Best smoker barges 1-5 large [Vol 9]

[Lowtimer]

Some of them have self-levelling rear suspension (SLS), which I believe is a hydraulic (oil based) system rather than the air spring system used on at E39 Touring. Some have electronically controlled variable dampers (S-EDS). As far as I am aware all of this can safely be disregarded and converted to standard, and in some cases may already have been. Bimmerforums is probably your best place for the intimate detail of that.

With all the suspension stuff, the issue at the age and mileage over the typical E38 these days isn't really things going wrong, it's that it's all completely worn out, and in some cases may be due for a second complete renewal. 10 years or 100,000 miles is really all you can expect from anything.

I were renewing the suspension on another E38 or E39 I'd just drag it all off the car, go with all new bushes, (including the rear subframe bushes which are usually neglected by all but the most fastidious owners, but make a hell of a difference), and new anti-roll bar bushes & droplinks, new standard springs and Bilstein B4 dampers (or factory if you prefer), and a proper geometry setup. No point doing half measures really.

[CharlesdeGaulle]

SpeckledJim said:

Surely there are only two types of R107 / C107 worth thinking about:

• £3k shed, to be used and abused with the famous policy of 'managed retreat'.

• £20k beaut, kept fastidiously with one and a half eyes on eventually selling it for £60k.

And, whichever column your car starts in, you must have total commitment to not attempting transition into the opposite column, in either direction.

This is exactly where I was coming from with the cheap SLC.

Any enthusiasm to get it concourse is doomed to fail, but running around in a slightly tatty 2k example, with a grand spent on welding and brakes to give it an MOT, seems rather cool to me.

I'd keep the horrid passenger seat to deter Madame travelling with me and to ps off the hipsters; what's not to like?

[Emeye]

kapiteinlangzaam said:

Emeye said:

0a said:

lostkiwi said:

judas said:

PlayersNo6 said:

W00DY said:

Otherwise:




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

That looks bloody good to me - 1 owner, green, wood, no tints and sensible wheels.

Very nice. If it was LPG'd it would be on my drive now.

Edited by judas on Wednesday 25th November 20:01

Thats seriously lovely. If I had the cash I'd be sorely tempted.

I like that. I see these range rovers as cheap bentleys rather than expensive normal cars.

I keep going back to that advert and looking at it! What would it cost to get it LPG'd?

Then again, I've asked for a quote on a Polo GTi lease!

My relationship and indecisiveness with cars gives me sleepless nights - though I usually end up something in between.

There is a thread in the RR section with someone running a similar cheap L302.

It makes interesting reading; I think its fair to say that its wise to budget the purchase price again for year 1 repairs.

I have been following that thread - and there lies the dilemma - buy something off the thread and risk bankruptcy and a permanent headache, or spend thread budget on 2 years of hassle free sanitised motoring - but where the hell is the fun in that!?!

I used to have both options, or at least have a few borkish cars lying around in the hope one of them would get me to work - having kids is just a pain in the ass as I need to think with the recommended part of my body.....

[cat220]

Emeye said:

0a said:

lostkiwi said:

judas said:

PlayersNo6 said:

W00DY said:

Otherwise:




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

That looks bloody good to me - 1 owner, green, wood, no tints and sensible wheels.

Very nice. If it was LPG'd it would be on my drive now.

Edited by judas on Wednesday 25th November 20:01

Thats seriously lovely. If I had the cash I'd be sorely tempted.

I like that. I see these range rovers as cheap bentleys rather than expensive normal cars.

I keep going back to that advert and looking at it! What would it cost to get it LPG'd?

Then again, I've asked for a quote on a Polo GTi lease!

My relationship and indecisiveness with cars gives me sleepless nights - though I usually end up something in between.

You sound like me! Enquired about the Polo GTi lease deal yesterday, thought process behind that was something to use for the daily commute that's compact, reliable, decent enough to drive and pretty much maintenance free for two years. Total cost around 4k for the 2 years. I then see that Range Rover and think, well for a couple of k more I could be in that. The maintenance free, compact and no doubt reliable are all thrown out the window as man maths has kicked in and I'm already justifying it in my head as an all round practical family car, be great when it snows and I would still get something for it after 2 years! This is an illness!

[treetops]

W00DY said:

KrisP said:

I seem to be in a position of owning 'only' one car for the first time in I don't know how many years. I've just waved off the new owner of an old car, in a deal done easily and quickly, which was at the opposite end of the spectrum to selling my 540iT. There is something to be said for the pain in dealing with the muppets that operate at the bottom of thread budget.
So, I'm now consoling myself by mentally spending all of the cash on something completely inappropriate - which leads me onto a question; Why is it then when you don't have the room nor the cash, there are temptations everywhere, but now that I'm in a position to spend, there is nothing that takes my fancy?

Give us a budget and some requirements to ignore and I'm sure we can help you out.


Sensible winter smoker?



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

Edited by W00DY on Wednesday 25th November 13:13

(Please Note: All vehicles are subject to an administration fee of £95) - mmmmmmmm operating out of a cattle shed, might be ok.

[Emeye]

cat220 said:

You sound like me! Enquired about the Polo GTi lease deal yesterday, thought process behind that was something to use for the daily commute that's compact, reliable, decent enough to drive and pretty much maintenance free for two years. Total cost around 4k for the 2 years. I then see that Range Rover and think, well for a couple of k more I could be in that. The maintenance free, compact and no doubt reliable are all thrown out the window as man maths has kicked in and I'm already justifying it in my head as an all round practical family car, be great when it snows and I would still get something for it after 2 years! This is an illness!

You don't know how happy it makes me to know I'm not the only one!

"We" already have an old Kia Sorento we paid £2k for and up until now is behaving itself - I did buy it for me to wreck while I did up our new house, but surprisingly wifey fell for it and now I have to ask to borrow it! I'm sure she'd love a RR, but I want something for me! lol

[BrabusMog]

seek help, chaps!

[0a]

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C685223





Sounds like a reasonable little barge for under £1,500

ad said:

A very special Mercedes Benz, Air conditioning, Airbags, Alarm, Central locking, Electric door mirrors, Electric windows, Radio, Remote central locking, Sunroof, CD Player. RED, Mercedes Benz C220 'Elegance' 4 door saloon, automatic. A heated underground garage find. 2 owners, 76,000 miles only, complete service history mostly by Jacksons of Poole, receipts for £1000's. Automatic, PAS, central locking, climate control, radio/ stereo, electric sunroof/ mirrors and windows. Same owner 15 years, normally driven 500 miles per year!! Kept in heated garage (underground) and only bought out when the sun shone in Bournemouth. This is a totally genuine car that would be an inexpensive introduction to the world of classic car ownership. We doubt there is a better one definitely not at only £1495. MOT until August 2016.

The spoiler would have to go though!

[hornetrider]

That green Rangie looks fking awesome. Someone should definitely, definitely buy it.

I'm constantly twitchy about getting one as they're just so... superior. However it's difficult to justify buying anything when one already owns pretty much the most perfect car around

[tobinen]

0a said:

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C685223

By remarkable coincidence I was thinking about W202s this morning. They seem overlooked to me. Fairly decent cars, aren't they?

[Krikkit]

For me the L322 needs to be in a darker shade, but the interior is rather nice. Brave pills needed I think though, just in case!

[0a]

tobinen said:

0a said:

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C685223

By remarkable coincidence I was thinking about W202s this morning. They seem overlooked to me. Fairly decent cars, aren't they?

I think it's the mercedes rust era that gets them. There does seem to be quite a few around with low miles that have been purchased as a retirement car - perhaps one of these could be cheap and reasonably comfortable motoring.

I'd love a C43 and looked for one when I was buying my SL - with no exceptions they were rusty as anything, some on their second round of paint with more needed!

[0llie]

judas said:

PlayersNo6 said:

W00DY said:

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

That looks bloody good to me - 1 owner, green, wood, no tints and sensible wheels.

Very nice. If it was LPG'd it would be on my drive now.

Great colour and sensible miles. I'd normally say chose a Vogue over an HSE, but you only miss heated rear seats, Sat Nav, heated steering wheel and some other electric bits. I think this also has the Xenons, standard on Vogue but optional on HSE.

The BMW V8 is a great engine, and responds very well to LPG. But unless you were doing serious miles, I'd pocket the cash saved by not having LPG and use that to help towards fuel costs. Here's some man maths too; The Td6 engine has a weak GM gearbox which costs IRO £1.5k-2k to fix when it goes pop. The V8 has a much stronger ZF unit which is very unlikely to break, so without LPG'ing or buying a diesel, you've saved £3k+ Leave alone replacement injectors, turbos etc.

Good miles, sensible colour, matching Pirelli Scorpion tyres. Looks a good buy

[louiebaby]

Krikkit said:

For me the L322 needs to be in a darker shade, but the interior is rather nice. Brave pills needed I think though, just in case!

When (if) the wife goes back to work, I would be tempted to get into a Rangie. Something in the £10k area, with a £5k warchest would be about right it think. (Or the ability to quickly restock a £2k warchest.) This should enable me to sleep at night though I think.

[lostkiwi]

0a said:

tobinen said:

0a said:

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C685223

By remarkable coincidence I was thinking about W202s this morning. They seem overlooked to me. Fairly decent cars, aren't they?

I think it's the mercedes rust era that gets them. There does seem to be quite a few around with low miles that have been purchased as a retirement car - perhaps one of these could be cheap and reasonably comfortable motoring.

I'd love a C43 and looked for one when I was buying my SL - with no exceptions they were rusty as anything, some on their second round of paint with more needed!

I had two W202s - both C240s and my overiding memory was the rock hard seats. Aside from that they were great cars and I'd have another (but C280 or bigger next time).

[S3_Graham]

treetops said:

W00DY said:

KrisP said:

I seem to be in a position of owning 'only' one car for the first time in I don't know how many years. I've just waved off the new owner of an old car, in a deal done easily and quickly, which was at the opposite end of the spectrum to selling my 540iT. There is something to be said for the pain in dealing with the muppets that operate at the bottom of thread budget.
So, I'm now consoling myself by mentally spending all of the cash on something completely inappropriate - which leads me onto a question; Why is it then when you don't have the room nor the cash, there are temptations everywhere, but now that I'm in a position to spend, there is nothing that takes my fancy?

Give us a budget and some requirements to ignore and I'm sure we can help you out.


Sensible winter smoker?



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

Edited by W00DY on Wednesday 25th November 13:13

(Please Note: All vehicles are subject to an administration fee of £95) - mmmmmmmm operating out of a cattle shed, might be ok.

All of their cars seem almost 'too' cheap? I keep being drawn to the 535D they have...

[KrisP]

S3_Graham said:

treetops said:

W00DY said:

KrisP said:

I seem to be in a position of owning 'only' one car for the first time in I don't know how many years. I've just waved off the new owner of an old car, in a deal done easily and quickly, which was at the opposite end of the spectrum to selling my 540iT. There is something to be said for the pain in dealing with the muppets that operate at the bottom of thread budget.
So, I'm now consoling myself by mentally spending all of the cash on something completely inappropriate - which leads me onto a question; Why is it then when you don't have the room nor the cash, there are temptations everywhere, but now that I'm in a position to spend, there is nothing that takes my fancy?

Give us a budget and some requirements to ignore and I'm sure we can help you out.


Sensible winter smoker?



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

Edited by W00DY on Wednesday 25th November 13:13

(Please Note: All vehicles are subject to an administration fee of £95) - mmmmmmmm operating out of a cattle shed, might be ok.

All of their cars seem almost 'too' cheap? I keep being drawn to the 535D they have...

I went and looked at their website earlier and did see the admin fee - it puts me right off. However, I reckon I might be in the vicinity of the dealer tomorrow afternoon, so may try and view it

[BlackGT3]

C70R said:

Lowtimer said:

Same as an E39 5-series, for which there are many buyer's guides around, with the addition of it having a metal fuel tank which rusts through, and costs a lot to replace (E39 is plastic).

Main other E38/E39 points requiring checking and/or anticipation of having to refresh them depending on when last done are as follows:
Rust, which can happen almost anywhere on these.
Cooling system (rad, hoses, water pump, thermostats) generally need renewal every 7-8 years.
"Sealed for life" auto transmission means that you want to have deep enough pockets to cope with a proper transmission rebuild at some point. If it delays going into reverse or drive, or if there is any transmission / axle noise at all, I'd swerve that car and find a better one. All the shifts should be very smooth, and ensure that the transmission is locking up in fourth and fifth gears
Suspension is usually pretty shot on cars of this era. Expect to have it all rebuilt unless there is documentation of recent replacement of all the bushes, and recent dampers. Broken springs are not unheard of, though seem to be less common in the E38 than on the equivalent Mercs. Various forms of shimmy varying with speed and/or braking are common and indicate poor suspension maintenance.

Obviously all the usual used-car stuff, ensure ALL the electrics work, air con working, recent battery etc. Personally I steer clear of anything on ill-matching or nasty tyres, anything with aftermarket window tints, anything on gor-blimey blingy wheels. The usual things to avoid, really. They are not cars for people with shallow pockets but most of them have fallen into such hands, and bringing a neglected one back to its prime is expensive.

It is much much cheaper to buy the best one than the cheapest.

But a good one is an absolutely lovely thing.

Meanwhile:
http://www.meeknet.co.uk/e38/bmw_e38_buying_guide....
http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?1...

Edited by Lowtimer on Thursday 26th November 11:55

Thank you so much for taking the time to share all of that!

I had previously looked at a 540, so am aware of the engine/drivetrain weaknesses. I guess I'm just a bit in the dark about the model-specific issues, such as whether it had any fancy suspension gubbins to go wrong.

I purchased a 2000MY 740 Sport in 2010 and ran it for 3 years. Gearbox's seam to be a failure point on these. mine had a replacement Gb at 110,000 miles. Batteries need replacing on a regular basis. If it suffers from "shimmy" feels like wheel balance is out, this could mean suspension parts need replacing and there are plenty of them. Mine was a Sport and had a the shockers, springs and various bushes replaced at 115k miles by the previous owner. The AUX fan failed on mine which stopped the Aircon from working. The rocker cover gaskets go on these engines. Rear silencers/Cats/lambada sensors are prone to failure. Check for rust in the arches, rear panel, door bottoms and boot lid. The fuel tank are a failure point on these cars and costs a fortune to fix and the cooling system will need a refresh if it hasnt had one. Usual stuff such as brake lines, alternator, fuel pump/filer, brakes atc.

[r129sl]

CharlesdeGaulle said:

bmthnick1981 said:

0a said:

So silly. And irresistible!

This! Sometimes I can't help myself buying cars even when I don't really want them!

In exactly that vein, I was slightly disappointed that my marvellous find didn't attract more adventurous bargeist love.

This little problem child in fact:

CharlesdeGaulle said:

I'm tempted to buy this, stick it in a garage and just 'forget' to mention it to Madame.

Because cheap and thistle green.

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C683610



ETA - No MOT for 4 years, and extensive corrosion mentioned before then. Still tempted.

I love the SLC; it was Straight's favourite Merc, too. I bought one in January 2008 for £2,700 but for some reason which I can't really remember I lost my bottle and sold it for £3,600 just two months later. Another motoring regret! It was actually in fairly good shape but I didn't really know what I was doing back then. It was great to drive, much better than its roadster brother, quite fast and stiff and precise. It also attracted a lot of positive attention. A true gentleman's coupé. Anyway, I wouldn't go near a rotter. It's the interiors that are perhaps hardest to put back in good order and I'm not at all keen on the interior of that green one.

Here's me in the familiar position not long after I bought it (that is a baggy shirt, by the way, I'm like a racing snake underneath):






In other news, this E300 diesel looks pretty good if you can see past the hideous wheels (and the untold strain they have put on the suspension). Rosewood metallic, quite lovely:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/381471370046?_trksid=p20...

[SpeckledJim]

0a said:

tobinen said:

0a said:

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C685223

By remarkable coincidence I was thinking about W202s this morning. They seem overlooked to me. Fairly decent cars, aren't they?

I think it's the mercedes rust era that gets them. There does seem to be quite a few around with low miles that have been purchased as a retirement car - perhaps one of these could be cheap and reasonably comfortable motoring.

I'd love a C43 and looked for one when I was buying my SL - with no exceptions they were rusty as anything, some on their second round of paint with more needed!

Rust aside, W202 are terrific cars. They retained a lot of Mercedesness yet are perfectly modern cars. I'd say along with W210 they straddled the transition period when Mercedes moved from a column of their own, head-and-shoulders the best cars in the world, into the much taller, busier column they inhabit today, entitled 'just another car, really'.

A good W202, of any spec, is a really proper drive. They encourage 'good' driving, and make you a better person. Like a 190e really, but much happier at a modern 80mph cruise.