Mercedes 129 titivation
Discussion
r129sl said:
We finished our trip with a visit to the British Motor Museum at Gaydon today. I was pretty impressed. It’s not too big, enough for a couple of hours which was all I could face with a horrible snotty cold (I was paranoid that people would think it was covid).
There was a meeting of Audi R8 owners out front. I do like these but only the original V8s, only bone stock and only in subtle colours. They seem beloved of well-heeled Geralds, unfortunately.
We left at 1pm and were home (245 miles) for just after 4.40pm with a stop at Trowell or some other disgrace-to-the-nation service area. Why do motorway services have to be so utterly awful? All low ceilings, plastic fascias, disgusting food, artificial light, oppressive seating areas. And rip off expensive.
That would have been a good day!There was a meeting of Audi R8 owners out front. I do like these but only the original V8s, only bone stock and only in subtle colours. They seem beloved of well-heeled Geralds, unfortunately.
We left at 1pm and were home (245 miles) for just after 4.40pm with a stop at Trowell or some other disgrace-to-the-nation service area. Why do motorway services have to be so utterly awful? All low ceilings, plastic fascias, disgusting food, artificial light, oppressive seating areas. And rip off expensive.
V8, bone stock, subtle colours? Thats my R8 out of the question then
DS129 said:
This thread is one of the best, very inspiring, I must do more trips like this.
I thank you sir ??
You're too kind but also right: you must do more trips. Before there are no more trips. Will my boys be able to enjoy the total freedom that these cars bring us? Or will they be reduced to punching in the destination and then doing yet more work while the "shared" car takes them by its route, at its speed, stopping at its service areas when it demands? Whatever people say about traffic, speed cameras, petrol prices, I felt pretty much free to drive as I saw fit this weekend and at speeds (in complete safety) which might raise eyebrows. Already Arthur wants to know where we can go next weekend.I thank you sir ??
All in all we covered about 850miles. I have not been to the south west very much and it is beautiful; rolling green country and wonderful honeyed eighteenth century towns. I think we will head back (not next weekend). I am also very tired: I think I might look for a more modern coupé, maybe a w209 CLK500 or a w140, w215 or w216 CL500, something long-legged that all four of us can enjoy, but also something easier on the ageing driver. A Quattroporte, even. I like a Daimler Double Six or XJ12 and I also love the Rover P5B but, realistically, I need a car whose natural gait is in the 95 to 125mph range.
I don't think that anything will cover pace without irritating niggles quite like a proper Merc. A C216 would be proper proper.
My view is the same, we're relatively free to drive as we dare, save the proliferation of poor lane discipline.
I've been inspired too and asked my daughter where she'd like to go... she responded 'a zoo', so I'm looking at Longleat. My son wants to see Stonehenge in the rain as apparently the stones' hue is affected -- there's a possibility of that too. The overnight stay would make it an adventure (and give Mrs Bolide a brief, but welcome break).
My view is the same, we're relatively free to drive as we dare, save the proliferation of poor lane discipline.
I've been inspired too and asked my daughter where she'd like to go... she responded 'a zoo', so I'm looking at Longleat. My son wants to see Stonehenge in the rain as apparently the stones' hue is affected -- there's a possibility of that too. The overnight stay would make it an adventure (and give Mrs Bolide a brief, but welcome break).
bolidemichael said:
I don't think that anything will cover pace without irritating niggles quite like a proper Merc. A C216 would be proper proper.
My view is the same, we're relatively free to drive as we dare, save the proliferation of poor lane discipline.
I've been inspired too and asked my daughter where she'd like to go... she responded 'a zoo', so I'm looking at Longleat. My son wants to see Stonehenge in the rain as apparently the stones' hue is affected -- there's a possibility of that too. The overnight stay would make it an adventure (and give Mrs Bolide a brief, but welcome break).
fMy view is the same, we're relatively free to drive as we dare, save the proliferation of poor lane discipline.
I've been inspired too and asked my daughter where she'd like to go... she responded 'a zoo', so I'm looking at Longleat. My son wants to see Stonehenge in the rain as apparently the stones' hue is affected -- there's a possibility of that too. The overnight stay would make it an adventure (and give Mrs Bolide a brief, but welcome break).
k me, the lane discipline. These new four lane motorways are the worst. Often times I find myself chugging along in lane one at 110mph, lane two completely empty, lanes three and four full of total morons asleep at the wheel doing 65 to 75mph. What is wrong with them? And then there are the wannabe policemen who could easily move over and let me past before the next overtake but because they are doing 72mph in their Nissan Qashqais don't see why they should. fkers. I think I'll get a train horn installed.My only advice on the child rearing is: divide and conquer. It is much easier one-on-one. No arguments about who goes in the front. No arguments about who gets the Z-bed. In fact, no arguments at all.
A quick snap from this morning's school run. Taken between Matfen and Belsay, you can see the Tyne valley full of mist.
What news from the 129 in the last few months? Quite a lot. I took it to Merc Newcastle and had them fix all of the engine oil leaks, mainly one from the timing case at the front and one from the main crank seal at the rear. These works necessitated the removal of the gearbox which in turn necessitated the removal of the exhaust. The rehanging of the latter was unsuccessful, leaving it resting on the chassis cross braces. New rubber hangers and the welding up of severely corroded brackets solved that problem. It has also had new prop shaft doughnuts and a new wiper motor and a new steering damper. The total cost was pretty horrific.
The poor thing still awaits installation of the new hood, which languishes in my garage. The latest need is a pair of front wheel bearings: they have started droning although there is zero play.
What news from the 129 in the last few months? Quite a lot. I took it to Merc Newcastle and had them fix all of the engine oil leaks, mainly one from the timing case at the front and one from the main crank seal at the rear. These works necessitated the removal of the gearbox which in turn necessitated the removal of the exhaust. The rehanging of the latter was unsuccessful, leaving it resting on the chassis cross braces. New rubber hangers and the welding up of severely corroded brackets solved that problem. It has also had new prop shaft doughnuts and a new wiper motor and a new steering damper. The total cost was pretty horrific.
The poor thing still awaits installation of the new hood, which languishes in my garage. The latest need is a pair of front wheel bearings: they have started droning although there is zero play.
Another picture. These were nice and crisp pictures but Thumbsnap really decimates the picture quality.
I was so busy last autumn that I really neglected the cars and my car threads. I did various other odd car jobs, I now recall, including changing the discs and pads all round. MB Newcastle also put a MOT on it and changed the air mass meter. Total cost was £2,655 including a lot of parts. While it was in, another customer dunched the front bumper. He paid for the repair, £600! Unfortunately it appears that MB Newcastle applied the paint with the workshop sweeping brush. If funds hold, later this year I'll get the whole car done properly.
I was so busy last autumn that I really neglected the cars and my car threads. I did various other odd car jobs, I now recall, including changing the discs and pads all round. MB Newcastle also put a MOT on it and changed the air mass meter. Total cost was £2,655 including a lot of parts. While it was in, another customer dunched the front bumper. He paid for the repair, £600! Unfortunately it appears that MB Newcastle applied the paint with the workshop sweeping brush. If funds hold, later this year I'll get the whole car done properly.
My The Man was the bodyshop man and he has stopped shopping bodies, unfortunately. And I have fallen out with Baister.
Besides, when you're up to your eyes in work, it is easier to ring Merc Newcastle and say, "This is what is wrong with it. Come and get it. Fix it. Bring it back when it's fixed. I don't care what it costs." Whereas with the Man there is the constant disappointment of it not being ready, of only half the jobs being done, of wasted trips to Dunston and so on and on. I just don't have time at the moment.
Besides, when you're up to your eyes in work, it is easier to ring Merc Newcastle and say, "This is what is wrong with it. Come and get it. Fix it. Bring it back when it's fixed. I don't care what it costs." Whereas with the Man there is the constant disappointment of it not being ready, of only half the jobs being done, of wasted trips to Dunston and so on and on. I just don't have time at the moment.
Northbrook said:
As long as MB Newcastle are doing decent work at the moment. I recall disappointment in the past.
Thankfully, we don't have a Merc anymore, and don't have the pleasure of going to the above. I'd have trouble giving them a 0 star rating.Unfortunately, we have to put up with JLR Newcastle now, and its a toss up of who's worse!!
Thank god there's Lexus.......
killysprint said:
Northbrook said:
As long as MB Newcastle are doing decent work at the moment. I recall disappointment in the past.
Thankfully, we don't have a Merc anymore, and don't have the pleasure of going to the above. I'd have trouble giving them a 0 star rating.Unfortunately, we have to put up with JLR Newcastle now, and its a toss up of who's worse!!
Thank god there's Lexus.......
I did a stupid thing: I left the boot light on (broken catch), locked the car, left it for about ten days. The battery was completely dead and the locks would not open with the remote key; because the car has remote locking, the key locks are never used and had seized. Despite 48 hours' flooding with WD-40 penetrating fluid and much key wiggling, no joy. I was resigned to breaking a window when W00DY and Stegel on the Barge thread suggested that if I could get to a positive terminal on the alternator or starter, all was not lost.
The first tricky job was jacking the car up, it being on gravel, and getting it onto stands. That took about 20 minutes. Then the infernally tedious task of removing the undertray.
Immediately I scooted under the car, it was obvious this might work. The positive feed on the alternator is easily accessible. With the positive jump lead attached, I clipped the negative onto the (worryingly crusty) chassis.
I then hooked up a battery which I happened to have charged up last week. About thirty seconds later, the alarm went off. The locks opened with the remote key and the window wound itself down.
Next task is to figure out why the boot lid seems to be full of water. I can't see where it is getting in. Perhaps the third stop light? Or could it just be condensation?
The first tricky job was jacking the car up, it being on gravel, and getting it onto stands. That took about 20 minutes. Then the infernally tedious task of removing the undertray.
Immediately I scooted under the car, it was obvious this might work. The positive feed on the alternator is easily accessible. With the positive jump lead attached, I clipped the negative onto the (worryingly crusty) chassis.
I then hooked up a battery which I happened to have charged up last week. About thirty seconds later, the alarm went off. The locks opened with the remote key and the window wound itself down.
Next task is to figure out why the boot lid seems to be full of water. I can't see where it is getting in. Perhaps the third stop light? Or could it just be condensation?
Edited by r129sl on Monday 7th February 15:57
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