WDB
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Post by WDB on Jun 7, 2017 21:34:10 GMT
Well, if, as seems likely, my employment deficit situation is resolved before the notice period I'm being paid in lieu of has even expired, there's going to be a bit of free cash sloshing about round here. We we also have an eight year old estate car on the drive, sound enough but feeling stodgy compared with the best modern alternatives. And I'm going to be commuting by train, making the case for my lounge lizard BMW chariot less strong in the long term. So I'm thinking: replace the Bus now with something a bit more modern, stylish and fun, while still adequately commodious. Then - some time later replace the Chariot with something more geared to Mrs B1's mostly local uses - maybe even something electric. There are nice E-class estates that are more fuel-efficient than mine, have lighter interiors and more advanced infotainment systems, and whose looks I've learned to find less challenging. And then there are things like this: www.mercedes-benz.net/p/uk/en/used-cars/cls-250-cdi-blueefficiency-shooting-brake-amg-sport/0f0b1d9fb15dd5a5acfced0317b9a3d6?pid=MBUK_UC_UCL_CTA_190216Don't know if we'd all fit in, but it might be fun to find out. Mightn't it? |
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Avant
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Post by Avant on Jun 7, 2017 22:26:56 GMT
By the look of it you and Mrs de B will both be doing low mileages, but no doubt it'll still be worthwhile having two cars. I'd have thought the last thing you need is a diesel: isn't this a great oppportunity to go for a BMW petrol straight-six 5-series Touring?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 7, 2017 22:37:13 GMT
Pah! Four cylinders..... You want six or it's not a real car.  Great opportunity though if you can fit in. |
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WDB
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Post by WDB on Jun 8, 2017 6:31:22 GMT
Fair point about diesel, Avant - although of course it's hard to find a used Mercedes estate, whether E or CLS, that isn't. Lowish mileage, yes, but not generally short journeys, for the bigger car anyway. I was surprised by the prices of CLS estates, though. These are cars that started typically £10,000 more than the mechanical equivalent E estate, and now seem to be selling at almost the same price. Perhaps the CLS loses out on the ultimate practicality that keeps E prices healthy, even as they age. As to cylinders, I'd hope a CLS250 would be at least as civilized as the E220, which does a good job of keeping the Sprinter thrum out of our ears. But there may be a way to keep you both happy: www.vcars.co.uk/used-cars/cardetails.php?t=vcarsdna&u=234214(It was meant to be the subtler CLS500 but I couldn't find one.) |
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Post by Humph on Jun 8, 2017 8:41:45 GMT
Would I ?
Of course !
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 8, 2017 9:39:08 GMT
I wouldn't, no. I'd use a substantial windfall as a deposit on a buy-to-let property. Somewhere easily rentable, up north. But that's because I feel insecure about my financial future at the moment - if I didn't, then yes, I probably would.
Regarding Avant's point, so what if it's a diesel? You'll mostly use the car for motorways/holidays/full loads, where large diesels come in to their own in terms of torque and economy. E350 would be the one. I know a bloke in Manchester who might sell you one.......
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Post by Hofmeister on Jun 8, 2017 11:10:05 GMT
Yes I would, and as you know I am. Its actually quite a heart wrenching fraught mental struggle when you have a pot load of money to spend on a car. Choices choices choices GAHhhh!
See my review of the BMW 5 series.
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WDB
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Post by WDB on Jun 8, 2017 11:12:54 GMT
Just did. 5-something Touring could be high on my list but I am limited to what will take two 1.9m-plus teenagers in the back, with 1.97m of me driving. The previous Touring would not; the new one is rumoured to be a bit bigger inside.
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Post by Hofmeister on Jun 8, 2017 11:33:55 GMT
Just did. 5-something Touring could be high on my list but I am limited to what will take two 1.9m-plus teenagers in the back, with 1.97m of me driving. The previous Touring would not; the new one is rumoured to be a bit bigger inside. Go sit in the new S/V90, the interior space front and rear is HUGE, the boot is long, but restricted in height. |
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WDB
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Post by WDB on Jun 8, 2017 12:47:11 GMT
Yes, I will. But if I'm going to part with the Chariot - not immediately but in a year or two - then I'd like the remaining 'main' car to have a bit of fun factor about it. The V90 interior looks great, but I suspect it's a stodgy drive compared with a Touring, or even a CLS.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 8, 2017 15:38:00 GMT
As to cylinders, I'd hope a CLS250 would be at least as civilized as the E220, which does a good job of keeping the Sprinter thrum out of our ears. But there may be a way to keep you both happy: www.vcars.co.uk/used-cars/cardetails.php?t=vcarsdna&u=234214(It was meant to be the subtler CLS500 but I couldn't find one.) Very nice! Not cheap though...... mind you if you can afford to fuel it, you can afford to buy it. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 9, 2017 19:57:51 GMT
Just did. 5-something Touring could be high on my list but I am limited to what will take two 1.9m-plus teenagers in the back, with 1.97m of me driving. The previous Touring would not; the new one is rumoured to be a bit bigger inside. How old are the teenagers and how long do you want to keep the next car for ? How much longer are the teenagers going to be knocking around with the 'olds' for ? Maybe put up with what you've got for another year or two then buy something for you and Mrs WdB when the young WdB no longer want to be in tow/want their own wheels and freedom. |
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WDB
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Post by WDB on Jun 9, 2017 21:20:47 GMT
Teens are 14 and 16, so two more years with both at home, perhaps followed by some ferrying to and from a university campus somewhere. Yes, the status quo is an option. But, well, y'know - shiny.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 9, 2017 21:48:53 GMT
I know, shiny things makes everything better and in two years time we might be sitting in a smoking Trump sized ruin or there could be two years newer shiny sh*t to buy.
Who knows ? Gubmints might even have their heads around what fuel to put in our cars or petrol might be the devil incarnate and diesel could be the planet saver. What ? Mrs. May never made a U-turn before ?
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Post by Humph on Jun 10, 2017 8:09:16 GMT
Before diesels became the subject of such derision, it was a widely held view that if you wanted a car you could run more or less indefinitely, you bought a four cylinder, rear wheel drive, automatic Mercedes. The one you have could potentially carry on for a very long time, if that's what you decided to do.
But I do get "shiny" !
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