An act of irresistible folly
Discussion
Magikarp said:
Big day tomorrow. First MOT under my charge.
In other news I spent £896 on the terrible wreck today have an suspension air replaced and some other bits done, so hopefully it will pass tomorrow so I can try and move it on.
The fun and games, I am afraid to say, will be coming to an end.
Good luck!In other news I spent £896 on the terrible wreck today have an suspension air replaced and some other bits done, so hopefully it will pass tomorrow so I can try and move it on.
The fun and games, I am afraid to say, will be coming to an end.
Magikarp said:
Big day tomorrow. First MOT under my charge.
In other news I spent £896 on the terrible wreck today have an suspension air replaced and some other bits done, so hopefully it will pass tomorrow so I can try and move it on.
The fun and games, I am afraid to say, will be coming to an end.
Feels like the right decision, in spite of the overwhelming desire to bankrupt yourself in the name of saving a car that doesn't deserve it.In other news I spent £896 on the terrible wreck today have an suspension air replaced and some other bits done, so hopefully it will pass tomorrow so I can try and move it on.
The fun and games, I am afraid to say, will be coming to an end.
It failed!
As I suspected it might, but it's not as gut-churningly bad as I feared it might be.
Date tested
17 February 2022
FAIL
Mileage
199,763 miles
Do not drive until repaired (dangerous defects):
Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.4.2 (a) (ii))
Repair immediately (major defects):
Nearside Rear Outer Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (6.1.7 (g) (ii))
Nearside Rear Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))
Monitor and repair if necessary (advisories):
Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))
Interestingly the oil leak has been variously described as "horrendous" and "minor". I have put in one litre extra in 3500 miles. Doesn't seem horrendous to me.
The major issue seems to be acquiring the required CV boot, as Mercedes want to sell me a complete drive shaft. Autodoc seem to sell them, but I don't know which one will be the correct one. I'd also like to know how difficult a job it is, whether it's something the non-Mercedes specialist techies at work can do, or whether it needs to go back to the specialist.
I hope it can be sorted as it needs to goes the replacement vehicle has been pre-ordered.
As I suspected it might, but it's not as gut-churningly bad as I feared it might be.
Date tested
17 February 2022
FAIL
Mileage
199,763 miles
Do not drive until repaired (dangerous defects):
Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.4.2 (a) (ii))
Repair immediately (major defects):
Nearside Rear Outer Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (6.1.7 (g) (ii))
Nearside Rear Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))
Monitor and repair if necessary (advisories):
Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))
Interestingly the oil leak has been variously described as "horrendous" and "minor". I have put in one litre extra in 3500 miles. Doesn't seem horrendous to me.
The major issue seems to be acquiring the required CV boot, as Mercedes want to sell me a complete drive shaft. Autodoc seem to sell them, but I don't know which one will be the correct one. I'd also like to know how difficult a job it is, whether it's something the non-Mercedes specialist techies at work can do, or whether it needs to go back to the specialist.
I hope it can be sorted as it needs to goes the replacement vehicle has been pre-ordered.
Magikarp said:
It failed!
As I suspected it might, but it's not as gut-churningly bad as I feared it might be.
Date tested
17 February 2022
FAIL
Mileage
199,763 miles
Do not drive until repaired (dangerous defects):
Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.4.2 (a) (ii))
Repair immediately (major defects):
Nearside Rear Outer Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (6.1.7 (g) (ii))
Nearside Rear Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))
Monitor and repair if necessary (advisories):
Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))
Interestingly the oil leak has been variously described as "horrendous" and "minor". I have put in one litre extra in 3500 miles. Doesn't seem horrendous to me.
The major issue seems to be acquiring the required CV boot, as Mercedes want to sell me a complete drive shaft. Autodoc seem to sell them, but I don't know which one will be the correct one. I'd also like to know how difficult a job it is, whether it's something the non-Mercedes specialist techies at work can do, or whether it needs to go back to the specialist.
I hope it can be sorted as it needs to goes the replacement vehicle has been pre-ordered.
Sounds just like a CV boot and some fiddling with the handbrake.As I suspected it might, but it's not as gut-churningly bad as I feared it might be.
Date tested
17 February 2022
FAIL
Mileage
199,763 miles
Do not drive until repaired (dangerous defects):
Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.4.2 (a) (ii))
Repair immediately (major defects):
Nearside Rear Outer Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (6.1.7 (g) (ii))
Nearside Rear Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))
Monitor and repair if necessary (advisories):
Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))
Interestingly the oil leak has been variously described as "horrendous" and "minor". I have put in one litre extra in 3500 miles. Doesn't seem horrendous to me.
The major issue seems to be acquiring the required CV boot, as Mercedes want to sell me a complete drive shaft. Autodoc seem to sell them, but I don't know which one will be the correct one. I'd also like to know how difficult a job it is, whether it's something the non-Mercedes specialist techies at work can do, or whether it needs to go back to the specialist.
I hope it can be sorted as it needs to goes the replacement vehicle has been pre-ordered.
Should be fairly trivial. I'd just give it to a garage, get it sorted and consider it money spent for an easy sale.
The work has been completed and re-MOT’d today. I suspect that the best thing to do is to list the new and expensive parts that have been fitted, and sell it whole for someone to break. I don’t believe there are many buyers for a car this thirsty about.
At least it has an MOT so is perfectly fine to be driven for twelve months.
At least it has an MOT so is perfectly fine to be driven for twelve months.
Magikarp said:
The work has been completed and re-MOT’d today. I suspect that the best thing to do is to list the new and expensive parts that have been fitted, and sell it whole for someone to break. I don’t believe there are many buyers for a car this thirsty about.
At least it has an MOT so is perfectly fine to be driven for twelve months.
The best thing to do is list it on eBay with a decent ad and no reserve in a longer auction.At least it has an MOT so is perfectly fine to be driven for twelve months.
It will ultimately sell for what people think it's worth.
I've always thought that listing the expense of parts may only serve to convey the high likelihood of rapid repeat after purchase. I'd imagine the type of buyer of this vehicle is the self-delusionary/optimistic type, so listing the parts may achieve the aim without the dose of hard reality that may inadvertently serve to dissuade them from bidding.
Edited by bolidemichael on Tuesday 29th March 19:48
Magikarp said:
I don’t believe there are many buyers for a car this thirsty about.
Newer cars are expensive. And some of us just like older cars with engines that sound nice - even if we have to spend a bit on fuel.Fuel may be expensive, but there’s every chance you should be able to sell for a decent price. Just don’t do what one Auto Trader E500 seller did, putting their car up for a reasonable price, then hiking it up by £3,200 and then lowering by £2,000. It’s been up for six months and counting…
Go in with a fair price, gauge the interest and you can always drop the price if needbe.
Gentlemen! The Rotrex Kid is absolutely right (he normally is). Since the car passed its retest, I’ve done nothing but feed it fuel, tax it, and take it into the local main dealer for a recall. Embarrassingly short of catastrophe, I grant you. I missed it going over 200,000 miles. I then missed 200,002 miles, this evening I missed 201,000 miles.
I’m not doing the blue carbuncle any sort of honour whatsoever.
As far as work goes I’m having the near side indicator glass replaced because it’s allowing water ingress, and then the peculiarly unfitting front wheel arch liners are going to be coerced into staying where they should.
That’s it, for the moment.
I’m not doing the blue carbuncle any sort of honour whatsoever.
As far as work goes I’m having the near side indicator glass replaced because it’s allowing water ingress, and then the peculiarly unfitting front wheel arch liners are going to be coerced into staying where they should.
That’s it, for the moment.
I've enjoyed this thread, and it's made me glad I didn't buy the E320CDi I was looking at a year ago!
Regarding the MoT why on earth is "Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value" listed under "Do not drive until repaired (dangerous defects)"
It's a parking brake. By definition you use it when you are not driving.
They are always crap in old Mercs. When you park you put the car in Park.
Regarding the MoT why on earth is "Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value" listed under "Do not drive until repaired (dangerous defects)"
It's a parking brake. By definition you use it when you are not driving.
They are always crap in old Mercs. When you park you put the car in Park.
Last day with the blue horror today. Have had enough and ordered a normal car which I will pick up next Monday. I’ll put it in the trade today and then I won’t have to pay another months’ RFL.
I love the idea of this car, the actuality has been painful and expensive, but at least I’ve made my peace with it, and it will be someone else’s issue.
I ain’t going to add up what I have spent, because the value of knowing I don’t have to worry about it any more outweighs that!
For anyone who has contributed to or read this meandering and somewhat melodramatic thread, thanks.
I love the idea of this car, the actuality has been painful and expensive, but at least I’ve made my peace with it, and it will be someone else’s issue.
I ain’t going to add up what I have spent, because the value of knowing I don’t have to worry about it any more outweighs that!
For anyone who has contributed to or read this meandering and somewhat melodramatic thread, thanks.
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