Best smoker barges 1-5 large [Vol 21]

[martynr]

CharlesdeGaulle said:

martynr said:

It is entirely on you. They are on crazy prices imho. At the end of the day it is an old car and if it wasn't looked after it will look old. I think you could treat as a shed at shed money. As long as there is nothing terminal with it.

Steady on old fruit, that isn't the thread way *at all*. Thread MO is to buy, fleetingly regret, then titivate. All whilst trying to convince yourself that you're pursuing the most environmentally sound option whilst celebrating the pinnacle of 90s design, avoiding the needless fripperies of modern cars, and secretly hoping that everyone else admires your contrary individualism.

Until, that is, The Man chucks you a 4 figure bill after the fking thing wouldn't start, or wouldn't stop, or wouldn't steer or something, and your wife gets pissy because all she wants is a nice little modern lease car that means she gets to see her husband at weekends and there are no new oil leaks on the expensive driveway. It's only then that your commitment to the cause can waver; to fail to even be persuaded to buy the old thing before all that starts shows a distinct lack of character.

Yes, yes I know. Sorry not sorry.
The thread way is one way ticket to get the s500 of w220 vintage, but not everyone is a company director although the body build could say different

W201_190e said:

martynr said:

It is entirely on you. They are on crazy prices imho. At the end of the day it is an old car and if it wasn't looked after it will look old. I think you could treat as a shed at shed money. As long as there is nothing terminal with it.

My only worry is the fabled head gasket issues with the 6 cylinders- after the 10 mile test drive it idled for 5 minutes and the gauge didn’t go over 90, and the viscous fan seemed to be keeping it all cool. Owner reports it’s used no oil or water in his time (two years)

It’s only £1700 so definitely into shed territory, but I’d like to get a couple of years use ideally without massive bills! Especially because I’d probably daily it (25 miles 5 days a week)

Edited by W201_190e on Sunday 15th May 16:11

If it is in fine fettle and you are happy with it than why not. I would not worry about front wings have some rust, but not so much on the rear as that would be major investment imho.

[martynr]

CharlesdeGaulle said:

W201_190e said:

Thanks for the advice all, think I’m going to leave it BUT… it’s a good car and the seller is a nice chap, and in the right hands it could turn out to be a great car, here’s the ad:

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

He explains the new odo in the ad, but it's slightly cheeky to list it as having 25k miles.

Agree. He is trying to sell smth it is not such metallic blue. It looks to be faded blue badly like it has been washed with a brillo pad. It probably had a few resprays home style as the colour has many shades. Mot says it had some damaged at one point. So probably it had some resprays here and there. Imho it looks like a shed and should be priced as one, but they seem to keep high prices. Also he had it less than 2 years according to dvla.

[Macron]

I want to argue that for two bags it's a good car, esp a 260, but paint and miles aside, these would make me sad.

[bolidemichael]

Emeye said:

* = In the same way the American World Baseball series isn’t.

I believe that it was named after a publication of the same name.

ETA: snopes says that this is a myth, I reserve the right to get my coat.

Edited by bolidemichael on Sunday 15th May 19:24

[Emeye]

bolidemichael said:

Emeye said:

* = In the same way the American World Baseball series isn’t.

I believe that it was named after a publication of the same name.

There was a publication called The Slightly Sordid Adventures of CDG’s World Infamous Lexus LS430? Wow. Who’d have known?

[dscam]

Emeye said:

bolidemichael said:

Emeye said:

* = In the same way the American World Baseball series isn’t.

I believe that it was named after a publication of the same name.

There was a publication called The Slightly Sordid Adventures of CDG’s World Infamous Lexus LS430? Wow. Who’d have known?

As hard to find as Fly Fishing by J.R. Hartley.

[Cascade360]

sprouting said:

How hard should it be to change an interior light bulb ffks. Couldn't remove the bulb holder ( thought it was going to break) eventually got it out and the non working bulb started working. Changed it anyway just in case. Put bulb holder back in and flopping about all round.

Messed with the spring clips without success and stropped off for 5 mins. Tried again and resorted to blue tak. You'd never know I've been there. All works for now till somebody without destructive powers has a look.

Sounds as annoying as having to remove the wheel to replace a headlight bulb, which I did recently! If you lose the clip down the front .... bumper off.

[0a]

W201_190e said:

W201_190e said:

0a said:

W201_190e said:

Going to look at a £2k W124 260e tomorrow 15 minutes away. Seller seems honest. Will report!

Blimey! If it drives it's probably good value at the moment...

Yes, it does seem cheap but then are the pricey examples selling? It’s also very rural, I’m on the outskirts of a rural town and this is another ten miles past me..

That being said I don’t know too much about the 6 cylinders. I know they suffer from head gaskets.. anything to specifically look out for?

Edited by W201_190e on Sunday 15th May 07:51

Well I’ve seen and driven it. It drove very well and mechanically seemed nicely up together, and everything worked. The paint was tired and original, faded in places, and questionable touch ups over rust that would need some attention, although there wasn’t a huge amount. One arch, a wing, and one of the rear pillars. For the money though it seemed ok, but something that would probably need the same again spent on it to bring it up to standard, or leave it and enjoy as it is… I’’be left it as I’m going to think about it, the seller was a nice chap and agreed if I were to take it, it’d be a few hundred quid cheaper than advertised.

Interesting. There are not many cheap ones that are not total sheds around. The trouble is that these cars are at the age that they are not that enjoyable to drive any more unless they have had some money spent on them, both for reliability, and for niceness (eg a suspension refresh, gearbox service).

Paint, mechanical works, a suspension refresh cost more or less the same regardless the starting point. I therefore went for a starting point I like - the 3.2 engine and a good spec! It was a lot more to start with though!

[W201_190e]

0a said:

W201_190e said:

W201_190e said:

0a said:

W201_190e said:

Going to look at a £2k W124 260e tomorrow 15 minutes away. Seller seems honest. Will report!

Blimey! If it drives it's probably good value at the moment...

Yes, it does seem cheap but then are the pricey examples selling? It’s also very rural, I’m on the outskirts of a rural town and this is another ten miles past me..

That being said I don’t know too much about the 6 cylinders. I know they suffer from head gaskets.. anything to specifically look out for?

Edited by W201_190e on Sunday 15th May 07:51

Well I’ve seen and driven it. It drove very well and mechanically seemed nicely up together, and everything worked. The paint was tired and original, faded in places, and questionable touch ups over rust that would need some attention, although there wasn’t a huge amount. One arch, a wing, and one of the rear pillars. For the money though it seemed ok, but something that would probably need the same again spent on it to bring it up to standard, or leave it and enjoy as it is… I’’be left it as I’m going to think about it, the seller was a nice chap and agreed if I were to take it, it’d be a few hundred quid cheaper than advertised.

Interesting. There are not many cheap ones that are not total sheds around. The trouble is that these cars are at the age that they are not that enjoyable to drive any more unless they have had some money spent on them, both for reliability, and for niceness (eg a suspension refresh, gearbox service).

Paint, mechanical works, a suspension refresh cost more or less the same regardless the starting point. I therefore went for a starting point I like - the 3.2 engine and a good spec! It was a lot more to start with though!

It did have a gearbox service very recently and drove really well, absolutely no knocks or bangs and felt tight. I looked underneath so much as I can see and it clearly had money spent on it, the exhaust looked newer than the car. As mentioned I could treat it like a shed but then I’d begrudge the bills.. it needs to be the right car.

[alec.e]

Great 290 mile run out to RAF Cosford today for a Jaguar meet

Was very supprised to get 'best post 2000' award!

Now sporting my drainpipe exhaust

[Emeye]

alec.e said:

Great 290 mile run out to RAF Cosford today for a Jaguar meet

Was very supprised to get 'best post 2000' award!

Now sporting my drainpipe exhaust

Twas the alloys that done it.

[TyrannosauRoss Lex]

alec.e said:

Great 290 mile run out to RAF Cosford today for a Jaguar meet

Was very supprised to get 'best post 2000' award!

Now sporting my drainpipe exhaust

Congrats! I must confess I cannot remember what the exhausts looked like beforehand, but those are a bit too big for my personal preference, not that that matters one jot!

[olly755]

W201_190e said:

0a said:

W201_190e said:

W201_190e said:

0a said:

W201_190e said:

Going to look at a £2k W124 260e tomorrow 15 minutes away. Seller seems honest. Will report!

Blimey! If it drives it's probably good value at the moment...

Yes, it does seem cheap but then are the pricey examples selling? It’s also very rural, I’m on the outskirts of a rural town and this is another ten miles past me..

That being said I don’t know too much about the 6 cylinders. I know they suffer from head gaskets.. anything to specifically look out for?

Edited by W201_190e on Sunday 15th May 07:51

Well I’ve seen and driven it. It drove very well and mechanically seemed nicely up together, and everything worked. The paint was tired and original, faded in places, and questionable touch ups over rust that would need some attention, although there wasn’t a huge amount. One arch, a wing, and one of the rear pillars. For the money though it seemed ok, but something that would probably need the same again spent on it to bring it up to standard, or leave it and enjoy as it is… I’’be left it as I’m going to think about it, the seller was a nice chap and agreed if I were to take it, it’d be a few hundred quid cheaper than advertised.

Interesting. There are not many cheap ones that are not total sheds around. The trouble is that these cars are at the age that they are not that enjoyable to drive any more unless they have had some money spent on them, both for reliability, and for niceness (eg a suspension refresh, gearbox service).

Paint, mechanical works, a suspension refresh cost more or less the same regardless the starting point. I therefore went for a starting point I like - the 3.2 engine and a good spec! It was a lot more to start with though!

It did have a gearbox service very recently and drove really well, absolutely no knocks or bangs and felt tight. I looked underneath so much as I can see and it clearly had money spent on it, the exhaust looked newer than the car. As mentioned I could treat it like a shed but then I’d begrudge the bills.. it needs to be the right car.

In that case it sounds a bargain. There’s lots of moaning about prices but that ship has long sailed and £1700 is the new shed money. And sorry to be blunt chap, but attempting to daily a classic Merc whilst worrying about potential bills is probably never going to end well. That’s what 15 year old Yaris’s are for.

Haven’t we been here before?

[alec.e]

TyrannosauRoss Lex said:

alec.e said:

Great 290 mile run out to RAF Cosford today for a Jaguar meet

Was very supprised to get 'best post 2000' award!

Now sporting my drainpipe exhaust

Congrats! I must confess I cannot remember what the exhausts looked like beforehand, but those are a bit too big for my personal preference, not that that matters one jot!

They looked like peashooters lol, I actually took OEM inspiration from the 2007 Portfolio Edition, 5" dia from factory!

Thanks though

[W201_190e]

olly755 said:

W201_190e said:

0a said:

W201_190e said:

W201_190e said:

0a said:

W201_190e said:

Going to look at a £2k W124 260e tomorrow 15 minutes away. Seller seems honest. Will report!

Blimey! If it drives it's probably good value at the moment...

Yes, it does seem cheap but then are the pricey examples selling? It’s also very rural, I’m on the outskirts of a rural town and this is another ten miles past me..

That being said I don’t know too much about the 6 cylinders. I know they suffer from head gaskets.. anything to specifically look out for?

Edited by W201_190e on Sunday 15th May 07:51

Well I’ve seen and driven it. It drove very well and mechanically seemed nicely up together, and everything worked. The paint was tired and original, faded in places, and questionable touch ups over rust that would need some attention, although there wasn’t a huge amount. One arch, a wing, and one of the rear pillars. For the money though it seemed ok, but something that would probably need the same again spent on it to bring it up to standard, or leave it and enjoy as it is… I’’be left it as I’m going to think about it, the seller was a nice chap and agreed if I were to take it, it’d be a few hundred quid cheaper than advertised.

Interesting. There are not many cheap ones that are not total sheds around. The trouble is that these cars are at the age that they are not that enjoyable to drive any more unless they have had some money spent on them, both for reliability, and for niceness (eg a suspension refresh, gearbox service).

Paint, mechanical works, a suspension refresh cost more or less the same regardless the starting point. I therefore went for a starting point I like - the 3.2 engine and a good spec! It was a lot more to start with though!

It did have a gearbox service very recently and drove really well, absolutely no knocks or bangs and felt tight. I looked underneath so much as I can see and it clearly had money spent on it, the exhaust looked newer than the car. As mentioned I could treat it like a shed but then I’d begrudge the bills.. it needs to be the right car.

In that case it sounds a bargain. There’s lots of moaning about prices but that ship has long sailed and £1700 is the new shed money. And sorry to be blunt chap, but attempting to daily a classic Merc whilst worrying about potential bills is probably never going to end well. That’s what 15 year old Yaris’s are for.

Haven’t we been here before?

Running costs not so much of an issue (I also work for an MB specialist so have lots of help on hand) but I don’t want to start with the wrong car. My 190e was needy but not wallet emptying, just normal old car stuff!

[mccrackenj]

CharlesdeGaulle said:

Ian's absence reminds of the periodic MIA of some previously regular posters. NNW hasn't been seen for a while, and there are plenty of others.

I think people like Bob Lad are long gone and I suppose some lurk and rarely post, but it's funny how some folk drop off the radar. Seems inconceivable that anyone could find anything more useful to do with their time than post ste with a bunch of losers here!

Still reading and lurking, but nothing to contribute. (My life in a nutshell)

[dscam]

Congratulations Alec! Your car is fabulous and that’s a nice little keepsake for the future. I think the exhausts look great and suit the OEM+ approach you’ve taken.

In less glamorous news this looks like a pretty decent E34:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/284812180684?mkcid=16&a...

[Macron]

mccrackenj said:

Still reading and lurking, but nothing to contribute. (My life in a nutshell)

Like that's ever stopped any of us! Well me, anyway.

[Slow]

dscam said:

Congratulations Alec! Your car is fabulous and that’s a nice little keepsake for the future. I think the exhausts look great and suit the OEM+ approach you’ve taken.

In less glamorous news this looks like a pretty decent E34:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/284812180684?mkcid=16&a...

I’ve always wanted to get a e34 and turbo it while leaving the rest of it looking stock. Prices of them went a bit mental though for that sort of fun!

[0a]

alec.e said:

Great 290 mile run out to RAF Cosford today for a Jaguar meet

Was very supprised to get 'best post 2000' award!

Now sporting my drainpipe exhaust

Looks fantastic and the award was well deserved. Such tasteful mods as always Alec.

You must be tempted to deal with this chrome around the lights though. To what I don't know. The only bad bit on the car to my eyes! An X-type aftermarket look.

I love the plate.