Best smoker barges 1-5 large [Vol 20]

[ian316]

Cascade360 said:

TyrannosauRoss Lex said:

Surely that was at a motorway service station or something? It's under 160 here.

I did not come off the motorway to go there but think it might have been a service station; it was not local to me. It is a bit cheaper locally, though 160 is still bloody expensive!

Fuel prices are making me happy I only do 80 miles a week in the CL

[iacabu]

McGee_22 said:

iacabu said:

Macron said:

Quiet in here today.

Here's an X5 4.8 at very sensible money, £4k. Air suspension removed has pros and cons, LPG divisive I'm sure. Yes the V8 leaks, but these have tended to fetch quite a lot more. Great dog wagon.

https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1349539

I've recently been doing a lot of research on an e500, but an x5 4.8is has been a desire of mine for years. I'm not too sure why, but I just love them.

My car is officially for sale now, so I need to start making my mind up whether I can stomach the mpg on one of these...and the bills

When my E39 was off the road awaiting repair I got interested in E53 and E70 cars so I spoke to my BMW 'The Man', about X5's;

"They're bloody heavy so they gobble suspension links and brakes every few years, the air suspension needs keeping on top of, and there can be an issue with valley pan coolant pipes but otherwise they are rock solid, hewn from granite, and as long as you can stomach 10 mpg around town and no more than low twenties driving Miss Daisy then they are great at what they do."

There was a P.S.

"Bloody silly expensive tyres on the big rims too"

For the most part, I should get away fairly lightly on items such as brakes and tyres as I do so few miles.
A lot of past owners are reporting 18mpg average, although I suspect mine would be lower on a short commute. Its mostly down a 40mph single carriageway however.

Macron said:

The V8 Bike Bus is your friend here, https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Much knowledge, a great transformation, and a cracking read. Go get it! Ulez friendly these too, and that one has LPG so the mpg is mitigated a bit.

I've read that thread a couple of times, thanks.
In fact, I've had a picture of that x5 on my phone for over a year as it's pretty much my perfect car.

[Fresh Prince]

MichaelXJ said:

Another purchase inbound for me! Next Saturday though and I'm already itching to pick it up. 2002 Mercedes S Class S320Cdi Long wheel base. A mere 220k miles on it. Will be putting 12 months MOT on it before I collect

Nice one. I suppose I must emerge from the lurky shadows and admit that in May I reentered the world of barge with my own S320 CDI (sorry Macron). Have been using it for the last 6 months commuting between Paris and the Home Counties, for which it has been ideal and effortless. Will add pics tomorrow.

[Macron]

Didn't realise the later Voyager got even more engine, up to a 3.8. Didn’t get prettier did it?! I shan't look at the ncap

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2021112499...

[MichaelXJ]

Fresh Prince said:

Nice one. I suppose I must emerge from the lurky shadows and admit that in May I reentered the world of barge with my own S320 CDI (sorry Macron). Have been using it for the last 6 months commuting between Paris and the Home Counties, for which it has been ideal and effortless. Will add pics tomorrow.

That's a good ol distance. I can't wait to experience it even if it does use the dirty fuel pump. Should have a intergalactic, rusty, smokey w220 s class meet. Would be a weird sight.

[bolidemichael]

iacabu said:

McGee_22 said:

iacabu said:

Macron said:

Quiet in here today.

Here's an X5 4.8 at very sensible money, £4k. Air suspension removed has pros and cons, LPG divisive I'm sure. Yes the V8 leaks, but these have tended to fetch quite a lot more. Great dog wagon.

https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1349539

I've recently been doing a lot of research on an e500, but an x5 4.8is has been a desire of mine for years. I'm not too sure why, but I just love them.

My car is officially for sale now, so I need to start making my mind up whether I can stomach the mpg on one of these...and the bills

When my E39 was off the road awaiting repair I got interested in E53 and E70 cars so I spoke to my BMW 'The Man', about X5's;

"They're bloody heavy so they gobble suspension links and brakes every few years, the air suspension needs keeping on top of, and there can be an issue with valley pan coolant pipes but otherwise they are rock solid, hewn from granite, and as long as you can stomach 10 mpg around town and no more than low twenties driving Miss Daisy then they are great at what they do."

There was a P.S.

"Bloody silly expensive tyres on the big rims too"

For the most part, I should get away fairly lightly on items such as brakes and tyres as I do so few miles.
A lot of past owners are reporting 18mpg average, although I suspect mine would be lower on a short commute. Its mostly down a 40mph single carriageway however.

Macron said:

The V8 Bike Bus is your friend here, https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Much knowledge, a great transformation, and a cracking read. Go get it! Ulez friendly these too, and that one has LPG so the mpg is mitigated a bit.

I've read that thread a couple of times, thanks.
In fact, I've had a picture of that x5 on my phone for over a year as it's pretty much my perfect car.

I spotted this in Wandsworth the other day. 4.4L

[Geekman]

Macron said:

Didn't realise the later Voyager got even more engine, up to a 3.8. Didn’t get prettier did it?! I shan't look at the ncap

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2021112499...

I've driven one of those and it didn't have a 3.8, it had a 4.0 which produced something like 250-270bhp. It was a US market car though, so maybe they stuck with the 3.8 in the UK, I don't know. It was actually very comfortable and relatively quick, although it torque steered rather a lot and the gearbox didn't shift very smoothly.

I remember it particularly well because I was driving it at around 100 and got passed by a very loud modified beetle, closely followed by a police car who'd probably have gone for me if the beetle hadn't been there.

[SimonTheSailor]

Macron said:

Didn't realise the later Voyager got even more engine, up to a 3.8. Didn’t get prettier did it?! I shan't look at the ncap

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2021112499...

Looks like the bigger brother to a Zafira.

[r129sl]

This late-model 190 E 2.0 looks like a beauty. The presence of ABS and an airbag make it highly suitable for daily use and the colour combination is lovely to my sad eyes. The aftermarket parking sensors and alarm detract from it a bit but many might regard those as desirable.

https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/auctions/no-reserv...



Edit: I suspect it has had some very cheap paint, certainly on the NSR quarter where it looks like they couldn't be bothered even to remove Sacco panel:

[W00DY]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/144308899502

[d_a_n1979]

TyrannosauRoss Lex said:

dscam said:

A very clean looking E38 with low mileage and a not unreasonable price £3,895

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2001-BMW-7-Series-728i-...

Just a shame it has possibly the worst wheel set for an E38 Aside from that it does look clean and tidy!

Why's that an issue?

Swap them out for 18" Style 32s or 37s and keep those 16s for winter tyres...

[d_a_n1979]

dscam said:

A very clean looking E38 with low mileage and a not unreasonable price £3,895

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2001-BMW-7-Series-728i-...

That looks massively clean for its age with low miles to boot... Bloody good price too IMO!

[Macron]

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2021112097...

One owner and sub 60k on it. Woof.

[alec.e]

Am I the only weird one who prefers the ugly pre LCI E65 looks?

[nobrakes]

JeremyH5 said:

McGee_22 said:

I have the 5.7 Alpina engine in my E38 - better than any heated anything

Ooof

That qualifies for free life membership.

[Prinny]

alec.e said:

Am I the only weird one who prefers the ugly pre LCI E65 looks?

The picture of your ex. CL (and my 7) at Cosford is probably one of the best (I’ve used that word under advisement from legal) I’ve seen in terms of actually capturing it’s good side. I know it’s on your CL RR thread, but couldn’t find it quick enough to post as well.

[Easternlight]

TyrannosauRoss Lex said:

I just use a jug of warm water. Windscreen coated with gtechniq G5 means it needs to be colder for ice to form anyway..... But if if does, pour warm water on, water melts, runs off the screen before it can refreeze. Windscreen defrosted in 20 seconds.

I've used that system also, its strange how the coating seems to lower the freezing point?
I used to use the G5 but I now use Angelwax H2go it's a tenth of the price and just as effective might need re coating a bit more often but not much in it.

Edited by Easternlight on Sunday 28th November 17:35

[carreauchompeur]

Macron said:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2021112097...

One owner and sub 60k on it. Woof.

God, I imagine that has a lovely wuffle

[TyrannosauRoss Lex]

carreauchompeur said:

Macron said:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2021112097...

One owner and sub 60k on it. Woof.

God, I imagine that has a lovely wuffle

Mega.

[oobster]

Macron said:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2021112097...

One owner and sub 60k on it. Woof.

MOT History shows it has passed every year for the past few years but the MOT expired in August.

Mileage shows as 48,787 in 2016 then 56,521 in 2017 but then 54,483 in 2018. Might be a mistake though.