat.
If you want a bit more leftfield, be tempted for a Volvo of some kind, V60, V70, XC60 or XC90 as they're nice to be in but slightly smaller.
Hugo Stiglitz said:
So I'm coming off the lease wheel and will need a car to carry two bikes and be a general reliable beater.
Must be big enough for 3 plus bikes.
The idea is buy private, under 70k miles, as new as possible, 1.5l+ (upto 3 if its diesel).
So far I've found private sellers asking the same pricing as dealers. I.e post covid robust pricing plus how can private sellers ask the same?!
Ideally an estate, or SUV etc.
Seat Exeo estate looks a good leftfield choice.
I know nothing about Mercedes estates and worry about big bills - any of those in particular to go for?
Ideas and inspiration please.
My first choice wuld be an E Class estate.Must be big enough for 3 plus bikes.
The idea is buy private, under 70k miles, as new as possible, 1.5l+ (upto 3 if its diesel).
So far I've found private sellers asking the same pricing as dealers. I.e post covid robust pricing plus how can private sellers ask the same?!
Ideally an estate, or SUV etc.
Seat Exeo estate looks a good leftfield choice.
I know nothing about Mercedes estates and worry about big bills - any of those in particular to go for?
Ideas and inspiration please.
E250:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202308010...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202308251...
E220:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202308251...
Insignia Elite Nav:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307079...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202308150...
Now a bit of a leftfield option is the last of the line Laguna estate, they're reliable & represent good value.
Dynamique TomTom:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305207...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307119...
+1 for a superb
worked on Mercedes' for 7yrs so may be able to help somewhat.
generally the chassis for the W212 (E-class) and W204 (C-class) were well built with easily less issues than the current generations so I would go for one of those if you did go the merc route. 220d/250d of either is reasonably solid engine which can do a fair few miles. the 350d's are very good just have to be aware of the oil cooler in the middle of the "V" leaking from the seals between 80-120k miles which is the biggest issue with those.
As long as the gearboxes have been serviced on time you will be good. also if you need a little more power the 350d can map up to 300/310hp with no real supporting mods so can be very quick too.
worked on Mercedes' for 7yrs so may be able to help somewhat.
generally the chassis for the W212 (E-class) and W204 (C-class) were well built with easily less issues than the current generations so I would go for one of those if you did go the merc route. 220d/250d of either is reasonably solid engine which can do a fair few miles. the 350d's are very good just have to be aware of the oil cooler in the middle of the "V" leaking from the seals between 80-120k miles which is the biggest issue with those.
As long as the gearboxes have been serviced on time you will be good. also if you need a little more power the 350d can map up to 300/310hp with no real supporting mods so can be very quick too.
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