Best smoker barges 1-5 large [Vol 9]

[Emeye]

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)

.

One of the worst cars I have ever driven was an ex-gf's manual C-class coupe about 10/12 year ago - I can't even remember what engine it was, but it was st - 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!

If anyone is in the market for a small 6 cylinder hatch I would recommend a BMW e46 325ti, preferably a manual but an auto may be more barge like. We had one a few years back and it wad really great.

Aha! I owned an E46 325ti Sport manual about 10 years ago - it was a good car, Top Gear called is a mini M3, but it had a bit of an identity crisis. Couldn't decide if it was a hot-hatch or more bargish. The CDV drove me mad, though it definitely helps the clutch life - either my current E92 325i SE doesn't seem to suffer as much, or after a number of manual BMWs, including an E39 530i Sport, maybe I've just go used to it?

[Krikkit]

Emeye said:

Aha! I owned an E46 325ti Sport manual about 10 years ago - it was a good car, Top Gear called is a mini M3, but it had a bit of an identity crisis. Couldn't decide if it was a hot-hatch or more bargish. The CDV drove me mad, though it definitely helps the clutch life - either my current E92 325i SE doesn't seem to suffer as much, or after a number of manual BMWs, including an E39 530i Sport, maybe I've just go used to it?

I suspect you've got used to it. I have to say that'd be one of the first things I ditched...

[Leins]

CB 987 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...

I think the facelift ended up being badged as a C350, I can't imagine they sold very many! Interestingly they also produced a C32 AMG variant, but this was LHD only.

And Brabus fitted a 6.1L V8 too

[Pennyroyal Tea]

Emeye said:

Aha! I owned an E46 325ti Sport manual about 10 years ago - it was a good car, Top Gear called is a mini M3, but it had a bit of an identity crisis. Couldn't decide if it was a hot-hatch or more bargish. The CDV drove me mad, though it definitely helps the clutch life - either my current E92 325i SE doesn't seem to suffer as much, or after a number of manual BMWs, including an E39 530i Sport, maybe I've just go used to it?

The CDV can be removed and modded in about 10 mins. All that's required is a hammer and a punch to knock out the restrictive disc that sits inside the CDV.

Simples

[SuperHangOn]

charltjr said:

SuperHangOn said:

Only a few hours left but perhaps a good one - being sold by a specialist, 1 PO, 103k and I think I can spot Pirelli boots. The 5 pot diesel is supposedly pretty tough? Cloth though.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/141893824839?ssPageName=...

Wow, £1850 with nine minutes to go. Lucky I'm not in a position to bid or I might get myself into trouble with that one.

Sold for £2016.02!

I think I would have been tempted by that one had I spotted it a few days ago. I just can't bid on an unseen car, learnt my lesson on that one.

[W124]

I always think of a barge as like an actual barge. Big, heavy, slow and basic. That's why I prefer a bare spec 230e over a 300 or 320. Having said that, I've just bought a Lexus RX300. 2001. 80k Only main dealer service history. It's bloody brilliant to be honest. Everything works and not one rattle. It is silent. 3.0 straight six. Seriously impressive it is. Does about 25 to the gallon. Gold. Only flaw is one cracked rear lens. That's it. Excellent tires on it as well. Just had a major service too. It cost not far over the bottom of thread budget. Stoked.

[Krikkit]

SuperHangOn said:

charltjr said:

SuperHangOn said:

Only a few hours left but perhaps a good one - being sold by a specialist, 1 PO, 103k and I think I can spot Pirelli boots. The 5 pot diesel is supposedly pretty tough? Cloth though.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/141893824839?ssPageName=...

Wow, £1850 with nine minutes to go. Lucky I'm not in a position to bid or I might get myself into trouble with that one.

Sold for £2016.02!

I think I would have been tempted by that one had I spotted it a few days ago. I just can't bid on an unseen car, learnt my lesson on that one.

Proper bargain if it's anything like as good as it looks. No leather will put off a lot of people though sadly, me included (with the exception of a 190, which I'd cope).

[SpeckledJim]

W124 said:

I always think of a barge as like an actual barge. Big, heavy, slow and basic. That's why I prefer a bare spec 230e over a 300 or 320. Having said that, I've just bought a Lexus RX300. 2001. 80k Only main dealer service history. It's bloody brilliant to be honest. Everything works and not one rattle. It is silent. 3.0 straight six. Seriously impressive it is. Does about 25 to the gallon. Gold. Only flaw is one cracked rear lens. That's it. Excellent tires on it as well. Just had a major service too. It cost not far over the bottom of thread budget. Stoked.

Sounds a good deal. The RX is compelling as the only sensible choice in that slot, I think. The only cool option is a Range Rover, but god knows there's more than a few reasons not to do that.

Once the RR has been expunged from the list, I think the RX trumps the rest. Perhaps honourable mention for the Grand Cherokee as an interesting and tough option, but nowhere the quality of the RX.

And, of course, it's gold! Of course it bloody is! Did you feel like I do that the staples of Softmint Met and Sinus Infection Pearl clashed with your front door?

[dbdb]

E65Ross said:

olly755 said:

BeirutTaxi said:

W00DY said:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AMERICAN-CLASSIC-CAR-196...

It may not be pretty, but it's cool.

At nearly £7k it's this or a mint E65 V12...

Depends what you'd rather be seen in- a gopping, heaving monstrosity that makes adults stare and kids cry, or a Chrysler.

Quite frankly I'd be utterly embarrassed turning up anywhere in that Chrysler! It's hideous!

It isn't a Chrysler - despite what the advert says - it is an Imperial. To describe it as a Chrysler Imperial is the same as 'Ford Lincoln', Jaguar Daimler', 'VW Audi' - etc. Indeed, the Imperial is further separated: it shared very few common parts with Chrysler at this point - the European cars are much closer related.

I like it. They were a superb car in their day with great depth of capabilities and good crash worthiness - which is why they're now so rare. They were the banger racer's favourite weapon because of this.

[SpeckledJim]

dbdb said:

E65Ross said:

olly755 said:

BeirutTaxi said:

W00DY said:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AMERICAN-CLASSIC-CAR-196...

It may not be pretty, but it's cool.

At nearly £7k it's this or a mint E65 V12...

Depends what you'd rather be seen in- a gopping, heaving monstrosity that makes adults stare and kids cry, or a Chrysler.

Quite frankly I'd be utterly embarrassed turning up anywhere in that Chrysler! It's hideous!

It isn't a Chrysler - despite what the advert says - it is an Imperial. To describe it as a Chrysler Imperial is the same as 'Ford Lincoln', Jaguar Daimler', 'VW Audi' - etc. Indeed, the Imperial is further separated: it shared very few common parts with Chrysler at this point - the European cars are much closer related.

I like it. They were a superb car in their day with great depth of capabilities and good crash worthiness - which is why they're now so rare. They were the banger racer's favourite weapon because of this.

I like it too. I've no idea what I'd actually do with it, but I think it's great fun, very interesting and overall bloody stylish.

The inset headlamps are brill. Stoopid Brill. Which is the best sort.

[bob-lad]

SpeckledJim said:

W00DY said:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AMERICAN-CLASSIC-CAR-196...

It may not be pretty, but it's cool.

I like it too. I've no idea what I'd actually do with it, but I think it's great fun, very interesting and overall bloody stylish.

The inset headlamps are brill. Stoopid Brill. Which is the best sort.

Ahah! So that's where they got the inspiration for the AllAggro's square steering wheel.

[W124]

SpeckledJim said:

W124 said:

I always think of a barge as like an actual barge. Big, heavy, slow and basic. That's why I prefer a bare spec 230e over a 300 or 320. Having said that, I've just bought a Lexus RX300. 2001. 80k Only main dealer service history. It's bloody brilliant to be honest. Everything works and not one rattle. It is silent. 3.0 straight six. Seriously impressive it is. Does about 25 to the gallon. Gold. Only flaw is one cracked rear lens. That's it. Excellent tires on it as well. Just had a major service too. It cost not far over the bottom of thread budget. Stoked.

Sounds a good deal. The RX is compelling as the only sensible choice in that slot, I think. The only cool option is a Range Rover, but god knows there's more than a few reasons not to do that.

Once the RR has been expunged from the list, I think the RX trumps the rest. Perhaps honourable mention for the Grand Cherokee as an interesting and tough option, but nowhere the quality of the RX.

And, of course, it's gold! Of course it bloody is! Did you feel like I do that the staples of Softmint Met and Sinus Infection Pearl clashed with your front door?

I actually wanted 'Gere's Hair' bronze but, alas, it was not to be...

I actually ventured quite far off road in it at the weekend. A friend's farm out near Hereford. At no point did it feel like it might get stuck. Across the farm - stuff we'd normally do in a Land Rover. It was pretty impressive. In utter comfort with heated seats as well. Then moseyed on back on road through Stow utterly stress free. Might be a keeper this one.

[The Big G]

SpeckledJim said:

dbdb said:

E65Ross said:

olly755 said:

BeirutTaxi said:

W00DY said:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AMERICAN-CLASSIC-CAR-196...

It may not be pretty, but it's cool.

At nearly £7k it's this or a mint E65 V12...

Depends what you'd rather be seen in- a gopping, heaving monstrosity that makes adults stare and kids cry, or a Chrysler.

Quite frankly I'd be utterly embarrassed turning up anywhere in that Chrysler! It's hideous!

It isn't a Chrysler - despite what the advert says - it is an Imperial. To describe it as a Chrysler Imperial is the same as 'Ford Lincoln', Jaguar Daimler', 'VW Audi' - etc. Indeed, the Imperial is further separated: it shared very few common parts with Chrysler at this point - the European cars are much closer related.

I like it. They were a superb car in their day with great depth of capabilities and good crash worthiness - which is why they're now so rare. They were the banger racer's favourite weapon because of this.

I like it too. I've no idea what I'd actually do with it, but I think it's great fun, very interesting and overall bloody stylish.

The inset headlamps are brill. Stoopid Brill. Which is the best sort.

That looks like such great fun to waft around in in the summer. Must stay away!

It's a 1963 model year though rather than 62 as advertised. As such the tail lights and grille are different along with other changes. The '62 model year lights look awesome

[dbdb]

The Big G said:

SpeckledJim said:

dbdb said:

E65Ross said:

olly755 said:

BeirutTaxi said:

W00DY said:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AMERICAN-CLASSIC-CAR-196...

It may not be pretty, but it's cool.

At nearly £7k it's this or a mint E65 V12...

Depends what you'd rather be seen in- a gopping, heaving monstrosity that makes adults stare and kids cry, or a Chrysler.

Quite frankly I'd be utterly embarrassed turning up anywhere in that Chrysler! It's hideous!

It isn't a Chrysler - despite what the advert says - it is an Imperial. To describe it as a Chrysler Imperial is the same as 'Ford Lincoln', Jaguar Daimler', 'VW Audi' - etc. Indeed, the Imperial is further separated: it shared very few common parts with Chrysler at this point - the European cars are much closer related.

I like it. They were a superb car in their day with great depth of capabilities and good crash worthiness - which is why they're now so rare. They were the banger racer's favourite weapon because of this.

I like it too. I've no idea what I'd actually do with it, but I think it's great fun, very interesting and overall bloody stylish.

The inset headlamps are brill. Stoopid Brill. Which is the best sort.

That looks like such great fun to waft around in in the summer. Must stay away!

It's a 1963 model year though rather than 62 as advertised. As such the tail lights and grille are different along with other changes. The '62 model year lights look awesome

I noticed that too - it looks to me like a 1963 model with a 1962 boot lid, but I wasn't certain enough without Googling to say.

[Croutons]

Have we had this bargain basement C36? Poss not the best history on it and not showroom worthy but at £3000, who cares !?

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/m...

[bmthnick1981]

CampDavid said:

hornetrider said:

To add two penneth to the what is a barge debate.

Not fking diesels. I've noted a few creeping into Thread. Just... no.

Honestly, I just hate the debate. The term barge is loose. Cracking deals on anything bargy is where it's at for me. I also quite fancy a 4.2 derv A8 next.

Agreed!

[Krikkit]

Croutons said:

Have we had this bargain basement C36? Poss not the best history on it and not showroom worthy but at £3000, who cares !?

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/m...

Looks pretty good, if it's not rusty that's surely a bargain?

[SpeckledJim]

Sadly, because I'm simultaneously fiercely self-conscious and unpleasantly judgemental, I fear my bubbling affection for stoopid Americana (Americaca?) is never going to transmogrify into an actual car.

I love looking at them, imagine I'd love sitting in one, and I'm positive I'd love driving one.

But then you go (in disguise) to a Classic and Sportscar show and blithely wander into the American section. There's nowt as queer as folk, and there's nowt queerer than an Englishman in his Englishman shorts and Englishman camping chair wearing a stetson with a shoe lace round his neck.

They are, seemingly to a man, proper odd. And I really hope they don't know what the confederate flag actually means today, but worry that some of them do.

Thus is the horns of my dilemma. I like what they like (not slavery). They and I are alike (a bit). And though I know it, I cannot be it.

I am a hey-up-yee-ha hybrid. A monster as-yet becloaked.

[bmthnick1981]

Max M4X WW said:

W140 S600 Coupe, Amg Kit, Needs some love and looks like it's been sat since 2008!

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

https://totalcarcheck.co.uk/FreeCheck?regk=M523dgo

Very interesting, certainly worth a look. I love the exterior colour and wheels but the interior colour doesn't quite match / suit IMO. I would prefer dark blue exterior over two tone grey interior - or single tone black interior. The AMG kit is rare. A dealer in Amersham had a black over black one with full AMG kit 6 months or so ago, that was a later car with lower miles and it was up for £14k ish from memory.

Whilst we are on C140 600's this has surfaced again recently;

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rare-1996-Mercedes-S600-...

Sold recently at Poole auction for £5750 + Fees. Previously for sale with dealer in Derby IIRC for approx £9-10k.

I do wonder if the market is now waking up to these and if good ones might be £10k cars soon. I hope so.... (biased).

[S3_Graham]

On the American theme. I want this badly. It's been for sale for months and is getting cheaper and cheaper. I'd leave every junction in a cloud of smoke. Its so st it's cool.

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C666319