'Le Shed' Mercedes W124 Bought Unseen
Discussion
Here is my latest Shed bought for the summer...
I think I get extra points for buying unseen other than a few phone photographs and an informative chat with the seller (who was very nice).
It is curently residing in France and I'll pick it up in a month or so.
This is a 1988 pre facelift model... a 230e in gloriously poverty spec. with a fresh 'Controle Technique' for the next two years..
Finished in rauchsilber (Smoked Silver) with a black pinstripe interior..
With just a little research online the W124 has almost a religeous following... not unlike the BMW E39
Let's see how this goes... I'll update regularly as per my CL500.
I think I get extra points for buying unseen other than a few phone photographs and an informative chat with the seller (who was very nice).
It is curently residing in France and I'll pick it up in a month or so.
This is a 1988 pre facelift model... a 230e in gloriously poverty spec. with a fresh 'Controle Technique' for the next two years..
Finished in rauchsilber (Smoked Silver) with a black pinstripe interior..
With just a little research online the W124 has almost a religeous following... not unlike the BMW E39
Let's see how this goes... I'll update regularly as per my CL500.
Carte grise "véhicule de collection"
(French Classic Car Registration)
It looks like Le Shed qualifies for classic car status as it is over 30 years old...
Benefits include:
I cannot believe W124’s are over 30 years old...where the hell does time go...
(French Classic Car Registration)
It looks like Le Shed qualifies for classic car status as it is over 30 years old...
Benefits include:
- CT (MoT) Every 5 years
- Allegedly cheaper car insurance
- Optional classic French registration plates (silver on black)
I cannot believe W124’s are over 30 years old...where the hell does time go...
In preparation for pick up... I orderd an original brochure on Ebay.
In true Germanic style, there were separate 'technical data sheet's on each model.
In the full brochure there is a focus on aerodynamics... no fussy details everything is purely functional.
How much remains of ths is yet to be seen 31 years later!
In true Germanic style, there were separate 'technical data sheet's on each model.
In the full brochure there is a focus on aerodynamics... no fussy details everything is purely functional.
How much remains of ths is yet to be seen 31 years later!
I picked one of these up towards the end of last year 1992 its superb - have used it one or twice every couple of weeks and it starts up and off it goes. Mot runs out last week of Sept and I dont really want to spend anything on it not suer what to do with it - I swapped the insurance (£90 a year) over to Missus Zippys MX5 yesterday so she can use that whilst we still have some sunny days.
Collecté
A rather unusual start to the holiday.. Having landed at Bordeaux we popped up an hour North to pick up Le Shed.
Lovely couple, Lovely Maison de Maitre... Picturesque little village...
A quick once over... Some discussion on recent works.. Le Shed is delightfully unmolested.. A little bubbling of rust here and there.. A little uv damage... On the whole in good shape..
Drove the 200km to our place on the autoroute... Carefully at first... Then with increasing confidence... Rock solid.. The last 100km at a constant 130 kmh no temperature fluctuations no smells, handles well and it stops... Even the electric aerial works..
I think.. I might have a good one. I'm down here for the month so let's see...
A rather unusual start to the holiday.. Having landed at Bordeaux we popped up an hour North to pick up Le Shed.
Lovely couple, Lovely Maison de Maitre... Picturesque little village...
A quick once over... Some discussion on recent works.. Le Shed is delightfully unmolested.. A little bubbling of rust here and there.. A little uv damage... On the whole in good shape..
Drove the 200km to our place on the autoroute... Carefully at first... Then with increasing confidence... Rock solid.. The last 100km at a constant 130 kmh no temperature fluctuations no smells, handles well and it stops... Even the electric aerial works..
I think.. I might have a good one. I'm down here for the month so let's see...
Photo update...
Le Shed, in a little more detail... In summary I am pleased with the blind purchase... very straight, paint in good condition, save for some UV damage on the boot lid... Drives smooth and unflustered.
Generally a bit dirty... moss, dust, leaves... this has never been detailed in the last ten years, but I think it has been garaged. Cheap tyres and I think the wheel trims are incorrect. Untouched first aid kit... Has a rather inappropriate radio with DVD player, aircon & clock don't work but everything else works. Just a hint of dog scent wise...
Service history is interesting... supplied new by SAMGF of Monaco and looked after by them for the first 4 years..
I will run it here France for the rest of the summer and have it shipped back to Kent for some fettling..
Planned work:
Le Shed, in a little more detail... In summary I am pleased with the blind purchase... very straight, paint in good condition, save for some UV damage on the boot lid... Drives smooth and unflustered.
Generally a bit dirty... moss, dust, leaves... this has never been detailed in the last ten years, but I think it has been garaged. Cheap tyres and I think the wheel trims are incorrect. Untouched first aid kit... Has a rather inappropriate radio with DVD player, aircon & clock don't work but everything else works. Just a hint of dog scent wise...
Service history is interesting... supplied new by SAMGF of Monaco and looked after by them for the first 4 years..
I will run it here France for the rest of the summer and have it shipped back to Kent for some fettling..
Planned work:
- Correct wheels or wheel trims
- Replace welded exhaust manifold and add stainless steel exhaust.
- Full proper service & aircon regass
- Replace radio for the correct Blaupunkt model
- Some careful interior restoration.
Week 3
I am getting very fond of Le Shed, after three weeks of general holiday duties it is performing well.
It has revealed a few little problems, auto box is clunky, especially initially engaging and sometimes when it shifts to top gear. Could be a number of things....suggestions welcome... it tends to drink oil, needing half a litre or so every 1000km...i can forgive it that.
The rear badge is incorrectly positioned.. I think its had a new boot lid at some point..
Le Shed induces a much more sedate driving style, which rather suits its holiday purpose.
Alas some little sod keyed the near side doors the other day, not sure where it happened...bit miffed about that.
I am getting very fond of Le Shed, after three weeks of general holiday duties it is performing well.
It has revealed a few little problems, auto box is clunky, especially initially engaging and sometimes when it shifts to top gear. Could be a number of things....suggestions welcome... it tends to drink oil, needing half a litre or so every 1000km...i can forgive it that.
The rear badge is incorrectly positioned.. I think its had a new boot lid at some point..
Le Shed induces a much more sedate driving style, which rather suits its holiday purpose.
Alas some little sod keyed the near side doors the other day, not sure where it happened...bit miffed about that.
Edited by AndrewCrown on Friday 23 August 09:39
Sorry Magoo.. not at present.
So we're back in France and I gave it a squirt with Holts 'Start Pilote' which is the French version of Holts Bradex/Easy Start...
Gosh a scent from the 80's a heady mix of Victory V's and alcohol... and le Shed started on three turns.
As le Shed was pressed into general holiday duties straight away over the summer I did not have a chance to mess about with it, alas neither did I get it back to Kent for general fettle-age during autumn. So I'm looking forward to a day or two of tinkering whilst the Mrs takes the MIL truffle hunting.
Photos to follow...
So we're back in France and I gave it a squirt with Holts 'Start Pilote' which is the French version of Holts Bradex/Easy Start...
Gosh a scent from the 80's a heady mix of Victory V's and alcohol... and le Shed started on three turns.
As le Shed was pressed into general holiday duties straight away over the summer I did not have a chance to mess about with it, alas neither did I get it back to Kent for general fettle-age during autumn. So I'm looking forward to a day or two of tinkering whilst the Mrs takes the MIL truffle hunting.
Photos to follow...
Tinkering Warning boring W124 content
Its been a while since I have had the free time just to spend a day messing about with a car... No work calls, No dramas... just peace and quiet.
Spent some time on the interior, mainly cleaning, mending and adjusting. Alas no hidden wedges of 50 Euro notes.. no hint of an illustrious past.. surprisingly very straight and dry everywhere... drivers seat bolster is knackered, unused spare tyre, original jack but no brace. Interior now clean. Took some time to inspect the bodywork...I'm giving it a C- on a cold december day it looks worse... it doesn't need a full respray but the bonnet and boot do... rust encroaching in various places. not too serious. Headlights are a little dull. I think it has later C Class wheel trims... took them off and the black steelies make it look like a really dodgy taxi. I am going to source some OEM 15 hole alloys I think it will lift it a little, maybe even 16inch...
Took the 230e badge off... that was making my teeth itch in the wrong position.
More to follow...
Its been a while since I have had the free time just to spend a day messing about with a car... No work calls, No dramas... just peace and quiet.
Spent some time on the interior, mainly cleaning, mending and adjusting. Alas no hidden wedges of 50 Euro notes.. no hint of an illustrious past.. surprisingly very straight and dry everywhere... drivers seat bolster is knackered, unused spare tyre, original jack but no brace. Interior now clean. Took some time to inspect the bodywork...I'm giving it a C- on a cold december day it looks worse... it doesn't need a full respray but the bonnet and boot do... rust encroaching in various places. not too serious. Headlights are a little dull. I think it has later C Class wheel trims... took them off and the black steelies make it look like a really dodgy taxi. I am going to source some OEM 15 hole alloys I think it will lift it a little, maybe even 16inch...
Took the 230e badge off... that was making my teeth itch in the wrong position.
More to follow...
Edited by AndrewCrown on Saturday 28th December 22:32
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