Best smoker barges 1-5 large [vol8]

[anonymous-user]

JZZ30 said:

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

I was doing sums in my head until I spotted the rust, then the close ups of said rust .

[Krikkit]

279 said:

JZZ30 said:

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

I was doing sums in my head until I spotted the rust, then the close ups of said rust .

Oh wow, that's really bad!

[anonymous-user]

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#

The seats are great, if you had the light stone beige you got some great contrasting colour piping and carpets. My JRG Vitesse had scarlet carpets and piping, it was so tacky it went right round the clock and back to cool again.

Sadly for a KV6 that's £3k too expensive. You'll want the comfy seats to sit in while you're at the side of the road with steam coming out from under the bonnet. Sad really because the early KV6 is a superb engine to drive when it's working, although better with the manual than the rather st and fragile 4 speed JATCO automatic most of them came with.

[W00DY]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1998-JAGUAR-XJR-4-0-V8-S...

Wibble

Edited by W00DY on Tuesday 26th May 20:59

[0a]

olly755 said:

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.

Congratulations Olly, it sounds like you have purchased an absolute peach for the money. I bet people think you spent a significant amount of money on it and are amazed when (or if, why ruin the illusion?) when you told them it cost as little as the service my colleagues Astra just told him (brakes, track rods, two tyres).

It is very interesting what you say about the car being ideally set up for British roads. Quite often it seems that contemporary reviews have some particular dimension in mind when they rate a car. Ie - a luxury car must be silent, a sports car must put driver involvement before all else etc - when in reality, to make good progress in comfort a mix is needed of many qualities.

[ess]

A quick update on the recent Barge thread purchase; if you're considering an X308 XJR.
Do it.

The performance is absolutely astounding for such a big car and the current price range.
Steering a bit lighter than appreciated on the motorway, but may visit Racing Green for their power steering switch.

OCD in me has started crossing off the list after water pump/thermo/valley pipes done recently; together with all suspension and steering bushes.
Cam chains /guides/tensioners next, together with the gearbox oil for peace of mind.
Will get her in for underseal refresh before the winter and stick on a Quicksilver exhaust for good measure.
Is all this within thread philosophy btw ?

Some gratuitous pics after recent ablutions.

s

[W00DY]

XJ6s really are fantastic, but in a world obsessed with fuel economy (my grandfather keeps talking about purchasing a new car with better fuel economy despite the fact he probably does 1000 miles/year) people don't want them. It's hard to stand a the pumps so often and pour large wedges of cash into the tank, I had many noodle meals trying to run mine as a student.



http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-E320cdi-Avantga...

[alpha channel]

W00DY said:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1998-JAGUAR-XJR-4-0-V8-S...

Wibble

Edited by W00DY on Tuesday 26th May 20:59

Not normally a fan of this shape Jag (I prefer the '06+ models personally) but...

(though I'll guarantee five minutes after those photo's had been taken it'll look like a field of rape seed has dumped it's entire load of pollen on to it in one go, I'll not have another black car, it's a right bugger to keep clean out here in the sticks).

Edited by alpha channel on Tuesday 26th May 21:23

[judas]

W00DY said:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1998-JAGUAR-XJR-4-0-V8-S...

Wibble

Oh my, that's lovely. Local too.

Must... resist...

[0a]

W00DY said:

img]http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTA2NlgxNjAw/z/tt8AAOSwBLlVZMXq/$_57.JPG[/img]
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1998-JAGUAR-XJR-4-0-V8-S...

Wibble

Is that not far too cheap? It looks really good.

[ess]

On another note.
If anyone fancies a Jaguar Heritage Racing window sticker, drop me a line.

Couldn't find any online, so had some made up. Minimum order of 25 at £72.
At cost plus cost of a 1st class stamp.
100mm dia.

s

[callahan]

0a said:

W00DY said:

img]http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTA2NlgxNjAw/z/tt8AAOSwBLlVZMXq/$_57.JPG[/img]
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1998-JAGUAR-XJR-4-0-V8-S...

Wibble

Is that not far too cheap? It looks really good.

That is gorgeous. Is there any other car that offers the same combination of speed, comfort and looks for such a tiny price?

I need one. And a fuel card.

[0a]

This SL500 on the MB Club Classified looks nice in the photos, under 100k, under £5k, personally I love the colour (and I don't normally like red). Not a perfect car.

And I really dislike the wheels , avoid them in the photos and the exterior looks great. The interior looks a little worn however.

Ad: http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/classifieds-cars-sa...

Photos: http://s1082.photobucket.com/user/ambersite_net/li...

[tobinen]

Yummy! A black XJR for close to £2,000? Won't be around for long I'd have thought

[tobinen]

I've never heard of Brabus tuning for a W210 320CDi (W00DY's post above) - intriguing though I am circumspect

[r129sl]

0a said:

olly755 said:

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.

Congratulations Olly, it sounds like you have purchased an absolute peach for the money. I bet people think you spent a significant amount of money on it and are amazed when (or if, why ruin the illusion?) when you told them it cost as little as the service my colleagues Astra just told him (brakes, track rods, two tyres).

It is very interesting what you say about the car being ideally set up for British roads. Quite often it seems that contemporary reviews have some particular dimension in mind when they rate a car. Ie - a luxury car must be silent, a sports car must put driver involvement before all else etc - when in reality, to make good progress in comfort a mix is needed of many qualities.

It's great to hear someone is having all the barging luck. I must broaden my Jag experience. I love them but for some reason find myself a diehard Merc loyaist. The best-riding car I have ever driven was a shagged out £205 XJ40 Sovereign 3.6. What a car. The black one Woody has posted above is pretty nice.

[r129sl]

ess said:

Is all this within thread philosophy btw ?

Hell yes, I think you have thread philosophy down to a tee. Especially the £72 stickers. I thought it was just me: unable to find an aesthetically satisfactory "GB" sticker, I had my own made up.

[deadslow]

ess said:

A quick update on the recent Barge thread purchase; if you're considering an X308 XJR.
Do it.

The performance is absolutely astounding for such a big car and the current price range.
Steering a bit lighter than appreciated on the motorway, but may visit Racing Green for their power steering switch.

OCD in me has started crossing off the list after water pump/thermo/valley pipes done recently; together with all suspension and steering bushes.
Cam chains /guides/tensioners next, together with the gearbox oil for peace of mind.
Will get her in for underseal refresh before the winter and stick on a Quicksilver exhaust for good measure.
Is all this within thread philosophy btw ?

Some gratuitous pics after recent ablutions.

s

How much did it cost to get the suspension/steering bushes done? This is next on my list.

[Paddymcc]

tobinen said:

I've never heard of Brabus tuning for a W210 320CDi (W00DY's post above) - intriguing though I am circumspect

If its anything like my CLS Brabus 320cdi its an overpriced tuning box and engine cover

[dbdb]

olly755 said:

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.

I'm glad you have got a good one. The XJ6 is a superb car and tremendously underestimated on here. They drive incredibly well and the ride/handling compromise Jaguar made was once very well regarded.

I agree with you over the steering wheel. It seems excessively large and amplifies the other shortcoming - that of narrow footwells. This seems to be a long-term Jaguar trait, shared with the Series cars and XJ-S, for example. I sometimes wonder whether I should fit one of the JaguarSport Momo steering wheels, but I don't particularly like them and my (XJ40) is fitted with an airbag. I wonder if it would actually go off at this age in an accident though?

W00DY said:

XJ6s really are fantastic, but in a world obsessed with fuel economy (my grandfather keeps talking about purchasing a new car with better fuel economy despite the fact he probably does 1000 miles/year) people don't want them. It's hard to stand a the pumps so often and pour large wedges of cash into the tank, I had many noodle meals trying to run mine as a student.

They are thirsty certainly, but no worse than a comparable Mercedes or BMW of their age.