Euro Wagon?

[edgemar]

I've got a kid on the way and I need to trade out my wife's C30T volvo. I want to pay less than $20k...

I'm looking at an 06 e350 Wagon with about 60k miles. Am I crazy???? It has "electronic braking" not sure what that is. good/bad?

I'm also considering:

ML350
X5
2002-2003 E39 Wagon
325I wagon
volvo XC70

I really don't want to go with a japanese car. But if these cars are truly at PITA i'll probably go for an outback or mdx...

[A930Rocket]

Do a search on the engines. Some have balance shaft and cracking intake issues such as our 06 MB R350.

[pavulon]

If you live in LA as indicated, a Volvo V70 R might work well. Do you need an XC70 or SUV?

[edgemar]

i'd prefer a wagon.

I've always heard volvo's aren't as good as mbz or bmw...

[imcarthur]

From my (limited) vantage point, modern (2000+) used Euro cars seem to start self-destructing around 8 years/100K miles - whichever comes first. Personal Audi & BMW experience . . .

Ian

[edgemar]

Originally Posted by imcarthur

From my (limited) vantage point, modern (2000+) used Euro cars seem to start self-destructing around 8 years/100K miles - whichever comes first. Personal Audi & BMW experience . . .

Ian

That's what i'm worried about....buying a car that becomes an electrical nightmare...

[ChemMan]

We bought a ML320 when we had our first child. On our second ML320 now. I have been happy with it. If you check out benzworld, I am sure you will find out if there are issues with the ML350.
I have a family member who swears by his X5.

[edgemar]

here's a good link to these cars on the peach parts side:

best years for the w211? - PeachParts Mercedes ShopForum

[Nickshu]

The Volvos I have owned gave been super reliable and trouble free. I've not owned a BMW or a Merc but friends who have found the cost of ownership to be high.

Personally I try to spend less on my daily driver so I can spend more on my "fun" car.

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S3 using Tapatalk

[willtel]

I have a 2001 325i as a daily driver. It currently has 181k miles and has been pretty reliable. Typical BMW cooling system and suspension issues but it is very DIY friendly and parts aren't too bad. Id recommend one, it isn't very powerful but it handles very well and and has all the features I need in a daily.


IMG_0100 by willtel, on Flickr

[edgemar]

i'm inclined to agree an e46 or maybe a w210 wagon...

I love those wheels!

[RWebb]

get a Black Audi wagon

[onewhippedpuppy]

Have you driven the E350? I had a similar thought and drove a newer E class V8 wagon, it is definitely more on the side of isolated comfort than sport. Nice car but I didn't care for it. Also consider:

Audi S6 - wagon only, no worse reliability than MB or BMW
Audi A4/A6 - A4 can be had with a stick
Audi S4
BMW 3 or 5 series - the 3 can be had with a stick
Volvo V70/V70R - great cars, can be had with a stick
Subaru WRX wagon
Subaru Legacy GT - STi for grown ups
Lexus IS300 Sportback
Saab 9-5 Aero - parts aftermarket seems to be filling the void, excellent deals to be had on the cars
Mazda3/Mazdaspeed3 - hatchback = wagon
VW GTi - hatchback = wagon
Ford Fiesta/Focus hatch - nearly new cars can be had for $20k, a bit more buys you the very good ST version

Don't rule out a sedan either. My S8 will haul three kids in back easily (3/6/9) along with a trips worth of stuff.

[Steve Carlton]

Are you talking <$20K with or without tax & license? Before or after C30 trade?

The V50 is a very reliable car. The 2.4i is pokey, the T5 is strong, and the hard-to-find T5 AWD R-Design has a sport suspension and was offered with a stick. All can be had with lots of life in them for around $20K.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Should probably ask, is this the family truckster or an additional car? Is it for you or your wife?

[beepbeep]

Audi S-anything: run away. They are nice when they work...which they frequently don't.
SAAB 9-5: dirt cheap and best bang for buck until engine grinds to halt due to sludge-issues. Russian rulet.
BMW 5xx: nice but not really made to last. Lot's of small fidgety issues. Rear hatch rusts, steering bushings wear quickly etc.
Ford: low-budget car trying to mimic up-market cars. It shows.

My best bet would be a Volvo V-something or a Subaru.

[edgemar]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

Should probably ask, is this the family truckster or an additional car? Is it for you or your wife?

Wife's car is the C30 we will sell and get a family truckster.

The V70 or XC70 idea sounds good. Any specific years to look for....or get the newest I can afford?


$20 is max max budget....the less spent the better.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by beepbeep

Audi S-anything: run away. They are nice when they work...which they frequently don't.
SAAB 9-5: dirt cheap and best bang for buck until engine grinds to halt due to sludge-issues. Russian rulet.
BMW 5xx: nice but not really made to last. Lot's of small fidgety issues. Rear hatch rusts, steering bushings wear quickly etc.
Ford: low-budget car trying to mimic up-market cars. It shows.

My best bet would be a Volvo V-something or a Subaru.

Your Audi comment is true for some but not others. I have a higher mileage 2002 S8, over the course of one year and 10,000 miles I have replaced an HVAC fan and cooling fan clutch, grand total of maybe $300 in parts. It doesn't get much better than that in a used car.

Saab sludge = moron owners that followed the ridiculous extended oil change intervals. Many other makes had the exact same issue including Toyota. I had a 9000 Aero with 235k, original motor, turbo, transmission, head gasket, etc.

The Fiesta and Focus are about $20k brand new. You get what you pay for, in this case a fun to drive economy car that is as nice or nicer than the competition.

Oh yeah, and Subarus have a propensity to eat head gaskets and weak transmissions. The V70R AWD bevel gear fails and takes out the AWD system. Every car has its issues....

[onewhippedpuppy]

In that case I retract many of my recommendations. From my perspective (kids 3/6/9) for a family car you need to go try out your choices with the God-forsaken rear facing removable child seat that the kiddo will be riding in. Reasons:

You will be amazed how heavy the little bundle of joy is once you strap him/her into the big heavy car seat. And they only get heavier.

Big heavy car seat needs a big door that opens wide to get it through or you'll be cursing daily as you maneuver it in.

Recommended safe location is rear middle. In a smaller car that means you'll be maneuvering it in sideways then rotating it to latch into the base, i.e. leaning in with your arms straight out then rotating 90 deg, all while trying to be smooth and steady to avoid waking the kid. Oh yeah, and if your car is low you'll be doing that all while bending over at the waist.

Smaller back seat + baby seat = no room for anyone else. It also could mean that you drive with your seat forward to allow the seat to fit.

As much as I hate to say it, there's a reason why SUVs are so popular with families. It is SO nice to not have to bend over while maneuvering a baby seat into the back. Especially since you will be probably doing it multiple times per day. Also, with it being your wife's car, I would rule out anything that is older and European. Do you really want your wife and newborn broken down because you wanted a "fun" family car? There are a ton of good Japanese midsize SUV choices in the under $20k range, I would (and did) go that route. We had a 2003 4Runner with kids 1-2, then a Nissan Armada when kid 3 came. There was a Cadillac SRX and Mazda MPV in there as well, which were respectively too small and a minivan (which my wife hated). Now our family car is a 2012 F150. I would look at:

Honda Pilot
Toyota Rav4
Toyota 4Runner
Acura MDX
Mazda CX7/9 - my personal favorite, I'll probably be buying a CX9 soon
Nissan Murano
Lexus RX

All are good SUVs that can be had for under $20k used.

[edgemar]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

In that case I retract many of my recommendations. From my perspective (kids 3/6/9) for a family car you need to go try out your choices with the God-forsaken rear facing removable child seat that the kiddo will be riding in. Reasons:

You will be amazed how heavy the little bundle of joy is once you strap him/her into the big heavy car seat. And they only get heavier.

Big heavy car seat needs a big door that opens wide to get it through or you'll be cursing daily as you maneuver it in.

Recommended safe location is rear middle. In a smaller car that means you'll be maneuvering it in sideways then rotating it to latch into the base, i.e. leaning in with your arms straight out then rotating 90 deg, all while trying to be smooth and steady to avoid waking the kid. Oh yeah, and if your car is low you'll be doing that all while bending over at the waist.

Smaller back seat + baby seat = no room for anyone else. It also could mean that you drive with your seat forward to allow the seat to fit.

As much as I hate to say it, there's a reason why SUVs are so popular with families. It is SO nice to not have to bend over while maneuvering a baby seat into the back. Especially since you will be probably doing it multiple times per day. Also, with it being your wife's car, I would rule out anything that is older and European. Do you really want your wife and newborn broken down because you wanted a "fun" family car? There are a ton of good Japanese midsize SUV choices in the under $20k range, I would (and did) go that route. We had a 2003 4Runner with kids 1-2, then a Nissan Armada when kid 3 came. There was a Cadillac SRX and Mazda MPV in there as well, which were respectively too small and a minivan (which my wife hated). Now our family car is a 2012 F150. I would look at:

Honda Pilot
Toyota Rav4
Toyota 4Runner
Acura MDX
Mazda CX7/9 - my personal favorite, I'll probably be buying a CX9 soon
Nissan Murano
Lexus RX

All are good SUVs that can be had for under $20k used.

Thx for the good info.

for the mazda cx-7/9 are you recommending new or used?