dapper
Part of things
Posts: 293
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May 17, 2014 11:45:44 GMT
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Looks like you´ve got yourself a good un mate. What´s the spares situation for old Mercs like down under? About to find out oldbus but I can tell you one thing, the quality of those still on the road is exemplary. Bought at astronomical prices back in the day, they've generally been kept by the same owner since day one. I can't tell you how many old fellas are still running them down here. A fair few shabby ones like mine that have had a bit too much sun but on the whole, they're treated like a member of the family. You won't believe the amount of mint W126's running about and they go for pennies
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dapper
Part of things
Posts: 293
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May 15, 2014 21:25:02 GMT
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Thanks grifterkid. Newborn on the way next month so probably not the best time to be delving into a project like this but who said anyone into retros/classics has a clear head when old metal becomes available.
Re the tools minininjarob, I think a ratchet set and owners manual are up next. Lack of space is the problem though so it will be a case I beg and borrow until the wife says we can move out of hipsterville and go somewhere I can have a garage.
Jader1973 I'd be interested to know of this chap in Bendigo, there's a few bent up trim pieces if like to replace (unless) there's advice around on straightening them back to best.
On exterior trim, I have various chrome bits from a CE I had to send to scrap back home in England that are sitting in my Dad's garage loft. My uncle has half inched a few for his CE rebuild but if it's bumpers you're after I may be able to help out.
I'm hoping to do as much as possible myself to Izzy but will fall well short of the utterly sublime fabricating & re-engineering work carried out on here. I am in total awe of a lot of the work we get to see and only wish I had the time, skills and confidence shown on RR by so many. As I've said before, it's a wonder how Britain isn't still at the forefront of manufacturing when there is such brilliant ingenuity displayed on this forum.
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dapper
Part of things
Posts: 293
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May 13, 2014 22:20:52 GMT
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Finally grabbed those shots. The clean up will have to wait until the weekend. So here's what AU$2000 gets you down under.... photo heavy I believe the saying goes, sorry I haven't got the hang of making the images smaller. ? The body seems pretty sound apart from the rust under the nearside rear overhang which seems to be caused by the seal going on the roof rail??? Sills all look fine. The previous owner hadn't had them done and she's owned the car since 2000. She had an engine rebuild done in 2006 which though appreciated might not benefit me as (in my dreams) I'd like to fit a 300TD from a 98-00 W210. Anyone know of that being done? In the meantime .... That dash!!! Not likely to get that replaced so I'm going to get in touch with these guys www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.370086566341263.110114.233208393362415&type=3 and try and convince them there's a decent business model in fixing up W123 dashs from around the world. Paint damage on top was by egg apparently that wasn't cleaned off in time....grrrr. Not keen on the colour anyway but given a respray is some way off, it's a while to live with such dastardly deeds. Unfortunately, I've no garage, tool collection down under is at the set of spanners and screwdrivers from Aldi stage so this is going to be a long drawn out and given I'm going to have to bow to Aussie labour rates, extremely expensive job. Luckily, she who must be obeyed is adamant we do not need a lateish Liberty/Outback wagon to join the rest of the Brunswick brigade in the vicinity, and wants to stick with her 07 Corolla when the bub arrives. So that means I've got $8K to do some damage on the new beast, most of which I'd imagine will be going on a respray. I'm hoping once I've put a list together with the help of a local garage (still to find my semi-retired Merc mechanic), between you guys and the W123 forums, I should be able to put a gameplan/priorities list to see Izzy (name adopted from previous owner) back to her best. I'm lusting after that maroon one with Arab plates and Pentas. That's the look no doubt.
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Last Edit: May 23, 2014 18:53:18 GMT by dapper
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dapper
Part of things
Posts: 293
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May 13, 2014 13:22:34 GMT
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That certainly took me back. The first car I bought was a 1300 S 4 door in that very same colour. Shameful at the time when all I wanted wasa red SRi or GTE, but how times change.
Sterling effort that man. Thanks for the memories. The thing I got up in that cat....ahh the 80s
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dapper
Part of things
Posts: 293
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May 12, 2014 12:39:36 GMT
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Long day at work and straight to birthing class tonight. Daylight savings as well. I will try my darndest to get something up tomorrow.
The list of things to do grows after taking her to work today. I have a feeling the vacuum central locking is going to be a pain but most worryingly after not a hint of it on the way home last night, there's an annoying race of the engine to go up a gear when plodding along in light traffic. I fear the scheckel outlay mounting already.
The plan is to get a list together of what's wrong at the weekend and then start prioritising, hopefully with the help of those that have gone before me in W123 land.
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dapper
Part of things
Posts: 293
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May 11, 2014 16:17:26 GMT
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Just got back from a 10 hour road trip from Canberra in my newly acquired W123 230TE. It's gone 2AM here so I'll be out for the count soon but my head is abuzz with what to do. As always, she never quite stacked up to the ad details, mind you I never asked the right questions but I reckon the flight to Canberra and drive back will be worth it in the end. At least I won't be wasting a weekend away to the capital with the missus now. After a quick shufty round the place, apart from taking in a quick tour of Parliament House, it's one that can definitely be left off the year out or visit to relatives down under. Dull as ditchwater with all the architectural merit of a breeze block. The drive home would have been ok, had I not left it so late to leave Canberra. All we (my brother is visiting from the UK and fancied the road trip) had for company for the last 7 hours was the stars and a multitude of Optimus Primes (Wentworth semis), lit up like a waltzer bearing down on us as we cruised our way home. Very impressed with the old girl. She runs straight, holds the road well, oil pressure remains on 3, pulls pretty well once she's going and never missed a beat all the way home. Ran her well above the limit (100kmh) for a fair stretch and she was strong. I've been wanting a TE since my CE days back home in Blighty. I have to say though this 1984 model is pretty shabby in the detail, it's better than most sub concours W123s found back home. I dare say, due to the lack of salt on the roads down here and a more forgiving climate. One day I want something akin to I dare say it's some way off, whether funds or time allows such an adventure, who knows? A picture you say. Well that will have to wait till tomorrow as the only decent opportunity for a photo was outside Parliament, but that was halted when I noticed a copper and a no standing sign just where I was going to take a pic. It definitely won't be like the one above though that's for sure, not yet anyway.
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Last Edit: May 19, 2014 17:28:12 GMT by dapper
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dapper
Part of things
Posts: 293
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Feb 26, 2014 12:42:25 GMT
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dapper
Part of things
Posts: 293
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The Auris is still a Corolla here and in NZ. It's a fair sized boot and I'd dare say we could probably manage with one child. Just getting that urge to change, but it seems it could be just for changes sake if loudandproud205 can fit that lot in.
Could this mean I can return to my W123 fetish? Loathe to part with the 900i until it dies on me which doesn't look like its occurring any time soon but the constant lure of W123's on Melbourne streets has me drooling on a daily basis.
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dapper
Part of things
Posts: 293
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Jan 25, 2014 23:15:20 GMT
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The dust roads will be few and far between as we're living in inner city Melbourne. There'll be the occasional run up country Victoria, down the Peninsula or along the Great Ocean Road, definitely no sandy outback routes to contend with. There's absolutely no way I'd buy a Commodore/Falcon, waaaaay to big engined and given i saw LPG at 99cents other day, not much incentive. Anyway, the F&C taxis I've been have been dogs, sorry but the only ones I'd consider are from the GM back catalogue from the 80's.
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dapper
Part of things
Posts: 293
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Jan 25, 2014 10:31:14 GMT
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As a pom I just can't see the point of the extra cc capacity of the falcon/ commodore and I certainly don't have the need for lugging around the weight of a 4WD system else I'd follow the crowd and go with the relianbilty of Subaru outback/liberty. The conditions I'd need would more than be utilised by the Mondeo from the ford family.
If I have to be different it has to be the Volvo but is it a sensible choice?
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dapper
Part of things
Posts: 293
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The time has come to delve into the modern world of car buying due to a change in circumstances and I wondered if you might have some advice. With a new addition to the fold on the way I'm thinking the wife might need something a little bigger than her current 07 Corolla Seca. She's saying it'll do until we know what pram we get and how we get on a few weeks after bub has arrived.
Pulling up at home last night,I remained in the car until the end of a particularly interesting radio doc. As I sit there the newly into parenthood neighbours pulled up in their 90's Ford Laser hatch (Escort type affair) and I saw what a load of gear the fella hauled out, and that was without the baby who accompanied the similarly weighed down with bags mother. Another car blocked my view so I couldn't see how this was all stacked up in the back, where was the pram though?
My mind was set. We need something bigger. Of course ever since Mrs d was confirmed preggers, being the diligent father to be and weighed down myself with the guilt heaped upon us by marketeers telling us we need to ferry our kids around in as safe a car as possible, I'm looking for something safe, or as safe as can be. Under AUD15,000 (UK readers, you'll laugh at what I'm going to have to fork out for my choices compared to back home) and I've come to two I like.
SENSIBLE HEAD A 2010 Mondeo 2.3 LX. Trim wise that's the bottom of the range here (badgings different I think), but the difference in moola for a TITANIUM is ridiculous. Anyway, something under 100k on the clock would fetch $11k.
Or...
LEFT FIELD HEAD 2005 Volvo V70, all the gubbins and I mean all, 130k on the odo, garaged, full serviced and preventative bills up the hilt, not a mark, haven't asked about the front suspension yet, AUD 13k
So what do you think?
Mazda 6 anyone? This would be a serious consideration but those noughties light clusters aren't my bag.
PS I have a 1990 saab 900i 2dr Combi that usually does all the lugging about, boot gets filled quite a bit with various jobs so the jump in size past the Focus Estate/Wagon size won't be for no reason. It'll get used.
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Last Edit: Jan 25, 2014 0:27:02 GMT by dapper
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dapper
Part of things
Posts: 293
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dapper
Part of things
Posts: 293
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Having worked with a number of British presenters who seem to be roundly derided on here, I can assure you they are, each and every one, car enthusiasts. On the whole the people that make the shows are too, car enthusiasts.
The trouble many of you do not seem to realise is that each of the car related programmes has to be paid for, in most cases with advertising revenue. If programmes don't attract enough viewers, advertisers will not want their ads shown in them. The programmes therefore, have to appeal to a wider audience than just us car enthusiasts. That's why they've becom entertainment shows and have left the delivery of buying, performance, practicality and safety to the magazines and a few online video sources.
I jumped from half way down page two, read page four of the suggestions in this thread and they are what they are, niche viewing. A few would barely raise 100,000 viewers, most a tenth of that. I'm sorry to say it but the majority of car owners and tv viewing public couldn't give a damn about our driving passions. They simply want something comfortable, safe and if they can afford it stylish and in vogue car to get them from A to B and to be entertained. Harry in his lock up on a lathe is not entertainment to them no matter how much we might think it riveting.
The best place for the type of programming you propose is online (where tv is heading anyway). Four blokes with decent dslr's pitched up round your Sunday motor race event could cover what you need for a Sunday club event, edited on a laptop and thrown online. You would get your passionate car people talking about what you want in a back street garage and the fella with the crazy collection of DAF's hidden in a barn in Shropshire..
The mightycarmods guys serve another market, Chris Harris another, Jay Leno another angle and the monumental output from the guys at Peteolicious is simply sublime.
Sorry to say it, but you'll never get what you want on tv, it's just not financially viable.
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Last Edit: Oct 1, 2013 10:43:43 GMT by dapper
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dapper
Part of things
Posts: 293
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Sept 29, 2013 5:10:59 GMT
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Two weeks now, what's happened? Hope all is well and if it is, please make sure the rims are added.
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dapper
Part of things
Posts: 293
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Sept 24, 2013 12:50:37 GMT
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What happened?
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dapper
Part of things
Posts: 293
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Sept 24, 2013 12:32:53 GMT
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Just read from start to finish, thanks for a most enjoyable read. Immediately did the obligatory local search here in Oz on car sales.com.au. Nice prospect if the Kim's are genuine.
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dapper
Part of things
Posts: 293
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Thanks boys.
Vdubbin, I reckon you might be right but where to keep them? Only way is north in value for these beauties but I cannot see the old man allowing his backyard to become a shrine to Miata, Eunos or MX5 to satisfy my driving pleasure every other year
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dapper
Part of things
Posts: 293
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Now this might be sacrilege but I'll be returning to Blightly next summer and will need a motor. Last year was blighted by the fact I had to do most of the driving to friends and back borrowing my dad's car. My wife is auto only. A Mk1 MX5 would suit us brilliantly next year and maybe spice up my dad's driving experience in the meantime (Mk5 Golf TDi estate). Trouble is, if I'm to enjoy a few sherberts with mates the wife has to drive so we'll need an auto. On an MX5. What's the verdict? There's a glowing report on here www.autotrader.co.uk/car-reviews/mazda/mx-5/3806But is there any experience of them on RR?
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dapper
Part of things
Posts: 293
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<img />http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/l569/david_barrett1/Cars/image_zps15439fe1.jpg<img />
I drool as I pass this in the morning
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dapper
Part of things
Posts: 293
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Jun 17, 2013 13:34:40 GMT
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About a dozen years ago I bought a cracking W124 e220 Merc that had been lowered somewhat but had puny 15 AM alloys. It was an immaculate 1993 flat nose version. The best thing about the car was the silver paint job that covered the car. It made all the difference to the stock two tone (over plastic) coming from the factory especially with the colour coded subtle AMG tail on the back. I was embarrassed as hell by the wheels though. That was until I invested in some 17" MB 8 pots. Honest to goodness, when I think back at the stance that car had now, together with that all over paint job, I wonder what the hell I was up to getting shot of it just a few years later. How I wish I'd kept that baby, sadly no pics either
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