Best smoker barges 1-5 large [Vol 13]

[barchetta_boy]

Hi everyone,

Readers may remember I have a 1994 E280 7 seater estate in blue-black over mushroom leather. My stepdad has been running it for a few months but has now decided he needs something higher as he has a bad back, so the car will be coming back to me.

It's had thousands and thousands spent on it at a respected local specialist during my 6 year ownership. also has £2k worth of ICE.

£3k to a threadist. PM me if interested.

Cheers,

Joel

[SpeckledJim]

This'll be gone by lunchtime!

[tobinen]

slk 32 said:

RicksAlfas said:

I believe they only work if the cig lighter is live with the ignition off.
It's not on all cars, so check first.

+1

I bought one to use on my polo but exactly this

Righto thanks, I will check. I'm fairly sure it is not live as it won't charge the mobile unless the ignition is on. However, if the leads are as long as mentioned I might be able to run the crocodile clips to the boot and have the charger on the rear shelf

[slk 32]

An update on the 'old car, big bills' saga

Received a call from the dealer yesterday to say MB UK had graciously knocked 20% off the price of a new tank / loom fitting so that takes it down from £2,200 to approx £1,800.

They were apparently rather reticent to give me anything given that the car is 13 years old..despite my protestations that a low mileage (49k) car always serviced with in the dealer network shouldn't have a biodegradeable loom.

Still, given my cynicism it was good to get something back given that I'd such low expectations (ie zero) of anything. Funny how you can be made to feel grateful to get anything back when really you should be questioning why stuff fails and the concomitant cost (especially when the part that fails is not available separately). It's like a film where you're locked up in a prison cell with big Dave..instead of dry rogering you he uses a bit of spit to make the whole process slightly less unpalateable

The tank is now being carried across Europe from Germany on a sedan chair and should be here next Monday.

Then it's just fitting and the new fuel pump and filter..all in looking at circa £3k providing they don't find anything else..

PS. Kidney for sale..one careful owner, DM for details

Edited by slk 32 on Tuesday 18th September 14:28

[Geekman]

I felt like that about my Audi - got a quote of £4K from the main dealer to replace a tiny electronic module, then a local garage managed to get it sorted for £1.4k. Was really happy for a moment, then remembered that a tiny bit of circuit board should actually cost about £50.

[E24man]

Old car, big bills... OCB2?

Anyway, a slow leak on the E34 AC condensor for the last six years turned into a big leak so that was replaced along with an increasingly squeaking leccy fan, and then a precautionary hairline cracked pipe and incredibly rusty AC drier led to a total bill of £470 with all new parts and the recharge. It might seem a lot but I figured trouble free AC for the next ten years with no yearly top ups and it will seem cheap.

[tobinen]

I'd never use a franchised dealer for an older car. Even decent main dealers work at silly hourly rates and use 'book time' because that's how the mechanic is paid his bonus.

Far better a decent indy who sees the bigger picture and final bill to the customer.

[slk 32]

tobinen said:

I'd never use a franchised dealer for an older car. Even decent main dealers work at silly hourly rates and use 'book time' because that's how the mechanic is paid his bonus.

Far better a decent indy who sees the bigger picture and final bill to the customer.

I don't disagree. I get the MD to do the standard servicing so that the Mobilo life cover is intact. This includes Euro cover which saves money as the car gets passes 10 years old .. trying to get euro cover as the car gets older is a real ballache with most suppliers either charging a fortune or not wanting to touch you with a bargepole. I'm under no illusion that the work is not any better ( and sometimes worse), plus when on the slk 32 when the crankshaft sensor went they had the part on the van and I was going again in 10 minutes. If I'd used my RAC cover I'd have been towed to my specialist then had to wait, order part, get home if the courtesy car was in use and then get back again plus pay labour where if it's done by the guy on the van you only pay for the part.

For other stuff I will use an indy but unfortunately this time he was busy and I only had one day left on the MB cover as the service was due so had to make a decision

[anonymous-user]

olly755 said:

There's a definite appeal on paper. And yet I can't think of a single reason I'd have one over an E39.

For starters, the E39 is a dinosaur in comparison. But the E39 was also better built and was the last of the “real” Ultimate Driving Machine BMW’s

I’d still have this though

[JamesRR]

I’ve just seen the following post on Facebook, may be of interest to some posters on here who have W124 coupes.

“Any W124 Coupe owners out there want to be in Modern Classics? Please send us 100 words about what it's like to own this 1980s uber coupe, and a headshot of yourself, and you'll be in our next issue. First come, first served. Email: [e-mail]”

I’m nothing to do with the magazine btw, other than an occasional reader. Just thought it may be a fun opportunity someone here would appreciate.

[sparks_E46]

tobinen said:

I'd never use a franchised dealer for an older car. Even decent main dealers work at silly hourly rates and use 'book time' because that's how the mechanic is paid his bonus.

Far better a decent indy who sees the bigger picture and final bill to the customer.

Absolutely, as someone who works in a main dealer I can confirm that for example a cambelt and water pump 3, hours will be booked out and billed to customer, we have technicians who can complete it in about 2 hours, hence they get marked on efficiency and receive a bonus. It’s the way main dealers work.

[kitsell]

Scooobydont said:

Over on the 5 series forum, a 2004 E61 545i 6 speed! I didn't know these existed.

http://forum.bmw5.co.uk/topic/134574-2004-e61-545i...

oooh - one of my old steeds. On the bmw5 forum he says he'll let it go to a new home for £2k - either something's gone dreadfully wrong with it since my tenure or someone's going to get a real bargain...

[0a]

What is the issue likely to be? And to cost to fix!

From memory (perhaps!) the manual gearbox in these and the 645 isn’t supposed to be that good?

[sparks_E46]

I just found a great car on Auto Trader:



https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...


A knackered E38 750il for £1600? Recon gearbox fitted you’d still have change from £3.5k.

[Patrick Bateman]

Goodyear tyres though, sorted.

[olly755]

Good buy for someone as a breaker: genuine //M Parallels with good branded tyres and the saleable plate would pretty much meet the asking price alone.

[kitsell]

0a said:

What is the issue likely to be? And to cost to fix!

From memory (perhaps!) the manual gearbox in these and the 645 isn’t supposed to be that good?

Indeed the gearbox wasn't one to be rushed, but quite suited the engine imho. Only thing that niggled was the low rent interior (possibly because of the lowish spec?)

oh, and the 1st gen i drive nonsense that I never really got used to.

[E65Ross]

0a said:

What is the issue likely to be? And to cost to fix!

From memory (perhaps!) the manual gearbox in these and the 645 isn’t supposed to be that good?

Being the 4.4, probably some form of oil and/or coolant leak!

[deeen]

RicksAlfas said:

Jimmy Recard said:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hearse-spare-or-repairs...

I think this could raise a smile:
"Hi I am selling Vauxhall omega hearse, I bought from auction to have fun on heloween, but my other half didn't understand it how hearse could make fun."

Also check out the sticker in the rear screen. Best application of that sticker I've ever seen

Current bid £666!

"The listing you're looking for has ended.". How appropriate!

[Krikkit]

Biglips said:

Solar charger has arrived. Quick test fit this morning. The good news is that the lead is very long so easily reached from luggage bay to obd port. I will spend some time at the weekend running the wires more tidily. It is bigger than I expected. Let’s see how it performs. I will report back.

Doesn't your S211 have the main battery under the boot floor? Would be easy to leave it in situ and have it to up without fuss...