I managed to get the car out last week!
Discussion
I was home for a few days last week and between fettling my truck (see Readers Cars thread) and running about sending documents off for a new work visa I managed to get my DB7 out.
She's been sat in the garage under a cover and plugged into a battery conditioner since June and as soon as the sun came out I thought 'bugger it' and dragged off the covers and got her out of the garage.
I was a little worried about it having been left for more than four months but after priming the oil system the old girl fired up straight away with no hesitation or fuss at all. The smell of the cabin, the lovely bark of the exhaust and that voluptuous view over the bonnet meant I backed her straight out, dropped the roof, gave her a quick once over and a brake test and went of for a run.
It wasn't until I ended up some twenty miles from home that I realised my tax disc in the screen had expired at the end of July. Ooops. Luckily my dad had renewed it for me and the new one was in the document folder, so I made sure I popped it in the holder as soon as I got home again.
It was so nice to go out for a nice long drive, though for some reason in my part of the world people do give you funny looks for driving with the roof down in late October. In my view, I bought a convertible, you might as well have the top down at every single available opportunity!
I didn't get any pictures when I went out as I forgot my camera but I did take some pictures back home with the rest of the 'fleet'. Unfortunately I won't be home for another four or five weeks now so she is back in garage again waiting for me to come back again. I have already lined up a big Santa hat for me to wear to keep my ears warm on the run up to Christmas...
Some gratuitous pictures:
She's been sat in the garage under a cover and plugged into a battery conditioner since June and as soon as the sun came out I thought 'bugger it' and dragged off the covers and got her out of the garage.
I was a little worried about it having been left for more than four months but after priming the oil system the old girl fired up straight away with no hesitation or fuss at all. The smell of the cabin, the lovely bark of the exhaust and that voluptuous view over the bonnet meant I backed her straight out, dropped the roof, gave her a quick once over and a brake test and went of for a run.
It wasn't until I ended up some twenty miles from home that I realised my tax disc in the screen had expired at the end of July. Ooops. Luckily my dad had renewed it for me and the new one was in the document folder, so I made sure I popped it in the holder as soon as I got home again.
It was so nice to go out for a nice long drive, though for some reason in my part of the world people do give you funny looks for driving with the roof down in late October. In my view, I bought a convertible, you might as well have the top down at every single available opportunity!
I didn't get any pictures when I went out as I forgot my camera but I did take some pictures back home with the rest of the 'fleet'. Unfortunately I won't be home for another four or five weeks now so she is back in garage again waiting for me to come back again. I have already lined up a big Santa hat for me to wear to keep my ears warm on the run up to Christmas...
Some gratuitous pictures:
bob1179 said:
The truck is a love or hate thing. I love it as it different (and also the cheapest to run of the lot!).
I respect other peoples opinions though and if we all liked the same things life would be pretty dull!
Fair enough each to their own. I'm amazed it's the cheapest to run! I thought it would have had some ridiculous size V8 in it with about 150bhp I respect other peoples opinions though and if we all liked the same things life would be pretty dull!
What model is the SL? My dad had an SL60AMG when they were new and it's still to this day my favourite Merc
Anyone can drive a 'vert on a warm day, I ran my Z4 with the roof down unless it was heavy rain, or actually snowing. Nothing like having the heaters blasting and the seats warm and taking in the crisp air and exhaust note - enjoy!
Very nice looking cars btw - I look forward to having a large enough drive again for at least a small collection.
Very nice looking cars btw - I look forward to having a large enough drive again for at least a small collection.
George H said:
Fair enough each to their own. I'm amazed it's the cheapest to run! I thought it would have had some ridiculous size V8 in it with about 150bhp
What model is the SL? My dad had an SL60AMG when they were new and it's still to this day my favourite Merc
It's a 5.7 V8 putting out 210bhp so not that bad... It's a bit thirsty but insurance and parts costs are dirt cheap.What model is the SL? My dad had an SL60AMG when they were new and it's still to this day my favourite Merc
The Merc is actually an SL60 AMG, it is a later car built towards the end of the production run, a lovely car and proper tool for high speed cruising and effortless grunt. It's due a service, a couple of cosmetic jobs and new tyres. That'll affect my beer fund somewhat!
yeti said:
Lovely - but why had you left it so long? I'm drving with the roof off, I never stop if it's dry out
LOVE that Merc... One day I will have the SL60 though I would suffer an SL500. 2 x V12s is what's needed
Unfortunately I work abroad at the moment so I can only get the toys out when I'm home. Hence the long lay up between holidays.LOVE that Merc... One day I will have the SL60 though I would suffer an SL500. 2 x V12s is what's needed
The SL60 is lovely, though it looks very Teutonic next to the Aston, which is definitely more feminine (if you know what I mean). The Merc is actually a V8, the engine is based on the SL500 V8, AMG bored it out to six litres and waved their magic wand over it to give 400+ bhp (though nobody seems to know the exact figure).
krisdelta said:
Anyone can drive a 'vert on a warm day, I ran my Z4 with the roof down unless it was heavy rain, or actually snowing. Nothing like having the heaters blasting and the seats warm and taking in the crisp air and exhaust note - enjoy!
Very nice looking cars btw - I look forward to having a large enough drive again for at least a small collection.
Cheers Kris, I am looking forward to doing it on a lovely cold, crisp winters day!Very nice looking cars btw - I look forward to having a large enough drive again for at least a small collection.
George H said:
yeti said:
LOVE that Merc... One day I will have the SL60 though I would suffer an SL500. 2 x V12s is what's needed
You and me both! Im always looking out for a good example. One day I will have one! I'm going to get mine up to scratch as it does need a few jobs doing, but they are an absolute lovely motor.
Sorry, a little off topic,but seems not the only one on this SL AMG forum!!!!!!!!!!!!!
How do you prime the the engine oil on the DB7,is it the same as on the DB9:full throttle and crank it?
My DB7 is only used one to three week a year beeing 5000 miles away and is only a hollidays car,garaged and with battery conditioner on.
How do you prime the the engine oil on the DB7,is it the same as on the DB9:full throttle and crank it?
My DB7 is only used one to three week a year beeing 5000 miles away and is only a hollidays car,garaged and with battery conditioner on.
bob1179 said:
If you're serious about buying one you are welcome to take a look at mine, I may be selling it in the near future (depends on how work goes in the next few months), I see you're in Lancashire so you're not too far from me.
I'm going to get mine up to scratch as it does need a few jobs doing, but they are an absolute lovely motor.
As much as I would love one now, I can't justify it. I will be after one in a few years when I have somewhere I can keep it, leaving it to appreciate I'm going to get mine up to scratch as it does need a few jobs doing, but they are an absolute lovely motor.
Ideally I'd have one in silver with grey leather.
bob1179 said:
krisdelta said:
Anyone can drive a 'vert on a warm day, I ran my Z4 with the roof down unless it was heavy rain, or actually snowing. Nothing like having the heaters blasting and the seats warm and taking in the crisp air and exhaust note - enjoy!
Very nice looking cars btw - I look forward to having a large enough drive again for at least a small collection.
Cheers Kris, I am looking forward to doing it on a lovely cold, crisp winters day!Very nice looking cars btw - I look forward to having a large enough drive again for at least a small collection.
These are about the right conditions
Made the 5C on top of the "cat & fiddle" this afternoon feel tropical
Eurohoon 2011 30 300 by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr
SS972 said:
Sorry, a little off topic,but seems not the only one on this SL AMG forum!!!!!!!!!!!!!
How do you prime the the engine oil on the DB7,is it the same as on the DB9:full throttle and crank it?
My DB7 is only used one to three week a year beeing 5000 miles away and is only a hollidays car,garaged and with battery conditioner on.
I know, we seem to have gone all 'SL' in here! How do you prime the the engine oil on the DB7,is it the same as on the DB9:full throttle and crank it?
My DB7 is only used one to three week a year beeing 5000 miles away and is only a hollidays car,garaged and with battery conditioner on.
Priming the engine oil in the DB7 is the same as in the DB9, foot hard on the throttle and press the starter. The engine then spins without firing to bring the pressure up and ensure everything is lubricated properly.
mikey k said:
Absolutely
These are about the right conditions
Made the 5C on top of the "cat & fiddle" this afternoon feel tropical
Eurohoon 2011 30 300 by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr
Mike, cracking picture! I can't wait to take mine up some wintery mountains! It must be done.These are about the right conditions
Made the 5C on top of the "cat & fiddle" this afternoon feel tropical
Eurohoon 2011 30 300 by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr
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