Titivating my Mercedes 124
Discussion
I think the 213 is a rather handsome car in estate form. I had a new E220d estate for 2 years in 2014 - It was a very good 'all rounder' if a little unrefined in terms of engine tone, dull to drive and perhaps a little plasticky. A higher spec 6 cylinder diesel 213 estate would probably be a very good car indeed.
An update.
Feeling a bit tight, I decided to leave the car in my office car park rather than the extortionate railway station car park when away overnight, saving maybe £31 in exchange for a five minute walk. Unfortunately, the nice lady at the cosmetic surgery upstairs reversed her Mini convertible into it at what must have been quite a speed. She 'fessed up, to her infinite credit. But she has done a surprising amount of damage. As well as the duffed up grille the bumper is knackered, she has twisted the bonnet and pushed the slam panel/nearside headlamp surround back slightly.
I felt pretty unchivalrous when I went to see her on Monday morning with the bill. She is running it through her insurance. Why do I feel bad about this?
Happily there is no damage to the radiator and condenser.
Feeling a bit tight, I decided to leave the car in my office car park rather than the extortionate railway station car park when away overnight, saving maybe £31 in exchange for a five minute walk. Unfortunately, the nice lady at the cosmetic surgery upstairs reversed her Mini convertible into it at what must have been quite a speed. She 'fessed up, to her infinite credit. But she has done a surprising amount of damage. As well as the duffed up grille the bumper is knackered, she has twisted the bonnet and pushed the slam panel/nearside headlamp surround back slightly.
I felt pretty unchivalrous when I went to see her on Monday morning with the bill. She is running it through her insurance. Why do I feel bad about this?
Happily there is no damage to the radiator and condenser.
Edited by r129sl on Friday 4th August 17:44
That's not the sort of update we like to read!
As said, at least she owned up. I suppose it just shows no matter how much you look after your P&J, maintain it and cherish it, there is little you can do to protect it from other drivers.
Is there a danger with her possibly putting it through her insurance that they may try to write it off? (Sorry for asking).
As said, at least she owned up. I suppose it just shows no matter how much you look after your P&J, maintain it and cherish it, there is little you can do to protect it from other drivers.
Is there a danger with her possibly putting it through her insurance that they may try to write it off? (Sorry for asking).
I am worried about it being written off, although a Cat D tag wouldn't really be the end of the world.
I feel rather ungentlemanly about looking to her to make good the damage. I need to get on with it, though. I have bought a new (used) grille but I need to get a front bumper; it needs a rear bumper, too, after I backed into a wall at Christmas time.
I feel rather ungentlemanly about looking to her to make good the damage. I need to get on with it, though. I have bought a new (used) grille but I need to get a front bumper; it needs a rear bumper, too, after I backed into a wall at Christmas time.
r129sl said:
I am worried about it being written off, although a Cat D tag wouldn't really be the end of the world.
I feel rather ungentlemanly about looking to her to make good the damage. I need to get on with it, though. I have bought a new (used) grille but I need to get a front bumper; it needs a rear bumper, too, after I backed into a wall at Christmas time.
My "just above barge limit" CLS was rear ended by a third party two years ago, with repairs equalling its We Buy Any Car valuation. The MB body shop did indicate it would be ok as different rules apply when it's not your insurance company, but I didn't understand the rationale or believe there is a hard and fast rule, so it could be an issue. I feel rather ungentlemanly about looking to her to make good the damage. I need to get on with it, though. I have bought a new (used) grille but I need to get a front bumper; it needs a rear bumper, too, after I backed into a wall at Christmas time.
I have had a bit of a wrangle with the insurer but finally, finally, they have authorised the go ahead after first trying to write it off with a value of £900. Their engineer seemed a decent sort in the end.
I am hoping it will be ready for my holidays later this month but if not I have the E430 (boring if effective) or my brother has offered me a loan of his G350d. Tempting. I can see the G being a bit of a bore on the A9 but absolutely romping over the Applecross peninsula.
I am hoping it will be ready for my holidays later this month but if not I have the E430 (boring if effective) or my brother has offered me a loan of his G350d. Tempting. I can see the G being a bit of a bore on the A9 but absolutely romping over the Applecross peninsula.
The car is just about fixed. Paul has done a great job of straightening and re-gapping the front-end panels, as well as paintwork.
The grille is a used one but it isa bit damaged so a new one is on order. The bumper, too, is used, an old one lying around; a new one is on order but will not be available until late-October. You'd think bumpers would be more readily available. I'm putting fresh old-style plates on it, too.
Tomorrow is goes to Baister's for a new windscreen/wiper seal, new auxiliary fan and shroud, new hand brake shoes and for a full service. Then it is off to Unst for a week and Torridon after that.
The grille is a used one but it isa bit damaged so a new one is on order. The bumper, too, is used, an old one lying around; a new one is on order but will not be available until late-October. You'd think bumpers would be more readily available. I'm putting fresh old-style plates on it, too.
Tomorrow is goes to Baister's for a new windscreen/wiper seal, new auxiliary fan and shroud, new hand brake shoes and for a full service. Then it is off to Unst for a week and Torridon after that.
I've followed this thread for ages, and this may have been asked before.
Do you ever think of changing the car? I understand that others have come and gone while you've had it and the amount of cost/time/love that's gone into it. But are you ever tempted?.
I really like my 645, it makes me happy when I drive it, happy when I look back at it after parking and I have no reason to change, but I still occasionally think stupid thoughts about getting something else.
It may just be that having had 19 cars and 9 bikes (I'm 40) and currently shopping for another utility car I'm just too used to change. The allure of something new and different is always there.
Do you ever think of changing the car? I understand that others have come and gone while you've had it and the amount of cost/time/love that's gone into it. But are you ever tempted?.
I really like my 645, it makes me happy when I drive it, happy when I look back at it after parking and I have no reason to change, but I still occasionally think stupid thoughts about getting something else.
It may just be that having had 19 cars and 9 bikes (I'm 40) and currently shopping for another utility car I'm just too used to change. The allure of something new and different is always there.
Speed addicted said:
Do you ever think of changing the car?
Not really. I've toyed with the idea of replacing it and my w210 with a s211 E500. But it wouldn't be as good a car. I can't think of anything similar that I'd want more. I'm not big into novelty or change for the sake of it. I'm one of those blokes who would make every day the same if he could. And I sincerely think that Mercs of this generation—the w201, the w124, the r129, the w126—represent the best cars ever. The stuff that followed just isn't as good. I've had my 129 for 15 years. I could buy a newer SL500, a R230 model, say. But then instead of having a great GT, I'd have a slightly less great GT and a bank loan.
Trexthedinosaur said:
Sorry to hijack, but I am thinking of a 124 coupe, any notes / links to a good guide?
There's a lot of chancers peddling worn out cars at crazy prices, taking advantage of the boiling market. Rust, trim, head gaskets, general neglect, those are the things to watch, the coupés are fundamentally solid and easy and cheap to maintain, just like the other models.The best single place reference is probably James Taylor's book, Merecdes-Benz W124: the complete story. It is not perfectly accurate but it is the best reference book. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mercedes-Benz-W124-Comple...
I don't think I have this one, but books in this series are pretty reliable (I have ordered it just now): https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mercedes-Benz-W124-models...
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