Best smoker barges 1-5 large [Vol 15]

[nobrakes]

Emeye said:

All this talk of transmission oil changes has got me wondering if my 2006 Merc C220cdi would also benefit from it at just shy of 120k - I have to assume it has never been done, as with FSH I the bill would have been there.

I know the Merc C-class, especially a diesel is not really a thread candidate, but after initially being a bit disappointed by the surprisingly stiff Avantgarde sport suspension and a few random electrical glitches, a new battery cured everything in one go and it has become quite a good mini-barge, rush hour commuter weapon. The compact size gives more room for threading though gaps and it is relatively responsive if the gearbox is kept in S mode. Once on the motorway it glides along nicely. Economy on my 15 miles in 30 mins commute is about 32mpg - pretty poor for a diesel, but on a long run it will easily do 45mpg.

It seems the facelift model I have is much more resilient than the original ones, but I still have my eye on something with a V8 to replace it while I still can.....

It’s a difficult one.

It might speed up resale if you do it, though if your going to trade the car it a next car change then there’s no point.

It’s sometimes suspicious too: ‘just had gearbox oil change 100 miles ago’.... I wonder why.

If your planning to keep it a while then it wouldn’t do any harm.

[Speed addicted]

nobrakes said:

Emeye said:

All this talk of transmission oil changes has got me wondering if my 2006 Merc C220cdi would also benefit from it at just shy of 120k - I have to assume it has never been done, as with FSH I the bill would have been there.

I know the Merc C-class, especially a diesel is not really a thread candidate, but after initially being a bit disappointed by the surprisingly stiff Avantgarde sport suspension and a few random electrical glitches, a new battery cured everything in one go and it has become quite a good mini-barge, rush hour commuter weapon. The compact size gives more room for threading though gaps and it is relatively responsive if the gearbox is kept in S mode. Once on the motorway it glides along nicely. Economy on my 15 miles in 30 mins commute is about 32mpg - pretty poor for a diesel, but on a long run it will easily do 45mpg.

It seems the facelift model I have is much more resilient than the original ones, but I still have my eye on something with a V8 to replace it while I still can.....

It’s a difficult one.

It might speed up resale if you do it, though if your going to trade the car it a next car change then there’s no point.

It’s sometimes suspicious too: ‘just had gearbox oil change 100 miles ago’.... I wonder why.

If your planning to keep it a while then it wouldn’t do any harm.

There are sometimes stories about transmission oil changes causing failures in high mile cars.

This is possibly due to people trying to sort an already ailing transmission with new oil, it's also been mentioned that the change can stir up stuff and cause blockages but as long as the filters are changed at the same time I'm not sure this would be the case.
I'd be tempted to leave it alone if it's working well unless you're intending to keep the car longer term.

[21st Century Man]

Good video here with most bases covered, there's a good explanation of why fresh fluid in a worn gearbox can be problematic.

https://youtu.be/o690DovjDAc

[RicksAlfas]

It's a tricky one. It's good to have a new filter in there, but that entails a fluid change. Most ATF has a detergent element to it, so new fluid will clean out bits old fluid is missing, so you can end up doing more harm than good. But on the same basis couldn't you say the same thing about engine oil?

I changed the fluid and filter on my old Range Rover and decided that the shifts were smoother afterwards, but that might have been because I'd spent the day on my back cursing and swearing.

[mondayo]

Car update.

A week ago I had a very spirited drive cross country (the full Troy Queef) in the E55. Got to within half a mile of home and was accelerating off a roundabout when the exhaust let go...very fking loud would be an understatement.

Blah blah blah split cat, broken flange onto the manifold.

£420 later all fixed. Which is significantly less than I thought it would be. Bad news is my exhaust now sounds rubbish...far too quiet!

[deeen]

Slow said:

Despite everyone saying no here is the 745i which is now stuck in park and had to be towed off the trailer.

At least no-one can say "What could possibly go wrong?".

[grudas]

mondayo said:

Car update.

A week ago I had a very spirited drive cross country (the full Troy Queef) in the E55. Got to within half a mile of home and was accelerating off a roundabout when the exhaust let go...very fking loud would be an understatement.

Blah blah blah split cat, broken flange onto the manifold.

£420 later all fixed. Which is significantly less than I thought it would be. Bad news is my exhaust now sounds rubbish...far too quiet!

straight pipe yo!

[Krikkit]

mondayo said:

Car update.

A week ago I had a very spirited drive cross country (the full Troy Queef) in the E55. Got to within half a mile of home and was accelerating off a roundabout when the exhaust let go...very fking loud would be an understatement.

Blah blah blah split cat, broken flange onto the manifold.

£420 later all fixed. Which is significantly less than I thought it would be. Bad news is my exhaust now sounds rubbish...far too quiet!

Once you've had the NASCAR soundtrack it's a difficult thing to forget.

[Slow]

My nascar noise at the moment... It’s louder in person, can’t talk to someone next to you.

https://youtu.be/IUKu2mFzhGc


This is what it says when you try pick a gear despite you being able to see it has revs so is on. Just keeps going back to P. Got a obd2 diagnostic cable on the way to read some codes.

[pti]

21st Century Man said:

Good video here with most bases covered, there's a good explanation of why fresh fluid in a worn gearbox can be problematic.

https://youtu.be/o690DovjDAc

It's true. After an oil change in my 2005 V70 (120k) it's far less happy.

stty Geartronic.

[bolidemichael]

pti said:

21st Century Man said:

Good video here with most bases covered, there's a good explanation of why fresh fluid in a worn gearbox can be problematic.

https://youtu.be/o690DovjDAc

It's true. After an oil change in my 2005 V70 (120k) it's far less happy.

stty Geartronic.

That's a simplification of what ChrisFix states in the video. A flush is more likely to expose underlying problems, a change isn't likely to.

[pti]

bolidemichael said:

pti said:

21st Century Man said:

Good video here with most bases covered, there's a good explanation of why fresh fluid in a worn gearbox can be problematic.

https://youtu.be/o690DovjDAc

It's true. After an oil change in my 2005 V70 (120k) it's far less happy.

stty Geartronic.

That's a simplification of what ChrisFix states in the video. A flush is more likely to expose underlying problems, a change isn't likely to.

Merely speaking from experience.

[bolidemichael]

pti said:

bolidemichael said:

pti said:

21st Century Man said:

Good video here with most bases covered, there's a good explanation of why fresh fluid in a worn gearbox can be problematic.

https://youtu.be/o690DovjDAc

It's true. After an oil change in my 2005 V70 (120k) it's far less happy.

stty Geartronic.

That's a simplification of what ChrisFix states in the video. A flush is more likely to expose underlying problems, a change isn't likely to.

Merely speaking from experience.

I don't disagree, but it seems as though you were referring to the content of the video as a singular message, rather than the more detailed one. Did you have a flush or a change?

[Krikkit]

I think that's a great explanation video and gives a general rule:

If the fluid's black as diesel oil then you're rolling the dice as to whether the 'box will be better off for having it changed. If it's full of particles and burnt like that you're probably better skipping a change/flush and just start a fund for a gearbox repair/replacement.

[pti]

bolidemichael said:

pti said:

bolidemichael said:

pti said:

21st Century Man said:

Good video here with most bases covered, there's a good explanation of why fresh fluid in a worn gearbox can be problematic.

https://youtu.be/o690DovjDAc

It's true. After an oil change in my 2005 V70 (120k) it's far less happy.

stty Geartronic.

That's a simplification of what ChrisFix states in the video. A flush is more likely to expose underlying problems, a change isn't likely to.

Merely speaking from experience.

I don't disagree, but it seems as though you were referring to the content of the video as a singular message, rather than the more detailed one. Did you have a flush or a change?

Gotcha. Change, didn't want to risk a flush for the reasons in the video - very glad I didn't. The fluid didn't look too horrendous either!

[Krikkit]

That's a good point actually, I'd love to see the fluid/valve body of something that is full of gunk, and how long it takes to get like that. I changed the fluid in mine, and I'm certain it hadn't been done in at least 80k miles, but there was no sign of any particulates in it at all, and the valve body was clean as a whistle with new fluid.

It had worn, as had the clutch pack, but it wasn't full of crud.

[longblackcoat]

Emeye said:

All this talk of transmission oil changes has got me wondering if my 2006 Merc C220cdi would also benefit from it at just shy of 120k - I have to assume it has never been done, as with FSH the bill would have been there.

I know the Merc C-class, especially a diesel is not really a thread candidate, but after initially being a bit disappointed by the surprisingly stiff Avantgarde sport suspension and a few random electrical glitches, a new battery cured everything in one go and it has become quite a good mini-barge, rush hour commuter weapon. The compact size gives more room for threading though gaps and it is relatively responsive if the gearbox is kept in S mode. Once on the motorway it glides along nicely. Economy on my 15 miles in 30 mins commute is about 32mpg - pretty poor for a diesel, but on a long run it will easily do 45mpg.

It seems the facelift model I have is much more resilient than the original ones, but I still have my eye on something with a V8 to replace it while I still can.....

Edited by Emeye on Friday 29th November 11:40

I have the same powertrain in my E220 (also a 2006) which was improved with a fluid change at about 130k then another at 190k. I have the 5-speed auto in mine, which is the most indestructible transmission - as well as probably the smoothest - I've ever used. The engine has the same feeling of indestructibility, but could never be described as smooth.

If you're looking to sell the car then I'd not bother with the change, but if it's a keeper - and as a cheap and dependable commutermobile you'll find very little better - then I'd do it.

[V6todayEVmanana]

Korean Barges
Currently been in Seoul a few days, Kia and Hyundai saloons are everywhere.

Someone posted an old Hyundai Grandeur here a few pages ago which I had never heard of but would have like to experience and compare.

Anyway. Been seeing the newer model and wondered if they would be popular in this thread in a fee volumes time?

Genesis saloons not available in the UK seem to be top potential. I'll try and get a photo.

Then the Kia K7, inside the cab had a cushioned leather looking roof, couldn't enquire if the driver did it post purchase as looked well done if not a little OTT.

Then the Hyundai Grandeurs, look better from the back but only got a photo from the front which I'm not sure about.

Interior looks more subtle but yet to get a photo as most cars here have dark windows.

[SunsetZed]

A fairly loaded R500 at the link below, don't know if it will stay in budget but I suspect there's a decent chance that it could

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/56-MERCEDES-BENZ-R500L-...

[thel33ter]

3.2 V6 4x4 159 Sportswagon on low mileage, sadly a low spec model but looks pretty tidy. Little bit over thread, but these seem to be going up in price.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2019...