Best smoker barges 1-5 large [Vol 16]

[W00DY]

SpeckledJim said:

I don't think changing the belts is a good idea on only value grounds.

Especially if you don't expect to keep the car for more than a year. If it pops you can get another car for the cost of the belts job, and if it doesn't, you win.

Agreed. It's lasted this long so I wouldn't be surprised if it lasts a while yet.

[SpeckledJim]

PrinceRupert said:

SpeckledJim said:

I don't think changing the belts is a good idea on only value grounds.

Especially if you don't expect to keep the car for more than a year. If it pops you can get another car for the cost of the belts job, and if it doesn't, you win.

My main concern is ensuring it doesn't go pop on the M25 on the way to our staycation destination. Otherwise I'm not much fussed as I do so few miles and the car is worth so little. At the same time, £500 isn't too much money for peace of mind.

There's definitely a peace of mind argument for doing it, agreed. If it's worth it to you, then it's worth doing.

[PrinceRupert]

Maybe I'll just make sure my breakdown cover has all the bells and whistles

[anonymous-user]

Well they tend to break on startup rather than while you're driving so you're more likely to be standing around in a carpark feeling like a knob rather than on the hard shoulder fearing for your life, for what it's worth. That said I was standing next to a car that snapped it's belt while being revved for the MOT emissions test once, which made me jump out of my skin.

Just remembering that whizzing sound as the starter spins the engine freely, unencumbered with the requirement to turn cam AND crankshafts makes me feel sick

[ElectricSoup]

SpeckledJim said:

PrinceRupert said:

SpeckledJim said:

I don't think changing the belts is a good idea on only value grounds.

Especially if you don't expect to keep the car for more than a year. If it pops you can get another car for the cost of the belts job, and if it doesn't, you win.

My main concern is ensuring it doesn't go pop on the M25 on the way to our staycation destination. Otherwise I'm not much fussed as I do so few miles and the car is worth so little. At the same time, £500 isn't too much money for peace of mind.

There's definitely a peace of mind argument for doing it, agreed. If it's worth it to you, then it's worth doing.

An anecdote. I once had an Alfa 33 1.7 Cloverleaf. It was due service and cambelt. I took it to a garage to be done whilst I was at work, which was a 60 mile trip from home at the time, round the M25. I collected the car, it had been serviced, but the belts hadn't turned up from the factors, so the garage told me to come back tomorrow for that part of the job. Next morning I'm on the M25 in an absolute monsoon. Bang. Judder juddder judder splutter stop. Fortunately I was just approaching the Clacket Lane services slip, and managed to limp the car off the main carriageway, before pushing it, in the monsoon, in to the services car park, on my own. Yes, the cambelt had gone and taken the engine out with it.

Granted, a Rover 75 is a paragon of quality and reliability compared to a 33. But I'd not like it to happen to me again.

[Speed addicted]

I’d have a look at the miracle of YouTube, a cam belt change may not be too complicated (especially for someone with a new socket set) and you could do it for the price of parts.
Essentially you just need to keep everything lined up, I knew a bloke that would cut the belt in half lengthways while the engine was running, slip the new belt on to the space he’d made then cut the rest off. No danger of getting things out of line!

[PrinceRupert]

Speed addicted said:

I’d have a look at the miracle of YouTube, a cam belt change may not be too complicated (especially for someone with a new socket set) and you could do it for the price of parts.
Essentially you just need to keep everything lined up, I knew a bloke that would cut the belt in half lengthways while the engine was running, slip the new belt on to the space he’d made then cut the rest off. No danger of getting things out of line!

Apparently the cam belt change on the KV6 is a bit tricky with three belts. Not sure it should be the second DIY task I attempt after droplinks

[Macron]

Here’s another one that will undoubtedly find outright universal love.

An Insignia 2.8 4x4 with all the bells and whistles at £4K. Big tax and a non fancy badge the only downsides of what is otherwise a surprisingly nice ride.

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

[Usget]

biggbn said:

W00DY said:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1988-Audi-100-2-0e-Exce...

Love that

Had one of those for a banger rally in the mid-2000s. It was brilliant, reliable, and sounded lovely (we put a cherry bomb exhaust on it, because reasons). It had a fuel cutoff at 5000rpm, and I could never work out if that was by design or whether it was broken.

[ShyTallKnight]

BigBen said:

The Hemi head is more important to Chrysler than GM.

Indeed a freudian slip - told you I was a ford man

[STIfree]

Have we had this yet?


S600
5.5 V12 twin turbo
500bhp
4.8 sec to 60

143k

Doesn't sound like it has any current issues and doesn't look rusty!

£4k must be a steal!

https://www.gumtree.com/p/mercedes-benz/mercedes-s...

[PrinceRupert]

STIfree said:

Have we had this yet?


S600
5.5 V12 twin turbo
500bhp
4.8 sec to 60

143k

Doesn't sound like it has any current issues and doesn't look rusty!

£4k must be a steal!

https://www.gumtree.com/p/mercedes-benz/mercedes-s...

With no service history that must be the definition of a brave pill. It also looks a bit rusty

Edited by PrinceRupert on Tuesday 30th June 12:21

[STIfree]

PrinceRupert said:

With no service history that must be the definition of a brave pill. It also looks a bit rusty :biglaugh

I'd take a gamble on the 2 years of history with the current owner being 'ok' ish to warrant the low price.

Also when I say it doesn't look rusty, its a 2003 Mercedes, its obviously rusty Just maybe not as rusty as others

[tomble22]

Also, V12!!

[BigBen]

STIfree said:

PrinceRupert said:

With no service history that must be the definition of a brave pill. It also looks a bit rusty :biglaugh

I'd take a gamble on the 2 years of history with the current owner being 'ok' ish to warrant the low price.

Also when I say it doesn't look rusty, its a 2003 Mercedes, its obviously rusty Just maybe not as rusty as others

since the current owner mentions the coilpacks have been done and the suspension all working it sounds like a good un.

Other than those two they are fairly bomb proof cars and being a TT it is a later galvanised car so should be relatively rot free.

Ben

[0a]

STIfree said:

Also when I say it doesn't look rusty, its a 2003 Mercedes, its obviously rusty Just maybe not as rusty as others

The “bodywork as a consumable” Mercedes era!

[Usget]

Twin turbo V12 on Gumtree for £4k. Jesus Christ.

Someone with a very strong constitution has to buy it, just so we can run a book on how soon they are reduced to tears.

[Mikedknight]

STIfree said:

Have we had this yet?


S600
5.5 V12 twin turbo
500bhp
4.8 sec to 60

143k

Doesn't sound like it has any current issues and doesn't look rusty!

£4k must be a steal!

https://www.gumtree.com/p/mercedes-benz/mercedes-s...

I think this is the same one that was up for sale on Facebook a few weeks back.

[BlueMR2]

STIfree said:

PrinceRupert said:

With no service history that must be the definition of a brave pill. It also looks a bit rusty :biglaugh

I'd take a gamble on the 2 years of history with the current owner being 'ok' ish to warrant the low price.

Also when I say it doesn't look rusty, its a 2003 Mercedes, its obviously rusty Just maybe not as rusty as others

Wouldn’t 2 new coil packs be £2k, Doesn’t leave much for the rest of the 2 years maintenance.

[Mikedknight]

Message sent to 600TT seller. Not a million miles away either. Feel a bit nervous if I’m honest but we all must face our fears at some point.