Help - family growing!

[magnum pi]

Hello, a new boy here!

I have a great 1995 E300D Auto Saloon. Only about 176k on the clock and the best car I have ever had.

It's perfect for the 2 kids that we have....although in July, we will have another new addition. Now, I am struggling to see a way to fit three kids across the back seat - following the changes in the law requiring booster seats for all kids up to 12 and Ronnie Corbett.

My kids are 4 and 2 so all need boosters / seats etc. The passenger front seat has an airbag which as far as I know can't be switched off (unless anyone can correct me?). The centre of the back seat only has a lap belt.

So, my thought was to get rid of the saloon and buy a Merc 7 seater estate. I do not, under any circumstances want to buy a people carrier. I'd rather cut my arms off than be driving around in a Scenic or a Zafira. Ugh.

Love my merc, and also want to buy an older model, mainly due to cost (sub £5k is my ideal) both in purchase and servicing. I have a massive distrust if cars which need plugging into a computer to be serviced - seems to add ££££££s to the bill, but happy to be put straight if I am being a luddite, as usual.

Any advice on the merit of the 7 seaters, the best models / years / engines / places to buy would be great. Alternatively, if anyones managed to get 3 small kids across the back seat of an E Class (legally and without gaffer tape) then let me know.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Bolide]

You can get a 3-point belt retrofitted to the rear of a W124 - I was told this by a customer. I don't know who does it but Google should help

The airbags each have a connector which would be used to disable them. It's a 2-minute job

Probably the best 7-seat alternative to a 1995 E300 Diesel saloon would be a 1995 E300 Diesel 7-seater estate. Not exactly common, but they are out there

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[lakeside]

Well, IMO the best bet would be a similar age and spec W124 300D estate. Better the devil you know...Extra features over and above those of your saloon are self-levelling rear suspension, a vast flat load area withe the seats folded, and proper roofrails. You could stick on a sexy roofbox for kiddie paraphanalia. The rear-facing seats have 3-point belts, and in my opinion, they would be safer without booster seats, as they're tailor made for kids and small people, but the law doesn't seem to take this into account. I often carry my two little nieces in the back, they love being in their own space, and making faces at following cars. For around 5 grand you'd be able to get a very good one if you choose carefully - Bolide, who posts here regularly, will have good advice on these, and may be able to sort you out. *edit* he's already answered! I don't think you're being a luddite - the OM606 engine is very easy and cheap to maintain, and will go on almost for ever if regularly serviced.

 

[mattsurf]

I have an W124 E280 estate with 7 seats - I have always wondered about the safety of the rear seats.

Has anyone been shunted in an E class estate - would the rear passengers be particularly at risk?

 

[Parrot of Doom]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gI8e-lwOoZk

Merc E430. Not bad.

Now look at this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCIBOYxzqko&mode=related&search=



If you're very concerned about safety, the best advice I can offer is to take a course of advanced driving lessons. You might think that its impossible to avoid being rear-ended, but there are practical easy steps to avoid it.

£100 on advanced lessons compared to many thousands for a newer stronger car - and the advanced lessons will help you avoid the accident altogether.

 

[Stircrazy]

Any W124 comparison crash tests Parrot?

These E classes look a bit light!