Best smoker barges 1-5 large [Vol 16]

[jke11y]

To me the 211 never looked Mercedesy enoughInside or out. The 212 did a better job.

I think too many curves on the 211 is the issue for me. I loved my 211 for the 55k engine and it did feel well built inside but it didn’t look like it.

[Bonzaroo]

Mr Micawber said:

Would this be a V6? I don’t mind the colour combo. Mileage and spec seem pretty good.



https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Yes. I think facelift petrol 350s were v6. I thought the 350 petrol was v6 prior to facelift too.

From memory for diesels all facelift 320s were the v6. Also some V6s in the last year before facelift, late 55 plates I think.

One benefit of post facelift is move from SBC brakes.

Edited by Bonzaroo on Saturday 30th May 09:02

Edited by Bonzaroo on Saturday 30th May 09:07

[728 days later]

Out of budget, but I suspect it will free-fall nicely into budget in a few years as they must be a hard sell:

Big fat V6 electric everything and a rear arm rest of dreams all while being presumably quite reliable ?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[Mr Micawber]

Sterillium said:

Still a three-figure haggle from top thread, but... it looks very well presented to me, with a good detailing and wheel refurb, has a full BMW service history and is being sold by a BMW specialist with showroom photographs I find reassuring, calming and auspicious.



https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

I currently run one of these as my daily driver. They do drive very nicely and seem to ride quite well despite the big wheels and sports suspension. Mine is on 130,000 miles now and I have had no major problems in the 12 months I have had it.
The spec on the one advertised is not that great - no xenons, comfort seats, big roof or logic 7 hifi as far as I can see. None of this is deal breaking, but they are nice additions.

[tobinen]

An S211 is certainly something I would like once the E39 goes. It's MoT day on Tuesday for it. I shall flutter my eyelashes at Krista in the hope of preferential treatment, not that she's doing the test herself.

[CharlesdeGaulle]

728 days later said:

Out of budget, but I suspect it will free-fall nicely into budget in a few years as they must be a hard sell:

Big fat V6 electric everything and a rear arm rest of dreams all while being presumably quite reliable ?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Cheeky Aston Martin-esque badges aside, in a year or two that will be perfect alternative thread fodder. Would look pretty fab parked next to a Lexus SC.

[Emeye]

I'm starting to thing a post-facelift E500 W211 S211 is the car for me - I'm guessing these will be out of my budget for a while though. Any lesses engine doesn't appeal as I need to scratch the V8 itch.

Saying that, I am reconsidering the family battle-wagon plan as a decent VW Caravelle is looking like silly money - a same age/condition 7 seat SUV will be half the price and this frees up more barge budget for me....

[Bonefish Blues]

728 days later said:

Out of budget, but I suspect it will free-fall nicely into budget in a few years as they must be a hard sell:

Big fat V6 electric everything and a rear arm rest of dreams all while being presumably quite reliable ?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Oh Lord. I thought that was an Audi.

Here's my badge

[anonymous-user]

r129sl said:

That's very nice. Rather have the V8 in one of these, not much difference in fuel consumption with a V6, and they're more reliable units overall.

[21st Century Man]

Bonefish Blues said:

728 days later said:

Out of budget, but I suspect it will free-fall nicely into budget in a few years as they must be a hard sell:

Big fat V6 electric everything and a rear arm rest of dreams all while being presumably quite reliable ?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Oh Lord. I thought that was an Audi.

Here's my badge

Don't worry, at first glance I thought it was a Mondeo.

[BrabusMog]

swiveleyedgit said:

r129sl said:

That's very nice. Rather have the V8 in one of these, not much difference in fuel consumption with a V6, and they're more reliable units overall.

I love the wheels on these, they just look so "proper".

[sparks_190e]

BrabusMog said:

swiveleyedgit said:

r129sl said:

That's very nice. Rather have the V8 in one of these, not much difference in fuel consumption with a V6, and they're more reliable units overall.

I love the wheels on these, they just look so "proper".

I really like that, everything about it is right. Rather deal with a few less MPG than a balance shaft needing replacing!

Edited by sparks_190e on Saturday 30th May 10:26

[r129sl]

BrabusMog said:

I love the wheels on these, they just look so "proper".

That's because they are! They are the last in the line of a tradition:

The original Mercedes alloy wheel, known variously as the Bundt Cake, Mexican Hat or Baroque Wheel, was usually 14" (mostly w123, w116, r107 and early w126 cars but others too) and very occasionally 15" (w116 450 SEL 6.9). This wheel had fifteen holes and often is called such:



This was followed by the "flat face" or "drain lid" fifteen hole wheel first seen on the w201 190 and 190E in 1982, which is almost always a 15" wheel (w201, w124, gen II w126, post-1985 r107) but was very, very rarely seen as a 14" (early w201 only) (in which case the holes are rather more like slots and there are only 14 holes) and occasionally as a 16" (early r129 and w201 Evo and Evo II):



The beat continued through the w140, r129, w202, w210 and w211 but the line died out in 2006. The combination of the holes and radial ribs between them is the defining characteristic of this style. .

R129 12 hole wheel, clearly descended from the Mexican Hat:
|http://thumbsnap.com/G8qPgKFL[/url]

W140 15 hole wheel:


w202 and w210 10 hole wheel (this was available in 15", 16" and 17" sizes):
|http://thumbsnap.com/Z7sUoRfQ[/url]

w210 11 hole wheel (16" and 17"):


And last of all the w211 13 hole wheel (16" and 17"):

[CharlesdeGaulle]

Wonderful wheel-beardery.

[CharlesdeGaulle]

Today's Brave Pill is worth a read. 560 SEC.

[W00DY]

I weirdly love those wheels in 17" 9as found on e500s) , but hate them in the 16" spec.

I was looking at S211 320 diesels when I thought the Golf may have to be retired, but the bd thing just keeps trucking on.

[Stegel]

Emeye said:

I'm starting to thing a post-facelift E500 W211 S211 is the car for me - I'm guessing these will be out of my budget for a while though. Any lesses engine doesn't appeal as I need to scratch the V8 itch.

Saying that, I am reconsidering the family battle-wagon plan as a decent VW Caravelle is looking like silly money - a same age/condition 7 seat SUV will be half the price and this frees up more barge budget for me....

If you’re after an S211 with the facelift and V8 you’ll be waiting a long time, there are so few around. Back in the day when I went to my office in Birmingham, I would sometimes follow on my journey home a facelift S211 E500 Sport in black with see through glass all round. He’s a Villa fan, judging by the plate, and lives on a 1960s development which is a no through road about 3 miles from my house. If I were to follow him into the development it would be classed as stalking, but hey, they’re rare so surely acceptable!?

[r129sl]

Stegel said:

Emeye said:

I'm starting to thing a post-facelift E500 W211 S211 is the car for me - I'm guessing these will be out of my budget for a while though. Any lesses engine doesn't appeal as I need to scratch the V8 itch.

Saying that, I am reconsidering the family battle-wagon plan as a decent VW Caravelle is looking like silly money - a same age/condition 7 seat SUV will be half the price and this frees up more barge budget for me....

If you’re after an S211 with the facelift and V8 you’ll be waiting a long time, there are so few around. Back in the day when I went to my office in Birmingham, I would sometimes follow on my journey home a facelift S211 E500 Sport in black with see through glass all round. He’s a Villa fan, judging by the plate, and lives on a 1960s development which is a no through road about 3 miles from my house. If I were to follow him into the development it would be classed as stalking, but hey, they’re rare so surely acceptable!?

I think that would be acceptable.

I'm pretty sure sales of the 5.5litre s211 in the UK didn't get past single figures. Someone on here had a nice tealite blue elegance model.

Edited by r129sl on Saturday 30th May 11:13

[Krikkit]

Those are my favourite wheels on a 211 - if I'd kept mine I would've found a set.

I must admit a V8 one does hold a lot of desire for me - the diesel I had was great for the motorway, but with minimal miles now I've sworn off the black pump, hopefully forever.

[Emeye]

r129sl said:

Stegel said:

Emeye said:

I'm starting to thing a post-facelift E500 W211 S211 is the car for me - I'm guessing these will be out of my budget for a while though. Any lesses engine doesn't appeal as I need to scratch the V8 itch.

Saying that, I am reconsidering the family battle-wagon plan as a decent VW Caravelle is looking like silly money - a same age/condition 7 seat SUV will be half the price and this frees up more barge budget for me....

If you’re after an S211 with the facelift and V8 you’ll be waiting a long time, there are so few around. Back in the day when I went to my office in Birmingham, I would sometimes follow on my journey home a facelift S211 E500 Sport in black with see through glass all round. He’s a Villa fan, judging by the plate, and lives on a 1960s development which is a no through road about 3 miles from my house. If I were to follow him into the development it would be classed as stalking, but hey, they’re rare so surely acceptable!?

I think that would be acceptable.

I'm pretty sure sales of the 5.5litre s211 in the UK didn't get past single figures. Someone on here had a nice tealite blue elegance model.

Edited by r129sl on Saturday 30th May 11:13

How about the W211? Plenty of them about?

And how do I find out if a 350 engine is the dodgy one? Is there an online VIN checker or summat?