Best smoker barges 1-5 large [vol8]

[V12 AMG]

CharlesdeGaulle said:

Stegel said:

CharlesdeGaulle said:

Is this a post-facelift? Likely to be rust and problem free?

A 4-cyl with the devil's fuel; would it really be that bad an ownership proposition?

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

It is post mini-facelift (Euro IV engine) but pre-major facelift which brought a sharper V shape to the front bumper and pivoting (rather than folding) door mirrors. I ran a 55 plate just like that for a year and 12k miles from new without issue. It will only have 150bhp, but once wound up is OK for motorway work. (ETA- I've yet to see any rusty 211 that didn't have obvious crash damage)

Edited by Stegel on Monday 24th August 18:29

V12AMG - any thoughts from you on these? Is there a sweet spot in the range?

I very much prefer petrol, but there aren't many post-06 about at thread money.

I'm toying with the idea of buying a newer, more modern car than the 124. If I succumb to domestic pressure on the family estate, I reckon I'll be all right keeping old stuff for the other cars. Suitable options really only seem to fall to 210/211 Mercs and V70s, so I'm 'scoping'.

Link go no-where for this car. Guess it's sold? Here's some general advice though.

The 220cdi/5G box is a solid reliable combo as long as the valeo rad issue has been addressed. That car may have been late enough to avoid that issue anyway.
My personal preference if it has to be diesel is to avoid the 220 and get a 270 if economy is of concern to you. The 270 returns the same MPG in the real world and enough extra torque to make all the difference to the driving experience.
The I6 320cdi is a great lump and the best of the diesels. It's the same engine as I have in my daily driver S Class. It is far more reliable and economical than the V6 cdi that replaced it in 2005.
SBC is the only significant cost for these. They have no vacuum servo, it is an electronic system which counts brake pedal pushes and shuts down the braking system once a certain limit is reached.
People are taking these apart now and checking the motor brushes and resetting the counter. Much cheaper than the main dealer replacement at well over a grand.
A new SBC unit can be purchased from Germany through a Bosch agent for around £500.
SBC is a great system to drive with and worth the extra potential cost.
W211s don't suffer the severe rust that the W210 does.
Any 53 plate or later cars have improved rust proofing over the 52/03 plate cars.

[louiebaby]

JZZ30 said:

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



A very nice 280bhp but expensive tax.

This white one has odd things on the front bumper, anyone got any ideas?

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

Clearly there is a risk of being mistaken for a plod, in a white one. How much for a wrap to (say) metallic red?

[V12 AMG]

CharlesdeGaulle said:

V12AMG - any thoughts from you on these? Is there a sweet spot in the range?

I very much prefer petrol, but there aren't many post-06 about at thread money.

I'm toying with the idea of buying a newer, more modern car than the 124. If I succumb to domestic pressure on the family estate, I reckon I'll be all right keeping old stuff for the other cars. Suitable options really only seem to fall to 210/211 Mercs and V70s, so I'm 'scoping'.

You need to have a look at the Subaru Outback. The 3.0 petrol isn't particularly rapid but it is adequate, timing chain instead of belt as well and the ride quality is excellent.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

[W00DY]

louiebaby said:

This white one has odd things on the front bumper, anyone got any ideas?

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

Clearly there is a risk of being mistaken for a plod, in a white one. How much for a wrap to (say) metallic red?

Lights given it is ex-plod. Holes in the dash extra wing-mirrors.


Wouldn't want to pay £5k for it.

[hornetrider]

Krikkit said:

hornetrider said:

Krikkit said:

hornetrider said:

They might look nice but if they're anything like the ones in the GTV they'll be neither comfortable or supportive, regrettably.

Really? I found the seats in my 156 to be very supportive. In fact they were some of the comfiest seats I've ever graced with my bum.

I found them overly firm, not quite sculpted enough, and the bolsters too far apart so I slid around on them. Shame as they look the sex.

Really? Sounds like you might be carrying a few less pies than me then! I'm fairly slim and found I fit them perfectly... Horses for courses though I s'pose, seats are very much a personal preference I find.

I wish

They're probably different in a GTV then.

[louiebaby]

W00DY said:

Lights given it is ex-plod. Holes in the dash extra wing-mirrors.

Wouldn't want to pay £5k for it.

I did wonder. Not really for now, as I'm not really looking, but something along those lines would suit.

[CharlesdeGaulle]

V12 AMG said:

You need to have a look at the Subaru Outback. The 3.0 petrol isn't particularly rapid but it is adequate, timing chain instead of belt as well and the ride quality is excellent.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

Thanks for all the comments so far. I did consider the Outback but the interior is pretty nasty. It's on the 'maybe' list, but I'd prefer a Volvo or MB really.

[JZZ30]

CharlesdeGaulle said:

I did consider the Outback but the interior is pretty nasty.

My thoughts too. A shame, as the car probably makes a lot of sense otherwise.

[V12 AMG]

JZZ30 said:

CharlesdeGaulle said:

I did consider the Outback but the interior is pretty nasty.

My thoughts too. A shame, as the car probably makes a lot of sense otherwise.

I have to agree. They did a reasonable job on the outside but gave up on the inside! I hear they are hard wearing and built to last the farm life.

The way it drives is much more my preference, I really don't 'get' the V70 at all.

[0a]

CharlesdeGaulle said:

V12 AMG said:

You need to have a look at the Subaru Outback. The 3.0 petrol isn't particularly rapid but it is adequate, timing chain instead of belt as well and the ride quality is excellent.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

Thanks for all the comments so far. I did consider the Outback but the interior is pretty nasty. It's on the 'maybe' list, but I'd prefer a Volvo or MB really.

I was thinking about an Outlook when you said you wanted a more modern car. How about a BMW e60? This kind of thing? They seem more common than other brands with a proper engine (ie petrol, straight 6 or V8) http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...



4 cylinder diesels are just nasty.

[SuperHangOn]

I found a pristine Legacy for sale as a p/ex at a dealership on ebay. I had a nose at it and was very impressed. 6 pot boxer burble and seemed very well screwed together. Interior was basic/plain in the usual Japanese way but I wouldn't say nasty (I reserve that for the E60 ). I was outbid on the car which I'm still a bit annoyed about, I should have gone a bit higher.

[JZZ30]

0a said:

I was thinking about an Outlook when you said you wanted a more modern car. How about a BMW e60? This kind of thing? They seem more common than other brands with a proper engine (ie petrol, straight 6 or V8) http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...



4 cylinder diesels are just nasty.

That 530i has been for sale at that dealer for at least 9 months. I wonder if it gets shifted around regularly, started for just minutes etc during that time for sale. I worry what that would do to a car?

[anonymous-user]

JZZ30 said:

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



A very nice 280bhp but expensive tax.

That has either been clocked or had a family of mud monsters using it for 118k - I've never seen a V70 of this generation with such filthy are tired looking leather front and back.

280bhp is a bit weak for a 3.0 with a twin scroll turbo really. I think there was a low pressure and a high pressure version of this engine - it produce over 300bhp in later cars and the S80. An S60 T6 AWD looks like a nice sleeper too and I bet they can be remapped to something much more acceptable - even polestar take them to 320bhp or so.

I am constantly on the lookout for a well specified, sensible mileage V70 T6 if anyone happens to spot one ;-)

[SpeckledJim]

JZZ30 said:

0a said:

I was thinking about an Outlook when you said you wanted a more modern car. How about a BMW e60? This kind of thing? They seem more common than other brands with a proper engine (ie petrol, straight 6 or V8) http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...



4 cylinder diesels are just nasty.

That 530i has been for sale at that dealer for at least 9 months. I wonder if it gets shifted around regularly, started for just minutes etc during that time for sale. I worry what that would do to a car?

It'll be fine. Might have a kippered battery.

[0a]

SpeckledJim said:

JZZ30 said:

0a said:

I was thinking about an Outlook when you said you wanted a more modern car. How about a BMW e60? This kind of thing? They seem more common than other brands with a proper engine (ie petrol, straight 6 or V8) http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...



4 cylinder diesels are just nasty.

That 530i has been for sale at that dealer for at least 9 months. I wonder if it gets shifted around regularly, started for just minutes etc during that time for sale. I worry what that would do to a car?

It'll be fine. Might have a kippered battery.

Surely with something like that the only explanation would be that the dealer is smoking about in it? Or that there's something really wrong with it (in which case it must still be in his interests to clear it rather than use up cash and space if he's not using it himself?).

[RobinBanks]

BlueMR2 said:

Not quite in budget at £8k, however sometimes you have to up the budget for the right vehicle.



All 8L of V10, fitting barge for collecting your weekly shopping, if you can fit it in the car park.

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

I've driven a manual diesel Ram from that generation. You had to get used to treating the gearbox as a 4-speed dog leg.

[golfer19]

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C604707

[golfer19]

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C651911#

[rejn]

Sorry to go off topic, but do any of the w124 beards on here have a source for proper W124 floor mats.

I think I'd prefer rubber ones given the kids propensity to trash our cars

I've found these, but never heard of cyberspares before - anybody any ideas?

[cornershop]

rejn said:

Sorry to go off topic, but do any of the w124 beards on here have a source for proper W124 floor mats.

I think I'd prefer rubber ones given the kids propensity to trash our cars

I've found these, but never heard of cyberspares before - anybody any ideas?

http://www.classicmercedesmats.co.uk

ETA - missed the "rubber" comment!