Best Smoker Barges 1-5 large [Vol 7]
Discussion
Expanding on my earlier musing about my ideal scenario of running a series of barges so I could sample them all....I also harbour a pipe-dream of having a nice car showroom, maximum of 8 or 10 vehicles, and I would only stock barges. I like to think it would cater exactly to those of us with this particular affliction!
To keep things sensible they would all be presented to the highest standard possible without undertaking exhaustive restoration/bodywork etc. Just a nice, honest and varied selection of great big smokers that could be bought from an enthusiastic seller. Obviously I wouldn't really be looking to make a living from this - it could almost be done on a break-even, benevolent basis if I was rich enough!
Might make the thread a bit less interesting though.
Forgive my rambling but seemed like a good place to share
To keep things sensible they would all be presented to the highest standard possible without undertaking exhaustive restoration/bodywork etc. Just a nice, honest and varied selection of great big smokers that could be bought from an enthusiastic seller. Obviously I wouldn't really be looking to make a living from this - it could almost be done on a break-even, benevolent basis if I was rich enough!
Might make the thread a bit less interesting though.
Forgive my rambling but seemed like a good place to share
There's a few ways of looking at it. In terms of the 'best' cars that qualify then you have to go for the newer stuff. The E65 BMW and X350 Jags I suppose. Amazing cars for the money. But, then for me, the 'barge' has to have the practical side. It has to be very, very cheap to buy and very reliable. For myself, a barge must be a car I don't care about too much - worrying about it takes the fun out. Strictly servicing and tyres/brakes. I favour 'bargenomics' - buy an old luxury car with a big engine and everything working for less than 2k. Run it into the ground, weigh it in, buy another. I'm convinced this is the cheapest way to motor in the UK these days.
I don't look to buy the cheapest - I try to get a relatively high miles petrol car with a great spec that nobody wants. But it has, HAS, to have been recently serviced, have decent tyres and brakes left. At point of purchase ALL the toys have to work. A car like this will, by definition, have been looked after. The previous owner will have sunk a lot of money into a 10/15/20 year old car if all the toys still work. If it has matching tyres etc, etc.
I don't think W124's and W126's qualify as barges anymore. They are classic cars. Assets. A W210 - that's a barge. An A8. An S80. A GS300. The E38 is a bit classic now. Though having said that, I think that might be my next port of call if my mechanic can't find me an LS. I bung my mechanic a decent bottle of Scotch - he flags up a car. The current W210 is a not quite a barge as it's an estate but it fits the bill. I paid maybe £750 more than buying a snotter off Autotrader and the miles are high but it's cost nothing in 2 years and it's past 2 MOT's with nary a comment. If it blows up tomorrow (which I think it might actually - it has that 'wobbly' feeling about it) I'll be quids in.
That's why I nominate the LS. It's on the cusp of being a true classic IMHO. But still cheap enough to fit my criteria - actually I've changed my mind. It IS a classic, therefore I can't use it for the school run. Curses. The Lexus GS 300 MK2. That's the best barge, actually hang on...
I don't look to buy the cheapest - I try to get a relatively high miles petrol car with a great spec that nobody wants. But it has, HAS, to have been recently serviced, have decent tyres and brakes left. At point of purchase ALL the toys have to work. A car like this will, by definition, have been looked after. The previous owner will have sunk a lot of money into a 10/15/20 year old car if all the toys still work. If it has matching tyres etc, etc.
I don't think W124's and W126's qualify as barges anymore. They are classic cars. Assets. A W210 - that's a barge. An A8. An S80. A GS300. The E38 is a bit classic now. Though having said that, I think that might be my next port of call if my mechanic can't find me an LS. I bung my mechanic a decent bottle of Scotch - he flags up a car. The current W210 is a not quite a barge as it's an estate but it fits the bill. I paid maybe £750 more than buying a snotter off Autotrader and the miles are high but it's cost nothing in 2 years and it's past 2 MOT's with nary a comment. If it blows up tomorrow (which I think it might actually - it has that 'wobbly' feeling about it) I'll be quids in.
That's why I nominate the LS. It's on the cusp of being a true classic IMHO. But still cheap enough to fit my criteria - actually I've changed my mind. It IS a classic, therefore I can't use it for the school run. Curses. The Lexus GS 300 MK2. That's the best barge, actually hang on...
derin100 said:
Slight Non-Smoker Barge £1-5K large detour...
I was invited to display my 840Ci Sport as one of a few cars on the BMW Car Club stand at the German Prestige Car Show at Donnington Race Track on the 27th April along with cars from the Porsche and Mercedes-Benz Clubs.
To that end (and having never ever actually displayed one of my cars at any sort of show before), I've spent the last few weeks getting it all serviced, two new catalysts and generally prepping it. I didn't want to bring shame and disgrace upon the BMW Car Club at my first ever event.
Unfortunately, it ain't gonna happen now! At short notice, the event has been cancelled.
Fortunately, I took lots of photos along the way. So, although it won't be on display at Donnington, I've put some photos up in the Gallery Section on my website to display it there instead:
http://www.bmwclassics.co.uk/gallery/index.php?spg...
What a pisser. I can imagine how much work you've put into that. I love watching your slideshows even if it makes me feel like a complete amateur. Does this mean you can bring it to MB World on Sunday instead?I was invited to display my 840Ci Sport as one of a few cars on the BMW Car Club stand at the German Prestige Car Show at Donnington Race Track on the 27th April along with cars from the Porsche and Mercedes-Benz Clubs.
To that end (and having never ever actually displayed one of my cars at any sort of show before), I've spent the last few weeks getting it all serviced, two new catalysts and generally prepping it. I didn't want to bring shame and disgrace upon the BMW Car Club at my first ever event.
Unfortunately, it ain't gonna happen now! At short notice, the event has been cancelled.
Fortunately, I took lots of photos along the way. So, although it won't be on display at Donnington, I've put some photos up in the Gallery Section on my website to display it there instead:
http://www.bmwclassics.co.uk/gallery/index.php?spg...
r129sl said:
derin100 said:
Slight Non-Smoker Barge £1-5K large detour...
I was invited to display my 840Ci Sport as one of a few cars on the BMW Car Club stand at the German Prestige Car Show at Donnington Race Track on the 27th April along with cars from the Porsche and Mercedes-Benz Clubs.
To that end (and having never ever actually displayed one of my cars at any sort of show before), I've spent the last few weeks getting it all serviced, two new catalysts and generally prepping it. I didn't want to bring shame and disgrace upon the BMW Car Club at my first ever event.
Unfortunately, it ain't gonna happen now! At short notice, the event has been cancelled.
Fortunately, I took lots of photos along the way. So, although it won't be on display at Donnington, I've put some photos up in the Gallery Section on my website to display it there instead:
http://www.bmwclassics.co.uk/gallery/index.php?spg...
What a pisser. I can imagine how much work you've put into that. I love watching your slideshows even if it makes me feel like a complete amateur. Does this mean you can bring it to MB World on Sunday instead?I was invited to display my 840Ci Sport as one of a few cars on the BMW Car Club stand at the German Prestige Car Show at Donnington Race Track on the 27th April along with cars from the Porsche and Mercedes-Benz Clubs.
To that end (and having never ever actually displayed one of my cars at any sort of show before), I've spent the last few weeks getting it all serviced, two new catalysts and generally prepping it. I didn't want to bring shame and disgrace upon the BMW Car Club at my first ever event.
Unfortunately, it ain't gonna happen now! At short notice, the event has been cancelled.
Fortunately, I took lots of photos along the way. So, although it won't be on display at Donnington, I've put some photos up in the Gallery Section on my website to display it there instead:
http://www.bmwclassics.co.uk/gallery/index.php?spg...
Once I got notification of the cancelled show my wife booked me for moving furniture halfway across the country this weekend. So I can't come to MB World.
If I was coming, I would have taxed the 300CE and come in that instead. derin100 said:
Slight Non-Smoker Barge £1-5K large detour...
I was invited to display my 840Ci Sport as one of a few cars on the BMW Car Club stand at the German Prestige Car Show at Donnington Race Track on the 27th April along with cars from the Porsche and Mercedes-Benz Clubs.
To that end (and having never ever actually displayed one of my cars at any sort of show before), I've spent the last few weeks getting it all serviced, two new catalysts and generally prepping it. I didn't want to bring shame and disgrace upon the BMW Car Club at my first ever event.
Unfortunately, it ain't gonna happen now! At short notice, the event has been cancelled.
Fortunately, I took lots of photos along the way. So, although it won't be on display at Donnington, I've put some photos up in the Gallery Section on my website to display it there instead:
http://www.bmwclassics.co.uk/gallery/index.php?spg...
Absolutely fantastic Derin! Your 840 is just perfect and the time and effort you spend in preparing cars is always evident. To my eyes the E31 just gets better with age and still looks incredibly sharp today. I was invited to display my 840Ci Sport as one of a few cars on the BMW Car Club stand at the German Prestige Car Show at Donnington Race Track on the 27th April along with cars from the Porsche and Mercedes-Benz Clubs.
To that end (and having never ever actually displayed one of my cars at any sort of show before), I've spent the last few weeks getting it all serviced, two new catalysts and generally prepping it. I didn't want to bring shame and disgrace upon the BMW Car Club at my first ever event.
Unfortunately, it ain't gonna happen now! At short notice, the event has been cancelled.
Fortunately, I took lots of photos along the way. So, although it won't be on display at Donnington, I've put some photos up in the Gallery Section on my website to display it there instead:
http://www.bmwclassics.co.uk/gallery/index.php?spg...
Thanks for sharing!
derin100 said:
Yes, difficult to believe this year is the 8-Series 25th Anniversary Year.
It certainly is. There's a whole generation of people who aren't aware of them. I wouldn't mind betting that if the number plate didn't give it away, a fair few people would think yours was the latest top of the range offering from BMW. Well, apart from it being too handsome of course! I'm at a bangernomics crossroads with my A8. Eleven years old and on 104k, it's still just about modern enough to cut a dash when freshly valeted, but way too young to be a classic. The hyper critical bork list has now reached the point where it's almost a match for the value of the car. Some days I tell myself I'm going to sort loads of it on the impending service, other days I tell myself I should just ignore the squeaks, rattles and knocks and just get a few more months out of it until something I really fancy comes up.
slippery said:
I'm at a bangernomics crossroads with my A8. Eleven years old and on 104k, it's still just about modern enough to cut a dash when freshly valeted, but way too young to be a classic. The hyper critical bork list has now reached the point where it's almost a match for the value of the car. Some days I tell myself I'm going to sort loads of it on the impending service, other days I tell myself I should just ignore the squeaks, rattles and knocks and just get a few more months out of it until something I really fancy comes up.
What's it need doing?Those saying LS400's don't require maintenance.....not entirely true. I know of someone who had loads of issues, suspension will require refreshing just like an E38/S class/A8 etc, they are reliable but I don't think they're THAT much better than ze Germans.
Plus they have just about the most dreary interior in a supposed luxury car. And they're supposed to be really refined.....just how much more refined/quiet are they than an E38? And if they're quieter and a bit softer on suspension, do they handle like a complete boat?
slippery said:
I'm at a bangernomics crossroads with my A8. Eleven years old and on 104k, it's still just about modern enough to cut a dash when freshly valeted, but way too young to be a classic. The hyper critical bork list has now reached the point where it's almost a match for the value of the car. Some days I tell myself I'm going to sort loads of it on the impending service, other days I tell myself I should just ignore the squeaks, rattles and knocks and just get a few more months out of it until something I really fancy comes up.
I shall await your advert...!0a said:
Regarding refinement - staying at home sitting on my sofa is very refined, low wind noise (none), low tyre noise (none) and low engine noise (none). It doesn't interest me though!
My point was that people argue that the refinement is a big positive for the Lexus, yet with E38s being very quiet already (and the E65 moving it onto another level still) I can't see the Lexus being just SO much better.You can't do >150mph whilst sat on your sofa though, 0a
E65Ross said:
My point was that people argue that the refinement is a big positive for the Lexus, yet with E38s being very quiet already (and the E65 moving it onto another level still) I can't see the Lexus being just SO much better.
You can't do >150mph whilst sat on your sofa though, 0a
I don't generally do >150mph whether I'm on my sofa or not!You can't do >150mph whilst sat on your sofa though, 0a
I think I value 'quietness' very little beyond a certain point. A completely silent car wouldn't be very interesting indeed!
'Best' and 'favourite' are different things.
Of all the big old barges I have driven, the best is undoubtedly the X350 Jaguar Super V8. The one my brother had was genuinely excellent in every way bar character. The way it drove is still competitive even against a modern luxury car.
Honourable mention goes to the BMW E65 as runner up: the 740Li my brother used to have was considerably less able than the Jag, but it made up for it with huge rear accommodation and cheap running costs. They're big on the outside though - maybe to the point of being unwieldy in tight car parks. The E65 long wheelbase seemed bigger than a Mercedes W140.
My favourite is still the Jaguar XJ40 though. I'd have one with the 6 litre V12, as a Daimler Double Six and with the 'Insignia' full leather interior. They're superbly trimmed like that and incredibly luxurious, smooth, fast and characterful cars.
Runner up for my favourite barge is the W126. I'd be happy with the 500, The 560 seems to be disproportionately more expensive, but they're rare and the 'ultimate' Merc of their era, so I guess this should come as no surprise.
They're moving into Classic territory now, rather than being barges; I agree with the comment above that the W124 and W126 are really classic cars. Same as the XJ40.
I'd love a Rolls-Royce, but a decent one will be outside budget.
Of all the big old barges I have driven, the best is undoubtedly the X350 Jaguar Super V8. The one my brother had was genuinely excellent in every way bar character. The way it drove is still competitive even against a modern luxury car.
Honourable mention goes to the BMW E65 as runner up: the 740Li my brother used to have was considerably less able than the Jag, but it made up for it with huge rear accommodation and cheap running costs. They're big on the outside though - maybe to the point of being unwieldy in tight car parks. The E65 long wheelbase seemed bigger than a Mercedes W140.
My favourite is still the Jaguar XJ40 though. I'd have one with the 6 litre V12, as a Daimler Double Six and with the 'Insignia' full leather interior. They're superbly trimmed like that and incredibly luxurious, smooth, fast and characterful cars.
Runner up for my favourite barge is the W126. I'd be happy with the 500, The 560 seems to be disproportionately more expensive, but they're rare and the 'ultimate' Merc of their era, so I guess this should come as no surprise.
They're moving into Classic territory now, rather than being barges; I agree with the comment above that the W124 and W126 are really classic cars. Same as the XJ40.
I'd love a Rolls-Royce, but a decent one will be outside budget.
E65Ross said:
What's it need doing?
Wheels need refurbing, scrape on rear bumper, crazed rear lense covers, milky chrome window trims, creaky suspension, parking sensor, very slight blow on exhaust which I actually quite like, carpets starting to show their age, broken catch on tool kit etc, but it still feels like it will go on for ever. Edited by slippery on Sunday 20th April 23:25
Another R129, the interior isn't really for me but I'm sure will like it.
What isn't to like at this sort of money? Ambers? Check. Hedgerow? Check.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
What isn't to like at this sort of money? Ambers? Check. Hedgerow? Check.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
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