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[TheBoy]

Not really, it's simply that TB has been a bit reticent with specifics... they're all there somewhere over the last ten pages

A common theme, over the last 5 43 years. Regardless of the subject.

Fixed.

Well we can't help you if your going to play secret squirrel. ...conclude, TB dosnt want helping. Awkward bugger.

Is300. I'm tellin ya!

Like a lot of things, I don't know what I want.  I know what I don't want, and is300 does fit in that category at the moment.

[Andy B]

A E320 (3.0 diesel) Merc goes pretty well. I was impressed with the performance of the E Class estate I drove just when looking for a 'new' car ...... I bought the R320 though 

[henryd]

A E320 (3.0 diesel) Merc goes pretty well. I was impressed with the performance of the E Class estate I drove just when looking for a 'new' car ...... I bought the R320 though 

I look after an E320cdi,I like it a lot,far more than the equivalent BMW 

[Andy B]

A E320 (3.0 diesel) Merc goes pretty well. I was impressed with the performance of the E Class estate I drove just when looking for a 'new' car ...... I bought the R320 though 

I look after an E320cdi,I like it a lot,far more than the equivalent BMW 

Trouble with Mercs (no idea about other 'prestige marques'  is that every car seems to be differently spec'd ....... some have this, some have that but rarely do they have this and that.
And just about all of them are a bloody 'sport' ....... I want an exec car to waft/wallow along, not be able to feel every crisp packet that I drive over. I like my Airmatic set to Comfort ....... Sport is horrible

[Sir Tigger KC]

A E320 (3.0 diesel) Merc goes pretty well. I was impressed with the performance of the E Class estate I drove just when looking for a 'new' car ...... I bought the R320 though 

I look after an E320cdi,I like it a lot,far more than the equivalent BMW 

Trouble with Mercs (no idea about other 'prestige marques'  is that every car seems to be differently spec'd ....... some have this, some have that but rarely do they have this and that.
And just about all of them are a bloody 'sport' ....... I want an exec car to waft/wallow along, not be able to feel every crisp packet that I drive over. I like my Airmatic set to Comfort ....... Sport is horrible

My Merc is an ' Elegance '    although in truth it's more like an ' Inelegance '   

[05omegav6]

The Russet edges add a certain rustic charm though

[Del Boy]

So which is it?

Performance = V8
Reality = Diesel

Limited to BMW & Audi as they are about the only to make fast V8 diesels

Think it's been mentioned but dare I say 530/535d. Straight six, economical for its size and limited to 155. Don't know what budget or requirements are though. Trust me, you won't know you are in a diesel.
No idea on maintenance costs though so could be a nightmare. 

I like 5s but as you say service costs will be high. Limited DIY base too.

With my decent tools these days, going classic route is valid option.  Expensive to fuel, but cheap to service.

Trade BMW parts, cheap stuff, DIY on a 5 Series, easy stuff .

Are they similar to the e39 5 Del? Suspension joints, turbo, injectors, hedgehogs, swirl flaps, diesel pumps(x5?)...?

E60's are generally pretty good to be honest, injectors can be troublesome, turbos not as big of an issue, swirl flaps we're changed from 2005 onwards, still there as an issue, but not a big problem, diesel pumps not heard of an issue with one of those really . BMW's are no better reliability wise than anything else I've got to say, however the engines are cracking, build quality is good, and they drive like a car should.

[tunnie]

TB wants another project Tractor, thats what. You will get used to the manual gearbox.

Cheap to buy, cheap to run, gives you the bit of fun, should get close to 40mpg with the diesel manual.

[Kevin Wood]

TB wants another project Tractor, thats what. You will get used to the manual gearbox constant engine swaps again.

Fixed that for you.

[Kevin Wood]

Actually been trying to think of something.. Really can't, though. I can't get excited about anything new. Quite like the recent Mazdas and they don't really have an "image", which is the thing that'd completely put me off an Audi. If their reliability is as good as it was, it should be a safe bet. My F.I.L has a recent Mitsubishi Lancer, which I quite like the looks of (in black). Not an overstyled sheep in wolf's clothing like most cars these days IMHO. Not driven one, though.

If wanting something cheap to run you'll end up with a FWD tractor-engined repmobile anyway, so just buy the one you hate the least, once it's done all its' depreciating.

[chrisgixer]

TB wants another project Tractor, thats what. You will get used to the manual gearbox.

Cheap to buy, cheap to run, gives you the bit of fun, should get close to 40mpg with the diesel manual.

And if he gets an Estate, he won't need a garage either.


Hold on. A manual gear box? ...as TB would say, stupid boy Pike.

[Rods2]

We are all talking about tractors as he needs 40mpg+, but does he if it has LPG? The problem with modern tractors is that the fuel consumption saving can be an illusion with the higher purchase price and running costs through high pressure pumps, turbos, DPF's and injector reliability all too often means the cost of spare parts more than outweighs the reduced fuel running costs.

My own conclusion is that petrol + LPG is probably a cheaper and better route for many over the overall cost of a tractor. Should he be looking within his budget for petrol plus the cost of an LPG conversion?

[tunnie]

We are all talking about tractors as he needs 40mpg+, but does he if it has LPG? The problem with modern tractors is that the fuel consumption saving can be an illusion with the higher purchase price and running costs through high pressure pumps, turbos, DPF's and injector reliability all too often means the cost of spare parts more than outweighs the reduced fuel running costs.

My own conclusion is that petrol + LPG is probably a cheaper and better route for many over the overall cost of a tractor. Should he be looking within his budget for petrol plus the cost of an LPG conversion?

This is spot on, you can spend £15k on something that does 50mpg and quick, but the big diesels do appear to suffer. As highlighted elsewhere engines these days are build more and more for emissions, less so DIY and driving experience.

A £10k Monaro + DIY service costs, vs say £15k Insignia? Going to take a long time to burn through £5k's worth of fuel...... well maybe not in TB's case 

[TheBoy]

TB wants another project Tractor, thats what. You will get used to the manual gearbox.

Cheap to buy, cheap to run, gives you the bit of fun, should get close to 40mpg with the diesel manual.

It won't be an Omega, and I'd never get used to that awful manual box.

[TheBoy]

We are all talking about tractors as he needs 40mpg+, but does he if it has LPG? The problem with modern tractors is that the fuel consumption saving can be an illusion with the higher purchase price and running costs through high pressure pumps, turbos, DPF's and injector reliability all too often means the cost of spare parts more than outweighs the reduced fuel running costs.

My own conclusion is that petrol + LPG is probably a cheaper and better route for many over the overall cost of a tractor. Should he be looking within his budget for petrol plus the cost of an LPG conversion?

LPG is out, as the whole point is having something with load carrying ability. I have 2 LPG cars already