1998 Mercedes-Benz CL420 (C140)
Discussion
Rest assured I will be posting better pictures as soon as the time and weather allows.
After Monday when it fails the MoT I'll be in a better position to take stock
That said I'm booked on the ferry to Santander 26 November so it has to be ship-shape. I've received my hi-vis jacket and AA road atlas today.
One thing that I've noticed today is how spongy are the brakes. Really not good at all with no inspiring bite . I'll take a wheel off this weekend and have a nosey but I think I need decent pads and perhaps discs at the front. Possibly a brake fluid change too.
After Monday when it fails the MoT I'll be in a better position to take stock
That said I'm booked on the ferry to Santander 26 November so it has to be ship-shape. I've received my hi-vis jacket and AA road atlas today.
One thing that I've noticed today is how spongy are the brakes. Really not good at all with no inspiring bite . I'll take a wheel off this weekend and have a nosey but I think I need decent pads and perhaps discs at the front. Possibly a brake fluid change too.
A quick stop on the way to the garage for the dreaded MoT. Pumped up the tyres - they were all at 26 PSI after 5½ months.
Phone picture probably isn't the best but it was very shiny. I have a dicky rear lamp bulb which worked as soon as I opened the flap in the boot. Also the boot lid soft-close has started working which was very pleasing.
Phone picture probably isn't the best but it was very shiny. I have a dicky rear lamp bulb which worked as soon as I opened the flap in the boot. Also the boot lid soft-close has started working which was very pleasing.
It's a fail, unsurpisingly, but not for any broken springs as I expected.
Brake pipes corroded and one flexi-hose, and the annual emissions fail. He says he'll give it a good run and immediately test afterwards. That worked last year so fingers crossed. Lots of labour so it will be over £500. Bugger.
I really want to change the front pads and discs as the pedal is very spongy, in no small part due to the rubbish Lucas pads. I think I will go genuine MB. The weather is not condusive to working outside though.
Brake pipes corroded and one flexi-hose, and the annual emissions fail. He says he'll give it a good run and immediately test afterwards. That worked last year so fingers crossed. Lots of labour so it will be over £500. Bugger.
I really want to change the front pads and discs as the pedal is very spongy, in no small part due to the rubbish Lucas pads. I think I will go genuine MB. The weather is not condusive to working outside though.
My corroded rear brake pipes were replaced around 5,000 miles (three months) ago.
- Check rear brake pipes for corrosion - remove pnels
- To gain access to brake pipes - cut out corroded
- Sections to both rear brake flexi hoses - make up
- New sections of pipe and join to original pipes
- Under the floor - bleed complete brake system
Total 6.2 hours - £558+VAT
Funnily enough, I don't see any line item for brake pipes under parts..?
Michael
- Check rear brake pipes for corrosion - remove pnels
- To gain access to brake pipes - cut out corroded
- Sections to both rear brake flexi hoses - make up
- New sections of pipe and join to original pipes
- Under the floor - bleed complete brake system
Total 6.2 hours - £558+VAT
Funnily enough, I don't see any line item for brake pipes under parts..?
Michael
bolidemichael said:
My corroded rear brake pipes were replaced around 5,000 miles (three months) ago.
- Check rear brake pipes for corrosion - remove pnels
- To gain access to brake pipes - cut out corroded
- Sections to both rear brake flexi hoses - make up
- New sections of pipe and join to original pipes
- Under the floor - bleed complete brake system
Total 6.2 hours - £558+VAT
Funnily enough, I don't see any line item for brake pipes under parts..?
Michael
Not TOO bad. Could be worse.... I had to have this done along with the delivery lines for the dynamic drive in the 745i..... While exhaust system and rear subframe down! £1600! - Check rear brake pipes for corrosion - remove pnels
- To gain access to brake pipes - cut out corroded
- Sections to both rear brake flexi hoses - make up
- New sections of pipe and join to original pipes
- Under the floor - bleed complete brake system
Total 6.2 hours - £558+VAT
Funnily enough, I don't see any line item for brake pipes under parts..?
Michael
Paid for it on a Christmas eve
Seriously though, I hope the CL gets sorted. I remember seeing this at MB World a number of years ago and remember thinking just how special it looked in the flesh up front. Loved the thick doors with the chrome inlays. Bet it's a comfortable old bus! How quiet it is compared to modern cars? More comfortable at least, I'm sure!
At least I'll have the brakes bled as part of the process so that might help with the pedal feel, but new pads definitely required
I have Friday off this week so I am going for an extended shakedown before Spain. I may go and see family in Cambridge for the weekend.
Othewise pre-touring shopping so far:
Hi-Vis jacket
GB sticker
AA Road Atlas Spain/Portugal 10th edition
USB Euro-plug
Topped up euro pre-paid card
In the boot already
Bulb kit
First aid kit
Warning Triangle
I have Friday off this week so I am going for an extended shakedown before Spain. I may go and see family in Cambridge for the weekend.
Othewise pre-touring shopping so far:
Hi-Vis jacket
GB sticker
AA Road Atlas Spain/Portugal 10th edition
USB Euro-plug
Topped up euro pre-paid card
In the boot already
Bulb kit
First aid kit
Warning Triangle
Edited by tobinen on Tuesday 12th November 09:02
I think that you should add an emovis tag to your shopping list. No point wafting up to a toll booth to not waft imperiously through the barrier.
Additionally, I would heartily recommend the OEM pads. The Brembo items that I fitted to mine warped the discs as they heat up in a different way, as far as I understand it. I had to get them replaced at an MB dealership in Barcelona at a hefty cost of around €800.
Additionally, I would heartily recommend the OEM pads. The Brembo items that I fitted to mine warped the discs as they heat up in a different way, as far as I understand it. I had to get them replaced at an MB dealership in Barcelona at a hefty cost of around €800.
interesting that you mention the tolls. They seem to be only on the blue AP motorways as far as I can tell in the atlas, and even then, not all of them.
For example from Santander to Gijon (A8) I can see no toll booths on the map though it's a red road
On the blue AP-66 from Gijon to Leon, I can't see any toll booths
For example from Santander to Gijon (A8) I can see no toll booths on the map though it's a red road
On the blue AP-66 from Gijon to Leon, I can't see any toll booths
I did a test route on the Michelin site and there are tolls not illustrated on my atlas so I have ordered one of those cards. I'm glad I checked.
Car not ready today so hopefully tomorrow
I may have the chance to stay at a friend-of-a-friend's flat in Sevilla so I think I'll have plenty of time to head south.
Car not ready today so hopefully tomorrow
I may have the chance to stay at a friend-of-a-friend's flat in Sevilla so I think I'll have plenty of time to head south.
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