Dear All,
I want to retire my 1987 300TD wagon it's at 350k. I was looking at the R class blue tec diesel. We don't have kids but I do like the size could be a little smaller.
I don't want to spend 30-50k and have to cry later please advice. Any car or make . Thank you.

All the new MBs have suspect build quality except the e-class. Bmw has a diesel 3-series, you can get used ones. They've just released the new 3-series diesel wagon - should be available soon. The Acura TL wagon is cool, reliable, and fairly cheap.

What are you looking for? Sedan? Wagon? Euro? Japanese? Fast? Reliable? What do you plan to do with it? How long will you keep it?

__________________
- Brian


1989 500SEL Euro
1966 250SE Cabriolet
1958 BMW Isetta 600

Some milk, eggs and maybe something sweet for dessert....

Oops we are talking cars....

__________________

I was looking for something similar. We ended up ordering a GLK250 Bluetec, mainly because it was a diesel. But it did cost us C$53k including taxes. It is not very big. A set of golf clubs won't fit crossways. It has no spare tire - the space under the cargo area is used for the AdBlue tank. But otherwise the car has rave reviews.

Realistically, I should have looked more closely at Asian or domestic. A Subaru Outback would have done us fine. I liked it and a stripped down version could be had for 60% of cost of GLK. But bringing any of the lower cost cars up to near the GLK standard would have prought them close to same price.

I would be wary of buying used. If you do, try and get something with at least 3 years of full or extended warranty left.

__________________
Graham
85 300D,72 350SL, 98 E320, Outback 2.5

where do you live? are you going to be selling the TD or keeping it as a backup car?
what issues are you having with the car other than boredom?

My mother was seriously investigating the GLK, but went with a ford escape instead. just as roomy and powerful, without the money spent. all the features she could use, and very roomy.

give us some criteria as to what you are needing/wanting in a car, and you'll get closer recommendations to your needs.

__________________
John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

I would buy a Dodge Town and Country, if I were buying a minivan. Best value going.

If I were buying an SUV, it'd either most likely be a Ford; Edge, Explorer........or the Expedition, if I needed the big one.
In the market of SUVs, the American brands (to me) have the most value for the least money.

If you're dead set on diesel, your options are limited. Look at how complicated the R class is to your 300TD. You cannot a car with 1000x more complications to be just as reliable or serviceable.

The Acura is an excellent suggestion, but many don't like front wheel drive. The CTS wagon is rear wheel drive. Same fuel economy to your TD with cheaper fuel. The W211 E320 wagon is also a good choice. The E500s mostly have all wheel drive and airmatic suspension. Good cars, but not built to go 350k on a budget.

Subaru is probably the best new car value in the wagon/crossover segment.

__________________
1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k
1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k
1980 240D Stick China 188k
2001 CLK55 AMG 101k
2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!!

It really depends on what you want to use the car for and what things you consider important or not so important in a car. Some people want quiet. Others like loud. Some place high value on a smooth ride. Others not so much. Most like good fuel economy but many will sacrifice some to get roominess, speed, or safety. Many people want a vehicle they can just put fuel in and drive. Others are more willing to tinker. What do you want?

__________________
Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar.

83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 400,xxx miles
08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 22,xxx miles
88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress.