Best smoker barges 1-5 large [vol11]
Discussion
derin100 said:
It's also quite big? I thought there was limited space?
Also, if you study their cars, as I have done recently for other reasons, they don't sell their cars "cheap". I'm not saying they're not worth it but just be aware.
Finally, you say along the lines of "...only a 280 or 320SL?" as if maybe their performance is lacking for what you seek? But then there isn't really a 'normal', non-AMG CE that could match an SL320.
I've had both 280 and 320 SLs. Even the 280 wasn't exactly 'slow' it just needed to work a bit harder engine-wise than I might have preferred in an SL. The SL320 was perfectly good and didn't feel slow at all.
That said, you're not going to get a half-decent SL at mid-thread budget...but I don't think you'll get a half-decent CE at mid-thread budget price either.
No the S class is definitely much bigger and more expensive than what I'm after, just hadn't seen one before and spotted it when looking at CL420s. I really have no idea what I'm after, which is the main problem. Also, if you study their cars, as I have done recently for other reasons, they don't sell their cars "cheap". I'm not saying they're not worth it but just be aware.
Finally, you say along the lines of "...only a 280 or 320SL?" as if maybe their performance is lacking for what you seek? But then there isn't really a 'normal', non-AMG CE that could match an SL320.
I've had both 280 and 320 SLs. Even the 280 wasn't exactly 'slow' it just needed to work a bit harder engine-wise than I might have preferred in an SL. The SL320 was perfectly good and didn't feel slow at all.
That said, you're not going to get a half-decent SL at mid-thread budget...but I don't think you'll get a half-decent CE at mid-thread budget price either.
Also the parking issue isn't so much space it's more I don't want something I've put a lot in to sat on the side of the road/having to store it at my parents in the week to avoid the risk of it being damaged, although I'm not expecting something pristine for what I want to spend.
I'd honestly be quite happy with something like an E46 328/330ci or even a 9-3 Aero, I'd just prefer a 124 or 140 but I don't want to spend enough to get a good one and and not be able to store it accordingly.
derin100 said:
Scottsz said:
Suggestions please - I have a daily V70, weekend/warm day daily triumph trophy, but I feel something is missing, weekend car with space for two adults and a two year old? Nothing too fancy as no drive space, up to a few grand?
Mercedes R129?Couple of CL's were mentioned a few pages back, big cars though.
A nice Volvo C70 t5 convertible might be worth a look.
derin100 said:
No...but it was a lovely car that I owned for over 7 years. I've actually been offered that car back on two separate occasions since I sold it...which must be approaching 10 years ago? Once, I could have had it back for £2300! Time has moved on since then though...
I'm not sure if the vendor was aware (I've told him now) that I had Eibach and Bilstein suspension fitted to that car not long before I sold it. It was quite a costly exercise at the time as the front top-mounts had to be changed and the correct ones were only available direct from BMW in Munich. However, it totally transformed that car for the better. The ride wasn't adversely affected but it just eliminated the standard really wallowy feel of an E32 and actually made it more comfortable, reassuring to drive at speed and handle really well for such a big car. The ride height wasn't noticeably altered either but it did eliminate that somewhat 'nose-up' stance of the E32 when travelling along.
I once saw 145 mph on the speedo in that car...allegedly, Your Honour!
Those aren't its original or correct wheels on it now. The correct ones are/were actually the ones in my pics here:
http://www.bmwclassics.co.uk/gallery/index.php?spg...
It really, really was a nice car.
0a said:
anonymous said:
[redacted]
I think you are right here cmoose. But so is r129. I'm of the opinion that overpaying for old mercs is a false economy - they all need the wings sorting, a respray, and all suspension conponents replaced. Merc engines of this era are fine at 50k or 250k. I've never had a problem there. I have 10 days of holiday to take in march. I might drive over to Eastern Europe rather than flying - I will take the w124 as it has the highest reliability factor of all my cars.
If you have time, why on earth would you fly? People tell us all the time that we're mad to be driving to wherever it is we happen to be going and I always feel like the fliers are the mad ones. First, flying is incredibly dangerous. Now, I know the odds. But in a car accident (touch wood) you wake up in a hospital: when it goes wrong in an aeroplane, you get 90 seconds to mull over how you're not going to be waking up at all.
Second, airports are the most hideous places on earth (with apologies to Oa). They're like shopping centres without laws. Really expensive car parks with a runway attached. Why do people drink beer at 6am because they are in an airport? Fizzy, cold, horrid, £6-a-pint beer? And all of that herding and queuing and paying and having to do what you're told. It is like they try to make airports unpleasant.
But third, most importantly, when you drive you embark upon a journey. You experience a changing landscape. You have a sense of time and space and distance and speed. You pass through places you have read about, learned about, seen on the map, perhaps places where important event once took place or where some historical personage was born or married or lived or died or all those things. You eat what you want when you want. You can change your mind, go a different way, turn back and not go at all. You can listen to whatever music you want. You can talk, or not; without having to listen to some stranger's clap-trap. There is no better way to travel, with the possible exception of the sleeper train.
cat220 said:
As other have now mentioned you won't get an anywhere decent 129 for mod thread budget, even if you could its only lap belts in the rear.
Couple of CL's were mentioned a few pages back, big cars though.
A nice Volvo C70 t5 convertible might be worth a look.
3-point belts can be fitted in the rear of a 129.Couple of CL's were mentioned a few pages back, big cars though.
A nice Volvo C70 t5 convertible might be worth a look.
http://www.quickfitsbs.com/gallery_mercedes.php
C70s are very cheap, and the 2.4GTs much more plentiful than the T5s.
r129sl said:
Modern cars are definitely being designed and sold as disposable commodities. Fair enough, I suppose, although not very enviro.
If you have time, why on earth would you fly? People tell us all the time that we're mad to be driving to wherever it is we happen to be going and I always feel like the fliers are the mad ones. First, flying is incredibly dangerous. Now, I know the odds. But in a car accident (touch wood) you wake up in a hospital: when it goes wrong in an aeroplane, you get 90 seconds to mull over how you're not going to be waking up at all.
Second, airports are the most hideous places on earth (with apologies to Oa). They're like shopping centres without laws. Really expensive car parks with a runway attached. Why do people drink beer at 6am because they are in an airport? Fizzy, cold, horrid, £6-a-pint beer? And all of that herding and queuing and paying and having to do what you're told. It is like they try to make airports unpleasant.
But third, most importantly, when you drive you embark upon a journey. You experience a changing landscape. You have a sense of time and space and distance and speed. You pass through places you have read about, learned about, seen on the map, perhaps places where important event once took place or where some historical personage was born or married or lived or died or all those things. You eat what you want when you want. You can change your mind, go a different way, turn back and not go at all. You can listen to whatever music you want. You can talk, or not; without having to listen to some stranger's clap-trap. There is no better way to travel, with the possible exception of the sleeper train.
All very well and good pal, but have you ever tried to drive from North Dorset to Orlando FL? If you have time, why on earth would you fly? People tell us all the time that we're mad to be driving to wherever it is we happen to be going and I always feel like the fliers are the mad ones. First, flying is incredibly dangerous. Now, I know the odds. But in a car accident (touch wood) you wake up in a hospital: when it goes wrong in an aeroplane, you get 90 seconds to mull over how you're not going to be waking up at all.
Second, airports are the most hideous places on earth (with apologies to Oa). They're like shopping centres without laws. Really expensive car parks with a runway attached. Why do people drink beer at 6am because they are in an airport? Fizzy, cold, horrid, £6-a-pint beer? And all of that herding and queuing and paying and having to do what you're told. It is like they try to make airports unpleasant.
But third, most importantly, when you drive you embark upon a journey. You experience a changing landscape. You have a sense of time and space and distance and speed. You pass through places you have read about, learned about, seen on the map, perhaps places where important event once took place or where some historical personage was born or married or lived or died or all those things. You eat what you want when you want. You can change your mind, go a different way, turn back and not go at all. You can listen to whatever music you want. You can talk, or not; without having to listen to some stranger's clap-trap. There is no better way to travel, with the possible exception of the sleeper train.
In all seriousness I'm with you. We are planning a little break up in the Highlands in the summer. O/H wants to plane it and rent a car, I'm all for driving.. hopefully in a 190!!
Bonefish Blues said:
cat220 said:
As other have now mentioned you won't get an anywhere decent 129 for mod thread budget, even if you could its only lap belts in the rear.
Couple of CL's were mentioned a few pages back, big cars though.
A nice Volvo C70 t5 convertible might be worth a look.
3-point belts can be fitted in the rear of a 129.Couple of CL's were mentioned a few pages back, big cars though.
A nice Volvo C70 t5 convertible might be worth a look.
http://www.quickfitsbs.com/gallery_mercedes.php
C70s are very cheap, and the 2.4GTs much more plentiful than the T5s.
The 2.4 GT is indeed more common that's why id go for a t5.
I am now even less keen on flying! 
I was on a 'plane which got into trouble once, in that it depressurised and had to descend very quickly. Strangely, it wasn't the 'airplane' style panic I would expect; it just feels surreal, like watching it on a film. One person behind our seats had a heart attack though - IIRC they died, sadly.
My fear of flying doesn't stem from this, even though I was at a formative age. It is quite irrational!
I was on a 'plane which got into trouble once, in that it depressurised and had to descend very quickly. Strangely, it wasn't the 'airplane' style panic I would expect; it just feels surreal, like watching it on a film. One person behind our seats had a heart attack though - IIRC they died, sadly.
My fear of flying doesn't stem from this, even though I was at a formative age. It is quite irrational!
Scottsz said:
Suggestions please - I have a daily V70, weekend/warm day daily triumph trophy, but I feel something is missing, weekend car with space for two adults and a two year old? Nothing too fancy as no drive space, up to a few grand?
Not barges, but I keep looking at both and checking my bank balance hopefully.
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/b...
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/a...
The Alfa is just all sorts of incredible.
r129sl said:
Modern cars are definitely being designed and sold as disposable commodities. Fair enough, I suppose, although not very enviro.
If you have time, why on earth would you fly? People tell us all the time that we're mad to be driving to wherever it is we happen to be going and I always feel like the fliers are the mad ones. First, flying is incredibly dangerous. Now, I know the odds. But in a car accident (touch wood) you wake up in a hospital: when it goes wrong in an aeroplane, you get 90 seconds to mull over how you're not going to be waking up at all.
Second, airports are the most hideous places on earth (with apologies to Oa). They're like shopping centres without laws. Really expensive car parks with a runway attached. Why do people drink beer at 6am because they are in an airport? Fizzy, cold, horrid, £6-a-pint beer? And all of that herding and queuing and paying and having to do what you're told. It is like they try to make airports unpleasant.
But third, most importantly, when you drive you embark upon a journey. You experience a changing landscape. You have a sense of time and space and distance and speed. You pass through places you have read about, learned about, seen on the map, perhaps places where important event once took place or where some historical personage was born or married or lived or died or all those things. You eat what you want when you want. You can change your mind, go a different way, turn back and not go at all. You can listen to whatever music you want. You can talk, or not; without having to listen to some stranger's clap-trap. There is no better way to travel, with the possible exception of the sleeper train.
Yes. Summed up my feelings exactly. Thank you.If you have time, why on earth would you fly? People tell us all the time that we're mad to be driving to wherever it is we happen to be going and I always feel like the fliers are the mad ones. First, flying is incredibly dangerous. Now, I know the odds. But in a car accident (touch wood) you wake up in a hospital: when it goes wrong in an aeroplane, you get 90 seconds to mull over how you're not going to be waking up at all.
Second, airports are the most hideous places on earth (with apologies to Oa). They're like shopping centres without laws. Really expensive car parks with a runway attached. Why do people drink beer at 6am because they are in an airport? Fizzy, cold, horrid, £6-a-pint beer? And all of that herding and queuing and paying and having to do what you're told. It is like they try to make airports unpleasant.
But third, most importantly, when you drive you embark upon a journey. You experience a changing landscape. You have a sense of time and space and distance and speed. You pass through places you have read about, learned about, seen on the map, perhaps places where important event once took place or where some historical personage was born or married or lived or died or all those things. You eat what you want when you want. You can change your mind, go a different way, turn back and not go at all. You can listen to whatever music you want. You can talk, or not; without having to listen to some stranger's clap-trap. There is no better way to travel, with the possible exception of the sleeper train.
My brother had a 328i convertible and an Alfa Spyder in the 1990s.
He bought the Alfa rather impetuously after seeing it at a launch party at the dealer - he signed up for it there and then. 1996, I think. It was a red Lusso with black leather. He kept it of about six months. It was a beautiful looking car, but really very unreliable indeed. The suspension suffered some kind of failure on a driving holiday in Scotland: not good on a car only three months old. The paint seemed to wash off the front of it too, and he had trouble with the hood and electric windows.
He was a bit disappointed with the Alfa, lovely looking though it was, and traded it in for a black 328i convertible with saffron leather and Style 25 forged alloy wheels. That was a much better car - really a lot better. He got a superb trade in deal for the Alfa since they were still very sought after. The dealer was still stuck with it months later...
He bought the Alfa rather impetuously after seeing it at a launch party at the dealer - he signed up for it there and then. 1996, I think. It was a red Lusso with black leather. He kept it of about six months. It was a beautiful looking car, but really very unreliable indeed. The suspension suffered some kind of failure on a driving holiday in Scotland: not good on a car only three months old. The paint seemed to wash off the front of it too, and he had trouble with the hood and electric windows.
He was a bit disappointed with the Alfa, lovely looking though it was, and traded it in for a black 328i convertible with saffron leather and Style 25 forged alloy wheels. That was a much better car - really a lot better. He got a superb trade in deal for the Alfa since they were still very sought after. The dealer was still stuck with it months later...
E24man said:
derin100 said:
No...but it was a lovely car that I owned for over 7 years. I've actually been offered that car back on two separate occasions since I sold it...which must be approaching 10 years ago? Once, I could have had it back for £2300! Time has moved on since then though...
I'm not sure if the vendor was aware (I've told him now) that I had Eibach and Bilstein suspension fitted to that car not long before I sold it. It was quite a costly exercise at the time as the front top-mounts had to be changed and the correct ones were only available direct from BMW in Munich. However, it totally transformed that car for the better. The ride wasn't adversely affected but it just eliminated the standard really wallowy feel of an E32 and actually made it more comfortable, reassuring to drive at speed and handle really well for such a big car. The ride height wasn't noticeably altered either but it did eliminate that somewhat 'nose-up' stance of the E32 when travelling along.
I once saw 145 mph on the speedo in that car...allegedly, Your Honour!
Those aren't its original or correct wheels on it now. The correct ones are/were actually the ones in my pics here:
http://www.bmwclassics.co.uk/gallery/index.php?spg...
It really, really was a nice car.
When I bought it, which was around 1998 IIRC it had 23K miles on the clock. That was vanishingly low for an E32 even then. I paid 3 times the going rate to a dealer in South Shields for a decent E32 back then. I didn't regret it.
I lived in Scotland at the time and I remember my Indie there saying to me then: "If, in 10 years time that car has 120K miles on it people will find it difficult to believe that it's genuine."
So, here we are nearly 20 years on and it still has only 55K miles on it...and I know for sure that's genuine.
On the flip-side this bears out what I was saying about the 7-Series in general a few pages back...?
That car is knocking on 30 years old now. You'd struggle to find a better E32 735i yet the bidding still starts with single figure £Thousands....put those statistics (55k miles and in that condition) into a 1989 E30 (which is nowhere near the car an E32 is) and see what you would get or what is being ask for them.
That really makes it amply clear that 7-Series (unless a special model) are a difficult and very poor investment proposition? And makes that asking price of £9K-plus on that ex-Palmier E38 740 an extra-ordinary mountain to climb?
W00DY said:
Not barges, but I keep looking at both and checking my bank balance hopefully.
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/b...
What are they like to drive? They seem fairly underpowered considering the displacement, but that doesn't always tell the whole story.http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/b...
Asking for a friend, obviously. Ahem.
Scottsz said:
Suggestions please - I have a daily V70, weekend/warm day daily triumph trophy, but I feel something is missing, weekend car with space for two adults and a two year old? Nothing too fancy as no drive space, up to a few grand?
Wrong thread for this query, fiat coupe 20vt. ( I've had two...but plenty of leg room and goes like a rabid badger for less than £2k) Go to fccuk and find a good one.r129sl said:
0a said:
anonymous said:
[redacted]
I think you are right here cmoose. But so is r129. I'm of the opinion that overpaying for old mercs is a false economy - they all need the wings sorting, a respray, and all suspension conponents replaced. Merc engines of this era are fine at 50k or 250k. I've never had a problem there. I have 10 days of holiday to take in march. I might drive over to Eastern Europe rather than flying - I will take the w124 as it has the highest reliability factor of all my cars.
If you have time, why on earth would you fly? People tell us all the time that we're mad to be driving to wherever it is we happen to be going and I always feel like the fliers are the mad ones. First, flying is incredibly dangerous. Now, I know the odds. But in a car accident (touch wood) you wake up in a hospital: when it goes wrong in an aeroplane, you get 90 seconds to mull over how you're not going to be waking up at all.
Second, airports are the most hideous places on earth (with apologies to Oa). They're like shopping centres without laws. Really expensive car parks with a runway attached. Why do people drink beer at 6am because they are in an airport? Fizzy, cold, horrid, £6-a-pint beer? And all of that herding and queuing and paying and having to do what you're told. It is like they try to make airports unpleasant.
But third, most importantly, when you drive you embark upon a journey. You experience a changing landscape. You have a sense of time and space and distance and speed. You pass through places you have read about, learned about, seen on the map, perhaps places where important event once took place or where some historical personage was born or married or lived or died or all those things. You eat what you want when you want. You can change your mind, go a different way, turn back and not go at all. You can listen to whatever music you want. You can talk, or not; without having to listen to some stranger's clap-trap. There is no better way to travel, with the possible exception of the sleeper train.
It is better to travel, than to arrive.
On a slightly less global scale, I was fortunate enough to be a VIP guest at The Brits on Wednesday night. I weighed up public transport, but decided that I'd rather just have the car outside. It afforded me time to compile my thoughts, reset after a day at work, see parts of London that I'd not otherwise (Trotter's Ethnic tour of London anyone?) and leave when I want under my own steam.
It was the best decision I've made in a while.
sparks_E39 said:
CharlesdeGaulle said:
sparks_E39 said:
Nice! Regarding the earlier comments about needing the bigger engine, I get it, however this won't be doing a lot of miles and will not be used for motorway/long hauls very often. The odd trip from Dorset to North Wales and to Heathrow once a year. I can find a few 2.0's around, the higher powered versions seem a bit thin on the ground. Are the advantages of the 2.6 more high end? We're possibly getting a new car financed through work (discounted as I'm in the motor trade) so it won't be my daily, probably 3-4K a year. Sadly it will live outside, but I can cover it up.
The advice generally offered here with regard to all old cars, but notably Mercs as we see so many, is to buy the very best you can find or afford, regardless of engine size, spec or colour. I think there's a lot in that, as a car bought for sentimental reasons, to do a low mileage each year, won't be satisfying if it proves unreliable or costly, so absolutely get the best you can find. However, you sound like you'll be keeping it for a long time, so buy what you want and can live with in the long term. Get a colour you like, and get an engine that is ideal for what you want. Remember that all of the range was suitbale for its day, so they don't become obsolete overnight, but lots of motorway driving will probably favour a bigger engine. If it's pootling you want, any engine will do.
They make a great choice as a usable starter classic, and there are lots around for less than 2k in decent nick.
maintaining....if you're worried about rust on the E39 then I think you're looking at the wrong cars....both of my mates had rust issues. The 2 litre engine is, almost certainly, the least characterful engine I've ever driven.
I may get shot down in flames for saying all of that, though!! I don't think £1000-1500 per year is too bad for an E39 to be honest.
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