Best smoker barges 1-5 large [Vol 13]
Discussion
Rockettvr said:
Afternoon gentlemen
After another fruitless morning of searching and looking ( a search that has been in progress since before Christmas) I’ve still been unable to find a vehicle that will allow me to join your esteemed ranks.
I’m currently restoring a property and am in need of a large estate that can carry 4 adults plus luggage tools and various sundries , large distances ( I’m in Thurrock Essex the property in County Mayo Eire) in some comfort at reasonable speed.
My current search is for E class mercs, 5 series BMW’s or (wife’s pick) an xc90, in petrol or pre-DPF diesel, although I’m open to alternatives.
Budget is £4K
Although this not an inconsequential sum (to me at least) I’m realistic enough to know that this doesn’t buy a great deal these days so have set my expectations low only to find that the offerings I’ve looked at fail to even match those meagre levels.
Thus far all I’ve found are overpriced , badly maintained, poorly presented, poorly/ misleadingly/fraudulently described.
TBH I’m finding this process very taxing but I’m sure the car I’m after is out there ......somewhere
Therefore I’m appealing to you esteemed gentlemen if you’re aware of a vehicle that fits my criteria I’d be very grateful if you could point me in its direction
My thanks in advance
Ron
Well, it depends how much of a rush you're in, Ron. My Mother's 2001 BMW E39 520i SE Touring will be up for sale soon. They're not as slow or down on power as you'd imagine from the badging. They're really a 2.2L engine with 167bhp...the 528i only has 193 bhp by comparison, so good enough for general utility use. After another fruitless morning of searching and looking ( a search that has been in progress since before Christmas) I’ve still been unable to find a vehicle that will allow me to join your esteemed ranks.
I’m currently restoring a property and am in need of a large estate that can carry 4 adults plus luggage tools and various sundries , large distances ( I’m in Thurrock Essex the property in County Mayo Eire) in some comfort at reasonable speed.
My current search is for E class mercs, 5 series BMW’s or (wife’s pick) an xc90, in petrol or pre-DPF diesel, although I’m open to alternatives.
Budget is £4K
Although this not an inconsequential sum (to me at least) I’m realistic enough to know that this doesn’t buy a great deal these days so have set my expectations low only to find that the offerings I’ve looked at fail to even match those meagre levels.
Thus far all I’ve found are overpriced , badly maintained, poorly presented, poorly/ misleadingly/fraudulently described.
TBH I’m finding this process very taxing but I’m sure the car I’m after is out there ......somewhere
Therefore I’m appealing to you esteemed gentlemen if you’re aware of a vehicle that fits my criteria I’d be very grateful if you could point me in its direction
My thanks in advance
Ron
She's left it with my sister in Hastings (so not a million miles from you?) and gone back to live in Germany at the age of 78 after 55 years in the UK ! Blame Brexit! My sister finds it too big for her but the estate option might prove useful to someone like you?
I also know that she just had the rear air suspension replaced (at excessive cost...see about a page back in this thread!)
I don't know what the exact mileage is but I know that it's really low. I'd be surprised if it's more than in the 50s K miles. I'd have it myself but I simply have too many cars including two E39s one of which is a Touring.
If you want, pm me and I'll find out more details for you as I haven't seen the car for at least 2 years.
Rockettvr said:
Afternoon gentlemen
After another fruitless morning of searching and looking ( a search that has been in progress since before Christmas) I’ve still been unable to find a vehicle that will allow me to join your esteemed ranks.
I’m currently restoring a property and am in need of a large estate that can carry 4 adults plus luggage tools and various sundries , large distances ( I’m in Thurrock Essex the property in County Mayo Eire) in some comfort at reasonable speed.
My current search is for E class mercs, 5 series BMW’s or (wife’s pick) an xc90, in petrol or pre-DPF diesel, although I’m open to alternatives.
Budget is £4K
Although this not an inconsequential sum (to me at least) I’m realistic enough to know that this doesn’t buy a great deal these days so have set my expectations low only to find that the offerings I’ve looked at fail to even match those meagre levels.
Thus far all I’ve found are overpriced , badly maintained, poorly presented, poorly/ misleadingly/fraudulently described.
TBH I’m finding this process very taxing but I’m sure the car I’m after is out there ......somewhere
Therefore I’m appealing to you esteemed gentlemen if you’re aware of a vehicle that fits my criteria I’d be very grateful if you could point me in its direction
My thanks in advance
Ron
An old XC90 will hurt you regularly on repairs and maintenance. Pre DPF will the old 185bhp model too, which is desperately slow. Honestly if you have an XC90 the DPF is the very least of your reliability concerns.After another fruitless morning of searching and looking ( a search that has been in progress since before Christmas) I’ve still been unable to find a vehicle that will allow me to join your esteemed ranks.
I’m currently restoring a property and am in need of a large estate that can carry 4 adults plus luggage tools and various sundries , large distances ( I’m in Thurrock Essex the property in County Mayo Eire) in some comfort at reasonable speed.
My current search is for E class mercs, 5 series BMW’s or (wife’s pick) an xc90, in petrol or pre-DPF diesel, although I’m open to alternatives.
Budget is £4K
Although this not an inconsequential sum (to me at least) I’m realistic enough to know that this doesn’t buy a great deal these days so have set my expectations low only to find that the offerings I’ve looked at fail to even match those meagre levels.
Thus far all I’ve found are overpriced , badly maintained, poorly presented, poorly/ misleadingly/fraudulently described.
TBH I’m finding this process very taxing but I’m sure the car I’m after is out there ......somewhere
Therefore I’m appealing to you esteemed gentlemen if you’re aware of a vehicle that fits my criteria I’d be very grateful if you could point me in its direction
My thanks in advance
Ron
Rockettvr said:
Afternoon gentlemen
After another fruitless morning of searching and looking ( a search that has been in progress since before Christmas) I’ve still been unable to find a vehicle that will allow me to join your esteemed ranks.
I’m currently restoring a property and am in need of a large estate that can carry 4 adults plus luggage tools and various sundries , large distances ( I’m in Thurrock Essex the property in County Mayo Eire) in some comfort at reasonable speed.
My current search is for E class mercs, 5 series BMW’s or (wife’s pick) an xc90, in petrol or pre-DPF diesel, although I’m open to alternatives.
Budget is £4K
Although this not an inconsequential sum (to me at least) I’m realistic enough to know that this doesn’t buy a great deal these days so have set my expectations low only to find that the offerings I’ve looked at fail to even match those meagre levels.
Thus far all I’ve found are overpriced , badly maintained, poorly presented, poorly/ misleadingly/fraudulently described.
TBH I’m finding this process very taxing but I’m sure the car I’m after is out there ......somewhere
Therefore I’m appealing to you esteemed gentlemen if you’re aware of a vehicle that fits my criteria I’d be very grateful if you could point me in its direction
My thanks in advance
Ron
May I risk being contentious here..After another fruitless morning of searching and looking ( a search that has been in progress since before Christmas) I’ve still been unable to find a vehicle that will allow me to join your esteemed ranks.
I’m currently restoring a property and am in need of a large estate that can carry 4 adults plus luggage tools and various sundries , large distances ( I’m in Thurrock Essex the property in County Mayo Eire) in some comfort at reasonable speed.
My current search is for E class mercs, 5 series BMW’s or (wife’s pick) an xc90, in petrol or pre-DPF diesel, although I’m open to alternatives.
Budget is £4K
Although this not an inconsequential sum (to me at least) I’m realistic enough to know that this doesn’t buy a great deal these days so have set my expectations low only to find that the offerings I’ve looked at fail to even match those meagre levels.
Thus far all I’ve found are overpriced , badly maintained, poorly presented, poorly/ misleadingly/fraudulently described.
TBH I’m finding this process very taxing but I’m sure the car I’m after is out there ......somewhere
Therefore I’m appealing to you esteemed gentlemen if you’re aware of a vehicle that fits my criteria I’d be very grateful if you could point me in its direction
My thanks in advance
Ron
I am in the midst of a property restoration myself (but living in mine now) so I understand your needs.
The answer may well be a V70 (D5 is recommended) at a value far less than you are looking at currently.
The car will spend time being a skip, timber transport and a builders yard so don't use something that has decent value at the outset because when you are done, it won't!
The Volvo is supremely comfortable, will cover vast distances with ease and can swallow some seriously impressive loads (no sniggering in the back there!)!
Buy one for under £2k (mileage on the D5 is generally irrelevant), save the remainder and buy a full on barge when you have finished?
ETA. If Derin is offering a car, take it and ignore my comments above
Edited by Dum Dum on Saturday 19th January 17:00
Dum Dum said:
May I risk being contentious here..
I am in the midst of a property restoration myself (but living in mine now) so I understand your needs.
The answer may well be a V70 (D5 is recommended) at a value far less than you are looking at currently.
The car will spend time being a skip, timber transport and a builders yard so don't use something that has decent value at the outset because when you are done, it won't!
The Volvo is supremely comfortable, will cover vast distances with ease and can swallow some seriously impressive loads (no sniggering in the back there!)!
Buy one for under £2k (mileage on the D5 is generally irrelevant), save the remainder and buy a full on barge when you have finished?
Just how bad are the auto boxes on these? Everything I've read says not if but when they eat themselves, but then you see them for sale with +200k miles on them and think how bad can they be.I am in the midst of a property restoration myself (but living in mine now) so I understand your needs.
The answer may well be a V70 (D5 is recommended) at a value far less than you are looking at currently.
The car will spend time being a skip, timber transport and a builders yard so don't use something that has decent value at the outset because when you are done, it won't!
The Volvo is supremely comfortable, will cover vast distances with ease and can swallow some seriously impressive loads (no sniggering in the back there!)!
Buy one for under £2k (mileage on the D5 is generally irrelevant), save the remainder and buy a full on barge when you have finished?
It would certainly open up more options if autos could be included as well as manuals.
Dum Dum said:
May I risk being contentious here..
I am in the midst of a property restoration myself (but living in mine now) so I understand your needs.
The answer may well be a V70 (D5 is recommended) at a value far less than you are looking at currently.
The car will spend time being a skip, timber transport and a builders yard so don't use something that has decent value at the outset because when you are done, it won't!
The Volvo is supremely comfortable, will cover vast distances with ease and can swallow some seriously impressive loads (no sniggering in the back there!)!
Buy one for under £2k (mileage on the D5 is generally irrelevant), save the remainder and buy a full on barge when you have finished?
ETA. If Derin is offering a car, take it and ignore my comments above
This sounds the way forward. When I was searching for V70s £2,000 will buy a high mile 2004-2006 fairly easily. I think this is the sweet spot regards slushermatics without DPF#I am in the midst of a property restoration myself (but living in mine now) so I understand your needs.
The answer may well be a V70 (D5 is recommended) at a value far less than you are looking at currently.
The car will spend time being a skip, timber transport and a builders yard so don't use something that has decent value at the outset because when you are done, it won't!
The Volvo is supremely comfortable, will cover vast distances with ease and can swallow some seriously impressive loads (no sniggering in the back there!)!
Buy one for under £2k (mileage on the D5 is generally irrelevant), save the remainder and buy a full on barge when you have finished?
ETA. If Derin is offering a car, take it and ignore my comments above
Edited by Dum Dum on Saturday 19th January 17:00
Edit: I think the improvements started when they changed the centre console to one with a lid/armrest
Edited by tobinen on Saturday 19th January 17:34
tobinen said:
Welcome back Derin. Straight in with sorting out SJ's Jag
Thanks Buddy. Yeah not been here for a long while. It hasn't been a good year and a half really but now I'm no longer working maybe I'll have more time and energy to get back into the cars a bit. In fact, things are already on the 'up'...I've just bought myself a Mercedes R230 SL350!
Hi all
Thanks for the replies so far
We had v70s on our shortlist to start and viewed a couple but both my offspring are above average hieght - my daughter is only 5’10” but “leggy” my son is a strapping 6’4” add in my slightly taller than average wife and me - mr average - and although the Volvo has a vast load space unless you push the front seats forward quite a lot the back seat passengers are a bit tight on room-
Day to day it’d be fine but a journey such as we’re doing (300 miles this side a ferry then an additional 200 miles the other then in reverse a week later about 16 hours door to door each way )means some discomfort (and much moaning) in the back
The E class has a recess in the back of the front seat increasing knee room in the back and my son found it plenty roomy enough
The xc90 was also vast and comfortable in the back - my internet searches revealed only good things (other than the auto box issues mentioned) with these - are they really that unreliable ???
We’ve yet to try a 5 series touring for size yet - are we likely to struggle for back seat space in these ?? Only started looking at the 5 series as an option over the last week or so and not viewed any as yet
Thanks Ron
Thanks for the replies so far
We had v70s on our shortlist to start and viewed a couple but both my offspring are above average hieght - my daughter is only 5’10” but “leggy” my son is a strapping 6’4” add in my slightly taller than average wife and me - mr average - and although the Volvo has a vast load space unless you push the front seats forward quite a lot the back seat passengers are a bit tight on room-
Day to day it’d be fine but a journey such as we’re doing (300 miles this side a ferry then an additional 200 miles the other then in reverse a week later about 16 hours door to door each way )means some discomfort (and much moaning) in the back
The E class has a recess in the back of the front seat increasing knee room in the back and my son found it plenty roomy enough
The xc90 was also vast and comfortable in the back - my internet searches revealed only good things (other than the auto box issues mentioned) with these - are they really that unreliable ???
We’ve yet to try a 5 series touring for size yet - are we likely to struggle for back seat space in these ?? Only started looking at the 5 series as an option over the last week or so and not viewed any as yet
Thanks Ron
Edited by Rockettvr on Saturday 19th January 18:00
derin100 said:
Well, it depends how much of a rush you're in, Ron. My Mother's 2001 BMW E39 520i SE Touring will be up for sale soon. They're not as slow or down on power as you'd imagine from the badging. They're really a 2.2L engine with 167bhp...the 528i only has 193 bhp by comparison, so good enough for general utility use.
She's left it with my sister in Hastings (so not a million miles from you?) and gone back to live in Germany at the age of 78 after 55 years in the UK ! Blame Brexit! My sister finds it too big for her but the estate option might prove useful to someone like you?
I also know that she just had the rear air suspension replaced (at excessive cost...see about a page back in this thread!)
I don't know what the exact mileage is but I know that it's really low. I'd be surprised if it's more than in the 50s K miles. I'd have it myself but I simply have too many cars including two E39s one of which is a Touring.
If you want, pm me and I'll find out more details for you as I haven't seen the car for at least 2 years.
Our next trip is in 4 weeks so I’d like to get something sorted for then - does that fit with your timeframe ???She's left it with my sister in Hastings (so not a million miles from you?) and gone back to live in Germany at the age of 78 after 55 years in the UK ! Blame Brexit! My sister finds it too big for her but the estate option might prove useful to someone like you?
I also know that she just had the rear air suspension replaced (at excessive cost...see about a page back in this thread!)
I don't know what the exact mileage is but I know that it's really low. I'd be surprised if it's more than in the 50s K miles. I'd have it myself but I simply have too many cars including two E39s one of which is a Touring.
If you want, pm me and I'll find out more details for you as I haven't seen the car for at least 2 years.
Hastings is a very easy drive for us - Dartford tunnel is only 2 miles away then M25 and A21
Think we need to try one for size (see my previous post re rear seat room )
I’d also be a little concerned I’d be pushing a 2 litre a little hard given it’d be pushing a big car laden with 4 large adults plus luggage ( lots given 2 women are on board
)some tools and various bits and pieces over such a distance Edited by Rockettvr on Saturday 19th January 18:04
SpeckledJim said:
Since you were all so helpful with the recent 190e problem, I’ve another for you!
1994 XJS 4.0 won’t start.
On the key I get a smidge of starter motor action and then rapid kerchunk kerchunk kerchunk and the fan rotates a smidge per kerchunk.
The kerchunk is, I think, the starter solenoid? It’s not the full chu- chu- chu- of the starter motor proper.
I’ve had Mrs Jim womanning the ignition while I hit the starter motor with a crowbar. No dice.
The terminals on the back of the solenoid are an absolute sod to get to.
Any ideas please?
Starter relay.1994 XJS 4.0 won’t start.
On the key I get a smidge of starter motor action and then rapid kerchunk kerchunk kerchunk and the fan rotates a smidge per kerchunk.
The kerchunk is, I think, the starter solenoid? It’s not the full chu- chu- chu- of the starter motor proper.
I’ve had Mrs Jim womanning the ignition while I hit the starter motor with a crowbar. No dice.
The terminals on the back of the solenoid are an absolute sod to get to.
Any ideas please?
part broken wire.
Ask me how I know
ETA. Has a few strands to pass a continuity test, but not enough to pass required current. Really annoying to trace.
Edited by bob-lad on Saturday 19th January 18:29
The Don of Croy said:
SpeckledJim said:
I’ve had Mrs Jim womanning the ignition...
"Reservation for one confirmed on the hell train"Good to hear from Derin too.
With regard to the impending snow hazard, which barge (if any) should I be looking at...P38?
bob-lad said:
Starter relay.
Broken wire.
Ask me how I know
Sounds a prospect. It's started three times now, but each time was amidst lots of failures. Something's awry in there.Broken wire.
Ask me how I know
If I can manage to push the wires around whilst the ignition is turning, without electrocuting myself, I might perhaps find which one?
I just edited my comment.
Mine was the wire from the relay to the solenoid. As I said it had a few remaining strands so passed a continuity test.
Mine would sometimes start, but when it decided it wouldn't, it didn't.
Try running a new wire and see if it becomes more reliable at starting
Mine was the wire from the relay to the solenoid. As I said it had a few remaining strands so passed a continuity test.
Mine would sometimes start, but when it decided it wouldn't, it didn't.
Try running a new wire and see if it becomes more reliable at starting
Rockettvr said:
derin100 said:
Well, it depends how much of a rush you're in, Ron. My Mother's 2001 BMW E39 520i SE Touring will be up for sale soon. They're not as slow or down on power as you'd imagine from the badging. They're really a 2.2L engine with 167bhp...the 528i only has 193 bhp by comparison, so good enough for general utility use.
She's left it with my sister in Hastings (so not a million miles from you?) and gone back to live in Germany at the age of 78 after 55 years in the UK ! Blame Brexit! My sister finds it too big for her but the estate option might prove useful to someone like you?
I also know that she just had the rear air suspension replaced (at excessive cost...see about a page back in this thread!)
I don't know what the exact mileage is but I know that it's really low. I'd be surprised if it's more than in the 50s K miles. I'd have it myself but I simply have too many cars including two E39s one of which is a Touring.
If you want, pm me and I'll find out more details for you as I haven't seen the car for at least 2 years.
Our next trip is in 4 weeks so I’d like to get something sorted for then - does that fit with your timeframe ???She's left it with my sister in Hastings (so not a million miles from you?) and gone back to live in Germany at the age of 78 after 55 years in the UK ! Blame Brexit! My sister finds it too big for her but the estate option might prove useful to someone like you?
I also know that she just had the rear air suspension replaced (at excessive cost...see about a page back in this thread!)
I don't know what the exact mileage is but I know that it's really low. I'd be surprised if it's more than in the 50s K miles. I'd have it myself but I simply have too many cars including two E39s one of which is a Touring.
If you want, pm me and I'll find out more details for you as I haven't seen the car for at least 2 years.
Hastings is a very easy drive for us - Dartford tunnel is only 2 miles away then M25 and A21
Think we need to try one for size (see my previous post re rear seat room )
I’d also be a little concerned I’d be pushing a 2 litre a little hard given it’d be pushing a big car laden with 4 large adults plus luggage ( lots given 2 women are on board
)some tools and various bits and pieces over such a distance Edited by Rockettvr on Saturday 19th January 18:04
I take your point about pushing a heavily laden 520i too much though. In the E39 you really have to go up to the 540i where you suddenly get a really significant power jump. I still really miss mine.
Also, this gets me out of having to get involved with having to put any effort into selling her car. At least this way, I can say honestly with hand on my heart to my Mum and Sister: " Well, I have tried."
I've got enough to be getting on with trying to sell one of my own at the moment!
In your position, I think I'd be looking to go E Class Mercedes Estate really. They are significantly bigger both in terms of boot capacity and I'm sure rear legroom as well
In fact, I just done a very quick AT search and there seem to be plenty of E-Class Estates available within or round about Budget. This one in Chelmsford is even quite close to you?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
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