Mercedes-Benz E320CDi Avantgarde W210

[tobinen]

Nothing to report, thankfully, other than the breakdown insurance paid out the full amount (this is a mistake but I will not complain): -£93.00

[tobinen]

Headlamps were pointing to the floor (factory xenons) so I suspected a levelling rod had come adrift. Booked in to AutoMerc of Newbury and sure enough it was broken. Caused by the rear spring snapping in half. New spring and rod and £222 later, all back up and running.

Oddly the car didn't seem to ride any differently. Next up: a road-speed related grumbling noise, possibly a hub bearing.

[tobinen]

139,478 miles: 2 x Continental SportContact 3 (MO) for the rear: £211.24

The Michelins they replace only lasted 12,000 miles which is very disappointing, so I hope these fare better.

Front 2 will need replacing next month.

[tobinen]

2 x Continental SportContact 5 for the front £217.56

[tobinen]

I've had a large crack in the windscreen lengthen to about 20 cms and the MoT is due next week so Auto Windscreens is coming (weather permitting) on Monday for a new screen. In other news, all the speakers powered by the amp have stopped working though the amp power light is on. Not sure on that.

[tobinen]

Just past 143,800 miles now.

New screen fitted today. Bloke seemed pretty good, definitely experienced anyway. £80 fee for my excess. I think the time may be drawing close where I will move this on after a few more jobs on it. Flat hunting at the moment and two cars is a definite hindrance in my searches.

Edit: mileage correction

Edited by tobinen on Friday 16th October 08:17

[tobinen]

143,871 miles: MoT fail then pass.

NSR spring snapped at the top. That makes both rears this year and all 4 in my ownership. Advisory: RH headlamp dull.

£174.74

[tobinen]

I had the Kenwood head unit and Hertz speakers and amp removed yesterday - £150. Somehow they've manged to not restore the operation of the steering wheels controls and the central display so it will have to go back.

I've decided that to fit the head unit into the C140 is just not practical. There was a larger than double-DIN console facia made for the Japan market but it's no longer serviced, plus I heard rumours they were upper three figures in price.

Therefore I have an 18 month old Kenwood DNX5230DAB up for grabs.

[tobinen]

Alternator has packed up and with that my brother has had enough maintaining it, so its days are numbered. He's spent about £1,000 since the new year and I don't blame him. I gave to him to use as he wishes as long as he paid for the upkeep as he didn't have a car when he came back from working abroad.

Time to get rid I think while it still has some months left on the MoT.

[tobinen]

To bring this to a close my brother part exchanged it against a VW MPV for £500

It had many faults which were just not worth doing, mainly the jacking points had rusted and the a/c compressor was shot.