Enthusiasts Blogging Our Favorite Classifieds
So you like the E55 wagon we featured yesterday but need something a bit more practical to deal with harsh winters? This BMW 535xi Touring would be a nice substitute and gives the serious driver the added benefit of a third pedal. Yes, this 2006 example for sale in Tennessee is one of a few that came with the 6-speed manual mated to the 3.0 liter inline-6.
One has to wonder how the product planning session went when Mercedes-Benz green lighted the E class AMG estate. Was management on holiday or did someone lose a bet? Whatever the case, the appearance of the E55 AMG wagon was a definite curiosity when it appeared in US dealers, even in very limited numbers. Who bought these cars? Power hungry soccer moms? Dads who were ticked off they had to surrender the sports car? Parents who couldn’t bear the thought of something that so obviously screamed “I give up?†Whatever the reasoning, there are now a few of these high-powered V8 expresses circulating on the used car market. This sleek silver number is for sale from the same dealer who brought you the E320 Coupe from last week.
My love for obscure cars dictates my leaning towards one of my favorite Volkswagens of all time: the Quantum Syncro Wagon. Known as the Passat, Santana, Corsar and Carat in other markets, the Quantum was the choice for someone seeking German engineering in a mid-sized package on a budget. Curiously, Volkswagen only offered Syncro four-wheel drive in the Quantum Wagon, as it was the bigger seller. This car shared its drivetrain with the Audi 80 and required a completely new floorpan which relocated the gas tank and deleted the spare tire well. Mated exclusively to the 2.2 liter inline-5 engine, this was a very versatile machine popular with those in the snow belt.
Few of these Quantum Syncro Wagons survive in good condition, but they have a rabid following of enthusiasts. Rarely do you see a pre-facelift Quantum Syncro Wagon but here is one for sale in Seattle. A few items need doing but nothing too terrible to put off those handy with a wrench.
In the world of five-door haulers, two of my favorites are the E34 and E39 5 series Tourings. If you didn’t go the Audi Quattro route, these were the estates for the sporting person, with available manual transmissions and smooth inline-6 and V8 powerplants. This 525i Touring for sale in Miami comes not only with a full service but the almighty third pedal, sure to grab the attention of parents out there who shy away from the thought of a minivan or SUV.
Could the Touring be the next big thing when it comes to E30s due to their rarity in the US market? Good ones seem to…
4 Comments