Spartan Mercedes 190 (w201)
Discussion
The first real problem... All of this rain has seen water dripping from the roof onto the seats. Suspecting rusty sunroof drains, I removed the front roof lining this evening. Diagnosis confirmed. They don't look too bad but I think it means a new sunroof cassette. These are £777 at Merc or €180 at German Spob. Used it will be, if necessary. A consultation with Lord Baister awaits tomorrow.
Ironic, isn't it?
I'm going to have a go at sealing it with POR15 Patch. It didn't seem too bad and a manual sunroof cassette seems harder to come by than the electric one. If that doesn't work, I'll ask Terry at Staithes to weld in new bits of tube when he gets back from his holidays.
I'm going to have a go at sealing it with POR15 Patch. It didn't seem too bad and a manual sunroof cassette seems harder to come by than the electric one. If that doesn't work, I'll ask Terry at Staithes to weld in new bits of tube when he gets back from his holidays.
Despite a night of very heavy rain (which is continuing), there were no leaks this morning. Even when I drove the car in to work, still no leaks. The headlining feels drier than it did last night, too. When I was under the headlining, I dried everything out and also wiggled the rubber tube to make sure it was clear of debris. Maybe I have achieved something. The plan is definitely to clean up the drain tubes with my as yet unused Dremel tool and an abrasive disc, treat them with POR15 Patch (£16 delivered) and some Bilt Hamber gloop, ensure the hoses are clear, and go from there. I need the sodding rain to stop, first, though.
A manual sunroof cassette is still available from the Classic Centre at £303 plus VAT, part no. A2017800829. I expect the fitting would be at least £200 on top of that. Hopefully that expense can be avoided.
A manual sunroof cassette is still available from the Classic Centre at £303 plus VAT, part no. A2017800829. I expect the fitting would be at least £200 on top of that. Hopefully that expense can be avoided.
I haven't done anything with the sunroof yet and it hasn't leaked since I had a good poke at it. Sleeping dogs and all that.
Meanwhile, I have noticed an odd metallic fast rattle from the engine at about 4,000rpm and above. I have no idea. I'll take it to see Baister in the morning.
Out and about tonight:
Meanwhile, I have noticed an odd metallic fast rattle from the engine at about 4,000rpm and above. I have no idea. I'll take it to see Baister in the morning.
Out and about tonight:
I think you're right, Oa. The 190 really straddles the divide between the super-conservative 1970s Mercs and the super-technology 1980s and 1990s cars. I really enjoy this car. It is also the cheapest to run by a long chalk, although I started with a much better, much lower mileage example than was my 124.
I did an oil service on the 190 this morning. £13 including decent oil and a Merc filter. Cheap car!
I also stripped the interior trim, pulled back the pipes from the sunroof drain and ground out the rust. I didn't use the POR15 filler because it takes 96 hours to cure. So I liberally applied Dynax S50 and then pushed the pipes back on, a little further up. Fingers crossed. The vinyl on the header panel is starting to shrink so I am on the look out for a replacement.
I also stripped the interior trim, pulled back the pipes from the sunroof drain and ground out the rust. I didn't use the POR15 filler because it takes 96 hours to cure. So I liberally applied Dynax S50 and then pushed the pipes back on, a little further up. Fingers crossed. The vinyl on the header panel is starting to shrink so I am on the look out for a replacement.
Edited by r129sl on Friday 21st August 13:24
To be honest, I think your words probably hit the nail on the head: that w211 is right in the "sweet spot". New enough still to be up-to-date; old enough to be very affordable but not so old as to be knackered and requiring heavy expenditure. I don't suppose it will cost very much to run at all for the next couple of years and it probably won't depreciate much more, either.
I'm quite attracted to a s211, not really for the efficiency and gadgets as for the safety and performance. If I could find a nice E500 Elegance I'd be sorely tempted.
All that said, I thoroughly enjoyed running the 190 into town today and it was certainly not slow or hard work. If anything its simplicity makes it very easy to use and its lightness makes it a great drive.
I'm quite attracted to a s211, not really for the efficiency and gadgets as for the safety and performance. If I could find a nice E500 Elegance I'd be sorely tempted.
All that said, I thoroughly enjoyed running the 190 into town today and it was certainly not slow or hard work. If anything its simplicity makes it very easy to use and its lightness makes it a great drive.
I took the 190 to Mercedes-Benz of Newcastle upon Tyne for its annual service today. As always, the main dealer covered itself with glory. Of course, when booking the car in, I explained that it needed new front brake pads and asked that they be changed. And of course, when booking the car in, I was assured it would be ready by the end of the day and, indeed, I explained that it really was essential that I had it back by 4pm. Finally, when booking the car in, I requested and was assured that a particular chap would work on it.
Result? At 4.30pm, someone who I have never heard of before telephones and explains that it needs new front brake pads, that they do not have all of the parts required, that they will not have them until tomorrow and that it is not ready. What else? Well, he tells me, you should change the coolant and brake fluid. I ask why. They might be due, it is explained. Really? But both were changed by your dear selves at huge expense but 11 months ago.
Ah. Oh. Oh, well, there is also some slight vertical wear in the ball joints. Hmm, I say, that is possible. Well, that's a cheap fix, they are separate items, about £20 each, you should have some in stock. Oh no, Mr Rodger, you have to change the bottom arm. We have priced up the job for you. With discount, each bottom arm is £250 and the labour brings the job to £890. Long pause. Are you sure? I ask, I thought the ball joints were separate items on the 201, just as they are on most 124s. Let me check again, says the redoubtable Glen. Yes, yes, I am sure, you have to change the whole bottom arm. Hmm, Glen, would you look at part 33 of the EPC, sheet 30, item 64, part number 1243330327 (I am getting quick on the computer). It looks to me like the ball joint is a separate item. Now, then, tell me, is it that you are incompetent or is it that you are dishonest? Uh, oh, er, I'll look into that and get back to you.
Needless to say, nobody has got back to me.
In future, my cars are going to MB for the annual stamp only and nothing more. And I will not buy my parts from MB Newcastle. That's all I can do, really, isn't it?
Result? At 4.30pm, someone who I have never heard of before telephones and explains that it needs new front brake pads, that they do not have all of the parts required, that they will not have them until tomorrow and that it is not ready. What else? Well, he tells me, you should change the coolant and brake fluid. I ask why. They might be due, it is explained. Really? But both were changed by your dear selves at huge expense but 11 months ago.
Ah. Oh. Oh, well, there is also some slight vertical wear in the ball joints. Hmm, I say, that is possible. Well, that's a cheap fix, they are separate items, about £20 each, you should have some in stock. Oh no, Mr Rodger, you have to change the bottom arm. We have priced up the job for you. With discount, each bottom arm is £250 and the labour brings the job to £890. Long pause. Are you sure? I ask, I thought the ball joints were separate items on the 201, just as they are on most 124s. Let me check again, says the redoubtable Glen. Yes, yes, I am sure, you have to change the whole bottom arm. Hmm, Glen, would you look at part 33 of the EPC, sheet 30, item 64, part number 1243330327 (I am getting quick on the computer). It looks to me like the ball joint is a separate item. Now, then, tell me, is it that you are incompetent or is it that you are dishonest? Uh, oh, er, I'll look into that and get back to you.
Needless to say, nobody has got back to me.
In future, my cars are going to MB for the annual stamp only and nothing more. And I will not buy my parts from MB Newcastle. That's all I can do, really, isn't it?
The excuse given this morning is that the arms need replacing due to corrosion. Now, I know that the arms don't need replacing due to corrosion because (1) I had a good look at them when I mounted the summer wheels last week, (2) these arms never need replacing due to corrosion and (3) I can see clearly on the visual health check video gimmick that they emailed me that the arms are in good order. And funnily enough, neither the technician who does the talking on the daft video mentioned them nor was this the excuse given yesterday afternoon. I'm afraid my conclusion is that they are dishonest.
I've had them on grovelling and apologising for "over-selling". Anyway, Lemförder left control arm on Amazon for £46 (!) and the right side at SKS for £95. Tempted to order them up and have Baister fit them, just for the sake of it. Crazy to replace only the ball joint when the whole thing can be done for very little more.
Stegel, what did you do about alignment when you did it DIY?
Stegel, what did you do about alignment when you did it DIY?
It's the same for me: I really enjoy this kind of work but struggle to fit it in. Added to which I usually fix one thing but break two more (remember the fuel tank fiasco).
I collected the car from MB Newcastle just now. They were grovelingly apologetic but, really, what's the point? I think the techs are good on the whole and the upper level management, too, but it's the jobsworths in between who are trying to screw a few more hundred pounds out of everyone. I noticed on the bill they charged me £48 for 5litres of Shell Helix Ultra 5w 40; I have just collected from Euro Car Parts 10litres of the same stuff at a price of £31.98. I also noticed they charged me for a poxy Merc oil filter when they used the superior Mann item I supplied (that's just the computer sticking the standard parts on the job, not dishonesty, but it shows the lack of personal care). I'm giving them the SL tomorrow.
Anyway, what a joy that simple little 190 is pottering about in traffic in the glorious sunshine. The colour is so rich: it's like a pool of custard cream. With the sunshine roof pulled back and the wireless on, it feels even more sprightly than usual.
I collected the car from MB Newcastle just now. They were grovelingly apologetic but, really, what's the point? I think the techs are good on the whole and the upper level management, too, but it's the jobsworths in between who are trying to screw a few more hundred pounds out of everyone. I noticed on the bill they charged me £48 for 5litres of Shell Helix Ultra 5w 40; I have just collected from Euro Car Parts 10litres of the same stuff at a price of £31.98. I also noticed they charged me for a poxy Merc oil filter when they used the superior Mann item I supplied (that's just the computer sticking the standard parts on the job, not dishonesty, but it shows the lack of personal care). I'm giving them the SL tomorrow.
Anyway, what a joy that simple little 190 is pottering about in traffic in the glorious sunshine. The colour is so rich: it's like a pool of custard cream. With the sunshine roof pulled back and the wireless on, it feels even more sprightly than usual.
In fairness to MB Newcastle, they did my SL's annual service today and couldn't have been better. But then I only dealt with the people I know, the tech who has been doing these cars since they were new and the young woman who has been booking me in and out for ten years now.
The 190 has such a perfect record that it would be a shame not to have it MB serviced once a year. And the SL is the same: this was the 42nd MB Newcastle stamp to go in the book.
The 190 has such a perfect record that it would be a shame not to have it MB serviced once a year. And the SL is the same: this was the 42nd MB Newcastle stamp to go in the book.
I fitted a new thermostat today and at the same time upgraded the housing from the plastic one which reputedly (in the land of internet forum exaggeration) is prone to cracking with a later metal one. I had noticed that it was never really coming up to temperature, getting stuck at about 75 deg C on the open road, and taking a long time to get there. I have also noticed the fuel consumption has dropped from about 31mpg to 29mpg.
Using MB parts, including new fixings and stuff, the cost of the parts was £73. A bit of a swizz when Febi do the kit for less than £20. But what an easy job, possibly the easiest job I have ever done on a car. Took it out for a drive and it came up to 85 deg C straight away. Hopefully the fuel consumption will improve, too.
Using MB parts, including new fixings and stuff, the cost of the parts was £73. A bit of a swizz when Febi do the kit for less than £20. But what an easy job, possibly the easiest job I have ever done on a car. Took it out for a drive and it came up to 85 deg C straight away. Hopefully the fuel consumption will improve, too.
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