Best smoker barges 1-5 large [Vol 21]

[PositronicRay]

I've been directed here from another thread

Volvo C70 folding tin top. Wafty, tough, convertible fun?
Or
Ruinious rattle trap?

(i've not driven one yet, but if its the former it probably fulfills my requirements)

[bolidemichael]

The common consensus on the C70 is that they're appreciated particularly as they're cheap to being ugly as sin. Cautionary note for the roof which is prone to failure to proceed.

[W00DY]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/304503972308

Stretched limos are normally st, which makes this one even more spectacular.

[lukas_]

paddycam said:

Had they sorted the gearbox on these by 2008? Could be a useful do-it-all mini barge.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/155010641835?hash=item2...

My dad has one, 2008 XC70 from new (now on 350k kms), albeit the D5 engined one. We changed the gearbox fluid regularly and it's been absolutely faultless. Actually, the whole car's been great, biggest issue has probably been the windows regulators and door locks (during the ownership, we had to exchange these on all 4 doors. It's not the most exciting car to drive but that's not the point, it is so comfortable, and overall like an old family faithful labrador. And for what it is, it is actually quite good in some lighter offroading. Good car.

[GazThomas]

PositronicRay said:

I've been directed here from another thread

Volvo C70 folding tin top. Wafty, tough, convertible fun?
Or
Ruinious rattle trap?

(i've not driven one yet, but if its the former it probably fulfills my requirements)

Mrs. T has had one of these for the past four years and much prefers it to the 430clk ragtop she had before. Room in the back for two massive baby seats and a decent sized boot (when the roof is up).
Only unplanned maintenance in our ownership thus far is a coil pack.
Styling maybe not pininfarina’s finest moment but it has been a brilliant car for us. He said, almost certainly jinxing it!
The dynaudio stereo (do I call that the wireless around these parts?) is spectacular - and I often get admiring (!) glances whilst wafting around with the roof down blasting Disney hits** with the nippers in the back.
Gaz

• Radio 4 is also available

P.S. I miss my old v12 convertible xj-s

[biggbn]

GazThomas said:

PositronicRay said:

I've been directed here from another thread

Volvo C70 folding tin top. Wafty, tough, convertible fun?
Or
Ruinious rattle trap?

(i've not driven one yet, but if its the former it probably fulfills my requirements)

Mrs. T has had one of these for the past four years and much prefers it to the 430clk ragtop she had before. Room in the back for two massive baby seats and a decent sized boot (when the roof is up).
Only unplanned maintenance in our ownership thus far is a coil pack.
Styling maybe not pininfarina’s finest moment but it has been a brilliant car for us. He said, almost certainly jinxing it!
The dynaudio stereo (do I call that the wireless around these parts?) is spectacular - and I often get admiring (!) glances whilst wafting around with the roof down blasting Disney hits** with the nippers in the back.
Gaz

• Radio 4 is also available

P.S. I miss my old v12 convertible xj-s

I do like these although prefer the look of the older c70. Mate had a 2.4d auto woth the folding roof and whilst that may be anathema to some on here, it was a lovely cruiser and made a lovely five pot noise.

[SpeckledJim]

W00DY said:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/304503972308

Stretched limos are normally st, which makes this one even more spectacular.

And this, in common with 21st's Century, has the stainless sills of dreams.

Lovely.

[Krikkit]

lukas_ said:

paddycam said:

Had they sorted the gearbox on these by 2008? Could be a useful do-it-all mini barge.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/155010641835?hash=item2...

My dad has one, 2008 XC70 from new (now on 350k kms), albeit the D5 engined one. We changed the gearbox fluid regularly and it's been absolutely faultless. Actually, the whole car's been great, biggest issue has probably been the windows regulators and door locks (during the ownership, we had to exchange these on all 4 doors. It's not the most exciting car to drive but that's not the point, it is so comfortable, and overall like an old family faithful labrador. And for what it is, it is actually quite good in some lighter offroading. Good car.

Test drove one of these when the Mrs' wanted a new car. She preferred the Subaru but this was my favourite of the lot - lovely suspension, great seats, the D5 was actually quite tuneful (I imagine this is much better!).

I'd have one in a heartbeat as a family bus.

[bolidemichael]

GazThomas said:

P.S. I miss my old v12 convertible xj-s

Okay, you can hang onto your barge pass a little longer

[PositronicRay]

GazThomas said:

PositronicRay said:

I've been directed here from another thread

Volvo C70 folding tin top. Wafty, tough, convertible fun?
Or
Ruinious rattle trap?

(i've not driven one yet, but if its the former it probably fulfills my requirements)

Mrs. T has had one of these for the past four years and much prefers it to the 430clk ragtop she had before. Room in the back for two massive baby seats and a decent sized boot (when the roof is up).
Only unplanned maintenance in our ownership thus far is a coil pack.
Styling maybe not pininfarina’s finest moment but it has been a brilliant car for us. He said, almost certainly jinxing it!
The dynaudio stereo (do I call that the wireless around these parts?) is spectacular - and I often get admiring (!) glances whilst wafting around with the roof down blasting Disney hits** with the nippers in the back.
Gaz

• Radio 4 is also available

P.S. I miss my old v12 convertible xj-s

Rattles and squeaks, or wafty and quiet? (albeit I'm pretty good at chasing down irritating noises)

Like many things in life whilst not exactly elegant the aestetics are growing on me.

Could i ask a favour? How wide is the back seat? And much buffeting in the rear, roof down? (I'll be carrying dogs, which is where my 94 SL R129 fails)

[anonymous-user]

Krikkit said:

lukas_ said:

paddycam said:

Had they sorted the gearbox on these by 2008? Could be a useful do-it-all mini barge.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/155010641835?hash=item2...

My dad has one, 2008 XC70 from new (now on 350k kms), albeit the D5 engined one. We changed the gearbox fluid regularly and it's been absolutely faultless. Actually, the whole car's been great, biggest issue has probably been the windows regulators and door locks (during the ownership, we had to exchange these on all 4 doors. It's not the most exciting car to drive but that's not the point, it is so comfortable, and overall like an old family faithful labrador. And for what it is, it is actually quite good in some lighter offroading. Good car.

Test drove one of these when the Mrs' wanted a new car. She preferred the Subaru but this was my favourite of the lot - lovely suspension, great seats, the D5 was actually quite tuneful (I imagine this is much better!).

I'd have one in a heartbeat as a family bus.

I know we love to hate a sooter here, but I think the 2009/10 onwards-ish twin turbo D5 with first 205bhp and then 215bhp is a much better engine for these. They're really great engines for soot chuckers, that extra cylinder makes a world of difference and they make a really good filthy 5 cylinder noise with lots of turbo whooshes too.

The 3.2 has barely any more power, will need working to get it, will use at least 50% more fuel doing it, and when any of the weird gear driven ancilliaries at the gearbox end need attention you'll have fun finding anyone with the experience or specialist tools to touch it in the UK. I'm not sure it's even worth the bother for the early 280bhp T6, but maybe the later 300bhp one with a polestar map to 320bhp.

[anonymous-user]

PositronicRay said:

I've been directed here from another thread

Volvo C70 folding tin top. Wafty, tough, convertible fun?
Or
Ruinious rattle trap?

(i've not driven one yet, but if its the former it probably fulfills my requirements)

I did 100k+ miles in a 2008 D5 and it was a great car. Not even remotely "sporting" but comfortable and solidly built with decent ride. They're very heavy for the platform so any past 80-90k on the original shocks will not drive well, bear that in mind when buying and testing. I flogged it to a colleague who has been shedding it for another 2.5 years with zero problems.

If you have any interest in music don't bother looking at anything other than SE Lux spec for the pre facelifts as you get an outrageously good Dynaudio stereo system with two subs behind the rear seats. You also get all the other nice toys like both front seats powered etc

Ideally look at late '07 onwards cars with the different centre console and silver rings on the instruments as they squashed a few bugs and seemed to tighten up the build. At some point the T5 autos stopped being in the mental tax bracket too. The 2.0d is a Ford engine and with 138bhp would seriously struggle to move the 1800KG car with any authority.

I'd have another in a shot for the right price.

[PositronicRay]

stickleback123 said:

PositronicRay said:

I've been directed here from another thread

Volvo C70 folding tin top. Wafty, tough, convertible fun?
Or
Ruinious rattle trap?

(i've not driven one yet, but if its the former it probably fulfills my requirements)

I did 100k+ miles in a 2008 D5 and it was a great car. Not even remotely "sporting" but comfortable and solidly built with decent ride. They're very heavy for the platform so any past 80-90k on the original shocks will not drive well, bear that in mind when buying and testing. I flogged it to a colleague who has been shedding it for another 2.5 years with zero problems.

If you have any interest in music don't bother looking at anything other than SE Lux spec for the pre facelifts as you get an outrageously good Dynaudio stereo system with two subs behind the rear seats. You also get all the other nice toys like both front seats powered etc

Ideally look at late '07 onwards cars with the different centre console and silver rings on the instruments as they squashed a few bugs and seemed to tighten up the build. At some point the T5 autos stopped being in the mental tax bracket too. The 2.0d is a Ford engine and with 138bhp would seriously struggle to move the 1800KG car with any authority.

I'd have another in a shot for the right price.

Thanks that's good to know, im more interested in petrol, small wheels deep profile tyres are amongst my preferences too. Auto would be nice but okay with a manual.

[SidewaysSi]

Aren't the Volvo auto boxes made of cheese? I have been looking at these recently but the Geartronic scares me! Also I would probably be looking at a car with approx 100k miles so not sure if any damage would already be done?

[QuantumTokoloshi]

Who is the bravest of us all ?

https://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-motorbikes/cit...

[Jim the Sunderer]

I was in Asda to read that new issue of Toyota Century Weekly without paying because nobody's gonna tell a 6'5" powerlifter that it's not a library. Probably wouldn't tell me either.

They didn't have a copy.

[Emeye]

In loving memory of Ian316 and CDG...






Yes. It is a tacky photo of an SC430 in a grotty multi-storey carpark. I thought it was apt for a Friday remembrance.

[StonedRollin]

Looks like it could be either of Ian or CdG in 'disguise'

Maybe if they had a NotIan316 or NotCdG as a backup username they could continue posting.

[phil_cardiff]

Emeye said:

In loving memory of Ian316 and CDG...






Yes. It is a tacky photo of an SC430 in a grotty multi-storey carpark. I thought it was apt for a Friday remembrance.

Thread in a nutshell - on paper, classy, elegant and with a hint of sauce; in reality, sad, grubby and completely chaste. No wonder I like it here.

[W00DY]

SpeckledJim said:

W00DY said:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/304503972308

Stretched limos are normally st, which makes this one even more spectacular.

And this, in common with 21st's Century, has the stainless sills of dreams.

Lovely.

It's something I hadn't considered before, but perhaps stainless steel sills are critical in making a barge really special.