1998 Mercedes-Benz CL420 (C140)
Discussion
Non-magnetic I'd guess means glass.
I'd have a look at repairing the existing sunroof frame. The hard part is stripping back the roof lining. Usually you have to start at the 'A' pillars. You'll find the little metal tubes have become rusted up and are blocked with rust fragments. Usually you can clean them up and re-attach the longer plastic drain tubes that lead down the pillars. It's one of those tedious jobs that you just have to do yourself because your man will think it is beneath him or too difficult or whatever.
I'd have a look at repairing the existing sunroof frame. The hard part is stripping back the roof lining. Usually you have to start at the 'A' pillars. You'll find the little metal tubes have become rusted up and are blocked with rust fragments. Usually you can clean them up and re-attach the longer plastic drain tubes that lead down the pillars. It's one of those tedious jobs that you just have to do yourself because your man will think it is beneath him or too difficult or whatever.
My man has reported the corrosion is on the frame not the outlet tubes. Both fronts are affected. The metal tubes are not there any longer to connect to the drain pipes at the front. He says it's not repairable (unless one has silly money to throw at it, which I do not) and I trust his judgement.
We discussed blocking it up as best we (he) could but he's not certain the water would not overflow rather than using the rear outlets. The way I feel at the moment this is now a run-in-to-the-ground car with minimal expenditure.
Parking nose-up might work but I do not have that option. I'll call the local MB dealer to narrow down which frame is correct but it will be the expensive one.
Perhaps I'll feel better when summer comes. Or sell it for spares. I don't know.
We discussed blocking it up as best we (he) could but he's not certain the water would not overflow rather than using the rear outlets. The way I feel at the moment this is now a run-in-to-the-ground car with minimal expenditure.
Parking nose-up might work but I do not have that option. I'll call the local MB dealer to narrow down which frame is correct but it will be the expensive one.
Perhaps I'll feel better when summer comes. Or sell it for spares. I don't know.
A quick 300m wander over to MB Newbury to be greeted by a bottle blonde and bottle tan girl under Ariana Grande music at too loud volume in the showroom. Annoying and unnecessary.
I want the first frame at £210 inc VAT according to the young parts lad. This is not too bad (if correct), at least less than expected. It is back-ordered with no date of delivery, in my experience this could mean it will become no longer serviced.
I want the first frame at £210 inc VAT according to the young parts lad. This is not too bad (if correct), at least less than expected. It is back-ordered with no date of delivery, in my experience this could mean it will become no longer serviced.
I've just checked the master price file and the part number is no longer listed. This certainly points to it being NLA. I think the young lad may have made a mistake. The other frames are for satnav equipped cars.
A Russian vendor has a second hand one for £252. I will contact 140 Spares. One never knows.
A Russian vendor has a second hand one for £252. I will contact 140 Spares. One never knows.
Edited by tobinen on Saturday 17th February 13:43
tobinen said:
I've just checked the master price file and the part number is no longer listed. This certainly points to it being NLA. I think the young lad may have made a mistake. The other frames are for satnav equipped cars.
A Russian vendor has a second hand one for £252. I will contact 140 Spares. One never knows.
Or you can buy it new from these guys that I use. Not cheap:A Russian vendor has a second hand one for £252. I will contact 140 Spares. One never knows.
https://www.online-teile.com/mercedes-ersatzteile/...
nullogik said:
That sounds handy, where did you get a copy from?
My work gives me access but not something I can share I'm afraid.Hereward said:
Or you can buy it new from these guys that I use. Not cheap:
https://www.online-teile.com/mercedes-ersatzteile/...
Yes, I used that after reading your thread update, thanks. https://www.online-teile.com/mercedes-ersatzteile/...
I think I need to re-check with the dealer this part price and if it is definitely NLA. Then speak to the man to see if he fancies taking it on.
106,818 miles. MoT day today and it was a pass with a few advisories but nothing over which worth losing any sleep. Rather annoyingly the headlamp wipers have stopped self-parking as I noticed they were not parked correctly when I picked it up. Pretty certain they were OK this morning.
The parking sensors are also intermittant and today they are not working but were working the last time I drove it. I've sourced some 16" alloys for winter from Slovenia and ordered new caps from MB.
Engine and gearbox both operating spot-on.
The parking sensors are also intermittant and today they are not working but were working the last time I drove it. I've sourced some 16" alloys for winter from Slovenia and ordered new caps from MB.
Engine and gearbox both operating spot-on.
107,691 miles.
A small service today (though I asked for a B service), fitted new number plates and they sorted the boot not closing flushly, however the soft close has stopped working on the driver's door and boot lid. This is why the boot lid isn't pulled in by the latch now, so I have to give it a proper close. Very un140-like. They spent a couple of hours searching but could not find a leak yet. THe LH door is fine.
Also reported: both nearside springs are broken and the OSR looking as it may break soon. A standard Mercedes-Benz feature.
That will be £218.11 today please sir. (I complained at the price of oil and they knocked off 10%). It will be going back soon for the rest of the service items and I will have to have the springs replaced. The soft close can go down the list of things to do.
A small service today (though I asked for a B service), fitted new number plates and they sorted the boot not closing flushly, however the soft close has stopped working on the driver's door and boot lid. This is why the boot lid isn't pulled in by the latch now, so I have to give it a proper close. Very un140-like. They spent a couple of hours searching but could not find a leak yet. THe LH door is fine.
Also reported: both nearside springs are broken and the OSR looking as it may break soon. A standard Mercedes-Benz feature.
That will be £218.11 today please sir. (I complained at the price of oil and they knocked off 10%). It will be going back soon for the rest of the service items and I will have to have the springs replaced. The soft close can go down the list of things to do.
Now over 108,000 miles. Remaining service parts replaced, air filters x 2 and the fuel filter. Parking sensors still come and go as they please but at the moment they are working.
Rear tyres are just about done (2mm) so now to decide whether to put the 16s on or blow the budget and go all-season on the 18s. Limited choice though in the size.
Rear tyres are just about done (2mm) so now to decide whether to put the 16s on or blow the budget and go all-season on the 18s. Limited choice though in the size.
I can't believe I have missed this wonderful thread until now!
My parents have owned a 1997 CL420 for the last 18 years. It has been wonderfully reliable; until 2 months ago it had never been on tow truck (a single coil pack failed).
She ticked over 102,000 miles last week and I can't seeing going anywhere any time soon.
This thread is a great insight into another owner's experiences. Thank you for all your detailed posts of your lovely CL420
Darren
My parents have owned a 1997 CL420 for the last 18 years. It has been wonderfully reliable; until 2 months ago it had never been on tow truck (a single coil pack failed).
She ticked over 102,000 miles last week and I can't seeing going anywhere any time soon.
This thread is a great insight into another owner's experiences. Thank you for all your detailed posts of your lovely CL420
Darren
I'm happy with the way they look and I think they suit it fine. Pity about the colour match on the moulding. Unfortunately 2 of 5 wheel bolts in the NSR hub will not tighten so the tyre place reckons the hub threads are shot. It's booked in to the garage on Wednesday. Hopefully the hub is separate and not part of the half shaft
Total cost of tyres (Vredestein Quatrac 5 all season), wheels and caps is about £850. I must be mad.
Total cost of tyres (Vredestein Quatrac 5 all season), wheels and caps is about £850. I must be mad.
Well done Tobinen. I feel we should all be paying you for the privilege of reading this thread given how much you are spending on this magnificent car.
I haven't seen a C140 for years. Amazing cars and we won't see their like again in terms of sheer quality of engineering, large NA engines, sheer size for a 2 door car!
Top top work sir.
I haven't seen a C140 for years. Amazing cars and we won't see their like again in terms of sheer quality of engineering, large NA engines, sheer size for a 2 door car!
Top top work sir.
As suspected the NSR hub threads are to blame and the garage isn't too happy with three bolts. I am offered two choices:
Replace the hub and bolts but this involes a lot of stripping down and the potential for more grief as it requires most of the suspension to be disassembled. £650
Leave the hub in-situ and they have a specialist third party re-thread they've used before, replace bolts. £330
I have opted for the latter and it should be ready at the end of the week.
Replace the hub and bolts but this involes a lot of stripping down and the potential for more grief as it requires most of the suspension to be disassembled. £650
Leave the hub in-situ and they have a specialist third party re-thread they've used before, replace bolts. £330
I have opted for the latter and it should be ready at the end of the week.
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