Best smoker barges 1-5 large [vol11]

[BigBen]

bmthnick1981 said:

I'm having one of these one day, just to sample the engine and so that I can tick Cadillac off the list.

I had one for about a week as a rental on a trip to the US, it wasn't too bad and cruised nicely at the rental spec 111mph limiter.

[0a]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Bloody hell!

[E65Ross]

hornetrider said:

E65Ross said:

How are you doing anyway HR? Are you also bargeless at the moment?

Good thanks mate and yourself?

Yes I am without barge in the traditional sense for the remainder of my cheapo lease. In a 16 plate Passat Alltrack. It's a fine car in many ways, sadly engine and drivetrain not so much, although I won't bore the thread as to why

The good news is I have the cash from the E61 accumulating a bit ready to go when the lease is up, so will be back in something worthy at some point!

Yeah all good thanks. Nothing much to report....No news is good news, as they say

[LayZ]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Criminally under-valued right now. Would buy one like a shot if I fit it in it (6'7")

All the tat in Octane that is £50k+, and that SL, one of the best 20th century designs is just over 3 grand. Amazing.

[nobrakes]

I'll have this one please:

4.2 V8 A6 SE Avant

2006. 109k FASH
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

For as much value that it is as a guide: 0-60 6.2 according to the autotrader spec.

[irfan1712]

posted this e39 a few pages back

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

originally up for £4.5k and has now been reduced to something a bit better to look at without laughing.

talking of laughing, what i be a fool to chop in an E92 320D M sport in Le Mans blue (130k miles) for an e39? cheaper car, money in my pocket and i 'assume' the e39 is a much more comfy mile eater. i dont get on with the manual in my 3 and so id like an auto. i would just drive this into the ground if i had it as i do 16/17k a year. not sure how long it would last if its starting at 160k though

[Krikkit]

I'd say as a (literal) smoker to have a managed retreat from while doing a few miles that'd be a very convincing prospect. I'm sure another beard will be along to advise shortly on the diesel-specific issues, but general E39 is rust, rust, rust (sills, arches, boot), and cooling system.

For that kind of money, and requiring a wafty diesel saloon, I'd also have a look at a W220 or W211 320, a 9-5 2.2, Volvo S80 D5.

Edited by Krikkit on Tuesday 24th January 12:30

[Stegel]

irfan1712 said:

posted this e39 a few pages back

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

originally up for £4.5k and has now been reduced to something a bit better to look at without laughing.

talking of laughing, what i be a fool to chop in an E92 320D M sport in Le Mans blue (130k miles) for an e39? cheaper car, money in my pocket and i 'assume' the e39 is a much more comfy mile eater. i dont get on with the manual in my 3 and so id like an auto. i would just drive this into the ground if i had it as i do 16/17k a year. not sure how long it would last if its starting at 160k though

A colleague has an 03 plate 525 diesel manual E39 which last time I asked was on about 280k miles. It still goes to the main dealer for services, and as he has a 120 mile daily commute it gets there quite often. I know he's had swirl flaps in the inlet manifold done as a precaution, but no idea what else. He bought a far higher spec E39 530 diesel auto estate last year, but that seems to be parked up in reserve and I think he's enjoying seeing how far he can take the 525.

[irfan1712]

Krikkit said:

I'd say as a (literal) smoker to have a managed retreat from while doing a few miles that'd be a very convincing prospect. I'm sure another beard will be along to advise shortly on the diesel-specific issues, but general E39 is rust, rust, rust (sills, arches, boot), and cooling system.

For that kind of money, and requiring a wafty diesel saloon, I'd also have a look at a W220 or W211 320, a 9-5 2.2, Volvo S80 D5.

Edited by Krikkit on Tuesday 24th January 12:30

fair! From what i read they have the usual swirl flap issues too, so at that mileage if it hasnt been done then id just steer clear really. ive looked at the W220, quite like them actually. i have the e92 to part ex, its part ex price is about 4.5k.. dont want to put more money on top of that if i can help as its purely for slugging up and down the Mways but id chuck 500 in for something nicer.

been looking at high mileage 730d, A8, e0 520/530s too. i just cant blinking decide.

[Lowtimer]

Krikkit said:

I'd say as a (literal) smoker to have a managed retreat from while doing a few miles that'd be a very convincing prospect. I'm sure another beard will be along to advise shortly on the diesel-specific issues, but general E39 is rust, rust, rust (sills, arches, boot), and cooling system.

And for autos, the auto transmissions, any time from about 120K miles onwards, unless they've been properly serviced, which almost none of them have, as BMW left it out of the service schedule: "Sealed for life" fallacy.

[The Slug Of Doom]

irfan1712 said:

Krikkit said:

I'd say as a (literal) smoker to have a managed retreat from while doing a few miles that'd be a very convincing prospect. I'm sure another beard will be along to advise shortly on the diesel-specific issues, but general E39 is rust, rust, rust (sills, arches, boot), and cooling system.

For that kind of money, and requiring a wafty diesel saloon, I'd also have a look at a W220 or W211 320, a 9-5 2.2, Volvo S80 D5.

Edited by Krikkit on Tuesday 24th January 12:30

fair! From what i read they have the usual swirl flap issues too, so at that mileage if it hasnt been done then id just steer clear really. ive looked at the W220, quite like them actually. i have the e92 to part ex, its part ex price is about 4.5k.. dont want to put more money on top of that if i can help as its purely for slugging up and down the Mways but id chuck 500 in for something nicer.

been looking at high mileage 730d, A8, e0 520/530s too. i just cant blinking decide.

I would leave the Saab 9-5 diesel well alone (especially the asthmatic 2.2).

It is all down to how much you wish to spend.

Under £3k - find a really nice Euro III 2.4 D5 Volvo (that means up to a '55 plate I think).
An S60 or S80 with all the toys (Dynaudio stereo is awesome) would be difficult to beat.
Especially with a remap (and an improved intercooler)
50mpg all day long and nigh on indestructible (as long as you do oil changes nice and regularly).

The Euro 4 engine gained the DPF, swirl flaps and all the other emission improvement stuff that hammered economy and did not do so well for reliability either.

Oh and the earlier one has the most ridiculously comfortable seats!

Under £5k - A8 4.0 diesel with comprehensive service history to ensure scary bits are sorted (and there are a few...).
The 4.2 diesels are not really in this realm unless they have some serious mileage.

While the Mercedes 320 CDI is good (for a soot chucker), you will have build quality that is simply not as good as the other 2 and a much increased risk of rust.

As for the 730d, not one I can comment on.

Of course you could just go buy an LS400, save yourself a load of cash and waft around in near silence until fossil fuels ran out as that is more likely to happen before one of these dies on you if it has been well maintained!

[Krikkit]

The post-facelift W220's are much improved (53-plate on iirc). W210's with the I6 diesel are well rated by this crew as well I think.

E65 730d is an option of course if you don't mind looking at big cars.

[The Slug Of Doom]

Krikkit said:

The post-facelift W220's are much improved (53-plate on iirc). W210's with the I6 diesel are well rated by this crew as well I think.

E65 730d is an option of course if you don't mind looking at big cars.

Having reviewed previous volumes I was wondering if discussion of the merits of diesel powered barges here would result in the online equivalent of ex-communication from the aforementioned "crew"?

[bob-lad]

Like the 190, I think there's a niche exception in the form of V8 diesels.

And if not, there should be. The 4.4 V8 in the FFRR is a hoot, and one day in a galaxy far, far away will (hopefully) fall into budget.

[Krikkit]

I think a brief foray is tolerated once in a while, with normal service being quickly resumed, preferably with a penitence for the diversion.

As such, how's this LS400? I like the colours (green leather, natch), and do those wheels signify DHP? Needs a good haggle, but a nice-looking thing anyway. http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

[Motorrad]

A speedy mini-estate for just over thread budget? Manual box for less bork potential. Interior looks a little grubby, shame it wasn't specced in full 'Disaster Area' black on black by the original owner (Haggunenon spec for those of us of who prefer the radio series)





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

[JF87]

We've had this mob-spec 600 on before, but I think the listing has since been updated with photos showing the reg etc. I've thus just checked the MOT history - 95k miles and not a single advisory in 10 years! At £4k it has to be worth a look. I don't even mind the wheels (though the originals are included).





http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C601598

[irfan1712]

The Slug Of Doom said:

irfan1712 said:

Krikkit said:

I'd say as a (literal) smoker to have a managed retreat from while doing a few miles that'd be a very convincing prospect. I'm sure another beard will be along to advise shortly on the diesel-specific issues, but general E39 is rust, rust, rust (sills, arches, boot), and cooling system.

For that kind of money, and requiring a wafty diesel saloon, I'd also have a look at a W220 or W211 320, a 9-5 2.2, Volvo S80 D5.

Edited by Krikkit on Tuesday 24th January 12:30

fair! From what i read they have the usual swirl flap issues too, so at that mileage if it hasnt been done then id just steer clear really. ive looked at the W220, quite like them actually. i have the e92 to part ex, its part ex price is about 4.5k.. dont want to put more money on top of that if i can help as its purely for slugging up and down the Mways but id chuck 500 in for something nicer.

been looking at high mileage 730d, A8, e0 520/530s too. i just cant blinking decide.

I would leave the Saab 9-5 diesel well alone (especially the asthmatic 2.2).

It is all down to how much you wish to spend.

Under £3k - find a really nice Euro III 2.4 D5 Volvo (that means up to a '55 plate I think).
An S60 or S80 with all the toys (Dynaudio stereo is awesome) would be difficult to beat.
Especially with a remap (and an improved intercooler)
50mpg all day long and nigh on indestructible (as long as you do oil changes nice and regularly).

The Euro 4 engine gained the DPF, swirl flaps and all the other emission improvement stuff that hammered economy and did not do so well for reliability either.

Oh and the earlier one has the most ridiculously comfortable seats!

Under £5k - A8 4.0 diesel with comprehensive service history to ensure scary bits are sorted (and there are a few...).
The 4.2 diesels are not really in this realm unless they have some serious mileage.

While the Mercedes 320 CDI is good (for a soot chucker), you will have build quality that is simply not as good as the other 2 and a much increased risk of rust.

As for the 730d, not one I can comment on.

Of course you could just go buy an LS400, save yourself a load of cash and waft around in near silence until fossil fuels ran out as that is more likely to happen before one of these dies on you if it has been well maintained!

thanks for that. being brutally honest, the volvos do nothing for me. its just not something id consider looking at!

An A8 (D3 and facelift) fits the bill perfectly, there are a few high mile examples floating around 5.5 / 6k, but they all seemt o be with backstreet geeza garages which puts me off. From whati read, the 4.0 A8 is to be avoided due to the agricultural 4.0? or is that not the case?

regarding the E class, i have looked at CLS too. i went to see one this weekend which is local to me (£5,700 on ebay and AT) and it was a proper dog. 10 seconds looking at it and i thought nah, cosmetically it was tired and the miles were evident.

i dont really want to run a petrol. i have a c63 as guzzler so the sensible (ish!) choice needs to get me through the week up and down the m4. if i did go cheap petrol and pocket the change i would hop into a W140, like above, just because! pitty they didnt make a diesel.

[anonymous-user]

bob-lad said:

The 4.4 V8 in the FFRR is a hoot, and one day in a galaxy far, far away will (hopefully) fall into budget.

Very disappointed they didn't fit this engine to the XJ.

[Biglips]

nobrakes said:

I'll have this one please:

4.2 V8 A6 SE Avant

2006. 109k FASH
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

For as much value that it is as a guide: 0-60 6.2 according to the autotrader spec.

This has been on before. I am quite taken by it but know nothing about Audis. What do the Audi experts here make of this one?