Best smoker barges 1-5 large [Vol 13]

[SilverStar]

Jimmy Recard said:

Do we have any particular thoughts for/against C32 AMGs? They've been on my mind lately

Incredibly understated and incredibly rapid! They do like to rust though, although seemingly only superficially. Mine's just been MOT'd but will be getting advertised in the next month or so...................

[slk 32]

Jimmy Recard said:

Do we have any particular thoughts for/against C32 AMGs? They've been on my mind lately

I ran an slk 32 for over 50k miles with the same engine. Aside from regular maintenance two things went, the crankshaft position sensor - made from plastic this only lasts a finite number of heat cycles (part approx £100 + fitting). Second the water pump for the supercharger - standard part is bosch with a plastic impellor which eventually breaks up and fails. Best to replace with a Johnson CM30 marine pump.. higher flow rate, metal impellor and cheaper too (£130 + fitting). You can test the existing pump by running half a dozen back to back full blooded acceleration tests, if the pump is on the way out to supercharger clutch will cut in preventing overheating.

I loved mine but the biggest killer is rust, otherwise I'd still have it

[Jimmy Recard]

Thanks all; I suppose it's fair to say that if you can put up with a bit of rust, the C32s are fairly robust cars?

I think I might look out for one. In a couple of weeks I'll have another space on the drive free and it would be nice to try my first AMG. I'm not too fussed on saloon or estate and I'm in no rush, so the world is my lobster.

SilverStar, that's a really nice car. I'll have to watch out for your ad.

And JOB - what can I say?
It may not have been in thread budget, but I'm still nominating your G within the first fortnight of 2019 to run for the coveted "Thread Car of the Year 2019". Wonderful. I'm using the "Mercedes Clause" to ensure eligibility.

[Northbrook]

Hello, chaps & chapesses.

Long-time lurked here, reporting for duty because I've just agreed to buy a barge at last!

I'll pop up a RR thread in the not-too-distant future but, for The Thread, the summary is:

- W124 multivalve diesel estate;
- Moon mileage;
- Looks to have been well-looked-after mechanically, and in decent condition inside, but 'characterful' on the outside;
- Twenty quid into thread...

In a huge departure to my norm, this car has been viewed, test-driven, and is even in the same county as me!

Off to collect sometime this week....

Keep up the good work, chaps - bargists have the best threads.

[hondafanatic]

JOB2.5-16 said:

All clean and drug dealer window tints removed this morning. More jobs to do but I’m looking forward to my first week getting to know the G!

BJg+9PifTjajHIp1iOcLDw by Jack O'Brien, on Flickr

CTj9Pa2aQk6qWawA8BPNSg by Jack O'Brien, on Flickr

UzldXrGBSV+sx+Cxn9N1EA by Jack O'Brien, on Flickr

Such a lovely looking thing

[CharlesdeGaulle]

Northbrook said:

Hello, chaps & chapesses.

Long-time lurked here, reporting for duty because I've just agreed to buy a barge at last!

I'll pop up a RR thread in the not-too-distant future but, for The Thread, the summary is:

- W124 multivalve diesel estate;

- Moon mileage;
- Looks to have been well-looked-after mechanically, and in decent condition inside, but 'characterful' on the outside;
- Twenty quid into thread...

In a huge departure to my norm, this car has been viewed, test-driven, and is even in the same county as me!

Off to collect sometime this week....

Keep up the good work, chaps - bargists have the best threads.

Welcome. Any 124 is a great start to any barge-ists journey into madness and depravity.

[Rubins4]

gobuddygo said:

Had a proper look at it today it's been overheating, not surprising really as the hose to the radiator is not getting hot at all so either thermostat or water pump gone same amount of work to do either, it needs cam cover gaskets so i will do the lot at the same time when we get some decent weather

The 190 had the same problem, a few weeks of poor heater performance and not getting up to proper suggested a stuck thermostat. It eventually blew the expansion tank cap after idling for about 20 mins.

[r129sl]

Northbrook said:

Hello, chaps & chapesses.

Long-time lurked here, reporting for duty because I've just agreed to buy a barge at last!

I'll pop up a RR thread in the not-too-distant future but, for The Thread, the summary is:

- W124 multivalve diesel estate;
- Moon mileage;
- Looks to have been well-looked-after mechanically, and in decent condition inside, but 'characterful' on the outside;
- Twenty quid into thread...

In a huge departure to my norm, this car has been viewed, test-driven, and is even in the same county as me!

Off to collect sometime this week....

Keep up the good work, chaps - bargists have the best threads.

I haven't seen my car for a few weeks. Ought I to be worried? A fine car. You may find it takes a bit of getting used to (they are gutless at low engine speeds but really sing from 4,000 to 5,400rpm), but once you do, I am sure you'll come to love it.

JOB, the G looks superb.

[Croutons]

Croutons said:

Seeing a 3k L322 tomorrow, faults read:

- Driver's thorax airbag,
- Left bank lambda

Seller also admits cam chain rattle after long journeys.

Am I mad for seeing it? It's a 2003 4.4 Vogue with SpeckledJim juice in the rear wheel well.

I kinda figure I could spend thread max and still get whacked with big bills anyway, and at least these are known!

It was scruffier than a second year philosophy student. Oh well.

[JOB2.5-16]

r129sl said:

Northbrook said:

Hello, chaps & chapesses.

Long-time lurked here, reporting for duty because I've just agreed to buy a barge at last!

I'll pop up a RR thread in the not-too-distant future but, for The Thread, the summary is:

- W124 multivalve diesel estate;
- Moon mileage;
- Looks to have been well-looked-after mechanically, and in decent condition inside, but 'characterful' on the outside;
- Twenty quid into thread...

In a huge departure to my norm, this car has been viewed, test-driven, and is even in the same county as me!

Off to collect sometime this week....

Keep up the good work, chaps - bargists have the best threads.

I haven't seen my car for a few weeks. Ought I to be worried? A fine car. You may find it takes a bit of getting used to (they are gutless at low engine speeds but really sing from 4,000 to 5,400rpm), but once you do, I am sure you'll come to love it.

JOB, the G looks superb.

Azurite blue, ended on FleBay earlier this evening? I was considering bidding against you right up to the last moment but a brief rational moment got the better of me! It looks a fab car though in a great spec. You’ll have a lot of fun with it, it has one of the most interesting Diesel engines I’ve ever driven. Silly mileage just adds to the appeal. Great buy.

Thanks r129sl

[Prinny]

r129sl said:

JOB, the G looks superb.

Agree with that. I’d also forgotten the (lovely) AMG steering wheel existed, I think I want one now for the SL. (I wonder if Brabus did one? Might as well get it to match the wheels).

The SL gave sterling service on the run down to London, but blotted its copybook on the way back. There’s a clicking noise that seems to be coming from the passenger footwell (no further investigation yet), and twice, when hitting resume on the cruise there was a momentary ‘surge’, but also all the dash lights would flash on/off. I suspect my stereo fitment may have disturbed something/tweaked a connector/ bad earth. I’ll have a look after it comes back from the re-upholstery man. (It goes in next weekend for a seat re-foam, but we’re going to change from standard such that the front gets extended forward & up a bit, while taking a little out of the backrest - basically, I want more thigh support & to sit further back).

I therefore took the 7 on the airport run earlier - first turn of the wheel this year. It really does make the SL engine seem very ordinary in comparison. That’s a depressing statement, but not nearly as depressing as the astra I received for the week. Joyless (if perfectly acceptable) motoring.

[Krikkit]

I think joyless sums up modern motors well. By any possible metric they are usually better than our barges like for like, but they are totally anodyne.

Another thread purchase and a couple of new purchases going reasonably!

[Croutons]

Can't believe no one wants this Laguna. Still. I know it's been Christmas and all, but 1495 with low miles, 3 litres and Renault electrics? Come on, get amongst it!

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2018...

[Krikkit]

Croutons said:

Can't believe no one wants this Laguna. Still. I know it's been Christmas and all, but 1495 with low miles, 3 litres and Renault electrics? Come on, get amongst it!

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2018...

Would make a reasonable school mobile, but a full time barge? I've always thought they were a handsome thing though.

[cat220]

Evening gents,

Some great purchases, the G wagen and the r129 are just brilliant.

There has been disturbance in the force this evening. The chap I bought my 129 off has mailed me asking if I still have it and would I be interested in selling it back. Oh man, I'm torn, I'm not using it anywhere near enough but I love it. I'll sleep on it and reply in the morning.

Edited by cat220 on Sunday 13th January 23:19

[Salmonofdoubt]

Krikkit said:

Croutons said:

Can't believe no one wants this Laguna. Still. I know it's been Christmas and all, but 1495 with low miles, 3 litres and Renault electrics? Come on, get amongst it!

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2018...

Would make a reasonable school mobile, but a full time barge? I've always thought they were a handsome thing though.

I'm sure it's a decent family wagon when its not coming up with new ways to break.

£2.5k Vel satis?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2018...

Or same engine in a very pretty shell. I didn't know they did a V6 Laguna Coupe.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2018...

[anonymous-user]

0a said:

Fairly cheap for a 6.0 v12. Pehaps leave it as is and smoke about in it? https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1040045

I paid £4000 for an SWB 1995 XJ12 with 60k miles on it in around 2005 ish. One of the best and most reliable cars I've ever had, I put another 100k on it in 2 years and it was a splendid way to travel. I've never driven anything with such a supple and flowing suspension setup as an X300 with the "touring" rather than "comfort" option.

That one will need a lot spent to restore it cosmetically, but that engine/gearbox combo would be smashing in an XJS....

[defblade]

Croutons said:

Can't believe no one wants this Laguna. Still. I know it's been Christmas and all, but 1495 with low miles, 3 litres and Renault electrics? Come on, get amongst it!

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2018...

So. Much. Grey.

John Major's Spitting Image puppet is the only likely buyer

[E65Ross]

defblade said:

Croutons said:

Can't believe no one wants this Laguna. Still. I know it's been Christmas and all, but 1495 with low miles, 3 litres and Renault electrics? Come on, get amongst it!

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2018...

So. Much. Grey.

John Major's Spitting Image puppet is the only likely buyer

My dad's wife had one of these a number of years back. Electrical gremlins and something with the gearbox went pop. It wasn't great.

[Jim the Sunderer]

Did it read read that right? 50,000 miles a year in an XJ12!?

That's obscene