Best Smoker Barges 1-5 large [Vol 4]

[R60EST]

Given the publicity of the recent thefts of this type of BMW and the increased insurance costs as a result maybe he's selling it cheap before someone takes it off his hands for free

[GBB]

Fox- said:

Ah, so the reason it looks in such great condition is because the photos were taken when it was new!

That's my trick. Always wash and valet car as soon as you get it and take lots of photos. That way you've got them ready to go when the time comes to sell it. I don't normally have a car for 8 yrs though!

[sparks_E39]

Hope no one minds a shot of my current barge with it's new wheels.
Type 49 wheels fitted today. In need of a refurb, but came with almost new Dunlops on the rear and on the front is a half worn pair, a Conti and a Yokahama... I'll let them wear a bit then match them with the rear, not too keen on running different brands, but they're ok. Got the whole lot for much less than what the two Dunlops are new! I've got to get round to fitting the Alpina front bumper now.

Edited by sparks_E39 on Saturday 23 June 18:30

[TopGear7]

FAO those who purchased their barges at a young age. What sort of reaction did / do you get from friends / family / public?

Not that this is going to effect my decision in any way. I'm just intrigued.

I know of someone at uni who at 22 sold their Fiesta for 5k and bought themselves an XK (at pretty much the same price) and a lot of people thought he'd won the lottery / started pushing drugs etc etc - it's quite funny how little people know about car values.

[sparks_E39]

TopGear7 said:

FAO those who purchased their barges at a young age. What sort of reaction did / do you get from friends / family / public?

Not that this is going to effect my decision in any way. I'm just intrigued.

I know of someone at uni who at 22 sold their Fiesta for 5k and bought themselves an XK (at pretty much the same price) and a lot of people thought he'd won the lottery / started pushing drugs etc etc - it's quite funny how little people know about car values.

I purchased the car above your post there when I was 21, four years back. Mates liked it, thought I must of paid £8-10k for it when I actually paid £3.5k (it was very shiney when I showed it to them)Family liked it, my mum loves the naff wood trim! At the end of the day who cares what other people think? At least you won't be in a 12 plate Corsa on finance, and paying an extra few grand on top of the purchase price for the pleasure Driving around in something that does 25 mpg and occasionally goes wrong is cheaper than that still, and way more enjoyable.

[martynr]

Almost the same as that 7'er LWB that is being posted quite often...



http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3992140.htm

[Zwolf]

martynr said:

Almost the same as that 7'er LWB that is being posted quite often...



http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3992140.htm

Stick it in a white studio, add a zero and Robert's your parent's sibling.

[deadslow]

Gorvid said:

Fully erect...

1984 Jaguar Sovereign 4.2 4dr Auto Saloon........£3,800

Strong money. These cars have a disappointing habit of being totally rotten underneath, and in reality no more economical than the V12.

[V8Wagon]

Under thread budget, but I know how much you lot like your '5's

4x4 E34 anyone?

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/4001036.htm

[Jobbo]

V8Wagon said:

4x4 E34 anyone?

Undesirable - a 525i without the 4wd gubbins is marginal on performance so the iX is too slow. And they come with potential bork and different offset wheels which therefore can't easily be replaced.

[V8Wagon]

Ahh! Didn't realise they were awful. Are the 3 series 'X' models more desirable? I feel sure I've read positive stuff about 'em.

I appreciate what your saying, low(ish) power and complex mechanicals.

[jonnydm]

TopGear7 said:

FAO those who purchased their barges at a young age. What sort of reaction did / do you get from friends / family / public?

Not that this is going to effect my decision in any way. I'm just intrigued.

I know of someone at uni who at 22 sold their Fiesta for 5k and bought themselves an XK (at pretty much the same price) and a lot of people thought he'd won the lottery / started pushing drugs etc etc - it's quite funny how little people know about car values.

I'm 23 now and I've had barge/esque cars since age 20/21. The first - a Volvo V40 estate - got a few comments but tbh why would I really care what people thought/said? Anyway, subsequent barges have been enjoyed by countless individuals on long journeys across UK + Europe. The LS probably being the pinnacle although nothing since has quite matched the 528 for the package (save for flat batteries + very very low mpg - why it had to go!).

[fluffnik]

V8Wagon said:

Ahh! Didn't realise they were awful.

They're not awful, they're just not a performance orientated option...

AFAIK the E34 525iX is the only iX variant to have been offered in RHD though there have been AWD versions of the last several 3ers and 5ers in LHD.

Where an iX will bite your bum is when any of the many X specific parts breaks, let alone any RHD X specific parts...

[stropley]

This 3 litre A6 looks reasonable at £3000 for a '04:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2004-AUDI-A6-3-0-QUATTRO...



. . . or would this have the borky gearbox ?

[Jobbo]

stropley said:

This 3 litre A6 looks reasonable at £3000 for a '04:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2004-AUDI-A6-3-0-QUATTRO...



. . . or would this have the borky gearbox ?

Quattros don't have the rubbish Multitronic; I'm not sure whether the auto in a 3.0 is particularly bork-prone like the larger-engined cars' are reputed to be.

Odd advert - bucket seats? Service history box just says 'old MOTs' but surely anyone who kept the MOTs would keep the servicing receipts? And not an auction but £200 deposit required

[ALawson]

So what is the general consensus on 530i Tourings? Something like this?
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...

I am considering keeping my ATR as it is within our company car allowance scheme and new cars need to be less than 160g/km.

And getting a barge for longer family commutes/duties on the w/e, so a third car. The last third car we had was a snotter MX5.

Any advice on other touring barges appreciated.

Edit a few more.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...

I take it the tax id £180ish prior to March 01 registration?

Ta.

Edited by ALawson on Sunday 24th June 08:38

[Strawman]

Jobbo said:

And not an auction but £200 deposit required

Poorly worded, he could mean he'll hold the car for a prospective buyer for a £200 paypal deposit. Or the advert is his standard format thing which has been adapted from a previous Ebay advert.

[hornetrider]

ALawson said:

So what is the general consensus on 530i Tourings? Something like this?
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...

I am considering keeping my ATR as it is within our company car allowance scheme and new cars need to be less than 160g/km.

And getting a barge for longer family commutes/duties on the w/e, so a third car. The last third car we had was a snotter MX5.

Any advice on other touring barges appreciated.

Edit a few more.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...

I take it the tax id £180ish prior to March 01 registration?

Ta.

Edited by ALawson on Sunday 24th June 08:38

The first one you've linked to I actually viewed. It is NOT mint. Numerous scrapes on every panel and quite a large dent on the drivers door. I was quite pissed off I made the journey to view, I didn't even bother driving it.

The trader, a man not of these shores, was puzzled as to why I wasn't driving it or even bothering to look inside it. I told him it was in terrible condition and I didn't want to waste any more of my time.

I then bought another silver Sport and I like it very much indeed. Slightly more road noise than my E38 but to be expected with a Touring. It's pretty bloody quick and handles really well. I am most pleased!

[ALawson]

Hornetrider I take it you went for a 530? A 540i would be nice but a little to thirsty!

Is the self levelling suspension reliable?

I will have a bit of a hunt in the usual places.

[hornetrider]

Yes I got a 530. Prior to test driving I was ambivalent as to whether I would get a 530 or 525 but after driving both I felt the 530 offered quite a noticeable jump in performance.

Regarding the suspension, afaik you have airbags on each side and a compressor. Airbags can deteriorate and leak and are relatively inexpensive and simple to replace. Presumably if the compressor goes that's more expensive but I haven't looked into it.

There's a lovely blue low mileage one on AT with comfort seats in grey and massive spec. Unfortunately for me it had child booster seats specced too which delete the Isofix mounts (which I wanted).