Best smoker barges 1-5 large [Vol 9]

[QuantumTokoloshi]

Riley Blue said:

BigShow said:

0a said:

I rather like this a8 4.2 http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

The W124 has been put in for a service with a list of annoying things to fix. The driver's side window isn't working again - the regulator was replaced last time. Is there some "trick" to get it to work well over a long period? Also it has been 2 years/40k since I did the shocks - worth doing again?

I'm in one of those albeit the previous gen but with the 4.2... if the later models are anything like mine, don't bother, the list to fix will grow every time you take it in. On the 4.2 I've had:

Replacement head gaskets
Replacement cooling fan clutch
Rebuilt gearbox
Rebuilt engine top end
Rebuilt rear diff

Previous to this I had a 2000 735i, 2002 745i, 2003 745i and a 2005 745i and none of them let me down in the way this A8 has, it'll be my last foray into Audi barges, next stop, truck barge, loaded F150 crew-cab with the V8.

My experience (I've owned my 2004 MY 4.2 A8 for almost two years now) has been quite different. I've experienced none of the issues you have and apart from routine servicing and a few niggling little problems that have been cheap to remedy, any expenses have been my choice: transmission fluid replaced and some minor bodywork.

Owned a '98 4.2 A8 D2 for several years, barring consumables, servicing (all fluids renewing), elective and MOT suspension replacements etc. It was a wonderful and cheap vehicle to run (in the context of large V8 powered saloon ). I would recommend them any day of the week, and twice on Sunday.

My A8 thread.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=136...

Edited by QuantumTokoloshi on Saturday 6th February 12:22

[0a]

I do fancy a D3 4.2 like Riley Blue's. When I had my D2 I made the mistake of "comparing" it to the w124 and as I like old mercs it inevitably came off worse. Since I sold it I have had plenty of moments where a really comfy, capable v8 4wd saloon would have come in very useful. I drove from Scotland to Wales and back in it in utterly foul weather and it wasn't remotely bothered by the conditions - even in my old cheapo example.

I know think in terms of a multi car fleet and want the capability of an a8 like the one above!

[E65Ross]

W00DY said:

I like that C280 too. I wouldn't buy it, but it's nice.


http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4-0-supercharged-jaguar-...


£1500 of awesome.

Corr blimey that looks nice. So much elegance!

[derin100]

Well, that's the E34 540i gone. Sad to see it go:

http://www.bmwclassics.co.uk/gallery/index.php?spg...

[0a]

derin100 said:

Well, that's the E34 540i gone. Sad to see it go:

http://www.bmwclassics.co.uk/gallery/index.php?spg...

Why did you sell it Derin? I thought it would have been a keeper given the condition/history?

[E24man]

derin100 said:

Well, that's the E34 540i gone. Sad to see it go:

http://www.bmwclassics.co.uk/gallery/index.php?spg...

Time to find another now then

[derin100]

0a said:

derin100 said:

Well, that's the E34 540i gone. Sad to see it go:

http://www.bmwclassics.co.uk/gallery/index.php?spg...

Why did you sell it Derin? I thought it would have been a keeper given the condition/history?

In an ideal World "yes" as I know I'd never find another E34 like that to replace it.

But too many cars...not enough space...not enough time to drive them etc etc.

[derin100]

E24man said:

derin100 said:

Well, that's the E34 540i gone. Sad to see it go:

http://www.bmwclassics.co.uk/gallery/index.php?spg...

Time to find another now then

No but seriously, in addition to the above reasons, I'm not really feeling inspired anymore to do anything else. I can't even think of what I would get even if I had time and space.

[CharlesdeGaulle]

I have spent much of this wet and miserable morning catching-up with 6 days of thread; blimey, we add to it quickly! Some sales, some great purchases, and some lovely cars posted. The barge-team is on fire.

The white XJS, and its purple and very expensive younger brother were particular highlights for me.

Have we seen in-ownership pictures of the MacLaren or the S500 yet?

[0a]

derin100 said:

No but seriously, in addition to the above reasons, I'm not really feeling inspired anymore to do anything else. I can't even think of what I would get even if I had time and space.

A w124 coupe - and membership of the owners club surely Derin?!

[0a]

Let's talk wipers. Halfords don't appear to stock the SL's wiper (I'm looking for the replacement holder and wiper not just the blade) - I take it the w124 one is not the same?

Apologies for picture whoring but I love the look of the r129 when clean and waxed... A pleasant way to start the weekend (oh err!)

[harrykul]

Nothing wrong with that Oa, post to your hearts content.

I thought that they were the same size but I guess they couldn't be due to the shallower screen. I bought my Bosch 129 wiper from eBay iirc

[0a]

harrykul said:

Nothing wrong with that Oa, post to your hearts content.

I thought that they were the same size but I guess they couldn't be due to the shallower screen. I bought my Bosch 129 wiper from eBay iirc

Excellent thanks Harry, I've just done the same and ordered a Bosch from eBay.

[matthias73]

I might be shooting myself in the foot her as I'll be selling her before the end of the year, however this issue I'm having is so peculiar I thought I'd share it with you lot. Barge beards need growth etc.

I've owned my absolute shed of an e39 for over two years now. Bought as a stopgap car when I got back from living abroad and promptly wrote my cherished e46 off whilst being silly, I've somehow not managed to get rid of the old girl yet.

It started about a year ago. Popped in to Tesco, jumped back in the car only to find that nothing worked. Even the locking had to be done manually. You can imagine the sort of flap I was in. I got out the car, went over to the boot to see if the battery had disconnected and opened it up. Hey presto, all the lights came back on the moment I opened the lid. Only, it seemed to have broken the bootcatch and lock. It's an electric catch- I'm sure you all know what it's like. So now the boot will flap up and down when I drive over a particularly sharp bump.

Now here's the interesting bit. The boot seems to have turned itself into a fuse reset switch. Once in a blue moon (happened 6 times in a year), the car will refuse to wake up and for all intents and purposes, just be dead. Then I'll open the boot up and she'll get on with it again. Won't happen when the engine is running-I imagine the alternator just overrides any misbehaviour like that.

The logical answer would just be to fix the boot catch, but where's the fun in that.

[Stegel]

harrykul said:

Nothing wrong with that Oa, post to your hearts content.

I thought that they were the same size but I guess they couldn't be due to the shallower screen. I bought my Bosch 129 wiper from eBay iirc

Genuine Bosch, arrived in about 2 days - http://wiperblades.co.uk/ - £14.98 delivered.

ETA - Curses - too late and cheaper on eBay!

Edited by Stegel on Saturday 6th February 14:00

[edo]

0a said:

Let's talk wipers. Halfords don't appear to stock the SL's wiper (I'm looking for the replacement holder and wiper not just the blade) - I take it the w124 one is not the same?

Apologies for picture whoring but I love the look of the r129 when clean and waxed... A pleasant way to start the weekend (oh err!)

This work? http://www.wiperblades.co.uk/mercedes-benz-sl-year...

[0a]

Stegel said:

Genuine Bosch, arrived in about 2 days - http://wiperblades.co.uk/ - £14.98 delivered.

Damn, had I seen this slightly earlier it would have saved me 51p!

[derin100]

0a said:

derin100 said:

No but seriously, in addition to the above reasons, I'm not really feeling inspired anymore to do anything else. I can't even think of what I would get even if I had time and space.

A w124 coupe - and membership of the owners club surely Derin?!

That reminds me, I do still have my MB club membership.

Somebody at work has been getting free copies of a magazine called "Auto Italia" and then giving them to me. The latest one did a guide to the Ferrari 308. I remember those fondling as one of my best school friend's Dad had two. I remember them brand new and how unbelievably fast they were at the time. I still think they look great.

Not that I could afford one now but thinking ahead that at some stage this latest "bubble" might burst, I had a good read of the article. Trouble is, I can't believe how slow the performance figures now seem? Even my 840Ci Sport is significantly faster... My Z4 3.0Si would leave one for dead!

So, they're too expensive to buy and maintain plus too slow for me.

[golfer19]

GSF have 40% off everything this weekend.
Promo code FEB40.
Might save someone a few quid.

[Krikkit]

GSF's range of quality parts seems to be slimming down of late, I've checked for the usual maintenance bits for 3 of my cars on there (ARB bushes/droplinks/ball joints etc) and it's all the crappy vtech branding!