The wife wants a 4X4

[jibcl500]

All

As above, the wife has decided she would like another 4x4, its now my job to give her a list of motors to look at.

My first priority is to find something that has done the bulk of its depreciation, its got to be diesel, we are not trading anything in this will be an outright cash buy. budget is I assume £8-£10k but I could be wrong about that.

I’ve discounted the jap stuff, also Landrover Range Rover for reliability reasons, BMW no $^cking way. So the only 4x4 I can think of is ML or G wagon.

I’ve shown the good wife a G wagon 300 diesel, her reaction was "I’m not driving round a £1000 car" I had to explain to her that it was actually £14k and that should she look after it then it will retain its value very well.

Then I found the ML 270 CDi so I want any info from owners about reliability, running costs, MPG etc and things to look for when buying.

Thanks

jib

 

[Hibbo]

No comment!

 

[jibcl500]

Ok Toyota it is then.

jib

 

[shaungriff]

if you want a reliable mordern 4x4 that looks nice you've gotta buy japenese

 

[RGubbioli]

Toyota LandCruiser Amazon to be precise, the only 4x4, albeit slightly overkill in most parts of the UK. 10k will get you the latest incarnation, which is quite nice and luxurious.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/151179.htm

I heard MLs are full of trim, electric etc problems, best avoided.

 

[Andy Wr]

Nothing wrong with Ml's, lots of us have them on this forum but many people on this forum hate us for it as they are not green, chelsea tractors used by women for the school run, unsafe if a pedestrian steps in your way etc ........... heard it all before, overall they are a superb motor, go for a face lift version as the pre face lift did have problems, buy and enjoy, they are awesome.

 

[jibcl500]

My bro in law is the director for Lexus and Toyota Cambridge, so finding the right Toyota at the right price wont be a problem, I just cringe at the sight of Japanese cars especially Toyota.
Also the size of the Toyota 4x4 are just stupid, I dont have anything against 4x4's and I dont care if pedestrians are more likely to get killed by a 4x4 than a Frod Mondain. If you walk in front of a car your gonna get hurt its simple dont walk in front of cars.
I dont care if my 5.0 Coop is melting the polar ice caps and polar bears have to move to cambridgeshire and eat the fenland folk, its evolution, its too late to worry about it.
I wouldnt have a 4x4 if we didnt need it, we get enough snow sometimes to need one, we also need to carry 3 Bernese Mountain dogs and my wife needs something big enough to bounce off something sometimes.


jib

 

[Parrot of Doom]

I'm not sure why you're not interested in an X5, they're superb cars and near the top of the class in off road ability.

 

[jibcl500]

Because its a BMW


jib

 

[Chas]

All

As above, the wife has decided she would like another 4x4, its now my job to give her a list of motors to look at.

My first priority is to find something that has done the bulk of its depreciation, its got to be diesel, we are not trading anything in this will be an outright cash buy. budget is I assume £8-£10k but I could be wrong about that.

I’ve discounted the jap stuff, also Landrover Range Rover for reliability reasons, BMW no $^cking way. So the only 4x4 I can think of is ML or G wagon.

I’ve shown the good wife a G wagon 300 diesel, her reaction was "I’m not driving round a £1000 car" I had to explain to her that it was actually £14k and that should she look after it then it will retain its value very well.

Then I found the ML 270 CDi so I want any info from owners about reliability, running costs, MPG etc and things to look for when buying.

Thanks

jib

I have not actually owned a 4x4, but I have driven almost all of them over 20 years on grouse moors , tracks, on road, off road.
They were mostly top of the range, but some lesser older models.
I would stick to Japanese/Toyota, great off road, and quiet on road. Go for deisel, preferably a "Chelsea tractor" which has not seen any real off road action, or towing.

good luck

 

[Parrot of Doom]

Nothing wrong with Ml's, lots of us have them on this forum but many people on this forum hate us for it as they are not green, chelsea tractors used by women for the school run, unsafe if a pedestrian steps in your way etc ........... heard it all before, overall they are a superb motor, go for a face lift version as the pre face lift did have problems, buy and enjoy, they are awesome.

I'm sure you'll agree with me when I say that offroad vehicles are more environmentally friendly due to their average longer lifespan, and actually they take up only as much room as a family saloon/mpv, and that the pedestrian stats so often bandied around are actually for US imported vehicles....

 

[Andy Wr]

I regularly use my ML for off roading whilst out shooting etc, it is a superb capable vehicle, the only other 4 x 4 that catches my eye is a Range Rover Sport, I do like the shape and interiors of them very much.

 

[jibcl500]

Ive got a 20 year old Trooper SWB that I use everyday for my work and when I have time I off road it. It can go places the dicso and RR can't, and I prefer it over the CL because I have to worry when I take the CL out whereas the Trooper I dont care, for example there's this little prik in the village that rides around on a scooter, hes done something to the exhaust so its mega loud, he rides up and down the high street all day and all night.
Anyway I came out of the shop on the high street the other night and saw his scooter parked up in front of my trooper so I drove forward and knocked it over and then partly drove over it. I didnt hear it come down the high street afterwards and I havent heard it since. accidents happen.

jib

 

[Apial]

I have had a GD300 and they are very sluggish with poor fuel consumption. They are excellent on the battlefield, a good wading depth and usually very reliable, however God help you if it breaks. My last one was only 5 years old with 60K on the clock. It was the second worst car I have ever owned for reliability. As soon as the warranty was up it was sold. I'm told it was just a bad one, and possibly this is true, but you should have seen the repair bills!


I think you should find her an Audi Allroad 2.5Tdi Quattro. A far more modern drive with better handling, performance, and fuel economy. There are plenty about at the price you are talking of, and it will be a lot newer too, perhaps a 2003 model.

 

[jibcl500]

So thats the G class out then. We had a bad experience with an Audi so they are definitly off the list.

this is the list
ML 270 CDi
Toyota Rav 4 D4D
Landcruiser


jib

 

[Andy Wr]

RAV 4 have no off road ability, I looked at the 2002 + models as well as the latest model, my mate has the later model, I also tried the Honda CRV, Shogun Pinin, land crusiers, Freelander, X5, X3, Range Rover and a few more, the ML was far superior in my worthless opinion, I nearly did have an X5 though, just something about me not liking BMW that stopped me.

 

[Apial]

Don't get the Pinin. A gutless horrid ride with rip off parts prices. Had one for 12 months and got rid. Every optional extra had been fitted, but that still didn't make up for the awful handling. It was 6 years old and had started to rust too.

 

[jibcl500]

No not interested in anything softroader really the Rav 4 is a contender because we have had one before, they can cope with most off road situations.
Any 4x4 can get stuck its the person driving it that makes the difference.


jib

 

[Andy Wr]

I drove a Pinin 2.0 warrior just before buying the ML, the leather seats were paper thin and torn and the ride! It made me feel sea sick, it felt as if the car was hinged in the middle and I just felt a continious up and down motion, after driving the ML I knew instantly that it was "the one" so smooth, powerful, quite, good handling I just dont know where all the horror reports came from.

 

[jibcl500]

Landcruiser 3.0 TD leather all the toys 88k £6995
what mpg do these do roughly.
jib