Load lugger recommendations

nigw · Jul 4, 2021

Just about to embark on another house renovation, so am planning to sell my current daily runaround (2018 MK7 Golf GTI) for a cheaper load-lugger for the next year or so at £5-10k. When I've done this in the past I've had a 2006 V70 T5 (quick and spacious) and a 2005 E61 BMW 525i Touring (comfortable and spacious but slow!).

Looking for something with large boot capacity and useful boot opening dimensions, roof bars, and not too slow. I'm not keen on Fords or Vauxhalls, and I don’t fancy an MPV.

I’ve been pondering 2010- Merc E Class estates as they’re massive and decent value, or an A6 Allroad as I’ve always liked the look of them. I’ve never been able to justify an SUV before, but also wondering about LR Discovery 4 3.0 (the earlier 2.7 models sound too sluggish), BMW X5, or Cayenne. The X5 looks good value, but not sure how good a load lugger it is. Cayenne is quick and cheap but again I’m not sure how it compares space-wise.

Any experience of the cars listed, or suggested other options to look at?

Thanks

Oneball · Jul 4, 2021

I’ve got a 2006 E class diesel estate. 3.0 v6 diesel think it’s 7 or 8 seconds to 60. I bought it as a stop gap as it was for sale round the corner when my 540 died and I was desperate. That was 4 years ago. I honestly couldn’t think of what to replace it with!

Massive boot, low sill, flat floor, usefully strong luggage net. Tows 2100kg.

Gazcw · Jul 4, 2021

My 2016 e class is the best daily I have had in a long time.

safrane · Jul 4, 2021

The Discovery will be a money pit. Merc will be rusty as he'll, and BMW will be knackered... get a v70 volvo... they run for ever.

nigw · Jul 4, 2021

safrane said:
The Discovery will be a money pit. Merc will be rusty as he'll, and BMW will be knackered... get a v70 volvo... they run for ever.

I thought Mercedes fixed their rust issues in the early 2000s?

My v70 was still a great car at nearly 200k miles.

Oneball · Jul 4, 2021

nigw said:
I thought Mercedes fixed their rust issues in the early 2000s?

Yep the 2002 on cars are good they sorted the poor paint application, mines coming up for 160k

Simon1963 · Jul 4, 2021

I had a V70 years ago. It was a D5 Diesel engine mapped to 200bhp. Not blisteringly quick but fast enough for what it was. Supremely comfortable and had the Dolby pro logic sound system which is the best sound I’ve had in a car. Bought it with 60k on the clock and ran it for 4 years and 100k with no problems.

Ewan · Jul 5, 2021

For practicality, nothing comes close to the Disco 4. We bought one in 2013 and it’s still going strong at 130k miles. Not the quickest car around, but so what? If it’s boot space and versatility you need, it’s the car for you.

rossyl · Jul 5, 2021

Oneball said:
Yep the 2002 on cars are good they sorted the poor paint application, mines coming up for 160k

We've got a 2003 and there's so much rust. I think it was up to 2005 for some models, I would go for 2007 on to be in the safe side

Looks like OP will be looking at later cars, so should be fine

zagatoes30 · Jul 5, 2021

Cayenne, X5 don't really have a lot of space well not compared to a Disco or RR, you seem to have ticked my two favourite big estates with the V70 and E class Merc but you do need to keep an eye on rust on the latter.

Over here the road tax becomes a factor, anything before June 08 goes on engine size with anything over 2000 being a grand or more. Post June 08 it goes on emissions over 190g Co2 is 1200 or 2350 if over 225g - motoring in Ireland is not cheap

GeoffCapes · Jul 5, 2021

E Class Merc all day.

Actually, will probably get one at some point in the next few months myself.

midlifecrisis · Jul 5, 2021

If you're not fussed about performance in your load lugger then a VW Passat estate should be considered. Cheap parts, cheap to service and many go to astronomical miles.

Auto Trader UK - New and Used Cars For Sale

Find your next car with Auto Trader UK, the official #1 site to buy and sell new and used cars. Over 400,000 cars online. Simple, easy, quick!

www.autotrader.co.uk

And for not much more a pug 308 SW 2016.

Auto Trader UK - New and Used Cars For Sale

Find your next car with Auto Trader UK, the official #1 site to buy and sell new and used cars. Over 400,000 cars online. Simple, easy, quick!

www.autotrader.co.uk

Do your load lugging then sell on with minimal loss of any

Nayf · Jul 5, 2021

midlifecrisis said:
If you're not fussed about performance in your load lugger then a VW Passat estate should be considered. Cheap parts, cheap to service and many go to astronomical miles.

Auto Trader UK - New and Used Cars For Sale

Find your next car with Auto Trader UK, the official #1 site to buy and sell new and used cars. Over 400,000 cars online. Simple, easy, quick!

www.autotrader.co.uk

And for not much more a pug 308 SW 2016.

Auto Trader UK - New and Used Cars For Sale

Find your next car with Auto Trader UK, the official #1 site to buy and sell new and used cars. Over 400,000 cars online. Simple, easy, quick!

www.autotrader.co.uk

Do your load lugging then sell on with minimal loss of any

Problem with a cheap Passat - like any cheap car - is that it will have been looked after cheaply. A photographer friend bought a Passat estate as a work wagon (to take the strain off his RS4) and had no end of problems with it.

It’s why I steered clear of four cylinder BMWs when we got the dog wagon. The six cylinder - due to its value and unlikeliness to be used by a sales rep as a pool car - is likely to better looked after.

rs48635 · Jul 5, 2021

almost won auction 224512877891 on 2007 Subaru Legacy for less than a grand! (seller kindly retracted my bid)
properly ugly, almost white goods but 4WD, petrol and big rear hatch

MrPea · Jul 5, 2021

Love my 2016 C43 estate for all this because I don't yet need the space of the E.

For your budget, it's a shame you don't like Fords as the Mondeo estate has some great options. My best friends have two... older ST220 and a 2016 disiesel with titanium trim. Really nice cars.

Problem now with estates is so few have level load. Newer Volvos aren't box shaped so don't fit in big things properly (I tested with my electric guitar case and I couldn't lay it flat across the boot!!!). Used to love my company 2009 Volvo estate, 4 adults up to Bordeaux and back, filled with 'souveneers' and roof nicely loaded with box and bike for 2 weeks. Friends in my village have been using scooby outbacks for years running on the bangernomics princible.

Oneball · Jul 5, 2021

rs48635 said:
almost won auction 224512877891 on 2007 Subaru Legacy for less than a grand! (seller kindly retracted my bid)
properly ugly, almost white goods but 4WD, petrol and big rear hatch

I had a 2007 Legacy Spec B. Brilliant car with the flat 6. Diesels though are unbelievably slow.

philw696 · Jul 5, 2021

My son has a 06 Legacy with leather and panoramic roof a very good car indeed i had a drive here in it when he came over last summer.

schell70 · Jul 5, 2021

My 07 Legacy estate is great, leather, panoramic roof etc. etc. - super reliable - its on 130k now

Thumbs up for an E Class also - we have an 09 Saloon, no rust and just keeps going - check the air suspension works on the estate though

Mr S · Jul 5, 2021

Would you consider a Skoda Superb estate? Believe they do a reasonably quick one, and they are huge inside.

allandwf · Jul 5, 2021

I did the Volvo route when I did the same. 212000 miles, used it for 2 years then sold for what I paid.

Load lugger recommendations

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member