Mercedes W124 E300D estate - progress, or not...
Discussion
A1244908720 has three cats?!
My local dealer - Vertu - has that section as £500+, mid at £150, rear at £230. Ish. I've also sent my parts enquiry to Brooklands, because I think they offer 25% discount on parts to OC members.
After some more part number chasing this weekend, I have some additions to the list.
My local dealer - Vertu - has that section as £500+, mid at £150, rear at £230. Ish. I've also sent my parts enquiry to Brooklands, because I think they offer 25% discount on parts to OC members.
After some more part number chasing this weekend, I have some additions to the list.
That could be a very interesting lead. Looks like I could go aftermarket for around the same price, but that might be one cat (or soot reducer) rather than three.
Got the parts estimate back from one of the dealers today. Includes injectors (just asked for info) , excludes exhaust.
Fifteen hundred pounds!!
Once I'd knocked off the new injectors - about two hundred apiece - plus three crankcase breather pipes (forty quid each - the originals will just need to be handled carefully) and the breather valve, plus the o-rings I've already ordered Viton replacements for, it's down to a more-reasonable £140. Possibly plus injector refurb, but I'm leaning towards it being a glow plug problem, and I've got them already.
Heater knob arrived - £13ish delivered from Latvia, but ironically double what I'd pay at the dealer. I'll be asking them first from now on!
Got the parts estimate back from one of the dealers today. Includes injectors (just asked for info) , excludes exhaust.
Fifteen hundred pounds!!
Once I'd knocked off the new injectors - about two hundred apiece - plus three crankcase breather pipes (forty quid each - the originals will just need to be handled carefully) and the breather valve, plus the o-rings I've already ordered Viton replacements for, it's down to a more-reasonable £140. Possibly plus injector refurb, but I'm leaning towards it being a glow plug problem, and I've got them already.
Heater knob arrived - £13ish delivered from Latvia, but ironically double what I'd pay at the dealer. I'll be asking them first from now on!
Thank you, sir. Part of me wants to crack on with the glow plug work myself (once MB have got around to supplying me with the parts); another - poorer, less brave but more sensible - part of me wants to put it in to get done.
The MOT is getting closer, so I do need to make plans for that.
I tried out my new code reader yesterday. Interesting to use, but not particularly useful thus far as there aren't many pins to check in the diagnostic socket! I cleared the airbag & central locking codes that came up, so we'll see if anything recurs.
Also changed all the fuses in the fuse box. Not sure that was worth doing, either - the front electric windows blew two fuses in quick succession, so I've gone back to an older (but more chunky) fuse on that circuit. Could just be down to me cheaping out on the fuses as I wasn't sure what to get. We shall see.
I managed to track down (what looks to be) a new wing mirror unit, which I'm picking up later. I do need to get the right colour painted cover, or try to get the one off my old mirror without breaking it.
And I picked up a couple of 15-holes, so I can have an alloy as a spare. It's from a 190, so the offset is slightly different, but I think it should be fine as an emergency solution. I'll need to get a non-directional tyre for it.
The MOT is getting closer, so I do need to make plans for that.
I tried out my new code reader yesterday. Interesting to use, but not particularly useful thus far as there aren't many pins to check in the diagnostic socket! I cleared the airbag & central locking codes that came up, so we'll see if anything recurs.
Also changed all the fuses in the fuse box. Not sure that was worth doing, either - the front electric windows blew two fuses in quick succession, so I've gone back to an older (but more chunky) fuse on that circuit. Could just be down to me cheaping out on the fuses as I wasn't sure what to get. We shall see.
I managed to track down (what looks to be) a new wing mirror unit, which I'm picking up later. I do need to get the right colour painted cover, or try to get the one off my old mirror without breaking it.
And I picked up a couple of 15-holes, so I can have an alloy as a spare. It's from a 190, so the offset is slightly different, but I think it should be fine as an emergency solution. I'll need to get a non-directional tyre for it.
Thank you kindly, gentlemen.
Adam - I haven't received the seal as of yet: the seller contacted me to say that they were out of stock, so they refunded me and I'll reorder later. Currently I don't think I'll be working on taking those windows out - there's plenty else to do, the window sills seem fine, and money is finite (sadly) - but I'll let you know if/when I do order. In the mean time, I wouldn't advise against ordering from that seller (tshopabs from memory, and apologies for the double-negative) - I've already had some stuff from them, and it seems absolutely fine.
Based on part number, it does seem like the seal is <the rubber bit between the bodyshell, window & metal overlay trim> so, despite the low price, it may be worth a go. With that said, though, it'd be worth trying a MB dealer here, too, for pricing - having paid £13ish for a new heater knob from Latvia, I could have bought from the dealer for £6. Oops.
MrScroggs: Heralds are great, no? My first driveable car, and I learned so much about driving with a benign car that just did the basics. Hand-pumped windscreen washer was a particular favourite, especially when the feed line fell off mid-pump. Oddly, now I think about it I get a good amount of the same feeling in this car. Maybe that was the appeal.
Back to this car - 1950ish miles done since purchase in mid January, and the MOT is due in a couple of weeks. I need to chase up MB on the parts I need for the intake manifold work (glow plugs, fuel lines, possibly injectors) but I'm booked in for a checkup with my mechanic next week, to see what else I need to throw money at.
Exhaust needs fixing or replacing, wing needs duct tape (yes, I know, but later), brake needs unsqueaking, inner wing holes need inspecting (also later), but what else?
Then there's a round trip to Peterborough on Monday - which I usually dislike, but not in this car - and then the planned work & MOT will be done while I'm bombing around Boston in a hire car on a work trip in mid-May.
As we know, hire cars are the fastest cars in the world....
Adam - I haven't received the seal as of yet: the seller contacted me to say that they were out of stock, so they refunded me and I'll reorder later. Currently I don't think I'll be working on taking those windows out - there's plenty else to do, the window sills seem fine, and money is finite (sadly) - but I'll let you know if/when I do order. In the mean time, I wouldn't advise against ordering from that seller (tshopabs from memory, and apologies for the double-negative) - I've already had some stuff from them, and it seems absolutely fine.
Based on part number, it does seem like the seal is <the rubber bit between the bodyshell, window & metal overlay trim> so, despite the low price, it may be worth a go. With that said, though, it'd be worth trying a MB dealer here, too, for pricing - having paid £13ish for a new heater knob from Latvia, I could have bought from the dealer for £6. Oops.
MrScroggs: Heralds are great, no? My first driveable car, and I learned so much about driving with a benign car that just did the basics. Hand-pumped windscreen washer was a particular favourite, especially when the feed line fell off mid-pump. Oddly, now I think about it I get a good amount of the same feeling in this car. Maybe that was the appeal.
Back to this car - 1950ish miles done since purchase in mid January, and the MOT is due in a couple of weeks. I need to chase up MB on the parts I need for the intake manifold work (glow plugs, fuel lines, possibly injectors) but I'm booked in for a checkup with my mechanic next week, to see what else I need to throw money at.
Exhaust needs fixing or replacing, wing needs duct tape (yes, I know, but later), brake needs unsqueaking, inner wing holes need inspecting (also later), but what else?
Then there's a round trip to Peterborough on Monday - which I usually dislike, but not in this car - and then the planned work & MOT will be done while I'm bombing around Boston in a hire car on a work trip in mid-May.
As we know, hire cars are the fastest cars in the world....
I've been having a bit of a conk problem today.
Not with my schnozz, you understand, although I do have a cold.
After the usual-at-the-moment cold start smoky shenanigans this morning, I was wafting casually (and late, as usual) to work this morning, and had what felt like a hesitation in pickup when accelerating onto a roundabout. Almost little enough to wonder if I'd imagined it.
A semi-conk, if you will.
Ho him, I though to myself (because we're all the Famous Five really) - I wonder if that's a sign of slowly-worsening clear fuel pipe condition. Ho hum.
This evening, after the usual cold start smoky histrionics again (thankfully in a mostly-deserted work car park, although I'm sure the cleaner appreciated her lungful of unburned diesel fumes) the car graduated to a full conk, shortly before joining a larger roundabout.
It restarted relatively okay, albeit on fewer cylinders than would be considered de rigeur for an online six, and after a minute ish of being a one-man traffic 'calming' device, I was on my way again.
Both times, the car was not-warm but not-cold. I think it's them pesky fuel pipes.
Hope I can nurse the car along (and source the parts) so both the cold start issue and the fuel lines can be fixed, a shiny new ticket granted, and other spending can commence.
Not with my schnozz, you understand, although I do have a cold.
After the usual-at-the-moment cold start smoky shenanigans this morning, I was wafting casually (and late, as usual) to work this morning, and had what felt like a hesitation in pickup when accelerating onto a roundabout. Almost little enough to wonder if I'd imagined it.
A semi-conk, if you will.
Ho him, I though to myself (because we're all the Famous Five really) - I wonder if that's a sign of slowly-worsening clear fuel pipe condition. Ho hum.
This evening, after the usual cold start smoky histrionics again (thankfully in a mostly-deserted work car park, although I'm sure the cleaner appreciated her lungful of unburned diesel fumes) the car graduated to a full conk, shortly before joining a larger roundabout.
It restarted relatively okay, albeit on fewer cylinders than would be considered de rigeur for an online six, and after a minute ish of being a one-man traffic 'calming' device, I was on my way again.
Both times, the car was not-warm but not-cold. I think it's them pesky fuel pipes.
Hope I can nurse the car along (and source the parts) so both the cold start issue and the fuel lines can be fixed, a shiny new ticket granted, and other spending can commence.
Good trip to Peterborough and back yesterday; nice car to drive.
But of a nutkick this morning - car is in for a pre-MOT, and the rear axle area is a significant problem. A not-really-roadworthy problem.
Arse.
Mechanic is happy to do the work, if I (1) pay for it, and (2) source the suspension mounting turret jobs. There's also welding needed for the rear floor area, but while it needs doing it's less of a concern.
@r129sl - when possible, please could you help me with while-it's-off part numbers for suitable bits. I think the panels are A 124 611 12 47 (not handed, so two of?) but I'm not sure on the bushes. Sounds like I need to replicate what you've had done. Thank you, sir. (incidentally, I think I've mailed you, but if not please let me know)
This could write the car off.... but I'm not sure it deserves that.
But of a nutkick this morning - car is in for a pre-MOT, and the rear axle area is a significant problem. A not-really-roadworthy problem.
Arse.
Mechanic is happy to do the work, if I (1) pay for it, and (2) source the suspension mounting turret jobs. There's also welding needed for the rear floor area, but while it needs doing it's less of a concern.
@r129sl - when possible, please could you help me with while-it's-off part numbers for suitable bits. I think the panels are A 124 611 12 47 (not handed, so two of?) but I'm not sure on the bushes. Sounds like I need to replicate what you've had done. Thank you, sir. (incidentally, I think I've mailed you, but if not please let me know)
This could write the car off.... but I'm not sure it deserves that.
Thank you again, r129sl. Coming through with the goods as always.
I'm due to drop in on the mechanic in the morning, when I give the courtesy car back, and will hopefully be checking my shopping list with him.
I'm currently unsure about the subframe bushes & the linked struts, solely on cost grounds (bearing in mind that the car also needs the glow plugs and fuel lines doing now, possibly also the injectors if I can't put them off, plus exhaust repair or replacement).
The expected costs for the back end work are £600-800 labour - to cover new front-rear brake pipes, subframe mounting repairs, and some floor repairs, possible front inner wing patching; not sure on the front end labour (so many numbers in my head) but a good couple of hundred for that at least. Plus parts - without injector work, without subframe stuff, it's looking at £300odd. So we're talking ~£1k to £1.5 without adding on other nice-to-haves.
I like the car, very much, but I also need to be sensible on how much I throw at it. Because, if the rear seats & carpet need to come out for the work, I may as well then bung in sound insulation as per r129sl.... So, if the cost of dropping axle again for bushes etc in a few months would be an extra £100ish but enable me to spread out the cost, that's something I could more easily get my logic around.
For now, the car is with the mechanic until it's repaired enough to get through an MOT. I'd like to use it this weekend, but I don't want to risk it. The good news is that I'm working away for most of the next two weeks so, once I've ordered up the stuff & dropped it off (two working day lead time), the Man can work on it at his leisure.
As long as I have it back as soon as I get back from the US!
I'm due to drop in on the mechanic in the morning, when I give the courtesy car back, and will hopefully be checking my shopping list with him.
I'm currently unsure about the subframe bushes & the linked struts, solely on cost grounds (bearing in mind that the car also needs the glow plugs and fuel lines doing now, possibly also the injectors if I can't put them off, plus exhaust repair or replacement).
The expected costs for the back end work are £600-800 labour - to cover new front-rear brake pipes, subframe mounting repairs, and some floor repairs, possible front inner wing patching; not sure on the front end labour (so many numbers in my head) but a good couple of hundred for that at least. Plus parts - without injector work, without subframe stuff, it's looking at £300odd. So we're talking ~£1k to £1.5 without adding on other nice-to-haves.
I like the car, very much, but I also need to be sensible on how much I throw at it. Because, if the rear seats & carpet need to come out for the work, I may as well then bung in sound insulation as per r129sl.... So, if the cost of dropping axle again for bushes etc in a few months would be an extra £100ish but enable me to spread out the cost, that's something I could more easily get my logic around.
For now, the car is with the mechanic until it's repaired enough to get through an MOT. I'd like to use it this weekend, but I don't want to risk it. The good news is that I'm working away for most of the next two weeks so, once I've ordered up the stuff & dropped it off (two working day lead time), the Man can work on it at his leisure.
As long as I have it back as soon as I get back from the US!
The silver estate looks okay, and the seller seems like the right sort.
So, my car! I've agreed a plan of attack with the mechanic: rear floor repairs, brake pipes, tidying up of the front inner wing holes, the front mounting points of the rear subframe, front bushes & bolts. That, with some tidying of a few rust holes in the already-quite-repaired front exhaust section should get the car through the MOT, hopefully before the free 10 day retest period is over. The hole in the front wing is duct taped and not a concern, emissions were fine. The only other wildcard (aside from things being more seized or rusty than anticipated) is the rear brakes, which haven't been tested but were dragging a little.
Why not the rear bushes for the subframe, you ask? Well, the bill is more than enough already!
When the MOT has been passed (note the positivity), the next job - because it needs doing, and I'm basically away for 2 weeks - is the glow plug & fuel line replacement. Interestingly, the emissions are absolutely fine. Mechanic seems to leaning back towards the GPs again now. Injectors are off the work list for the time being, because that would add another £200+ to what will be a hefty bill.
Parts are ordered with MB, and hopefully they'll arrive so I can collect before Sunday, and pass them along. It gets more complex if not, because the dealer doesn't deliver, but I'll cross that bridge if I have to.
So what have I ordered? I'm happy to post the part number list if that'd help anyone, but basically:
- Subframe mounting point repair sections, front bush kit;
- Crankcase breather pipework (apart from the three small plastic pipes that are £45, and will be the only things that break;
- Intake manifold gasket & seals;
- Fuel lines & accoutrements.
That little lot, with VAT and discount, just pillaged my bank account for £570ish.
A set of Beru plugs are currently mere inches below my backside (under my chair, that is), and that's enough parts to get into trouble with.
After that, I just have to pay for the 'couple of days' on the ramp, and sundries.
If nothing else goes wrong. Which it will.
And unfortunately, my working weeks are rammed for the next couple of weeks, so I can't even go and hoik the seats & carpets out; I'll be paying them to do that.
But the car will live again! Unless they find something else horrendous.
So, my car! I've agreed a plan of attack with the mechanic: rear floor repairs, brake pipes, tidying up of the front inner wing holes, the front mounting points of the rear subframe, front bushes & bolts. That, with some tidying of a few rust holes in the already-quite-repaired front exhaust section should get the car through the MOT, hopefully before the free 10 day retest period is over. The hole in the front wing is duct taped and not a concern, emissions were fine. The only other wildcard (aside from things being more seized or rusty than anticipated) is the rear brakes, which haven't been tested but were dragging a little.
Why not the rear bushes for the subframe, you ask? Well, the bill is more than enough already!
When the MOT has been passed (note the positivity), the next job - because it needs doing, and I'm basically away for 2 weeks - is the glow plug & fuel line replacement. Interestingly, the emissions are absolutely fine. Mechanic seems to leaning back towards the GPs again now. Injectors are off the work list for the time being, because that would add another £200+ to what will be a hefty bill.
Parts are ordered with MB, and hopefully they'll arrive so I can collect before Sunday, and pass them along. It gets more complex if not, because the dealer doesn't deliver, but I'll cross that bridge if I have to.
So what have I ordered? I'm happy to post the part number list if that'd help anyone, but basically:
- Subframe mounting point repair sections, front bush kit;
- Crankcase breather pipework (apart from the three small plastic pipes that are £45, and will be the only things that break;
- Intake manifold gasket & seals;
- Fuel lines & accoutrements.
That little lot, with VAT and discount, just pillaged my bank account for £570ish.
A set of Beru plugs are currently mere inches below my backside (under my chair, that is), and that's enough parts to get into trouble with.
After that, I just have to pay for the 'couple of days' on the ramp, and sundries.
If nothing else goes wrong. Which it will.
And unfortunately, my working weeks are rammed for the next couple of weeks, so I can't even go and hoik the seats & carpets out; I'll be paying them to do that.
But the car will live again! Unless they find something else horrendous.
If I'm wrong about the glow plugs, I'm wrong (and I'll be the first to admit it). It may be that the combination of injector spray pattern and lack of glow - which, in itself, I reckon is more than the one plug out that the mechanic thinks it is - may be to blame.
But, once the car is up to temperature, as far as I can tell it runs perfectly with no smoking even under heavy load. If new plugs can replicate, from cold, that hot-engine scenario, that'll be good enough for me for now
Ian: if only it were 'just' £570! Plus the plugs (£60) plus viton o rings.....plus the Labour of around two days on the ramp at £50/hour. That's the really expensive part of this job, but it can't be helped. If the work comes in under £1500 total and I have a car with repaired subframe & decent starting from cold, I'll be okay with that. After a stiff drink.
If the injectors do need doing, that's another couple of hundred plus labour, but I believe they can be removed without the intake manifold coming off, so hopefully that could be done later if the glow plugs don't sort it out.
But, once the car is up to temperature, as far as I can tell it runs perfectly with no smoking even under heavy load. If new plugs can replicate, from cold, that hot-engine scenario, that'll be good enough for me for now
Ian: if only it were 'just' £570! Plus the plugs (£60) plus viton o rings.....plus the Labour of around two days on the ramp at £50/hour. That's the really expensive part of this job, but it can't be helped. If the work comes in under £1500 total and I have a car with repaired subframe & decent starting from cold, I'll be okay with that. After a stiff drink.
If the injectors do need doing, that's another couple of hundred plus labour, but I believe they can be removed without the intake manifold coming off, so hopefully that could be done later if the glow plugs don't sort it out.
I've had 'fun' with the parts. One of those things, but annoying nonetheless, particularly as its been a tough week at work with two more to come, I'm working away & abroad for the next two weeks, and a teammate died at the weekend so I'll be going straight to the funeral from the airport when I get back. But there we are.
Anyway, the parts: ordered on Wednesday, ready on Friday. I mailed the parts guy yesterday to mention that it's the chassis bits that are more urgent, and I'd gladly pick them up if they were ready earlier than the underbonnet bits. Got a response that everything was in, so I spent the third lunchbreak of the week on car parts duty (sound familiar?) by collecting a pitifully small box of parts for the money paid, then taking them over to the mechanic.
Thought I'd sort them out into the chassis pile and the engine pile and.... one of the two subframe mounting sections was missing. Arse. Mailed the parts guy again.
Thought I'd head over today to double-check I'd reported the correct part number as missing. The mechanic is closed at the weekend, meaning a mile-long footpath walk to get in around the back. Decided to check everything off against the list..... and five line items missing, one random extra part, and one fuel line damaged. Double arse.
Not heard anything from the dealer, so toddled over there for a chat. Apologies were made, subframe panel found on a shelf, other parts were reordered, apologies made, and back I went to the mechanic.
He's now got what he needs from me for the welding repairs (except the money bit at the end) so hopefully that work will be done by next weekend.
Not that I'll be in the country to experience it.
Hopefully, the following week will see the fuel lines & glow plugs done, and the car will be back on the road and working when I get back from the States with a bagful of sweets and a significant sleep deficit.
Anyway, the parts: ordered on Wednesday, ready on Friday. I mailed the parts guy yesterday to mention that it's the chassis bits that are more urgent, and I'd gladly pick them up if they were ready earlier than the underbonnet bits. Got a response that everything was in, so I spent the third lunchbreak of the week on car parts duty (sound familiar?) by collecting a pitifully small box of parts for the money paid, then taking them over to the mechanic.
Thought I'd sort them out into the chassis pile and the engine pile and.... one of the two subframe mounting sections was missing. Arse. Mailed the parts guy again.
Thought I'd head over today to double-check I'd reported the correct part number as missing. The mechanic is closed at the weekend, meaning a mile-long footpath walk to get in around the back. Decided to check everything off against the list..... and five line items missing, one random extra part, and one fuel line damaged. Double arse.
Not heard anything from the dealer, so toddled over there for a chat. Apologies were made, subframe panel found on a shelf, other parts were reordered, apologies made, and back I went to the mechanic.
He's now got what he needs from me for the welding repairs (except the money bit at the end) so hopefully that work will be done by next weekend.
Not that I'll be in the country to experience it.
Hopefully, the following week will see the fuel lines & glow plugs done, and the car will be back on the road and working when I get back from the States with a bagful of sweets and a significant sleep deficit.
Incidentally, I may have over ordered on the subframe bushes. Consequences of not looking at the quantities listed.
A124 350 03 41 looks to contain the bushes & fixings for both sides of the car, whereas I bought two because I thought it'd be one side per unit. No great problem - I'm hoping they'll waive the restock fee given I'll have to have made three visits to get the parts that were 'all there'.
Unlike, it would appear, the parts guy who'll be getting an earful from his boss on Tuesday.
A124 350 03 41 looks to contain the bushes & fixings for both sides of the car, whereas I bought two because I thought it'd be one side per unit. No great problem - I'm hoping they'll waive the restock fee given I'll have to have made three visits to get the parts that were 'all there'.
Unlike, it would appear, the parts guy who'll be getting an earful from his boss on Tuesday.
A1VDY: I know what you mean, but I think that fundamentally this is a good car. It's not going to be concord without a lot of cosmetic spend, but with this spending done I'm (as) confident (as anyone can be with a complicated inanimate object) that the car will do a good few miles before needing anything else significant. The paintwork isn't good and I need a wing, but otherwise everything works.
Famous last words!
r129sl: now hold on there, sunshine. I'll respond shortly, but it's not a no from me. Just a bit of a challenging week. I didn't get ranty with MB because (I'm a wuss at heart) I think I have an understanding with the parts manager, and things will be okay from here out. I guess the peril of giving part numbers - aside from the numpty factor, which is a constant - is that you've told them what you want so, if you've got it wrong, that's not their fault.
If it comes down to it, I'll sling the extra subframe bushes on ebay or offer them on here, but I'll offload them if they're surplus... and that brings the parts bill down to a hugely more reasonable level.
Or so I tell myself.
Famous last words!
r129sl: now hold on there, sunshine. I'll respond shortly, but it's not a no from me. Just a bit of a challenging week. I didn't get ranty with MB because (I'm a wuss at heart) I think I have an understanding with the parts manager, and things will be okay from here out. I guess the peril of giving part numbers - aside from the numpty factor, which is a constant - is that you've told them what you want so, if you've got it wrong, that's not their fault.
If it comes down to it, I'll sling the extra subframe bushes on ebay or offer them on here, but I'll offload them if they're surplus... and that brings the parts bill down to a hugely more reasonable level.
Or so I tell myself.
After a few weeks of barely being in the area (I've covered 11,000 miles in a month by air, sea, train & road) and with my mechanic working on the car when he could, I have the car back.
Glow plugs and fuel lines are not yet done, but the car has a nearly-advisory-free MOT. I took it out to get it cleaned this morning, as the six weeks with the mechanic hadn't been a dust-free experience. It's much better than it was, albeit showing its usage both inside and out.
.... unlike the car I've spent the most time in recently: r129sl's strikingly similar, but strikingly different E300D.
It's an incredible machine, and a testament to the man (and The Man)'s tireless titivation work.
I'll add more on my trip to Cannes and back on that car's thread, but how do I feel now I'm back in my car?
Well, the glow plugs and fuel lines need changing. Hopefully that'll sort out the rough running from cold, and the smoke.
The exhaust is knocking on something now.
The interior and exterior are showing their use.
But there are several things I appreciate about the car: first of all, it too has that indefinable gait that I've only experienced in a 124 (which is to say mine and J's cars). It's comfortable. Capacious. It has (a somewhat faded) elegance. It's a nice place to sit and spend time.
What about differences between the two?
I'd love electrically-adjustable seats, for changing position on long drives.
Cruise control may well be a route I go down - not sure I'd want to drive to the south of France without it.
I prefer my walnut wood trim (and J prefers his zebrano).
I very much like the black leather of the other car, but I equally like the lightness of the pale grey in mine (grubby marks notwithstanding).
Mine has remote central locking! I do appreciate that.
My car is unlikely ever to be as together and clearly well-looked-after as r129sl's car, but there's a consistency joining the two, and I've very much enjoyed driving both.
Glow plugs and fuel lines are not yet done, but the car has a nearly-advisory-free MOT. I took it out to get it cleaned this morning, as the six weeks with the mechanic hadn't been a dust-free experience. It's much better than it was, albeit showing its usage both inside and out.
.... unlike the car I've spent the most time in recently: r129sl's strikingly similar, but strikingly different E300D.
It's an incredible machine, and a testament to the man (and The Man)'s tireless titivation work.
I'll add more on my trip to Cannes and back on that car's thread, but how do I feel now I'm back in my car?
Well, the glow plugs and fuel lines need changing. Hopefully that'll sort out the rough running from cold, and the smoke.
The exhaust is knocking on something now.
The interior and exterior are showing their use.
But there are several things I appreciate about the car: first of all, it too has that indefinable gait that I've only experienced in a 124 (which is to say mine and J's cars). It's comfortable. Capacious. It has (a somewhat faded) elegance. It's a nice place to sit and spend time.
What about differences between the two?
I'd love electrically-adjustable seats, for changing position on long drives.
Cruise control may well be a route I go down - not sure I'd want to drive to the south of France without it.
I prefer my walnut wood trim (and J prefers his zebrano).
I very much like the black leather of the other car, but I equally like the lightness of the pale grey in mine (grubby marks notwithstanding).
Mine has remote central locking! I do appreciate that.
My car is unlikely ever to be as together and clearly well-looked-after as r129sl's car, but there's a consistency joining the two, and I've very much enjoyed driving both.
Quick cross-posting of r129sl's experience of my car a couple of days ago (as much for my future benefit as yours!)
Also wondering about how to get the glow plugs & fuel lines changed. I'm happy to get my mechanic to do it, but the recent bill was more than planned (even though he's cut the labour hill in half) and I wouldn't mind learning more about the engine side of things, but would need a competent adult to help me. I've got all the parts (hopefully) and should have the tools - it's a question of having enough of a chunk of time, and some experienced help.
r129sl said:
His car was strikingly different to mine. It felt lighter and more agile than mine, not so much faster as easier to rev; I also thought it quiet. The steering was markedly lighter and I felt the suspension was softer. It tracked straight and true. I think there is some work to be done replacing worn out bushes and sorting out the smoke and so on, but it seems fundamentally sound.
Front ARB bushes are en route (£30ish incl a couple of spare brackets, Febi). I'm pondering whether it's something I can do myself, and likewise whether to change the steering damper while I'm in that neck of the woods. Also wondering about how to get the glow plugs & fuel lines changed. I'm happy to get my mechanic to do it, but the recent bill was more than planned (even though he's cut the labour hill in half) and I wouldn't mind learning more about the engine side of things, but would need a competent adult to help me. I've got all the parts (hopefully) and should have the tools - it's a question of having enough of a chunk of time, and some experienced help.
Thread trip to/from Modena...? 
Getting things off is easier, I find, than getting things working afterwards. That's where I do not excel.
I have the heat shield washers, although I'm thinking of leaving the injector side well alone when furtling the glow plugs (I do have the return line, so that could happen if it were needed). I also have the fuel lines, and most of the breather pipework connecting to the main part of the I'm (Sod's Law it'd be the expensive pieces that will break). Hopefully that's all that'd be needed on this delving under the bonnet.
Getting things off is easier, I find, than getting things working afterwards. That's where I do not excel.
I have the heat shield washers, although I'm thinking of leaving the injector side well alone when furtling the glow plugs (I do have the return line, so that could happen if it were needed). I also have the fuel lines, and most of the breather pipework connecting to the main part of the I'm (Sod's Law it'd be the expensive pieces that will break). Hopefully that's all that'd be needed on this delving under the bonnet.
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