Since we last visited Morocco in October 2005 we have toyed with the idea of driving over there for a "long" holiday. However finding the time to plan, and execute such a holiday is not exactly straightforward. One of the big questions was "What car should we take?"

I am a big fan of old Volvos - but a quick search online - revealed either very tired cars or ones whose price seemed a little steep. The obvious choice for heading out to Africa is a Mercedes but again finding a good condition one of the right vintage is becoming harder and harder. With good condition ones - ready to drive with a fresh service and MFK (Swiss MOT) costing north of 6000CHF.

That left the field wide open. The roads in Morocco are stunning - freshly laid tarmac across vast areas of the country - and with curves that would be best suited to something which enjoys a good drive as much as the driver.

Next on the list were a Volvo 240 Turbo saloon and a Porsche 944. The Volvo failed the "cost to prepare" test; and the Porsche failed the "Neil won't be comfortable" test. The 944 has a wide leg, low steering wheel driving position - which just wouldn't be comfortable for such a long journey.

So where next? Classic cars? Mid 70s Mercedes saloons and coupes would be great. Simple mechanics, access to spares in Africa - but with prices higher than we hoped they were ruled out before we even went to view. The same could be said for the Volvo PV544 - which would be the "coolest" car to take - if not the fastest - but it would be a 20,000CHF gamble - which we weren't prepared to take.

That then raises an important point. With over half the journey being the "sprint" from Zurich to the port and back again - 4400km - the need for a car that could cover distance at a "good" pace became paramount. This ruled out a whole section of the "suitable vehicle" list - that being 4WDs eg Landcruisers, Patrols.

With the perfect car having cruise control and enough comfort and power to cruise at 130kmh (we want to be legal!!) - we drew up a shortlist. It ranged from the luxurious (Daimler Double 6 - 7800CHF), through the sensible (Golf 2800 4Motion - 7000CHF), through VW/Audi ( Passat/80/A4) and to the bargain bucket (BMW 525, Mercedes 300). Some with all the luxuries but most without.

We viewed a white Mercedes 300 saloon in Zurich. It would do the job - but we weren't sure. So the following weekend we headed to Chur - Prisca's hometown - armed with a list of 18 cars to view. The plan was to spend Saturday morning checking out the cars - and hopefully getting the "car of our dreams"

We saw Audis, VWs and Mercedes' - before we pulled into Pennella. Here we were to view an Alfa 75 - I know I know - it wouldn't have made it past Bern; a Mercedes 300TE and a BMW 525. Prica quickly ruled out the Alfa - at about the same time as my head did. The Mercedes followed as they had just sold it - so onto the BMW.

It was certainly basic - cloth trim, manual windows all round, no air-con - in fact electric mirrors and an automatic gearbox would be the only things that could be described as "features". It lacked the luxuries but it's M30 engine should pump out 170PS - more than enough to get us cruising quickly.

It needed a jumpstart - but once up and running she settled into a slighly tapperty idle. After a quick wash she looked pretty good. The paintwork had a little rust on the sills but the original BBS wheels looked really smart.

But the car needed driving! So I jumped behind the wheel for a lesson in mid-80s BMW ergonomics - "long leg short arms". Nonetheless the test drive went well. The engine roared when required but settle into a smooth hum when cruising. The gearbox did what it should - dropping gears when needed - and kickdown worked quickly and effectively.

Back to the garage and I popped the bonnet. That tapperty sound was bothering me - and after a quick call to BMSport.com in the UK - the mechanics who run my M3 racecar in the Kumho Championship - my suspicions were confirmed. The cambelt could do with changing and the head taken off to inspect the valves and camshaft.

A couple of minutes of negotiations - and we got the deal we wanted. The car would be fresh from a service, with a new MFK, the cambelt changed, the head taken off and if needed camshaft and valves replaced, a new battery fitted and all the welding done - ours for 2800CHF.

We will pick the car up in a few weeks - when we will start our preparation on the car - namely the installation of a stereo good enough to play MP3s - and to see us through a very long drive. We will update you then!