Best smoker barges 1-5 large [Vol 13]

[SpeckledJim]

CampDavid said:

That's been for sale for a very, very long time...

I generally like a bit of colour, and I don't know if it's the way that has photographed, but I think it's uffing horrible.

And the wheels, whilst overall preferable, are a bit lost in those enormous accentuated arches.

[JF87]

GASSED! What a buy this looks for £795.



https://www.gumtree.com/p/bmw/2000-bmw-e39-528i-au...

[SpeckledJim]

^^^ Love that. Amazing value for money.

[Mark-C]

QuantumTokoloshi said:

CharlesdeGaulle said:

QuantumTokoloshi said:

And more importantly, you can get spares for.

Unlike a thread favourite, three pointed star cabriolet, which are no longer supplied by Mercedes. A large inconvenience if you happen to lose the key fob.

Has a man ever actually lost a car key though? Women lose stuff in handbags all the time, but no man in the history of the motor car has ever lost his keys for longer than it takes to pat down some pockets.

Thankfully, it hasn't happened to me, as yet, but you are forgetting the ever present danger of combining car key fobs and children. A match made in automotive hell. One second the keys are on the table, the next gone in another dimension, never to be found. The pair of socks which enter the washing machine, but only one comes out.

I had a Springer seemingly obsessed with running off with Land Cruiser keys. Daft bugger could never remember where he'd left them ...

[Tinkerton]

Been lurking on this thread for a while now, my trusty Ibiza PD130 shed is nearing the end of it's like and looking to start a family in the not so distant future, plus who doesn't love a barge?

Anyway, bored at lunch and doing my usual search and this pops up: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201... looks decent, description a bit lacking but pictures seem to be ok and that interior looks lovely! plus a clean MOT history also.

How ruinous could this be? I've no knowledge about the 3.0 V6 TDI in this, looks to be chain with a belt as well? And air suspension would be interesting and presumably comfortable as anything...

Thoughts?

[SpeckledJim]

Proceed directly to the workshop. Do not pass go. Nor start. Definitely do not collect £200. Jettison £2000. And pay super-tax.

It is the worst day of your life, collect £10 and a lot of pity from each player.

[gobuddygo]

My old Omega barge passed its MOT again with the usual advisories, small oil leak, which is the only the usual cam cover gasket, 2 tyres, booked in tomorrow for those and surface chassis rust, garage has recommended someone who will sort that for £200 or so, will get that done in the new year, treated her to a full £45 Eastern European valet, came up nice.

[tobinen]

Tinkerton said:

Been lurking on this thread for a while now, my trusty Ibiza PD130 shed is nearing the end of it's like and looking to start a family in the not so distant future, plus who doesn't love a barge?

Anyway, bored at lunch and doing my usual search and this pops up: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201... looks decent, description a bit lacking but pictures seem to be ok and that interior looks lovely! plus a clean MOT history also.

How ruinous could this be? I've no knowledge about the 3.0 V6 TDI in this, looks to be chain with a belt as well? And air suspension would be interesting and presumably comfortable as anything...

Thoughts?

Whilst this is the later model and I've never owned one, I've never heard anyone say "all I've had to do is put fuel in it and regular servicing"

Run away.

[Motorrad]

SpeckledJim said:

Proceed directly to the workshop. Do not pass go. Nor start. Definitely do not collect £200. Jettison £2000. And pay super-tax.

It is the worst day of your life, collect £10 and a lot of pity from each player.

Harsh but fair.

I love the idea of one but am scared about the reality.

[Tinkerton]

Figured as much to be honest. Made the mistake of looking at prices of the front air shocks and wishbones.

Yeah... no.

Oh well, will keep an eye out for something interesting but more pocket friendly!

[figtree]

StonedRollin said:

About the replacement or the Lexus?

Lexus please

[0a]

gobuddygo said:

My old Omega barge passed its MOT again with the usual advisories, small oil leak, which is the only the usual cam cover gasket, 2 tyres, booked in tomorrow for those and surface chassis rust, garage has recommended someone who will sort that for £200 or so, will get that done in the new year, treated her to a full £45 Eastern European valet, came up nice.

I like Omegas. From the days when it was okay for a mainstream manufacturer to make an honest, spacious and comfy car.

[Bubbs999]

JF87 said:

I ran a Mondeo Ghia X estate for ages. Steered our family competently through the vomity, Coke-hosing years of infancy. Unbelievably heavy on juice though for a two-litre (albeit an auto). Don't think we ever topped 25mpg on a run.

Haven't been on a long run yet, but the trip comps showing 27mpg. Havind said that, she is the size if Royal Navy aircraft carrier (first time I've ever been to the local tip and had boot space to spare aplenty).

The abhorent citroen I just had did 55mpg+ on a run, but after just 600 miles in it, the things scrap (new engine needed)
£900 lost there, which in retrospect buys a lot of petrol

The Mondeo is just so comfortable and smooth to drive. She really is 'me' which is all I can ask. I'm releived to have a decent motor once more

[Bubbs999]

0a said:

I like Omegas. From the days when it was okay for a mainstream manufacturer to make an honest, spacious and comfy car.

Me too.

Never owned one though - I had the previous incarnation (Vauxhall Carlton) - was just 4 armchairs on wheels - great car.
Guy I used to work with had the 24v Senator (now there was a motor car)
All gone now Are there any rust free exmaples left ?

[Lowtimer]

Bubbs999 said:

Me too.

Never owned one though - I had the previous incarnation (Vauxhall Carlton) - was just 4 armchairs on wheels - great car.
Guy I used to work with had the 24v Senator (now there was a motor car)
All gone now Are there any rust free exmaples left ?

Mostly gone, I haven't seen a good one on the roads for years.
But I did see an absolutely immaculate Monza GSE a couple of months ago.

[Croutons]

Captaincheese said:

How about this unabused looking example instead of Ford's finest? Probably a few more pounds to buy, but surely a far more satisfying ownership prospect that someone might actually want to buy once you are finished with? This one also appears to be free of rust, which is unusual.

If the ad is to be believed, then it looks like good value.

https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1044081

I think that’s a little harsh on the Mondeo to be honest, I think they serve two different markets. A mondeo buyer will be spending less, and will be fearful of the prospect of big bills on Bavaria’s finest. And who can blame them?

The BM buyer is in here. They are still fearful of the bills, but use some complex maths to justify the purchase. And there’s already quite a list of admitted niggles.

I dare suggest there would be more mondeo buyers as a result...

Edited by Croutons on Thursday 18th October 20:57

[Dum Dum]

I have always been more of an observer of this thread than frequent poster, especially over the recent times when my barge membership card would have been suspended due to overly predictable car choices (company cars that sip from the pumps of darkness).

I have spent the last week or so reading all 141 (at time of posting) pages of this volume to bring myself back up to speed on what has been going on in the noble world of barge ownership.

I was surprised to see quite a few of the regulars are now owners of a Lexus LS.
I think I was most surprised though, by Oa selling (one of) his Mercedes!

With my commute now changing from 100 miles a day to working from home, I can get a barge back into my life.
Luna, (the moon mileage V70 D5) has been giving sterling service and has ridiculously comfortable seats, but, other than in turning circle, it cannot be considered a barge.

So now my search commences for something appropriately threadworthy,

Only thing I am certainly excluding is any BMW 7 series. I am one of the rare individuals that simply does not "get" the appeal of BMW's, with the exception of the Z4 coupe.

In true thread fashion, I expect I will buy blind - not for the first time, and explain to the wife once car appears on the drive

[Johnny Raydome]

SpeckledJim said:

Proceed directly to the workshop. Do not pass go. Nor start. Definitely do not collect £200. Jettison £2000. And pay super-tax.

It is the worst day of your life, collect £10 and a lot of pity from each player.

Thank you, SJ.

Miserable day and needed a smile, got a belly-laugh instead.

[Goldfever4]

JF87 said:

GASSED! What a buy this looks for £795.



https://www.gumtree.com/p/bmw/2000-bmw-e39-528i-au...

Looks already reduced to £695 - seems awfully keen for a quick sale and MOT history is... colourful.

But then again under £700

[Dum Dum]

0a said:

gobuddygo said:

My old Omega barge passed its MOT again with the usual advisories, small oil leak, which is the only the usual cam cover gasket, 2 tyres, booked in tomorrow for those and surface chassis rust, garage has recommended someone who will sort that for £200 or so, will get that done in the new year, treated her to a full £45 Eastern European valet, came up nice.

I like Omegas. From the days when it was okay for a mainstream manufacturer to make an honest, spacious and comfy car.

Great old lumps the Omega's, cheap, reliable (mostly) and very comfortable.I have owned more than a few of them.
Not a patch on the 24v Senator (what a car!), but still a good car.