Best smoker barges 1-5 large [Vol 9]
Discussion
There's nothing quite as dull as a bunch of blokes arguing over definitions is there? However, my take:
The boundaries have always been flexible here, and that is what makes this thread great. In some ways, I feel that it's rather outgrown its title as it has evolved, and it's all the better for it. I like seeing really special cars posted that completely blow the budget - purple XJS, I'm thinking about you - and I like seeing more ordinary stuff well within budget.
For me the thread is simply about nice examples of interesting cars, priced (very) roughly between 1-5.
In sum, an omni-thread; bring it on.
The boundaries have always been flexible here, and that is what makes this thread great. In some ways, I feel that it's rather outgrown its title as it has evolved, and it's all the better for it. I like seeing really special cars posted that completely blow the budget - purple XJS, I'm thinking about you - and I like seeing more ordinary stuff well within budget.
For me the thread is simply about nice examples of interesting cars, priced (very) roughly between 1-5.
In sum, an omni-thread; bring it on.
CharlesdeGaulle said:
For me the thread is simply about nice examples of interesting cars, priced (very) roughly between 1-5.
Oh good, because I've been thinking about buying one of these and don't know where else to express myself 
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/m...
Emeye said:
279 said:
0a said:
I didn't know there was a 320 version of these little C-Class Coupes. Seems good for under £2k and 72k miles. http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
Another car to highlight why the definition of a "barge" is so muddy.Relatively Large Engine? Check
Auto? Check
Decent Spec? Check
Premium Brand? Check
Barge? Not even close (IMO)
.
t - really bad - rattly, rusty, terrible gearbox - it was also the first Mercedes I had ever driven myself - up until then my main experience of Mercs was as really impressive taxis on holiday. The c-class coupe must be the ultimate low for Mercedes.It almost put me off Mercs for life!
edo said:
BrabusMog said:
0a said:
The ride height looks a bit funny on that one. Interior looks tidy enough, though.
edo said:
Krikkit said:
Also has a fake S8 badge on the back if my eyes don't deceive.
Correct. As well as a blacked out Audi logo on the nose. I'm OOT!Naff badging a minor '!', suspension probably dropped for 'da look' but might be easily reversible (or might not...). You could do a lot worse for £3K.
FredClogs said:
Oh good, because I've been thinking about buying one of these and don't know where else to express myself
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/m...
Horrible little cars.http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/m...
Fine if you like your fillings to be shaken loose and your head hitting the roof.
bmthnick1981 said:
Emeye said:
279 said:
0a said:
I didn't know there was a 320 version of these little C-Class Coupes. Seems good for under £2k and 72k miles. http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
Another car to highlight why the definition of a "barge" is so muddy.Relatively Large Engine? Check
Auto? Check
Decent Spec? Check
Premium Brand? Check
Barge? Not even close (IMO)
.t - really bad - rattly, rusty, terrible gearbox - it was also the first Mercedes I had ever driven myself - up until then my main experience of Mercs was as really impressive taxis on holiday. The c-class coupe must be the ultimate low for Mercedes.It almost put me off Mercs for life!
I'm generally a MB man but the W203 was a low point for Mercedes IMO and the C203 was the worst of the lot. It is only trumped by the W168 but at least that car serves it's intended purpose well despite being very un-Mercedes like.
Riley Blue said:
edo said:
Krikkit said:
Also has a fake S8 badge on the back if my eyes don't deceive.
Correct. As well as a blacked out Audi logo on the nose. I'm OOT!Naff badging a minor '!', suspension probably dropped for 'da look' but might be easily reversible (or might not...). You could do a lot worse for £3K.
bmthnick1981 said:
Emeye said:
279 said:
0a said:
I didn't know there was a 320 version of these little C-Class Coupes. Seems good for under £2k and 72k miles. http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
Another car to highlight why the definition of a "barge" is so muddy.Relatively Large Engine? Check
Auto? Check
Decent Spec? Check
Premium Brand? Check
Barge? Not even close (IMO)
.t - really bad - rattly, rusty, terrible gearbox - it was also the first Mercedes I had ever driven myself - up until then my main experience of Mercs was as really impressive taxis on holiday. The c-class coupe must be the ultimate low for Mercedes.It almost put me off Mercs for life!
The trouble now is that about a year or so ago they started a track racing category for just such cars (I'm not sure what it's called) and so since lots of them get bought up for this and hence their availability has massively dwindled.
derin100 said:
That is if you can find a decent manual one now! Some years ago I used to take my E30 M3 to a local and well-known E30 M3 expert. He had an E46 325ti himself and reckoned they were really good and the closet thing to driving a more modern E30 M3 at the time.
The trouble now is that about a year or so ago they started a track racing category for just such cars (I'm not sure what it's called) and so since lots of them get bought up for this and hence their availability has massively dwindled.
17 of them on eBay at a quick search. The trouble now is that about a year or so ago they started a track racing category for just such cars (I'm not sure what it's called) and so since lots of them get bought up for this and hence their availability has massively dwindled.
Most look barried or run into the ground but a couple of nice looking ones.
More money than I was expecting though for a decent one.
V12 AMG said:
derin100 said:
That is if you can find a decent manual one now! Some years ago I used to take my E30 M3 to a local and well-known E30 M3 expert. He had an E46 325ti himself and reckoned they were really good and the closet thing to driving a more modern E30 M3 at the time.
The trouble now is that about a year or so ago they started a track racing category for just such cars (I'm not sure what it's called) and so since lots of them get bought up for this and hence their availability has massively dwindled.
17 of them on eBay at a quick search. The trouble now is that about a year or so ago they started a track racing category for just such cars (I'm not sure what it's called) and so since lots of them get bought up for this and hence their availability has massively dwindled.
Most look barried or run into the ground but a couple of nice looking ones.
More money than I was expecting though for a decent one.
Krikkit said:
V12 AMG said:
derin100 said:
That is if you can find a decent manual one now! Some years ago I used to take my E30 M3 to a local and well-known E30 M3 expert. He had an E46 325ti himself and reckoned they were really good and the closet thing to driving a more modern E30 M3 at the time.
The trouble now is that about a year or so ago they started a track racing category for just such cars (I'm not sure what it's called) and so since lots of them get bought up for this and hence their availability has massively dwindled.
17 of them on eBay at a quick search. The trouble now is that about a year or so ago they started a track racing category for just such cars (I'm not sure what it's called) and so since lots of them get bought up for this and hence their availability has massively dwindled.
Most look barried or run into the ground but a couple of nice looking ones.
More money than I was expecting though for a decent one.
Krikkit said:
Are they barge-like, or a genuinely good steer to point down a B-road? Strongly considering one in the next 6 months.
A well set up E46 Compact on fresh suspension is an good B road thing. Mine was only a 4-cly diesel for tax purposes but it was very communicative, predictable and grippy, with enough absorption and wheel travel to soak up the lumps and bumps of a B-road. I was on 16" wheels, wouldn;t go any bigger than 17" at the maximum and 16" probably better on the generally prevailing potholed, frost-heaved, crumbled-surface B.QuantumTokoloshi said:
E65Ross said:
MOT time for the barge soon, booked in for a fortnight.... Fingers crossed for it! Not had a car fail an MOT.... Yet!
You should have never typed that, the barge gods will not take kindly to being challenged ! 
V12 AMG said:
FredClogs said:
Oh good, because I've been thinking about buying one of these and don't know where else to express myself
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/m...
Horrible little cars.http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/m...
Fine if you like your fillings to be shaken loose and your head hitting the roof.
Swapped for a E91 near barge 330i touring M-sport which I love and wish I'd done so a long time ago.
Lowtimer said:
Krikkit said:
Are they barge-like, or a genuinely good steer to point down a B-road? Strongly considering one in the next 6 months.
A well set up E46 Compact on fresh suspension is an good B road thing. Mine was only a 4-cly diesel for tax purposes but it was very communicative, predictable and grippy, with enough absorption and wheel travel to soak up the lumps and bumps of a B-road. I was on 16" wheels, wouldn;t go any bigger than 17" at the maximum and 16" probably better on the generally prevailing potholed, frost-heaved, crumbled-surface B.bmthnick1981 said:
I had a manual in sport spec and it was not barge like at all. The all have a Z3 steering rack so are very direct on turn in. The straight six sounds good and the shorter chassis makes it feel very nimble.
Thanks both, will definitely try one as a replacement for my Clio 172. It would be a manual with sport spec that I'd be looking at.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff