Guys.. my brother in law has been uummm'ing and aar'ing for ages now.. deciding whether to chop in their X5 for a 7 seater or not..

He was waiting for the Q7, but now official cars can be seen about, its dog ugly barge looking thing, so has decided against it.

He needs a proper 7 Seater, but does not like the look of disco 3, thinks they are transit connects all over.. and refuses to pay quite big money for one which is fair enough.

Were now looking at a new GL Merc, but it looks absolutely huge with an absolutely huge price tag to match, R class was another possibility, but on viewing yesterday at the local merc dealers, they decided it was just too large in length to manoevure about easily and looks a bit weird... so thats off the list too..also because it just seems like an overpriced MPV..

Basically down to the following:
1/ Range Rover Full Fat TD6 with rear bench seat option.
2/ Old shape ML 270 CDI with Family pack.
3/ Toyota landcruiser Amazon 4.2 TD.

I don't know what to suggest. The Range Rover is only dissapointing because of the TD6 engine, and the rear seat is not a proper one. Anyone with experience with these?

Old shape ML would be a step back from the X5 in my view.

Landcruiser, which isn't very stylish, would do the job i think.
They come fully loaded, and are very accomplished. 2005 model to now has air suspension, touch screen sat nav with reversing camera, bluetooth, 5 speed Auto, heated electric leather seats, tints, side steps etc etc
and you can get them 2005+ for mid 30's with less then 20k on the clock.
Considering they are £50k brand new, this is looking like the most likely candidate. They need 7 seats and something very reliable, as they have had some issues with the X5 more so because they hardly drive it.. 20k miles in 4 years.. but another kid now means extra seats are needed for family days out.

Have asked this question before, but now they are serious to change and the options list can be stretched out as they are willing to look at alternatives.

Kam, I think you've answered this one yourself!

Amazon is a beast of a car but is absolutely bulletproof and no doubt 100% reliable.

Not sure what the engine is like for refinement but it's no hot hatch. Probably comparable with both RR and ML270. Both RR and Merc are poor engins so much of a muchness.

Kit count is high on Amazon and interior is ok in a kind of Toyota/Lexus way (A bit more Toyota than Lexus) and latest facelifted model looks no different. Only update is a auto dimming rear view mirror and a 1% different grille. Runner up - 2009 Best Avatar Award
Joint runner up - 2009 Outstanding Contribution Award
WINNER - 2008 ‘Best Thread’ Award – Beautiful Women Of The World
Runner Up - 2008 Comedian Of The Year Award
Runner Up - 2008’s Funniest Incident

06 RRS TDV6 HSE, Java/Ebony, PTI, Running Boards, Privacy, S/C Grille/Vents, Stormers, Tasmods - GONE - (

and no before you say it Va.. wouldn't even consider being a Volvo owner!! hehe..

There's always the Volvo XC90 but not in the same league as the D3! 2005 Zambezi TDV6 - Gone but not forgotten
2009 Alaska TDV8 - Gone and much missed.



WINNER - 2009 �Idler Of The Year� Award
Runner Up - 2009 �Just Doing What It�s Designed To Do� Award


DO NOT CLICK HERE!

Beat me to it! 2005 Zambezi TDV6 - Gone but not forgotten
2009 Alaska TDV8 - Gone and much missed.



WINNER - 2009 �Idler Of The Year� Award
Runner Up - 2009 �Just Doing What It�s Designed To Do� Award


DO NOT CLICK HERE!

haha.. knew it..

I personally think the D3 would answer all their requirements here, and after having my first ever ride and drive in one on the factory tour, think they are excellent on the interior spec levels also.. Would defintely buy a HSE one.. the only trouble is, the spec list on the toyota website doesn't give you the FULL spec anywhere.. just the key features.

I requested the emailed version of the brochures off the site this morning which was supposed to be sent instantly, but still nothing from toyota in my inbox.. just want to know, do they have Xenon lights in the 4.2 Diesel VX Auto, and it the engine a V8?

i knows it anal.. but if it doesn't have xenons, it might drop off the shortlist.. it really is that specification sensitive of a decision being made here..

I've found a cheapish good spec one in black with cream interior (as requested) with a big fat chrome A Bar on the front and tints.. and its got pretty much all spec, but doesn't mention xenons.. hmm..

kam100 wrote:

just want to know, do they have Xenon lights in the 4.2 Diesel VX Auto, and it the engine a V8?

I think it's a V6, not a V8. Runner up - 2009 Best Avatar Award
Joint runner up - 2009 Outstanding Contribution Award
WINNER - 2008 ‘Best Thread’ Award – Beautiful Women Of The World
Runner Up - 2008 Comedian Of The Year Award
Runner Up - 2008’s Funniest Incident

06 RRS TDV6 HSE, Java/Ebony, PTI, Running Boards, Privacy, S/C Grille/Vents, Stormers, Tasmods - GONE - (

List Price:
£49,775
Body:
4 X 4
Engine:
6 cylinder, 4164 cc

Fuel:
Diesel

Power, bhp:
201@3400

Torque, lb ft:
317@1400-3200
CO2 Emissions:
282 g/km
Graduated Vehicle Excise Duty:
Band G, £215/year
Transmission:
5-spd
Driven Wheels:
4
Performance
Top speed:
112 mph
0 - 62 mph:
11.5 seconds
Fuel consumption:
26.6 mpg (combined cycle)


Dimensions

Wheelbase, mm:
2850
Length, mm:
4890
Width, mm:
1940
Height, mm:
1890
Boot, litres:
252/1114 (seats folded)
Fuel Tank, litres:
96
Dry Weight, kg:
2660.0
Towing Limit, kg:
3500

Quite a beast.. actually weighs a lot more then a RR and even an RRS..
No xenons, just found tech list.. Also it is a straight 6 engine.. ]

Oh well near enough! Trust me, I'm a salesman! Runner up - 2009 Best Avatar Award
Joint runner up - 2009 Outstanding Contribution Award
WINNER - 2008 ‘Best Thread’ Award – Beautiful Women Of The World
Runner Up - 2008 Comedian Of The Year Award
Runner Up - 2008’s Funniest Incident

06 RRS TDV6 HSE, Java/Ebony, PTI, Running Boards, Privacy, S/C Grille/Vents, Stormers, Tasmods - GONE - (

It's also terribly old, low tech and a monster! I've just read in the new What Car? that advance sales of the Q7 have been dismal.............. so bad that you can easily get a discount up to £2500-£3000, and it hasn't even been launched yet! Is it overpriced in the first place?

Also Jeep Grand Cherokees are easy to get £6500 off the list price!
Surely D3 and RRS haven't caused that much havock in the 4x4 market? 2020 Pangea Green 1st Edition D240 New Defender 110 is here and loving it
2018 Melting Silver Mini Countryman PHEV - soon to be replaced
2015MY Corris Grey SDv6 HSE Dynamic, the best car I have ever owned, totally reliable only a cou0le of rattles in 3 years, now no longer in my care
Also in my garage is a 1996 TDi300 Defender 90 County HT made into a fake CSW

Probably! But it's ugly and a crap 4x4 2005 Zambezi TDV6 - Gone but not forgotten
2009 Alaska TDV8 - Gone and much missed.



WINNER - 2009 �Idler Of The Year� Award
Runner Up - 2009 �Just Doing What It�s Designed To Do� Award


DO NOT CLICK HERE!

[quote="Tim in Scotland"]It's also terribly old, low tech and a monster! I've just read in the new What Car? that advance sales of the Q7 have been dismal.............. so bad that you can easily get a discount up to £2500-£3000, and it hasn't even been launched yet! Is it overpriced in the first place?[quote]

Whats lo tech about it? its got touch screen sat nav, reversing camera, electric everything, bluetooth, 5 speed auto, folding mirrors... all the toys basically.. DVD sat nav.. i realise the engine may be old and not up the minute.. and it may not have the wizardry of the RRS TR system, but it will never go off road outside of a small puddle or high kerb here or there.. it is what the greenpeace tree huggers go on about.. purely being used for an overglorified family wagon.. and holiday luggage carrier to/from airport..

Just that one magazine review said it was due for replacement in 2006.. is it? can't find anything anywhere for this..

Kam, sorry mate - I meant the mechanicals............. anybody can bolt on all the other stuff to make the wagon appear more modern. I would say the only things going for the Land Cruiser are it's bullet-proof build and Toyotas warranty. Friend of mind was up here offroading recently and was abit too ambitious with the revs on a rock climb. Front wheels came off the ground and fell back again while doing about 6000 rpm! Something had to give and it was the rear diff which disintegrated.................... car was trailered back to the road to await AA home recovery back to NE England. Got an email the other day to say Toyota had footed the bill for everything even though the car will be 3 years old on 1st June. That Amazon drove across the Sahara from Egypt to Morocco last year with out missing a beat. I cannot see LR doing that, they would fight you the whole way! 2020 Pangea Green 1st Edition D240 New Defender 110 is here and loving it
2018 Melting Silver Mini Countryman PHEV - soon to be replaced
2015MY Corris Grey SDv6 HSE Dynamic, the best car I have ever owned, totally reliable only a cou0le of rattles in 3 years, now no longer in my care
Also in my garage is a 1996 TDi300 Defender 90 County HT made into a fake CSW

There's a lot to be said for having a good dealer network/service.

My mum had a Toyota and a Mazda years ago and they were both 100% reliable and had good dealer service (When seldom required!) Runner up - 2009 Best Avatar Award
Joint runner up - 2009 Outstanding Contribution Award
WINNER - 2008 ‘Best Thread’ Award – Beautiful Women Of The World
Runner Up - 2008 Comedian Of The Year Award
Runner Up - 2008’s Funniest Incident

06 RRS TDV6 HSE, Java/Ebony, PTI, Running Boards, Privacy, S/C Grille/Vents, Stormers, Tasmods - GONE - (