Cheap luxobarge - maybe veg oil - suggestions?

reeac

rev_henry wrote: »

As I've said on another thread I feel it it time I sold my rover and bought a proper car. I want a luxobarge of some description, but not too ridiculous due to insurance, so no XJs/7 series/S classes please!

Ideally I'd like it to run on veg oil too, with as little tweaking as possible (though I know this possibly is too much to ask), otherwise be reasonably economical.

Currently thinking:

Mercedes W202 C250 diesel (ideally non turbo - insurance, could stretch to an E maybe)
BMW E36 318, 325 or E34 525TDS.

Things I would like:
auto
lots of buttons
relaxed motorway cruiser.
Cheap insurance (though insurance is a bit weird for me - the 525TDS is a fair bit cheaper than the C220 diesel)
Won't break, or at least not fatally.

Any further suggestions? I had my heart set on a C220 diesel until I realised it had a lucas pump. :eek: May still go for one though tbh - 40mpg but hideously slow...

I'm intrigued by the insurance/XJ remark. My XJ8 costs £388 and my Jazz costs £245 so not much difference for 3 times the engine power.

rev_henry

almillar wrote: »

I've never thought of a C-Class or 3 Series as luxobarges, but why not add to this list the Lexus IS200 (techie) or Jag X-Type.

Nah they're at the economy end of luxobarge really. Eurgh, X type is just a mondeo, I couldn't possibly do that! IS is thirsty...

fivetide wrote: »

I think the slightly older 190 Merc is the one to go for when it comes to running on veg oil.

Can't go wrong with a good barge if it's been looked after and isn't full of tin worm!

5t.

Yes it is, as is the larger E300D. Trouble with the 190 is they're ancient and quite rare now. Although they're gorgeous I'm concerned it might break and cost a fortune.

reeac wrote: »

I'm intrigued by the insurance/XJ remark. My XJ8 costs £388 and my Jazz costs £245 so not much difference for 3 times the engine power.

Haven't actually got quotes for an XJ so you may be right. Still thirsty unless I find a good LPG one...

rev_henry

Going to see a pug 405 diesel tomorrow. Fingers crossed it'll have the bosch fuel pump (and I will be able to identify such!).

rev_henry

Keeping this alive in case my taxi idea fails. I've seen locally advertised an A4 1.9TDi SE blahblah, but with 200k on the clock. Had belts and turbo done 6 months ago and asking £500. Is this likely to break expensively soon or fail the MOT (it has 5 months)?

Part of me thinks its £500 ONO, if I get 6 months out of it then scrap it I'll have done alright!

bigjl

Well looked after A4 tdi's are a good idea for a bangernomics runner.

Good article about them in CarMechanics mag a while ago.

I would go for a E250 or E300, same as the later one without a turbo, and run well on veg, remember the one on Fifth Gear a few years ago?

You can also find a few of the early six cylinder C Class around at banger money, only issue with these cars is lack of maintenance by people doing the same thing as you are intending to do, so you need to purchase with youe eyes open.

I had a Xantia a few years ago as a get to work banger, run fine on veg, but did start to leak a little from the diesel pump, almost certainly due to the veg.

Raksha

Omega Elite? The 3.5 Estate (currently got an LPG converted MOT failure sitting on the drive) the whole family loved it, a true rocket ship (which is why the Police use them as traffic cars), as balanced as good to drive as my BMW 5 series touring....

rev_henry

bigjl wrote: »

Well looked after A4 tdi's are a good idea for a bangernomics runner.

Good article about them in CarMechanics mag a while ago.

I would go for a E250 or E300, same as the later one without a turbo, and run well on veg, remember the one on Fifth Gear a few years ago?

You can also find a few of the early six cylinder C Class around at banger money, only issue with these cars is lack of maintenance by people doing the same thing as you are intending to do, so you need to purchase with youe eyes open.

I had a Xantia a few years ago as a get to work banger, run fine on veg, but did start to leak a little from the diesel pump, almost certainly due to the veg.

Well the Audi has now sold. Would have been great, nevermind. Trouble is with the mercs I can't afford the insurance really (well I can but I can't justify it...)

Raksha wrote: »

Omega Elite? The 3.5 Estate (currently got an LPG converted MOT failure sitting on the drive) the whole family loved it, a true rocket ship (which is why the Police use them as traffic cars), as balanced as good to drive as my BMW 5 series touring....

Er, do you mean the 3.2?! Wouldn't mind one of those at all! Couldn't afford insurance on that though, would have to be the 2.2 maybe. Not half as fun I know!

Now seen another 318TDS up at £1100. 126k, no history (knows the previous owner very well apparently, blahblah). Looks good though...?

atrixblue.-MFR-.

i had considdered a volvo in the past untill i saw prices on a wishbone and though to pay that i want polybushes in it and made of carbon. http://www.eurocarparts.com/suspension-arm-and-suspension-joints

and same with the mercs all dear suspension parts and the rare you get the more expensive they are.

housesitter

I've done about 150K in veg burners and currently run a passat AFN - similar to above A4 TDi (twin tanked it for starting purposes)

Like the poster above, luxobarge and veg oil don't spring to mind.
LPG and big petrol engine very much does.

rev_henry

Well this evening I went to see something a bit leftfield - a Proton Impian GSX. Absolutely gorgeous inside - leather, aircon, CD changer, but previous owner was clearly an idiot because it was just tatty, bits of broken trim, scratches all over. Somehow managed to scrape the bumper too despite it having PARKING SENSORS!

Anyway, might make a low offer but don't think the dealer would be interested...