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[r1]

been thinking of getting a 4x4 for some  towing duties as my old omega is showing its age but iam not really a fan of them and finding a cheap one that's not been thrashed off road or rusting to death is inpossible .then today I spotted a alterntive.
a 5.0 [yes that's 5 liter] merc,1987 vintage 12 months mot,good engine and box in a tidy condition.the interior is a bit rough and the body has been touched up in places but it does have a towbar.
now a big 4x4 will only do about 25 to the gallon so this might be affordable,tyres are only 205/65/15 so nice and cheap
the car purrs.is dead quiet,drives fine and the exhaust is in good condition and the best bit the price is in the low hundreds
bad bit its so big it wont fit on the drive so will be parked on road,theres no tax but I think its in the low band as its before 2000 and I know nothing about mercs
so any thoughts good or bad?

[symes]

been thinking of getting a 4x4 for some  towing duties as my old omega is showing its age but iam not really a fan of them and finding a cheap one that's not been thrashed off road or rusting to death is inpossible .then today I spotted a alterntive.
a 5.0 [yes that's 5 liter] merc,1987 vintage 12 months mot,good engine and box in a tidy condition.the interior is a bit rough and the body has been touched up in places but it does have a towbar.
now a big 4x4 will only do about 25 to the gallon so this might be affordable,tyres are only 205/65/15 so nice and cheap
the car purrs.is dead quiet,drives fine and the exhaust is in good condition and the best bit the price is in the low hundreds
bad bit its so big it wont fit on the drive so will be parked on road,theres no tax but I think its in the low band as its before 2000 and I know nothing about mercs
so any thoughts good or bad?

same as my Rover--but----10mpg

[r1]

been thinking of getting a 4x4 for some  towing duties as my old omega is showing its age but iam not really a fan of them and finding a cheap one that's not been thrashed off road or rusting to death is inpossible .then today I spotted a alterntive.
a 5.0 [yes that's 5 liter] merc,1987 vintage 12 months mot,good engine and box in a tidy condition.the interior is a bit rough and the body has been touched up in places but it does have a towbar.
now a big 4x4 will only do about 25 to the gallon so this might be affordable,tyres are only 205/65/15 so nice and cheap
the car purrs.is dead quiet,drives fine and the exhaust is in good condition and the best bit the price is in the low hundreds
bad bit its so big it wont fit on the drive so will be parked on road,theres no tax but I think its in the low band as its before 2000 and I know nothing about mercs
so any thoughts good or bad?

same as my Rover--but----10mpg

10 oh dear and mines  bigger
maybe a rethink then

[symes]

been thinking of getting a 4x4 for some  towing duties as my old omega is showing its age but iam not really a fan of them and finding a cheap one that's not been thrashed off road or rusting to death is inpossible .then today I spotted a alterntive.
a 5.0 [yes that's 5 liter] merc,1987 vintage 12 months mot,good engine and box in a tidy condition.the interior is a bit rough and the body has been touched up in places but it does have a towbar.
now a big 4x4 will only do about 25 to the gallon so this might be affordable,tyres are only 205/65/15 so nice and cheap
the car purrs.is dead quiet,drives fine and the exhaust is in good condition and the best bit the price is in the low hundreds
bad bit its so big it wont fit on the drive so will be parked on road,theres no tax but I think its in the low band as its before 2000 and I know nothing about mercs
so any thoughts good or bad?

same as my Rover--but----10mpg

10 oh dear and mines  bigger
maybe a rethink then

how you figure that one mine is 300 cubic inches=5litres

[r1]

been thinking of getting a 4x4 for some  towing duties as my old omega is showing its age but iam not really a fan of them and finding a cheap one that's not been thrashed off road or rusting to death is inpossible .then today I spotted a alterntive.
a 5.0 [yes that's 5 liter] merc,1987 vintage 12 months mot,good engine and box in a tidy condition.the interior is a bit rough and the body has been touched up in places but it does have a towbar.
now a big 4x4 will only do about 25 to the gallon so this might be affordable,tyres are only 205/65/15 so nice and cheap
the car purrs.is dead quiet,drives fine and the exhaust is in good condition and the best bit the price is in the low hundreds
bad bit its so big it wont fit on the drive so will be parked on road,theres no tax but I think its in the low band as its before 2000 and I know nothing about mercs
so any thoughts good or bad?

same as my Rover--but----10mpg

10 oh dear and mines  bigger
maybe a rethink then

how you figure that one mine is 300 cubic inches=5litres

ment bigger as in size/weight of the car

[05omegav6]

Shouldn't be much worse than an auto Omega

If the sills and boot are rot free, and the interior is dry then probably fine for a few years rust on the front wings is normal, as is rusty bumper chrome is the car is neglected.

Any hint of damp or body rot, then budget on keeping the car one MoT at a time cheap enough to service, and pretty bombproof 

[belldarr]

Not sure what model of merc your looking at but I would suggest that the 25mpg is unrealistic on a 5 litre V8 - My P38 Range Rover gets 17mpg on a run and that is without towing anything and taking it easy. 

Have a look at the Ford Explorer, quite a few still left on the road and don't tend to rust badly, 4 litre V6 engine and pretty robust and come with lots of room inside and were the fastest 4x4 of their day.

Darren

[05omegav6]

W126 500SE/SEL judging by the original post

[omega3000]

Not sure what model of merc your looking at but I would suggest that the 25mpg is unrealistic on a 5 litre V8 - My P38 Range Rover gets 17mpg on a run and that is without towing anything and taking it easy. 

Have a look at the Ford Explorer, quite a few still left on the road and don't tend to rust badly, 4 litre V6 engine and pretty robust and come with lots of room inside and were the fastest 4x4 of their day.

Darren

There is quite a few of those for sale , dont look a bad workhorse but what do i know 

[belldarr]

I have had 3 explorers and always liked them, a lot of car and often for less than a grand

Darren

[omega3000]

I have had 3 explorers and always liked them, a lot of car and often for less than a grand

Darren

Good to know mate 

[r1]

W126 500SE/SEL judging by the original post

correct

[2woody]

factor in mid-teens mpg

I've not long sold an R107 5-litre, which never did more than 20

that's not a dis-recommendation BTW. Just having a V8 is worth putting up with 20mpg less

[omega3000]

factor in mid-teens mpg

I've not long sold an R107 5-litre, which never did more than 20

that's not a dis-recommendation BTW. Just having a V8 is worth putting up with 20mpg less

Have always told myself that  The wallet would be making a bit for freedom every time i stopped at a petrol pump though 
20 mpg is 20 mpg less than a 4 pot  Cant beat the sound from a V8 though 

[henryd]

factor in mid-teens mpg

I've not long sold an R107 5-litre, which never did more than 20

that's not a dis-recommendation BTW. Just having a V8 is worth putting up with 20mpg less

That's all that console's me when I fire up the Disco