Best smoker barges 1-5 large [Vol 13]

[Croutons]

Seeing as thread is veering off the topic of actual cars and on to borrowing them,

My steed this week is a V40 R Design Pro, with 1.6 litres of petrol.engine.

It is ste.

I think it looks great, the R Design kit is smart, the leather (heated) lovely as ever. Lots of tech, sunroof, ace nav.

But the road noise on the snazzy 18" alloys is utterly unacceptable. It's not "just a bit loud", it's absolutely dreadful over 45mph.

I appreciate many will not go over that speed, but under it the steering is incredibly heavy (I've been trying to find a setting in case I've got it on something stupid).

Not all new cars are good ones. The only real adv to borrowing one is you can give it back.

Old cars have foibles. We live with them. Often we call them "quirks". I'd rather have them than be deafened by Volvo...

[Mr Ponkerson]

SpeckledJim said:

If I was to say 'stay off the Esperanto, and don't go anywhere near the Despair Squid', would anyone know what I was on about?

I do, but what's the point, I mean we're all doomed, worthless losers anyway. We don't even have a bullet each - maybe if we put our heads together.

[W00DY]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-230TE-Estate-1...


A Bornite over cream Tex 230TE with Zebrano and 15 holes? Pretty much my perfect spec.

[Croutons]

Oof. Looks lovely.

What happened to this poor one that is shown as a linked ad?!



https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/mercedes-w124-te/323481...

[CharlesdeGaulle]

Krikkit said:

tobinen said:

There must be a Losers' Conference soon to re-group...

Perhaps in the xmas-new year gap?

Great idea.

Whilst hesitating to re-open the intra-thread unpleasantness of geography-gate the last time we argued about whether Portsmouth really was sufficiently far North, any suggestions on a possible venue?

[r129sl]

My w210 is proving to be the world's cheapest car to run.

Cost to buy: £2,900. In 16 months I've done 25,000miles. It has never conked on me. I struck a pheasant at speed, requiring a radiator. It needed an air con compressor. And it now needs an air con pressure switch. I've stuck discs and pads all round and I am up to six new tyres (the rears only lasted about 16,000miles but that's not the car's fault). I'd be amazed if it has cost £2,000 in maintenance including a main dealer service. It is incredibly nice to drive. So smooth and refined and comfortable. It goes like the clappers. And it is invisible. Finally, I kid myself it is not unhandsome. I am sure I'd get £2,000 for it, may be £2,500. Offers accepted since I am keen on that E500...

I don't care what anyone says, that is cheap and reliable motoring.

CharlesdeGaulle said:

Krikkit said:

tobinen said:

There must be a Losers' Conference soon to re-group...

Perhaps in the xmas-new year gap?

Great idea.

Whilst hesitating to re-open the intra-thread unpleasantness of geography-gate the last time we argued about whether Portsmouth really was sufficiently far North, any suggestions on a possible venue?

Happy to host on 29 or 30 December as last year. Give yer winter tyres a proper run out. I believe it was bracing last time. Although CdeG, you may have to come in disguise...

Edited by r129sl on Monday 8th October 20:28

[0a]

CharlesdeGaulle said:

Krikkit said:

tobinen said:

There must be a Losers' Conference soon to re-group...

Perhaps in the xmas-new year gap?

Great idea.

Whilst hesitating to re-open the intra-thread unpleasantness of geography-gate the last time we argued about whether Portsmouth really was sufficiently far North, any suggestions on a possible venue?

I'm up for this, and for travelling up or down from the Midlands.

[CharlesdeGaulle]

W00DY said:

A Bornite over cream Tex 230TE with Zebrano and 15 holes? Pretty much my perfect spec.

Great colours, but 4 cylinders and no aircon diminishes the appeal.

[CharlesdeGaulle]

r129sl said:

Happy to host on 29 or 30 December as last year. Give yer winter tyres a proper run out. I believe it was bracing last time. Although CdeG, you may have to come in disguise...

Braving both Northern climes and the recipient of an unknowing but ill-advised smart-arse comment might force me to stay in Europe!

[Milemuncher]

For those pointing out the complexity and potential electric frailties of the modern Volvo, you may be quite correct. I can make no reliability claims whatsoever at this stage having only had it for 4 days. It does have very nice nappa leather though and a very decent hi-fi.

I have avoided any potential out of warranty issues by going for a 2-year lease. There was essentially no material difference to amortised cost in selecting 2, 3 or 4 years so I went with the shortest, having no previous experience of Volvos whatsoever...

[Patrick Bateman]

Milemuncher said:

For those pointing out the complexity and potential electric frailties of the modern Volvo, you may be quite correct. I can make no reliability claims whatsoever at this stage having only had it for 4 days. It does have very nice nappa leather though and a very decent hi-fi.

I have avoided any potential out of warranty issues by going for a 2-year lease. There was essentially no material difference to amortised cost in selecting 2, 3 or 4 years so I went with the shortest, having no previous experience of Volvos whatsoever...

Where is your deal from and how much may I ask?

I've seen some very cheap deals for the S90 but the V90 seems significantly more pricey where I've looked.

[Milemuncher]

It was from Lipscomb in Maidstone, ordered in July. They’ve been great to deal with.

Dinky T4 petrol Inscription, £325 / month including reversing camera, maintenance and tyres on 9+23. Without the extra bits it would have been sub £300.

[Milemuncher]

PS definitely wanted the V due to having a baby!

[Mark-C]

So just catching up after a week off-thread and it’s been the kick up the backside I needed ... the XJS refused to start this morning ... on MOT day of course ... and I’ve had a day of trying to convince myself she should go and be replaced with something smaller and newer.

A look around at the world of silver boxes we live in, some wise words on here and the fact that my fixer of choice just shrugged down the phone and said he’d send a trailer out has me back on the straight and not so narrow.

Mind you he does have this on the forecourt --> https://www.taskerandlacy.co.uk/used-cars/saab-9-5...

I could replace the Ka with that and keep the XJS? Yes ... that makes sense

[pitchfork]

0a said:

Motorrad said:

olly755 said:

It’s the others in the “fleet” (I hate that wky term) that have bitten us in the arse.

May I suggest 'stable' or 'harem' as alternatives that you can start using?

or Shed.

An 'oxidation' of barges.

[Mr Tidy]

pitchfork said:

An 'oxidation' of barges.

That sounds good!

Not too barge-like, but in late 2014 I bought an E46 325ti BMW as a daily smoker for £2K with a fiver's change!

Had it for 3 years and 23K miles, but spent quite a bit on a cooling system refresh within months of buying it and a split PAS pipe. Still I only lost just over £500 in 3 years (I lost £9K in 3 years on my 1 year old E46 320td)!

A front brake overhaul was on the horizon for it's next MOT and I fancied a change so I sold it in February and got an E91 325i for just under £3,000 as it is leggy. All OK for 3,000 miles then the electric water pump died! Another £500 bill.

But I like it, and the heated seats will come in handy soon.


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[Slow]

Looking for a barge around December time as it’s when the bargains seem to be. Should find something for sub £2k which I can break when done for minimal loss.

Plans to ruin it basically, currently rolling with the idea of 4.4 Petrol Range Rover.

Always wanted a “mad max/rat rod” looking car and barges seem to be the best for this in my eyes.

I understand you will all hate me, but what car would phers recommend. Not a Merc s class as even I am scared of their electrics!

[r129sl]

Ambitiously priced but rather nice early w124 for someone. Purchased new by a gentleman, no less.

https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1042869

[Lowtimer]

Having spent a fair amount of working time in both places - hey, we all have our crosses to bear - I am amused at the notion of Peterborough's nobility outclassing the oiks of Solihull.

Car looks nice though. There can't be many early ones with air con.

[J4CKO]

My lovely 2008 CLS 500 has gone to a new owner, Mottrad had it for a year or so, did a few bits and its gone to its third PH Owner, its the PH pool car !