Best smoker barges 1-5 large [Vol 15]

[RicksAlfas]

Easternlight said:

Cheap winter hack. Pretty tatty but it's got a years ticket and the MOT history doesn't even look too bad.
£1895 or offers!
What could possibily go wrong etc etc
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2003-Land-Rover-Range-R...

Still a handsome beast on sensible wheels and not-black paint.

[Krikkit]

I notice the Jag-engined L322's are starting to dip into thread now, are they much better?

e.g. 6 bags with LPG https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/183796416091
4 bags, but a terrible advert: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/123932589397

[RicksAlfas]

Krikkit said:

I notice the Jag-engined L322's are starting to dip into thread now, are they much better?

Much.
Better engine and gearbox, plus plenty of other detail improvements.

If you are looking, the Jag engine is 4394cc, the BMW 4398cc.
You need to know as many sellers list it simply as "4.4" in the title.
Some Jag engined ones are available with lower RFL too.

Next big upgrade came with the terrain response knob - 2007'ish.

[stevethegreek]

Emeye said:

CharlesdeGaulle said:

Etypephil said:

CharlesdeGaulle said:

Easternlight said:

Cheep winter hack. A bit tatty but it's got a years ticket and the MOT history doesn't even look too bad.
£1895 or offers!
What could possibily go wrong etc etc
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2003-Land-Rover-Range-R...

I bet that looks even tattier in the metal than it does in the pics. Very cheap though.

I'll let you know later; it's only 15 miles away, so will call and hopefully take a look.

In the meantime, any pointers regarding checks of the known problems from RR experts would be welcome.

Good man, that's the spirit.

Yes - you have made my day already.

Small time trader?...I see he has another 3 cars listed for sale. Just noticed, this is about 10 minutes from where I work...

[Krikkit]

RicksAlfas said:

Krikkit said:

I notice the Jag-engined L322's are starting to dip into thread now, are they much better?

Much.
Better engine and gearbox, plus plenty of other detail improvements.

If you are looking, the Jag engine is 4394cc, the BMW 4398cc.
You need to know as many sellers list it simply as "4.4" in the title.

Easiest way I've noticed is look at the rear lights - Jag-engined ones lose the orange indicator, so they're just red+clear. Assuming people don't fit the facelift lights of course.

[Slow]

rich12 said:

Etypephil said:

I'll let you know later; it's only 15 miles away, so will call and hopefully take a look.

In the meantime, any pointers regarding checks of the known problems from RR experts would be welcome.

LOL. Easier to name the things that won't break.

Air suspension leaking/inactive
All electronics work in the car
Camshaft cover gaskets
Engine smoking
Being hse, the spec isn't great
Oil leaks
Gearbox working and smooth
Cam tensioner guides been replaced?
Good service history with regular oil changes

If it seems good overall them if they'd take 1500, you can easily break it for more.

Air suspension is a easy and cheap fix 99% of the time, mostly just dead sensors at £45 each. Even when it’s bag failure they are cheap now, compressors get rebuilt.

All electronics will never work, but they don’t on most sub £2k cars rammed full of them.

Don’t know much about the 4.4 as I keep buying the 3l diesel. I do know the chain can fail.

Gearboxes are however solid on the 4.4, it’s the diesel one which craps out all the time.

Buy a £200 tool to fault code read and you can keep one of these on the road for very cheap.

[bolidemichael]

JF87 said:

bolidemichael said:

His work seems to be entirely engine related. The SBC isn't such a great expense these days as it can be bypassed i.e. told to be quiet for a while, replace with a reconditioned item or if you're feeling flush - replaced with new. TBF, that's a bit of a red herring, as there are a number of jobs on the S211 that cost a similar amount of money. Have you refreshed the suspenion/subframe mount/engine mounts etc? Any leaks from the engine or crankshaft? Replaced Lamba sensors?

His current work is engine related, but from what he says that's the (big) straw which broke the camel's back.

I've had to shell out quite bigly on plenty of other stuff (a/c compressor, steering bits, SRS module, major suspension refresh etc), just not the SBC/Airmatic borkages that are always trumpeted as the W211's likeliest woes. As you say, SBC death isn't the disaster it's often perceived to be, and the Airmatic can also be sorted (a bit) more reasonably these days with Arnott struts etc.

I did manage to successfully change the crank position sensor the other month, which is about the limit of my own capabilities (fun job involving some impressively long socket extensions).

Doesn't leak anywhere, though it's always consumed a bit of oil (at a rate which mercifully hasn't increased in the 20,000 miles I've had it). Running splendidly right now, but due a service. My preferred The Man is Wayne Gates up in N London.

I'm running a thread for mine which details the expense shenanigans, but crankshaft oil seal, lamba sensors x4 (as a results of the oil damage), suspension refresh, replacement exhaust cat-backs (due to re-installing OEM items), suspension refresh, corroded rear brake lines, rear subframe mounts, engine mounts, nsf level sensor, camshaft position sensor (I used the lying on my belly reach around technique ), drivers seat base foam - actually, other than the oil damage from the crankshaft oil seal, almost everything else is wear and tear related or functional (feat foam, exhausts, 17" wheels instead of 19") and I have been using the car lots, so getting the value out of these parts.

[Krikkit]

Purely out of interest, how does working on a W211 compare to earlier, classic Mercs? Having done a front suspension refresh and rear bag replacement on mine, I thought it was an absolute bd to work on - poor access, over-complicated design etc. Are the earlier models any better?

[Shabaza]

I’m considering venturing into a barge.
In fact I lie, changing the wife’s 325d for this

https://hes32-ctp.trendmicro.com/wis/clicktime/v1/...


As much as I love all the LS chat and really want one. Feasibly the size increase and consumption is a no from her. So a hybrid sort of gets the thumbs up.

I’ve read us the GS450h has shock absorber issues. But this is priced keen.
I may go view it Saturday unless I’m discouraged by horror stories (unlikely)

[TyrannosauRoss Lex]

Just taken the LS round to pump the tyres up....the dealer pumped them to 32psi yet the manual says, depending on your expected speed and load capacity, they should be more than that, so just sorted that out. I also checked the oil level and it's right near the min mark so I have just ordered a shed load from Opie Oils. The oil I want was £13 plus postage (£17 total) for 1 litre but they had an offer on for 5L + 1L free for £50....but free delivery on orders over £50 (the 6L was £49.99.....) then £10 off anything over £60 so I've ended up ordering 12L of oil which will do me for the next oil service in 5 months time. Managed to put my foot down a bit earlier and it seriously has some poke!

Shabaza said:

I’m considering venturing into a barge.
In fact I lie, changing the wife’s 325d for this

https://hes32-ctp.trendmicro.com/wis/clicktime/v1/...


As much as I love all the LS chat and really want one. Feasibly the size increase and consumption is a no from her. So a hybrid sort of gets the thumbs up.

I’ve read us the GS450h has shock absorber issues. But this is priced keen.
I may go view it Saturday unless I’m discouraged by horror stories (unlikely)

I think that GS looks good, I'm not a fan of the exterior, the interior definitely not as nice as an LS but still looks like a very nice place to spend some miles. I'm sure it'll be reliable, too! Get it bought!

[Etypephil]

Easternlight said:

Cheap winter hack. Pretty tatty but it's got a years ticket and the MOT history doesn't even look too bad.
£1895 or offers!
What could possibily go wrong etc etc
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2003-Land-Rover-Range-R...


Edit for better discription,lazy spilling

Edited by Easternlight on Tuesday 19th November 19:52

Thanks to all you gentlefolk for the knowledge and encouragement.

As surmised by Stevethegreek, the seller is a trader working from home; he was perfectly honest about that, and the car's faults, so no problem there.

It's better than I expected for the price; two owners, first right up to 2017, the second barely used it especially for the past year. Well serviced up to 10,000 miles ago, but needs oil and coolant change asap. No rattles, knocks or smoke and everything except the sunroof seems to work properly.
Decent matching tyres, not knocked about inside. As sound as a bell underneath, just the left hand catalytic converter has a crack repaired with Gun Gum, presumably to get it through the MOT. Intermittent steering angle fault, which also confuses the ABS. Drives perfectly, plenty of invoices as well as the service book.

Body wise, the left door mirror has a piece missing from the cover, left hand tail lamp cover has a hole in it, left hand doors have light scratching, plus the various scrapes and dents visible in the ebay photos. C£500, according to my bodywork buddy who has seen the photos which I took.

He will take £1,700, at which price I am very tempted.

Edited by Etypephil on Wednesday 20th November 13:27

[CharlesdeGaulle]

Shabaza said:

I’m considering venturing into a barge.
In fact I lie, changing the wife’s 325d for this

https://hes32-ctp.trendmicro.com/wis/clicktime/v1/...


As much as I love all the LS chat and really want one. Feasibly the size increase and consumption is a no from her. So a hybrid sort of gets the thumbs up.

I’ve read us the GS450h has shock absorber issues. But this is priced keen.
I may go view it Saturday unless I’m discouraged by horror stories (unlikely)

Proper lurking old fruit. Welcome.

Some serious stone rash on that but generally looks pretty good. Tapping on start-up would need to be checked-out.

No rear arm-rest of desire, but it has the little green essential so I'm happy.

Edited by CharlesdeGaulle on Wednesday 20th November 13:32

[CharlesdeGaulle]

Etypephil said:

He will take £1,700, at which price I am very tempted.

Thorough assessment, thanks. At that price I'd see why you would be tempted. Seems a no-brainer ...

[RicksAlfas]

Etypephil said:

He will take £1,700, at which price I am very tempted.

I think at that price, we are all very tempted... for you to buy it.

[stevethegreek]

Krikkit said:

Purely out of interest, how does working on a W211 compare to earlier, classic Mercs? Having done a front suspension refresh and rear bag replacement on mine, I thought it was an absolute bd to work on - poor access, over-complicated design etc. Are the earlier models any better?

In my limited experience of working on 123/4's a long time ago, I found them generally quite straightforward and easy to work on. Obviously far simpler mechanically - in the case of the 123, agricultural almost. Although most of my home spannering on these was limited to brakes, servicing and the odd suspension component. I did change a front wing, bumper and grille on a 123 once due to an unfortunate encounter with a deer. All very easy..

[Krikkit]

CharlesdeGaulle said:

Etypephil said:

He will take £1,700, at which price I am very tempted.

Thorough assessment, thanks. At that price I'd see why you would be tempted. Seems a no-brainer ...

That seems like an absolute bargain, as noted they break for not much less than that, I think a managed retreat from it would be minimally expensive aside from fuel costs! Run it until the next MOT and see what's what.

[W00DY]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-Benz-A-Class-A...


Minty micro-barge.

[Krikkit]

W00DY said:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-Benz-A-Class-A...


Minty micro-barge.

Crumbs, that looks tremendous.

A W168 reminds me, has anyone heard from derin lately? I haven't seen a reply of his in a while, I hope he's alright.

[trooperiziz]

Krikkit said:

That seems like an absolute bargain, as noted they break for not much less than that, I think a managed retreat from it would be minimally expensive aside from fuel costs! Run it until the next MOT and see what's what.

You wouldn't even need to break it, if it dies, put it on ebay for a £1 with all the faults listed and I guarantee it will go for over a grand, plus someone will come and take it away without you needing to get it somewhere.

[TommoAE86]

CharlesdeGaulle said:

Proper lurking old fruit. Welcome.

Some serious stone rash on that but generally looks pretty good. Tapping on start-up would need to be checked-out.

No rear arm-rest of desire, but it has the little green essential so I'm happy.

Edited by CharlesdeGaulle on Wednesday 20th November 13:32

I can never quite decide if I like the looks of the Mk3 GS, sort of feel it can lose the grill lights at the front and the back looks very "full" and that it looks higher than the rest of the car.

In even less interesting news, the Mk3 GS has the same oily bits as my Crown, old picture but CDG will be happy with the digital clock between the swinging vents on mine;