Three-car garage: Mercedes E-Class Estate, SL and EQA for under £65k
Mercedes’ latest EV or three appealing alternatives? Here’s our Mercedes-themed three-car garage
We recently drove the new Mercedes Electric GLC and came away impressed with its refinement, technology and practicality, but not so much its price - which starts at over £60,000.
The Electric GLC does a lot of things well, but we think a more versatile selection might come from three different Mercedes like the elegant SL convertible, spacious Mercedes E-Class Estate and the all-electric EQA crossover. You can also grab three great examples of these Mercedes all for less than the price of the new GLC on the Auto Express Buy A Car service.
Mercedes SL 400 - £29,995
Despite its name (meaning ‘Sport Lichte’), the SL is very much a luxury cruiser first and a sports car second - but it does the first part exceptionally well. There are cheaper SLs to be found on the Auto Express Buy A Car service, but we think it’s worth plumping for the SL 400 version we found here, in its post-2016 facelifted guise. The update meant the SL 400’s 3.0-litre six-cylinder got a boost in power, from 328bhp to 367bhp, knocking the 0-62mph time below five seconds in the process.
Of course, the six-cylinder doesn’t have the meaty growl of the hot V8 and AMG variants, but there’s a real joy it is smoothness - paired with the suitably slick nine-speed automatic gearbox.
Ensuring you’re not distracted from enjoying the SL’s laid-back, comfortable nature, the cabin is filled with tactile, easy-to-use buttons and while we found the infotainment a little dated even ten years ago, it’s simple enough to use on the move. The one we’ve found in AMG Line trim has only done 48,000 miles too, not bad for a 2017 car.
If this particular Mercedes SL has already found a new home by the time you get here, you can find other examples available through the Auto Express Buy a Car service…
Mercedes E-Class Estate E220d - £18,000
As all-rounders go, the E-Class Estate is an excellent choice. There’s a great choice of petrol, diesel or hybrid engines, and most importantly, the Estate’s boot swallows up 640 litres with up to 1,820 litres with the seats folded - that’s even more than the current E-Class model.
This one we’ve found is the smart-looking AMG Line Premium Plus which gets a sportier bodykit, AMG wheels and heated seats upholstered in Mercedes’ man-made ‘Dinamica’ leather. It’s also done just over 60,000 miles - nothing for this diesel E-Class.
Compared to the current E-Class with its gigantic spread of ‘Superscreens’, this used E-Class Estate with its piddly touchscreen in the centre of the dash looks like an afterthought - but elsewhere we think this generation of Mercedes interior is aging quite well - just like the rest of the car.
Couldn’t quite catch this specific Mercedes E-Class Estate? There are still plenty of other E-Class Estates on the Auto Express Buy a Car service…
Latest Mercedes E-Class Estate deals
Mercedes EQA - £16,995
If a big diesel estate and a powerful, pure-petrol six-cylinder convertible don’t sound particularly modern, then we’ve got an area aspect covered with the EQA. This car would’ve cost well over £40,000, but after four years and just over 30,000 miles, now might be the perfect time to swoop in on Mercedes’ baby EV.
It’s pretty grown up when it comes to performance - a 190bhp motor enables a sub nine-second 0-62mph time, but more importantly there’s a healthy 262-mile range as well. As an urban runabout that focuses on refinement and comfort alongside the mile-munching E-Class and SL, the EQA makes a lot of sense.
Inside, it’s a generation on from the other two and certainly looks smart without the dazzling screens of more recent Mercedes - including the Electric GLC. It might be the entry-level electric Mercedes, but this EQA in AMG Line trim still gets heated seats, AMG interior and exterior trim, twin 10-inch screens, 18-inch alloy wheels, plus rain-sensing wipers and adaptive headlights.
Missed this Mercedes EQA deal? You can still get a hi-tech EQA as there are plenty for sale via our Buy a Car service…
Did you know you can sell your car through Auto Express? We’ll help you get a great price and find a great deal on a new car, too.
