Best smoker barges 1-5 large [vol8]

[Strawman]

r129sl said:

I knew this was the place to ask but I don't think it's that bridge. No hills and also, there are two bridges side by side at that point on the Vistula, one a footway (these days) the other a railway bridge. Plus, no hills.

You are probably right, I was pleased enough to find a single-ish carriageway bridge with similar paving.

[deeen]

Stegel said:

But it's the first time we've had gravel AND a pool in an advert - really pushing the "lifestyle choice" credentials of the car!

But, 850 or XJS?

I'd want the 850 for the gearbox, and the Jag for the headroom!

[0a]

Just browsing.

Ad said:

MERCEDES-BENZ 190E AUTO ONE OWNER 57,000 MILES CLASSIC £3,995

It would match my green 300E and perhaps a 4 cylinder merc is the way to go (I would have 4,6 and 8 cylinder that could be chosen according to desired economy of 30, 25 and 20 mpg)?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MERCEDES-BENZ-190E-AUTO-...

[BlueMR2]

0a said:

Just browsing.

Ad said:

MERCEDES-BENZ 190E AUTO ONE OWNER 57,000 MILES CLASSIC £3,995

It would match my green 300E and perhaps a 4 cylinder merc is the way to go (I would have 4,6 and 8 cylinder that could be chosen according to desired economy of 30, 25 and 20 mpg)?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MERCEDES-BENZ-190E-AUTO-...

You seem to have forgotten a V12 for 15mpg driving.

[0a]

BlueMR2 said:

ou seem to have forgotten a V12 for 15mpg driving.

Very true, for now I can drive the 500SL in a manner that will achieve 15mpg

I'd like a CL600 though...

[forzaminardi]

Whats your opinions, Gents, on early 2000s Lexus GSs? They seem conspicuously good value.

[0a]

AllyBee said:

If this is the case then surely the 500e is the ultimate car? I appreciate that the cost of one is above the upper limit of this thread.

Yes! Part of the logic of the 500SL for me was that it is a 500E with right hand drive at a fraction of the cost.

[forzaminardi]

forzaminardi said:

Whats your opinions, Gents, on early 2000s Lexus GSs? They seem conspicuously good value.

Following on from that, I'm surprised to see the newer models (at high mileage) coming under budget too, such as:

GS300 SE - http://www.bucksautocentre.com.razsor.autotrader.c...

What's the informed opinion on these?

[Minemapper]

Since this seems to be the densest gathering of MB facial hair on t'interwebs.

Been looking at S211's for a while now, and have narrowed it down to an 05/06 edition of the 280 or 320 CDI flavour. Found this one at the top of thread budget with 150k on the clock. Seems to be in good nick with reported FMBSH. What should I be looking for in terms of preventative maintenance done, or wear and tear items due around this age/miles? Problem is that I'm 180 miles away from it. I have someone that can probably go and look at it for me, but he doesn't know MB's, so what questions should he ask?

[anonymous-user]

forzaminardi said:

Whats your opinions, Gents, on early 2000s Lexus GSs? They seem conspicuously good value.

They are excellent. And I say that in a totally unbiased way.

[harrykul]

Symbolica said:

forzaminardi said:

Whats your opinions, Gents, on early 2000s Lexus GSs? They seem conspicuously good value.

They are excellent. And I say that in a totally unbiased way.

+1 We've had one in our family (Jap import turbo version) for the last 15 years, never missed a beat. Not particularly sporting, but for reliable smoking around on a budget it should rate higher.

[Stegel]

0a said:

I

An opportune moment to crave the thread's indulgence:

I've tried, but I really can't warm to the 12 spoke Monkar original wheels on my SL, and it is going to need new tyres soon, so..... I have toyed with the idea of replacing them with 8 hole wheels, but part of me feels (and apologies to those who roll on them) while the small wheels (15s) suit a 124, the 16" wheels do look somewhat under-nourished in the rather commodious wheel arches. I'd like 17" Evo II wheels, as seen on many E500s, but they're not OE, which bothers the geek in me, so 18" AMGs beckon - can any threadists with SLs on 18" wheels advise - will they destroy the ride, or is the suspension compliant enough to cope? Thanks in anticipation.

[0a]

Stegel said:

An opportune moment to crave the thread's indulgence:

I've tried, but I really can't warm to the 12 spoke Monkar original wheels on my SL, and it is going to need new tyres soon, so..... I have toyed with the idea of replacing them with 8 hole wheels, but part of me feels (and apologies to those who roll on them) while the small wheels (15s) suit a 124, the 16" wheels do look somewhat under-nourished in the rather commodious wheel arches. I'd like 17" Evo II wheels, as seen on many E500s, but they're not OE, which bothers the geek in me, so 18" AMGs beckon - can any threadists with SLs on 18" wheels advise - will they destroy the ride, or is the suspension compliant enough to cope? Thanks in anticipation.

Are these the wheels you have (after a google search!). They look like the later C class 180 hub caps to me. Horrible - why did Merc make these the standard wheels on the SL and S?

[SpeckledJim]

0a said:

Are these the wheels you have (after a google search!). They look like the later C class 180 hub caps to me. Horrible - why did Merc make these the standard wheels on the SL and S?

Partly because the SL always used to be the least flash flash car, so that wheel fits.

And partly because if you can get £2500 for optional wheels by making the standard wheels a bit frumpy, that is possibly the easiest money, as a manufacturer, that you will ever make.

[BlueMR2]

Minemapper said:

Since this seems to be the densest gathering of MB facial hair on t'interwebs.

Been looking at S211's for a while now, and have narrowed it down to an 05/06 edition of the 280 or 320 CDI flavour. Found this one at the top of thread budget with 150k on the clock. Seems to be in good nick with reported FMBSH. What should I be looking for in terms of preventative maintenance done, or wear and tear items due around this age/miles? Problem is that I'm 180 miles away from it. I have someone that can probably go and look at it for me, but he doesn't know MB's, so what questions should he ask?

That one's rear door and bumper look a different colour to the rest of the car.

[Minemapper]

I think the pics are st on that one. Whoever took them really needs to upgrade their camera. But it looks clean enough that I'm willing to send my mate to check it in person.

[Stegel]

Minemapper said:

Since this seems to be the densest gathering of MB facial hair on t'interwebs.

Been looking at S211's for a while now, and have narrowed it down to an 05/06 edition of the 280 or 320 CDI flavour. Found this one at the top of thread budget with 150k on the clock. Seems to be in good nick with reported FMBSH. What should I be looking for in terms of preventative maintenance done, or wear and tear items due around this age/miles? Problem is that I'm 180 miles away from it. I have someone that can probably go and look at it for me, but he doesn't know MB's, so what questions should he ask?

It's post full-facelift so should be free of the problems that afflict early cars. Check the MB history includes gearbox ATF fluid change at 3rd service (and ideally every 45k miles thereafter, although not MB recommendation). It will, or will have, destroyed the inlet-port shutdown motor that sits atop the engine, even if the oil seal in the inlet is changed for the revised design, which is a £600 fix at the dealers - see if the history shows this having been done, but our two V6 diesels went at 80k and 65k miles, so it will probably be due another before long! They don't like pottering, which leads to the turbo clogging up, but turbo cleaner and a good cross country trip sorts that. Glow plugs go now and again, but I'm beginning to think they should be regarded as consumables.

The gearbox should be smooth with almost imperceptible changes, although 1-2 change can be lumpy on some, and there are tales of this indicating impending failure, but I've no experience of that (touching wood). They eat front suspension ball joints, and check it raises itself level at the rear on start up.

They don't rust - it may be the photographs, but the near side looks to have had paint and the door gaps could vary, so check for accident damage and poor repairs.

They are well screwed together, without rattles, squeaks etc and they don't show wear if not mistreated - our 83k mile estate is unmarked inside. The most annoying fault is the driver's side mirror no longer adjusts due to the folding action of the mirrors, but I'm hoping a soldering iron and an hour will sort that.

Edited by Stegel on Friday 22 May 07:42

[harrykul]

What about the Sador?

[0a]

SpeckledJim said:

0a said:

Are these the wheels you have (after a google search!). They look like the later C class 180 hub caps to me. Horrible - why did Merc make these the standard wheels on the SL and S?

Partly because the SL always used to be the least flash flash car, so that wheel fits.

And partly because if you can get £2500 for optional wheels by making the standard wheels a bit frumpy, that is possibly the easiest money, as a manufacturer, that you will ever make.

My 500SL has these alloys on it:



But the spare is the older 15 spoke type

[Stegel]

SpeckledJim said:

0a said:

Are these the wheels you have (after a google search!). They look like the later C class 180 hub caps to me. Horrible - why did Merc make these the standard wheels on the SL and S?

Partly because the SL always used to be the least flash flash car, so that wheel fits.

And partly because if you can get £2500 for optional wheels by making the standard wheels a bit frumpy, that is possibly the easiest money, as a manufacturer, that you will ever make.

That's the ones, and SJ makes a valid point, even if he underestimates MB's appetite for profit. The 8 hole wheels were a £189 option. AMG 18" split rim, the only other wheel option, was £4,885 at the time my car was built.