Best smoker barges 1-5 large [vol11]
Discussion
Max M4X WW said:
Pothole said:
dscam said:
Love that. Remarkably unmodernised which is great to see - the tiling and built in furniture are high points for me. It's one thing keeping a car original but takes quite some restraint with a family home.
Fabulous isn't it?Trexthedinosaur said:
Gents,
Considering bringing a barge over to Germany to use on long distance weekend trips, support the commute and because barges are mega-expensive in Germany.
I am thinking LS400 / Jag XJ / Saab, circa 2-3k.
I've had all three, no offence to the Bjorns but I'd only be looking at either LS or XJ.Considering bringing a barge over to Germany to use on long distance weekend trips, support the commute and because barges are mega-expensive in Germany.
I am thinking LS400 / Jag XJ / Saab, circa 2-3k.
Edited by Trexthedinosaur on Wednesday 5th July 11:00
LS is (like me) totally unfashionable and never stops working, and the Jag is, well, a Jag. Plenty of buyer's guides around if you are thinking XJ40/X300 (dbdb's review is particularly excellent), and very few around for the LS as there are very few things to watch out for.
SimonConnell said:
Bargista said:
What should a chap advertise a 211k 2001 E39 540i touring for?
I would think £3k will get you a buyer, and £2.5k would get you a buyer more rapidly. However, I also suspect that if you paid your mechanic to attend to all the little niggles you've mentioned (and assuming it's had the usual issues such as cooling addressed) then you could try your luck at £4-4.5k and see if a buyer emerges.Edited by SimonConnell on Wednesday 5th July 14:41
As a reference point my 2003 E39 540i sport (saloon, 133k miles) was written off earlier this year, I got £5.5k and view myself lucky.
I'm off to view a very un-barge like exige this evening, if all works I'm shortly listing my E39, although now fixed but Cat recorded (and with a few other niggles - Key battery, couple of pixels etc.) I'm banking on £2-2.5k tops and it's 2 years and 80k miles newer.
olly755 said:
Trexthedinosaur said:
Gents,
Considering bringing a barge over to Germany to use on long distance weekend trips, support the commute and because barges are mega-expensive in Germany.
I am thinking LS400 / Jag XJ / Saab, circa 2-3k.
I've had all three, no offence to the Bjorns but I'd only be looking at either LS or XJ.Considering bringing a barge over to Germany to use on long distance weekend trips, support the commute and because barges are mega-expensive in Germany.
I am thinking LS400 / Jag XJ / Saab, circa 2-3k.
Edited by Trexthedinosaur on Wednesday 5th July 11:00
LS is (like me) totally unfashionable and never stops working, and the Jag is, well, a Jag. Plenty of buyer's guides around if you are thinking XJ40/X300 (dbdb's review is particularly excellent), and very few around for the LS as there are very few things to watch out for.
LS400, LS430 preferred, is the GS worth a look?
Captaincheese said:
What is the general consensus on these?
I realise that it won't be for everyone in pensioner blue with light leather, but this looks like conspicuous good value to me.....
I've had one for 16 months and can't fault it for value for money. Only one thing that is slightly annoying is the parking sensors have a mind of their own,a quick wipe with a cloth seems to do the trick though for a few weeks.I realise that it won't be for everyone in pensioner blue with light leather, but this looks like conspicuous good value to me.....
On the "AT" customer reviews mine is the last one posted which will give you an idea of my views.
That one you're looking at seems very cheap for the mileage,but there seems to be a 2-3k variance for what look like similar cars. Absolutely love mine.
I was most surprised with the Munich taxi this morning, which oddly, was a large Citroen estate, think it was the previous generation C5 estate. The seats were impressively huge and plush leather armchairs, and the awesome ride quality. I have always had a liking for Citroen especially the exceptional ride quality, but this impressed me, so much more comfortable than the ubiquitous Deutsch Taxi staple, the E class.
I am sure all the toys would stop working in weeks after buying it, but it would be a very comfortable place to sit on your driveway.
I am sure all the toys would stop working in weeks after buying it, but it would be a very comfortable place to sit on your driveway.
0a said:
Jag XJ8 air con update: if you remember I got KwickFit to refill the car. 24 hours later it was back to being warm again.
A month and a bit ago I used one of those reseal kits from Halfords (I go for all the best brands) and a can of dodgy looking refill stuff. It went really cold, and I am sure it's getting colder as time goes on!
I've had exactly the same experience with the a/c in my daily. As you say, it appears to be colder than previously. Only did mine a couple of weeks ago, so fingers crossed.A month and a bit ago I used one of those reseal kits from Halfords (I go for all the best brands) and a can of dodgy looking refill stuff. It went really cold, and I am sure it's getting colder as time goes on!
Bargista said:
An update on my lovely 2001 BMW 540i touring. It's MOT'd for another year.
Two Conti’s from my local indie for the rear were fitted prior to the test. £208 for 2 Premium Contact 6's seemed fair.
I'd changed the front callipers, as one was sticking slightly and the replacement cured the E39 shimmy under braking between 50 and 60 mph I'd been experiencing. Hurrah!
I knew it needed rear handbrake shoes after I'd also changed the discs and pads all round and had run out of time to do them myself, and it also had one very pale number plate bulb!
My MOT man tested it prior to doing the work - just in case I had missed anything, so it's history shows a fail prior to the pass, but I can live with that.
1 advisory of a chip in the windscreen.
So 6,502 miles covered last year we're now on 211k, and 10k in my ownership...
In my ownership it’s had:
A Bosch battery
Genuine discs, pads and wear sensors
Reconditioned Pagid/ ATE front calipers
Rear handbrake shoes and fitting kit
Conti tyres – front 10k ago, rears just done.
Castrol edge oil change and Mahle oil, air and cabin filters.
Things to do are:
Cure the galleon-esque creak from the front suspension. (No play evident at Mot test.)
Replace the rear air bags as the nearside sags sometimes, when left, but works fine when running.
Fit the ignition switch I bought to cure the occasional electrical oddity.
Fix the intermittent radio and lack of functioning sat nav.
Fix the pixelated lower display
But here’s the spanner in the works. I’ve just found one of my ‘wish’ list cars a very un-barge like 1966 2cv van! (My motoring tastes are many and varied!), and whilst my wonderful wife is very accommodating of my motoring predilections, I’ve instigated a one-in one-out rule to stop things getting out of hand. s oif I do decide to sell:
What should a chap advertise a 211k 2001 E39 540i touring for?
It’s a non-sport model but with sport suspension and comfort seats (a fabulous combination in my book) with double glazing. It wears it’s miles well, and passes the country house hotel test, but it does have the above listed ‘nuances’.
I’d happily get in it and drive it anywhere – it did 400+ miles last Sunday collecting my daughter and all her detritus from Uni, and was a lovely place to spend time. Advice of what it’s worth welcome (tricky I know with limited pics) and then she’ll go up for sale…. I think….
Looks lovely that, the style 32's are just so classy on these.Two Conti’s from my local indie for the rear were fitted prior to the test. £208 for 2 Premium Contact 6's seemed fair.
I'd changed the front callipers, as one was sticking slightly and the replacement cured the E39 shimmy under braking between 50 and 60 mph I'd been experiencing. Hurrah!
I knew it needed rear handbrake shoes after I'd also changed the discs and pads all round and had run out of time to do them myself, and it also had one very pale number plate bulb!
My MOT man tested it prior to doing the work - just in case I had missed anything, so it's history shows a fail prior to the pass, but I can live with that.
1 advisory of a chip in the windscreen.
So 6,502 miles covered last year we're now on 211k, and 10k in my ownership...
In my ownership it’s had:
A Bosch battery
Genuine discs, pads and wear sensors
Reconditioned Pagid/ ATE front calipers
Rear handbrake shoes and fitting kit
Conti tyres – front 10k ago, rears just done.
Castrol edge oil change and Mahle oil, air and cabin filters.
Things to do are:
Cure the galleon-esque creak from the front suspension. (No play evident at Mot test.)
Replace the rear air bags as the nearside sags sometimes, when left, but works fine when running.
Fit the ignition switch I bought to cure the occasional electrical oddity.
Fix the intermittent radio and lack of functioning sat nav.
Fix the pixelated lower display
But here’s the spanner in the works. I’ve just found one of my ‘wish’ list cars a very un-barge like 1966 2cv van! (My motoring tastes are many and varied!), and whilst my wonderful wife is very accommodating of my motoring predilections, I’ve instigated a one-in one-out rule to stop things getting out of hand. s oif I do decide to sell:
What should a chap advertise a 211k 2001 E39 540i touring for?
It’s a non-sport model but with sport suspension and comfort seats (a fabulous combination in my book) with double glazing. It wears it’s miles well, and passes the country house hotel test, but it does have the above listed ‘nuances’.
I’d happily get in it and drive it anywhere – it did 400+ miles last Sunday collecting my daughter and all her detritus from Uni, and was a lovely place to spend time. Advice of what it’s worth welcome (tricky I know with limited pics) and then she’ll go up for sale…. I think….
The galleonesque creaking may be worn top mounts, my old 750 creaked like an imploding submarine when hot, and it turned out that one of the top mounts were well and truly shot, replaced both and were greeted to a silent composed ride, so you might want so look into that.
Mini Barge update: the 190 back. Small rust bubble gone, polished (by the paint guy!), MOTed, tyres, exhaust, a couple of bits on the suspension. It appears to have picked up a bit of a judder as you turn left at lower speeds though.
It has been in with my mechanic since the start of April!
Interior still impressively green!
It has been in with my mechanic since the start of April!
Interior still impressively green!
600TT update. I finally got a bit of time with the car this evening and sorted out the scraping noise from the large wheels, it turns out they were hitting the mudflaps, have removed said flaps and that is one annoyance with the car gone. Went for a decent drive to celebrate then when I was at the petrol station another W220 turned up and the drive asked if I would sell to him, I was thinking about it then went for another drive and thought on balance it should stay......
PowerslideSWE said:
Looks lovely that, the style 32's are just so classy on these.
The galleonesque creaking may be worn top mounts, my old 750 creaked like an imploding submarine when hot, and it turned out that one of the top mounts were well and truly shot, replaced both and were greeted to a silent composed ride, so you might want so look into that.
Barrister, I agree with the top mount fix above. On Wheeler Dealers from eons ago, they bought an E39 M5 and it made the noise your referring to. New top mount, job done.The galleonesque creaking may be worn top mounts, my old 750 creaked like an imploding submarine when hot, and it turned out that one of the top mounts were well and truly shot, replaced both and were greeted to a silent composed ride, so you might want so look into that.
Price wise, this is older but has significantly fewer miles. So I'd be looking around this, price wise
https://www.gumtree.com/p/bmw/bmw-e39-540i-touring...
0a said:
Mini Barge update: ... It appears to have picked up a bit of a judder as you turn left at lower speeds though. ...
Someone will know more, but there's a risky design to the front suspension that fails in a very unsafe way, without much warning, as I remember. Better get that looked at.SpeckledJim said:
0a said:
Mini Barge update: ... It appears to have picked up a bit of a judder as you turn left at lower speeds though. ...
Someone will know more, but there's a risky design to the front suspension that fails in a very unsafe way, without much warning, as I remember. Better get that looked at.Trexthedinosaur said:
I want cheap, reliable, comfy ...
LS400, LS430 preferred, is the GS worth a look?
If you can find a MK2 GS430, that would be my pick. They do appear to be some-what of a rarity though.LS400, LS430 preferred, is the GS worth a look?
Otherwise, i'd go for the LS400. I'm sure the '430 wasn't quite as good, if i remember correctly.
Some good barge work here, good to hear the 190 and the S600TT are both in working order again.
QuantumTokoloshi said:
I was most surprised with the Munich taxi this morning, which oddly, was a large Citroen estate, think it was the previous generation C5 estate. The seats were impressively huge and plush leather armchairs, and the awesome ride quality. I have always had a liking for Citroen especially the exceptional ride quality, but this impressed me, so much more comfortable than the ubiquitous Deutsch Taxi staple, the E class.
I am sure all the toys would stop working in weeks after buying it, but it would be a very comfortable place to sit on your driveway.
I'd presume it was a hydropneumatic-suspended car, sounds like a very attractive taxi. RE: Reliability I think PSA's cars being flaky is a thing of the past by the time the C5 comes along, at least compared to equivalent cars from the same period.I am sure all the toys would stop working in weeks after buying it, but it would be a very comfortable place to sit on your driveway.
SimonConnell said:
Bargista said:
What should a chap advertise a 211k 2001 E39 540i touring for?
I would think £3k will get you a buyer, and £2.5k would get you a buyer more rapidly. However, I also suspect that if you paid your mechanic to attend to all the little niggles you've mentioned (and assuming it's had the usual issues such as cooling addressed) then you could try your luck at £4-4.5k and see if a buyer emerges.Edited by SimonConnell on Wednesday 5th July 14:41
Asking between 4k-5k isn't as daft as it sounds. It would need to be immaculate though, inside and out, be mechanically sound and have all the preventative maintenance done and up to date on it. More importantly, it would need to be fairly low mileage. I'd put it up for 3k and see what happens.
I agree the mileage won't help, but at this point in the pricing cycle you're selling to an enthusiast market (especially with a strong asking price - there's an £1800 540 touring on AT which hasn't shifted).
Those enthusiasts may be able to look beyond the mileage if the car is in top condition, and therefore less likely to throw a bill than something lower mileage with work outstanding.
Those enthusiasts may be able to look beyond the mileage if the car is in top condition, and therefore less likely to throw a bill than something lower mileage with work outstanding.
SimonConnell said:
I agree the mileage won't help, but at this point in the pricing cycle you're selling to an enthusiast market (especially with a strong asking price - there's an £1800 540 touring on AT which hasn't shifted).
Those enthusiasts may be able to look beyond the mileage if the car is in top condition, and therefore less likely to throw a bill than something lower mileage with work outstanding.
Yupp. That can make it a tougher market if anything, as enthusiasts definitely won't be paying over the odds for one. The Touring versions do have the expensive suspension bits as apposed to the saloon, which may be the reason why it's up for a low amount.Those enthusiasts may be able to look beyond the mileage if the car is in top condition, and therefore less likely to throw a bill than something lower mileage with work outstanding.
These cars and the engines can go on for a very long time and do big mileage if cared for. But, they're not the cheapest to keep in tip-top condition. Someone looking to buy one of these will probably be fully aware of that, if it's an enthusiast.
I've been running an E39 540iA Touring as our only family car for 5.5 years.
I paid £5k back when I bought it. I've probably paid another £5k in that time for all the servicing and repairs, including two radiators. (Get OEM.)
I've no incentive to change it, I love it. I would have thought £3k is a fair price, but it might take a while to find a buyer. I think my lifetime mpg is 23.4. But the wife uses it for a lot of short runs. She found that bollards can occasionally launch themselves at the rear wing this week.
I paid £5k back when I bought it. I've probably paid another £5k in that time for all the servicing and repairs, including two radiators. (Get OEM.)
I've no incentive to change it, I love it. I would have thought £3k is a fair price, but it might take a while to find a buyer. I think my lifetime mpg is 23.4. But the wife uses it for a lot of short runs. She found that bollards can occasionally launch themselves at the rear wing this week.
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