Executive estates built for business and leisure

LARGE executive estate cars offer business car buyers with a wonderful combination: stylish, well-built business cars that cover long journeys effortlessly; and stylish, well-built family cars that can load up at the weekend with every conceivable family item required for the journey.

What's even better, they look extremely desirable, too, and for the used car buyer there's the added attraction of some of those extra special optional goodies that come at a bargain price on the secondhand car market.

And now is a good time to look for a good used executive estate car. With the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class estate due out shortly, it's time for the main dealer network to dust off their contacts books and start offering decent deals on the last of the old shape models. It should create a buzz in the market that you should be able to take advantage of.

But how much of a deal will those Mercedes dealers offer? And is the attraction of the Benz badge on a big wagon enough to turn your head away from equally attractive BMW and Audi offerings?

Why buy?

BMW 5-Series Touring

It's everything we expect from a BMW 5-Series or indeed a BMW: comfort, handling and technology. The BMW is the best driving experience of the three, whereas the Audi feels light and the Mercedes heavy; the 5-Series feels balanced. The design is less and less controversial by the day.

Audi A6 Avant

Easily matches BMW 5-Series and Mercedes E-Class – arguably better built inside and out but the Audi badge does not have quite the same cachet. It is loved by some but doesn't quite say 'I have arrived' like a Mercedes.

Mercedes-Benz E-Class estate

A big old barge that goes on and on. But it arguably still has the image, quality and reliability. The interior facia and gadgets are a bit out of date, but what you've never had you don't miss. Once you have got the hang of the new system, it does everything the flashier Audi and BMW systems do, just with less flair.

What sort of price should I pay?

Our Choice

All of these estates make motorway miles easy. If you want to impress and like your driving pay the extra for the BMW over the elegant Audi Avant.

If you don't intend pursuing any B-road touring, then save a fortune upfront and take the Mercedes. The massive saving on used prices buys a lot of fuel and a lot of useful estate car. And with it a high degree of prestige.

BCA comment on choosing a large executive estate car

Simon Henstock, small business specialist at BCA provides this advice for buying large premium estate cars: "Premium model estates are always much sought after if they have the right combination of colour and specification, so demand is out there.

"High-spec premium models are popular with well-heeled family buyers as they make a statement as well as being eminently practical, and older motorists who expect a good degree of comfort and specification. The bigger-engined examples, meanwhile, are also popular with caravan owners, who need the torque and pulling power as well as the extra space and the outdoor pursuits crowd, from the hunting, shooting, fishing variety to the dog walkers and campers."

Mr Henstock continued: "If your estate car has to be dressed in company finery, we would suggest looking at vinyl logos or wrapping over a good base metallic colour. Small company vans can get away with white – estates cannot, so bear that in mind. Silvers, greens, blues and greys are OK if metallic but not if in flat colours.

"With executive estates you really do have the opportunity to go for all the bells and whistles. Full not half-leather interior, heated seats with memory, sat-nav, climate control, MP3 connectivity – whatever the budget will match really. Watch out for those estate cars where the previous owner blew all the budget to upgrade the badge on the bonnet, but then couldn't afford anything but basic spec across the rest of the car – you are better off with a high spec volume model than a low spec premium.

"As always presentation is very important because estates are seen as working cars perhaps more than any other business car outside of the commercial sector. Avoid cars that need damage repair and make sure the car has a full service history."

To see what's available to buy at BCA, go to Buying Vehicles at BCA

Further information
For more used car buying advice, prices and depreciation news, fault checks and more, visit www.UsedCarExpert.co.uk

You can see a more detailed range of pictures of the Mercedes E-Class estate, along with a pictorial history of the E-Class estate series, on our Facebook page here: Mercedes E-Class estate.