Best smoker barges 1-5 large [Vol 22]
Discussion
TVR Sagaris said:
I bought that cheap E350 that was on Ebay:
Got caught in the hours-long tailback on the M40 from that lorry crash on the way back, which was a nerve-racking test for a new (old) car.
It's worn the 250k miles remarkably well and engine/gearbox seem to be in decent shape. The last owners kept spending money on it at Merc until about last year.
I'm hoping for some input from the beards though:
- It has cooled seats. Has anyone experienced these on this era of Merc and, if so, what are they supposed to feel like? The passenger side does seem to be working (there is cool air coming out of the holes) but it's subtle at best. The driver's side feels even less effective.
- The sunroof makes the right noise when I push the button certain ways but won't actually do anything. I've tried the resetting procedure that's online (push in each direction for five seconds) with no success. Any ideas?
- It has the Comand screen with DVD-based satnav. There is a DVD in the player in the boot but the display just says 'No DVD, please insert Navigation DVD'. Quick fixes? It also seemingly has an actual DVD player, so do the DVDs go in the same player or in the slot above the screen?
- The boot cover doesn't rise/fall automatically like it did in my old one. Are they all supposed to do that or was it an option?
The rear washer jet also isn't working so I need to investigate that some more. Everything else seems to work.
My experience with rear washers are, sometimes they have a slight kink from getting old and they get blocked, of you can find the diameter correct tubing you can DIY a fix , other times there is a manufactured break that fits onto a nozzle and when it's frozen up, the tube pops off and you end up spraying water into the interior somewhere or down the backside of the wheel arch ...Got caught in the hours-long tailback on the M40 from that lorry crash on the way back, which was a nerve-racking test for a new (old) car.
It's worn the 250k miles remarkably well and engine/gearbox seem to be in decent shape. The last owners kept spending money on it at Merc until about last year.
I'm hoping for some input from the beards though:
- It has cooled seats. Has anyone experienced these on this era of Merc and, if so, what are they supposed to feel like? The passenger side does seem to be working (there is cool air coming out of the holes) but it's subtle at best. The driver's side feels even less effective.
- The sunroof makes the right noise when I push the button certain ways but won't actually do anything. I've tried the resetting procedure that's online (push in each direction for five seconds) with no success. Any ideas?
- It has the Comand screen with DVD-based satnav. There is a DVD in the player in the boot but the display just says 'No DVD, please insert Navigation DVD'. Quick fixes? It also seemingly has an actual DVD player, so do the DVDs go in the same player or in the slot above the screen?
- The boot cover doesn't rise/fall automatically like it did in my old one. Are they all supposed to do that or was it an option?
The rear washer jet also isn't working so I need to investigate that some more. Everything else seems to work.
In all cases it's usually a painful trim off to trace , that will take far longer than you anticipate..... The Merc forum peeps usual gave a diagram or two to save some time.
rider73 said:
My experience with rear washers are, sometimes they have a slight kink from getting old and they get blocked, of you can find the diameter correct tubing you can DIY a fix , other times there is a manufactured break that fits onto a nozzle and when it's frozen up, the tube pops off and you end up spraying water into the interior somewhere or down the backside of the wheel arch ...
In all cases it's usually a painful trim off to trace , that will take far longer than you anticipate..... The Merc forum peeps usual gave a diagram or two to save some time.
Try doing what I do - it's a cheap car, so don't bother fixing anything that looks tricky. In all cases it's usually a painful trim off to trace , that will take far longer than you anticipate..... The Merc forum peeps usual gave a diagram or two to save some time.
Instead enjoy what does work and smile
As for satnavs in cars of this vintage, if it doesn't have an up to date satnav disk it's the square root of bugger all use anyway.
Just use your phone on Google Maps or Waze instead - at least the maps will be up to date.
More use in a car like this, where the rear is in a diferent county to the front, is working parking sensors or a reversing camera.
I have just spent the majestic sum of £15 on Amazon buying the sensor kit for my X Trail, as it is quite tricky seeing the front of a nifty two seater when I am reversing in Asda's car park. I am now halfway through fitting it,
Just wiring it to a live power source left to do, and fixing the beeper where the dog can't chew it.
I had the ventilated seats in my GL and it was the same as you report, driver side barely noticeable and the passenger side did work, but not something I would ever spend my money on as an option.
As for COMAND, I would throw it away and buy an Android unit on ebay that looks factory for W211 - there are several of these available and they are sub £200. Note this is does not apply if it has harmon/kardon audio.
As for COMAND, I would throw it away and buy an Android unit on ebay that looks factory for W211 - there are several of these available and they are sub £200. Note this is does not apply if it has harmon/kardon audio.
rider73 said:
TVR Sagaris said:
I bought that cheap E350 that was on Ebay:
Got caught in the hours-long tailback on the M40 from that lorry crash on the way back, which was a nerve-racking test for a new (old) car.
It's worn the 250k miles remarkably well and engine/gearbox seem to be in decent shape. The last owners kept spending money on it at Merc until about last year.
I'm hoping for some input from the beards though:
- It has cooled seats. Has anyone experienced these on this era of Merc and, if so, what are they supposed to feel like? The passenger side does seem to be working (there is cool air coming out of the holes) but it's subtle at best. The driver's side feels even less effective.
- The sunroof makes the right noise when I push the button certain ways but won't actually do anything. I've tried the resetting procedure that's online (push in each direction for five seconds) with no success. Any ideas?
- It has the Comand screen with DVD-based satnav. There is a DVD in the player in the boot but the display just says 'No DVD, please insert Navigation DVD'. Quick fixes? It also seemingly has an actual DVD player, so do the DVDs go in the same player or in the slot above the screen?
- The boot cover doesn't rise/fall automatically like it did in my old one. Are they all supposed to do that or was it an option?
The rear washer jet also isn't working so I need to investigate that some more. Everything else seems to work.
My experience with rear washers are, sometimes they have a slight kink from getting old and they get blocked, of you can find the diameter correct tubing you can DIY a fix , other times there is a manufactured break that fits onto a nozzle and when it's frozen up, the tube pops off and you end up spraying water into the interior somewhere or down the backside of the wheel arch ...Got caught in the hours-long tailback on the M40 from that lorry crash on the way back, which was a nerve-racking test for a new (old) car.
It's worn the 250k miles remarkably well and engine/gearbox seem to be in decent shape. The last owners kept spending money on it at Merc until about last year.
I'm hoping for some input from the beards though:
- It has cooled seats. Has anyone experienced these on this era of Merc and, if so, what are they supposed to feel like? The passenger side does seem to be working (there is cool air coming out of the holes) but it's subtle at best. The driver's side feels even less effective.
- The sunroof makes the right noise when I push the button certain ways but won't actually do anything. I've tried the resetting procedure that's online (push in each direction for five seconds) with no success. Any ideas?
- It has the Comand screen with DVD-based satnav. There is a DVD in the player in the boot but the display just says 'No DVD, please insert Navigation DVD'. Quick fixes? It also seemingly has an actual DVD player, so do the DVDs go in the same player or in the slot above the screen?
- The boot cover doesn't rise/fall automatically like it did in my old one. Are they all supposed to do that or was it an option?
The rear washer jet also isn't working so I need to investigate that some more. Everything else seems to work.
In all cases it's usually a painful trim off to trace , that will take far longer than you anticipate..... The Merc forum peeps usual gave a diagram or two to save some time.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B001CZODH8?ref=ppx_yo2...
have a look when the gearbox oil and filter was done, same again you can use that same stuff in the gearbox also.
LayZ said:
I had the ventilated seats in my GL and it was the same as you report, driver side barely noticeable and the passenger side did work, but not something I would ever spend my money on as an option.
As for COMAND, I would throw it away and buy an Android unit on ebay that looks factory for W211 - there are several of these available and they are sub £200. Note this is does not apply if it has harmon/kardon audio.
You can get the upgraded harmon kardon and bose stereos amp and speaker systems to work with a decoder box which you have to buy separately. I've just ordered a stereo upgrade for the chairmans 750 I just bought and took the optional decoder box along side as I think I'm going to need it. As for COMAND, I would throw it away and buy an Android unit on ebay that looks factory for W211 - there are several of these available and they are sub £200. Note this is does not apply if it has harmon/kardon audio.
layercake said:
rider73 said:
TVR Sagaris said:
I bought that cheap E350 that was on Ebay:
Got caught in the hours-long tailback on the M40 from that lorry crash on the way back, which was a nerve-racking test for a new (old) car.
It's worn the 250k miles remarkably well and engine/gearbox seem to be in decent shape. The last owners kept spending money on it at Merc until about last year.
I'm hoping for some input from the beards though:
- It has cooled seats. Has anyone experienced these on this era of Merc and, if so, what are they supposed to feel like? The passenger side does seem to be working (there is cool air coming out of the holes) but it's subtle at best. The driver's side feels even less effective.
- The sunroof makes the right noise when I push the button certain ways but won't actually do anything. I've tried the resetting procedure that's online (push in each direction for five seconds) with no success. Any ideas?
- It has the Comand screen with DVD-based satnav. There is a DVD in the player in the boot but the display just says 'No DVD, please insert Navigation DVD'. Quick fixes? It also seemingly has an actual DVD player, so do the DVDs go in the same player or in the slot above the screen?
- The boot cover doesn't rise/fall automatically like it did in my old one. Are they all supposed to do that or was it an option?
The rear washer jet also isn't working so I need to investigate that some more. Everything else seems to work.
My experience with rear washers are, sometimes they have a slight kink from getting old and they get blocked, of you can find the diameter correct tubing you can DIY a fix , other times there is a manufactured break that fits onto a nozzle and when it's frozen up, the tube pops off and you end up spraying water into the interior somewhere or down the backside of the wheel arch ...Got caught in the hours-long tailback on the M40 from that lorry crash on the way back, which was a nerve-racking test for a new (old) car.
It's worn the 250k miles remarkably well and engine/gearbox seem to be in decent shape. The last owners kept spending money on it at Merc until about last year.
I'm hoping for some input from the beards though:
- It has cooled seats. Has anyone experienced these on this era of Merc and, if so, what are they supposed to feel like? The passenger side does seem to be working (there is cool air coming out of the holes) but it's subtle at best. The driver's side feels even less effective.
- The sunroof makes the right noise when I push the button certain ways but won't actually do anything. I've tried the resetting procedure that's online (push in each direction for five seconds) with no success. Any ideas?
- It has the Comand screen with DVD-based satnav. There is a DVD in the player in the boot but the display just says 'No DVD, please insert Navigation DVD'. Quick fixes? It also seemingly has an actual DVD player, so do the DVDs go in the same player or in the slot above the screen?
- The boot cover doesn't rise/fall automatically like it did in my old one. Are they all supposed to do that or was it an option?
The rear washer jet also isn't working so I need to investigate that some more. Everything else seems to work.
In all cases it's usually a painful trim off to trace , that will take far longer than you anticipate..... The Merc forum peeps usual gave a diagram or two to save some time.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B001CZODH8?ref=ppx_yo2...
have a look when the gearbox oil and filter was done, same again you can use that same stuff in the gearbox also.
The occasional bucket of water and sponge isn’t the worst substitute for hours of pain trying to fix the rear washer.
Enjoy! Well done, I’d say!
Alfa 166. Started off at £6K, dropped to £5250 and now at £4500. Has the auto box, not the preferred six speed manual. Last MOT was in 2022.
https://www.carandclassic.com/l/C1858047
https://www.carandclassic.com/l/C1858047
Edited by AlfaManc on Tuesday 13th May 23:04
AlfaManc said:
Alfa 166. Started off at £6K, dropped to £5250 and now at £4500. Has the auto box, not the preferred six speed manual. Last MOT was in 2022.
https://www.carandclassic.com/l/C1858047
It's a megatax car though. That's going to be putting people off. https://www.carandclassic.com/l/C1858047
Edited by AlfaManc on Tuesday 13th May 23:04
AlfaManc said:
Alfa 166. Started off at £6K, dropped to £5250 and now at £4500. Has the auto box, not the preferred six speed manual. Last MOT was in 2022.
https://www.carandclassic.com/l/C1858047
Feels 1.5k too much to me, that 3.0 os heavy and thirsty. I think the 2.0 makes a better fit, but still, lot of people though bigger is better.. I've never felt much towards this model personally... https://www.carandclassic.com/l/C1858047
Edited by AlfaManc on Tuesday 13th May 23:04
Transverse automatics are, as a rule, poor and to be avoided unless you absolutely must have an auto and for some reason must also have a car with the engine the wrong way round. They're not as utterly hopeless as they used to be but they still spoil pretty much ever car they're fitted to.
blue_haddock said:
Mr.Nobody said:
Do I buy the Toyota Camry from HP Autos. It’s old, grandad spec but well and truly reliable.
It's pretty much why I bought a Toyota starlet from a chap over on the shed thread.Simple, well built and well looked after.
Will probably outlive me!
It flew an MOT with no advisories and despite being bought as a joke it's an absolute joy to drive, it ended up doing 4,000 miles this year between my brother and I and just passed another MOT with only trivial advisories.
Toyota were so far ahead of European manufacturers back in the 90s it's comical, and all the nonsense about how "boring" they were compared to dross like a Sierra or Cavalier was absolute drivel. Millions of British buyers were very ill served by the motoring press who pissed all over Japanese cars for a long, long time when they were clearly the better place to put your money.
GeniusOfLove said:
Millions of British buyers were very ill served by the motoring press who pissed all over Japanese cars for a long, long time when they were clearly the better place to put your money.
Wut?
Having been in the retail motor trade through the eighties and nineties, I seem to recall that the narrative was the complete opposite of that, with British & European cars being slated as unreliable garbage and Japanese cars being touted as paragons of virtue.
21st Century Man said:
GeniusOfLove said:
Millions of British buyers were very ill served by the motoring press who pissed all over Japanese cars for a long, long time when they were clearly the better place to put your money.
Wut?Having been in the retail motor trade through the eighties and nineties, I seem to recall that the narrative was the complete opposite of that, with British & European cars being slated as unreliable garbage and Japanese cars being touted as paragons of virtue.
They put me off Japanese cars for ages until I started using them and though "oh, this is not what I was expecting".
I am sure the used trade absolutely loved them because they actually saw reality with less influence from marketing budgets; far fewer problems, far better reliability, often technically superior, much happier customers.
Edited by GeniusOfLove on Wednesday 14th May 10:03
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