kitch
Part of things
Counting his chickens
Posts: 157 
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I'm guessing not, but is this to act as daily transport too? Can't help you there, but I'd be looking at the usual crowd:
Sierra
Mk1/2/3 Cavalier
Montego
Alfa 75
Accord Aerodeck (if you can find one!)
The Volvos and SAABs mentioned
And my personal favourite, of course...
Le BX! You'll get an 8v GTi for that money, which is interesting, reliable, easy enough to work on, fun to drive, different and practical.
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50bhp
Part of things
Posts: 93
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Until just recently I was doing this exact same search. Last year we traded up from a bog standard Trigano Trailer Tent to a much bigger and plusher Pennine Pullman folding camper and our weedy 1.6 Petrol Picasso was struggling to tow it, even though it was well within the on-paper towing limits. Like you, I had the idea that a modernish classic could provide a route back in to classic car shows as well as being a more gutsy tow car for family holidays.
I really wanted a Saab 900 or 9000 but the missus hates them so that was a no go, we compromised on a Volvo or Carlton Estate but utterly failed to find a decent one within the £2.5k budget.
Still like the idea though and would consider swapping the little red Fiesta for something barge like
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thebaron
Europe
Over the river, heading out of town
Posts: 1,659
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Last Edit: May 3, 2018 13:53:28 GMT by thebaron
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50bhp
Part of things
Posts: 93
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What about a Citroen XM Estate? Stands out from the crowd and cavernous inside.
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mgmrw
Part of things
Posts: 701
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ETA that 760 estate is 50 shades of awesome 😎😍😎😍😎 I did see the £2½K mentioned but wasn't sure if that was being added to money from the other cars you'd sold. If you watch what's about you should get a decent 760 for what you've got to spend and you'll almost forget you've got a caravan hitched up. It's the ideal time to sell your 1300, car show season has kicked off, worth taking along to a few shows with a 'for sale' sign displayed? Get some photos posted in the What's it worth? section, you might be aiming low with your price. Amongst the various other free ad sites you can advertise for free here; www.the1100club.com/marketplace.phpCheers, as soon as the garage is built, it's coming home. I'll then send it for test, oil change, and clean. Sad to see it go, but just not practical. |
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mgmrw
Part of things
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Cool.... Rovery.... She's kill me 😂 |
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mgmrw
Part of things
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You have covered all the top picks above I think. I just got a super cheap 850 T5 saloon auto to smoke around in and it is a tank. That said I had a W124 200 Estate previously and it was likewise. Given the budget I think you will get a lot more quality T5 for your cash than the equivilant W124 - (and hopefully way less rust) Also, the engine in the Volvo is far more interesting and sporting than anything you will get in the Mercs. I don't need sporty, got her fn2 type R and my 9-3 tid for hard suspension and 140+ top end. W124 rust worries me, but wafting. That said, 850 T5 would be 300bhp capable |
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mgmrw
Part of things
Posts: 701
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Until just recently I was doing this exact same search. Last year we traded up from a bog standard Trigano Trailer Tent to a much bigger and plusher Pennine Pullman folding camper and our weedy 1.6 Petrol Picasso was struggling to tow it, even though it was well within the on-paper towing limits. Like you, I had the idea that a modernish classic could provide a route back in to classic car shows as well as being a more gutsy tow car for family holidays. I really wanted a Saab 900 or 9000 but the missus hates them so that was a no go, we compromised on a Volvo or Carlton Estate but utterly failed to find a decent one within the £2.5k budget. Still like the idea though and would consider swapping the little red Fiesta for something barge like I might've read mb gazette... W123 tourer 😍 |
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mgmrw
Part of things
Posts: 701
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I'm guessing not, but is this to act as daily transport too? Can't help you there, but I'd be looking at the usual crowd: Sierra Mk1/2/3 Cavalier Montego Alfa 75 Accord Aerodeck (if you can find one!) The Volvos and SAABs mentioned And my personal favourite, of course... Le BX! You'll get an 8v GTi for that money, which is interesting, reliable, easy enough to work on, fun to drive, different and practical. Yeah, it's not a daily. Weekend only and holiday. BX? |
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mgmrw
Part of things
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ChasR
RR Helper
motivation
Posts: 10,309
Club RR Member Number: 170
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I've owned two W124 as well as two 740s. They include. Volvos1991 740 SE 2.0 Manual Saloon (EFI) 1989 740 GLE 2.3i Auto Estate (K-Jetronic) Mercedes1991 W124 300D Auto 1991 W124 250D Manual (I still own this as per my signature). The Volvos ain't quick by any stretch; I owned a Mk1 Focus 1.6 at the time which seemed much faster! The steering controls don't exactly give you much feedback and are inert. The Auto 4 speeds aren't too bad but the manauls IME can be a clunky thing to drive, despite Manualitis gripping the classic car world. But the Estates in those are super practical. The MPG however is very surprising between the two. The EFI car rarely went over the low 30s mark. As dollywobbler may recall the 2.3i despite being on the 'worse' K-Jetronic injection system would do around 33MPG average and around 36MPG on the motorway! Not bad for something brick sized! It was also very practical in the estate form. The saloon however with both having their boot areas covered had a larger a boot. The W124s for me have got under my skin, and it's more than just the badge! They're a nicer ride and IMHO a nicer drive too! They can be thrown around despite being a land yacht and are surprisingly nimble! They do also in good order just 'waft' down the road, with speed almost not seeming like an issue; I can see why good 320Es are starting to command more money. The interiors in W124s are a little nicer but there isn't much in it IMHO. For me the Mercs win there; they are a nicer package. Years ago I didn't get why people said to buy A W124 over an E34 5-Series until I drove my W124s for some time; there really is something about the way they get down the road. The diesels aren't frugal however which is why I suggested a 230E. The 300D does around low to mid 30s MPG. My 250D does around 38 to low 40s MPG. It will be interesting to see what it does on the way down to France. But I think the 850T5 may be worth a look if you can live with the MPG! We have two Mondeo 2.5Ts with the successor of that engine (the Focus ST/Volvo C30 T5 engine), and the engine transforms the character of the car. Both of the Mondeos get high 20s to low 30s MPG too, so they are not too terrible on fuel. |
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Phil H
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,448
Club RR Member Number: 133
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Young family friendly classic carPhil H
@philhoward
Club Retro Rides Member 133
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There is something about a Merc that I can't really quantify - they just do what they say on the tin. Nothing stands out as amazing, but they work very well as a package. Downside of a late 90's example is the build (rustability) is hit and miss - some seem to disintegrate while you look at them, yet others seem to survive very well. I've heard many stories regarding the paint process (it's when I believe they went over to water based paints) and popular colours (such as silver) suffer worse than "rarer" colours? A good one is very good; a bad one is a liability and there's not much in the middle. The best survivors seem to be solid colours - I've had 2 (190E and C250TD wagon), both in solid red, low spec and both pretty solid. The C250TD would constantly do high 30's to the gallon - 40mpg would be just about in reach if you were doing a long, steady run but it could certainly lift its tails when given the beans.
I had an E39 touring (in the least popular 520i form) which was a bit underwhelming to be honest. Bought as a temporary load lugger and was fine for its purpose but I wouldn't have another - I'd look for a Merc instead.
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kitch
Part of things
Counting his chickens
Posts: 157
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I'm guessing not, but is this to act as daily transport too? Can't help you there, but I'd be looking at the usual crowd: Sierra Mk1/2/3 Cavalier Montego Alfa 75 Accord Aerodeck (if you can find one!) The Volvos and SAABs mentioned And my personal favourite, of course... Le BX! You'll get an 8v GTi for that money, which is interesting, reliable, easy enough to work on, fun to drive, different and practical. Yeah, it's not a daily. Weekend only and holiday. BX? Yes, Le BX: www.google.co.uk/search?q=citroen+bx&client=opera&hs=ets&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjanPWTyOvaAhWBIMAKHRJOA_4Q_AUICigB&biw=1200&bih=887#imgrc=_ |
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50bhp
Part of things
Posts: 93
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50bhp
Part of things
Posts: 93
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mgmrw
Part of things
Posts: 701
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I've owned two W124 as well as two 740s. They include. Volvos1991 740 SE 2.0 Manual Saloon (EFI) 1989 740 GLE 2.3i Auto Estate (K-Jetronic) Mercedes1991 W124 300D Auto 1991 W124 250D Manual (I still own this as per my signature). The Volvos ain't quick by any stretch; I owned a Mk1 Focus 1.6 at the time which seemed much faster! The steering controls don't exactly give you much feedback and are inert. The Auto 4 speeds aren't too bad but the manauls IME can be a clunky thing to drive, despite Manualitis gripping the classic car world. But the Estates in those are super practical. The MPG however is very surprising between the two. The EFI car rarely went over the low 30s mark. As dollywobbler may recall the 2.3i despite being on the 'worse' K-Jetronic injection system would do around 33MPG average and around 36MPG on the motorway! Not bad for something brick sized! It was also very practical in the estate form. The saloon however with both having their boot areas covered had a larger a boot. The W124s for me have got under my skin, and it's more than just the badge! They're a nicer ride and IMHO a nicer drive too! They can be thrown around despite being a land yacht and are surprisingly nimble! They do also in good order just 'waft' down the road, with speed almost not seeming like an issue; I can see why good 320Es are starting to command more money. The interiors in W124s are a little nicer but there isn't much in it IMHO. For me the Mercs win there; they are a nicer package. Years ago I didn't get why people said to buy A W124 over an E34 5-Series until I drove my W124s for some time; there really is something about the way they get down the road. The diesels aren't frugal however which is why I suggested a 230E. The 300D does around low to mid 30s MPG. My 250D does around 38 to low 40s MPG. It will be interesting to see what it does on the way down to France. But I think the 850T5 may be worth a look if you can live with the MPG! We have two Mondeo 2.5Ts with the successor of that engine (the Focus ST/Volvo C30 T5 engine), and the engine transforms the character of the car. Both of the Mondeos get high 20s to low 30s MPG too, so they are not too terrible on fuel. Very useful post. Dad's got a w113 and w123, so for me, the w124 just feels.... Right. Volvo wise, the loaf of bread shaped stuff doesn't give me a tickle if I'm honest. How're, a 760 does, and an 850 with a T5 definitely does. Parents had a C70 a few years ago, I drove it more than they did..epic engines. curse word brakes. |
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mgmrw
Part of things
Posts: 701
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Cool, really cool. But, do they need welding for annual service? |
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mgmrw
Part of things
Posts: 701
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Niiiiiiice, if it was Not estate... Perfect, and awful |
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mgmrw
Part of things
Posts: 701
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Oh good lord. Take my non-existant money. If he'd swap for the 1300, I'd have that tomorrow. Utterly gorgeous, utterly amazing. Rovers 😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍 |
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This looks like a decent example of a 240.   |
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