Best mini-barge?
Discussion
I'm struggling to be excited by cars at the moment. I sort of fancy something big and barge-y, the commute is mixed Mway and traffic lights mixed with a bit of 2 lane argy-bargy (everyone wants to be to the left where there's right-turn queuing, and then to the right with parked cars). And the car park at work is rather tight.
So I'm not so sure that a full on barge is appropriate any more. I do have a LWB XJ to go see next week, and XJR on the radar and a bit of love for the 5 series... but there's none of any of these that take my fancy locally.
Budget... 3 grand for a silly car for a year or two, up to maybe 6 for something that's a proper keeper.
While XJ costs might be slightly ruinous, there's no way I can bring myself to spend a few thousand on a boooooring normal sized plasticy car, I'd rather pay through the nose to run something interesting!
What I'm looking for is a quality/luxury smallish-to-mid-sized car. I'm not sure it exists. Small enough to dodge through traffic like an XJ won't; big enough to hum away the Mway. A powerful engine with low running costs (so long as I'm dreaming
). Decent sized rear seats (legroom. Tall daughter). Maybe an estate version. I'm guessing it'll probably be a hatchback so seating a bit more upright than full on-barge; that's a reasonable compromise so long as they're nice seats. Not a 3 series... I've had them. A4s I find a little small for the exec saloon style (although an A3 might be the nearest to what I'm after??), A6s a bit big for this time (I've had 2 before)... An Alfa might have ticked boxes, but a con-rod came out of my last one, so not keen!
So, what have I been ignoring that I should be looking inside?
So I'm not so sure that a full on barge is appropriate any more. I do have a LWB XJ to go see next week, and XJR on the radar and a bit of love for the 5 series... but there's none of any of these that take my fancy locally.
Budget... 3 grand for a silly car for a year or two, up to maybe 6 for something that's a proper keeper.
While XJ costs might be slightly ruinous, there's no way I can bring myself to spend a few thousand on a boooooring normal sized plasticy car, I'd rather pay through the nose to run something interesting!
What I'm looking for is a quality/luxury smallish-to-mid-sized car. I'm not sure it exists. Small enough to dodge through traffic like an XJ won't; big enough to hum away the Mway. A powerful engine with low running costs (so long as I'm dreaming
). Decent sized rear seats (legroom. Tall daughter). Maybe an estate version. I'm guessing it'll probably be a hatchback so seating a bit more upright than full on-barge; that's a reasonable compromise so long as they're nice seats. Not a 3 series... I've had them. A4s I find a little small for the exec saloon style (although an A3 might be the nearest to what I'm after??), A6s a bit big for this time (I've had 2 before)... An Alfa might have ticked boxes, but a con-rod came out of my last one, so not keen!So, what have I been ignoring that I should be looking inside?
Looks like I'm actually going to buy a 130k miler 530 for the princely sum of £1350... I fancied the black 540 on carsandclassics, but I've decided that the 2.5 grand price difference will leave a fair bit for running repairs. Anyhow, I could pretty much afford to throw away (break/part-ex) a car at just over a grand; it'll tell me if I'm in the right place for size/speed/refinement/practicality and then I can decide where I'm going for my next long-term car. Of course, if the 530 behaves, it might be that long-term car!
Mike22233 said:
What were they wanting for the one on car and classics? Almost 4k???
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C557843£3750. Not entirely unreasonable; I'd want to throw some more at it in terms of water pump, hoses, fluids and bushes given the low use, but then you'd have a near-new car.
confused_buyer said:
530 E39 is a very fine car but even at that price check it carefully as there are a number of not that uncommon faults which will write it off. In particular, if it is an Auto check it goes backwards up a hill.
Check the front pusher fan works with the aircon on if you want to be cool in traffic jams, it hasn't over heated in the past leading to an iffy headgasket, the VANOS works below 3000rpm once it is warm, it starts when warm, and check carefully for coolant leaks.
Also check for wobble when braking from about 60mph as it can be very annoying and a sod to solve.
They're great cars, but they're all old and no where near as well built and reliable as some fans would have you believe so go in with eyes open.
Please don't spoil my fun! Check the front pusher fan works with the aircon on if you want to be cool in traffic jams, it hasn't over heated in the past leading to an iffy headgasket, the VANOS works below 3000rpm once it is warm, it starts when warm, and check carefully for coolant leaks.
Also check for wobble when braking from about 60mph as it can be very annoying and a sod to solve.
They're great cars, but they're all old and no where near as well built and reliable as some fans would have you believe so go in with eyes open.
I had a bunch of problems on my last E46, so that's part of the reason why I'm buying cheap this time. I'm as sure as I can be it's a honest car as it stands though. On the bright side, I can fix most stuff myself (maybe not the gearbox....).
If this turns out to be a complete dog/PITA, I might just throw the whole towel in and get an Accord Tourer. Or a Jazz. Or an LS430 - seems they hardly break either
confused_buyer said:
530 E39 is a very fine car but even at that price check it carefully as there are a number of not that uncommon faults which will write it off. In particular, if it is an Auto check it goes backwards up a hill.
Check the front pusher fan works with the aircon on if you want to be cool in traffic jams, it hasn't over heated in the past leading to an iffy headgasket, the VANOS works below 3000rpm once it is warm, it starts when warm, and check carefully for coolant leaks.
Also check for wobble when braking from about 60mph as it can be very annoying and a sod to solve.
They're great cars, but they're all old and no where near as well built and reliable as some fans would have you believe so go in with eyes open.
Well, it goes into reverse OK. Check the front pusher fan works with the aircon on if you want to be cool in traffic jams, it hasn't over heated in the past leading to an iffy headgasket, the VANOS works below 3000rpm once it is warm, it starts when warm, and check carefully for coolant leaks.
Also check for wobble when braking from about 60mph as it can be very annoying and a sod to solve.
They're great cars, but they're all old and no where near as well built and reliable as some fans would have you believe so go in with eyes open.
The front pusher is looking suspect - it was twitching a bit so I'll see if it runs when the car first switched on - I'll check it out properly tomorrow; I changed the one on my E46 and this only looks a little bit more involved - taking off the bumper rather than the undertray.
No sign of mayo anywhere.
Runs fine at all revs at all temps.
No sign of coolant leaks.
I think it's got the usual PAS fluid leaks, so new o-ring and possibly hose clips if necessary.
Needs new wipers (judder).
Enough pixels out on the dash to be worth considering ribbon repair.
And I'm chucking in a new HU too - the OE one is almost unreadable/usable due to missing pixels. I would have done this anyway even if the OE was perfect!
Headlights adjust up and down but are set a bit low for my taste on 0.
Front tyres will need changing sooner rather than later.
Near 4 hour run home all the way down the M4 with it this evening. It was, quite simply, fine, quiet, comfortable and wafty. No problems with anything. For £1350, really can't complain about anything! I know it's technically above budget, but this is good shedding in my book. Should do me very nicely for the time being
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