Best smoker barges 1-5 large [Vol 10]

[JF87]

Must guiltily confess I've always quite liked Vectra estates: nice and big, no-nonsense square arse. 3.2 Elite, decent grunt, OK toys, cheap tax. That £999 example looks a cracking buy.

[Jodyone]

0a said:

Er, well, yes. It started instantly, and the lights were reflected in the fence opposite, and yes the switch was turned to on. Anyway.

Does it not do that NNAAAAAAARRRR sound that other Mercs do when you open the door with the lights on?! Freaks me out every time... (without it I'd be screwed though)

[BlueMR2]

JF87 said:

Must guiltily confess I've always quite liked Vectra estates: nice and big, no-nonsense square arse. 3.2 Elite, decent grunt, OK toys, cheap tax. That £999 example looks a cracking buy.

Nothing else bar an S210 seems to have the boot space, pretty much everything has a slanted rear door/roof.

Does everyone think i should get something like this then?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2001-Y-REG-VOLVO-V70-XC-...

[0a]

Jodyone said:

0a said:

Er, well, yes. It started instantly, and the lights were reflected in the fence opposite, and yes the switch was turned to on. Anyway.

Does it not do that NNAAAAAAARRRR sound that other Mercs do when you open the door with the lights on?! Freaks me out every time... (without it I'd be screwed though)

Yes.

I think I've started a weird regime since I got the 190 (massive steering wheel, hand operated handbrake) - stop, handbrake, get out and quickly close door. Brain must have missed the buzz with the w124. I actually tested this earlier!

The w124 really is like an old comfortable friend - far more refined than the 190. It handles better when you thrash it as well.

[anonymous-user]

BlueMR2 said:

Nothing else bar an S210 seems to have the boot space, pretty much everything has a slanted rear door/roof.

Does everyone think i should get something like this then?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2001-Y-REG-VOLVO-V70-XC-...

Things I wouldn't touch when buying a Volvo:

Early P2 models that have ETM issues (check)
Early P2 models with a geartronic gearbox (check)
Early P2 models with the ancient VW diesel engine (missed one!)
Pre 2005 P2 models with AWD system (check)
XC models with the faded grey trim that makes them look ancient and scruffy (check)

Unless you absolutely, positively MUST have AWD I'd get a regular V70.

[BlueMR2]

Or maybe go a little more old school.

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

[cat220]

BlueMR2 said:

Nothing else bar an S210 seems to have the boot space, pretty much everything has a slanted rear door/roof.

Does everyone think i should get something like this then?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2001-Y-REG-VOLVO-V70-XC-...

P1 v70 has all the space you'll ever need, same applies to earlier 850/940 and 740. All great cars! As is the 210.

[0a]

I was going to book a flight for next weekend but I will take the w124 - as it has been inactive a good 1,100 miles in a weekend will be useful before the next service! I can't wait.

[Bonefish Blues]

dme123 said:

BlueMR2 said:

Nothing else bar an S210 seems to have the boot space, pretty much everything has a slanted rear door/roof.

Does everyone think i should get something like this then?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2001-Y-REG-VOLVO-V70-XC-...

Things I wouldn't touch when buying a Volvo:

Early P2 models that have ETM issues (check)
Early P2 models with a geartronic gearbox (check)
Early P2 models with the ancient VW diesel engine (missed one!)
Pre 2005 P2 models with AWD system (check)
XC models with the faded grey trim that makes them look ancient and scruffy (check)

Unless you absolutely, positively MUST have AWD I'd get a regular V70.

Is the correct answer. A wander around Volvoforum will assist

[defblade]

BlueMR2 said:

What do people think of Vectra Estates?

I'm after something with alot of room in the back like a S210 Merc without the chronic rust problems.

Considered an Audi A6 Avant (or even a 100!)?

Big and square; huge and van like with the back seats down, mine shrugged off everything a house renovation could throw at it and turned back into a very nice car as soon as you put the seats back up.

Available in many engine sizes, Wrong or All WD, and at just about any price point you care to mention from knackered old 100-shape up to brand spanking new.

[W00DY]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1995-E34-BMW-540i-6-spee...

ad said:

fitted with the 6 speed manual gearbox last year by well known BMW specialists Fritz's Bits in Wellington at a cost of £4,000.

Ouch.

[SimonConnell]

dme123 said:

Things I wouldn't touch when buying a Volvo:

Early P2 models with the ancient VW diesel engine (missed one!)

Just to defend the VW engine. It is noisy, agricultural and not 'fast' but it's adequately powered to haul the V70 (plus children, animals and miscellaneous cargo) around, and very reliable and longlived.

[0a]

W00DY said:

Ouch.

Phoor! 540, manual, 83k and black leather.

Bets as to where it will end? £6k?

[TheLordJohn]

0a said:

Phoor! 540, manual, 83k and black leather.

Bets as to where it will end? £6k?

Perhaps closer to 5, unless 2 folk really want it.
Lovely motor though, good find.

[BlueMR2]

dme123 said:

BlueMR2 said:

Nothing else bar an S210 seems to have the boot space, pretty much everything has a slanted rear door/roof.

Does everyone think i should get something like this then?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2001-Y-REG-VOLVO-V70-XC-...

Things I wouldn't touch when buying a Volvo:

Early P2 models that have ETM issues (check)
Early P2 models with a geartronic gearbox (check)
Early P2 models with the ancient VW diesel engine (missed one!)
Pre 2005 P2 models with AWD system (check)
XC models with the faded grey trim that makes them look ancient and scruffy (check)

Unless you absolutely, positively MUST have AWD I'd get a regular V70.

Basically, that was the first xx70 on ebay to link to.

I was going to mention the nasty rover streetwise plastic, not nice.

The other one i posted is actually quite close and the price is nice, not sure what the close up of the engine bay is showing?

But that boot and with the rear seats down.

[E65Ross]

W00DY said:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1995-E34-BMW-540i-6-spee...

ad said:

fitted with the 6 speed manual gearbox last year by well known BMW specialists Fritz's Bits in Wellington at a cost of £4,000.

Ouch.

Used to get my old E21 serviced by fritz's bits!

[S3_Graham]

TheLordJohn said:

0a said:

Phoor! 540, manual, 83k and black leather.

Bets as to where it will end? £6k?

Perhaps closer to 5, unless 2 folk really want it.
Lovely motor though, good find.

Obviously looks a nice example and has had thousands spent on it but the seller has been sniffing glue. Been for sale for ages. Started at 10k, then 8995, last week 7995 now on eBay. For me a converted manual still isn't as good as a proper factory manual. Id be very surprised if they let it go for £5k though 5-6 is probably what it's worth!

[r129sl]

E65Ross said:

W00DY said:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1995-E34-BMW-540i-6-spee...

ad said:

fitted with the 6 speed manual gearbox last year by well known BMW specialists Fritz's Bits in Wellington at a cost of £4,000.

Ouch.

Used to get my old E21 serviced by fritz's bits!

That 540i is parked in a posh car park. What's that in the background? A RR Silver Dawn?

[E65Ross]

r129sl said:

E65Ross said:

W00DY said:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1995-E34-BMW-540i-6-spee...

ad said:

fitted with the 6 speed manual gearbox last year by well known BMW specialists Fritz's Bits in Wellington at a cost of £4,000.

Ouch.

Used to get my old E21 serviced by fritz's bits!

That 540i is parked in a posh car park. What's that in the background? A RR Silver Dawn?

Wraith I think

[Croutons]

0a said:

W00DY said:

Ouch.

Phoor! 540, manual, 83k and black leather.

Bets as to where it will end? £6k?

Was it an auto first though?

Not sure I could cope with a seller who uses the phrase "firm and crisp" twice in a single advert tbh.