Just something to see if it works. Mod on Duty!

[p1stonhead]

E24man said:

Parling a lwb is not a problem and the E38 parking sensors are far more reliable than the E39 ones.

Parking an L7 though.... that's over a foot longer than a swb.

Meh just have your chauffeur drive around the car park in circles until you get back

[bmthnick1981]

K12beano said:

LWB and Parking. Discuss!

I've genuinely never found it a problem in either of the LWB e38s I have had. My C140 600 was actually a harder car to park, it felt taller and wider and the sensors weren't reliable. The e38 somehow seems to sit low and it's very obvious where the corners of the car are. I know I go on about it but I really think the e38 is criminally under-rated, they are excellent cars.

[ATM]

Considering I got my E65 SWB Beeched in a multi storey car park in Leicester I'd only ever consider SWB. Also I think the 5GT is an abomination. It is a 5 with better rear passenger room. But why?

[E24man]

Isn't the 5GT a 7 in a 5 suit but with a hatch?

[ATM]

E24man said:

Isn't the 5GT a 7 in a 5 suit but with a hatch?

Kind of. They used the F series floor pan and gubbins from the 7 on the 5GT before the 5 series was launched.

[Jobbo]

I had a 520d GT MSport as a courtesy car when my F11 535i Touring was being serviced. Despite running on 20"s and having what appeared to be a completely inappropriate engine and spec, it was more refined and the ride was better than the F11. I've not driven an F01 but I suspect it may have more in common with the 7-series to drive than the 5-series.

Still wouldn't buy one but I can see the appeal. If you get past the looks.

[thelawnet1]

bmthnick1981 said:

Now that I have 2 kids I would actively seek out the LWB. Having so much leg room that the kids cant reach or kick the front seats would be a real bonus as would rear seat entertainment package with screens and ability to play DVDs etc.

I have a LS460 with rear seat entertainment and god who has time to mess about with DVDs these days. The aux doesn't work without the rear screen open either, which is annoying. And it's surprisingly difficult these days to find a device that outputs RCA video.

[Krikkit]

Jobbo said:

I had a 520d GT MSport as a courtesy car when my F11 535i Touring was being serviced. Despite running on 20"s and having what appeared to be a completely inappropriate engine and spec, it was more refined and the ride was better than the F11. I've not driven an F01 but I suspect it may have more in common with the 7-series to drive than the 5-series.

Still wouldn't buy one but I can see the appeal. If you get past the looks.

Interesting! They do look bloody awful, but I think much like the R-class there's a place for cars that, although wilfully ugly, a practical and comfortable "premium" wafter will fill.

[hornetrider]

If ever there was a car which looked triple it's actual value, surely this is it.





8 grand!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/262785879196

[hornetrider]

Here's another albeit with an air pump issue. Shame the seller doesn't have the confidence to post more interior pics, it looks magnificent.



http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/222390005025

[Biglips]

hornetrider said:

If ever there was a car which looked triple it's actual value, surely this is it.





8 grand!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/262785879196

Always strange how there are so many cars for sale on 99k miles and so few on 100k.......

[DSLiverpool]

hornetrider said:

Here's another albeit with an air pump issue. Shame the seller doesn't have the confidence to post more interior pics, it looks magnificent.



http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/222390005025

Oh my - Designo interior !

[Blown2CV]

hornetrider said:

If ever there was a car which looked triple it's actual value, surely this is it.





8 grand!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/262785879196

jees. The 2006 TG episode where they JC reviewed that incarnation of S-class was on the TV the other day. He could not have been more complimentary, and it didn't feel that old a programme so the fact that these are now so cheap is astounding. That said, as it was over 10 years ago, radar cruise was seen as mind-blowing.

[thelawnet1]

hornetrider said:

If ever there was a car which looked triple it's actual value, surely this is it.





8 grand!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/262785879196

it looks like a 10-year-old minicab?

And it's not like it's going to stop depreciating.

Price is par for the course for a 10-year-old barge - A8, LS460, XJ, all around that price.

[jamoor]

thelawnet1 said:

it looks like a 10-year-old minicab?

And it's not like it's going to stop depreciating.

Price is par for the course for a 10-year-old barge - A8, LS460, XJ, all around that price.

True, I've driven these a few times and it's one of the few cars I wouldn't recommend. It really is a shocker from a driving perspective in my opinion.

I've driven LS and XJ models and both are much nicer.

[wack]

defblade said:

About time I threw my latest buy into the thread for comment... although I'm not certain it's really a barge, or a bargain

Always thought I'd be the type to live exclusively on the 1-5K smoker thread, or even the basement thread, but a lack of suitable cars around when I was looking (isn't that always the way?) and having some extra cash around from my bike insurance claim let my budget drift a little higher

I was only looking to replace my E39 530 'loon as, after 18 months without, I decided I really actually did miss having an estate. So an estate it had to be and that turned out to be quite limiting. I drove many cars before this one clicked (although they weren't all 2 grand over "absolute max budget").







So I am now the happy owner of a freshly imported JDM, 58k mile, Subaru Legacy GT Spec-B (Bilstein suspension) 2.0l twinscroll turbo auto estate
A car (and even the idea of buying an import) so completely off my radar I'm still not sure how I ended up buying it!
Paid £8k, spent the best part of another £1000 immediately on a full service inc belts etc and undersealing it properly so I know approximately where I'm starting from.
Actually has a bit more space in the back for 3 adults than the E39 did, plus a lovely big boot again

The clever little turbo works really well, twinscroll means, as far as I understand it, it's got 2 sets of vanes so it spins up quickly to minimise lag on one set then through a fat midrange on the bigger set. You do lose a little ultimate power at the top end, apparently, but that's not a problem for me on the road. You can choose between "eco" (which limits the boost) and full fat for the engine, and drive or sport for the box. With both in "relaxed", it's quick and eager, with both in "go", it's verging on brutal for a decent sized estate
The silly exhaust cans aren't too antisocial (and are a factory option), it's noisier than the E39 on a cruise (mainly the frameless windows I think plus a bit of the exhaust), the ride is firm but very well controlled.

It overtakes so well, my wife who normally goes a bit quiet and grips something when I do go for one, just laughed instead... she said "you do know it costs you a tenner in petrol every time you do that" and "I wonder if people are thinking they're just been overtaken by a rocket powered hearse!"



So... a good buy that I'm really enjoying... not convinced at all it was a "bargain"... can I still claim to have a barge??

I sold a WRX hatch 18 months ago and I really miss it , never gave me any problems and put a smile on my face every time I got in it , I loved that car but at the time £500 tax and 22mpg or less wasn't an option

The average fuel was always 22 , a mate said that's just a sticker to make you feel better

[hornetrider]

thelawnet1 said:

it looks like a 10-year-old minicab?

And it's not like it's going to stop depreciating.

Price is par for the course for a 10-year-old barge - A8, LS460, XJ, all around that price.

Congratulations on missing the point of the thread

[jke11y]

With the impending arrival of another child I am not going to realistically be able to use my van to take the three of us places (never mind 4). So I need another car, as the other two vehicles I have won't work.

The disaster I had with the W140 put me off ancient stuff so I am thinking 55plate-ish something that is LWB with blinds. Thats the criteria. Anyone seen anything? Merc diehard but don't fancy a w220 and a 221 at that money will be a clocked uber.

[bob-lad]

I'd start with something like this LWB XJ 4.2 Sovereign, (or do we have full thread budget to play with?)

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



Or with a bit more and the devil's fuel
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...


ETA one with better mileage

Edited by bob-lad on Tuesday 31st January 10:48

[jke11y]

Budget is lower end - £5-7 - I won't do huge miles in it so would prefer something petrol V8 but will go diesel if its a nice all round car. Really drawn to Phaetons this hour. After lunch it will probably be something else