Best Smoker Barges - 1 - 5 Large [Vol 3]

[sparks_E39]

Fox- said:

Why do I find cars like that so much more appealing than newer stuff?

I'm in the same boat (or is that barge? ) The late 90's early 00's era of BMW's hold the most appeal to me, I think it's partly due to the Bangle era where they became a tad uglier and bloated. It's only in the last 2 years that they started getting good looking again in my opinion. I saw the new 6 Series Coupe at Goodwood last year, it's a stunner.

[bmthnick1981]

I'm the same too chaps. Late 90's early 00's BMW's hold the most interest for me. I do like some of the older stuff too. New stuff leaves me a bit cold - but I wouldn't say no to a new M5!

[E38Ross]

sparks_E39 said:

I'm in the same boat (or is that barge? )

no, it's boat

[phil_cardiff]

Fox- said:

phil_cardiff said:

I'm not sure I made an error. Find me the 55 plate BMW 5 series with 250bhp for £2.5k. Less than 90k miles and fsh too. It's not better than the e39 but is by no means crap and the value can't be ignored.

You could use that argument to justify a Kia Magentis.

That's a bit of a stretch Fox. The Kia Magentis didn't get a reasonable review in Evo like the Saab 9-5 aero did.

[phil_cardiff]

jonnydm said:

phil_cardiff said:

jonnydm said:

Indeed there was a minor distraction but most of us realised the error and moved back to Bavaria.

I'm not sure I made an error. Find me the 55 plate BMW 5 series with 250bhp for £2.5k. Less than 90k miles and fsh too. It's not better than the e39 but is by no means crap and the value can't be ignored.

Apols Phil, that comment was more than a bit tongue in cheek!

The Saab was/is a very capable machine. In hindsight, having a 'new' registration, FSH etc is nice but I'm far happier with my 330i despite it having more miles and being 4 years older. The Saab can munch miles well but was never really fun and the Beemer interior is miles ahead.

However a 9-5 Aero is a good car and remains fantastic vfm for what you get.

ETA Alex. That is a new level of value. Well done chap, hope it turns out to be as good as it looks.

The Saab does make me wish I had 2 cars or a better all rounder but I doubt I'd feel much different if I had a BMW 3/5 series as I've just come from a MX-5 and miss the handling so, so much. Still, it's nice to be able to hear the stereo etc.

For the record I am convinced the BMWs are superior to my Saab and that's why their values are so firm. To firm for my logic.

[treetops]

bmthnick1981 said:

Chaps, as promised, 1 photo of a currently rather tired looking B3;



Quite a long list to do but should be a nice car in a month or so

Rear tyre looks like a slick. Has it been drifting?!

[treetops]

A lex said:

The next barge is bought, and it is delightfully barge like!

A cheeky bid on the Bay of Fleas has landed me with a 2004 V70 D5.

Manual box, 7 seats, its the facelift model with the nicer front/rear end and the updated interior - that also means its the better 180bhp engine. FSH, descirbed as mechanically good.

Really chuffed with the looks of it - looks to be a PX from a dealer. It looks like the interior needs a bit of work, im guessing its been used as a daily family wagon by the previous owner.

IF it all checks out I think 2350 is a bloody steal. Heres hoping

Nice. Though my head tells me there may well be a reason. Desirable cars like that would likely be past out to the trade than being ebayed.

Hope I'm wrong though.

[treetops]

It just shows how cheap decent motoring has become, I am currently seeking a decent t5 of thereabouts the same vintage as that one no luck as yet. If it all checks out that is superb bargain! Top job.

[S3_Graham]

A lex said:

treetops said:

Nice. Though my head tells me there may well be a reason. Desirable cars like that would likely be past out to the trade than being ebayed.

Hope I'm wrong though.

We'll see - on Wednesday probably! The interior is a little grubby and to be fair its an 8yr old car with 150k miles on it. I cant imagine he gave much more than 1500 for it on a trade-in......

I would go with the fact they are so expensive to fix! We have a '55 V70 D5 AWD at work. Granted it gets abused and it's maintained at main dealer but every year it throws up some £500 bills. Last trip to quick fit was £700!!

[jfbrin]

Excellent barging. Good luck with the purchase.

[Stedman]

S3_Graham said:

A lex said:

treetops said:

Nice. Though my head tells me there may well be a reason. Desirable cars like that would likely be past out to the trade than being ebayed.

Hope I'm wrong though.

We'll see - on Wednesday probably! The interior is a little grubby and to be fair its an 8yr old car with 150k miles on it. I cant imagine he gave much more than 1500 for it on a trade-in......

I would go with the fact they are so expensive to fix! We have a '55 V70 D5 AWD at work. Granted it gets abused and it's maintained at main dealer but every year it throws up some £500 bills. Last trip to quick fit was £700!!

Yes, but Volvo labour rates are redonkulous. Laughable.

[Zwolf]

Stedman said:

S3_Graham said:

A lex said:

treetops said:

Nice. Though my head tells me there may well be a reason. Desirable cars like that would likely be past out to the trade than being ebayed.

Hope I'm wrong though.

We'll see - on Wednesday probably! The interior is a little grubby and to be fair its an 8yr old car with 150k miles on it. I cant imagine he gave much more than 1500 for it on a trade-in......

I would go with the fact they are so expensive to fix! We have a '55 V70 D5 AWD at work. Granted it gets abused and it's maintained at main dealer but every year it throws up some £500 bills. Last trip to quick fit was £700!!

Yes, but Volvo labour rates are redonkulous. Laughable.

Note that was £700 at Kwik-fit, not Volvo...

[kchika]

Looks like someone has bought the Imola Red loveliness I posted a few days ago.

Meanwhile, the 163k Champers II 530i went for £3,400!

[Allblackdup]

+1 on the expensive to run.

I used a local volvo specialist when i owned a V70R and even on labour costs the first time i used them i was quite surprised how much it all cost!

Sounds like a good purchase and hope its reliable and inexpensive at least

[Stedman]

Zwolf said:

Note that was £700 at Kwik-fit, not Volvo...

So it didn't need any work done then

[W00DY]

bmthnick1981 said:

Chaps, as promised, 1 photo of a currently rather tired looking B3;



Quite a long list to do but should be a nice car in a month or so

Nice. Will be a lovely thing to smoke around in pnce it's tidy.








http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C295652#

Tasty.

[drophead]

W00DY said:

Nice. Will be a lovely thing to smoke around in pnce it's tidy.








http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C295652#

Tasty.

That is a beauty! Well played sir.

[ED209]

drophead said:

That is a beauty! Well played sir.

Rather dubious "stanceworks" sticker on top of screen though.

[drophead]

ED209 said:

drophead said:

That is a beauty! Well played sir.

Rather dubious "stanceworks" sticker on top of screen though.

Yeah but those lot seem to look after their cars quite abit which you can see here (atleast cosmetically), atleast it hasn't been ragged within an inch of its life. Suspension might need replacing soon though

[VumGarda]

olly22n said:

Fox- said:

olly22n said:

I have spotted a nice 540i SE.

But I'm not sharing it just yet....

The only 540i SE to buy is that 2001 example that a threadist bought and then put back up for sale.

My thoughts too. What was the chaps name?

I think mine is a good one too. It is available for sale, although there's no advert yet as I've been looking for the replacement before selling it (only selling due to reducing my mini-fleet of 2 down to one do-it-all car, probably a Legacy GT-B).

Possibly a bit cheeky, but it isn't an ad so I hope it's ok to say if you fancy a good deal/some details on a facelift 540, PM me.