Best smoker barges 1-5 large [Vol 12]

[SpeckledJim]

CharlesdeGaulle said:

Biglips said:

bob-lad said:

With the demise of our trusty Disco 3 after 250,000 miles we are looking for a replacement barge for mrs-lad.

The potential options so far are V6 petrol X-Type estate 4x4 or Volvo XC70.

Apparently a brace of black Labradors will arrive at some point beyond my control and the love of more space than required necessitate estate.

For arguments sake lets stick to just above thread budget as a max. She's happy to pinch my L322 when required but doesn't want one of her own.


Help.

I would be looking at something larger than those to accommodate 2 labs.

If it's a 2 human/2 dog car, you'd be OK with either of those I'd have thought, but for family use plus dogs they'd be more limited.

bob-lad - we've had the estate discussion here several times. The obvious 'thread answer' is a Merc. I know you love your Jaguars but I just couldn't live with an X-type, but I do like Volvos and Saabs. If you need XC-capability, you're left with the Volvo or an Audi quattro aren't you? Either would be good for that type of job.

Not quite in thread-scope yet, but an XF shooting brake?

[Dr Interceptor]

SpeckledJim said:

CharlesdeGaulle said:

Biglips said:

bob-lad said:

With the demise of our trusty Disco 3 after 250,000 miles we are looking for a replacement barge for mrs-lad.

The potential options so far are V6 petrol X-Type estate 4x4 or Volvo XC70.

Apparently a brace of black Labradors will arrive at some point beyond my control and the love of more space than required necessitate estate.

For arguments sake lets stick to just above thread budget as a max. She's happy to pinch my L322 when required but doesn't want one of her own.


Help.

I would be looking at something larger than those to accommodate 2 labs.

If it's a 2 human/2 dog car, you'd be OK with either of those I'd have thought, but for family use plus dogs they'd be more limited.

bob-lad - we've had the estate discussion here several times. The obvious 'thread answer' is a Merc. I know you love your Jaguars but I just couldn't live with an X-type, but I do like Volvos and Saabs. If you need XC-capability, you're left with the Volvo or an Audi quattro aren't you? Either would be good for that type of job.

Not quite in thread-scope yet, but an XF shooting brake?

If we're going 'not quite' in thread scope... How about Skoda Superb 3.6 V6 ( 260ps ) 4X4 DSG Elegance http://r.ebay.com/gx9uWy

[Krikkit]

SpeckledJim said:

Not quite in thread-scope yet, but an XF shooting brake?

Lovely things, but I'd postulate they might not be big enough for 2 labs in the boot with the seats up. The rear is quite angled, so not as roomy as it looks.

[SpeckledJim]

Krikkit said:

SpeckledJim said:

Not quite in thread-scope yet, but an XF shooting brake?

Lovely things, but I'd postulate they might not be big enough for 2 labs in the boot with the seats up. The rear is quite angled, so not as roomy as it looks.

Granted, they're not very big. I just mentioned it since the chap likes Jags, and that's the only other option to an X-Type.

[bob-lad]

SpeckledJim said:

Krikkit said:

SpeckledJim said:

Not quite in thread-scope yet, but an XF shooting brake?

Lovely things, but I'd postulate they might not be big enough for 2 labs in the boot with the seats up. The rear is quite angled, so not as roomy as it looks.

Granted, they're not very big. I just mentioned it since the chap likes Jags, and that's the only other option to an X-Type.

Yep, she likes the facelift XF shooting brake.
The X-Type estate is a yes, but the saloon is as disliked as it is here.

I'd quite like an E55 estate but she wouldn't like to park it. Or feed it.

The dogs are hypothetical at this stage, but the capability to shift the sort of crap the Disco used to move remains

Skoda is a no.
Vauxhall is a no.
BMW is a no.
VW is a no (except a Golf)
As is Fiat, Chrysler, anything French, Subaru all no.
Toyota not doing well either.

It'll probably be a Volvo then.

Or a Freelander 2
Or an Audi, yes.

What are these like?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Edited by bob-lad on Thursday 22 March 12:49

[hondafanatic]

bob-lad said:

What are these like?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

I can add a little info...I went from an 2015 Audi S3 saloon to a 2011 C63 Estate...despite the infotainment, plastics etc not being quite as nice in Merc compared to the Audi (and why should given one car was new and the other nearing a facelift) I've very much become a Merc fan. It feels so much more 'solid' that the Audi. The build quality seems more granite like and I'd happily look at non-amg models if I was changing.

In saying that, it took a couple of days to get used to the 'stick everything on one stalk' attitude that Mercedes have.

[ian316]

Well I've finally heard from the insurance with regard to my w124 and she's getting fixed, so I can finally cheer up

Edited by ian316 on Thursday 22 March 15:32

[K12beano]

[Krikkit]

Tremendous news. Are they writing it off and you buying it back for repair etc, or just straight to the bodyshop for sorting?

[TurboHatchback]

Just saw this 159 3.2l Q4 within haggling range of thread budget, looks like a decent slice of car for the money and only on 67k:

[5er]

Dr Interceptor said:

If we're going 'not quite' in thread scope... How about Skoda Superb 3.6 V6 ( 260ps ) 4X4 DSG Elegance http://r.ebay.com/gx9uWy

Regarding the Bluetooth in this - does anyone know if it'll stream and play music from a phone (Spotify etc) or is it purely phone prep? I'm sure newer models will do it but I'm not sure of Superbs of this age.

[ian316]

Krikkit said:

Tremendous news. Are they writing it off and you buying it back for repair etc, or just straight to the bodyshop for sorting?

Straight bodyshop repair so no cat d/s whatever it is these days and cheers K12beano

[TurboHatchback]

5er said:

Dr Interceptor said:

If we're going 'not quite' in thread scope... How about Skoda Superb 3.6 V6 ( 260ps ) 4X4 DSG Elegance http://r.ebay.com/gx9uWy

Regarding the Bluetooth in this - does anyone know if it'll stream and play music from a phone (Spotify etc) or is it purely phone prep? I'm sure newer models will do it but I'm not sure of Superbs of this age.

I have one, I'm pretty sure it does though I've never actually tried it. There's one on autotrader for under £6k at the moment which is more or less an exact clone of mine (but with more miles).

[Krikkit]

ian316 said:

Krikkit said:

Tremendous news. Are they writing it off and you buying it back for repair etc, or just straight to the bodyshop for sorting?

Straight bodyshop repair so no cat d/s whatever it is these days and cheers K12beano

Great result, happy days!

[5er]

TurboHatchback said:

I have one, I'm pretty sure it does though I've never actually tried it. There's one on autotrader for under £6k at the moment which is more or less an exact clone of mine (but with more miles).

Thanks. I've seen the higher mileage one too and I noticed your post about your purchase previously. How are you getting on with it?

[ian316]

Krikkit said:

Great result, happy days!

Thanks certainly cheered me up

[Prinny]

Krikkit said:

ian316 said:

Krikkit said:

Tremendous news. Are they writing it off and you buying it back for repair etc, or just straight to the bodyshop for sorting?

Straight bodyshop repair so no cat d/s whatever it is these days and cheers K12beano

Great result, happy days!

Fantastic! really happy for you Ian. One more good Mercedes kept on the road.

Now, more importantly - are you still up for the pink mini barge meet on Saturday?

If so - would you be so kind as to let me/everyone know where exactly your meeting place under Hull’s bridge is, please?

[TurboHatchback]

5er said:

TurboHatchback said:

I have one, I'm pretty sure it does though I've never actually tried it. There's one on autotrader for under £6k at the moment which is more or less an exact clone of mine (but with more miles).

Thanks. I've seen the higher mileage one too and I noticed your post about your purchase previously. How are you getting on with it?

Good so far, the only gripe I have is that a fuel tank that takes about £58 of petrol from the light coming on is a bit small when you have 3.6l of V6 under the bonnet. I had a major service, brake fluid, DSG and Haldex fluids done at the main dealers, it was a less frightening bill than you might expect and they collected and delivered it which was nice. In the snow it was pretty good, even on summer tyres it went up some hills with no bother at all. I would absolutely recommend one, it's a lovely way to cover distance in proper bargetastic luxury with no pretence at being 'sporty' (i.e. uncomfortable).

The seats are great, I like the panoramic roof, bluetooth is great and the media system is excellent. The electric tailgate is amusing but utterly pointless and occasionally fails to cooperate if it's particularly cold or it's feeling peaky, also the lower half of the backlight for the speedo doesn't work so when it's dark I can't see how fast I'm going below 15mph or above 130, neither of which is terribly relevant. Apparently this can be sorted for £120, might do so at some point.

[ian316]

Prinny said:

Fantastic! really happy for you Ian. One more good Mercedes kept on the road.

Now, more importantly - are you still up for the pink mini barge meet on Saturday?

If so - would you be so kind as to let me/everyone know where exactly your meeting place under Hull’s bridge is, please?

I'm up for it if you google humber bridge tourist information centre the car parks massive a few strange blokes with dodgy cars won't be too odd lol i'll still be in a pink wheeled mini or the bike weather permitting, the pub is called The Country Park

Edited by ian316 on Thursday 22 March 17:11

[Krikkit]

Sounds good, I seem to have lost the doodle link!