Best smoker barges 1-5 large [vol8]

[r129sl]

djsmith74 said:

Hello everyone,

I've been a lurker on this particular thread for some time, after considering what car I should get as a sensible playmate to my '78 Mini (that's another story!). I had a Fiat Panda Multijet which I loved but sold it on as the big bills were starting to mount up and was weighing up options for a sensible daily driver. Yes, I could have got a nice little Corsa or Fiesta but. to be honest, most Euroboxes leave me a little cold and have always admired the pre-Chrysler Mercs and started to wonder whether running one as a daily for half of the year could be a real-world possibility. I started devouring this thread, reading what was being said about examples on sale, and what the pitfalls were and my confidence grew a little. That said, I was still pretty green in this field, and probably didn't have the confidence to buy one from a private seller or conventional garage. I then started to look into what Mercedes specialists were out there, and came across Mark at MTSV and, from the reviews I had read about him, seemed to indicate that he was a rather decent person to buy a car off.
A number of emails were exchanged, mainly about real-world running of Mercs of that vintage, and Mark suggested a 2.0litre 190 would be an excellent introduction, despite my initial requirements of a 2.6litre 124 (perhaps one day!). He pointed out that he had just acquired one and I would be more than welcome to go across for a chat, a look and a test drive - luckily enough he is only 40mins away. For those of you who have dealt with Mark, you will know what a great guy he is, how knowledgeable he is, and how his attention to customer service and the way he prepares his car is second to none. I felt very much at ease having had a chat with him over a brew, and went out for a drive. Having driven across in my Panda, the difference in overall feel & ride quality for a 23 year old car was something of a pleasant surprise. Don't get me wrong, the Panda is a cracking tough little car and would wholeheartedly recommend one, but the Merc is just on a different level, even for something that was 23 years old with over 100k on the clock. I agreed to purchase the car, subject to the jacking points being re-done, which Mark did to a excellent standard (he emailed me before & after photos of the work).
That test drive was about 6 weeks ago (Mark usually spends a good couple of months prepping his cars), and I picked her up today and brought her home for the first time. It wasn't the ideal weather conditions to drive a newly bought car home, especially on a mixture of town driving, motorway driving and open A-road driving, but I never felt once flustered. It was as if the Merc just picked me up and dropped me off with the minimum amount of fuss. Quite remarkable really. Anyway, enough waffle, and allow me to present a new member to the Smoker Barge club:
- 1992 Mercedes Benz 190e
- 2.0litre with 4-speed auto
- 106k miles on the clock
- Electric windows all round, with electric sunroof
- 37 stamps in the service history book. Yes, you read that right, 37 stamps! I have a binder with all the bills, MOTs, Tax Discs which should give me something to read tonight!
- Two owners from new. The fist one was a lady doctor who had the car for the first 18 years of its life and had it regularly serviced at MB & Specialist garages
- It has had the head gasket, cam chain, tensioners, camshaft, reconditioned rear diff, jacking points all done within the last 12months.
- Appears to be completely standard with the exception of an aftermarket head unit (with some rather strange wiring as I found out when I installed it this afternoon!)

All that for £3000. Some of you may think it's a little on the high side, but the car is immaculate, with no visible rust or blemishes. The interior is spotless, with no real wear. The engine bay, again, is extremely good for its age & mileage. And I've bought something that, for peace of mind, I know it's been cared for with all the big ticket issues sorted out.

So, I have a number of questions for the more experienced members to cast their thoughts over:
- Can anyone recommended a decent company in the North West who can carry out a full underseal?
- What are people using for upgraded headlight bulbs?
- Do I carry on servicing it at a specialist, or do I go with my local garage who I trust & know very well? Are MB specialists really worth the extra for a car of my vintage?

And, last but not least, a couple of poor quality photos....

Quite an entrance you've made there and what a car. Cheap at twice the price, I'd say. The more I drive mine and the more I drive other cars including new metal, the more I think these are the best cars ever offered. Yours looks stunning.

Can't help you with the underseal although I like Bilt Hamber products.
Bulbs: I fit Osram off road bulbs H4, 100/80W. These are available on Ebay for less than £20 a pair. Er, not strictly legal in the sense of non-compliant with construction and use regs (which specify 60/55W) but I've never had any trouble with people flashing me and they make a big difference.
Garages: these are pretty simple cars, so I would stick with someone you trust.

[0a]

That's a lovely looking 190. These cars are so well suited to modern motoring in many ways. Small compared to modern cars but with sufficient space on the inside, a comfortable ride, fast enough given our crowded roads, and easy to see out of. A charming design and no depreciation are also big upsides.

I have just driven 300 miles in my similar era W124 and enjoyed every mile. I will do the same tomorrow making 600 in a weekend.

Mark is indeed a good chap (I have exchanged emails with him on a car and was impressed with the detail he gave) and has a good reputation here.

I couldn't help looking on the site and noticed this 260 W124 http://www.mtsv.co.uk/info/260EWF439.htm . White is not my colour but the history and condition are great. Pre facelift, only 80k miles, and £3,750. Charming.

[djsmith74]

r129sl said:

Quite an entrance you've made there and what a car. Cheap at twice the price, I'd say. The more I drive mine and the more I drive other cars including new metal, the more I think these are the best cars ever offered. Yours looks stunning.

Can't help you with the underseal although I like Bilt Hamber products.
Bulbs: I fit Osram off road bulbs H4, 100/80W. These are available on Ebay for less than £20 a pair. Er, not strictly legal in the sense of non-compliant with construction and use regs (which specify 60/55W) but I've never had any trouble with people flashing me and they make a big difference.
Garages: these are pretty simple cars, so I would stick with someone you trust.

Thanks for the comments guys. I'm not one to make such an entrances but felt my purchase deserved the story behind it. I'm more than happy with it and hopefully it'll outlast me! I flicked through the service history and noticed that the injection system was overhauled recently, which is further good news.
I shall take a look at those bulbs along with others and let you know my findings.
And as for garages, I think I will stick with who I know and trust!
Cheers

[Baryonyx]

harrykul said:

I think this z4 and the following one have my favourite BMW interiors of recent times. To me they actually look like they have some character in there, in a retro way.

The following Z4 interior was a lot better. The first generation ones though, I find pretty dull to look at. Very formless and bland, and I couldn't profess to like the way the HVAC controls bulge out over the tranmission tunnel. By comparison, the next Z4 had a great interior:

[CharlesdeGaulle]

This could be a decent workhorse if anyone's looking. It very clearly has had new wings! Good ad.

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C580114

[cornershop]

Krikkit said:

Now that's a lovely machine, any interior pics?

only the one from the ad I bought the car from - I replaced the wheel with an mtech 1

[cornershop]

olly22n said:

Do you have a granite green hog?

I do indeed

[mccrackenj]

0a said:

That's a lovely looking 190. These cars are so well suited to modern motoring in many ways. Small compared to modern cars but with sufficient space on the inside, a comfortable ride, fast enough given our crowded roads, and easy to see out of. A charming design and no depreciation are also big upsides.

I have just driven 300 miles in my similar era W124 and enjoyed every mile. I will do the same tomorrow making 600 in a weekend.

Mark is indeed a good chap (I have exchanged emails with him on a car and was impressed with the detail he gave) and has a good reputation here.

I couldn't help looking on the site and noticed this 260 W124 http://www.mtsv.co.uk/info/260EWF439.htm . White is not my colour but the history and condition are great. Pre facelift, only 80k miles, and £3,750. Charming.

I've considered that car at length, both this time and the last time Mark had it for sale (he seems to get many of his cars back again eventually which must be a good sign) but in the end I just couldn't cope with white. I've come to realise that part of the pleasure I derive from my old car fetish is keeping them clean and shiny; and colour is a big part of that.

Oh for an 040 black 320CE with black leather and Zebrano, what a delight that would be!

[Motorrad]

olly22n said:

Soz for the thread diversion...although I am sure it is welcome relief...!

I remember when you could buy one for top thread budget (given inflation and the wind behind you)

[NickM450]

phil_cardiff said:

NickM450 said:

I did it



Pick it up on Wednesday, since starting my search I've missed out on 4 decent looking cars up and down the country, then this one turns up 25mins from my house, well chuffed

Good cars, very little goes wrong on them and the stuff that does is a fairly cheap fix.

What stereo package has yours got? I had the Harman Kardon 9-speaker upgrade and it was fabulous.

I did find the 9-5 to be a little numb in terms of steering and brake pedal feel but what pace! Show it a sweeping a-road and it becomes a great grand tourer.

To be honest, I have no idea. It's got 'nav but completely forgot to check for the HK system, I just checked that it all worked.

So excited about picking it up on Wednesday

[ALawson]

Just outside thread budget http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015... anyone on here's?

[bmthnick1981]

Seems an honest ad for a cheap smoke silver 300-24 CE;

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1991-MERCEDES-300CE-24-C...

[cornershop]

olly22n said:

My old granite green...




Soz for the thread diversion...although I am sure it is welcome relief...!

very nice

No recent pics of mine, this from 2 years ago, soon to have a carrera 3.0 tail fitted

[derin100]

Baryonyx said:

harrykul said:

I think this z4 and the following one have my favourite BMW interiors of recent times. To me they actually look like they have some character in there, in a retro way.

The following Z4 interior was a lot better. The first generation ones though, I find pretty dull to look at. Very formless and bland, and I couldn't profess to like the way the HVAC controls bulge out over the tranmission tunnel. By comparison, the next Z4 had a great interior:

I think that interior is too fussy...at least for what I have in mind.

I'm not going to be doing it to my 3.0Si but rather for a car that I haven't even bought yet...I need to clear the decks a little and then find the 'right' car. But the E85 interior will, I hope, lend itself well to a clean, clearer, slightly "Retro" look:

http://www.bmwclassics.co.uk/gallery/index.php?spg...

[W124]

mccrackenj said:

0a said:

That's a lovely looking 190. These cars are so well suited to modern motoring in many ways. Small compared to modern cars but with sufficient space on the inside, a comfortable ride, fast enough given our crowded roads, and easy to see out of. A charming design and no depreciation are also big upsides.

I have just driven 300 miles in my similar era W124 and enjoyed every mile. I will do the same tomorrow making 600 in a weekend.

Mark is indeed a good chap (I have exchanged emails with him on a car and was impressed with the detail he gave) and has a good reputation here.

I couldn't help looking on the site and noticed this 260 W124 http://www.mtsv.co.uk/info/260EWF439.htm . White is not my colour but the history and condition are great. Pre facelift, only 80k miles, and £3,750. Charming.

I've considered that car at length, both this time and the last time Mark had it for sale (he seems to get many of his cars back again eventually which must be a good sign) but in the end I just couldn't cope with white. I've come to realise that part of the pleasure I derive from my old car fetish is keeping them clean and shiny; and colour is a big part of that.

Oh for an 040 black 320CE with black leather and Zebrano, what a delight that would be!

I've thought about that car as well. Is it me, or are those the photos from the last time he sold it? My W124 OCD (The only OCD I have - usually I quickly destroy all my possessions with the grace of a feckless child) would not let that tiny bump in the central vertical grill lattice stand. At that price I'd really want that fixed. His cars are great though and I like his admiration of the criminally underrated W210.

[cat220]

cornershop said:

ery nice

No recent pics of mine, this from 2 years ago, soon to have a carrera 3.0 tail fitted

That's fantastic! I still kick myself for walking away from a mint 964 in 2010 for 10k!

[mccrackenj]

cornershop said:

olly22n said:

My old granite green...




Soz for the thread diversion...although I am sure it is welcome relief...!

very nice

No recent pics of mine, this from 2 years ago, soon to have a carrera 3.0 tail fitted

absolutely lovely.

[mccrackenj]

W124 said:

mccrackenj said:

0a said:

That's a lovely looking 190. These cars are so well suited to modern motoring in many ways. Small compared to modern cars but with sufficient space on the inside, a comfortable ride, fast enough given our crowded roads, and easy to see out of. A charming design and no depreciation are also big upsides.

I have just driven 300 miles in my similar era W124 and enjoyed every mile. I will do the same tomorrow making 600 in a weekend.

Mark is indeed a good chap (I have exchanged emails with him on a car and was impressed with the detail he gave) and has a good reputation here.

I couldn't help looking on the site and noticed this 260 W124 http://www.mtsv.co.uk/info/260EWF439.htm . White is not my colour but the history and condition are great. Pre facelift, only 80k miles, and £3,750. Charming.

I've considered that car at length, both this time and the last time Mark had it for sale (he seems to get many of his cars back again eventually which must be a good sign) but in the end I just couldn't cope with white. I've come to realise that part of the pleasure I derive from my old car fetish is keeping them clean and shiny; and colour is a big part of that.

Oh for an 040 black 320CE with black leather and Zebrano, what a delight that would be!

I've thought about that car as well. Is it me, or are those the photos from the last time he sold it? My W124 OCD (The only OCD I have - usually I quickly destroy all my possessions with the grace of a feckless child) would not let that tiny bump in the central vertical grill lattice stand. At that price I'd really want that fixed. His cars are great though and I like his admiration of the criminally underrated W210.

Ah, now that you mention it, that does indeed ruin the car. Thank goodness I'm delighted with my recent Willow Green 260E purchase. Being serious, they are indeed the same pics as before, but if the car hasn't altered significantly then so what?

[0a]

I went back and looked at the pictures on that white W124 - completely right, how annoying!

[0a]

I rather like this 500 SEL - in particular the heated rear seats with footrests! http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C598241#