Best smoker barges 1-5 large [vol8]

[CharlesdeGaulle]

BlueMR2 said:

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

£1k 190E with high mileage but 1 owner, sounds like it has good history.

That looks really gopping. I'd want that interior disinfected before I even attempted a viewing, let alone a drive.

[CharlesdeGaulle]

W00DY said:

Caruso said:

Quite local to me. Looks in good condition but has non standard wheels and exhaust.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MERCEDES-W124-300TE-24V-...

Like that. Although I definitely couldn't live with the wheelbarrow handles.

I like that too, and it looks a decent buy. Good colours.

Get the tailpipes shortened and could be a good'un.

[CharlesdeGaulle]

Agent Orange said:

Took a few photos this afternoon.

Brilliant. Many thanks for a really useful viewing and post.

In fact, I called-in to the dealer myself yesterday afternoon on a journey back from Bournemouth, but unfortunately it looked like they had closed early and no-one was around. I'd thought I might get down there today but haven't been able to.

I posted for information on the MB sites, and quite a lot of useful information came up.

Interestingly, it sold at auction a few weeks ago for 3 grand after some time on sale privately. Link here:

http://www.classiccarauctions.co.uk/mercede-benz-4...

I'm not surprised he's open to a deal, and an offer of 4-5 may well be accepted as a quick profit for not much effort.

The interior is not original, and some posters were critical of the quality of the re-upholstery.

The real worry with these, as with the much more expensive R107 SL, is rust. The fact that this car has quite a lot of surface rust indicates that there will be very much more underneath, so it has rather put me off. Pity, as it looks a decent car and the colour is good. I guess that it's a risk you take at the cheap entry point.

Were it not for my imminent house move, I'd probably take a chance on it.

If anyone is interested, there are a few out there. This is a poor ad and at 7.5k is more expensive than the green one, but car has low miles and could be nice.

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C608171

[BlueMR2]

CharlesdeGaulle said:

BlueMR2 said:

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

£1k 190E with high mileage but 1 owner, sounds like it has good history.

That looks really gopping. I'd want that interior disinfected before I even attempted a viewing, let alone a drive.

I couldn't view the bigger pictures when i noticed it yesterday.

The interior is pretty minging, seems to have a few rust spots by the rear reg plate and seems to be badged as a 2.6, not cool.

[BlueMR2]

CharlesdeGaulle said:

W00DY said:

Caruso said:

Quite local to me. Looks in good condition but has non standard wheels and exhaust.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MERCEDES-W124-300TE-24V-...

Like that. Although I definitely couldn't live with the wheelbarrow handles.

I like that too, and it looks a decent buy. Good colours.

Get the tailpipes shortened and could be a good'un.

£2.5k on an engine overhaul and still on the plastic thermostat cover, doh!

[CharlesdeGaulle]

BlueMR2 said:

2.5k on an engine overhaul and still on the plastic thermostat cover, doh!

I realise that not knowing this marks me out as a screaming ignoramus, but where is the thermostat cover? And what's wrong with a plastic one?

[SuperHangOn]

CharlesdeGaulle said:

I realise that not knowing this marks me out as a screaming ignoramus, but where is the thermostat cover? And what's wrong with a plastic one?

End of the top hose. They crack. Metal replacements are about a tenner on eBay

[JZZ30]

Have we had this? A lack of photos though.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1995-Jaguar-XJ12-Monster...



edit. Ahh plenty photos, they weren't showing on my mobile!

Edited by JZZ30 on Monday 25th May 23:11

[Agent Orange]

CharlesdeGaulle said:

Agent Orange said:

Took a few photos this afternoon.

Brilliant. Many thanks for a really useful viewing and post.

In fact, I called-in to the dealer myself yesterday afternoon on a journey back from Bournemouth, but unfortunately it looked like they had closed early and no-one was around. I'd thought I might get down there today but haven't been able to.

I posted for information on the MB sites, and quite a lot of useful information came up.

Interestingly, it sold at auction a few weeks ago for 3 grand after some time on sale privately. Link here:

http://www.classiccarauctions.co.uk/mercede-benz-4...

I'm not surprised he's open to a deal, and an offer of 4-5 may well be accepted as a quick profit for not much effort.

The interior is not original, and some posters were critical of the quality of the re-upholstery.

The real worry with these, as with the much more expensive R107 SL, is rust. The fact that this car has quite a lot of surface rust indicates that there will be very much more underneath, so it has rather put me off. Pity, as it looks a decent car and the colour is good. I guess that it's a risk you take at the cheap entry point.

That it sold at auction a few weeks ago doesn't fit with the traders "story". Reading between the lines... I'm guessing the trader didn't acquire this from a moneyed mate and instead via a friend who took a punt at the auctions and is now looking to shift it after realising he's taken on more than he dare.

Based on the recent auction I think you are right to avoid.

[CharlesdeGaulle]

0a said:

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C586835

Lovely.

In fact, I think I may even have previously posted that car.

Miles better than the more recent Jag, with the awful leaper and the stupid white tag over the number plate, posted above.

Just utter class. Drive it for a bit as-is, then see what needs doing and fettle in slow time. Money well spent in my view.

[User33678888]

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

Has this been spotted yet? MOT due soon, but offers welcomed and one owner, low miles

I'm not even sure if I should be sharing this - I'm tempted. This for £3k would do the practical duties and be fun. Then I could sell the M5 and get.............

[Jobbo]

User33678888 said:

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

Has this been spotted yet? MOT due soon, but offers welcomed and one owner, low miles

I'm not even sure if I should be sharing this - I'm tempted. This for £3k would do the practical duties and be fun. Then I could sell the M5 and get.............

I spotted that a week or so ago; it doesn't have sport seats, which I thought were standard on a Sport, but looks like it could be a good one.

ETA: yes, it's registered as an SE not a Sport, so the sills/front lip/spoiler are later additions. I suppose I should have looked at the title; it's being sold as an SE so not being misrepresented!

Edited by Jobbo on Tuesday 26th May 09:32

[0a]

By chance I was waiting a few minutes ago and this pulled up in front of me. I love the alloys!

[JZZ30]

An alternative barge? Maybe better in the 'old' thread? probably 2 grand too much, but those seats do look quite comfy!

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C497109#

[harrykul]

0a said:

By chance I was waiting a few minutes ago and this pulled up in front of me. I love the alloys!

That's a great pic- there is something so good about having the star on the bonnet.

Those are the Ceginus alloys, if anyone knows of any knocking about, let me know!

[Stegel]

harrykul said:

0a said:

By chance I was waiting a few minutes ago and this pulled up in front of me. I love the alloys!

That's a great pic- there is something so good about having the star on the bonnet.

Those are the Ceginus alloys, if anyone knows of any knocking about, let me know!

They do look great, don't they.

Harry - I've been looking since 2nd March when I picked the car up - I'm almost resigned to buying new.

[Usget]

JZZ30 said:

An alternative barge? Maybe better in the 'old' thread? probably 2 grand too much, but those seats do look quite comfy!

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C497109#

£3k too much - they're having a laugh. If it were a Vittesse Sport, then maybe, but for a KV6 there is not a bargepole long enough.

[harrykul]

Stegel said:

They do look great, don't they.

Harry - I've been looking since 2nd March when I picked the car up - I'm almost resigned to buying new.

You've got mail!

[0a]

Stegel said:

harrykul said:

0a said:

By chance I was waiting a few minutes ago and this pulled up in front of me. I love the alloys!

That's a great pic- there is something so good about having the star on the bonnet.

Those are the Ceginus alloys, if anyone knows of any knocking about, let me know!

They do look great, don't they.

Harry - I've been looking since 2nd March when I picked the car up - I'm almost resigned to buying new.

I was rather surprised that a R129 with those alloys pulled up right in front of me today after they were discussed on such a car in this thread a few days ago.

I'd also like to get some (excuse - 2 sets of wheels mean I can run winter tyres more easily!).

[olly755]

olly755 said:

Deal done. My first Jag

Ad's now been taken off, but it's a '97 X300 XJ6 Executive. Royal blue over cream. Genuine 1 owner car. 86k. Every scrap of history (mainly Jaguar). Replaced with a new XJ. New Goodyears. Radio tuned to Classic FM. Icy cold AC, and everything working.

Off to Devon on holiday on Monday, so should add 1000 miles or so next week to the odo. Looking forward to it.

I'll take some pics.

Just over a week and just under 1000 miles later, I really cant tell you how impressed I am with this car.

You're always on your guard with an older car, especially one that will be carrying your family and luggage to a holiday destination down a long and busy motorway, and even more so when the purchase price is three figures. But it proved to be faultless, never missed a beat, and actually seemed to get better as the miles passed. Anxieties arose the day before travel when an intermittent starting issue raised it's head, but I cannot blame the car for a cheap, failing battery. A quality Varta nicked from the LS400 it shares the drive with cured the problem on the spot.

They drive superbly, easily the best barge I've driven. In my head, I've concluded that the Jag is a British car, set up for British roads, and it shows. Ride comfort and body control is as good as I've encountered, yet it's also a very nice thing to punt along a winding, Devon A road. A superb compromise. My Lexus would have wallowed, my previous E39 fidgeted. And on the motorway, sat at 85, the solidity, serenity and lack of wind noise was a surprise for such an old body shape: I expected far more.

Behind the wheel, there is mechanical, old-school feel there, and unlike more modern barges the isolation doesn't translate into sheer numbness. Also, the seats are as good as anything I've sat in. Not immediately sumptuous, but incredibly supportive and comfortable as the hours passed. Handsome thing too, you find yourself sneaking a backward glance when walking away: not something you do with a Lexus.

Downsides? It's a struggle getting in, my long legs get somehow trapped between wheel and footwell. And economy could have been better, 23mpg average, about the same as an M62 powered E39.

I'm impressed. Very impressed. I love it when cars turn out to be way better than expected: it's rarely happened with cars I've bought in the past, new or old. The plan was to use the car for the trip, and sell it on return. Now I'm really not so sure.