Best smoker barges 1-5 large [Vol 15]

[bolidemichael]

E65Ross said:

21st Century Man said:

Not impressed by the rear armrest, but I suppose that's just me

Come on then, let's see yours! (your rear armrest, that is!)

Page65 Ross

[E65Ross]

bolidemichael said:

E65Ross said:

21st Century Man said:

Not impressed by the rear armrest, but I suppose that's just me

Come on then, let's see yours! (your rear armrest, that is!)

Page65 Ross

I have the forum set to more posts per page.. It's only got 17 pages for me

[cornershop]

Nice interior on this 300ce

Needs some attention though

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2...

[0a]

That old double-six XJ is just super. What can go wrong - running a 12 cylinder, classic british car as a daily?!

[Rubins4]

forzaminardi said:

I had a IS250 for a while. It was an excellent car but a little boring.

Plusses - Absolutely brilliant value for money as a whole, generally extremely reliable, very comfortable, loads of gadgets to muck about with (some way ahead of their time, others just silly like the rear sun-blind), brilliant stereo, people seem to think they're way fancier than they are (if you care).

Minuses - not very swift, thirsty, engine is a bit dull, not a thrilling car to drive.

The only thing that annoyed me was the so-called manual mode on the gearbox - the flappy paddles don't actually change gear, they simply change up or down what counts as top gear, which I can see absolutely no rationale for. Other than that, I can't fault it; on balance it was probably the best car I had in terms of zero problems and value for money, but it'll not make your heart beat faster. I fancy a IS-F now we live in Oz though...

PS apparently the manual has terrible gear ratios, and the diesel is to be avoided (obviously)

Thanks for taking the time to respond. All very interesting feedback.

Reliability and a good stereo are massive positives; a dull drive somewhat disappointing but a (mini-)barge is a (mini-)barge, I suppose.

I’m not sure I’d bother with the manual mode on the auto (I’d avoid a Spanish ‘box in one of these like the plague).

Out of interest, what was your real world mpg?

[0a]

Rubins4 said:

Thanks for taking the time to respond. All very interesting feedback.

Reliability and a good stereo are massive positives; a dull drive somewhat disappointing but a (mini-)barge is a (mini-)barge, I suppose.

I’m not sure I’d bother with the manual mode on the auto (I’d avoid a Spanish ‘box in one of these like the plague).

Out of interest, what was your real world mpg?

How about a GS? Seems like you get a bit more luxury for your MPG.

I like the look of the old one. Does the newer one only come with a CVT?

[wjwren]

What tax bracket ate those lexus non hybrids. They still look fresh for an old car.

[E65Ross]

0a said:

That old double-six XJ is just super. What can go wrong - running a 12 cylinder, classic british car as a daily?!

Absolutely nothing. It will run and be reliable, it will never break down and get very good fuel economy.

This may or may not be true, I am not responsible for the financial ruin of people.

But my, just look at the thing! Wonderful. Plus..... V12. I'd love to own a V12 one day.

[Rubins4]

0a said:

How about a GS? Seems like you get a bit more luxury for your MPG.

I like the look of the old one. Does the newer one only come with a CVT?

I dare say you are right, but I’m just not particularly enamoured with the GS; LS it IS for me please.

[0a]

E65Ross said:

Absolutely nothing. It will run and be reliable, it will never break down and get very good fuel economy.

This may or may not be true, I am not responsible for the financial ruin of people.

But my, just look at the thing! Wonderful. Plus..... V12. I'd love to own a V12 one day.

This is probably one of the last times where us normal people can afford and run a v12. There are few coming down the line, and our old v12 barges are rapidly heading to the scrapheap.

To this end, what's the most affordable and reliable v12 barge?!

[E65Ross]

0a said:

This is probably one of the last times where us normal people can afford and run a v12. There are few coming down the line, and our old v12 barges are rapidly heading to the scrapheap.

To this end, what's the most affordable and reliable v12 barge?!

If we are talking about UK cars (eg not a Toyota Century!) then I'd hazard a guess at a BMW E38 750i. Seem to be a bit cheaper than the S Class and they're pretty reliable old lumps I think.

[Krikkit]

E65Ross said:

Absolutely nothing. It will run and be reliable, it will never break down and get very good fuel economy.

This may or may not be true, I am not responsible for the financial ruin of people.

But my, just look at the thing! Wonderful. Plus..... V12. I'd love to own a V12 one day.

Honestly, run regularly and for sensible miles it will be pretty reliable, and when it goes wrong it'll be relatively easy to fix.

As a benchmark my dad has an MGB- the years he uses it several times a week it's much better behaved than once a month. And everything on it is a doddle to fix. Factor in a V12 which is a bit cramped to work on the Jag and I'd still say it's relatively tame.

[0a]

A couple that almost certainly don't meet the above. XJS v12, in budget: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1992-J-JAGUAR-XJS-SPORT...



To quote the ad: "5.5 V12 BI-TURBO WITH BRABUS PACKEGE PRODUCING 600 BHP AND ALMOST 900NM" for under £6k: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MERCEDES-S600-BI-TURBO-...

[bolidemichael]

0a said:

E65Ross said:

Absolutely nothing. It will run and be reliable, it will never break down and get very good fuel economy.

This may or may not be true, I am not responsible for the financial ruin of people.

But my, just look at the thing! Wonderful. Plus..... V12. I'd love to own a V12 one day.

This is probably one of the last times where us normal people can afford and run a v12. There are few coming down the line, and our old v12 barges are rapidly heading to the scrapheap.

To this end, what's the most affordable and reliable v12 barge?!

This 1978 Daimler Double Six Vanden Plus sold for just £2,640 at the recent Baron's Auction!

[0a]

bolidemichael said:

0a said:

E65Ross said:

Absolutely nothing. It will run and be reliable, it will never break down and get very good fuel economy.

This may or may not be true, I am not responsible for the financial ruin of people.

But my, just look at the thing! Wonderful. Plus..... V12. I'd love to own a V12 one day.

This is probably one of the last times where us normal people can afford and run a v12. There are few coming down the line, and our old v12 barges are rapidly heading to the scrapheap.

To this end, what's the most affordable and reliable v12 barge?!

This 1978 Daimler Double Six Vanden Plus sold for just £2,640 at the recent Baron's Auction!

My 'The Man' is an old Jag enthusiast, and has just restored his Withnail and I era Mk2. I recon he would have loved being given that to fettle!

[E65Ross]

0a said:

A couple that almost certainly don't meet the above. XJS v12, in budget: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1992-J-JAGUAR-XJS-SPORT...



To quote the ad: "5.5 V12 BI-TURBO WITH BRABUS PACKEGE PRODUCING 600 BHP AND ALMOST 900NM" for under £6k: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MERCEDES-S600-BI-TURBO-...

MOT for the S600 runs out this month and last serviced 18 months ago. What could go wrong?

[bolidemichael]

Another from the Baron's Auction, a W126 420SE in a fetching colour and velour interior for £3,740

[0a]

bolidemichael said:

Another from the Baron's Auction, a W126 420SE in a fetching colour and velour interior for £3,740

A lovely colour. I think that's cloth rather than velour?

[bolidemichael]

0a said:

bolidemichael said:

Another from the Baron's Auction, a W126 420SE in a fetching colour and velour interior for £3,740

A lovely colour. I think that's cloth rather than velour?

The bolsters and armrest look like velour to me

[bolidemichael]

I've always had this on the mind since I spotted the listing in the Baron's Auction - an X305 LWB Daimler Double Six, the vendor claims that it is one of five made. It didn't sell. I'd love to own a British Double Six.