Best smoker barges 1-5 large [Vol 13]

[Marty Funkhouser]

louiebaby said:

Some slight de-chavving to be done to get it to fly under the radar:

www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/20181113239...

Are 50% of those exhausts fake?

[TobyLerone]

tobinen said:

The barge Force is with you. Always

Is this like Trump's Space Force, except more expensive, less reliable, and always a gamble?

[anonymous-user]

dme123 said:

I'm going to be a 15 minute drive away from this XJ8 in full codger spec and colour scheme on Wednesday

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2003-53-Jaguar-XJ8-4-2-...



Ad doesn't give much detail but does give me confidence. What could possibly go wrong with a 15 year old leggy old Jag?

So I went to see this today. Positive points:

• Every bit as good in person as it looks in the pictures;
• X350 isn't quite as ugly as I remember;
• I've never seen a drivers seat or interior in better condition after 150k miles (see photo below);
• Started, went, stopped perfectly;
• Premium tyres all round;
• Has some nice extras. The more adjustable seats, an electric rear blind, the comedy curly cord phone;
• Chap at the dealership/garage was exactly the sort you want to buy a car from. Friendly, extremely knowledgeable, open about faults and likely future faults. The whole place was proper;
• It's a lot quicker than I expected, far faster than a 4.0 X308; and
• Loads of history of recent gearbox oil change, strut changes, brakes, bushes and wishbones;
• Two year warranty sounds OK. Up to £500 for a claim, up to 7 claims in 2 years. Will cover many likely faults; and
• Just got a no advisory MOT.

Bad points:

• Heater somewhat warmer on one side than the other. Seller is going to backflush it, says this almost always cures them if it's a small difference. Catch it before it furrs up totally;
• Two very small patches of the corrosion. Trust Jaguar to make a corroding aluminium car;
• Autofold mirrors don't fold;
• Will soon need two new 255/40 R19 front tyres; and
• Ride quality wasn't brilliant. Far firmer than an X300 or X308.

The seat actually looks better than that in person, the shadowing makes it look grubby. That's it. It was in remarkable condition for 15 years / 150k miles. Obviously I bought it, I need to arrange collection for next week and will take some photos of my Crap Car Caper.

Edited by dme123 on Thursday 15th November 17:22

[SpeckledJim]

Congratulations, looks a very nice car.

[E65Ross]

dme123 said:

dme123 said:

I'm going to be a 15 minute drive away from this XJ8 in full codger spec and colour scheme on Wednesday

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2003-53-Jaguar-XJ8-4-2-...



Ad doesn't give much detail but does give me confidence. What could possibly go wrong with a 15 year old leggy old Jag?

So I went to see this today. Positive points:

• Every bit as good in person as it looks in the pictures;
• X350 isn't quite as ugly as I remember;
• I've never seen a drivers seat or interior in better condition after 150k miles (see photo below);
• Started, went, stopped perfectly;
• Premium tyres all round;
• Has some nice extras. The more adjustable seats, an electric rear blind, the comedy curly cord phone;
• Chap at the dealership/garage was exactly the sort you want to buy a car from. Friendly, extremely knowledgeable, open about faults and likely future faults. The whole place was proper;
• It's a lot quicker than I expected, far faster than a 4.0 X308; and
• Loads of history of recent gearbox oil change, strut changes, brakes, bushes and wishbones;
• Two year warranty sounds OK. Up to £500 for a claim, up to 7 claims in 2 years. Will cover many likely faults; and
• Just got a no advisory MOT.

Bad points:

• Heater somewhat warmer on one side than the other. Seller is going to backflush it, says this almost always cures them if it's a small difference. Catch it before it furrs up totally;
• Two very small patches of the corrosion. Trust Jaguar to make a corroding aluminium car;
• Autofold mirrors don't fold;
• Will soon need two new 255/40 R19 front tyres; and
• Ride quality wasn't brilliant. Far firmer than an X300 or X308.

The seat actually looks better than that in person, the shadowing makes it look grubby. That's it. It was in remarkable condition for 15 years / 150k miles. Obviously I bought it, I need to arrange collection for next week and will take some photos of my Crap Car Caper.

Edited by dme123 on Thursday 15th November 17:22

awesome!!

[Krikkit]

Fantastic work, nice to hear a thorough rundown of the faults and conclusion with a purchase!

[JOB2.5-16]

Brilliant work on the Jag! it looks a cracker. I only have a little experience with Jags, an XJ40, a Daimler Double Six, and a pals DB7 *cough cough*. They're not Mercs, not even close, but as good as they are they'll never have charisma quite like an overheating or malfunctioning Jaaaaaaaaggggggggg!

Re the 300E, I am delighted with it and its a lovely old bus. There are a few jobs I want to do to it before I'm fully satisfied but it will be re-offered for sale. Unless I'm in breach of any forum rules that I don't know about, I'll offer it on here before advertising on eBay or C&C. If anyone is interested, drop me an email or message and I'll brief you on the full details.....


BieKAQriT9S%N0kDnmH+Vg by Jack O'Brien, on Flickr

fullsizeoutput_136e by Jack O'Brien, on Flickr

[Johnny Raydome]

I thought that I had got the old thing looking pretty snazzy but you’ve taken that to another level. Hats off, your cars are beautifully prepared.

Gratuitous pic of the interior, lest we all forget just how BROWN it is.

[Johnny Raydome]

dme123 said:

Obviously I bought it...

Congratulations, sounds like a great buying experience for a properly gorgeous car.

[SpeckledJim]

Johnny Raydome said:

I thought that I had got the old thing looking pretty snazzy but you’ve taken that to another level. Hats off, your cars are beautifully prepared.

Gratuitous pic of the interior, lest we all forget just how BROWN it is.

It’s just fabulous in there. Some will disagree, but I wish it was a coupe.

[cat220]

Johnny Raydome said:

dme123 said:

Obviously I bought it...

Congratulations, sounds like a great buying experience for a properly gorgeous car.

+1 looks great!

[sly fox]

JOB2.5-16 said:

BieKAQriT9S%N0kDnmH+Vg by Jack O'Brien, on Flickr

fullsizeoutput_136e by Jack O'Brien, on Flickr

I look at those two cars, and then i look at current 5 series/E class models, and these put the newer models to shame in terms of elegance, class and appeal.
Progress eh?

[anonymous-user]

SpeckledJim said:

Johnny Raydome said:

I thought that I had got the old thing looking pretty snazzy but you’ve taken that to another level. Hats off, your cars are beautifully prepared.

Gratuitous pic of the interior, lest we all forget just how BROWN it is.

It’s just fabulous in there. Some will disagree, but I wish it was a coupe.

I'm with you on that.

My merc perving is focussed on 560SEC photo's. As ever when I had some spare cash I could have afforded one. Now there is no chance.

[CharlesdeGaulle]

In the way that we all feel and share mcrackenj's pain, I have a complaint of my own. The legendary Lexus reliability is an illusion, a sham, a disgrace.

Only today, the red triangle of doom and accompanying message of shame, warned me that a tail-light bulb was out. 16 years old and a bulb has gone already. I suspect a dealer-bashing thread in general gassing is called for, along with a twitter campaign. Those Japanese charlatans.

[0a]

This is an excellent thread! Great to see the gold 300e up and about.

[Krikkit]

CharlesdeGaulle said:

In the way that we all feel and share mcrackenj's pain, I have a complaint of my own. The legendary Lexus reliability is an illusion, a sham, a disgrace.

Only today, the red triangle of doom and accompanying message of shame, warned me that a tail-light bulb was out. 16 years old and a bulb has gone already. I suspect a dealer-bashing thread in general gassing is called for, along with a twitter campaign. Those Japanese charlatans.

Clearly not fit for purpose. Return it to the dealer with a snotty rejection letter

[0a]

Krikkit said:

CharlesdeGaulle said:

In the way that we all feel and share mcrackenj's pain, I have a complaint of my own. The legendary Lexus reliability is an illusion, a sham, a disgrace.

Only today, the red triangle of doom and accompanying message of shame, warned me that a tail-light bulb was out. 16 years old and a bulb has gone already. I suspect a dealer-bashing thread in general gassing is called for, along with a twitter campaign. Those Japanese charlatans.

Clearly not fit for purpose. Return it to the dealer with a snotty rejection letter

Disgusting. I had to replace my windscreen wipers at the weekend as well.

[anonymous-user]

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

£1650 LS430 with just a few issues on the previous MOT which definitely doesn't sound like a quick ODB clear and re-test.....

Repair immediately (major defects):
Engine MIL inoperative or indicates a malfunction (8.2.1.2 (h))
Electronic stability control warning lamp indicates a fault (7.12 (e))
Nearside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a))

[r129sl]

John McCracken: chop the E320. There is no relief like the relief you feel when you walk away from bad deal.

And stop selling your good cars!

JOB: the coupé looks the business there.

[will730i]

As we are all talking mercedes woes...went to use the e320 coupe at the weekend, flat battery. No bother I thought, I’ll take the w116. Great until it died on me in a box junction! Not an easy car to push to safety...not really sure what the issue is either, so wary of driving it to the mechanic, as I have to cross a big m25 roundabout - really not a place to get stuck.