Best smoker barges 1-5 large [Vol 14]

[Stegel]

E65Ross said:

Stegel said:

I don’t think build quality is poor (although longevity is less a feature, but that’s the world of today) and I don’t object to niche filling. What gets me is why everything has to be burdened with faux-sporting pretensions and a sneering appearance, and the restrictions on picking and choosing individual options. The fact that the latest 1 series advert seems to major with unlocking the car with a smart phone, and most adverts stress connectivity above all else, very much suggests the battle is lost!

Whilst I totally agree with everything you're saying, the advert is kind of a moot point. They're advertising to what the market want. I had this conversation with someone about a mobile phone advert a while ago.... They commented how the advert was basically about thr camera, not the fact it was a phone. I simply replied that, being a phone, you already know it can make calls and send texts.... So they're advertising the other bits people are interested in. Same sort of thing with the car I think. Maybe?

We have always known what a car does, but that didn’t stop advertising telling us that the XX would make us more successful with the opposite (or indeed same) sex, happier, gain that promotion and generally be a better person! Now the focus is on having the car as every bit an adjunct to a phone as our emails, texts, music, banking, train tickets, wallet etc. are. (Full disclosure, I’m certainly far too old to be the target market for these adverts, so what do I know?!).

[Macron]

This E39 530i Sport looks a reasonable bet at £1650.

https://www.gumtree.com/p/bmw/530i-sport-auto-2001...

Now can anyone tell me, five minutes ago that price would have been toppy for an X Type 2.5 or pref 3.0 AWD estate. Now there seem to be a fair few at thread max or more. Is that what they’re realistically fetching now? Seems crazy if so...

[AdrieBiemans]

Thanks for the suggestions all! Although I really liked the Rover 75 with it's amazing colors, I'm not sure whether the mrs. would like to be seen in it. The 406 made me think about the 407 coupe, would that be any good? It's never had much love when new (I can see why ), but maybe they make good value for money now?

Talking about future, niche, BMW barges, any reports on the 5 GT and 3 GT? The 5 GT is based on the 7 series instead of the 5er if I recall correctly. Surely both will depreciate a lot more than the saloon/touring/SUV equivalents, ergo cheap barging.

My Volvo's MOT is in a few days, I'll decide whether to keep it or buy something else based on the outcome #1 backup plan is still an E39, I've seen one on gumtree in one of my favourite BMW colors:

https://www.gumtree.com/p/bmw/1997-e39-bmw-523i-se...

Not quite around the corner but seems nice for the money.

[theoriginalpaul]

https://www.gumtree.com/p/bmw/e34-535i-se-automati...

On the surface this e34 looks the stereotype of an old 5-series you'd run a mile from.
Awful ad & photos but if the mileage is correct (limited MOT history supports it and the few engine/interior photos look promising), it could be a nice car, albeit optomistically priced.

Bonus points for being green too

[dai1983]

21st Century Man said:

E65Ross said:

grudas said:

dai1983 said:

What MPG do you get cruising the motorway at say 70mph?

very little of that in my daily driving! most of it is country lanes and city and my average is 18mpg..

Is that for the V12? If so, that's really not too bad at all!

Oh, you mean me?

It's supposed to do about 20mpg on the official Japanese figures. I've not worked it out properly yet as I've chucked fifty quid into it a few times but not made a note of the odo. Doing a run down to Pembrokeshire soon, so will do a proper fuel consumption calc.

In other news, I'm quite sad and annoyed with myself, I've managed to scrape the lower brightwork on the rear nearside three quarter panel on a low wall. The car was bloody perfect and now I've gone and spoilt it

I meant the 2.5 Turbo Crown Athlete but knowing what you’d get out of your Century would also be interesting.

[grudas]

21st Century Man said:

Oh, you mean me?

It's supposed to do about 20mpg on the official Japanese figures. I've not worked it out properly yet as I've chucked fifty quid into it a few times but not made a note of the odo. Doing a run down to Pembrokeshire soon, so will do a proper fuel consumption calc.

In other news, I'm quite sad and annoyed with myself, I've managed to scrape the lower brightwork on the rear nearside three quarter panel on a low wall. The car was bloody perfect and now I've gone and spoilt it

that is annoying! you clearly can't handle it so you must give it to me. I will take care of it.

[21st Century Man]

I have to reverse it down a very long narrow lane and then through a tight chicane to get it onto the drive. The wall has now been removed.

[RicksAlfas]

Stegel said:

...the restrictions on picking and choosing individual options...

Unfortunately this is a legacy of the WLTP emission testing new cars have to do. Manufacturers now have to test every option available on the car. Previously they could test one standard model and that was it. It's easier for them now to test the standard car, the GT pack, the Lux pack and the Barge pack, otherwise they would have to test the standard car, the standard car with a sunroof, the standard car with a sunroof and mudflaps etc. etc.

[4941cc]

Stegel said:

We have always known what a car does, but that didn’t stop advertising telling us that the XX would make us more successful with the opposite (or indeed same) sex, happier, gain that promotion and generally be a better person! Now the focus is on having the car as every bit an adjunct to a phone as our emails, texts, music, banking, train tickets, wallet etc. are. (Full disclosure, I’m certainly far too old to be the target market for these adverts, so what do I know?!).

BMW: "The Ultimate Selfie Machine". Or "Sheer Social Media Narcissism Pleasure".

Mercedes: "Das Texte Oder Nichts".

[anonymous-user]

1985 Citroen CX 25 GTi Turbo

https://angliacarauctions.co.uk/classic/saturday-2...

Yes please!

Has to be the cheapest way into Ferrari ownership, belts just replaced.

https://angliacarauctions.co.uk/classic/saturday-2...

Is this the twin turbo 600 odd hp SL?

https://angliacarauctions.co.uk/classic/saturday-2...

I am driving home in this;

https://angliacarauctions.co.uk/classic/saturday-2...

Edited by Lord.Vader on Thursday 10th October 09:45

[bolidemichael]

I think that this 550i Touring has been on here before and has been reduced. Had I been in the market, I would be mightily tempted to get this within thread budget:

[rich12]

If anyone's interested, i've decided to sell the Range Rover instead of keeping.

If anyone's handy with the spanners, i'm sure it will end up being a very good car for half the thread budget.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[rider73]

It seems that these big 5 series touring can fetch all sorts of money, some dirt cheap @ 4K, others well up to 12K - especially from traders - i think its down to options list but tbh i cannot believe that should command such an uplift.

[TurboHatchback]

bolidemichael said:

I think that this 550i Touring has been on here before and has been reduced. Had I been in the market, I would be mightily tempted to get this within thread budget:

I've been eyeing that up, if it wasn't in the depths of the frozen North I'd be on the phone but it's an awfully long way to go to view a car which might turn out to be a dud .

[Krikkit]

TurboHatchback said:

bolidemichael said:

I think that this 550i Touring has been on here before and has been reduced. Had I been in the market, I would be mightily tempted to get this within thread budget:

I've been eyeing that up, if it wasn't in the depths of the frozen North I'd be on the phone but it's an awfully long way to go to view a car which might turn out to be a dud .

Not far from me if you want a possibly suspect inspection?

rich12 said:

If anyone's interested, i've decided to sell the Range Rover instead of keeping.

If anyone's handy with the spanners, i'm sure it will end up being a very good car for half the thread budget.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

That's a shame - I can see why you want rid though, the VANOS/tappets/tensioner fix on that engine looks like a horrible job (just had a nosey ) so will need a big spend in a garage to get it right.

[RicksAlfas]

TurboHatchback said:

I've been eyeing that up, if it wasn't in the depths of the frozen North...

'kin 'ell. It's in Knutsford!!

[TurboHatchback]

Krikkit said:

TurboHatchback said:

bolidemichael said:

I think that this 550i Touring has been on here before and has been reduced. Had I been in the market, I would be mightily tempted to get this within thread budget:

I've been eyeing that up, if it wasn't in the depths of the frozen North I'd be on the phone but it's an awfully long way to go to view a car which might turn out to be a dud .

Not far from me if you want a possibly suspect inspection?

If you fancied an idle look I would be genuinely interested in whether it smokes like a chimney and/or is hemorrhaging bodily fluids as I'm led to believe this engine is prone to doing. It would be pretty much perfect for me if it was any good.

[anonymous-user]

RicksAlfas said:

TurboHatchback said:

I've been eyeing that up, if it wasn't in the depths of the frozen North...

'kin 'ell. It's in Knutsford!!

A church house, gin house
A school house, outhouse
Off the M6 junction nineteen
The people keep the city clean
They call it Knutsford, oh Knutsford
They call it Knutsford city limits

I am sorry.

On a related note, it's very easy to mis-type Knutsford but one really should take care to get it right.

[ATM]

TurboHatchback said:

Krikkit said:

TurboHatchback said:

bolidemichael said:

I think that this 550i Touring has been on here before and has been reduced. Had I been in the market, I would be mightily tempted to get this within thread budget:

I've been eyeing that up, if it wasn't in the depths of the frozen North I'd be on the phone but it's an awfully long way to go to view a car which might turn out to be a dud .

Not far from me if you want a possibly suspect inspection?

If you fancied an idle look I would be genuinely interested in whether it smokes like a chimney and/or is hemorrhaging bodily fluids as I'm led to believe this engine is prone to doing. It would be pretty much perfect for me if it was any good.

These all smoke unless they have had new valve stem oil seals which is a big job. But you need to get them hot [not warm] and then leave them idling for a good few minutes. I've had mine for over 4 years and yes it smokes, it always has smoked and it has not really got any worse. I'd prefer no smoke but to be honest it doesnt really bother me. If i can predict being stationary for a few minutes and the engine is hot then I use my special smoke on off button which is the same button I use to turn the engine on and off.

[TommoAE86]

21st Century Man said:

I have to reverse it down a very long narrow lane and then through a tight chicane to get it onto the drive. The wall has now been removed.

Perfect solution for a Century owner, "that caused me issues, it must be removed!!!"