Best smoker barges 1-5 large [vol8]

[C Lee Farquar]

tgr said:

I'm guessing because of its complexity isn't it going to be the type of car that, if anything goes wrong, has to stay unfixed because it would almost write the car off?

I thought that would be the case with my E65 760 BMW. We're coming up to two years ownership now and I've found the diagnosis systems are so good, and cheap to get done at the main dealers, that this hasn't been an issue at all. Repairs have generally cost far less than I've expected. We're pretty much only living with one occasional 'niggle'.

I've done some work myself, a friend has done some too. All the other jobs it just seemed easier to use the MD rather than an indy; fixed price work, warranty, courtesy car etc.

[E24man]

tgr said:

What are common W12 problems? Can the gearbox cope with the torque?

I talked to my nearby Audi specialist about W12 bork quotient and he remarked there is a £50 engine sensor that fails quite regularly, but on both the VW and the Audi it is close to an engine out job to replace leading to a four figure labour bill.

The tale about the component failing was confirmed by a Bentley Engineer I know but their solution was to lift the carpets and cut a precise access hole in the bulkhead and have a ready made plate to re-seal it all......for the next time it fails.

[CharlesdeGaulle]

Over budget, but forgiveable due to cylinder-count.

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C588001



Not my favoured colour, but much to like at around 6.5k.

[deadslow]

CharlesdeGaulle said:

Over budget, but forgiveable due to cylinder-count.

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C588001



Not my favoured colour, but much to like at around 6.5k.

I've had one of these, and would buy another. Properly good cars.

[Lagerlout]

Spent a bit of time on the old barge I picked up a few months ago, starting to look very good, and drives very well too!

[Max M4X WW]

The wheels! is that the ebay outside flash house one?

[tgr]

Thanks gents. Sounds like, if one were a punk, one would have to feel lucky...

[CharlesdeGaulle]

The S500 looks great lagerlout - nice work.

[Lagerlout]

Yes, that's the one Max. Wheels are original, supplied with these from new.

[ess]

CharlesdeGaulle said:

Over budget, but forgiveable due to cylinder-count.

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C588001



Not my favoured colour, but much to like at around 6.5k.

Such a beautiful beautiful car the XJS.
I would absolutely love one, but just not brave enough and not handy enough with a spanner.

I'm sure that particular example has been advertised for a while now. I seem to recall the photos.

s

[SpeckledJim]

CharlesdeGaulle said:

Over budget, but forgiveable due to cylinder-count.

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C588001



Not my favoured colour, but much to like at around 6.5k.

Indeed it is nice. It is not the final revision as the ad claims.

You can tell by the front seats having all those lateral stitch lines - the last cars only had 4 panels on the seat base and a leather pouch on the leading edge. Also the T shaped gear lever - the last cars had an upended pear shaped wooden knob.

What might be relevant as a family man, and if I have got this right, is that the last cars got a revised rear seat design that gave up a couple more inches in the back. Earlier cars, and I think this on an L-plate will be one, had two individual armchairs in the back which were lovely, but a bit too palatial for the space available. Might be worth seeking out a later car to compare to see if you think the difference is relevant.

[SpeckledJim]

ess said:

CharlesdeGaulle said:

Over budget, but forgiveable due to cylinder-count.

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C588001



Not my favoured colour, but much to like at around 6.5k.

Such a beautiful beautiful car the XJS.
I would absolutely love one, but just not brave enough and not handy enough with a spanner.

I'm sure that particular example has been advertised for a while now. I seem to recall the photos.

s

You run an XJR - you can absolutely run an XJS!

[Baryonyx]

CharlesdeGaulle said:

Over budget, but forgiveable due to cylinder-count.

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C588001



Not my favoured colour, but much to like at around 6.5k.

That's lovely. If there was ever a better 'drive to The Lakes for lunch' car, I've yet to see it. Well, maybe I have, but the XJS has a real charm.

I could seriously see myself the X350 XJ as my next car. I really like my X308, but I know it's end is drawing near (as is the 170,000 mile mark). The X350 would be an ideal place to stop next. Not sure if I'd go for the 2.7TDVi, whilst they are a fine engine I'm not sure I do the miles to justify it (I'd still rather commute on a motorbike) and you'd get a lot of miles out of a petrol engined model before you were ready to make a saving on the more expensive diesels. I've even come to appreciate the less slinky look of the things, because the interior looks magnificent.

Anyone who has sat in one, are the seats as good as the X308 seats? And the steering wheels, are they are thick as they look?

[CharlesdeGaulle]

SpeckledJim said:

Indeed it is nice. It is not the final revision as the ad claims.

You can tell by the front seats having all those lateral stitch lines - the last cars only had 4 panels on the seat base and a leather pouch on the leading edge. Also the T shaped gear lever - the last cars had an upended pear shaped wooden knob.

What might be relevant as a family man, and if I have got this right, is that the last cars got a revised rear seat design that gave up a couple more inches in the back. Earlier cars, and I think this on an L-plate will be one, had two individual armchairs in the back which were lovely, but a bit too palatial for the space available. Might be worth seeking out a later car to compare to see if you think the difference is relevant.

Impressive expertise - thanks, and good to know.

Whilst I have children, family movement isn't really what I intend to do with my toy, so limited space, or no rear seats, aren't a show-stopper. I posted a nice soft top in the Best/Barge/General Rant/OT thread which also looks rather lovely.

CharlesdeGaulle said:

This has been for sale for a while, but looks great from the ad. Anything wrong that I'm not seeing?

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C445493

[Geekman]

Baryonyx said:

That's lovely. If there was ever a better 'drive to The Lakes for lunch' car, I've yet to see it. Well, maybe I have, but the XJS has a real charm.

I could seriously see myself the X350 XJ as my next car. I really like my X308, but I know it's end is drawing near (as is the 170,000 mile mark). The X350 would be an ideal place to stop next. Not sure if I'd go for the 2.7TDVi, whilst they are a fine engine I'm not sure I do the miles to justify it (I'd still rather commute on a motorbike) and you'd get a lot of miles out of a petrol engined model before you were ready to make a saving on the more expensive diesels. I've even come to appreciate the less slinky look of the things, because the interior looks magnificent.

Anyone who has sat in one, are the seats as good as the X308 seats? And the steering wheels, are they are thick as they look?

I've owned an X350 for two and a bit years now. Before that, the longest I'd kept a car was around 8 months, so that should give you an idea of what I think about it! The seats are pretty much exactly as you'd expect - electricly adjusted everything, lumbar support etc, and it feels easily as comfortable as the last X308 I sat in. I guess the steering wheel is pretty thick, but I can't say it's ever bothered me. My car has the optional extra half wood/half leather wheel which goes really nicely with the rest of the interior.

Engine-wise, I'd definitely avoid the diesel - pick of the bunch is obviously the 4.2 S/C, but if you're looking more for reliability/economy than outright performance, the 3.0 petrol V6 I've got in my car is great - 35MPG easily achievable on a run at 70MPH, low 20s in town, and on a recent trip sitting at 85MPH with a bit of town at either end I averaged 30.1MPG.

[ess]

SpeckledJim said:

You run an XJR - you can absolutely run an XJS!

I'm sure you're right.

The XJR is a much newer car though. Surely less to get concerned about ?
I don't think my price range would result in a well sorted XJS to be honest.

I will no doubt be kicking myself in 2 years time when XJS prices have rocketed.
In the same vein as me buying the Z4MC two years ago instead of a Porsche 964 Carrera 4.
Back to the drawing board (literally)

s

[markh1]

Gents,

Long time reader of this thread and it's now time for a 'new' barge.

I am after an E39 estate - manual and min 3.0 litre. I am looking at spending up to about 5k.

There are not many of these about so if anyone sees one outside the normal places of PH and Autotrader please post a link!

Much appreciated!

[mccrackenj]

I see WOODY is selling his lovely Barolo 230E already

What's the story Mr WOODY sir?

I''m glad it's so far away from me as to be completely unrealistic, otherwise 2 pre-Sacco w124 saloons would be gracing McCracken Towers sharpish.

[SpeckledJim]

CharlesdeGaulle said:

This has been for sale for a while, but looks great from the ad. Anything wrong that I'm not seeing?

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C445493

I'm not a huge fan of the spec. I think a V12 XJS convertible is such a decadent, indulgent, silly romp of a car, it really can carry something a lot sexier than Blazer over Elephant.

On an overcast day, I'd worry that could look pretty dowdy, even if it's actually a really nice example.

[derin100]

markh1 said:

Gents,

Long time reader of this thread and it's now time for a 'new' barge.

I am after an E39 estate - manual and min 3.0 litre. I am looking at spending up to about 5k.

There are not many of these about so if anyone sees one outside the normal places of PH and Autotrader please post a link!

Much appreciated!

Over budget but gravel, BMW Warranty, mileage and S124 in the background do offset that to an extent?

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C590628

Edited by derin100 on Sunday 10th May 21:31