Best Smoker Barges 1-5 large [Vol 7]

[olly755]

SuperHangOn said:

Sorry to be cheeky, any thought on this?
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Not sure at what point this is a bit OTT.

Hose #12 on the diagram failed on me on my B10 V8 (same cooling system as the 540i).

Mileage was only just over 40k (and only a week into ownership) but the car was 10 years old at the time. I just replaced that hose and the rest of the system was fine for the remaining 4 years of tenure. Pretty much all hoses are easy to change, but bleeding the system takes a fair bit of care and attention, it isn't a 5 minute job.

Hoses are the easy bit, but often the weaker spots are the radiator/expansion tank, which you would have to consider. Not a particularly cheap job if all are done at once just for preventative reasons.

[NastyNick74]

S3_Graham said:

Had a problem with the alarm too, interior sensor setting the bloody thing off

My money is on a spider setting off the interior sensor. I had a mahoosive spider in my S210 that kept doing it at daft o clock in the morning. This cold spell will have the seeking any shelter they can find.

[hornetrider]

E39 M5 with reasonable miles for age and FBMWSH anyone? Lots of evidence of spends and considerate ownership. Extended leather too.

http://forum.bmw5.co.uk/topic/101682-carbon-black-...

Can't imagine many safer places to bury 5k.

[Zwolf]

hornetrider said:

Can't imagine many safer places to bury 5k.

Before or after purchase?

Agree that it looks conspicuous value, non-OEM suspension is off-putting, but not insurmountable given the present asking price as you'd still end up the right side of £7k all done (plus a set of chrome grilles, nothing makes them look "downmarket" quite so effectively).

Could also be a good candidate for LPGing and bunging 60k miles on over the next couple of years. Aargh, stick to the plan!

[hornetrider]

Zwolf said:

Before or after purchase?

Can't see them getting any lower so depreciation would be nil. I reckon these are the next to start heading north as it goes. fk it, get it bought.

[E65Ross]

Car drives fine except full throttle above 5500rpm or so. Most likely dodgy sensor or something. I'll just pootle around. Even cruising on the motorway it was absolutely fine.

The microfilter service has gone back to 7k miles too

[Pickled]

SuperHangOn said:

Sorry to be cheeky, any thought on this?
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Not sure at what point this is a bit OTT.

That diagram seems to show a 6 cylinder engine in the pic. However if they are the same on the V8 I would say hoses 8 & 9 are the ones going to the heater matrix.

I've had 3 V8 5 series (E34 530 E39 535 & E39 540) all had done big miles and only problem I had with the cooling system was on my last one the 540, the water pump seized rather dramatically taking out the fan belt and viscous fan.

[Lowtimer]

E65Ross said:

Car drives fine except full throttle above 5500rpm or so. Most likely dodgy sensor or something. I'll just pootle around. Even cruising on the motorway it was absolutely fine.

I wonder if your fuel pump is weakening. That could explain why it is OK at a cruise and on modest throttle settings but splutters at full throttle and high revs.

[r129sl]

concours condition. Not.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/mercedes-300-ce-/2615755...

[jonnydm]

hornetrider said:

Zwolf said:

Before or after purchase?

Can't see them getting any lower so depreciation would be nil. I reckon these are the next to start heading north as it goes. fk it, get it bought.

Despite experience reminding me of Len's sentiments, I want this.

I'm not buying it because it has a black grille & repeat.

[S3_Graham]

0a said:

S3_Graham said:

Tried to view that 500SEL but they gave me the impression it was pretty much sold, annoying. That was about 6 weeks ago.

Good news on the E55 cat, the noise is ace isn't it. If I stick to 70 and cruise on my commute i'm getting 26 mpg. Really impressed so far! Although its going in for the service next Tuesday. £975.. and that's before they find anything! Had a problem with the alarm too, interior sensor setting the bloody thing off!

It's great to see some positive experiences of this era of merc AMG on the thread. I'd like to try one!

What's the £975 for? Sounds a lot for a service?

Part of the reason I went for it was the rarity factor. Always nice to have something 'different'. I wanted an E39 M5, couldn't afford one so then looked at E55's which in the AT section of Mercedes, engine size 5L+ showed 3 of these for sale nationally!

Rust is always a worry but tbh, it's not hard to see within 1 minutes if it's a rusty old dog or not too bad. Engines are reportedly pretty trouble free. I'm managing a mixed 23mpg which I'm happy with. Interior is a little dated but hardly a bad place to be. The nav is useless but looks good, the seats are brilliant. 5 way electric, 3 way pneumatic and heated

The boot on the clk is huge so even practical! The going rate seems to be about 4-5k currently but the rarity might even see an increase long term.

The £975 is for: B Service inspections, gearbox oil + filter, air filter, fuel filter, oil+ filter, pollen filters, brake fluid. Biggest expense however is having the 16 plugs changed. 2.1 hours labour + £140 in parts. It's at a swanky independent 'Tim Purslow' (of the Tony Purslow dealership group) and I have a 14 plate C class as a loan car etc. I'm sure it could be done cheaper but I got the impression they know their stuff and Tim seems a nice guy.

[S3_Graham]

NastyNick74 said:

S3_Graham said:

Had a problem with the alarm too, interior sensor setting the bloody thing off

My money is on a spider setting off the interior sensor. I had a mahoosive spider in my S210 that kept doing it at daft o clock in the morning. This cold spell will have the seeking any shelter they can find.

Don't say that please. I'm st scared of spiders. There are no cobwebs inside.....

[E65Ross]

Lowtimer said:

E65Ross said:

Car drives fine except full throttle above 5500rpm or so. Most likely dodgy sensor or something. I'll just pootle around. Even cruising on the motorway it was absolutely fine.

I wonder if your fuel pump is weakening. That could explain why it is OK at a cruise and on modest throttle settings but splutters at full throttle and high revs.

Managed to get it booked in with a local garage tomorrow morning

[0a]

Hopefully a minor issue Ross.

Very classy and within a negotiation (ish) of top of budget http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C533482#

[PowerslideSWE]

Zwolf said:

Interesting, so far as I've ever been aware, all of that listed, plus double glazing was standard fare for V12 E38s from launch, maybe a UK/EU difference in spec. Windows look like they have the thicker banding around the edges in that pic.

Lovely colour and spec with the 32s, all the same.

I agree, looks like double glazing, but it's not. The 1995's however have a few quirks that were only for that year. No ODBII for instance, it's the older connection under the bonnet instead of inside the car, same bonnet is supposed to be made from aluminium, again, only on the 95's. Climate panel has "wheels" to adjust fan speed etc. But it has full nappa leather everywhere and the usual 750 bits and bobs. And the engine....oh the engine

[Sterillium]

I like this and would like to live inside it.

Gettable for two grand...?



http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-7-SERIES-728i-4dr-Au...

[S3_Graham]

hornetrider said:

E39 M5 with reasonable miles for age and FBMWSH anyone? Lots of evidence of spends and considerate ownership. Extended leather too.

http://forum.bmw5.co.uk/topic/101682-carbon-black-...

Can't imagine many safer places to bury 5k.

Hadn't seen this. Tbh if this or JonnyDM's old one had still been for sale @ £5k they'd be on my drive rather than the clk.

[idiotgap]

0a said:

Hopefully a minor issue Ross.

Very classy and within a negotiation (ish) of top of budget http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C533482#

I think that's tremendous!

[PowerslideSWE]

Sterillium said:

I like this and would like to live inside it.

Gettable for two grand...?



http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-7-SERIES-728i-4dr-Au...

Thats what I paid for my 750, ballpark anyways. I have no problem seeing the appeal of a 728 tbh, still looks exactly as sharp as any other e38, and has the benefit of being alot more economical, not as brisk down the road as the bigger engined ones, but the e38 is not a sporty car anyway, and honestly when you press the turbine pedal on the '50 it's not like you're likely to swallow your tongue from the onslaught of acceleration..

Complete 750 interior in a 728 and that'll do for me.

[jonnydm]

S3_Graham said:

Hadn't seen this. Tbh if this or JonnyDM's old one had still been for sale @ £5k they'd be on my drive rather than the clk.

Mine went for a lot less than £5k!

It wouldn't have even cost very much to put right, but at the time I didn't have the funds or inclination. As I understand, the lump went to an E46 in Africa. Buyer was a ****, naively gave him the V5 as 'trader', obviosuly didn't SORN or declare anything and I got stung for an RFL penalty!