|
|
|
Oct 13, 2019 20:22:05 GMT
|
A month has passed since I made a sad fair well to a lovely Bentley Eight and found a new home for my supercharged MX5 daily driver, and what a month it has been. The plan was to push the ‘trusty’ Metro into more regular service and make use of the train a bit more to get to work. *Rant alert* However, I quickly discovered that a railway service is more of failway rolling catastrophe quickly followed by the Cooper tubular exhaust manifold on the Metro disintegrating. I was offered the loan of a Peugeot 505 estate (boom!) but had to get to Oxford to collect it. That took four days thanks to Southern Fail. Oh the rage, and the pity for those poor sods who have to rely on this ballsocks all the time to get to work. Oh, and the train ticket costs more than fuel for a 6.75 litre V8… *Rant over* Deciding on a new daily has not been easy. A large spreadsheet was created and a lot of cars considered - Not rubbish on fuel - Big enough to move parts around to support other projects - High waft factor - Automatic - Interesting - Not stupidly expensive - Capable of doing 65 miles a day, every day, with a decent chance of reliability XUD power was the obvious choice but 405s, BXs and XMs are seriously rare in unshagged condition and no suitable cars came up. VAG derv power would almost certainly bore me to death (again) after a few weeks. A C6 would have been epic but I am not brave enough (and tragically they never did a wagon) and the idea of paying £555 every year in road tax makes me feel a little bit ill. After a good amount of research an a lot of internet searching I put together a shortlist of cars to go and see including a 300 TD Mercedes. It was buried in the depths of Facebook marketplace with almost no information and less than helpful photographs. Better still it was over 200 miles away, ideal. What I found was a one owner car, garaged from new with FSH and just 96 000 miles on the clock. It needs some work but a rather good price was negotiated and I like it.       While not entirely rust free the bodywork is really pretty good.   The interior is in lovely condition bar the drivers bolster. That said it is overdue a deep clean.  The engine runs very well and starts from cold very nicely. There is a relatively new alternator and starter motor but it appears to have water rather than coolant in the tank. There is also a rattle at idle warm.  That isn’t a body in the huge boot…  It’s the base for the rear seat, still in it’s wrapping from the dealer! It was apparently never fitted and was kept in the loft from new!   The first aid kit is present and complete but the aerial and wiring needs attention, which may partially explain the temperamental nature of the original radio.  A large order of parts has been placed for a mega service starting next weekend. More to follow soon James |
| |
Last Edit: Oct 13, 2019 20:27:25 GMT by metroman
|
|
|
|
loudsam
Part of things
Posts: 50
Club RR Member Number: 138
|
1991 Mercedes Benz 300 TDloudsam
@loudsam
Club Retro Rides Member 138
|
Oct 13, 2019 20:32:23 GMT
|
|
Brilliant car mate and it look really well you won’t regret buying an old Mercedes I’m a bit biased as I have a couple of old Merc’s but they are brilliant cars. Hope everything goes well with the car 👍🏻
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Oct 13, 2019 20:38:56 GMT
|
|
That's a very clean looking motor. Well wear & enjoy.
|
| |
Still learning...still spending...still breaking things!
|
|
|
|
|
Oct 17, 2019 10:05:43 GMT
|
|
Great find! Similiar over here has at least 500tkm and multiple owners, something like that would be really close of 5 figure price. Are you going to keep it standard or go with AMG wheels and Avantgarde mask? Are going to keep the original Blaupunkt? Had those on every bus I drove and never really happy with them, rather would find Becker or something sensible new.
|
| |
Last Edit: Oct 17, 2019 10:07:05 GMT by samulis
|
|
|
|
|
Oct 17, 2019 11:12:04 GMT
|
|
Lovely buy!!
|
| |
96 E320 W210 Wafter - on 18" split Mono's - Sold :-(
10 Kia Ceed Sportwagon - Our new daily
03 Import Forester STi - Sold
98 W140 CL500 AMG - Brutal weekend bruiser! Sold :-(
99 E240 S210 Barge - Now sold
02 Accord 2.0SE - wife's old daily - gone in PX
88 P100 2.9efi Custom - Sold
|
|
|
|
|
Oct 18, 2019 15:38:39 GMT
|
|
I put a Becker Cascade in my W124. Love it.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Oct 20, 2019 17:49:28 GMT
|
Great find! Similiar over here has at least 500tkm and multiple owners, something like that would be really close of 5 figure price. Are you going to keep it standard or go with AMG wheels and Avantgarde mask? Are going to keep the original Blaupunkt? Had those on every bus I drove and never really happy with them, rather would find Becker or something sensible new. Well amazingly the Blaupunkt was almost completely fixed by pulling off the knobs and liberally spraying with contact cleaner so it has fallen back down the priorities list. That said, if the radio is changed it will probably be for a period Becker if I can find one for sensible money. Modern head units are universally ugly and can ruin the look of an old car for me. Like nylocs on old grand prix machines... Generally I am happy keeping the car standard given just how unmolested it is. None of the standard fit alloys look that much better than the hub caps which I think are pretty cool and suit the car nicely. I strongly dislike fitting larger wheels to cars, especially of this age. I am sure my E24 was ruined handling wise by the 17" BBS split rims; this drives better than that ever did, even with ditchfinders. James |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Oct 20, 2019 18:07:20 GMT
|
Today I started the servicing I have planned for the car. First up was fixing the first failure. The aftermarket alarm and central locking decided to make a nuisance of itself at 9.30pm last night when I locked the car. Loud noises and annoyed neighbours. Luckily the installation manual was with the paperwork that came with the car and I was able to permanently silence the siren. At the same time I relocated it to the bin. With that done the air cleaner was replaced and new leak pipes fitted to the injectors which were leaking. I used 3mm PU pneumatic pipe as I had some left over from plumbing in the 200TDi into my series Land Rover years ago. Normal fuel hose has too large an O/D to clear the injectors and I had no issues at all with the PU pipe on the Landy. If there is reason to change to something else please say and it will be corrected!   The engine bay is seriously dirty but on closer inspection is well maintained. I gave it a good few soakings with degreaser but there is a lot more to be done before it's up to standards. Next was a full coolant flush. The last reference to a coolant change in the service history was in 2002 so it was probably due.   The combination of the access hatch and tap made it the easiest and cleanest coolant change I have ever done!   The old coolant was clean and the header tank spotless which is a good sign. The system was refilled with Holts Speedflush and run until hot before being drained, flushed and refilled with Triplex QX red. The biggest concern I have with the car is corrosion protection. I want to get the car properly protected because it is going to be driven through the winter and am happy to pay for it to be done properly. Can anyone recommended any systems or services, ideally in the South East? This is sort of what I have in mind: Thanks James |
| |
|
|
ChasR
RR Helper
motivation
Posts: 10,309
Club RR Member Number: 170
|
1991 Mercedes Benz 300 TDChasR
@chasr
Club Retro Rides Member 170
|
Oct 20, 2019 18:27:50 GMT
|
|
I do love a W124! They are just such a nice thing to smoke around in!
As for the rust prevention that guy is not a bad shout. If you have a hose pipe or a pressure washer, also rinse out the arches thouroughly of crud and debris. Also wax and clean around the jacking points. It may be worth taking the sill covers off to do this properly.
As a few other pointers:
1) It may be worth changing the fuel tank strainer ; bacteria in the tank can cause the diesel to congeal and block this stainer, which can manifest itself as causing the car to run poorly and in worst cases, not even start. Running at a full tank now and again (i.e, less air in the tank) can help with this condition not happening
2) Don't use a Mann filter. I did and it fell apart in two when I removed it on my 250D. Not harmful to the engine, but considering the metal cap of the filter got stuck in my W108, I won't use them again in a hurry. I've gone to using genuine, Hengst or Mahle filters from now on, the latter being reasonably priced.
3) The seat can be repaired by a decent bloke for less than £200. Blue seats are hard to come by (I tried and most were as bad as mine) and blue MB-Tex goes for a crazy amount of cash.
|
| |
Last Edit: Oct 20, 2019 19:45:59 GMT by ChasR
|
|
|
|
|
Oct 20, 2019 19:44:22 GMT
|
ChasR Thanks for the advise ref rust spots. I will add the fuel strainer to the list. I do hefty mileages so always brim the tank when I fill up. It sounds like you were unlucky with the Mann filter given that they are the OEM for most German manufactures. I will keep an eye on it though. I know a very good upholster but need to track down some matching material for the repair, typical that I'd find a car with a rare cloth! Thanks James
|
| |
|
|
|
|
ChasR
RR Helper
motivation
Posts: 10,309
Club RR Member Number: 170
|
1991 Mercedes Benz 300 TDChasR
@chasr
Club Retro Rides Member 170
|
Oct 20, 2019 19:55:20 GMT
|
I've re-edited my reply for accuracy as it wasn't initially clear. Working in the industry, I can say that not all is as it seems with the brands  . One brand can be developed for one car but not fully for another. I have witnessed this myself with some parts, involving OEM companies. As an example that is known, Mercedes Bosch plugs are not the same as what Bosch recommend is sold via the motor factor ; the heat range is the same, but they are resistored plugs from the motor factor vs. unresistored plugs from Mercedes. Mercedes also don't directly offer the same heat range of plugs from Champion or NGK either, which is very strange, but not a surprise from what I've seen elsewhere. Regarding the Mann filters it was two cars, but I'll add a 3rd: 1)W124 250D (same filter as yours: filter fell into two when I removed it out of the housing. I only realised as I couldn't put the new filter in, and well the old one was longer 2)W108 280SE 4.5 : the end metal cap was stuck to the engine after being in there for only 6 months ; The STP filter that came in the car from the 'states didn't have this problem. 3)M3 : the Mahle filter comes int and out of the housing easily without hitting the plenum chamber and require deforming. The Mann one has to be defored due to the inner part being a tighter fit to the centre of the filter housing. Ignoring the M3 example, if it happened once I'd have forgotten it, but twice is a little too coincidental for me. |
| |
Last Edit: Oct 20, 2019 19:56:02 GMT by ChasR
|
|
|
|
|
Oct 20, 2019 20:00:25 GMT
|
It may be worth taking the sill covers off to do this properly. Spot on. Also remove all the lower door cladding's as these are great at hiding rust and they are rust traps too. While you're at it remove the bumpers also. |
| |
Still learning...still spending...still breaking things!
|
|
jpr1977
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 659
Club RR Member Number: 18
|
1991 Mercedes Benz 300 TDjpr1977
@jpr1977
Club Retro Rides Member 18
|
Oct 21, 2019 14:37:55 GMT
|
|
Good score.
I was trying to find one of these last summer as a retro baby/Dog wagon but couldn't find a good one for love nor money at the time...
ps. Is that the car park just up past the Weald and Down?
|
| |
Last Edit: Oct 21, 2019 14:43:40 GMT by jpr1977
|
|
time
Part of things
Posts: 152
|
|
Oct 21, 2019 15:17:57 GMT
|
|
Awsome Car
Just be careful using air hose for your leak off pipes
i did the same on my RR P38 diesel and had to replace the plastic air pipe i used after a week because it reacted with the Diesel fuel and went soft
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Oct 21, 2019 17:13:18 GMT
|
|
Lovely car! Will make a very cost effective, comfortable and dependable steed!
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Woofwoof and jpr1977Thanks for the heads up, I think that sounds very sensible. I am not looking to 'fix' the rust that is on the car yet but will be treating it to prevent it progressing. I would imagine that cleaning and applying a good amount of wax behind the plastic trim will help future proof the car a bit further. I waited for about 6 weeks for the right car to turn up and was obsessively trawling all over for them. This one was buried on Facebook marketplace with a photograph of just the steering wheel and a very vague description so the 200 mile trip to see it was a bit of a gamble but I think I mostly lucked out. Photos were taken up at The Triangle by Goodwood Racecourse. timeA close eye will be kept on them in that case. I have ordered some 3,2 x 7mm hose that will go on at the weekend time and weather permitting. I mistakenly ordered 9mm of hose that was too large but had the PU on the shelf from the old Landy build. @imperial That's the plan! So far so good on the comfort front at least. James
|
| |
Last Edit: Oct 22, 2019 8:40:43 GMT by metroman
|
|
urbanaw
Part of things
Posts: 249
Club RR Member Number: 17
|
1991 Mercedes Benz 300 TDurbanaw
@urbanaw
Club Retro Rides Member 17
|
Oct 22, 2019 16:51:44 GMT
|
|
Lovely, lovely car.
This is what I wanted to go for before I bought my 200te. Unlike you I decided to go for the one that was local to me at just over 30 miles. It had head gasket problem. I have noticed similar rust spots to what you have on your car (my ones looked very slightly more developed). The rust turned out to be a lot worse than I expected by simply looking from the outside (you can see most of it in my repair thread). Factory under seal was so strong it held rust holes in place which looked like body from underneath but in fact they were just empty holes. Considering the fact I knew it had the head gasket issue I should have bought one I wanted in the first place and not the 200. I have saved a S124 but I would have rather saved one that had 5 or 6 cylinders.
200TE floats beautifully. It is very quiet, very smooth, big and it looks great (it also is a 91, early car).
I am sure you used your brain better than I did when you bought your and I hope you will have more luck with it. 300TD is a hell of a lot of a machinery and deserve to be run and cared for.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Oct 22, 2019 17:34:13 GMT
|
urbanaw - that is a scary thread! They do like to rot... I am sure mine will have rot I haven't found and I know if I started to poke at the existing tin worm it would expose more. At least I am completely certain this car has never been welded or repaired in the past and what I see is what I got so to speak. My 635 CSi project was a real eye opener regarding bodges from "restorations". I am going to get a quote for stripping and treating the car at this company www.underbodyprotection.co.uk/ as they are reasonably local and the system looks very good. The Krown system looks okay for a car with no corrosion at all and is cheaper but for an older car like this I prefer the Dinitrol plan where existing surface corrosion is treated before being covered. I don't mind a little rot provided it isn't getting worse as I can always fix it later. James
|
| |
|
|
jpr1977
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 659
Club RR Member Number: 18
|
1991 Mercedes Benz 300 TDjpr1977
@jpr1977
Club Retro Rides Member 18
|
Oct 31, 2019 23:26:25 GMT
|
If i had room (just lot my storage) i'd be up to Yorkshire this weekend... 250d |
| |
Last Edit: Oct 31, 2019 23:26:50 GMT by jpr1977
|
|
smart
Part of things
Posts: 134
|
|
|
|
|
Nice buy. These are so much better built than the rust bucket 210 that replaced them.
|
| |
1998 Rover 400 Derv |
|
|
|
. One brand can be developed for one car but not fully for another. I have witnessed this myself with some parts, involving OEM companies.
