Best smoker barges 1-5 large [vol8]

[Minemapper]

Stegel said:

I feel the need to wade in on behalf of S211s (and indeed OM642 engines!)!

Mrs Stegel has an 09 E320 CDI, bought at 27 months old on 43k miles and now on 92k (I run a 211 in drag - 219 CLS - 56 plate, bought new and now on 107k miles).

Both cars have had inlet port shut down motors replaced (the 211 needing a new manifold as well, which MB paid 65% or thereabouts towards). Engine wise, between them they have had 3 glow plugs and one glow plug module, but nothing else apart from routine services. Between them, in all that mileage, I doubt I have added 3 litres of oil. The E had a problem with lack of oomph a year or so back, but this was down to clogged turbo (my wife has a light foot and does few long and fast trips) so a bottle of turbo cleaner, half a tank of super-nitro and a good Italian tune up rectified it completely. I changed the exhaust manifolds on the CLS as a precaution as early ones were renowned for breaking up and destroying the turbo.

I'm tempting fate here, and am aware of the issues these engines can have, but both feel as though they will go on for quite a while yet (and indeed, as a result we have totally changed our previous car buying, regular change, habits) without mishap.

On the 211 it feels as solid and robust as it did when first bought, and leads a life involving kids, dog, builders merchant errands and holiday transport burdened down with roof box, kayaks and lots of sand. I'm just over 6'1" and have just checked - with my knees touching the rear bumper, I can stand straight (sagging gas struts perhaps losing some headroom?).

I've never driven an S124, but love driving my A124 - but, lights, mirrors, dynamic ability etc. all mean that on a wet winter day, I'd rather be in a 211 - and if I'm going to get involved in a close encounter with other vehicles on a wintery motorway, I'll take the 211 over a 124, brand new Mondeo etc. as I think that gives me the best chance of walking away unscathed.

I think it's important to view these cars in the context of the competition - I'm no expert on E39s for example, but whenever one is discussed, there is talk of water pumps, swirl flaps etc. The perfect car has never been built - they are all just less than perfect in different ways! ( doesn't the straight six MB 320 diesel weld its glow plugs into the head?).

Edited by Stegel on Friday 28th August 12:33

Thank you for this. I was having a little post-purchase second guessing moment. I love the S211. I would take it everyday over a S124, but it's not really a fair comparison. They are from different era's.

[V12 AMG]

SpeckledJim said:

JZZ30 said:

V12 AMG said:

We used to run a fleet of S124s as delivery wagons, replaced by S210s, replaced by S211s. Finally went back to S210s after a few dodgy S211s. All outsourced to couriers now so no chance to properly compare the S212 to it's predecessors.
Apart from the rust the S210s are an excellent work horse.
The S124 250Ds were by far the most dependable cars that just went and went forever.

Oh great, now I need to add the S210 to my shopping list!

Thanks again for the info. This thread really is superb. The best of all threads on all of the internet

Having had all three, the most underrated has to be the S210.

It still feels like an old-fashioned 'proper' Mercedes like the S124, but has a much higher natural cruising speed, like the S211. It feels long-legged in a way the W124 doesn't share.

S211 is very capable but has lost almost all of the Mercedes je ne sais quoi. It's a nice car, of course, but in basically the same way that the latest Mondeo is a nice car.

Totally agree. I was shot down in a big way when I shared this view on MBClub. Guess there are too many S211 owners on there currently.

[V12 AMG]

Stegel said:

I think it's important to view these cars in the context of the competition - I'm no expert on E39s for example, but whenever one is discussed, there is talk of water pumps, swirl flaps etc. The perfect car has never been built - they are all just less than perfect in different ways! ( doesn't the straight six MB 320 diesel weld its glow plugs into the head?).

Edited by Stegel on Friday 28th August 12:33

That is very true. As a Mercedes Specialist I compare the W211 and the OM642 against other Mercedes products from the past. I'm not as up to speed on the rivals from BMW etc, although I have dabbled with a couple of E39's and E46's. I guess the E60 is the car to compare against the W211.

[harrykul]

A bit random, but when my car came back from it's service today I noticed that the service booklet was now full. What are other bargers doing at this point? Start another book, or just keep the paperwork?

[Krikkit]

I'd ask Mercedes and see if they'll give you a service booklet.

That, or just start keeping paperwork instead.

[Stegel]

V12 AMG said:

Stegel said:

I think it's important to view these cars in the context of the competition - I'm no expert on E39s for example, but whenever one is discussed, there is talk of water pumps, swirl flaps etc. The perfect car has never been built - they are all just less than perfect in different ways! ( doesn't the straight six MB 320 diesel weld its glow plugs into the head?).

Edited by Stegel on Friday 28th August 12:33

That is very true. As a Mercedes Specialist I compare the W211 and the OM642 against other Mercedes products from the past. I'm not as up to speed on the rivals from BMW etc, although I have dabbled with a couple of E39's and E46's. I guess the E60 is the car to compare against the W211.

I don't see frequent E60 beardage on this thread, but daresay a similar E34/E60 debate could take place along the lines of S124/S211 - and advocates of S210s and E39s sit smugly in the middle (with S210 fans fighting a rearguard action against propensity to rust, contaminated paint systems and rare colours being rust free, and E39 fans arguing that hedgehogs and vanos (I have no idea what these are BTW) are routine maintenance items!).

[Strawman]

Stegel said:

and E39 fans arguing that hedgehogs ... (I have no idea what these are BTW) are routine maintenance items!).

Anti-theft device, you leave one on the seat when you park your car up.

[V12 AMG]

harrykul said:

A bit random, but when my car came back from it's service today I noticed that the service booklet was now full. What are other bargers doing at this point? Start another book, or just keep the paperwork?

I used a second book sourced from a breaker and ripped out the first page which gave me another 4 or so pages.

[Richie C]

Had this one yet?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

[hornetrider]

Richie C said:

Had this one yet?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

Holy guacamole.

[cat220]

hornetrider said:

Richie C said:

Had this one yet?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

Holy guacamole.

Been discussed on the thread a few times now. Been for sale for a long time. Was originally on at £2,999.

[Stegel]

Strawman said:

Anti-theft device, you leave one on the seat when you park your car up.

Ah, yes - but wasn't there a recall regarding incorrectly aligned spikes leading to premature wear in seat bolsters?

[derin100]

(OT again)

I have now finished my friend's AMG C63 and given it back to him:

http://www.bmwclassics.co.uk/gallery/index.php?spg...


http://www.bmwclassics.co.uk/gallery/index.php?spg...

[Richie C]

cat220 said:

Been discussed on the thread a few times now. Been for sale for a long time. Was originally on at £2,999.

To be honest I thought it looked familiar!

Ok, how about a Friday afternoon bargista "what car" instead? I've recently taken on a 180 mile round trip daily commute, which strikes me as the natural habitat of a barge. I need comfort, a good stereo and economy that starts with at least a 3 on a semi-legal motorway cruise. In thread budget would be good.

Suggestions?

[harrykul]

With that mileage, I'd go for an s-class. Probably the last of the w220 or the a8 of the era

[SuperHangOn]

Wow that is some commute. TBH I would get something extremely dull with an autobox and comfy leather seats, an Avensis or something. You'll soon be sick of driving and just want something that's guaranteed to start in the morning and doesn't ping up warning lights.

[derin100]

Richie C said:

To be honest I thought it looked familiar!

Ok, how about a Friday afternoon bargista "what car" instead? I've recently taken on a 180 mile round trip daily commute, which strikes me as the natural habitat of a barge. I need comfort, a good stereo and economy that starts with at least a 3 on a semi-legal motorway cruise. In thread budget would be good.

Suggestions?

E38 728i ?

[CharlesdeGaulle]

V12 AMG said:

harrykul said:

A bit random, but when my car came back from it's service today I noticed that the service booklet was now full. What are other bargers doing at this point? Start another book, or just keep the paperwork?

I used a second book sourced from a breaker and ripped out the first page which gave me another 4 or so pages.

My 190 has a new MB service book, but it's stamped duplicate and has holes punched through it. As it's now on 200k, we've long-used-up the old one.

[Richie C]

harrykul said:

With that mileage, I'd go for an s-class. Probably the last of the w220 or the a8 of the era

Not sure about an S-Class, w220s weren't a Mercedes high point were they? Anything in particular to look out for? A8's a possibility.

SuperHangOn said:

Wow that is some commute. TBH I would get something extremely dull with an autobox and comfy leather seats, an Avensis or something. You'll soon be sick of driving and just want something that's guaranteed to start in the morning and doesn't ping up warning lights.

It's not too bad to be honest. Just over an hour and half each way, the train to central London would be similar. My initial thoughts were the same as you though, something like an S60 D5.

derin100 said:

E38 728i ?

I like the idea of a 7 series. What sort of MPG could I expect from a 728 compared to one of the V8's from the range?

[cat220]

Richie C said:

cat220 said:

Been discussed on the thread a few times now. Been for sale for a long time. Was originally on at £2,999.

To be honest I thought it looked familiar!

Ok, how about a Friday afternoon bargista "what car" instead? I've recently taken on a 180 mile round trip daily commute, which strikes me as the natural habitat of a barge. I need comfort, a good stereo and economy that starts with at least a 3 on a semi-legal motorway cruise. In thread budget would be good.

Suggestions?

I'd go for something like a v70 d5, comfortable, capable of big miles and safe.