RE: Mercedes W124 Cabriolet: Guilty Pleasures
Discussion
Harry Flashman said:
Euro Car Centre, Tulse Hill, SE24. I'm a short drive/easy walk away in SW2. Panos and his son own it. Nice guys and definitely enthusiasts.
He reckons the headrest issue on my car is likely a vacuum pipe issue under the rear seats. I haven't had time to check...
He's also worked on my friend and nearby neighbour's 500SEC, which will be going to him for restoration this winter.
If you bring your car to him, let me know and we'll have a beer in my local, the Tulse Hill Hotel, which is next to his garage.
Cool. About half an hour away. Used NJS at West Kingsdown. Had some very nice stuff there too.He reckons the headrest issue on my car is likely a vacuum pipe issue under the rear seats. I haven't had time to check...
He's also worked on my friend and nearby neighbour's 500SEC, which will be going to him for restoration this winter.
If you bring your car to him, let me know and we'll have a beer in my local, the Tulse Hill Hotel, which is next to his garage.
Edited by Harry Flashman on Wednesday 6th September 22:15
Busy!
Edited by Dazed and Confused on Wednesday 6th September 22:29
So you do schnozz! The 4.3 Vantage is a great car and represents ridiculous value for money. Hugely overlooked when the same £32k buys you a great Vantage or a ropey 997 with possible engine grenading issues...
...but the running costs are ridiculous. Parts costs are hilarious, frankly, and my faith in AM techs (dealer and specialist) has been severely shaken by some pretty underhand behaviour in recent months. I am thinking of selling the car and going to Porsche/AUdi (911 or R8) as the AM experience has been so bad. London is crying out for a well-priced specialist. (Nicholas Mee for example is a fantastic outfit, but really charge main dealer prices, now that the brand is flying so high).
By the way, Gallardo? Awful interior and punishing driving position. I know - I wanted one too. F430 a much better bet and nicer to be in. V10 R8 is my next play from the Aston.
Which is why I am having new brakes and suspension springs fitted by my local guy, who I know never bodges anything, ever. The car may go back to Aston for a service flash on their OBD; but mechanical stuff? I trust Panos and his son way, way more than some of the wideboys I have dealt with under the Aston umbrella. And changing discs, pads and suspension components is not black magic, no matter what Aston would have you think. I would do it myself if weren't recovering from a knee operation!
Anyway, back to old Mercs! My local guy's labour isn't cheap at £75/hour - but his work is driven by meticulousness and care. He loved by E320. There are a few issues with it where I need to get the parts - seatbelt butler on drivers' side is broken, for example, and there is a vacuum problem meaning that the drivers seat doesn't lock, and the rear headrests are locked up. But he is happy for me to supply bits and do the work. Good man.
...but the running costs are ridiculous. Parts costs are hilarious, frankly, and my faith in AM techs (dealer and specialist) has been severely shaken by some pretty underhand behaviour in recent months. I am thinking of selling the car and going to Porsche/AUdi (911 or R8) as the AM experience has been so bad. London is crying out for a well-priced specialist. (Nicholas Mee for example is a fantastic outfit, but really charge main dealer prices, now that the brand is flying so high).
By the way, Gallardo? Awful interior and punishing driving position. I know - I wanted one too. F430 a much better bet and nicer to be in. V10 R8 is my next play from the Aston.
Which is why I am having new brakes and suspension springs fitted by my local guy, who I know never bodges anything, ever. The car may go back to Aston for a service flash on their OBD; but mechanical stuff? I trust Panos and his son way, way more than some of the wideboys I have dealt with under the Aston umbrella. And changing discs, pads and suspension components is not black magic, no matter what Aston would have you think. I would do it myself if weren't recovering from a knee operation!
Anyway, back to old Mercs! My local guy's labour isn't cheap at £75/hour - but his work is driven by meticulousness and care. He loved by E320. There are a few issues with it where I need to get the parts - seatbelt butler on drivers' side is broken, for example, and there is a vacuum problem meaning that the drivers seat doesn't lock, and the rear headrests are locked up. But he is happy for me to supply bits and do the work. Good man.
Edited by Harry Flashman on Thursday 7th September 12:42
Ever heard of Mercy Spares in Deptford, not far from the park. Underneath the Railway arches. Old Merc breakers, they used to have CEs and SECs in the yard a couple of years ago. Nice chaps and reasonably cheap but not been for a while.
They have a website so still going strong.
020 8692 1462.
They have a website so still going strong.
020 8692 1462.
Hello folks,
Bit of a necro-post. I'm considering a facelift A124 320 Sportline for my father's 70th. The car is strong money and approx 70k miles, so I need to make sure this is the right choice.
Two questions:
1. Are values on the up, or do we think the 124 will always struggle in the shadow of R107/129 etc?
2. What are the big maintenance things to look out for?
Appreciate your thoughts
Bit of a necro-post. I'm considering a facelift A124 320 Sportline for my father's 70th. The car is strong money and approx 70k miles, so I need to make sure this is the right choice.
Two questions:
1. Are values on the up, or do we think the 124 will always struggle in the shadow of R107/129 etc?
2. What are the big maintenance things to look out for?
Appreciate your thoughts
CharlesdeGaulle said:
You should post that question on the 1-5 Barge thread - it's very active and there is a lot of experience and knowledge.
I'll respond to the question myself later, either there or here. Short answer: do it!
Ha! I wish it met that £ criteria! These things are now £15K+ I'll respond to the question myself later, either there or here. Short answer: do it!
Grateful for any advice though.
Straight Torque said:
Ha! I wish it met that £ criteria! These things are now £15K+
Grateful for any advice though.
Ask there anyway, the budget is elastic, especially at the weekends!Grateful for any advice though.
You can buy much cheaper than 15, and they tend not to appreciate, despite what some of the specialist dealers will tell you. Seriously, ask in the 1-5; there is a lot of real-world experience and several current owners, including one who bought this week.
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