Best smoker barges 1-5 large [Vol 15]

Best smoker barges 1-5 large [Vol 15]

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Wafty

12 posts

54 months

Friday 22nd November 2019
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Etypephil said:
If it’s reasonably close, why take a look and a test drive? If nothing else that will give you a feel for the model and something to compare with any others you may consider.
Good point. I'll see if its available this weekend for a quick test.

Wafty

12 posts

54 months

Friday 22nd November 2019
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stickleback123 said:
That's a shame - what was wrong with it?

I rather like the LS460, but I suspect it might be a bit too "barge" for my tastes. I really must try one.
Well despite assuring me it was in fantastic condition and had no structural issues, there was some corrosion around the rivet sites, uneven idle, stuttering on acceleration and shuddering gear changes and on top of that it was clonking over bumps and pulled to the right under braking! Damn shame as the interior WAS lovely.

The size is the one thing I need to make sure I can live with. Had an LS400 previously but this seems an order larger.

anonymous-user

54 months

Friday 22nd November 2019
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Wafty said:
Well despite assuring me it was in fantastic condition and had no structural issues, there was some corrosion around the rivet sites, uneven idle, stuttering on acceleration and shuddering gear changes and on top of that it was clonking over bumps and pulled to the right under braking! Damn shame as the interior WAS lovely.

The size is the one thing I need to make sure I can live with. Had an LS400 previously but this seems an order larger.
ALmost all of them have little patches of corrosion. The rest sounds pretty bad though, you'd want it for scrap value.

TyrannosauRoss Lex

35,081 posts

212 months

Friday 22nd November 2019
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stickleback123 said:
Wafty said:
Finally got to drive the x350 4.2 v8 today. Comments from etypephil and stickleback123 were a great help. Thanks guys! Sadly its just too far gone for my needs so it's onto the next candidate.

Maybe getting influenced by the Lexus-fest there has been these last few pages, but I have found a decent looking LS460 close by https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201... . Any thoughts?

Doesn't have the ML stereo sadly but is a good colour combination, decent price and (allegedly) has FSH.

Has this been posted previously? I notice it's been advertised since 17th September which could be a concern.
That's a shame - what was wrong with it?

I rather like the LS460, but I suspect it might be a bit too "barge" for my tastes. I really must try one.
We have indeed had that LS460 before. I remember seeing it when I was looking around. It seems pretty decent, but fairly low on spec from what I can see (it's missing a couple of buttons from the centre console compared to mine..... Which 2 I'm not sure). If it's a good example then it's a good price.

Being heavy cars it's worth checking for suspension stuff. Check the "high" button works and the car rises up, and that the ride height is even from side to side. Most common failures are pretty minor (door mirrors seem common, boot failing to open and/or close on the button) but the obvious biggy is the steering rack.

I think mine has a wheel bearing on its way out. It's had 2 replaced not too long ago and there's a faint drone/hum above 50mph or so, so it'll get that checked in 3 weeks, but they're cheap enough (I think under £75).

One thing I will say..... What a faff to check the coolant level..... You need to take a plastic cover off and even then it's a bugger to check without taking other bits off.

Wafty

12 posts

54 months

Friday 22nd November 2019
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TyrannosauRoss Lex said:
We have indeed had that LS460 before. I remember seeing it when I was looking around. It seems pretty decent, but fairly low on spec from what I can see (it's missing a couple of buttons from the centre console compared to mine..... Which 2 I'm not sure). If it's a good example then it's a good price.

Being heavy cars it's worth checking for suspension stuff. Check the "high" button works and the car rises up, and that the ride height is even from side to side. Most common failures are pretty minor (door mirrors seem common, boot failing to open and/or close on the button) but the obvious biggy is the steering rack.

I think mine has a wheel bearing on its way out. It's had 2 replaced not too long ago and there's a faint drone/hum above 50mph or so, so it'll get that checked in 3 weeks, but they're cheap enough (I think under £75).

One thing I will say..... What a faff to check the coolant level..... You need to take a plastic cover off and even then it's a bugger to check without taking other bits off.
Yeah it is a bit light on spec. Tbh I think I need to overlook the convenience of location and go for the car with the spec I'm looking for. I'll still try and get a test drive though just to get a feel for the car.

Interesting about the coolant level though. I did see the engine bay in the LS460 has lots of plastic covers but I thought they would allow an inspection window/panel!

The steering rack is a biggie though. Especially given it seems sporadic and doesn't affect every car. I wish I'd been able to move on bmthnick1981s car as its had it done but I couldn't get down in time.

There are a few for sale that are in or around thread budget and some that are very high priced (circa £12k). Shame they are all a good distance away but I can always try and arrange inspection prior to travelling.

phil_cardiff

7,091 posts

208 months

Friday 22nd November 2019
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bolidemichael said:
phil_cardiff said:
Macron said:
cornershop said:
2x SAAB 9-5 estates for your delectation

Top end and above budget but potentially justifiably so and nice colour combo: https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2...

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

Really like these in estate form
About the first one, which insurance company would you need to speak to about the mods? Adrian Flux? Asking for a friend.
How did I miss these? The first one is more or less the holy grail of 9-5 aeros. If it has the HK audio upgrade then get it bought!
I'm curious, share your knowledge on the Abbott Racing models!
In short, just about every area you can improve a 9-5 aero has been done on the first one linked. It'll have c.300bhp and the ability to transmit that to the road too.

The steering, brakes and gearbox will still be devoid of feel though.

em177

3,131 posts

164 months

Friday 22nd November 2019
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Wafty said:
Yeah it is a bit light on spec. Tbh I think I need to overlook the convenience of location and go for the car with the spec I'm looking for. I'll still try and get a test drive though just to get a feel for the car.

Interesting about the coolant level though. I did see the engine bay in the LS460 has lots of plastic covers but I thought they would allow an inspection window/panel!

The steering rack is a biggie though. Especially given it seems sporadic and doesn't affect every car. I wish I'd been able to move on bmthnick1981s car as its had it done but I couldn't get down in time.

There are a few for sale that are in or around thread budget and some that are very high priced (circa £12k). Shame they are all a good distance away but I can always try and arrange inspection prior to travelling.
Just my 2 cents but without being a buzzkill I don't think it's very fair to waste a private sellers time taking a drive his own personal car if you have no intention of buying it. That's what Lexus dealers are for...

TyrannosauRoss Lex

35,081 posts

212 months

Friday 22nd November 2019
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Wafty said:
Interesting about the coolant level though. I did see the engine bay in the LS460 has lots of plastic covers but I thought they would allow an inspection window/panel!
Yes it is a bit odd. There's a small hole where you can easily access the oil level dipstick, there's a small flap in the silver engine cover to allow you to fill it with oil (mine was stuck solid! I had to get some needle nose pliers to lever the bugger round!) and also a window for the brake fluid.

As I found out, removing the foremost cover is actually really easy, it's just a case of pulling it up quite hard. This allows fairly easy access to view the coolant level. However, unless you remove something above the expansion tank (I'm not sure what it is.... Maybe air intake) then getting the lid off of the expansion tank is a bit of a pain. You can unscrew it and JUST get the lid off (having to lift the plastic intake or whatever up as much as possible without breaking it). I like my coolant to be at the max and so I topped it up yesterday but had to use a disposable cardboard oil funnel because without it there was no way I was going to be able to top up the coolant. The hardest car I've ever had to top it up with coolant laugh

Macron

9,877 posts

166 months

Friday 22nd November 2019
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Goodness, Toyota make the Camry once again, who knew? Although they now seem to make little but two petrol engines and add a specific battery pack to each and put it in any body style you may ask for. Efficient. But dull. Interior looks swish though. Out of thread, but can see depreciation being massive!


ian316

4,150 posts

105 months

Saturday 23rd November 2019
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stickleback123 said:
The Barge Gods have been merciful and my X350 has passed it's MOT with no advisories!!

It can have clean oil and a set of filters as a reward.
That's good news i'm off to look at one today, so it could be goodbye w124 300d and hello JAGGG only the 3.5 but it looks great in the pics the real thing maybe different but it's not far so it's a run for the merc if nothing else smile

Edited by ian316 on Saturday 23 November 08:44

TommoAE86

2,668 posts

127 months

Saturday 23rd November 2019
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Macron said:
Goodness, Toyota make the Camry once again, who knew? Although they now seem to make little but two petrol engines and add a specific battery pack to each and put it in any body style you may ask for. Efficient. But dull. Interior looks swish though. Out of thread, but can see depreciation being massive!

Of course I like that and gone to poke around it paperbag What's irritates me is the engine side of things because in Japan they put the same 3.5V6 from my Crown and add the hybrid gubbins into the new Crown in RWD form and then the same 2.5 engine & hybrid as the Camry here in all spec of Crowns which includes 4WD.




I know there is no real reason that there's absolutely no market for it and also it'd only be me buying them and they want to keep the RWD with Lexus', but I wish I could get a saloon with a Toyota badge and not FWD.

Northbrook

1,434 posts

63 months

Saturday 23rd November 2019
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Quick spin in the work car park in my colleague's LS400 yesterday. Brakes are squeaking, MOT is short, and there's light bubbling on one rear arch, but it's a lovely place to be!

Not sure whether it's DHP or not - not got the body coloured grille, so I suspect the wheels are an addition. As are the other set of DHP wheels with recent tyres that are on the back seat.

Nice car.

Wafty

12 posts

54 months

Saturday 23rd November 2019
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em177 said:
Just my 2 cents but without being a buzzkill I don't think it's very fair to waste a private sellers time taking a drive his own personal car if you have no intention of buying it. That's what Lexus dealers are for...
Yeah that was a poor comment from me. You're spot on. I'll find one at a dealership to try.


Krikkit

26,529 posts

181 months

Saturday 23rd November 2019
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ian316 said:
That's good news i'm off to look at one today, so it could be goodbye w124 300d and hello JAGGG only the 3.5 but it looks great in the pics the real thing maybe different but it's not far so it's a run for the merc if nothing else smile
Very nice, any joy?

TyrannosauRoss Lex

35,081 posts

212 months

Saturday 23rd November 2019
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Northbrook said:


Quick spin in the work car park in my colleague's LS400 yesterday. Brakes are squeaking, MOT is short, and there's light bubbling on one rear arch, but it's a lovely place to be!

Not sure whether it's DHP or not - not got the body coloured grille, so I suspect the wheels are an addition. As are the other set of DHP wheels with recent tyres that are on the back seat.

Nice car.
I've never warmed to these. I bet from inside they are lovely old things though. I gather they're more refined than the S class or 7 series of that era, so I'm sure they're lovely to waft about in. Just never been a fan of the looks. That said, there's something appealing about totally understated styling.... I'm surprised how little extra power the later LS430 offered over these, then a fairly big hike in power when the LS460 came out.

MJK 24

5,648 posts

236 months

Saturday 23rd November 2019
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ian316 said:
That's good news i'm off to look at one today, so it could be goodbye w124 300d and hello JAGGG only the 3.5 but it looks great in the pics the real thing maybe different but it's not far so it's a run for the merc if nothing else smile

Edited by ian316 on Saturday 23 November 08:44
I hope the 300d is offered here first!

judas

5,990 posts

259 months

Saturday 23rd November 2019
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Obligatory forecourt shot biggrin


Prinny

1,669 posts

99 months

Saturday 23rd November 2019
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SL2 is off the boat, pick up tomorrow. woohoo Pictures will be forthcoming.

As I don’t have the original service book with the complete numbers in it, a true beard question...

CY registration requires checking & adding the engine number into the documentation, which basically means the vehicle inspection office come & have a look at the car in the parking garage & if they like it/you/amount of folding pictures of the Queen (€ equivalent), then it’s done in about 10 min, new plates & off you go... There is a little more to it, but meh, details.

Anyway - does anyone know the best way to be able to show/point to the M119 # stamped in the block? Is it easy to see or do we require significant dismantling? [Can’t look as no car yet]. I have the engine number from the VIN decoder - but they might well want to see it. I am guessing under the car with the O/S-F wheel removed is the easiest way?


Krikkit

26,529 posts

181 months

Saturday 23rd November 2019
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Prinny said:
Anyway - does anyone know the best way to be able to show/point to the M119 # stamped in the block? Is it easy to see or do we require significant dismantling? [Can’t look as no car yet]. I have the engine number from the VIN decoder - but they might well want to see it. I am guessing under the car with the O/S-F wheel removed is the easiest way?
Sounds like things are progressing nicely!

If this is to be believed it shouldn't take much: https://www.500eboard.co/forums/threads/how-to-eng...

tobinen

9,228 posts

145 months

Saturday 23rd November 2019
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judas said:
Obligatory forecourt shot biggrin

A new-to-you XJR? An excellent choice sir
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