Best Smoker Barges 1-5 large [Vol 7]

[tog]

phil_cardiff said:

texasjohn said:

Is the ST220 any good?

Very apparently. I've been tempted by the estate a few times.

You've got me looking now, but I hope they don't all look like this:



http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FORD-MONDEO-ST220-GSI-VX...

[edo]

Right folks. A barge calls.

I'd like an Audi with Quattro, a 3.0 Subaru, or a BMW X. I'll also look at a Cayenne. I'd prefer 6 cylinders up, I'll take a cab for resale in the summer, and I want low miles (MAX 60k) and nice spec (prefer Nav).

I'll go above thread budget for the right car. I'll double it for an S4 Cab, Cayenne or at tip top A8...

[Barchettaman]

'98 Sovereign popping up at an ex police garage:

http://expolicecar.co.uk/stockdetail.asp?id=401

4.0 engine, so nikasil problems?

LWB, £1750, only 126k, on an S.

[CampDavid]

edo said:

Right folks. A barge calls.

I'd like an Audi with Quattro, a 3.0 Subaru, or a BMW X. I'll also look at a Cayenne. I'd prefer 6 cylinders up, I'll take a cab for resale in the summer, and I want low miles (MAX 60k) and nice spec (prefer Nav).

I'll go above thread budget for the right car. I'll double it for an S4 Cab, Cayenne or at tip top A8...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201408056367608/sort/default/radius/1500/postcode/mk417sd/make/audi/usedcars/model/s8/page/1/onesearchad/used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew?logcode=p



Miles aside that's pretty correct. I even like the colour.

[nagsheadwarrior]

Barchettaman said:

'98 Sovereign popping up at an ex police garage:

http://expolicecar.co.uk/stockdetail.asp?id=401

4.0 engine, so nikasil problems?

LWB, £1750, only 126k, on an S.

Nikasil either long since sorted by engine swap or never gonna be a problem if it's survived this long.

[Baryonyx]

nagsheadwarrior said:

Barchettaman said:

'98 Sovereign popping up at an ex police garage:

http://expolicecar.co.uk/stockdetail.asp?id=401

4.0 engine, so nikasil problems?

LWB, £1750, only 126k, on an S.

Nikasil either long since sorted by engine swap or never gonna be a problem if it's survived this long.

Indeed, no longer worth worrying about unless you're planning to drive to the third world and fill up with their sulphurous fuel! I'd check the status of the cam chain tensioner. again at this it's likely all is well with that and t'will ever be thus. Lovely cars and the 4.0 car is the one to have (more power and better economy, talk about win/win). However, the colour and the LWB spec put me off. The dealer touts it as 'the one to have', but the end result to me would be a less practical car, which is less fun to drive, for the enjoyment of everyone but the driver. Anyone getting a lift in the back of a Jaguar XJ would feel lucky, and will likely be so impressed by the car itself they'll overlook the legroom in the back (less than one would think) because it's so much more characterful and interesting than the diesel eco-box they probably drive.

As evidenced below, the XJ will fit in a proper parking space, despite being a big old car. By comparison is my old A8, bulging out at either end and filling the bay almost side to side. It did have more room in the back though that made little difference to me.







I want to go back here next year, but I'm not sure the XJ will fit into the car park. The car I've squeezed in there is my old Rallye!

[E65Ross]

Krikkit said:

E65Ross said:

Is it feasible that where I had that dodgy mass air meter it could have been affecting my fuel economy a little before I even noticed there was an issue? Or is it a case of unless the car is coughing/spluttering your economy would be fine.

It's probably all psychological etc but I swear mpg has gone up a bit. Was getting around 23-24 but seem to be around 26 now, over the last 400 miles or so....similar driving too. 2mpg or so might not sound much but when you're talking about 10% that's quite a bit.......? Thoughts?

Microfilter is due in 4500 miles, my front tyres are due soon but I'll probably wait until 3k or so and get both done by the same people at the same time, saves an extra trip.

Yep - MAF giving false reading about increased air volume coming in through the inlet to the ECU will lead to increased fuel use. Just the same as if you have a dodgy temperature sender - the ECU will add extra fuel to try and warm the engine up, so economy suffers. 26mpg is very respectable - I get 31mpg from my MX5 no matter how hard I drive it on the road.

When you say microfilter, is that gearbox? I thought that'd been done not so long ago?

Microfilter is for the air conditioning system

[texasjohn]

edo said:

Right folks. A barge calls.

I'd like an Audi with Quattro, a 3.0 Subaru, or a BMW X. I'll also look at a Cayenne. I'd prefer 6 cylinders up, I'll take a cab for resale in the summer, and I want low miles (MAX 60k) and nice spec (prefer Nav).

I'll go above thread budget for the right car. I'll double it for an S4 Cab, Cayenne or at tip top A8...

There's a lovely looking 2 owner Legacy Spec B on the trader at present which has been dropping in price by a couple of hundred each week, presently at thread budget. However it's in Scotland (miles from me) and its a 56 plate (£500 tax) although taxed til end of March at present.

Worth a gander and probably the best example on sale at present IMHO.

[rejn]

0a said:

andy43 said:

andy43 said:

Justayellowbadge said:

r129sl said:

andy43 said:

Oof.
And only 4 grand.
Our outstanding, Cherished, Faultless Mercedes Benz 500 SEL in Dark Blue with Cream Full Leather Interior and Unmarked Alloy Wheels. All Original Bodywork and Gleaming Paint with Excellent Leather Interior and Woodwork. Mercedes Benz Over Mats Fitted from New. Origional Unused First Aid Kit in Rear Shelf. Tilt and Slide Sunroof. Rear Foot Rests in Place. Heated and Reclining Rear Seats. Everything in this vehicle works perfectly including Cruise Control. A new Pioneer Bluetooth Radio/CD has been fitted and the car is Hard Wired for Sat-Nav, iPod and Telephone. Recently fitted are two New Tyres, Front Brake Pads, Brand New Battery, New Drag Link and New Centre Exhaust Sections. 122,000 miles showing and drives beautifully as it was intended. MOT is to September 2015 and tax to July 2015. A very beautiful example of this iconic V8 motor car...

I keep coming back to this.

So I googled the registration mark. And found this: http://www.ukvehicle.com/J331OPK/ This is a new site to me but isn't that interesting: not much of a margin in it but a turn all the same. Why do I find this off putting?

Edit: here's the original ad from June 2014 http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C510908

Edited by r129sl on Monday 15th September 11:32

Tax to July 2015?

I thought it was no longer transferable after Oct 1?

<dreams shattered>
I really thought that was one of those one retired castle-dwelling owner cars where the chauffeur has done most of the miles

Right, I'll try again then
135k 560, owned for 12 years!
£3400, will maybe need recommissioning... but lovely all the same

I was just looking at that. I do like these 560s, and of all the 80s/90s merc 4 door barges it must be the one that is most likely to start appreciating if you put some work into it (man maths justification)...?

That 560 looks lovely, but I'd imagine you'd need to go in with your eyes wide open given it's been off the road for 3 years?

Having said that, my 560SEC which I bought unseen off ebay (for £1200 i think!) 2-3 years ago hadn't been used much and was advertised as spares or repair - with a few minor low-cost bits, it ran for a year and got through an MoT...

[harry kular]

My brother in law in Walsall has asked me to have a look for a cheap runabout for him. Budget 1.5-2k, must be derv and either a BMW or Merc. VW stuff is out as he already runs an Audi and wants something different.

Anybody seen something local to him that fits the bill?

[Easternlight]

edo said:

Right folks. A barge calls.

I'd like an Audi with Quattro, a 3.0 Subaru, or a BMW X. I'll also look at a Cayenne. I'd prefer 6 cylinders up, I'll take a cab for resale in the summer, and I want low miles (MAX 60k) and nice spec (prefer Nav).

I'll go above thread budget for the right car. I'll double it for an S4 Cab, Cayenne or at tip top A8...

Spotted this Cayenne on autotrader last week close to me and happened by chance to see it at the weekend, looked very nice. Bit over your budget.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

[sam303]

E65Ross said:

Is it feasible that where I had that dodgy mass air meter it could have been affecting my fuel economy a little before I even noticed there was an issue? Or is it a case of unless the car is coughing/spluttering your economy would be fine.

It's probably all psychological etc but I swear mpg has gone up a bit. Was getting around 23-24 but seem to be around 26 now, over the last 400 miles or so....similar driving too. 2mpg or so might not sound much but when you're talking about 10% that's quite a bit.......? Thoughts?

Microfilter is due in 4500 miles, my front tyres are due soon but I'll probably wait until 3k or so and get both done by the same people at the same time, saves an extra trip.

Ross, my 745i which I think is of a very similar vintage to yours, does just about 26mpg with a mix of 80mph commuting and occasional crawling in traffic. Pretty good and that's without any effort to maximise economy. So it could be that your car has returned to 'normal' after fixing that air mass meter.

[Lowtimer]

texasjohn said:

Is the ST220 any good?

Yes, it is very good indeed. If you are truly heavy-footed and/or tracking it, it can stand having the brakes upgraded a bit. But it's a very capable and pleasant car, and the brakes are fine for everyday driving unless you live at the top (or bottom) of the Stelvio pass.

[phil_cardiff]

tog said:

phil_cardiff said:

texasjohn said:

Is the ST220 any good?

Very apparently. I've been tempted by the estate a few times.

You've got me looking now, but I hope they don't all look like this:



http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FORD-MONDEO-ST220-GSI-VX...

They don't. They also do a disgusting shade of grey, so try to avoid that! Thankfully they did a black interior which looks the one to have. Very well built too says the internet.

[harry kular]

Just found a gorgeous pre-facelift w124 four seat sportline- and it's only down the road from me!

http://www.usedcarsni.com/1992-Mercedes-200-Series...

[MJK 24]

harry kular said:

Just found a gorgeous pre-facelift w124 four seat sportline- and it's only down the road from me!

http://www.usedcarsni.com/1992-Mercedes-200-Series...

Advert states E280 but text states it is a 260E. Only a small thing but I'd proceed with caution. I can't see an enthusiast misdescribing their car. My 'trader bell' is ringing faintly in the background!!

[barchetta_boy]

The engine looks the same as my E280. I don't think you could get the 5 speed box with the 260E so it checks out as a very late pre-facelift car (the best of both worlds IMHO). Looks great if you don't mind LHD.

[harry kular]

Definitely a 280 going by the engine pics. It's too good for what I want: I've been on the look out for a 4-seat interior for my project car for ages...

[mccrackenj]

harry kular said:

Just found a gorgeous pre-facelift w124 four seat sportline- and it's only down the road from me!

http://www.usedcarsni.com/1992-Mercedes-200-Series...

Hi Harry

My heart skipped a beat when I saw it last week - but the steering wheel is missing!

[dscam]

CampDavid said:

edo said:

Right folks. A barge calls.

I'd like an Audi with Quattro, a 3.0 Subaru, or a BMW X. I'll also look at a Cayenne. I'd prefer 6 cylinders up, I'll take a cab for resale in the summer, and I want low miles (MAX 60k) and nice spec (prefer Nav).

I'll go above thread budget for the right car. I'll double it for an S4 Cab, Cayenne or at tip top A8...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201408056367608/sort/default/radius/1500/postcode/mk417sd/make/audi/usedcars/model/s8/page/1/onesearchad/used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew?logcode=p



Miles aside that's pretty correct. I even like the colour.

Pedantry I know, but that personalised registration is a little tragic. Has no effect on the car right enough which looks lovely.