Best Smoker Barges 1-5 large [Vol 7]

[ChocolateFrog]

An LS600h appeals but I fear it will be a long time before they drop into barge territory.

[Baryonyx]

E65Ross said:

How is the Jag going mate? I remember when I bought the 745i off Cat220, his wife was actually upset to see it go! They'd had it for almost 6 years IIRC and been all over Europe in it, so at least she understands why we like our barges

It's going well. Lovely thing to drive. I still breath a self-satisfied sigh every time I open the door and step inside, it's just a joy of a machine. Metal shouldn't inspire such affection, but it does!

It's had a good workout this week as I've been taking it to work over nights, when usually I prefer to use the motorbike. We've just moved office to a new place in the city centre. Whilst it's a logistical nightmare, there is also no staff parking. I've paid for a parking space in a 24hr open car park nearby, but it's a five minute walk from the office and seems pretty deserted over night (albeit there is security on the gate and only one way in or out). I sort of prefer having the car where I can keep an eye on it, so I've been parking it on the street near the office and making frequent checks on it. Talk about separation anxiety...

[SuperHangOn]

E65Ross said:

r129sl said:

This has been said before and it is entirely fair and accurate. We do foreswear MB for a while every now and again. And there are some serious BMW, Audi, Jag and Lexus fans. It's just that MB really did some good stuff in the 1980s and 1990s: the products of the other manufacturers died long ago but the MBs keep going. All I can say is: post up whatever you like, it is bound to be appreciated. Or torn to pieces.

You say that, but remember the W124 was produced in far larger quantities than the E34 IIRC, and I don't think they've lasted a great deal better. The e30 is still rocking around, and just as common as a 190e imo.

I don't see many 'proper' era MB's around now.

Virtually every old (pre 202/210) Merc for sale gets bought for export (for parts or whole), especially around London/SE. Thousands of W124's were nicked a few years ago, so much so the police sent letters out to all owners in London.

The phone was off the hook when I put my cheap 230CE up for sale, the buyer had been pretty much buying up every car which appeared on ebay that year! (hundreds)

Hence they don't really exist any more.

Still see a few 80's/early 90's Volvos knocking about.

[thelawnet]

ChocolateFrog said:

An LS600h appeals but I fear it will be a long time before they drop into barge territory.

This one is cheapest in country.

http://www.motor-hub.co.uk/used-cars/lexus-ls-600h...

£12k I guess with mega miles.

£100k new though, and everything is standard on the 600 - long wheelbase, rear entertainment, 4 zone climate, massaging seats front and rear.

Not sure what happens to those battery packs with age?

As I understand it also small boot because of the battery pack.

[Baryonyx]

r129sl said:

I can see perfect LS400s becoming very significant—and valued—cars. All of big Lexus saloons are brilliant.

They are, but I reckon you'd be hard pressed to flip one for more than 20% profit over the original asking price unless you bought a really good one or put a lot of effort into tidying one up. I think they are absolutely fking magnificent cars, but most people just see an old, unfashionable big petrol with a Lexus badge on the front. It's not a magic recipe for printing money (unlike a rare air cooled 911, say). It'll be a while until they are making good money. After all, decent E32's and the like hardly command massive prices these days, do they? Even when Francis Rossi was a former keeper!

[cat220]

E65Ross said:

Baryonyx said:

I think this is the tack Cat220 took when he changed his Jaguar XJ for the W210 E55 estate. Well, aside from the size of the engine! It seems he has a very understanding wife to go with his collection of cars! My wife just rolls her eyes when I mention the fuel costs of running a big barge...

Tidy Mercedes estate, and typically my marque of choice. In most cases, I would tend to choose a Mercedes. Aside from the fact I now have Cat220's old Jaguar on my drive...

How is the Jag going mate? I remember when I bought the 745i off Cat220, his wife was actually upset to see it go! They'd had it for almost 6 years IIRC and been all over Europe in it, so at least she understands why we like our barges

My wife is very understanding when it comes to my 'habit." I suspect she's actually just resigned herself to the fact that I'm a lost cause when it comes to cars!

[r129sl]

I've always liked these. This one looks perfect: the colours, the 2.8litre motor, the manual transmission, the big spec, the price.

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C547565

[0a]

I've been in Germany since last week with a chap with a good expenses card, so we've been ordering exec car services to get around, the usual S and E classes. Today a lwb non-badged new model 7 turned up with 4 square exhausts - surely a good petrol engine. No - it was another 730d. To top it the ventilation was completely broken so the driver had to have his window open.

All the diesel exec cars are nasty sounding to my ears I'm afraid no thanks, even at motorway speeds

I'm loving w124 spotting though...

[E65Ross]

r129sl said:

I've always liked these. This one looks perfect: the colours, the 2.8litre motor, the manual transmission, the big spec, the price.

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C547565

that looks very good. There is an immaculate E36 328i about 200m from where I live, in the same colour scheme also with a manual box. It's a sport version and has nicer wheels than that, but you can really tell it's well looked after. Looks really tidy, it's running Michelins (I think) all round, always clean....looks nice.

[PlayersNo6]

derin100 said:

My fear is "Mission Creep".

Indeed. My recently acquired W210 has been in the bodyshop since Monday. Expenditure on the rear arches will wipe out any possible margin on the car so looks like I'm committed now. Wheel refurb next week then I'll get some pics up.

[BGarside]

r129sl said:

I've always liked these. This one looks perfect: the colours, the 2.8litre motor, the manual transmission, the big spec, the price.

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C547565

Nice. Having covered 350 miles today in my E36 325i coupe I can also say I like these. Perhaps a 328i will feature in my future at some stage as while the M50 2.5 motor makes a lovely noise it's rather all mouth and no trousers...

[r129sl]

But what a lovely mouth. There has always been something about BMW sixes that does it for me; almost a case of smaller is better. The 12v 320i was a joy even if rather weak.

[Lowtimer]

I am well known for defending what in PH terms are generally seen as slowish cars but the one time I had use of a car with the BMW 12v 2.0 of that era I found it deeply frustrating for its lack of go. I have no particular justification for feeling that way - my formative driving years included lots of miles in a VW Type 2 van, a 49 bhp Mark I diesel Golf, a 1256 Chevette and a 652 cc Citroen Visa. But the only car that I've felt like swearing at for its indolence was an E34 520i manual. It felt like one of those dreams where you are trying to cross the road but are only able to move at glacial pace, as if the air has turned to thick clear treacle.

(Actually, er, that might be just me I suppose)

I like the look of that 328i coupe. Would go a Touring for pref but I like the E36 in all its body forms.

[barchetta_boy]

The 2.8 in the E36 is a great engine, some BMW enthusiasts even prefer it to the 3.0 that came in with the E36.

If you put a different inlet manifold on it (from the 325?) it makes more power.

[E65Ross]

barchetta_boy said:

The 2.8 in the E36 is a great engine, some BMW enthusiasts even prefer it to the 3.0 that came in with the E36.

If you put a different inlet manifold on it (from the 325?) it makes more power.

The only 3.0 with an E36 was an early M3. If they prefer the 2.8 to that they're nuts. Unless you mean the 3.0 that came with the E46? In which case.... Hmmm, not sure. The 3.0 makes more power (even after the manifold change), is more efficient etc).

[Lowtimer]

By the numbers, the M54B30 (out of the E46 330i) is a better engine than the M52B28 (the 328i engine) in every way, and I love my 3.0 dearly. But subjectively the 2.8 is an absolute sweetie. To me it always feels lighter and zingier and revvier than the 3.0, and best of all it has a proper cable throttle. The electronic throttle on the 3.0 is a good one, as electronic throttles go, but it's still not the same as a cable job.

[CharlesdeGaulle]

Taken from the Bargain Basement thread.

MB 420. Dreary colour, rubbish ad, below budget. Someone might like it.

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/m...

[SilverSixer]

MOT till December? *shiver*

(Could easily view that so making excuses not to.)

[CharlesdeGaulle]

SilverSixer said:

MOT till December? *shiver*

(Could easily view that so making excuses not to.)

Why not view, but only for the benefit of the other bargeistas, natch. Ready-made excuse for the Mrs.

[ryanMIL]

CharlesdeGaulle said:

Taken from the Bargain Basement thread.

MB 420. Dreary colour, rubbish ad, below budget. Someone might like it.

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/m...

I know it's not got much MOT, but is there much bork with these? I think W140's are generally quite robust, except for consumables/perishables. Doesn't sound like a keeper, but might be nice to smoke around in for a year if it gets through the next MOT without any dramas.