Mercedes 129 titivation
Discussion
The car is driving really well. I recommend a suspension refresh: you could do most of the work I did for half the price. I spent a lot on brakes and clips and nick-nacks. Moving on, the new-to-me diff arrived from Germany today so I carried it over to Baister's for inspection. It is like new. Not a spec of corrosion on it. No real sign of having ever been on the bottom of a car. Baister is favourably impressed. No workshop space until 30 May, unfortunately.
Well-packed and in the back of the 124:
Unwrapped. Looks clean and fresh:
Under inspection by Terry and Baister's Spawn:
Some snaps from Baister's lair (not an original idea):
Well-packed and in the back of the 124:
Unwrapped. Looks clean and fresh:
Under inspection by Terry and Baister's Spawn:
Some snaps from Baister's lair (not an original idea):
MB Newcastle serviced the car this week, but just an oil and filter. I did the air filters tonight. It looks like they haven't been done in a while. The filters themselves were filthy and the airbox had a lot of particles in it. The Mann filter is the exact same part as the genuine MB item.
MB Newcastle today fitted a new prop shaft carrier bearing and bush and that has cured the worn bearing-type noise from the driveline. Cost £348. Ouch. However, it is delightful to be free of the low howl. I think the new air filter has improved matters, too. Previously it felt breathless when accelerating at very high speeds, slower than the E430, but now it feels good again.
I replaced the diff but it made no difference. However, the replacement diff, although sold as a used part, appeared utterly unused and perfect, so I was pleased to make the change. The replacement of the propshaft carrier bearing has cured the the whirring, low-pitched howl. So all is well. Almost. The alignment is still slightly off: there is a drag to the left which is not at all uncommon on Mercs of this vintage but which irritates nonetheless. It is not severe by any stretch of the imagination.
What was obvious on my spirited drive last night is how much more immediate, linear and intuitive the handling is following the suspension refresh. Turn in is really immediate now and happens in a single movement whereas before it seemed to slop into bends through a series of stages as various parts of the suspension moved. I think I will do the front shocks and shock top mounts just for the sake of thoroughness. They are the only suspension components that weren't done in the spring.
What was obvious on my spirited drive last night is how much more immediate, linear and intuitive the handling is following the suspension refresh. Turn in is really immediate now and happens in a single movement whereas before it seemed to slop into bends through a series of stages as various parts of the suspension moved. I think I will do the front shocks and shock top mounts just for the sake of thoroughness. They are the only suspension components that weren't done in the spring.
While parked in Newcastle the other day, a lorry drove into it. Happily the driver left a note and his company are picking up the repair bill. Works start next week... Nothing is easy in this life. This morning the boys and I are heading up to Berwick to collect a new old stock "Sador" wheel I have bought for the car, too.
Edited by r129sl on Monday 8th October 12:09
In other news, I noticed the interior lights weren't coming on when I opened the doors. Fiddling with the switch caused it to drop to pieces. New switch (£30 new from the dealer, £64 used on eBay) installed yesterday. You have to remove the (grandly named) "dome light assembly" which is possibly the most over-complicated piece of car I have yet come across. Not having driven it for a couple of weeks, I decided to take a load of plasterboard to the tip in it and thrashed it across Northumberland. What a fine car. If you go to the tip two minutes before closing, the council men can't be arsed to charge you for depositing plasterboard.
Edited by r129sl on Monday 8th October 12:10
A bit more on the repair. I went down there today and we discussed the further little blebs and defects I want dealing with. I have never really been happy with the finish on this car. The bonnet suffers bad floatation and all over it is orange-peely. There are some tiny blebs on the front wheel arches, the trailing edge of the bonnet and the screen pillars. There is a colour difference on the rear end. All of this is going to be dealt with and the car will be stripped and painted and properly flatted and lacquered. More expense but I want it right.
There is a crack in the screen, too. This will be a result of rust in the aperture. So a new screen will be put in. It has been ten years and 150k miles, so it could do with one anyway.
There is a crack in the screen, too. This will be a result of rust in the aperture. So a new screen will be put in. It has been ten years and 150k miles, so it could do with one anyway.
And so it begins again...
There was a bit of rust on the bonnet, so that is off to be stripped and treated. The Saccos are all off. There is very little trouble. A little rust hole in the front chassis member where one of the wheel arch liner attachment studs ought to be. Otherwise no disasters.
I am in two minds about this car. We can use it as a family for short trips but it is insufficiently comfortable in the back to use it on long journeys. I don't know whether to sell it and buy a 124 coupé or whether to keep it, lay it up in winter, and buy a 124 coupé. Or whether to grow a pair and make use of one of the other cars for family trips; they just lack a little style.
There was a bit of rust on the bonnet, so that is off to be stripped and treated. The Saccos are all off. There is very little trouble. A little rust hole in the front chassis member where one of the wheel arch liner attachment studs ought to be. Otherwise no disasters.
I am in two minds about this car. We can use it as a family for short trips but it is insufficiently comfortable in the back to use it on long journeys. I don't know whether to sell it and buy a 124 coupé or whether to keep it, lay it up in winter, and buy a 124 coupé. Or whether to grow a pair and make use of one of the other cars for family trips; they just lack a little style.
I really like JOB's 300 CE, smoke silver with anthracite velours, factory A/C. It's an early car, generally regarded as a good thing, but it is missing cruise control and heated seats and it has to make do with only 188bhp. Which is probably more than enough. Except one of the things I really like about my SL500 and E430 is the power. It is also £5k for the asking. Plus £230 for the tax. Plus £500 for the insurance. And I only have one garage but could rent another for £50 a month. Except I am spending far too much money on cars. Hmm.
Thank you. The next trip I have in mind is to the Pau GP Historique next May. That's why I fancy a coupé. The 124 and the 210 aren't really suitable for such a trip and the 129's rear quarters may just be a bit too confined for the children. Unfortunately, it may not be possible as half term and the ferries from Portsmouth to northern Spain don't quite align and I'm not sure a two day hack down France will be much fun for anyone.
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