Anyone know this car?

[fb2]

Hi all - looking for some advice

Foraging into prospective ownership and just been for a look at this: http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1793115.htm

Seems to have been on sale for a while, outriggers seem a bit rusty (I had the outriggers done on my griff so I have some experience with this!) and the temp got up to 110 when stood still in the heat (with the fans going) - cooled down once on the run. Needs new tyres and aircon needs charging but other than all that (!) it seemed in good condition and drove well.

Does the temp sound normal or is the dial reading just a guide? If worst comes to worst, what sort of cost is it to have the outriggers done on a cerbera - I know it's more involved than the griff. Anyone know anything about its history?

Thanks

Duncan

[peteA]

temp normal...gauges often overread by 10 or 15 degs. Outriggers cost more than chim and griff as the bodt lift is more difficult.

[Byker28i]

How rusty are the outriggers? Just surface rust or holes? If it's surface rust then it might not be too bad. Mine often attracts surface rust on the corners, especially behind the front wheels. Probably because of it's exposed position, but I just keep an eye on it every 3 months or so and attack it whilst it's still light. I've just had the whole chassis checked and waxoiled so we'll see how that goes.
If it's bad it could cost quite a lot as others have discovered it's really bad when the body's been lifted. On the other hand, if you plan to keep it, then I'm sure all of us will have to face this issue one day or another, so if you get it done, at least you know it's done.

Temp reading could be down to the sender tubing positioning (on some cars it runs close to the manifold), but mine used to read about 105 tops until Joos put cooling mod on. Easiest way is to plug in a laptop with the diagnostics and see what it's really doing. If it needs the rad recoring, it's about £150, or £450 for a new alloy one, so you could factor that into the price.

How worn are the seat bolsters/side bits that run as you get in/out as I notice there aren't any full pics of the seats. Is it an original exhaust? Check the condition of that.

Looks ok from the pics though. RL17 wheels and unmolested lights, which I like.

[SL500]

Looks like a good one. However beware if the a/c is not working as the leak could be expensive to rectify if it is from the compressor seal. However buy with your heart! It may be a little overpriced and due to the various bits and pieces I would offer maybe a grand less.

[fb2]

Thanks guys. The chap has said he'll clean the outriggers up to see what state they're in and I'll do some research tomorrow on costs for replacements.

[southendpier]

Speak to Mole Valley if they have looked after the car as it says in the ad then they may be aware of the rust/chassis issues. Also may be able to shed advie on the aircon - careful it may need topping up but it might be bust or severely leaking. I had "leaky aircon" that I had been told about a few times and topped up but it would always go after a very short time. Tests showed nothing but there actually was a crack in the compressor that eventually went pop bit style and made a right old £££ mess.

[Gazzab]

Get a decent indie to inspect the car. Have you checked the water pipes, is the clutch good, is the history A1, are the tyres and brake discs ok etc etc.. An indie can check all this plus the chassis, electrics etc etc etc...