Spartan Mercedes 190 (w201)

[0a]

Glorious!

This thread has become a hit with a few colleagues at work after I circulated it to them. I am now getting for sale ads for 190s sent to me which is very encouraging.

[dbdb]

This car truly is the antithesis of everything the modern Mercedes stands for and glorious because of it.

[W00DY]

How crisp and fresh does that look!

Transformed into an elegant classic that could hold its own anywhere.

[r129sl]

I have obtained a set of 4 Bosch H7DC spark plugs for £10 and am intending to fit these later today if I have the chance. That completes the service items.

I am also in the process of obtaining summer wheels and tyres. Barry of Barry's Tyres in Gateshead has obtained some Coninental Premium Contact 5s for me and will fit them for £60 each. However, I don't know whether to get alloys or steels. Brand new from the dealer, there is nothing in it. Steels are £77.50 plus VAT, alloys £87 plus VAT. I love the 15 hole alloys but this car is a Spartan and I think it would be better on steels. It seems I have made a decision.

[MJK 24]

The 15 holes are a bit of a pain to keep looking nice. I'd go for steels and trims on that car.

Looks a credit to you after recent efforts :-)

[r129sl]

I changed the plugs at the weekend (new Bosch H7DC plugs were £10 for four). Boy was that easy. Great access and there didn't seem to be much risk of cross-threading at all. The old plugs were nice and clean albeit the electrodes were starting to wear. It feels a little bit crisper. I noticed that the warm air pipe between the top of the exhaust manifold and the inlet tube is broken in several places, so I shall order a new one (£37) and wrestle with it next weekend. The new steel wheels should arrive this week, too. I will be interested to have it on new summer tyres.

[r129sl]

Brand new steelies!





Delivered to Barry:

Edited by r129sl on Tuesday 9th June 16:03

[MJK 24]

You can look forward to a super smooth drive with your new wheels and tyres. I treated my elderly Scirocco to four new steels and new Michelin Pilot Sport rubber. Transformational

[slk 32]

What a stunning thread! So glad it's gone to someone who will appreciate it and give it the care it deserves

definitely made the right choice with the steels though

[r129sl]

New rubber tyres awaiting fitment.

[dbdb]

They do look good - so lovely and new! I am envious that you can still buy the correct size tyres!

What is the advantage of new wheels? Do the wheels themselves deteriorate?

Having new tyres is a marvellous feeling. I'm planning to put some on my car since the tyres are now a bit too old in my view, but need to go up to 16" wheels unfortunately. It is the disadvantage of an unusual size.

[r129sl]

dbdb said:

They do look good - so lovely and new! I am envious that you can still buy the correct size tyres!

What is the advantage of new wheels? Do the wheels themselves deteriorate?

Having new tyres is a marvellous feeling. I'm planning to put some on my car since the tyres are now a bit too old in my view, but need to go up to 16" wheels unfortunately. It is the disadvantage of an unusual size.

Why new wheels? I switch between summer and winter tyres and it is easier to switch sets of wheels than it is to mount and dismount tyres, nothing more than that.

The great thing about the small wheels is how cheap tyres are: £48 each for good uns. And I can't see this car eating them up in a hurry.

I'm really at a loss now as to what else to do with this car. I would still like a cover for the rear seat. And I have a lead on a new old stock 70L fuel tank, so you never know, I might find some excuse to spend money.

[dbdb]

That's a very good price for a decent tyre! And a nice tall sidewall too.

I did wonder why you were buying new wheels - It crossed my mind that it might be for aesthetic reasons as the car is pretty much in show-standard condition now. It is genuinely lovely.

[TonyF55]

I see a real nice 230CE on a H plate in this colour tonight, looked ace actually.

[S10GTA]

Lovely

• heads off to eBay*

[sc0tt]

You need dealer plates!

Looks great.

[EJH]

sc0tt said:

You need dealer plates!

Looks great.

Any idea who can do, what appear to be period-specific, dealer plates? I'm after some for my 911, if possible.

Sorry to take o/t!

[0a]

What a great job you have done on this charming little car R129. Could it be any more different from most modern Mercedes?

[bmthnick1981]

Very nice

[r129sl]

EJH said:

sc0tt said:

You need dealer plates!

Looks great.

Any idea who can do, what appear to be period-specific, dealer plates? I'm after some for my 911, if possible.

Sorry to take o/t!

It came with the original dealer rear plate (which I have kept) but a recent front plate (innocuous: it's in the history). I haven't kept it on the car because it had gone bad where the screws went through it, probably due to the horrid dealer fit plate surround it had on. Anyway, that means I have a template. I ordered new plates in the old font and without the BS and postcode markings from these people: http://www.platesforcars.co.uk/designer.php#number... recommended by someone on the barge thread. I expect they or Framptons could do report dealer plates. I quite like the clean look and am forever tempted to remove the dealer sticker from the rear window.

On top of the Toon (Bainbridge's car park) last night. I can remember parking here when I was three years' old in my dad's E21 320. It just whizzes past.





Then fitting new wheels and tyres. A brief tootle to the garden centre this morning and it feels lovely, much more supple than on the winters.

Edited by r129sl on Saturday 13th June 13:42