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I hope nobody minds me posting this here. I thought some of you might be interested and I am still a keen follower of the activity on this site.
After much soul searching and test driving the V10 has finally gone. Before arriving at my decision and having decided that the replacement car needed to be bigger, I test drove the following:
Q7 3.0 TDi - never did come to terms with its looks and really I wanted a more powerful diesel engine ? and there?s no point waiting for the V8 or V12 if you don?t like the looks
RRTDV8 - quite liked this, but had been warned about reliability, but the decision was made by my better half who said that the ride made her feel queasy
MB GL420CDI - I always said that I could never see myself owning a Merc, and although the test drive went well I initially ruled it out for that reason.
?..and the winner was the MB 420CDI (see pics)
After 3500 miles including a trip to the Alps I can report the following. The 7 speed auto is very smooth and it feels almost as fast as the V10 Treg. It rides much better than my 2003 Treg but is not quite as chuckable (but I never expected it to be). My guess is that it will prove to be just as competent off-road (I?m looking forward to the MB experience day) apart from the drawback of a longer wheelbase. Fuel consumption is averaging 22mpg, with a worst of 19mpg and a best of 26mpg, giving a realistic range of 500mls ? at my first fill up crossing France it took 101 litres!! There are quite a few extras fitted, but the most impressive are the ipod kit giving full functionality and control from the steering wheel, and distronic (the radar assisted cruise) which has to be tried to be believed. It?s not a pretty car but it has a certain ?aggression? about it that I like and, oh yes, at 1840mm high (in sport mode) it can travel low-berth on eurotunnel (very important if you?re a regular).
Dislikes are minor. The loading height is quite high and it?s a long reach into the boot where the capacity is very good if a little shallow ? but you do get the extra 2 seats that rise at the push of a button.
I still need to get some snow tyres for the spare 19? rims for next season and I will probably have it chipped.
So far so good.
After much soul searching and test driving the V10 has finally gone. Before arriving at my decision and having decided that the replacement car needed to be bigger, I test drove the following:
Q7 3.0 TDi - never did come to terms with its looks and really I wanted a more powerful diesel engine ? and there?s no point waiting for the V8 or V12 if you don?t like the looks
RRTDV8 - quite liked this, but had been warned about reliability, but the decision was made by my better half who said that the ride made her feel queasy
MB GL420CDI - I always said that I could never see myself owning a Merc, and although the test drive went well I initially ruled it out for that reason.
?..and the winner was the MB 420CDI (see pics)
After 3500 miles including a trip to the Alps I can report the following. The 7 speed auto is very smooth and it feels almost as fast as the V10 Treg. It rides much better than my 2003 Treg but is not quite as chuckable (but I never expected it to be). My guess is that it will prove to be just as competent off-road (I?m looking forward to the MB experience day) apart from the drawback of a longer wheelbase. Fuel consumption is averaging 22mpg, with a worst of 19mpg and a best of 26mpg, giving a realistic range of 500mls ? at my first fill up crossing France it took 101 litres!! There are quite a few extras fitted, but the most impressive are the ipod kit giving full functionality and control from the steering wheel, and distronic (the radar assisted cruise) which has to be tried to be believed. It?s not a pretty car but it has a certain ?aggression? about it that I like and, oh yes, at 1840mm high (in sport mode) it can travel low-berth on eurotunnel (very important if you?re a regular).
Dislikes are minor. The loading height is quite high and it?s a long reach into the boot where the capacity is very good if a little shallow ? but you do get the extra 2 seats that rise at the push of a button.
I still need to get some snow tyres for the spare 19? rims for next season and I will probably have it chipped.
So far so good.
