All round Workhorse question.

[MBDevotee]

In about 6 months I am going to need a workhorse.....

It’s job will be to (initially)

1) Drive me an hour to work and back - so comfort and economy are very important.
2) Tow a 3100kg +. trailer once or twice a month so that conflicts totally with the “economy” requirement.
3) couple of times a week carry my kids as well (5dr)
4) Maybe carry a few of their mates too? (7 seats handy but far from vital)
5) pre 23rd March 2006 reg date would save a chunk on road tax unless it was 224g co2 or less £530 a year is a bit steep

In addition I’d quite like it to look quite good, drive well and generally do a good job of being an all-rounder.

Am used to high spec, so would like auto and plenty of toys.

Problem is... budget - only around £5k - a bit more could be found but not £10k or anything like that.

Obvious candidate W163 ML have owned 2 x ML500 and on lpg they are just about affordable to run - but these are getting extremely long in the tooth now and most are very rusty, good ones turning into rocking horse whatsit..... plus they don’t drive as well as W164 and would hesitate to ever have another 270 cdi engine

W164 - not many pre March 06 but so be it - seem a good allrounder if prepared to forgoe 7 seats but for budget may need to buy well over 100k miler - 420 seems same price as 320, is this cos they drink more than a drunk at a wedding?

GL320 - fits most criteria but a barge and probably well over budget unless 200k miles +

R320 seems nice, 7 seats available and nice inside, but despite running gear from ML, tow weight is rubbish compared to ML / GL

Discovery - would like to reach destination under own steam not AA/RAC Same with RR Sport and RR - plus not sure I like the earlier LR/RR interior - later ones better

X5 - none pre 2006 so go prev model and I don’t get tow weight, go newer and budget becomes an issue plus road tax!

Shogun - solid, but as nice to drive as a tractor
Landcruiser - same

So, given the very limited budget, suggestions?????

 

[Blobcat]

Land Rover 110 and a E-Class Estate

 

[MBDevotee]

Couldn’t do a long trip in a 110 - worst car ever made

 

[Kev555]

3100kg trailer is the deciding factor in choosing your vehicle, probably nothing much out there will drive nice with that weight requirement and you're going to have zero economy

 

[KennyN]

Subaru Forester ?

Ran a 2011 one for a year as a workhorse and liked it , 2L boxer diesel is a bit rough but gets the job done as far as economy / emisions and torque goes. Van like with the seats down and will accommodate a pallet no problem. Get the right spec and you get leather / nav etc.

The only issue may be with the CVT gearbox and your pulling requirements.

K

 

[Wighty]

Facelift E320cdi (late 06 to 09), tax is £300 ,although not sure what the tow limit will be ?

 

[Blobcat]

Facelift E320cdi (late 06 to 09), tax is £300 ,although not sure what the tow limit will be ?

2,100 max...

 

[Blobcat]

Couldn’t do a long trip in a 110 - worst car ever made

That’s a very bold statement... and not generally agreed...
Land Rover or a Umm Alter...tough decision

 

[Mark A]

I have both 320 & 420 W164’s and there is next to nothing in it when it comes to fuel economy +/-26 mpg with upto 30 on a run.

 

[s5tuart]

I'd have said a 7 seat E Class but towing that weight needs something beefier.
Nissan Pathfinder perhaps?

 

[rorywquin]

In about 6 months I am going to need a workhorse.....
.......................

Shogun - solid, but as nice to drive as a tractor
Landcruiser - same

So, given the very limited budget, suggestions?????

Have you ever driven a Landcruiser? I've owned a 200 series V8 and driven loads of 100 Series (which is what you'd be looking at pre 2006). They are fantastic vehicles. Comfy, nice to drive, powerful (depending on model) and reliable.

They are not too popular here but go anywhere else, where you need a proper 4wd and all you will see is Landcruisers.

 

[LostKiwi]

Couldn’t do a long trip in a 110 - worst car ever made

Sacrilege!
I'd regularly spend all day in my Defender driving about the country.

Don't discount Toyota Land cruiser. They're actually surprisingly nice to drive, especially in Prado/Colorado form..
A V6 petrol on LPG is very cheap to run.

Only issue might be towing capacity.

 

[MBDevotee]

The tow weight is the problem with most non meaty 4x4

Subaru’s are great, but only two low 2200 kg

Sorry to all the q10 lovers, but I am used to comfort, my right arm is cramped against the door jam, the steering is awful, the age I can afford I couldn’t find the cruise control (how can you make a car that doesn’t have cruise control?)

I will need to look up Landcruiser and the range. I know the Amazon will tow 3500 but that is a tank. If the Colorado would do it then that might be an option.

I do keep coming back to the W164 and interesting that they don’t have much difference in economy between 320/420 - Mark A, why do you have both? And if you had to sell one, which would you keep?

Pathfinder only tows 2700 kg, and I think the Auto actually less.

 

[MBDevotee]

Crikey, not only is the Amazon a tank it’s also crazy money!

There are 2001 cars for £15k!!!

Prato looks viable - bit agricultural, but would certainly meet the spec.

I’ve looked at pickups, but for the budget, they mainly tow 2500kg and are battered and badly equipped.

 

[Mark A]

I do keep coming back to the W164 and interesting that they don’t have much difference in economy between 320/420 - Mark A, why do you have both? And if you had to sell one, which would you keep?

we live in the country side in NE Scotland and I bought my 420 to make sure I could get into work (42 miles away) in winter. The wife got hers as she liked mine and we thought it would be better on fuel.

I would keep the 420 all day long. Try one, much quicker and loads of torque - much more than the 320. Just keep an eye out for water getting into the rear SAM.I was able to move mine to a vertical position to try to prevent damage if it did get wet in there.

 

[M80]

Advantage of the Gr Cherokee is far less rust than a 163.
Depending which model you have the choice of 2.7 CDI or V6 CDI (in Merc engine it went VW then Fiat).
No dealer support but spares still available after market.
The 2.7 OBD is very limited regarding OBD compliance, don't know about the later V6 (I'm ignoring petrol possibilities as you said economy (good luck) and the sacrifice to go LPG 'aint worth it).

Plenty of toys and comfort, even if a bit wobbly. But certainly obc set up for the WJ is limited, you want mpg you're also stuck with Fahrenheit for instance.

As a workhorse that'll take punishment while providing comfort (but only 5 seats) it fits.
Something that can tow that weight and be economical otherwise is expecting a lot, but the WJ if driven lightly can return 42mpg (I have experience), town driving expect more like 26 / 27. Tax still 'aint friendly but what will be?

 

[ajlsl600]

Have you ever driven a Landcruiser? I've owned a 200 series V8 and driven loads of 100 Series (which is what you'd be looking at pre 2006). They are fantastic vehicles. Comfy, nice to drive, powerful (depending on model) and reliable.

They are not too popular here but go anywhere else, where you need a proper 4wd and all you will see is Landcruisers.

G wagon.300 late 90,s model good ones wont be 5k tho think yr looking estate.if u go benz go with least electronics poss. Or bmw cos as far as I know they are upgradable ? U will struggle to upgrade ur benz beyond floor mats!!

 

[MBDevotee]

Grand Cherokee will tow 3500 kg on the 3.0 engine from 2005 onward so that works.

Have had the prev gen on lpg and liked it, just was the 4.0 and oddly it didn’t tow well, lacked low down torque - v8 would have been fine.

Not sure what “sacrifice” you need for LPG? I really like LPG cars in general.

 

[MBDevotee]

Rather have a GL than G-Wagen don’t get why people pay more for a less comfy vehicle.

Ok, so also found Q7 & Tourag - oddly Q7 only tows 3200kg but counters with surprisingly low CO2 so cheaper tax

Anyone owned either?

 

[JBell]

Rather have a GL than G-Wagen don’t get why people pay more for a less comfy vehicle.

Ok, so also found Q7 & Tourag - oddly Q7 only tows 3200kg but counters with surprisingly low CO2 so cheaper tax

Anyone owned either?

A friend had a Q7, they eat tyres and anything rubber, cost him a fortune to run