Best Smoker Barges 1-5 large [Vol 7]

[confused_buyer]

radiodanno said:

Not familiar with this power plant - but am the cars.

It's not REALLY getting anywhere NEAR 50mpg? Is it??

Only at a constant 55mph. At more usual speeds, they do about 42-44 on the motorway.

[HD Adam]

Justayellowbadge said:

HD Adam said:

My old 1997 D2 is still going strong at 205,000 miles.

It had 170k and full service history on it when I got it for shed money as passes the MOT every year.

Phenomenal build quality. The only thing that doesn't work is the adjustable drivers head rest which is at the right height for me so I can't be arsed to investigate it.

There is the old chocolate gearbox issue on the V8 but I'd just get the filter & fluid changed at a specialist and be happy.

My D2 was only a 2.8, but in sport flavour.

Bloody bulletproof thing. Still just about the best day to day place to sit I can think of.

Mine's a 2.8 as well and just keeps going.

In answer to the Merc question above this post, Mrs HD used to have an S Class with the straight 6 320 diesel.

It would do about 27mpg on mixed running and 48mpg (onboard trip comuter) on the motorway so I don't see why a lighter E Class shouldn't do 50 pluss.

[Motorrad]

GCH said:

Ruinous?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Audi-RS6-Avant-4-2-quatt...

EDIT- direct link doesn't work for some reason? Ebay item #121373275991

Buy one with a gearbox that works and is in better condition for 3 grand more? Seen a few good ones at 7.5-9K.

[E65Ross]

Baryonyx said:

I'm quite happy with the ancient 5 speed in my XJ. I thought the box in my A8 was quite good too, but then that could well be the punch of a decent V8 engine overcoming any shortcomings in gearing or selection. That said, my eyes have been opened to a new world of automatic enjoyment. I had previously derided most of the fancy new gearboxes as useless frippery.

I remember being in an MR2 with the semi-automatic shifter, that was dire. Then tried a TT 3.2 with DSG, also quite nonplussed once the novelty had worn off. On Friday night, I had a trip out in my dad's Boxster S with the PDK transmission and I was absolutely astounded with the technology. Never out of punch, seamlessly shifting and finding the right gear, barking and popping as it goes, just magic stuff.

The 7 speed DCT box in the new M6 is just magnificent. Smoother than any older auto I've ever been in, changes are insanely rapid and always in the gear you'd like. Plus, you have 100% control when you want.

[SpeckledJim]

confused_buyer said:

radiodanno said:

Not familiar with this power plant - but am the cars.

It's not REALLY getting anywhere NEAR 50mpg? Is it??

Only at a constant 55mph. At more usual speeds, they do about 42-44 on the motorway.

i'd second that. My dad could tickle my E320 CDi to 48-50 on the motorway. I was getting c.43 on the same journey 10-15mph faster and overall about 39 on a mixed 20 mile commute.

Nice engine. Gutsy and sounded good.

[Coker]

KrisP said:

Is it so hard to find a nice mid to large saloon without a really dimwitted box? I currently have an e39 540 auto and an e46 M3 manual, and trying to replace with one car that will sit in traffic without annoying the hell out of me (see auto) whilst still having some decent poke for fun on the odd occasion the roads allow

I'm also thinking along these lines (and funnily enough, previously had an E39 540 auto and currently an E46 M3 manual) for when I change. It won't be for a little while yet but I'm always planning my next new car. I'm leaning towards a Lexus IS-F at the moment. Decent 'box from what I've read, although I'm yet to try one.

[RenesisEvo]

Coker said:

I'm leaning towards a Lexus IS-F at the moment. Decent 'box from what I've read, although I'm yet to try one.

Funnily enough after finding that A8 I spent a while looking at the IS250 and the IS-F. The F appeals because it too has the combination of subtle outside and 5 litres up front, with Lexus reliability, but they are thin on the ground and even a pretend F-Sport needs a tripling of the thread upper limit; a good F doubles that again.

[RobinBanks]

SpeckledJim said:

confused_buyer said:

radiodanno said:

Not familiar with this power plant - but am the cars.

It's not REALLY getting anywhere NEAR 50mpg? Is it??

Only at a constant 55mph. At more usual speeds, they do about 42-44 on the motorway.

i'd second that. My dad could tickle my E320 CDi to 48-50 on the motorway. I was getting c.43 on the same journey 10-15mph faster and overall about 39 on a mixed 20 mile commute.

Nice engine. Gutsy and sounded good.

The best I've ever seen was 49mpg. That was a long, very steady run (I wasn't driving )
I'd also go with low 40s on the whole.

[PlayersNo6]

RenesisEvo said:

Inspired by the silver car earlier, I'd struggle to walk past this instead - a haggle away from budget, great colour combination (IMO), smaller wheels. 'With service history' the only concern, as that suggests it's not full, i.e. there are gaps.

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



'What's the worst that could happen?' Etc.

Love the exterior colour, would prefer a standard wheelbase and dark interior personally. Looking further that dealer has some nice stock.

[E65Ross]

Just had a quick look at 7 series in the PH classifieds to see if I could get a rough guess on the current value of my car, and there are no 745i's in at all. There is an Li version going for a bit more than I think it's worth but that's it.

Seem quite thin on the ground at the moment.

All booked in for 4 new Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 tyres, microfilter, air filter, fuel filter and sort the cause of the slight shimmy under braking on Halloween.....Luckily I'll be paying a reduced labour rate and rates on parts, but suspect it'll still be >£1k all sorted.

[hornetrider]

You can't get rid after all these spends Ross. You now need to run it for another year or two and feel the benefit of a fully sorted motor.

[E65Ross]

hornetrider said:

You can't get rid after all these spends Ross. You now need to run it for another year or two and feel the benefit of a fully sorted motor.

I know, I'm not getting rid, I just wanted to know roughly what it is worth

[KrisP]

Coker said:

KrisP said:

Is it so hard to find a nice mid to large saloon without a really dimwitted box? I currently have an e39 540 auto and an e46 M3 manual, and trying to replace with one car that will sit in traffic without annoying the hell out of me (see auto) whilst still having some decent poke for fun on the odd occasion the roads allow

I'm also thinking along these lines (and funnily enough, previously had an E39 540 auto and currently an E46 M3 manual) for when I change. It won't be for a little while yet but I'm always planning my next new car. I'm leaning towards a Lexus IS-F at the moment. Decent 'box from what I've read, although I'm yet to try one.

I feel like I have had too many BMW's of late, so today's thought is to totally smash the thread budget and have a look at an E63, in W211 flavour. Whilst I don't have any experience of the 7G box, it must be better than the 5spd in the E39, and there is certainly enough poke with over 500 ponies. Its either that, or wait for my perfect E38 7 series to come around, as its still on my bucket list.
Has anyone here any experience of the E63 or the 7G box used in it?

[RenesisEvo]

Have you considered a CLS63? Same platform, but looks a world better IMO. Of course four-seats only may be a factor.

[E65Ross]

I've experienced the 7G-tronic box when my dad had a 2006 CLK350 back when it was brand new.

Very smooth and the ratios are well spread out. I'm not sure if they suffer any reliability issues but it's comfortably a better gearbox than the 5 speed in the E38/E39 and also better than the 6 speed found in the E60/E65 etc.

Gear changes weren't noticeably quicker though and a flick or push of the buttons on the wheel didn't give rapid changes (similar to the E65).

Only thing I found odd was the buttons on the back of the wheel were effectively like rocker switches. So either the left hand or right hand button could be used for up or down shifts. I'd rather just up shifts on the right, down on the left. Overall though I thought it was a very good auto.

[SpeckledJim]

RenesisEvo said:

Have you considered a CLS63? Same platform, but looks a world better IMO. Of course four-seats only may be a factor.

How long do the panel reckon it will be before I can find a CLS63 on LPG on eBay for less than £3k?

And I'd prefer a shooting brake.

I'm a cash buyer...

[Blown2CV]

E65Ross said:

I've experienced the 7G-tronic box when my dad had a 2006 CLK350 back when it was brand new.

Very smooth and the ratios are well spread out. I'm not sure if they suffer any reliability issues but it's comfortably a better gearbox than the 5 speed in the E38/E39 and also better than the 6 speed found in the E60/E65 etc.

Gear changes weren't noticeably quicker though and a flick or push of the buttons on the wheel didn't give rapid changes (similar to the E65).

Only thing I found odd was the buttons on the back of the wheel were effectively like rocker switches. So either the left hand or right hand button could be used for up or down shifts. I'd rather just up shifts on the right, down on the left. Overall though I thought it was a very good auto.

I had a 7G in 2005, and yes same sort of experience. AMG at the time didn't adopt it for quite a few years so I wonder if that tells a tale. I almost disregarded the steering wheel buttons as it didn't really add anything to the driving experience, and the refined smoothness of the engine meant having to think about changes felt a bit alien.

[E65Ross]

Blown2CV said:

I had a 7G in 2005, and yes same sort of experience. AMG at the time didn't adopt it for quite a few years so I wonder if that tells a tale. I almost disregarded the steering wheel buttons as it didn't really add anything to the driving experience, and the refined smoothness of the engine meant having to think about changes felt a bit alien.

It's a great box and I'd happily swap it for the 6 speed in mine! That said, I think the 8 speed ZF box is even better still. Wonder what that 9G-tronic is like.

Ultimately, I'd like 7 or 8 gears, where top is the same as it currently is (it really doesn't need to be any taller!) but all the other ratios were a bit closer by having an extra 1 or 2 gears.

[LincolnLovin]

Engine light has lit up on the trusty old 9-5, will be disconnecting the battery to see if its an accidental/temporary thing (could be a sensor I guess).

If not, its new car time - I'm tempted to go for a 9-5 aero estate but my budget is up to £3k and I need space for the family....

Edited by LincolnLovin on Wednesday 22 October 10:20

[AdamGP]

thelawnet said:

£3500

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

Did anyone view this in the end?

Is this a really bad idea at this price? Considering going to view Sunday.