Best smoker barges 1-5 large [Vol 12]

[nomank]

CharlesdeGaulle said:

This might be a better option. What's going on with the front seat? Is that just the light, or different colours?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

It's a SE-L model (air suspension height settings near heater control) so watch out for the components. Big money. Other things to watch are the headlight adjustment things along with seized brakes (especially the rear). Also not wearing OE alloys but I guess that's easily sorted.

I reckon it's a photo thing about the seats but deffo worth a check as the seats do show wear and tear quite easily - usually LOTS of creases/cracks due to the ultra soft leather.

Cracking car all in all. Really miss mine...

[Jodyone]

r129sl said:

Jodyone said:

I’ve never scratched the jaguar itch but doubt I ever will, despite a lusting for a red XJ40 like the one in the CAR article that teenage me read inside-out.

Get one. It won't disappoint. You may not want to keep it forever, but it will be fun for a while. I ran a really ropey eBay '40 (sub-£300). It was marvellous. The ride was out of this world. Everything was broken on it. A pal turned up in a Bentley Flying Spur; a visiting relative who knows nothing about cars preferred the Jag.

if I ever bought one, that’d be the kind of thing! Half-decrepit but loveable

[CharlesdeGaulle]

r129sl said:

I can't seen any downsides. But.... Just because it is petrol, does not mean it would get the stickers for Paris and Germany. It is quite old petrol. And diesel is still significantly cheaper than petrol in many places on the continent. It lacks heated seats: are you turning left or right at Calais? And 204bhp is not going to be that impressive in the Fatherland. Finally, would you want LHD?

Slightly cheeky but serious question: what about my E430...

The post is Lux-based. Drive home - probably occasional as I'll fly most often - via Lux, Bel, Fra and variations thereof. Rest is commuting to work from my as-yet-undiscovered place to live. I'll need to research MOT-equivalents and LHD may indeed make more sense, but a thread barge has appeal.

[CharlesdeGaulle]

olly755 said:

Yes and yes. Nice selection of wants there.

[r129sl]

CharlesdeGaulle said:

r129sl said:

I can't seen any downsides. But.... Just because it is petrol, does not mean it would get the stickers for Paris and Germany. It is quite old petrol. And diesel is still significantly cheaper than petrol in many places on the continent. It lacks heated seats: are you turning left or right at Calais? And 204bhp is not going to be that impressive in the Fatherland. Finally, would you want LHD?

Slightly cheeky but serious question: what about my E430...

The post is Lux-based. Drive home - probably occasional as I'll fly most often - via Lux, Bel, Fra and variations thereof. Rest is commuting to work from my as-yet-undiscovered place to live. I'll need to research MOT-equivalents and LHD may indeed make more sense, but a thread barge has appeal.

Get something fast and comfortable. Maybe one of the smarter w220 S500s?

[tog]

0a said:

Oh yes! Or a C6. The petrol v6. I would imagine they are incredibly hard to find.

I think the number of petrol V6 C6s in the UK is in the single figures. An Avantime is also on my list - a fried of mine is selling a V6 manual one if anyone is after one.

Itches to scratch: I still want an XM, but don't see I ever will, same with a Jaguar XJ. I've had a Mercedes W124 and a W126, vastly preferred the W126 and would happily have another. I never really gelled with the W124 despite wanting one for ages. I seriously looked at several E38 728s to replace the W126, but never quite found the right one. The E38 is one of the best looking large saloons ever built I reckon, SE spec please not Sport.

[harrykul]

r129sl said:

If only Merc had not skimped on the painting, these would be the barges to end all barges and they undoubtedly ould be highly prized. But for the rot, they are way better than the 124 and 211. I particularly like the super-capacious estates. But that but is just too big to ignore.

I'd second this. My pre-facelift 300td wagon really is proving to be the perfect bargain barge/dog carrier/skip. Great at family duties too. The 606td engine is fab, but not all that economical unless on a run. Despite looking very clean when I bought it, the Norn Iron winter (that's proper northern) has taken it's toll on the poor thing. Now looking firmly in shed territory.

ETA: congratulations Prinny, please sort out the spoiler asap though!

[tobinen]

0a said:

Slightly off topic conversation... what are your barge unscratched itches?

XJ of some flavour
C6 V6
C216 (when down to thread range)
E38

[SpeckledJim]

This northern stuff reminds me of a joke I like. (because I like mauling accents and this one lets me take a run at three).

A scouser, a brummy and a manc are all asked what they consider to be Britain's second city.

The brummy says "easoi, eets brumminnum isnnnnneet".

The manc says "no sweat ar kid, its manchestaaa, arrraaaaight?"

The scouser says "eeeeeeeee, tuff one dat. Probably dat Lundun".

[JF87]

CharlesdeGaulle said:

The post is Lux-based. Drive home - probably occasional as I'll fly most often - via Lux, Bel, Fra and variations thereof. Rest is commuting to work from my as-yet-undiscovered place to live. I'll need to research MOT-equivalents and LHD may indeed make more sense, but a thread barge has appeal.

I know this is going to fall on the very stoniest ground, but that commute is crying out for a big-engined barge on LPG! They almost give the stuff away in Belgium.

[SpeckledJim]

JF87 said:

CharlesdeGaulle said:

The post is Lux-based. Drive home - probably occasional as I'll fly most often - via Lux, Bel, Fra and variations thereof. Rest is commuting to work from my as-yet-undiscovered place to live. I'll need to research MOT-equivalents and LHD may indeed make more sense, but a thread barge has appeal.

I know this is going to fall on the very stoniest ground, but that commute is crying out for a big-engined barge on LPG! They almost give the stuff away in Belgium.

[rubs hands on thighs]

[blueb10]

Prinny said:

I’m calling it for one of mine being knocked off right now. Purchase incoming!

As you all know, I keep wittering on about wanting an SL. I was all setup to be ‘phone bidding (unseen) on this, on Friday: https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C971233

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-Benz-500sl-Con...

But then the ebay one mentioned earlier today popped up yesterday in my saved searches, and Liverpool isn’t that far from me...
Some of you may recognise the big blue thing lurking in the background too.


It’s got 4 mismatched cheapo tyres, the aerial doesn’t work, and each front arch has some slight blistering, but nothing major. & the bumper scuff mentioned in the ad. It’s not perfect, sure, but I can fettle it gradually, the plan was always to get a gingercator car for preference, so I’m quite happy now. Should be picking up Tues. (save on rfl)

Will let you all know how it goes of course!

edit: Oh, and the spoiler will probably go at some stage.

Also... If the above hadn’t happened, I was considering a trip to Glasgow. I know the Sacco panels are wrong, but it otherwise feels ‘right’ to a non-beard like me. (much learning to do I have). Thoughts?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Edited by Prinny on Wednesday 25th April 20:40

The SL in Glasgow is my old car! The advert is a work of fiction!! In fact, it is utter bks. If anyone is thinking of looking at it, get in touch and I will give you the true details. Oh, it looks far better in the photos than it does in the flesh.

[Stu T]

0a said:

Slightly off topic conversation... what are your barge unscratched itches?

I have done a BMW (well old) 7, an Audi A8, an XJ (BOOM!) now the Lexus LS400, but surprisingly given I’m a merc fan, never an S-Class. At some point I will have to get that w126 or 600 twin turbo (slightly at opposite ends in speed and tech terms!).

My other itch is something Swedish or French.

What barge 1-5 do you feel you need to own at some point in the future?

I used to own a LS400 DHP, currently have an R129 SL500. I have a desire for a W126 500SE at some point.

[Scooobydont]

blueb10 said:

The SL in Glasgow is my old car! The advert is a work of fiction!! In fact, it is utter bks. If anyone is thinking of looking at it, get in touch and I will give you the true details. Oh, it looks far better in the photos than it does in the flesh.

Over the years I have looked at a couple of cars from that garage, everyone was a banged up piece of poo (not that I implying your old one is, although by the sound of it, it's not as good as they are making out).

[Biglips]

Milemuncher said:

Unscratched barge itches...

W116 450 SEL 6.9
W124 500E / E500
W140 500 or 600 SEL
G12 M760 Li (especially since my test drive)
Bentley Arnage

The list is honestly pretty long.

That is pretty much my list too! Probably add SL55 too.

[CharlesdeGaulle]

SpeckledJim said:

JF87 said:

CharlesdeGaulle said:

The post is Lux-based. Drive home - probably occasional as I'll fly most often - via Lux, Bel, Fra and variations thereof. Rest is commuting to work from my as-yet-undiscovered place to live. I'll need to research MOT-equivalents and LHD may indeed make more sense, but a thread barge has appeal.

I know this is going to fall on the very stoniest ground, but that commute is crying out for a big-engined barge on LPG! They almost give the stuff away in Belgium.

[rubs hands on thighs]

Aside from the obvious shame and accusations of hypocrisy, it renders the Channel tunnel unusable, non?

[SpeckledJim]

CharlesdeGaulle said:

SpeckledJim said:

JF87 said:

CharlesdeGaulle said:

The post is Lux-based. Drive home - probably occasional as I'll fly most often - via Lux, Bel, Fra and variations thereof. Rest is commuting to work from my as-yet-undiscovered place to live. I'll need to research MOT-equivalents and LHD may indeed make more sense, but a thread barge has appeal.

I know this is going to fall on the very stoniest ground, but that commute is crying out for a big-engined barge on LPG! They almost give the stuff away in Belgium.

[rubs hands on thighs]

Aside from the obvious shame and accusations of hypocrisy, it renders the Channel tunnel unusable, non?

For entirely stupid and invalid reasons, yes.

[Croutons]

tobinen said:

C216 (when down to thread range)

One on AT for 7.5k. Ratty, but >>getting there<<

[Lowtimer]

I like to have long term relationships with cars rather than chop and change. I think it's mainly because it takes so much investment of time, emotional effort and money to get a car as I want it that I then feel very attached to them.
So while I have unscratched Barge itches I am unlikely to scratch them as I have no real desire to sell any of my existing heaps. Also at the moment my working life is very train- and hotel-orientated, so I am wary of accumulating more cars than I have sufficient time to drive enough to keep them healthy, and to arrange their proper upkeep.

But... but... that doesn't immunise me from the urges. All the ones on my list are well out of thread budget for a good one but among the itches I consistently feel are:

- A proper ocean-going Merc coupe, ideally C126 (a late 500SEC or 560 SEC, velour preferred), but potentially a C124 (anything six-cylinder) or with the avaialbility of abundant funding a 280SE 3.5 coupe.

- Alfa 164 3.0 manual, ideally an early pre-facelift car. OK, it's perhaps more of a sports saloon but I love it dearly.

- Series 1 XJ6 4.2 manual. In my lottery-winning fantasy this gets an injected 4.7 alloy-block XK as used in Eagle E-types, modern suspension and brakes, and a five speed box, while remaining visually very discreet.

- Alpina B10 Touring (the definitive go-faster do-everything E39 BMW. Would consider a nice manual 3.3 six or an auto 4.6 or 4.8 as equivalent in desirability even though the sixes and eights are very different in character)

- E28 635i manual, or on a bigger budget an M635CSi.

The only modern-ish barge that seems to turn my head is the C126 CL500, in a dark colour.

[JF87]

SpeckledJim said:

CharlesdeGaulle said:

SpeckledJim said:

JF87 said:

CharlesdeGaulle said:

The post is Lux-based. Drive home - probably occasional as I'll fly most often - via Lux, Bel, Fra and variations thereof. Rest is commuting to work from my as-yet-undiscovered place to live. I'll need to research MOT-equivalents and LHD may indeed make more sense, but a thread barge has appeal.

I know this is going to fall on the very stoniest ground, but that commute is crying out for a big-engined barge on LPG! They almost give the stuff away in Belgium.

[rubs hands on thighs]

Aside from the obvious shame and accusations of hypocrisy, it renders the Channel tunnel unusable, non?

For entirely stupid and invalid reasons, yes.

A stain on democracy, borne of prejudice and blind hate.

I have a dream.