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Which medium-sized car should we trade in our S-Class Mercedes and Volkswagen Polo for?
My motoring habits now consist of a few day trips and a six-week drive in the summer to Italy. When we go to Italy we take the long way round and cover approx 4000 miles. We have no kids. Our cars at present are a 2008 Volkswagen Polo 1.2 with 6000 miles and a 2003 Mercedes-Benz S320CDI with 96,000 miles. We are considering trading both cars for a middle-sized one. Have you got any recommendations?
I have been thinking of a C-Class Mercedes, a BMW 3 Series or an Audi A4. If possible it should be automatic, comfy (may rule out the BMW), with decent headlights, satnav, Bluetooth, aircon etc. What do you think I can reasonably expect if I trade both our cars for the one replacement? I would be able to put around £10,000 plus both cars into the deal.
I have been thinking of a C-Class Mercedes, a BMW 3 Series or an Audi A4. If possible it should be automatic, comfy (may rule out the BMW), with decent headlights, satnav, Bluetooth, aircon etc. What do you think I can reasonably expect if I trade both our cars for the one replacement? I would be able to put around £10,000 plus both cars into the deal.
Asked on 9 February 2013 by SG, Doncaster
Answered by
Honest John
The best car in the world is currently the BMW 320d or 320dED, and though the DPF will regenerate after a succession of eight mile runs from cold starts, it won't like a life of short runs and that probably forces you into a petrol engine. The same goes for the C-Class diesel or any other DPF diesel. The jury is still out on Mazda's new Skyactiv diesel and Renault's 1.6DCI 130 that should solve the problem, but let's wait and see.
I would not have anything with a DSG or S-Tronic from VAG because of the problems reported with them. Better an Audi A4 1.8TFSI Multitronic or a Toyota Avensis 1.8i Valvematic Multidrive S, which are now smooth and problem-free CVTs with reasonable economy.
Predictably, your Mercedes is worth buttons at £3850 (trade) and the trade is running very scared of these cars because of the high cost of repairs. The Polo is worth about £4000 trade with its low mileage, assuming it's a Polo E, and more if it's a higher grade trim.
I would not have anything with a DSG or S-Tronic from VAG because of the problems reported with them. Better an Audi A4 1.8TFSI Multitronic or a Toyota Avensis 1.8i Valvematic Multidrive S, which are now smooth and problem-free CVTs with reasonable economy.
Predictably, your Mercedes is worth buttons at £3850 (trade) and the trade is running very scared of these cars because of the high cost of repairs. The Polo is worth about £4000 trade with its low mileage, assuming it's a Polo E, and more if it's a higher grade trim.
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