The Echo article is here
http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/new-look-merseyrail-trains-set-6509944
As far as I can see the link to the survey above and on the Merseytravel /Merseyrail website does not appear to be present but interesting I note in the Echo article the paragraph suggesting the 507/508's could be refurbished is NOT in quotation marks whereas some of the points obviously have been quoted from the press release. However, refurbishment has been mentioned before, again not in quotation marks in this link.
http://www.liverpoolconfidential.co...erseyrail-in-talks-over-brand-new-train-fleet
Of particular importance is the following
Cllr Robinson told Liverpool Confidential: As the trains would have a working life of 40 to 50 years, a purpose built fleet is one of the options. Nothing is being ruled out.
The one certainty is by the end of this decade the existing fleet will be reaching the end of its working life. The trains we use today continue to provide excellent service, largely due to an excellent maintenance staff. But even now they are the oldest trains in operation anywhere in the country.
Commenting on the cost of the project, Cllr Robinson said: Just one coach would cost a million pounds, and to replace the entire fleet with new coaches and driving units, coupled with the other changes we want, we could be looking at £400m.
It is not just about new trains,
it is about the whole experience for rail users, from getting to and from stations, to new ticketing arrangements, to improvements to the track.
Merseyrail clearly need to maintain public support to the service so to spend 8 million on a lick of paint and general cosmetic refresh is probably a good long term business as they can then argue they need the new stock to cater for increasing passenger numbers and expansion of the network.
My bet would be on dual voltage/OHLE equipped trains by 2020.