Large country estate required........

[Rocket88]

My dear sister has just killed her relentlessly crap Saab Estate, which has been a pain in the arse since she bought it.

She and her tribe treat their vehicles in an appalling manner, so I've persuaded them to get something that will stand up to the rigours of their ownership better than the Saab did.

After much debate [bro-in-law knows nothing about cars, but is a a "badge snob"] we've decided an old Merc Estate, pref petrol, is the way forward. Budget is a measly £1500, and I need it by early August!

If any of you stout denizens know of such a vehicle, please post forthwith..............

[HillmanImp]

I put this on ebay tat the other day as it seemed a bit of a bargain but upon looking to put it on this thread, I see its sold:

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1993-MERCEDES-220-TE-AUTO-GREEN-/141341007344?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item20e8949df0#ht_342wt_1350

 

 

As I had put the effort in to look for it again, I thought I might as well post it. 

[HillmanImp]

This popped up on my suggestions though. 

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1986-MERCEDES-300-TE-AUTO-SILVER-300TE-7-SEATER/111385357874

 

£995 BIN

[HillmanImp]

As did this one, slightly over budget but I am sure you could knock em down a few quid.

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1994-Mercedes-W124-S124-E280-Estate-with-Sportline-options/141332524448?_trksid=p2047675.c100011.m1850&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140107083358%26meid%3D8258127533689466235%26pid%3D100011%26prg%3D20140107083358%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D10%26sd%3D141341007344

 

 

 

 

The OSR quarter panel was dented only a few weeks ago following a rather unfortunate slow speed incident on a roundabout...Grrr!. I'm still seething about that! 

 

 

 

Now, forgive me if I am wrong but this looks like a typical not staying in lane whilst going across a roundabout and hitting a car with nowhere to go, on the inside of the roundabout ......

 

Obviously it could be someone on the inside trying to cut in to the correct lane but which one is more likely?

[HillmanImp]

And another! There are LOADS out there! Have you even looked? 

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MERCEDES-BENZ-E220-2-2-PETROL-AUTOMATIC-ESTATE-7-SEATER-L-1994/261514693506

 

£595 BIN

 

 

 

Mot Expires 27th October 2014 With No Advisories

[Magnificent Rustbucket]

I like these Merc estates, I find them by far the most attractive type of W124. Same was true for the W123 one too, thinking about it.

[gordonbennet]

Take it from me, W124's will take abuse but i assure you they will not take kindly to neglect and will bite you in the arse most painfully if you do neglect them, for that you either need a good old Ovlov 940/850 or...and i bet you never gave one of these a thought...Subaru Outback, especially the model up to 03 one of which i have, if petrol cost isn't too much of a worry then H6 is the one, chain cam and slush box as standard, a far better car than you might think and apart from spark plugs (bastard job) lovely to work on.

[messerschmitt owner]

Sam's Xm is a third of the budget. Buy it. It's a great car.

 

http://autoshite.com/topic/17321-citroen-xm-estate-for-sale-mot-no-tax-now-on-evil-bay/page-2?do=findComment&comment=598740

[Rocket88]

in answer to Mr Imp's perfectly vaild comment..............yup, seen a few advertised, just wondered if any of you worthy denizens had one tucked away somewhere..........

[twosmoke300]

Old Honda accord aerodeck. Just watch for abs motor faults .

[Wackeldackel]

Think this probably tells you all you need to know....http://youtu.be/2rz4IweGEGs

 

Of course I have a vested interest (got a w124 saloon) but they really are solid, the earlier ones are strangely better than the newer too, as penny pinching started in the early 1990s. However even the latest ones are 20 years old, and as the saying goes "there's no car dearer than a cheap mercedes". Mind you, if that chap Nick Froome in Brighton can make a living even today just by selling W124 estates, it must say something about build quality and longevity.

[twosmoke300]

Or a Subaru. Perfect country gent estate.

[dome]

Am I the only one who thinks a w124 would be wasted on someone who doesn't look after cars? Get her a pickarsehole and stick an Audi badge on it.

[Spiny Norman]

^^This.

 

I also think that a cheap 20+ year old Mercedes will cause such a person (or whoever is tasked with keeping her cars running) nothing but trouble and expense. Get her a Mongdeo instead, or if she's that fussy about badges, a Volvo V70.

[Rocket88]

Mr Dome has a very valid point................

[richardmorris]

As has been mentioned a w124 estate will go on for ever if looked after. An XM estate is huge but will require weekly attention to avoid temper tantrums. For someone who doesn't like or take care of their possessions get them a Mondeo estate or something disposable.

[Lukas]

And old Subaru Legacy/Forester Estate with the EJ20 2.0 petrol-engine and manual transmission. Keep it waxoyled and it will drive on forever.

Or an old Volvo 940 maybe.

[rml2345]

A W124 would be wasted on someone who isn't going to look after it. Besides, it's still old and will need at least some routine maintenance to stay functioning.

Another vote for a recentish Mondeo/Passat/V70/C5 etc.

[Shep Shepherd]

I'd go for a Volvo 740 or 940, as they are well-built, fairly reliable, fairly cheap to run, easy to fix and can take a lot of abuse

[Junkman]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1995-CHEVROLET-CAPRICE-WAGON-LT1-350-motor-last-of-the-wood-sides-/161349646211

[richardmorris]

" purchased for a celebrity client" - Chevy Chase?

[Rocket88]

Presume Volvo 850 may be a good option?

[beko1987]

See if the SVM has any surplus!

[Geep]

If Merc orientated, how about a C class?

 

Even modern ish E class estates are cheap.

 

Watch for rust though.

[Rocket88]

i want something with as few modern electrical shenanigans as possible. They can break cars just by looking at them...........

[Geep]

i want something with as few modern electrical shenanigans as possible. They can break cars just by looking at them...........

 

Ahh, best avoid modern mercs then.

 

Volvo seems good idea. What about 4x4's? Surf or a Shogun?

[Junkman]

i want something with as few modern electrical shenanigans as possible. They can break cars just by looking at them...........

 

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ford-Granada-Mk1-Estate-very-clean-well-looked-after-Low-miles-/201118721451

[forddeliveryboy]

I'd suggest an Audi A6, pre '98. They're tough and very, very simple. Parts prices cheap enough, too. 124s can get extravangantly pricey for those who abuse cars, it's surprising how fast they can get into a proper mess and cost £££ while an A6 would almost ignore the same treatment. Go for a 1.9TDi or if diesel really is off the cards then a 4 cylinder petrol.

[Rocket88]

Right..........this is what I've persuaded [told] them to consider...........Volvo V70 /860/740 etc etc. Nissan Primera Estate [look suitably weird , are they any good?] Audi A6, and older variants [old CD etc] Subaru Legacy, they want something a bit out of the ordinary...they're both bloody architects, hence the Saab. Anyone anything interesting that may fit the bill....wedge waiting, can collect early August! 

[cort16]

That diesel e class on rr looked promising .