A Sunday Really-Quite-Likely Collection Thread

[rantingYoof]

Following the successful roffling of SnrYoof's Omega, a replacement workhorse has become a priority.

 

Criteria of replacement...

• Large estate
• Automatic
• Petrol
• Engine larger than 2.4 litres 
• Budget up to £3k

While another bangernomic shed like the Omega was not entirely out of the question, SnrYoof reasonably wanted something that he could take a little pride in and actually enjoy driving about a bit more than he could the Omega. Not only should this car be a workhorse, but essentially the car he uses for shorter local trips that wouldn't warm his XF up that well.

 

It was late last week that I located a thing which I sent to him for perusal, and it turns out it's ticked all the boxes. A pleasant and reassuringly cliche-free conversation with the seller has occurred and it looks like today we shall be setting off for that there SARF LONDON to have a gander and, unless there are significant discrepancies between what's been said and what reality is, collect the motor.

 

No clues, other than it's at the top end of the budget, COLOSSAL and has a reassuring (but not quite the unquestionably correct) number of cylinders. 

 

Hence, I am up early, and as this is possibly an actual collection thread, the next post will contain a picture of my breakfast for peer review.

[rantingYoof]

Behold a blurry photograph of some food.

 

[fairkens]

Dairylea?

[320touring]

Chrysler 300c?

 

Chodspeed regardless

[Jim Bell]

Nordic?

[HillmanImp]

[smellypoo]

Merc E-class estate?

[bangernomics]

Volvo 850?

[rantingYoof]

First step, collect SnrYoof.

 

 

Second step is to drive to MK to avoid a bus wanker replacement service.

[rantingYoof]

Train achieved. According to National Rail this Virgin Pendoooleeeaano takes 51 minutes to get to Euston instead of the normal 30ish.

 

[rantingYoof]

Ah, we're on the 'slow line'. That's why.

 

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[320touring]

Chod(slow)speed

[Supernaut]

Should've stayed in the Lexus instead. That's the fast line.

[rantingYoof]

Euston achieved. Have found footage shot.

 

 

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[rantingYoof]

Now sitting in a cafe in Tooting Bec. Awaiting confirmation of seller's presence.

 

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[Isaac Hunt]

Next stop Peckham

 

No income tax no VAT, no money back no guarantee

[rantingYoof]

Test drive commences. smellypoo is owed points.

 

[rantingYoof]

A purchase is being made. It really is completely immaculate.

 

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[rantingYoof]

WAFT

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[Peter C]

Wow! More details please.

[Jim Bell]

An immaculate car, in London?

Quick, get it away.

[rantingYoof]

Sorting out insurance. Details later.

 

 

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[rantingYoof]

On the M1 from the beginning. Effortless cruising...

 

 

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[Liggle]

Had that engine in my CLK, smoooooth

[rantingYoof]

And now I am home...Nine hours after setting off.

 

Full write up on car to come later.

 

It's quite excellent, however.

 

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[rantingYoof]

Wow! More details please.

 

Okay, so this is a 2003 Mercedes E320 estate in a blue-grey. It's done 140,000, and has good service history complemented by a wad of papers.

 

Engine-wise, it's a 3.2 V6 with 225hp or thereabouts, mated to a five speed automatic. I think the 3.2 unit was quite old by the time it was put into this car, and I'd also be surprised if the car weighed less than 2000kg. Therefore, its performance can be described as being more-than adequate, and it's fair to say the gearbox is tuned more for lazy power and torque delivery than rapid downshifts and kick-back acceleration. It makes a bloody nice noise which appears at around 3500rpm, a bit like the LS400.

 

It was originally a Mercedes demonstrator car, and as such it was given a large number of optional extras such as a soft-close boot lid, folding wing mirrors, heated rear seats, colour sat-nav, front and rear parking sensors. When it was six months old it was bought by a doctor, who proceeded to lavish care and attention on it and essentially got absolutely anything done that needed doing. It has the original bill of sale to the doctor, and also comes with original first-aid kits and luggage fasteners for the boot etc. 

 

It had a gearbox service (£180) two years (and less than 10k) ago. In the last two years, in fact, it's had the best part of £2k spent on mechanical consumables that one would entirely expect after 140k. 

 

The bodywork is absolutely immaculate, with virtually no dings or scrapes on any panel whatsoever. The interior is absolutely spotless. All the electrical gubbins works, including the heated rear seats (which are wonderfully vicious).

 

Did I mention it's big? Sitting in the rear passenger seats and noting how much car there is both in front and behind you makes you realise why they were able to make it a seven seater...it's gargantuan.

 

On the way there I was worrying that it was a little over priced at the top end of our budget. It was, after all, a 16 year old car. However, there are not many 16 year old cars being sold in this sort of condition and with the kind of service history this has, and I think, on balance, it was worth the money over a ropier lower spec version in resale silver.

 

The dealer was a thoroughly nice chap who was laid back and honest and used not one single cliche or phrase that sets alarm bells ringing or eyes rolling. In fact, the only gripe was the signing of the receipt, where he had to remind us that 'obviously there's no warranty given or implied on an old car like this'. I'm certainly not someone who would advocate using the sales of goods act an all that malarky if it turns out the windscreen washer jets do not work (they don't), but I'm afraid when someone is shelling out three bags for a car being advertised with no faults and as being 'ready to be enjoyed by the next owner' you cannot wiggle out of your potential obligations if the gearbox sharts itself two days later.

 

Anyway, the the car drives like a dream and feels like it's done 40k; the suspension, steering and brakes are all absolutely perfect, so I won't be losing any sleep over warranty comments.

 

Importantly, my dad is very happy and I imagine is looking forward to working out what all the unfamiliar (to both of us) buttons do.

[Peter C]

Sounds pretty cool.

 

Air suspension?

[rantingYoof]

Sounds pretty cool.

 

Air suspension?

Yes indeed.

 

Bit of a liability but apparently* you can do a coil spring conversion without too much hassle.

[Peter C]

I bet the ride comfort is magic. Let’s hope it doesn’t go wrong as that could be costly.

[Brodders]

I was half expecting a V70 or E-Class, as your dad did mention it was possible one of the two would be replacing the Omega.

 

That does look like a very nice thing to waft about in. This era of Mercedes have aged very well too, it looks nowhere near 16 years old. Best of luck with it.