Best Smoker Barges 1-5 large [Vol 7]
Discussion
Hi guys - bit of a lurker on this topic, mainly because I have nothing to add.
After a bit of a garage re-shuffle, it looks like I might now have space/use for a barge!
There's a lot of W126 love in here, but I think it might possibly be a little old for me (the barge will mainly be used as a station car - 20 mile motorway trip).
At the moment, I'm keeping my eye on D2 A8's, E38 7's and W140 S-Class's at the bottom of thread budget. There seems to be a few decent examples of all; particularly the Audi's.
I was just wondering if anyone had any specific reccomendations/experience or ideas of barges which I should be looking out for? I realise that the LS400 should also be on my radar, but I can't really bring myself to like it!
After a bit of a garage re-shuffle, it looks like I might now have space/use for a barge!
There's a lot of W126 love in here, but I think it might possibly be a little old for me (the barge will mainly be used as a station car - 20 mile motorway trip).
At the moment, I'm keeping my eye on D2 A8's, E38 7's and W140 S-Class's at the bottom of thread budget. There seems to be a few decent examples of all; particularly the Audi's.
I was just wondering if anyone had any specific reccomendations/experience or ideas of barges which I should be looking out for? I realise that the LS400 should also be on my radar, but I can't really bring myself to like it!
Of those choices, I think the A8 is the only one with a cambelt. If you're looking at the larger petrol engined options on the '8 the belts need doing every 5 years so figure that into running costs. Sport spec is generally preferred over SE (Recaro electric seats and a 3 spoke steering wheel, unless fitted with a multi-function wheel which is 4 spoke only) and they do have the benefit of not rusting, although poor previous repairs can look pretty minging!
They are a big car for most train station car parks though - 5mx2m footprint
They are a big car for most train station car parks though - 5mx2m footprint
I ran a 2000 BMW E38 728i for 2 years and did around 20k miles or so....was a really good car.
Quiet, comfortable, a nice interior, the engine (mine was a later 2.8 with double vanos) was smooth as silk and "quick enough". The 0-60 time really does it no justice and once up to MWay speeds it's adequate.....but not a huge amount more. Economy on a run was nothing short of incredible for the car. Cruising at 70mph you easily get mid 30's and more. If I reset the OBC once on the MWay with a hot engine, over a long drive the OBC would show over 40mpg;....which was about 5% out IME.
The 735i isn't a bad car, but you get 4.4 V8 economy with not THAT much more than 2.8 performance; but they also go quite cheap as a result of that. Ultimately, you'd love a 750i, we all would. Pick for me would be a 740i but the 728i shouldn't be sniffed at.
Quiet, comfortable, a nice interior, the engine (mine was a later 2.8 with double vanos) was smooth as silk and "quick enough". The 0-60 time really does it no justice and once up to MWay speeds it's adequate.....but not a huge amount more. Economy on a run was nothing short of incredible for the car. Cruising at 70mph you easily get mid 30's and more. If I reset the OBC once on the MWay with a hot engine, over a long drive the OBC would show over 40mpg;....which was about 5% out IME.
The 735i isn't a bad car, but you get 4.4 V8 economy with not THAT much more than 2.8 performance; but they also go quite cheap as a result of that. Ultimately, you'd love a 750i, we all would. Pick for me would be a 740i but the 728i shouldn't be sniffed at.
ryanMIL said:
Hi guys - bit of a lurker on this topic, mainly because I have nothing to add.
At the moment, I'm keeping my eye on D2 A8's, E38 7's and W140 S-Class's at the bottom of thread budget. There seems to be a few decent examples of all; particularly the Audi's.
I was just wondering if anyone had any specific reccomendations/experience or ideas of barges which I should be looking out for? I realise that the LS400 should also be on my radar, but I can't really bring myself to like it!
Welcome - be preapred for this thread to become an expensive fixation!At the moment, I'm keeping my eye on D2 A8's, E38 7's and W140 S-Class's at the bottom of thread budget. There seems to be a few decent examples of all; particularly the Audi's.
I was just wondering if anyone had any specific reccomendations/experience or ideas of barges which I should be looking out for? I realise that the LS400 should also be on my radar, but I can't really bring myself to like it!
You have some nice big old barges on that list, but it would be remiss of me if I didn't ask if you'd considered an MB 124? Slightly smaller, probably a rather bigger choice out there, and much-loved in these parts.
At my price-point (1-1.5k) I'm doing the sensible thing and looking at condition over spec, but obviously I'd much prefer a large engine.
To that end, the A8's look good value (no rust to worry about), but I didn't realise it was the only belt-driven out of my options. Perhaps I should be focussing my searches on a clean E38?
Doing low-mileage, fuel costs aren't really a concern - I just want something cosseting (the antethesis to the MX-5 daily I've just sold!). I'd love a 750, but a bit scared of the V12, is it a pretty reliable unit?
To that end, the A8's look good value (no rust to worry about), but I didn't realise it was the only belt-driven out of my options. Perhaps I should be focussing my searches on a clean E38?
Doing low-mileage, fuel costs aren't really a concern - I just want something cosseting (the antethesis to the MX-5 daily I've just sold!). I'd love a 750, but a bit scared of the V12, is it a pretty reliable unit?
CharlesdeGaulle said:
Welcome - be preapred for this thread to become an expensive fixation!
You have some nice big old barges on that list, but it would be remiss of me if I didn't ask if you'd considered an MB 124? Slightly smaller, probably a rather bigger choice out there, and much-loved in these parts.
I've already scratched that itch a couple of years ago, spent a lot of money bringing it up to showroom standard and ended up selling at quite a loss when my new company car arrived!You have some nice big old barges on that list, but it would be remiss of me if I didn't ask if you'd considered an MB 124? Slightly smaller, probably a rather bigger choice out there, and much-loved in these parts.
I've got a hankering for a full-on barge now; ideal would probably be a W140 S600 LWB, but my budget wouldn't stretch that far
Had a proper blat in the R129 yesterday for the first time in ages. With the front end all sorted (along with a myriad of other jobs) it really is a rock solid car to make ground in. Incredible for something that is 23 years old and had an entry ticket price of sub 3 bags. We will look back in years to come open-mouthed at how cheap they currently are.
Next job is new dampers all round and springs at the rear (fronts were done a couple of years ago) as they must be due for replacement by now. Any good places to source the parts?
Next job is new dampers all round and springs at the rear (fronts were done a couple of years ago) as they must be due for replacement by now. Any good places to source the parts?
How long do you chaps wait until you change your tyres? Legal limit is 1.6mm, performance is supposedly noticeably less below 3mm.
My rears are between 2.5-3mm and the fronts have about 4.5mm across most of the tyre, but the outer edges are very worn. I was concerned about significant uneven wear rate, but they've now done 2k miles which is a decent amount I guess. The rears, however, have only done 12-13k which isn't fantastic
My insurance is due in a couple of weeks so I'm hoping they'll be fine to hold out until November, which will be about another 1500miles.
My rears are between 2.5-3mm and the fronts have about 4.5mm across most of the tyre, but the outer edges are very worn. I was concerned about significant uneven wear rate, but they've now done 2k miles which is a decent amount I guess. The rears, however, have only done 12-13k which isn't fantastic
My insurance is due in a couple of weeks so I'm hoping they'll be fine to hold out until November, which will be about another 1500miles.
E65Ross said:
How long do you chaps wait until you change your tyres? Legal limit is 1.6mm, performance is supposedly noticeably less below 3mm.
My rears are between 2.5-3mm and the fronts have about 4.5mm across most of the tyre, but the outer edges are very worn. I was concerned about significant uneven wear rate, but they've now done 2k miles which is a decent amount I guess. The rears, however, have only done 12-13k which isn't fantastic
Depends on the season a bit - heading into summer with tyres around 3mm I'd probably leave it, as long as the steering isn't moving around unduly or the tyre obviously worn unevenly. Heading into winter I'd be much more inclined to change at 3mm as wet braking performance pretty much disappears below 3mm, coupled with colder weather and summer tyres that's not helpful as a combination.My rears are between 2.5-3mm and the fronts have about 4.5mm across most of the tyre, but the outer edges are very worn. I was concerned about significant uneven wear rate, but they've now done 2k miles which is a decent amount I guess. The rears, however, have only done 12-13k which isn't fantastic
Tyres with very worn outer edges seem to attract the attention of the MoT tester, although I'm not convinced many properly interpret the requirements regarding tread depth. If it's getting to the point that the carcass is chunking where there is no tread then I would swap them irrespective of depth of tread and consider running slightly higher air pressures if you do a lot of town work to stop the tyre tucking under when cornering at slow speed and wearing them away. May also indicate a proper laser alignment would help? Made a world of difference on my S8.
Adrian E said:
E65Ross said:
How long do you chaps wait until you change your tyres? Legal limit is 1.6mm, performance is supposedly noticeably less below 3mm.
My rears are between 2.5-3mm and the fronts have about 4.5mm across most of the tyre, but the outer edges are very worn. I was concerned about significant uneven wear rate, but they've now done 2k miles which is a decent amount I guess. The rears, however, have only done 12-13k which isn't fantastic
Depends on the season a bit - heading into summer with tyres around 3mm I'd probably leave it, as long as the steering isn't moving around unduly or the tyre obviously worn unevenly. Heading into winter I'd be much more inclined to change at 3mm as wet braking performance pretty much disappears below 3mm, coupled with colder weather and summer tyres that's not helpful as a combination.My rears are between 2.5-3mm and the fronts have about 4.5mm across most of the tyre, but the outer edges are very worn. I was concerned about significant uneven wear rate, but they've now done 2k miles which is a decent amount I guess. The rears, however, have only done 12-13k which isn't fantastic
Early November should he fine then
Outer edges do not have bulges of the carcass showing, they have some, but very little, tread.
HR - how many miles you get from a set of rears on yours, and what you running? Yours is a touch lighter and a touch more powerful so would have thought similar wear rates.
Outer edges do not have bulges of the carcass showing, they have some, but very little, tread.
HR - how many miles you get from a set of rears on yours, and what you running? Yours is a touch lighter and a touch more powerful so would have thought similar wear rates.
Rocksteadyeddie said:
Had a proper blat in the R129 yesterday for the first time in ages. With the front end all sorted (along with a myriad of other jobs) it really is a rock solid car to make ground in. Incredible for something that is 23 years old and had an entry ticket price of sub 3 bags. We will look back in years to come open-mouthed at how cheap they currently are.
Next job is new dampers all round and springs at the rear (fronts were done a couple of years ago) as they must be due for replacement by now. Any good places to source the parts?
Prices always vary between suppliers but once you've identified the right part it's usually easy to find a cheap supplier. Merc get their shocks from Sachs; I'd fit those or Bilstein depending on who is cheapest. Euro Car Parts are pretty reasonable at the moment but often you can do better. Do you have the chassis number? If so, I can find the parts for you pretty quickly. Shocks are an easy DIY; springs less so.Next job is new dampers all round and springs at the rear (fronts were done a couple of years ago) as they must be due for replacement by now. Any good places to source the parts?
I think the front shocks are Sachs 200 047 and the rears are Sachs 200 048. Cheapest fronts I can find are here at £81 each (I have used this inauspicious-looking supplier and he was fine) http://www.wanapart.co.uk/shock-absorber/suspensio... and the cheapest rears are at the same place at £42 each http://www.wanapart.co.uk/shock-absorber/suspensio... but I haven't checked the part nos against your chassis no.
Spotted this tidy looking green S500 on Ebay. However, given prices for these things, it almost seems to expensive. Nice to see an unusual colour.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-Benz-S-500-1998...
And a rather stunning w124 300D, especially if you like blue.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/W124-MERCEDES-300D-AUTO-...
ryanMIL said:
I've already scratched that itch a couple of years ago, spent a lot of money bringing it up to showroom standard and ended up selling at quite a loss when my new company car arrived!
I've got a hankering for a full-on barge now; ideal would probably be a W140 S600 LWB, but my budget wouldn't stretch that far
I know of a W126 300SE that might be for sale in your price bracket...drop me a PM if you're interested!I've got a hankering for a full-on barge now; ideal would probably be a W140 S600 LWB, but my budget wouldn't stretch that far
E65Ross said:
Early November should he fine then
Outer edges do not have bulges of the carcass showing, they have some, but very little, tread.
HR - how many miles you get from a set of rears on yours, and what you running? Yours is a touch lighter and a touch more powerful so would have thought similar wear rates.
Um, I went through a set of Contis pretty quick. CSC5s, that is. Got about 12/13k out of them and that's rotating front to rear to balance out the wear. I've now switched to Uniroyal Rainsport 3s which seem to be wearing very well and have decent grip albeit I see the traction control light a lot more than with the Contis. The downside is the sidewalls on them seem quite soft, so they wallow a bit, but you kind of get used to it and call it 'ride quality' Outer edges do not have bulges of the carcass showing, they have some, but very little, tread.
HR - how many miles you get from a set of rears on yours, and what you running? Yours is a touch lighter and a touch more powerful so would have thought similar wear rates.
. They're available in different load ratings so I think next time I'll go higher (99T is it?) and hopefully the sidewall will be a bit stiffer. The upside was they were very cheap - 100 a corner, whereas the Contis were 150 a corner (online pricing).hornetrider said:
I'd agree if we are talking sports cars, but mine is just a 5 series estate. It could be a 520d. For the Contis there was a bit of disparity between front and rear but not massive. I'd be hoping for maybe 20k plus out of some fronts.
Ran Falken ZE-914s on my 5 Touring. Used to get 30-35K out of the tyres according to my invoices when I checked the other month.I've never actually had a car long enough to wear a set of tyres from new to bald. Had Falken 453's on my 530. were great!
Im in a similar situation to you Ross. My fronts have bald outer edges but the rears have about 4-5mm.
Quick question for you guys. The ESP seems to be kicking in WAAYYYYY too early on the CLK and at odd occasions. Under acceleration its fine. Kicks in and just holds back on power, exactly as I expect and its predictable, you can drive round it. However when slowing down and entering roundabouts its awful. At almost any speed above crawling I get a quick flash of the ESP and can feel the rear brakes grab.
On the M25 in the fog/damp with the cruise @ 80 twice in my 2 hours journey the ESP cut in and kicked out the cruise.
Only things i've had done to the car are, New disks up front and new wishbones up front - incl full 4 wheel alignment. I know the lower, forward, rear subframe bushes are a bit worn but the mechanic said that they'd last till my next service.
Could it be a speed sensor? ABS ring? Its not under braking, only engine braking and seems to be around the downshift on the box. The box is fine though and perfectly smooth.
Im in a similar situation to you Ross. My fronts have bald outer edges but the rears have about 4-5mm.
Quick question for you guys. The ESP seems to be kicking in WAAYYYYY too early on the CLK and at odd occasions. Under acceleration its fine. Kicks in and just holds back on power, exactly as I expect and its predictable, you can drive round it. However when slowing down and entering roundabouts its awful. At almost any speed above crawling I get a quick flash of the ESP and can feel the rear brakes grab.
On the M25 in the fog/damp with the cruise @ 80 twice in my 2 hours journey the ESP cut in and kicked out the cruise.
Only things i've had done to the car are, New disks up front and new wishbones up front - incl full 4 wheel alignment. I know the lower, forward, rear subframe bushes are a bit worn but the mechanic said that they'd last till my next service.
Could it be a speed sensor? ABS ring? Its not under braking, only engine braking and seems to be around the downshift on the box. The box is fine though and perfectly smooth.
Agent Orange said:
hornetrider said:
I'd agree if we are talking sports cars, but mine is just a 5 series estate. It could be a 520d. For the Contis there was a bit of disparity between front and rear but not massive. I'd be hoping for maybe 20k plus out of some fronts.
Ran Falken ZE-914s on my 5 Touring. Used to get 30-35K out of the tyres according to my invoices when I checked the other month.Genuinely reckon the current falkens on there would get that if the outer edges hadn't worn. As said, after about 20k they've got shed loads left!
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