Best smoker barges 1-5 large [vol11]

[bob-lad]

Zonergem said:

CharlesdeGaulle said:

That's a nice-looking car. Not sure the ad fills me with confidence, but if the car checks out that would be a really decent buy.

I thought "XJS" and "rust-free" were mutually exclusive propositions.

Also you sense from the tyres alone (P4000s, long out of production) that it has been stood for a long time and that doesn't help.

http://www.kwecars.com/kwe-tech-note-v12-cooling-s...

However at that price it's worth it as a piece of sculpture, not so much SORN'd as installed.

And the relevance of that is?

[0a]

nickod said:

Back from fitting 4 new conti sport tyres and after a good clean ( despite the rain) got 4 new wheel trims ordered, ribbed carpet mats, a new center arm rest from eBay on the way ( this one is quite marked ) and a set of rubber mats from Mercedes Aylesbury.

Sorry about the rainy photos.

The 190 looks great.

They are becoming more and more valued in a world of complicated, unreliable cars with crap ride quality.

I did ring up my insurer to change the value of the 190 2.6 and the SL to £10k each this week...! One can hope! (though I suspect I would't find either for any less).

Edited by 0a on Saturday 22 July 19:58

[CharlesdeGaulle]

0a said:

I did ring up my insurer to change the value of the 190 2.6 and the SL to £10k each this week...!

Did I remember to stick a footballer-esque clause in the sales contract to get a share of value uplift?

[cat220]

nickod said:

Back from fitting 4 new conti sport tyres and after a good clean ( despite the rain) got 4 new wheel trims ordered, ribbed carpet mats, a new center arm rest from eBay on the way ( this one is quite marked ) and a set of rubber mats from Mercedes Aylesbury.

Sorry about the rainy photos.

190 looks great, glad you're enjoying it. The p38 in the garage looks interesting, any info on that?

[Krikkit]

cat220 said:

190 looks great, glad you're enjoying it. The p38 in the garage looks interesting, any info on that?

Not a P38, it's a RRC.

Lovely combo.

[DoctorX]

cat220 said:

190 looks great, glad you're enjoying it. The p38 in the garage looks interesting, any info on that?

P38?

[harrykul]

That's a classic, no?

+1 for more information please

[bob-lad]

It looks like a lovely 3.5 V8 RRC.


Nice.

[cat220]

Krikkit said:

cat220 said:

190 looks great, glad you're enjoying it. The p38 in the garage looks interesting, any info on that?

Not a P38, it's a RRC.

Lovely combo.

Doh, using viewing on my phone as an excuse!

[nickod]

Here is a better picture of my RRC. I will post some better ones later tomorrow if the weather is a bit better. I'm so scared of it rusting I've had a garage built - as you can see in the 190 picture earlier I'm already putting it in the garage before its finished ( door goes on next week).

I've had it 8 months however it was away at Atkinson engineering in Birmingham for nearly 6 months mostly for the chassis and underside which were good but are now totally sorted. It's a jersey car with only 60k miles. 1989 3.5 vogue so one of the last 3.5's. Grey teddy bear and very rare portofino red. It's in great condition however if I'm really picky the previous owner resprayed it ( due to the red fading) it and it isn't perfect. I'd like to respray it again however I've not found anyone yet who I'd trust to do it - any recommendations gratefully received.
Oa's SL respray looks really good. I'd be prepared to pay good money for a really good job.

The sound of the 3.5 is very addictive.

[nickod]

One more

[cat220]

nickod said:

Here is a better picture of my RRC. I will post some better ones later tomorrow if the weather is a bit better. I'm so scared of it rusting I've had a garage built - as you can see in the 190 picture earlier I'm already putting it in the garage before its finished ( door goes on next week).

I've had it 8 months however it was away at Atkinson engineering in Birmingham for nearly 6 months mostly for the chassis and underside which were good but are now totally sorted. It's a jersey car with only 60k miles. 1989 3.5 vogue so one of the last 3.5's. Grey teddy bear and very rare portofino red. It's in great condition however if I'm really picky the previous owner resprayed it ( due to the red fading) it and it isn't perfect. I'd like to respray it again however I've not found anyone yet who I'd trust to do it - any recommendations gratefully received.
Oa's SL respray looks really good. I'd be prepared to pay good money for a really good job.

The sound of the 3.5 is very addictive.

Very nice. I've not driven one in about 20 years but have fond memories. Not sure where you are in the country but these guys are very good: https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=jb+coachworks&am...
Jim the owner is a true gent and petrolhead, he's done a lot of work for me over the years.

[nickod]

cat220 said:

nickod said:

Here is a better picture of my RRC. I will post some better ones later tomorrow if the weather is a bit better. I'm so scared of it rusting I've had a garage built - as you can see in the 190 picture earlier I'm already putting it in the garage before its finished ( door goes on next week).

I've had it 8 months however it was away at Atkinson engineering in Birmingham for nearly 6 months mostly for the chassis and underside which were good but are now totally sorted. It's a jersey car with only 60k miles. 1989 3.5 vogue so one of the last 3.5's. Grey teddy bear and very rare portofino red. It's in great condition however if I'm really picky the previous owner resprayed it ( due to the red fading) it and it isn't perfect. I'd like to respray it again however I've not found anyone yet who I'd trust to do it - any recommendations gratefully received.
Oa's SL respray looks really good. I'd be prepared to pay good money for a really good job.

The sound of the 3.5 is very addictive.

Very nice. I've not driven one in about 20 years but have fond memories. Not sure where you are in the country but these guys are very good: https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=jb+coachworks&am...
Jim the owner is a true gent and petrolhead, he's done a lot of work for me over the years.

Thanks. I'm in the south east but I'd be prepared to take it anywhere in the uk if it's a good job. I'm told the best way to spray RRC's is to paint the panels off the car. That adds a fair bit I think to the cost however I'm not sure it has to be done like that.

[dscam]

A couple of smart and tidy E500 estates - really starting to think this might be my next move after the V70:



https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/282580982331






https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/272772425842

[CharlesdeGaulle]

dscam said:

A couple of smart and tidy E500 estates - really starting to think this might be my next move after the V70:

I'm thinking along the same lines, although it may be a way off yet.

[r129sl]

Nickod, both the 190 and the RRC look the business. I think you should be saluted on your good taste. I would have liked a RRC but I have missed the boat, rather.

The silver E500 Elegance Estate gives me a dilemma. Should I junk my 210 and 124 and replace them with that car which would serve our needs so very well?

[Krikkit]

r129sl said:

The silver E500 Elegance Estate gives me a dilemma. Should I junk my 210 and 124 and replace them with that car which would serve our needs so very well?

No doubt it's a great do-everything car, but with the 210 and 124 being so well-sorted is it a risk too far? The 7G box would be a constant worry on high mileage for me as well, they're already a bit of a weak spot.

[Biglips]

I have been really pleased with my e500 estate which I picked up at Easter. It is a huge step up from my previous V70 in quality. I would not go back to a V70 having owned both now despite enjoying my v70 ownership.

However I will say that running costs are significantly higher reflecting the greater complexity of the car. I have just had a service plus engine mounts rear discs and pads and it was 1200 at an Indy. I suspect it would have been 6 to 800 for the same on my v70. The 7g box is wholly reliable as long as the atf change is done and certainly better than the V70 gearbox in P2 format....

the E500s are usually well optioned and the car has all the mod cons one might need. Look for the dynamic seats if you can find them. I thought they were a gimmick but I love them now. Check that the air suspension and SBC brakes are working and put a sum aside for when they decide to play up. I love SBC and the brake hold function, but know that it will need replacing at some point

They are a different era to the 124 and so not really a direct comparison. Much better dynamics in terms of handling braking etc. Noise insulation is significantly better. The wind noise at speed in the 124 irritated me. The 124 is a much more handsome car and they still turn my head when I see them. I also miss the amazing visibility of the 124 with glass everywhere. I loved the narrow body and lack of bloat that newer cars have accumulated. Most of all I loved the 3.6 AMG lump up front. What an engine!

The s210 I never loved as it was a diesel and I knew I had made a mistake as soon as I bought it, particularly when the rust started sprouting everywhere. The interior was a nice place to be but a bit of an ugly duckling from the outside. Good cars if you can find a rust free one.

I think there will be a few of these e500s coming up for sale with the London ULEZ coming as they are not compliant so don't pay too much. I paid 3k for mine which is very highly spec ed. I think that the avantegarde looks better than the elegance but that is an individual choice. The engines are good for huge mileages so don't let that put you off but suspension may need some attention on the higher mileage examples

I doubt I will ever sell mine. I don't have any desire to try another car as I think these have it all and are ridiculously cheap for the amount of car you get. That is rare for me as I am usually always on the hunt for the next car.

Good luck with your decisions gents. I don't think you will be disappointed if you take the plunge.

[Krikkit]

Interesting stuff Biglips, out of interest how does the age/mileage at changeover from V70 to E500 compare? I haven't owned one personally, but we had a family V70 Ph1 when I was younger and the quality was spot on. One or two of the plastic bits felt a bit cheap, but certainly never caused an issue.

I had heard the 7G box had valve body problems which were often rectified early on, but it still presented in occasionally flakey units. A lot of the E500s in budget will be 2003-2005 E500s which were right around the troubled times.

Edited by Krikkit on Sunday 23 July 14:20

[Biglips]

Krikkit said:

Interesting stuff Biglips, out of interest how does the age/mileage at changeover from V70 to E500 compare? I haven't owned one personally, but we had a family V70 Ph1 when I was younger and the quality was spot on. One or two of the plastic bits felt a bit cheap, but certainly never caused an issue.

I had heard the 7G box had valve body problems which were often rectified early on, but it still presented in occasionally flakey units. A lot of the E500s in budget will be 2003-2005 E500s which were right around the troubled times.

Edited by Krikkit on Sunday 23 July 14:20

Mileages were very similar. 130k on the V70 and I have just taken the e500 through 150k.

The v70 didn't fall apart rather it just felt lower quality, especially after coming from a 124. Plastics felt cheap. The plastics creaked and groaned when you rested an arm on the centre armrest. Fake wood veneer that looked cheap and started to rub off with wear. The seats and the stereo in the v70 were great. The turning circle in the volvo was hideous. That together with candles for headlights meant that my wife would not drive it in the winter months. She loves the Merc and happily takes it when there are a car load of kids and clobber to ferry about.

I think the huge amounts of torque on tap and the air suspension just make the merc feel like a higher quality product, which of course was reflected in the asking prices when new. Don't get me wrong the v70 was a very good car. I bought it when I was fairly skint after moving house and it proved to be a loyal, comfy and practical family wagon but I never bonded fully with it.