Best smoker barges 1-5 large [vol8]

[Stegel]

longblackcoat said:

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.

We only got that engine in MLs and GLs in the UK - it must be fantastic in an E or CLS. The OM642 (the V6) probably isn't its peer in linear delivery, and is a little on/off, but mated to the seven speed (9 in current cars) box, once it's on a charge certainly it becomes pretty seamless.

[r129sl]

longblackcoat said:

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.

I heard a Range Rover V8 diesel the other day and it was pretty hard to tell it was diesel at all. It just sounded like a V8. The Merc V8 diesel I have no idea about: and it isn't or wasn't available in anything I'd want to own! (At least in RHD.) The Merc V6 diesels I find pretty grim, I'm afraid.

Edit: I note that the OM629 develops its maximum power of 300-ish bhp at 3,600rpm! No thanks. Given it develops its massive maximum torque of 525-ish lb/ft at 2,200rpm, I suspect you're looking at a substantial drop off in torque after the peak; were it otherwise, the power figure would be much higher (power being the product of torque and engine speed).

Edited by r129sl on Wednesday 22 April 10:52

[Stegel]

r129sl said:

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...

I agree on the SL - my wife's comments on its rapidity vs her S211 missed the differing nature of the beasts!

That looks very nice - I think the black leather contrasted with the walnut (?) looks better than the black / black stained birds-eye maple in Avantgarde and Sport trim interiors.

[louiebaby]

idiotgap said:

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.

Whilst I might be on the lookout for a "Unicorn" R63AMG, I suspect an R500L might end up being the next family bus. Not been in one yet though...

[Minemapper]

r129sl said:

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...

Oh my. That is a lovely lovely thing. So very tempted to ditch the goddamn Touran family bus for that.

• edit. Sold already. Dammit.

Edited by Minemapper on Wednesday 22 April 12:54

[0a]

SpeckledJim said:

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

Weirdly I was just looking at that place - what on earth was he thinking?!

[SpeckledJim]

0a said:

SpeckledJim said:

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

Weirdly I was just looking at that place - what on earth was he thinking?!

I worry that like the arabs, when I eventually (inevitably) go from living in a tent to living in a castle made of crocus stamens, I'll probably do similarly stooopid things.

Stick around. It'll be great fun being my bag carrier.

[Lowtimer]

Krikkit said:

I've heard the same about them - no-nonsense, honest sellers.

I have to say, I like their style. I've put them on my list for new item alerts just to see what comes up from them.

[Stegel]

louiebaby said:

Whilst I might be on the lookout for a "Unicorn" R63AMG, I suspect an R500L might end up being the next family bus. Not been in one yet though...

I was "making progress" in my CLS along a NSL A road a few years ago when a black mass appeared on the rear horizon. Pretty soon it caught up, overtook and disappeared into the distance - the unicorn certainly made the windows of my car rattle as it swept by. The one and only siting to date.

[Agent Orange]

SpeckledJim said:

0a said:

SpeckledJim said:

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

Weirdly I was just looking at that place - what on earth was he thinking?!

I worry that like the arabs, when I eventually (inevitably) go from living in a tent to living in a castle made of crocus stamens, I'll probably do similarly stooopid things.

Stick around. It'll be great fun being my bag carrier.

Jeremy Clarkson Interviews Hamad bin Hamdan Al Nahyan (Rainbow Sheikh)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8GdadQzMeo

[louiebaby]

Stegel said:

louiebaby said:

Whilst I might be on the lookout for a "Unicorn" R63AMG, I suspect an R500L might end up being the next family bus. Not been in one yet though...

I was "making progress" in my CLS along a NSL A road a few years ago when a black mass appeared on the rear horizon. Pretty soon it caught up, overtook and disappeared into the distance - the unicorn certainly made the windows of my car rattle as it swept by. The one and only siting to date.

If it ever comes to fruition, I really should take it to the MB Sunday Service...

[RobinBanks]

I've never really looked at E500s before, but it does look like an E500 saloon might be the ideal car for me.

I like the look of this:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

[louiebaby]

RobinBanks said:

I've never really looked at E500s before, but it does look like an E500 saloon might be the ideal car for me.

I like the look of this:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

Looking at that one, and the Estate posted earlier, I can't help but think they're overpriced compared to the last of the line E39 540i. Perhaps I'm missing something, but a 2003 E500 estate shouldn't be more than double the price of a good 2002 540i Touring, should it?

(I am a bit of BMW fan, but still...)

[cat220]

louiebaby said:

RobinBanks said:

I've never really looked at E500s before, but it does look like an E500 saloon might be the ideal car for me.

I like the look of this:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

Looking at that one, and the Estate posted earlier, I can't help but think they're overpriced compared to the last of the line E39 540i. Perhaps I'm missing something, but a 2003 E500 estate shouldn't be more than double the price of a good 2002 540i Touring, should it?

(I am a bit of BMW fan, but still...)

I'd say the e500 prices are more comparable with the early e60 545i, both pretty rare in their own way.

[RobinBanks]

louiebaby said:

Looking at that one, and the Estate posted earlier, I can't help but think they're overpriced compared to the last of the line E39 540i. Perhaps I'm missing something, but a 2003 E500 estate shouldn't be more than double the price of a good 2002 540i Touring, should it?

(I am a bit of BMW fan, but still...)

It is a generation younger than an E39 though.
The problem is that after E500s I look at X350 Jaguar XJRs and it reminds me that I have a soft spot for Jaguars and I love a supercharger....

[louiebaby]

cat220 said:

I'd say the e500 prices are more comparable with the early e60 545i, both pretty rare in their own way.

Good point, but the E60/61 didn't have carpeted door pockets. What a distinct lack of refinement!

[cat220]

louiebaby said:

cat220 said:

I'd say the e500 prices are more comparable with the early e60 545i, both pretty rare in their own way.

Good point, but the E60/61 didn't have carpeted door pockets. What a distinct lack of refinement!

[tioaboa]

Hmm, CLK is looking poorly at times, am suffering some coolant loss and clunky gear changes on the auto box, is it time to cut and run. I'm thinking it could be the radiator leaking into gearbox cooler issue. Anyone any idea of costs?

Thanks in advance

[Rincewind209]

tioaboa said:

Hmm, CLK is looking poorly at times, am suffering some coolant loss and clunky gear changes on the auto box, is it time to cut and run. I'm thinking it could be the radiator leaking into gearbox cooler issue. Anyone any idea of costs?

Thanks in advance

I believe if you catch it quickly you can get away with a new radiator and flushing the ATF a couple of times. Probably about £5-600 if your lucky.

Only affects Valeo radiators and not everyone is lucky with just a flush.

[C12HLL]

So hopefully in the next week or two I should have my new barge. A W215 CL500. The car is a 00MY with 90k in black and with a good history including work having been done on ABC. Always liked them and going back to a big V8 is always a good move.

The mini barge 6 MPS just wasn't as nice as my 740 was to drive.