Sensible family daily wagon - Mercedes Benz S211 E500
Discussion
Thanks Snoopy, it's very gratifying to feel the love as I subject myself to many miles on the road and pounds spent at the local indy on this cheap entry but expensive maintenance behemoth! To me, it's cooler that the E55 as it'll cover A to B just as quickly, but is more low key and rare.
I was fortunate, as the next weekend was an event organised by the regional group in the MB Club; they had organised a talk at the Bugatti Trust, after breakfast in the clubhouse of the Prescott Hill Climb. This is a wonderful destination throughout the year in a very nice part of England. On this particular morning, it was damp and overcast - a perfect Sunday morning to leave at 6am from SW London and listen to the F1 at Suzuka; by the time I turned off the M40, the A roads were greasy a perfect for a swift drive on empty roads, feeling the car squirming underneath me.
Breakfast was generous; a Porsche owners/aficionados' club was also meeting there - these two examples had clearly been lovingly waxed, as evidenced by the beading. Hell, they may have even been detailed and coated with ceramic.
The late Jean Bugatti, tragically killed as he was testing a race car on a public road by avoiding a cyclist that had ignored the pleas of an assistant not to enter the 'closed' road. Jean Bugatti was banned from racing by his father, Ettore. He was a design genius, however, and history would have taken a different turn had it not been for his premature demise.
I spotted a nice pair of Bristols in the car park
and a filthy Magnus amongst the other Mercs
this owner of the SL is more fastidious than almost any owner I have ever met. He has maintained a meticulous and comprehensive log of running costs since the day of purchase from new.
Breakfast was generous; a Porsche owners/aficionados' club was also meeting there - these two examples had clearly been lovingly waxed, as evidenced by the beading. Hell, they may have even been detailed and coated with ceramic.
The late Jean Bugatti, tragically killed as he was testing a race car on a public road by avoiding a cyclist that had ignored the pleas of an assistant not to enter the 'closed' road. Jean Bugatti was banned from racing by his father, Ettore. He was a design genius, however, and history would have taken a different turn had it not been for his premature demise.
I spotted a nice pair of Bristols in the car park
and a filthy Magnus amongst the other Mercs
this owner of the SL is more fastidious than almost any owner I have ever met. He has maintained a meticulous and comprehensive log of running costs since the day of purchase from new.
In planning for the winter, I used the load capacity of the S211 to cart a number of alloys to my tyre Man - four of them were my rather tired alloys, sourced and fitted two years previously in Folkestone when ridding myself of the tragic pattern 19" alloys that came with the car. They had been supplied as having been refurbished, but having moved from a beater V70, I had absolutely no care for the alloys at all. The remaining alloys belonged to Mrs Bolide's A2 - four of them ground to hell from very prominent flagstone kerbs outside the schools and another two that I had purchased, as I suspected that her two front alloys may have been distorted, given the low profile of tyres as standard and the aggressive speed bumps that we have in Merton. We were continually nursing the air pressure, despite no evident punctures...
It's fair to say that it's a decent load space for a low slung estate.
It's fair to say that it's a decent load space for a low slung estate.
October 19 half term arrived and since the winter tyres were now fitted, we were well prepared for a trip 'oop Norf. Before we departed, I captured the stats for the last few thousand miles... the realities of running a V8 as a daily in an urban environment:
the journey to Tebay services, having arrived late evening, in order to maximise the time.
Somehow, I thought that this set up was remarkably eye-catching and kitsch
Tebay is a nice stop and the breakfast is top notch, too; I'm sure that some of you know of it. Once again, thanks extended to the Flying Wig that is r129sl for the insight into this hotel.
I was particularly by this striking and evocative image in the dining room:
and of course, the reward for the evening stretch to Cumbria and subsequent slow start, is the leisurely drive to Glasgow, interspersed by some of the fastest motorway sweepers in the UK.
and the overall stats
aaaaaand, we had arrived in Glasgow's West End; here's your warning sticker
a notable odometer marker
and some pilot's lubricant
the journey to Tebay services, having arrived late evening, in order to maximise the time.
Somehow, I thought that this set up was remarkably eye-catching and kitsch
Tebay is a nice stop and the breakfast is top notch, too; I'm sure that some of you know of it. Once again, thanks extended to the Flying Wig that is r129sl for the insight into this hotel.
I was particularly by this striking and evocative image in the dining room:
and of course, the reward for the evening stretch to Cumbria and subsequent slow start, is the leisurely drive to Glasgow, interspersed by some of the fastest motorway sweepers in the UK.
and the overall stats
aaaaaand, we had arrived in Glasgow's West End; here's your warning sticker
a notable odometer marker
and some pilot's lubricant
Now, perhaps I haven't made it clear enough already, but Glasgow is a city that is in love with the motor car.
Your's truly
We also frequent the public skate park frequently, where the heady intoxicant of a blend of F1 coverage on airpods, bones breaking and maryjane in the air, makes for a rather relaxing afternoon. I should emphasise that its my children that risk their limbs whilst I stare vacantly into the ether... it was particularly amusing to see a tote bag from 'Noble Rot', a London based restaurant (and funky wine mag) with an awesome wine list, that just so happen to be one of our customers.
Nothing but testament to the geriatric effects of some time off work
Wrapping up the week, we attending the incredible 'GlasgLow', an event in which the Botanic Gardens are converted into a Halloween/light Show experience.
This was an incredible digital projection onto one of the buildings on site:
Finally, it was time to return. Busy, frustrating and a normal British motorway experience on a back-to-school weekend. Spotted - a Spurs loving S Class owner heading to the away game in Liverpool:
and the stats for the total journey
Your's truly
We also frequent the public skate park frequently, where the heady intoxicant of a blend of F1 coverage on airpods, bones breaking and maryjane in the air, makes for a rather relaxing afternoon. I should emphasise that its my children that risk their limbs whilst I stare vacantly into the ether... it was particularly amusing to see a tote bag from 'Noble Rot', a London based restaurant (and funky wine mag) with an awesome wine list, that just so happen to be one of our customers.
Nothing but testament to the geriatric effects of some time off work
Wrapping up the week, we attending the incredible 'GlasgLow', an event in which the Botanic Gardens are converted into a Halloween/light Show experience.
This was an incredible digital projection onto one of the buildings on site:
Finally, it was time to return. Busy, frustrating and a normal British motorway experience on a back-to-school weekend. Spotted - a Spurs loving S Class owner heading to the away game in Liverpool:
and the stats for the total journey
Oh Glory, the day after we returned from Glasgow:
Straight to my indy, it was diagnosed as the nsf level sensor assembly. Whilst it was there, I replaced the nsf thrust arm assembly too.
Having swapped the summer wheels, I returned to have them shod with replacement Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres all around. The Falken FK501s were excellent, but due to a sub-optimal set up on the car, had worn the inners prematurely and had to be replaced after 13,223 miles - 3,305 miles per mm of wear.
Straight to my indy, it was diagnosed as the nsf level sensor assembly. Whilst it was there, I replaced the nsf thrust arm assembly too.
Having swapped the summer wheels, I returned to have them shod with replacement Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres all around. The Falken FK501s were excellent, but due to a sub-optimal set up on the car, had worn the inners prematurely and had to be replaced after 13,223 miles - 3,305 miles per mm of wear.
December capped off a fine year and a visit to the aforementioned 'Noble Rot' ensued. It was almost Christmas, so the lure of roast Goose was strong, but who would've anticipated that it was possible to serve goose 'rare'?!
[img]https://db3pap004files.storage.live.com/y4mBp1E7LM1drB2JjYAdbmuwkZbSrDJpCYQ2g7mqlmIi9050-GiiG5yhRq3miYq0Qm0OnLr1cT5DOBxeub2e9CuhqnmtBzWhVuPVhLWayfAlVRMsv2ZAta2fqd4BVUjJuV4ayZ8m9-lvyT2qqRJhdp6tb2qJSU0PXGUDvDgfF8xY6q3DpqiZIPbpV8LHcjxLVRK?width=768&height=1024&cropmode=none[//img]
as the month progressed, as did the impending chill. I went on a wonderful late night drive through Wimbledon Common and the surrounding area, listening to Radiohead's 'Kid A'. I challenge you to select an album more suited to the haunting isolation that this environment provokes:
which was allied by glorious morning skies
2019 was quite an eventful motoring year; I'm pleased that I got the miles in before the unusual year that was to be 2020...
[img]https://db3pap004files.storage.live.com/y4mBp1E7LM1drB2JjYAdbmuwkZbSrDJpCYQ2g7mqlmIi9050-GiiG5yhRq3miYq0Qm0OnLr1cT5DOBxeub2e9CuhqnmtBzWhVuPVhLWayfAlVRMsv2ZAta2fqd4BVUjJuV4ayZ8m9-lvyT2qqRJhdp6tb2qJSU0PXGUDvDgfF8xY6q3DpqiZIPbpV8LHcjxLVRK?width=768&height=1024&cropmode=none[//img]
as the month progressed, as did the impending chill. I went on a wonderful late night drive through Wimbledon Common and the surrounding area, listening to Radiohead's 'Kid A'. I challenge you to select an album more suited to the haunting isolation that this environment provokes:
which was allied by glorious morning skies
2019 was quite an eventful motoring year; I'm pleased that I got the miles in before the unusual year that was to be 2020...
New Year's Day and a trip back to Glasgow was in order. The journey began ominously when less than a mile from home, the engine hiccupped and ran rough at idle, whilst sat at a traffic light. In the proud tradition of mechanical naivety, we opted to hope for the best and continue on the remaining 432 miles...
The roads were outrageously empty and there was a moment on the M6 Toll that it felt as though we were on the autobahn. There were some furled brows on the unimpeachable visage of Mrs Bolide, but the right foot has its own determination, when the occasion allows.
Hogmanay presented a lovely mild morning light on the Gt Western Rd
We did have the opportunity to take a nice drive to Loch Lomond:
and yes, the parking in the disable bay was legitimate.
On the return leg, we stopped at a mate's place and he owns a STAR:
Spotted were a few flags but nothing major...
The return journey from Glasgow to London was surprisingly swift too, the M40 in particular being executed rapidly, in addition to the southbound M6 Toll:
this had been well earned:
The roads were outrageously empty and there was a moment on the M6 Toll that it felt as though we were on the autobahn. There were some furled brows on the unimpeachable visage of Mrs Bolide, but the right foot has its own determination, when the occasion allows.
Hogmanay presented a lovely mild morning light on the Gt Western Rd
We did have the opportunity to take a nice drive to Loch Lomond:
and yes, the parking in the disable bay was legitimate.
On the return leg, we stopped at a mate's place and he owns a STAR:
Spotted were a few flags but nothing major...
The return journey from Glasgow to London was surprisingly swift too, the M40 in particular being executed rapidly, in addition to the southbound M6 Toll:
this had been well earned:
Shortly thereafter, I had experienced a puncture, my first.
It was only a little distance from home, thankfully, so I walked back to retrieve the tyre pump from Mrs Bolide's A2. It was no good, however, as I discovered a split in the sidewall.
Thankfully, I had sourced a genuine Mercedes part when I was in the honeymoon period of restoring all of the original bits and bobs of car; amongst them is a spare wheel bag to keep the soft palms and delicate fingers of the gentle-person driver free from grime.
The original and ancient space saver was pumped up and secured:
The next morning, I fitted the NSR summer tyre and managed to source an identical spec Michelin Alpin PA3 from a local tyre place, though advertised on ebay. The only difference is that is wasn't an MO spec.
In attendance was another customer, who seemed to be displaying some images of someone rather familiar to him, in the back of his van/work area. Live your dreams, good for her.
Then off to my tyre man for the replacement and an alignment
and whilst the car was on the ramp, I managed to bodge a fix on some loose insulation that had come lose and been visibly dangling from the rear bumper for a while.
Like a sticky plaster on a toddler's knee.
It was only a little distance from home, thankfully, so I walked back to retrieve the tyre pump from Mrs Bolide's A2. It was no good, however, as I discovered a split in the sidewall.
Thankfully, I had sourced a genuine Mercedes part when I was in the honeymoon period of restoring all of the original bits and bobs of car; amongst them is a spare wheel bag to keep the soft palms and delicate fingers of the gentle-person driver free from grime.
The original and ancient space saver was pumped up and secured:
The next morning, I fitted the NSR summer tyre and managed to source an identical spec Michelin Alpin PA3 from a local tyre place, though advertised on ebay. The only difference is that is wasn't an MO spec.
In attendance was another customer, who seemed to be displaying some images of someone rather familiar to him, in the back of his van/work area. Live your dreams, good for her.
Then off to my tyre man for the replacement and an alignment
and whilst the car was on the ramp, I managed to bodge a fix on some loose insulation that had come lose and been visibly dangling from the rear bumper for a while.
Like a sticky plaster on a toddler's knee.
I sourced some tyre care and maintenance components after my recent dice with death.
before January was out, I had a task to complete. We were having some seats re-commissioned for a Porsche 944 and the outstanding candidate to complete the work was D:Class in Chobham. It took them quite a while to turn it around, but the results were really high quality. The leather, cashmere pink (from memory) was speckled with very very feint spots of pink.
of course, faithful Magnus served as transport
before January was out, I had a task to complete. We were having some seats re-commissioned for a Porsche 944 and the outstanding candidate to complete the work was D:Class in Chobham. It took them quite a while to turn it around, but the results were really high quality. The leather, cashmere pink (from memory) was speckled with very very feint spots of pink.
of course, faithful Magnus served as transport
bolidemichael said:
before January was out, I had a task to complete. We were having some seats re-commissioned for a Porsche 944 and the outstanding candidate to complete the work was D:Class in Chobham. It took them quite a while to turn it around, but the results were really high quality. The leather, cashmere pink (from memory) was speckled with very very feint spots of pink.
Wow - I do not want to know how much that cost - they look fantastic!!!!!No really don't tell me I could do a lot of damage to my bank account!!!
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