Best smoker barges 1-5 large [vol8]

[2stis]

dbdb said:

Wow, £60 really is cheap. Do you live somewhere very rural? My XJ costs £140 a year with unlimited mileage, but has six whole cylinders less!

Yes, fairly rural but still in the South East so not exactly the wilderness - its last trip out involved some time on the M25 for example! It is on a limited mileage of 3k though but I was still surprised how reasonable it was. That said I seem to be at a point in life where insurance seems reasonable on most things at the moment - £200ish max.

[slippery]

r129sl said:

I think that is the spirit!

He bought it blind, via email and a couple of telephone calls, so he played by thread rules.

[E65Ross]

0a said:

Probably too expensive for the mileage, a good looking 300e and excellent photos though: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1990-MERCEDES-300E-AUTOM...





Lovely colour combination, in my opinion.

Indeed, that's really rather nice!

[idiotgap]

mat13 said:

r129sl said:

derin100 said:

CharlesdeGaulle said:

r129sl said:

CharlesdeGaulle said:

derin100 said:

0a said:

Thanks r129 - just a pioneer head unit, nothing special. General audio is a later project!

This sounds rather interesting: www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C569882# £1,999

"A phenomenal, 1 lady owner from new, with Full Supplying Main Dealer Service History by Mercedes Benz!!!
Sadly her husband passed shortly after purchase so absolutely EVERYTHING was done by the supplying dealer, even wiper blade replacement, bless her!!"

Makes me feel like owning another 190. Ultra-low spec and colour combo appeal too!

I love it too, but the colour is a complete no-no for me.

After nearly 10 years living in Germany, I could live with Taxi-spec, but absolutely not Taxi-colour. [Although it's miles better than white.]

Wife has just spent fifteen minutes looking at this car. Hankering again.

r129sl - I've found your wife's Christmas present:

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

Now this is going to be interesting! Let's see him try to get out of this one!

Well, I've just drawn a complete blank down the shops. Peaked too early. Should have waited until Wednesday lunchtime before even thinking about it.

If I know my wife, she'd prefer the ivory one. And so would I, I think. There is something pleasingly Spartan about it.

So, if I get it for her, I'm going to need some help. First, it's down south and I'm up north. Second, what can I get my children, parents and siblings out of my remaining budget of £2.50? Mercedes keyring? Good idea. New wheel trims off Ebay? Better idea.

Im up north, have a 4x4 and car trailer, also have several weeks off university and am already incredibly bored, happy to help!

I don't really do private plates but...
You could complete the package with this plate: MBZ 201
I know the NI MBZ plates are seen as a little naff but the number makes this one ok I reckon and £800
http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/classifieds-mercede...

[harry kular]

idiotgap said:

I think R129 has done an electric sportline seat retro-fit from his old 320 into the diesel. The modification guys go for the recaros but they're pricey.

Interesting to hear what Harry K thinks about this, must have given it all some thought with his V12 swap

Flat out at work so only just catching up with the thread now.
@mccrackenJ: I've plenty of room to sort your storage dilemma, so don't let that get in the way of a purchase!

Re the w124, I used my facelift E320 saloon because that's what I had already. It will need some rust related work in the usual places, but a full bodywork restoration was on the cards anyway. Once it proved to go OK, it was going to get gutted inside and out. I'm going to keep it subtle, an E500 look with the arches flared to fit the same staggered 18 AMGs that I have on my SL.

In terms of electrics, my friend is an auto electrics specialist, and is making a custom wiring loom for the standalone OMEX ecu we are going to run. He can sort out any of the smaller details I'm sure, plus my car was well specced anyway. He had previously retrofitted cruise to the car when it was my daily using the original stalk btw.

I'm committing to not buying any more cars in 2015 until I get the v12 up and running. Honest.

Edited by harry kular on Tuesday 23 December 10:09

[harry kular]

Also, got the s124 mini-detailed the other day. I wasn't expecting much but it came up rather well- surprising how a good clean can make you feel more attached to the car. I found myself looking back at it when walking away etc.

It's filthy again now though.

[mccrackenj]

Stegel said:

mccrackenj said:

mccrackenj said:

harry kular said:

r129sl said:

This 129 500 SL caught my eye. Maybe a bargain for one prepared to travel to the Province. Looks good in anthracite metallic.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1992-MERCEDES-SL-500-COU...

This is 5 minutes down the road from me. It's just been detailed, and I believe it's had some paint to the wings (the detailer does my cars). Seen it around a fair bit and looks tidy.

He say in the ad he will collect any potential buyer from Belfast City Airport.

Well, I live 5 mins from the airport - I wonder will he collect me from there and save me a 70 mile trip . . . ?

Showed this ad to the Mrs last night. Considering I already have the SEC and the 320SL I expected short shrift; but her immediate reaction was "that's lovely;

why don't you just buy it?"

I hoped she would give me a bking at the mere suggestion, so now I'm studiously ignoring the ad until it finishes.

Having helped push the price up on eBay without exceeding the reserve, it has now appeared on Car and Classic at £7,995 - if that even hints at the reserve, it seems a little rich given its mileage I think.

I just don't understand why traders do that, do they think we're all daft and potential buyers aren't looking on a range of different sites. Anyone can spot when the same car is advertised at different prices. He's had it for sale locally at £4,995 for some time, certainly several months, on and off. So I'm surprised that he's set his eBay reserve at something higher than £4544. But then to start advertising it on another site at £7,995? eh?

Mind you I'm 95% sure this is the same vendor who put the price of a 320SL up from £4,995 to £7,995 immediately after I expressed an interest in seeing it. Feck that.

[mccrackenj]

0a said:

mccrackenj said:

Ij

r129sl said:

Good luck radioman.

This 260 E we've had before but it looks like the vendor is getting rid of it at any price. Could be a bargain for someone, although it is not perfect:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1989-F-MERCEDES-W124-260...

Ahh balls. Was hoping he'd hold off until after Crimble . Just can't countenance another car right now

Went for £1,041.00 in the end...

Haven't seen the car in the flesh obviously, but surely someone has done very well there for a grand?

As the used to say in the National Lottery ads Oa "It could have been you . . . . ."

[Strawman]

SpeckledJim said:

CampDavid said:

derin100 said:

Just off topic and budget once more (sorry)...

But I was looking at this mainly because the number plate has the first three letters of my surname...maybe better for the "Really Bad Number-plates" thread:



http://www.ghostmotors.co.uk/97TURBORGREEN.htm

But when one reads: "Excellent low mileage..." coupled with: "Excellent history file including many invoices for works carried out..." all within the same paragraph, I can't help but think that the slight twinge that I feel in my buttocks as I read it is telling me that in reality I'm not and never will be in the right league to own something like this.

I think you can.

They're not a complex car and parts can be had easily. I really think you'd suit one.

I agree. Very run-able indeed given the cars that have come before.

The difficulty would be that should derin attempt to 'do a derin' on it, things will quickly get seriously out of hand!

Three years later, the garage doors will swing slowly open with a gust of dry ice and a rousing blast of Nimrod, and a £10k car that has been subject to a £150k restoration will be placed victoriously on the market. For £12,500. And not a penny less!

[idiotgap]

harry kular said:

In terms of electrics, my friend is an auto electrics specialist. He had previously retrofitted cruise to the car when it was my daily using the original stalk btw.

I've been wanting to do this to my S124 for years, but never so far heard of anyone doing it successfully on an M104 engined car. Do you have any details on how he did it? Was it just the stalk that was original or the brain/loom etc. too pulled from a donor?

[harry kular]

I can't remember to be honest, but I think I'll be seeing him today so will ask for you...

[RobinBanks]

MJK 24 said:

CampDavid said:

edo said:

Talking of Rolls, I can't decide if this is hideous or wonderful!

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




Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow 4dr Auto 6.8 STUNNING EXAMPLE
73000 miles
Peacock Blue, red leather, air conditioning(working), power steering, electric windows, graphic equalizer, last owner 29 years!
Recent MOT, very good example that just needs a good home and some renewed enthusiasm.

£5,995

It's wonderful. Obviously.

+1

Fabulous looking thing. Can't be ruinous to run for 3,000 miles a year surely? Get a specialist to look after the fancy suspension and brakes and spanner the rest yourself.

You'd lose £6,000 on a new Passat inside 12 months I imagine.

And earn a few quid on the side every so often taking brides to churches and wedding receptions?

[derin100]

Strawman said:

SpeckledJim said:

CampDavid said:

derin100 said:

Just off topic and budget once more (sorry)...

But I was looking at this mainly because the number plate has the first three letters of my surname...maybe better for the "Really Bad Number-plates" thread:



http://www.ghostmotors.co.uk/97TURBORGREEN.htm

But when one reads: "Excellent low mileage..." coupled with: "Excellent history file including many invoices for works carried out..." all within the same paragraph, I can't help but think that the slight twinge that I feel in my buttocks as I read it is telling me that in reality I'm not and never will be in the right league to own something like this.

I think you can.

They're not a complex car and parts can be had easily. I really think you'd suit one.

I agree. Very run-able indeed given the cars that have come before.

The difficulty would be that should derin attempt to 'do a derin' on it, things will quickly get seriously out of hand!

Three years later, the garage doors will swing slowly open with a gust of dry ice and a rousing blast of Nimrod, and a £10k car that has been subject to a £150k restoration will be placed victoriously on the market. For £12,500. And not a penny less!

Cruel..............but sadly true!

[dbdb]

Strawman said:

SpeckledJim said:

CampDavid said:

derin100 said:

Just off topic and budget once more (sorry)...

But I was looking at this mainly because the number plate has the first three letters of my surname...maybe better for the "Really Bad Number-plates" thread:



http://www.ghostmotors.co.uk/97TURBORGREEN.htm

But when one reads: "Excellent low mileage..." coupled with: "Excellent history file including many invoices for works carried out..." all within the same paragraph, I can't help but think that the slight twinge that I feel in my buttocks as I read it is telling me that in reality I'm not and never will be in the right league to own something like this.

I think you can.

They're not a complex car and parts can be had easily. I really think you'd suit one.

I agree. Very run-able indeed given the cars that have come before.

The difficulty would be that should derin attempt to 'do a derin' on it, things will quickly get seriously out of hand!

Three years later, the garage doors will swing slowly open with a gust of dry ice and a rousing blast of Nimrod, and a £10k car that has been subject to a £150k restoration will be placed victoriously on the market. For £12,500. And not a penny less!

+1

[Strawman]

That reminds me where is Balmoral Green? He ran/runs one of these and has posted in the past about how you can't really run one on a budget/as a smoker barge.

[Oak Green]

Derin I saw your old low mileage grey E34 540i on Sunday. Looked lovely!

[Stegel]

mccrackenj said:

I just don't understand why traders do that, do they think we're all daft and potential buyers aren't looking on a range of different sites. Anyone can spot when the same car is advertised at different prices. He's had it for sale locally at £4,995 for some time, certainly several months, on and off. So I'm surprised that he's set his eBay reserve at something higher than £4544. But then to start advertising it on another site at £7,995? eh?

Mind you I'm 95% sure this is the same vendor who put the price of a 320SL up from £4,995 to £7,995 immediately after I expressed an interest in seeing it. Feck that.

Finished at £4,944.44, but reserve not met. Seems the market agrees with his original price!

Ironic thing is that if he had not popped it onto C&C, and showed his true nature, I may have been prepared to go a few hundred more.

[cornershop]

Worth a shot ?

http://www.a5cars.co.uk/used-cars/mercedes-benz-sl...

[Motorrad]

cornershop said:

Worth a shot ?

http://www.a5cars.co.uk/used-cars/mercedes-benz-sl...

Strong money for a car with faults and that's been stood. I only paid a grand more for mine and the only faults are a leaky hard top and weak a/c.

[0a]

cornershop said:

Worth a shot ?

http://www.a5cars.co.uk/used-cars/mercedes-benz-sl...

I did see that a while ago - I think it must have been for sale for some time. The hardtop is the wrong colour and the standing for a long time isn't good, these cars were made to be used. I don't think it's cheap enough despite the low miles given the potential cost making it nice.

Does anyone have any idea about w124 cruise control? Mine hasn't worked since I got the car. I purchased a control unit a while ago but can't find where it goes - no sign of an old unit under the dash to replace (as described on the web). Any direction would be very welcome!