Advice needed on new Family Runaround

[Martyn1]

My wife says she needs more seats for the school run, current X5 doesnt accomodate enough kids apparently (I dont think she's pregnant!!). So she is looking at a 7 seater plus she wants better fuel economy than the 25 mpg she currently gets.

So Ive pretty much narrowed it down to a 2.2 diesel Renault Espace on the basis that at least in the world of MPV's it has a certain style about it :?
.

Please no flames, but anybody any advice? Comments on the Espace? Wanna buy a low mileage X5 diesel Sport Auto?

I Seem to remember reading a few posts from somebody who worked at Renault, maybe some inside track on whats good and whats not?

Thanks Martyn

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[Jonathan Rubins]

we have a landcruiser which has 8 seats, loads of toys and not too bad to drive

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[Jonathan Rubins]

sorry... re the espace drove one it was a pig acres of grey plastic and feels like a couch also recon it devalues like a brick

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[Fuchs]

Merc R Class ?

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[noony]

land cruiser

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[Porsche]

Espace is the best.. but how much space do you need if an X5 isn't big enough !

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[Hendo]

Friend of mine in the same boat has just bought a Disco 3 diesel. We went to golf in it on saturday and I have to say I was mightily impressed. The 2.7 is very lively, and like the original ones I've owned, the space/all round visibility and usability is unrivalled IMHO. The new rear seats actually have footwells and can accomodate adults

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[Richard Eff]

Having the same debate at home at the moment for a new family wagon e.g something like a XC90
vs Espace :roll:
. Mrs F put off a 4x4 though by reading about the growing anti SUV movement, as kindly detailed in the Sunday Times a couple of weeks ago. Has anyone on here experienced whether there is any substance to this, or is it just newspaper scaremongering?

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[Greg]

Had the use of a new Grand Espace last year. Comfy to drive and a bit different from the others in style and instrumentation but bits started to fall off very quickly. Only had it for a couple of weeks and both the inner door handles broke, other bits of trim very fragile and then the steering started to go bang bang when turning 90 degrees lefts or rights. Had to swop it for a Seat Alhambra, boring but it did the job.

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[Martyn1]

Thanks for the advice

Yup you guys summed it up. Its a boring choice to make! Im really not keen on another 4x4 the X5 drives great but really with Kids seats in there is limited rear space and of course it does only seat 5 the missus wamts a 7 for the school run. Also even though its a diesel the x5 drinks it like crazy and is really over kill for what we use it for......

Think Im going to take my chances on the espace, found a good ex demo only 5K on the clock and 7K off list price.


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[speedd]

Disco are great cars and plenty of room.. i want one 8)

Pics once you get the Espace Martyn


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[Wooly]

We faced the same dilema. Sold the X5 and got a Chrysler Grand Voyager. Wife loves it, loads of space, DVD (a wow with the kids) and the drive is not that bad.

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[Richard Eff]

Quote: Originally posted by speedd on 04 June 2005

Disco are great cars and plenty of room.. i want one 8)

Pics once you get the Espace Martyn

Admin? New venture for you.
www.mpvuk.com

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[Robertb]

Just come back from hols in France where our hire car was a new Espace 2.2Tdi. Not bad at all, good cruiser and more interesting style than most of Breedwagon ilk.

I hate diesels with a passion, but I must say it pulled well once the Turbo was spinning but has positively no power at all when off boost. Did loads of MPG, sounded horrid. Not an entertaining drive per se, but surprisingly fun to punt along the Riviera corniches six up with loads of luggage... Does what it sets out to do with a certain gallic style.

Spacious inside, seemed to be falling to bits in places, but was a hire car...

I'd be happy to own one FWIW.


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[Martyn1]

Picked it up yesterday, and its not bad as far as 'vans' go. It is the 2.2 diesel and as Robert says it goes ok.

Do you really want Pics

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