lol guys!! you really do know how to make me laugh when I'm bunged up with a head cold 
I'll show my SIL the Elite, the big tank in the boot might put her off, like someone said, it makes an estate pretty useless with it there - wonder why they didnt put it lengthways down the side of the boot? At least you could still drop the back seats then.....
I dont think she's in a mad rush, the Merc is still going despite having a diesel leak that will cost a fortune to put right apparantly, so she's prepared to wait for the right car.
cheers,
Claire
Very difficult to get it through an inspection and, in a collision, it's like a missile because it won't compress 
ah, good point well made

I'll have a chat to her in the coming weeks and get a more definate price/wishlist for a car off of her, then start the search in earnest - she might yet got for a diesel, but I think she's warming to the idea of fuel thats virtually half price
