It's a nice-looking jam jar, but I think I'd go slightly older with the 6-pot if I was going to look at the E Class. I did consider it before we bought the 530, but MrsC abhors estates like nature abhors a vacuum. I'm flying a kite on the Saab...!

If you can wait a couple of years I'll sell you my recently acquired 530d M-Sport manual

Why the smilie...?!

It'll probably be knackered by then

My best efforts are always thwarted by women!

I've been looking at some of the E Classes as a run-about to dump mileage on, how ever it has been hard to find decent ones as the pre 06 models are prone to expensive electrical faults.

A class Merc is butt ugly but not bad price and decent room in the Avantgarde diesel 1.7 long wheel base - might just get one for a giggle and see how it lasts either that or the Audi A2 - same butt ugly but seem to have a following...... Or shall I get my coat........

I had an A class, massive inside for the size of the car, plastic wings, spark plugs are a PITA to change as are front bulbs.

A friend had an A-Class and had horrendously expensive ECU issues. Doesn't mean it's a common fault, but as a vehicle it generally does nothing for me.

Agree - and butt ugly to boot - but if just to dump mileage on so that the decent cars get preserved - my vehicle tax bill next year is going to be a bugger, £475 for the R32, £270 MCS and what ever I get for my work commuter on top of that......if not careful I could end up near £1k for all three.

Hence looking for an oil burner in a lower tax band

Yikes! That's a lot just for tax. Have you looked at a Mégane 1.5 dci? They are in the £35 bracket and can be had for very little wedge.

Renaults arent really my bag, misses had a Clio 172 for a short while, I know the sporty Renaults can be quick and the high end version have great toys/lux bits, but I just dont seem to be happy 'wearing' them.....

I know the feeling - as you say, if it's just to dump miles on it, then it saves a decent motor getting spoiled!

If you're looking at Saabs, have a gander around here. You may even find me skulking around although for reasons apparent in the other thread I've just posted in this section, I may not be around those parts for much longer (at least on the ownership front).

I had one as a company car a few years ago. No poke whatsoever but it was a very comfortable cruiser.

It was pretty spacious, looked ok (subjective, I know) and had a nice amount of kit too.

I did have a look around there Wishy. I'm worried your 9-5 going pop will spoil my torrid fantasy affair with a HOT Aero; it's no fun if real world stuff like uneconomic repair happens!

They do have issues - chains to replace, coil pack (1 unit) they do like to break too.... lots of Vectra parts on them so not too expensive.

Don't I just know it bro.

Plenty of toys though in the top end model's.

You live to buy cars that have issues! It's your destiny!!!

I do it on purpose. I just like messing with cars.

Anyway lacetti estate. Butt ugly but cheap as chips.

I wouldn't let my "sample size of one" tale of woe worry you too much. I haven't ruled out a HOT Aero yet for the replacement, although yes they do drink fuel if that's a concern. Mine (2.2Tid) has been a rock for the 4 years PC (post coupe), it's just now down to the banger money level of value that something like this will take it down on a head over heart point of view. Same as any other car on that front.

At least I'll get the little bugger back in my sig.

I thought that was aimed at Jim

I think it was...

If not, it should have been!

Definitely aimed at me.
It's what I do. It's my thing.

Although it sounds like you like to do it 2 Jim.

I do. But not deliberately. Although, as the saying goes, "failing to plan is planning to fail".

Oh it's never deliberately done on my part. I just can't help myself. I see it, I want it and you know how the rest of it goes.

I know that saying well.