Best smoker barges 1-5 large [Vol 14]

[Jaffers]

Escapegoat said:

minimoog said:

It occurs to me I've had almost zero experience of Mercedeses. I've been in a fairly shagged out 190 maybe twice, a mid-2000s C class once as lift to/from the station when viewing a car. Oh and I test drove a 2003 E Class briefly (it was very nice).

That's it. I can't have done more than 50 miles in a Merc in my whole life

Not even a taxi (beige-coloured, natch) in some semi-despot-controlled part of the world?

They can seem a bit ... well, agricultural with the typically lower trim levels and even lower maintenance standards. But they are kept going, and I always have a little smile when I get in one.

In comparison, modern MBs (like the current E and S class we get to the airport) leave me completely cold. Terrible ride comfort, too, without having the excuse of being on 200,000m shocks and springs.

I have two favourite MB memories. The first was twenty years ago on a backpacking trip around the Jordan valley we took a taxi ride from the Jordan/Israel border in a W123 diesel stretched six seater taxi all the way up the hill to Jerusalem. It must have taken close to an hour and he was in third gear almost all the way due to the steep gradient. It was an epic journey and the scenery was magnificent; a much classier ride than the previous taxi from Amman to the border which was a wretched Lada 1202 full of flies.

My second favourite MB memory was when a friend in L.A. lent me her W220 S600 for a road trip up to northern California and back. Although the fuel consumption was slightly scary the drive, the ride, the ambience, the luxury (massage seats!) were all sublime. Only downer was that the distronic cruise control wasn't working so my right foot got a little tired after twelve hours of driving. But what a car! Absolutely delightful.

[RicksAlfas]

tobinen said:

Ref tools: Do any bargistas own a rechargeable impact wrench he can recommend? I'm after a budget option (i.e. not DeWalt money). Something as this:

I’ve got a much abused Clarke one from Machine Mart. They are quite impressive but two things to be wary of. One is that they are quite big and heavy so you can’t always get them into where you need. Secondly if they can’t undo whatever seized fastener you are trying to crack, they will either snap it in two or whirl round and try and break your fingers.

I wouldn’t bother with one if you just want to undo wheel nuts.

[tobinen]

Good information, thanks. It's not for wheel bolts but having carried out research, I've decided against one for the 7mm Allen bolt which holds the E39 front brake caliper.

Edited by tobinen on Monday 20th May 08:30

[ian316]

An impact driver is a bit much for a 7mm Allen bolt tbh

[CharlesdeGaulle]

ian316 said:

An impact driver is a bit much for a 7mm Allen bolt tbh

Well-intended and helpful. But missing the point:

tobinen said:

Good information, thanks. It's not for wheel bolts ... for the 7mm Allen bolt which holds the E39 front brake caiper.

Note the singular. It's for one specific car. It's for one specific caliper. It seems to be for one specific bolt size. How dare you deny a threadist a new power tool?

[Northbrook]

CharlesdeGaulle said:

How dare you deny a threadist a new power tool?

[r129sl]

Northbrook said:

Restored, yet the driver's bolster has exploded? Wouldn't be my choice...

Oh dear, you may be disappointed tomorrow...

[r129sl]

Re impact wrench.

Best tool I ever bought, 1000mm steel pipe. Second best, 600mm breaker bar. Third best, 10lb sledge hammer.

[JOB2.5-16]

A little under thread budget but surely excusable for the quirk of being an M104 powered W210. Looks the part in the photos and with a good MOT history is surely “good value” despite not being a medals won old Merc.

M104 would be quite fruity in that too no doubt, much more so than the later M112, if not quite as reliable. Wiring loom and head gasket rules apply!

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2...

Edited by JOB2.5-16 on Sunday 19th May 22:24

[0a]

JOB2.5-16 said:

A little under thread budget but surely excusable for the quirk of being an M104 powered W210. Looks the part in the photos and with a good MOT history is surely “good value” despite not being a medals won old Merc.

M104 would be quite fruity in that too no doubt, much more so than the later M112, if not quite as reliable. Wiring loom and head gasket rules apply!

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2...

Looks like great value that one.

[BigBen]

Etypephil said:

BigBen said:

tobinen said:

Etypephil said:

Talking of barge meets; where and when are they? I'm not averse to supplying plants with plenty of CO2, but reasonable striking distance of the Essex / Suffolk border is good.

I have a hankering for another twelve banger, but not a Beemer after my last couple, must be XJR quick as a minimum; ideas gents / ladies?

You should buy BigBen's S600TT and he's not that far away in Cambs.

That is an excellent idea. You should. It laughs at the speed of XJRs and other lesser barges.

That could be worth a look, I'm sure that it's featured on PH somewhere, but I can't find it; PM me some details?

It hasn't specifically featured on PH, other than updates in this thread. I am on holiday for a week so away from the car and exact details but will send email you what I can remember!

Driving a GMC Yukon this week, truly a barge! Photos and ride report to follow soon.

Ben

[0a]

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

[trooperiziz]

Hmmm... the hunt for a non-grotty MX5 is trickier than I expected. It's looking like closer to £2k for a nice sport in good condition, or £1k for a non sport that's a bit tired.

I'm leaning towards spending a bit more to have a chance of getting a good one.

[olly755]

JOB2.5-16 said:

A little under thread budget but surely excusable for the quirk of being an M104 powered W210. Looks the part in the photos and with a good MOT history is surely “good value” despite not being a medals won old Merc.

M104 would be quite fruity in that too no doubt, much more so than the later M112, if not quite as reliable. Wiring loom and head gasket rules apply!

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2...

Edited by JOB2.5-16 on Sunday 19th May 22:24

OT: Noticing the tow bar on this one leads me to a bit of a “coming out” type question. Does anybody tow with their barges, and to be more specific, <whisper> tow a caravan?

Not that I own one, nor in fact have I ever slept in one, although my approaching middle age is starting to think it’s a good idea, especially seeing as the family would love it. My pals are all buying teeny weeny VW vans with some MDF in them for terraced house money and attempting all sorts of Guinness world records at squeezing in them. A big engined comfy barge dragging an equally comfy double bed and your own shower and loo sounds more like it to me, especially for around a tenth of the money.

[phil_cardiff]

trooperiziz said:

Hmmm... the hunt for a non-grotty MX5 is trickier than I expected. It's looking like closer to £2k for a nice sport in good condition, or £1k for a non sport that's a bit tired.

I'm leaning towards spending a bit more to have a chance of getting a good one.

Are mk3 MR2s available? Everyone should own a mid-engined exotic once right?

[Mr Tidy]

I hope I haven't posted this before, but a couple of months ago I got a BMW E90 330iSE in proper barge spec.

Graphite with beige leather and wood, except it's a manual!

[trooperiziz]

phil_cardiff said:

Are mk3 MR2s available? Everyone should own a mid-engined exotic once right?

They are, but not really tempted, I might have a look.

Check my car history, I've done the mid engine Japanese thing a couple of times before

[nobrakes]

W00DY said:

SD_1 said:

andy ted said:

Not quite sure if this counts but a very clean junior barge (c180) with 44k miles for £3250 shame no auto but imagine the small engine needs a stir anyway. As an inside this dealer seems to have some great stock at many multiples of thread price! (Carat Cullinan anyone?) Have we had them before? Apologies if so I struggle to keep up!

https://edward-hall.co.uk/1997-mercedes-benz-c180-...

Looks very clean indeed, but that seems like an awfully large sum for a basic spec C180?

I can think of a million better ways to spend 3 grand.

Agreed, but have you seen the price of the equivalent Ford Escort these days?!

[Northbrook]

r129sl said:

Best tool I ever bought, 1000mm steel pipe.

This concerns me more!

[RicksAlfas]

0a said:

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

HO engine in that one too.