Best smoker barges 1-5 large [vol8]

[Krikkit]

CharlesdeGaulle said:

Would a saloon be big enough for a growing family?

Surely not. S211 500 is undoubtedly the answer! I can't help thinking you'd feel short-changed in a smaller-engined one having wished for the pace of your SL in a more practical shape.

[longblackcoat]

r129sl said:

I am back from another long trip in my barge. 2,300miles in a week, including 980 miles in 30hours on the return journey. In best barge fashion, the air con failed just when I needed it.

Anyway, despite the car getting us and an awful lot of our possessions to south west France and back without fail and at some speed, I started to doubt the wisdom of entrusting my family to a 22 year old machine with 305,000miles on the clock. I also feel I could do with a bit more "in reserve" on those long, steep autoroute gradients. It's dispiriting watching the needle sink from 95 to 80 while the temperature gauge climbs. I love the way my SL500 absolutely mullers gradients. I have started thinking about a S211. I'd like an E500 Elegance, preferably a facelift, preferably a 5.5litre version. But they don't seem to exist. Maybe I just need always to be buying cars.

Anyway, I came across this which is almost within budget and looks spiffing. Dark blue over cream (what did they call it? "shell" or something?) with only 25,000miles up. Smooth and satisfying, I should imagine, if not very rapid.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-Benz-E320-Elega...

Although there are none currently available within thread budget, the time is rapidly approaching when the W251 R-Class will fall into this category - have seen a few up at dealers at the £6.5 - 7k mark recently. They are undoubtedly, er, challenging stylistically (i.e. exceptionally ugly-bugly), but for long distances ther're really very good indeed. And that very ugliness means that they're unloved, yet I'd have one rather than an E-Class wagon any day of the week - 6/7 seats, 4wd, and in most cases a comprehensive spec.

[idiotgap]

longblackcoat said:

Although there are none currently available within thread budget, the time is rapidly approaching when the W251 R-Class will fall into this category - have seen a few up at dealers at the £6.5 - 7k mark recently. They are undoubtedly, er, challenging stylistically (i.e. exceptionally ugly-bugly), but for long distances ther're really very good indeed. And that very ugliness means that they're unloved, yet I'd have one rather than an E-Class wagon any day of the week - 6/7 seats, 4wd, and in most cases a comprehensive spec.

Hmmm... I had a ride in an R500 belonging to a colleague a couple of weeks ago. His had the captains chairs rather than the 3 seat middle row bench and I have to say I was a bit disappointed with the space inside, I sat in one of those middle chairs and felt quite hemmed in. Wonderful noise and it went well though - especially I guess since he'd recently had to drop ££££s on new air suspension bits.

[CharlesdeGaulle]

Krikkit said:

CharlesdeGaulle said:

Would a saloon be big enough for a growing family?

Surely not. S211 500 is undoubtedly the answer! I can't help thinking you'd feel short-changed in a smaller-engined one having wished for the pace of your SL in a more practical shape.

It was a question directed towards r129sl's circumstances really; I'm keeping the faith with the S124 but he seemed to be wavering!

Although my need for masses of space isn't as compelling as it was, I still prefer estates generally and agree that the S211 500 makes much sense. I just hope that by the time I suggest one my wife forgets that my reasoning that we drive around in old sheds is to avoid the expensive electronic fripperies of more modern cars.

[idiotgap]

You may remember I talked myself in and out of swapping the 124 for an S211 500 back in Jan/Feb. Wife was more than on-side in anticipation of the more modern ride. What did for it was the chat with my Indy. He really felt that a pre-facelift car was going to be a long term pain.

I found post-facelift trop cher... Quite a bit of depreciation left. I can stand a bit of upkeep on the 124 because like my 107, it's not sheding pounds in descent to sheddom. When the 124 mot'd with ease and brushed up nicely for the sale photos I fell in love with it again. At least for another year of cheap motoring.

Maybe when we take it down to the Loire in July full of kids and bikes I'll crave a 211 again. Must book it in for an aircon service quick! (thanks for the reminder Jonathan)

[PlayersNo6]

r129sl said:

I am back from another long trip in my barge. 2,300miles in a week, including 980 miles in 30hours on the return journey. In best barge fashion, the air con failed just when I needed it.

Anyway, despite the car getting us and an awful lot of our possessions to south west France and back without fail and at some speed, I started to doubt the wisdom of entrusting my family to a 22 year old machine with 305,000miles on the clock. I also feel I could do with a bit more "in reserve" on those long, steep autoroute gradients. It's dispiriting watching the needle sink from 95 to 80 while the temperature gauge climbs. I love the way my SL500 absolutely mullers gradients. I have started thinking about a S211. I'd like an E500 Elegance, preferably a facelift, preferably a 5.5litre version. But they don't seem to exist. Maybe I just need always to be buying cars.

Anyway, I came across this which is almost within budget and looks spiffing. Dark blue over cream (what did they call it? "shell" or something?) with only 25,000miles up. Smooth and satisfying, I should imagine, if not very rapid.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-Benz-E320-Elega...

Very nice but strong money for a 52 plate surely - despite 1 owner, 25k & FMBSH

[AllyBee]

CharlesdeGaulle said:

Not a barge per se, but it has velour, rear seats, is a Merc, and is an unfancied model.

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C606013





Most likely a dog, and I'd walk round that with a magnet, but if has an MOT could be cheap and cheerful.

And a jug of water, I think these rust out in the bulkhead due to the drain holes blocking up, the 380 SL is one of the rarer models in the range though I think.

[harlowrog]

BigBen said:

Same colour combination as my S211, that interior is superb at showing dirt. Also it is a very early car (as is mine) which is shown by the slatted centre grill on the dash as opposed to the mesh grille of the early mini-facelift models. Allegedly the mini-facelift cars have more reliable electrics.

I would have thought it would be reasonably rapid, the 3.2 diesel in mine will do 60 in sub 8 seconds and does not usually feel wanting for go.

Ben

This is petrol though isn't it?

[Minemapper]

Agent Orange said:

Thank you. You've just described my problem!

There must be a medical name for that condition.

My wife calls it AADD. Automotive Attention Deficit Disorder.

[0a]

I was due to be away this week on business but the meetings fell through, so I booked holiday and a flight to Barcelona instead yesterday. I got on the plane and put my copy of Mercedes enthusiast magazine down on the seat while I sorted my luggage. When I sat down the chap next to me enquired as to what era mercs I like - it turned out he's a w123 and r129 nut, and all round car enthusiast! A few mini bottles of wine and many stories later we landed in Barcelona - my copy of Mercedes enthusiast and the economist untouched. Very random but amusing to find someone to talk to about the various benefits and shortcomings of Mercedes engines from the 80s and 90s

On another note it has come to my attention that our own e65ross (Ross Fripp) is fundraising for Brain Tumor Support - cycling 72 miles. Blimey - far more than I could cycle. After all he has been through (thread here: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... ) and the great response to the Christmas wishes request, I thoight it was worth posting here:

https://www.justgiving.com/Ross-Fripp/

What a turnaround from last year!

[0a]

longblackcoat said:

Although there are none currently available within thread budget, the time is rapidly approaching when the W251 R-Class will fall into this category - have seen a few up at dealers at the £6.5 - 7k mark recently. They are undoubtedly, er, challenging stylistically (i.e. exceptionally ugly-bugly), but for long distances ther're really very good indeed. And that very ugliness means that they're unloved, yet I'd have one rather than an E-Class wagon any day of the week - 6/7 seats, 4wd, and in most cases a comprehensive spec.

I often seem to get an R-class taxi when I am a little wasted when in Germany - they always seem very comfortable indeed to me!

[0a]

This 190 looks nice http://m.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C606385

[Krikkit]

Is that an original paint scheme? Bright, monotone 190's look wrong to my eyes.

[derin100]

Minemapper said:

Agent Orange said:

Thank you. You've just described my problem!

There must be a medical name for that condition.

My wife calls it AADD. Automotive Attention Deficit Disorder.

Why not really impress her and show her that you don't just selfishly think about your cars all the time but that you do actually also care about making a house a home?!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bmw-v8-m5-engine-table-m...

[Output Flange]

olly22n said:

CampDavid said:

Thanks guys, I can rest easy and not phone him

735i would have easily swung me into action

Call me instead - mine will be for sale when I'm back from hols.

It's a cracker

[SpeckledJim]

0a said:

This 190 looks nice http://m.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C606385

That looks like a far away example of one of these.

[Stegel]

SilverSixer said:

Cheers, CB.

This might be a better bet, needs a damned good clean though, and a tow bar is always a worry, rightly or wrongly.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

I had a Dec 05 (post mini-facelift) E220 CDI S211 for 12 months from new - perfectly adequate performance, particularly on motorways, although not a car for cut and thrust A roads. I only did 12k miles in it, so hardly a great test, but it felt solid and did not give any warnings of impending electrical or other breakdown.

On r129sl's ponderings re a V8 S211, and comments on hill climbing ability, I don't want to open the BHP/torque debate up again, but the V6 diesel, in E320 form, produces more torque even than the 5.5 litre petrol - certainly, our S211, 4 up plus dog, roofbox and kayaks, is rarely found wanting in the "eat my dust / diesel particulates" stakes on long fast ascents.

[r129sl]

Stegel said:

SilverSixer said:

Cheers, CB.

This might be a better bet, needs a damned good clean though, and a tow bar is always a worry, rightly or wrongly.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

I had a Dec 05 (post mini-facelift) E220 CDI S211 for 12 months from new - perfectly adequate performance, particularly on motorways, although not a car for cut and thrust A roads. I only did 12k miles in it, so hardly a great test, but it felt solid and did not give any warnings of impending electrical or other breakdown.

On r129sl's ponderings re a V8 S211, and comments on hill climbing ability, I don't want to open the BHP/torque debate up again, but the V6 diesel, in E320 form, produces more torque even than the 5.5 litre petrol - certainly, our S211, 4 up plus dog, roofbox and kayaks, is rarely found wanting in the "eat my dust / diesel particulates" stakes on long fast ascents.

I did a few thousand miles in a w211 E320 CDI years ago and I agree that the torque output is astonishing. However... for refinement, no diesel is ever going to come close to a big, multi-cylinder petrol. I realise that every time I get in my SL500. The difference is night and day. I also can't really stand the sudden and non-linear way in which big turbo diesels develop their power and torque, you know, the nothing-nothing-nothing-whoooooosh-nothing delivery. Doesn't do it for me: whereas the 5.0litre NA V8 in my SL is all the engine I am ever going to need. If I could be unsentimental about it, I would replace my s124 with this:

http://www.ashteadmotortrading.co.uk/used-car-merc...

[BigBen]

harlowrog said:

BigBen said:

Same colour combination as my S211, that interior is superb at showing dirt. Also it is a very early car (as is mine) which is shown by the slatted centre grill on the dash as opposed to the mesh grille of the early mini-facelift models. Allegedly the mini-facelift cars have more reliable electrics.

I would have thought it would be reasonably rapid, the 3.2 diesel in mine will do 60 in sub 8 seconds and does not usually feel wanting for go.

Ben

This is petrol though isn't it?

Yes, so should be quicker than the diesel.

[longblackcoat]

r129sl said:

I also can't really stand the sudden and non-linear way in which big turbo diesels develop their power and torque, you know, the nothing-nothing-nothing-whoooooosh-nothing delivery.

The OM629 is nothing like that - loads of torque, but certainly not all/nothing in its delivery. And extremely refined, though I've yet to drive a (modern) V8 that wasn't.