Best smoker barges 1-5 large [Vol 14]

[E65Ross]

The engines in the E65 750i - are they as prone to oil leaks, coolant leaks and valve stem seal failure as the 745i engine? I assume so, but may be wrong?

[ATM]

E65Ross said:

The engines in the E65 750i - are they as prone to oil leaks, coolant leaks and valve stem seal failure as the 745i engine? I assume so, but may be wrong?

My 550i smokes but no oil leaks and no coolant leaks that I know of.

[E65Ross]

ATM said:

E65Ross said:

The engines in the E65 750i - are they as prone to oil leaks, coolant leaks and valve stem seal failure as the 745i engine? I assume so, but may be wrong?

My 550i smokes but no oil leaks and no coolant leaks that I know of.

Thank you.

Such a shame the engines are notorious for problems, they're otherwise a wonderful unit.

[Rubins4]

W00DY said:

No idea how they are considered council

Me neither. I’d say convertibles are more council than sun roofs but each to their own.

[Etypephil]

W00DY said:

A sunroof is one of the features I'm always pleased to have. Clearing drain tubes is necessary, but not usually too difficult.

No idea how they are considered council and nor do I give a fk.

The types who used to pay me to fit them to rusty Euroboxes.

[r129sl]

tobinen said:

The north-east E500 estate is indeed back on sale, looking much shinier and with trade mark-up.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-E500-AVANTGARD...

That isn’t the same car that was for sale in Northumberland by an acquaintance of mine. His car had grey leather: this one has black. It’s very shiny, this one, and those framed movie posters in the garage wall must add £1,500 to the price...

[bolidemichael]

r129sl said:

tobinen said:

The north-east E500 estate is indeed back on sale, looking much shinier and with trade mark-up.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-E500-AVANTGARD...

That isn’t the same car that was for sale in Northumberland by an acquaintance of mine. His car had grey leather: this one has black. It’s very shiny, this one, and those framed movie posters in the garage wall must add £1,500 to the price...

I daren't question your certainty, but the ad text reads very similar... from memory.

On another note, I cannot fathom how a sunroof is contentious. I love the additional light in the cabin and climate control is no substitute for fresh air, particularly from a source that doesn't blow into the occupants' faces. Any blocked drains are easily cleared with some compressed air.

As for additional weight up high... come on, pull the other one!

[Stegel]

bolidemichael said:

I daren't question your certainty, but the ad text reads very similar... from memory.

On another note, I cannot fathom how a sunroof is contentious. I love the additional light in the cabin and climate control is no substitute for fresh air, particularly from a source that doesn't blow into the occupants' faces. Any blocked drains are easily cleared with some compressed air.

As for additional weight up high... come on, pull the other one!

Agreed on the sunroof. The “thread” E class is saved in my eBay watch list. The leather is listed as Anthracite.

[Joelonghair]

Hi guys, was directed to this thread from my post in the car buying forum. Text below:

"Hi,

Looking for a second car just to use for motorway duties and lugging loads about for my business. Criteria are nice interior, comfortable, reasonable pace, mpg and reliability.

I think I have narrowed it down to either an E61 530d or a W211 320CDI. Both around 2007ish, just over the 100k mark and budget approx 4.5k.

Which would offer the most trouble free motoring and be less likely to throw up a big bill?

Cheers"

Was suggested a Mondeo, but not really my bag. Any advice here? Ta

[nobrakes]

Joelonghair said:

Hi guys, was directed to this thread from my post in the car buying forum. Text below:

"Hi,

Looking for a second car just to use for motorway duties and lugging loads about for my business. Criteria are nice interior, comfortable, reasonable pace, mpg and reliability.

I think I have narrowed it down to either an E61 530d or a W211 320CDI. Both around 2007ish, just over the 100k mark and budget approx 4.5k.

Which would offer the most trouble free motoring and be less likely to throw up a big bill?

Cheers"

Was suggested a Mondeo, but not really my bag. Any advice here? Ta

I’ve a W211 320cdi estate. The torque makes motorway driving effortless. 80mph is 2000rpm. The acceleration makes pulling out no problem, safe, and relaxing - as does the 80litre tank.

By 2007 all the glitches of early versions are sorted and any Indy can look after it. I’ve had it for about 5 years. Couple things were sorted under warranty, but all else is consumables.

I’m just over 100k miles and it’s frequently driven to the south of France.

Mpg is very reasonable for the size and performance. Mid to high 30s on a run is achievable. I’m on an I dictated 29 fully laden with bikes on the roof at faster than I should. But for what your after I wouldn’t get hung up on a few mpg here or there when comparing what you are after.

The beemer will be the better drivers car, but the Merc is solid as a rock all day long in all weathers.

Edited by nobrakes on Thursday 17th October 06:36

[minimoog]

Etypephil said:

The types who used to pay me to fit them to rusty Euroboxes.

That's like saying factory bodykit on a sports model is council because Halfords.

I love a sunroof. Current steer is first one without for many years and I really miss the airy ambience.

[rider73]

tobinen said:

The north-east E500 estate is indeed back on sale, looking much shinier and with trade mark-up.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-E500-AVANTGARD...

Hmmm i quite like that - and so shiny :-)

[Krikkit]

nobrakes said:

I’ve a W211 320cdi estate. The torque makes motorway driving effortless. 80mph is 2000rpm. The acceleration makes pulling out no problem, safe, and relaxing - as does the 80litre tank.

Are there any issues with the V6? Swirl flaps? Blend motors?

Totally agree on the capability of a 211 though. As a car to just get on with a journey they're fabulous.

[Stegel]

Krikkit said:

nobrakes said:

I’ve a W211 320cdi estate. The torque makes motorway driving effortless. 80mph is 2000rpm. The acceleration makes pulling out no problem, safe, and relaxing - as does the 80litre tank.

Are there any issues with the V6? Swirl flaps? Blend motors?

Totally agree on the capability of a 211 though. As a car to just get on with a journey they're fabulous.

They can break the inlet manifold flaps, and while our car had a new manifold part paid for by MB there’s a £100 repair kit (non-MB obviously) now available. The inlet port motors go too. The oil cooler that lives at the centre of the vee leaks, and while the part is about £11, there’s £150 worth of other seals etc. necessary to dig down to it, and just about everything above the cooler - manifold, turbo etc. - needs to come out meaning quite a bit of labour. I think our 143k mike E320 has just started to leak, with no other explanation for the trail of oil appearing low down at the rear of the engine; the oil escapes to here from high up via a drain passage apparently.

[Mr Micawber]

Lancia Kappa anyone? Just look at the depth of that velour (I accept it may now be called alcantara).

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1997-Lancia-Kappa-2-0-T...

Edited by Mr Micawber on Thursday 17th October 09:07

[tobinen]

Another car I never knew existed (Italy/Europe only I presume). I think it looks quite good

[Sterillium]

Handsome, but high miles... reassuring box file though, well under thread max for the five litre V8...


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

[bolidemichael]

Sterillium said:

Handsome, but high miles... reassuring box file though, well under thread max for the five litre V8...


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

It's a strange ad, with a chocolate box assortment of photos and an oddly repetitive ad. I would make for a very nice purchase indeed, though for me the price is a bit toppy. My gut tells me around £3,600.

[anonymous-user]

Mr Micawber said:

Lancia Kappa anyone? Just look at the depth of that velour (I accept it may now be called alcantara).

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1997-Lancia-Kappa-2-0-T...

Edited by Mr Micawber on Thursday 17th October 09:07

I've always thought these are like the gawkier Italian cousin of the Rover 800 coupe, a car I also love (and have owned).

I don't think I've ever had an old car with a sunroof that hasn't leaked or rusted around the aperture, so I avoid them if at all possible!

[nobrakes]

Stegel said:

Krikkit said:

nobrakes said:

I’ve a W211 320cdi estate. The torque makes motorway driving effortless. 80mph is 2000rpm. The acceleration makes pulling out no problem, safe, and relaxing - as does the 80litre tank.

Are there any issues with the V6? Swirl flaps? Blend motors?

Totally agree on the capability of a 211 though. As a car to just get on with a journey they're fabulous.

They can break the inlet manifold flaps, and while our car had a new manifold part paid for by MB there’s a £100 repair kit (non-MB obviously) now available. The inlet port motors go too. The oil cooler that lives at the centre of the vee leaks, and while the part is about £11, there’s £150 worth of other seals etc. necessary to dig down to it, and just about everything above the cooler - manifold, turbo etc. - needs to come out meaning quite a bit of labour. I think our 143k mike E320 has just started to leak, with no other explanation for the trail of oil appearing low down at the rear of the engine; the oil escapes to here from high up via a drain passage apparently.

I’m no 211 beard. I just enjoy it and once a year an nice chap from MBZ takes it away for a day and brings it back serviced with a new MOT.