Life gets terribly busy when you start a new career. In April I accepted a new job as a technician for classic boats. We are talking wooden boats from the 20’s through the 60’s. For those of you interested send me a PM and I will send pictures of some pretty rare and exotic stuff.
On the Mercedes front I couldn’t justify daily driving my 94 E420. It’s too nice to be carrying my 2 dogs to work with me. Yes I’m a certified dog lover and my pets travel. They wouldn’t want it any other way. So I started looking for a Mercedes that was cheap and got good fuel economy. If a E300 was available I would have gone that route but I did come across a 03 W203 C230 sport for $1500. Had supposedly transmission issues and a check engine light. Car was really clean inside and out and low mileage 124K so I sprung for it.
Turned out the transmission was low on fluid from past repairs to the front of the car. I suspect it got a new radiator and condenser at some point in the past and they never adjusted the fluid level or added refrigerant oil back into the system leading to a A/C compressor failure. So while a had the subframe down for the compressor replacement replaced the bad engine mounts. I noticed the PCV valve was also broken and the cause of the rich code. Unfortunately you have to remove the intake manifold and supercharger to reach the valve. 4 new tires and rear brakes rounded out the service. Now NVH levels are acceptable for a 4 cyl. Mercedes and it’s actually one of the best handling cars I’ve driven with the 17” wheels and sport suspension.
My Friend Ian was also asking me to take ownership of his 94 SL600. I eventually caved and I must say I really like the ADS suspension and the torque delivery of the M120. It has needs as all R129 cars. Especially with the ADS and M120 but I’m committed to hopefully win the battle.
And finally just when I think I don’t need another Mercedes in my life is see a ad on Marketplace for a 79 euro 280SE. One owner who bought it in Germany and had it shipped and federalized. Nickel green with beige houndstooth cloth. Looks like it was never sat in. Perfect wood and dash. I had to go look at it. What can I say. Hook line and sinker I was smitten.
On the Mercedes front I couldn’t justify daily driving my 94 E420. It’s too nice to be carrying my 2 dogs to work with me. Yes I’m a certified dog lover and my pets travel. They wouldn’t want it any other way. So I started looking for a Mercedes that was cheap and got good fuel economy. If a E300 was available I would have gone that route but I did come across a 03 W203 C230 sport for $1500. Had supposedly transmission issues and a check engine light. Car was really clean inside and out and low mileage 124K so I sprung for it.
Turned out the transmission was low on fluid from past repairs to the front of the car. I suspect it got a new radiator and condenser at some point in the past and they never adjusted the fluid level or added refrigerant oil back into the system leading to a A/C compressor failure. So while a had the subframe down for the compressor replacement replaced the bad engine mounts. I noticed the PCV valve was also broken and the cause of the rich code. Unfortunately you have to remove the intake manifold and supercharger to reach the valve. 4 new tires and rear brakes rounded out the service. Now NVH levels are acceptable for a 4 cyl. Mercedes and it’s actually one of the best handling cars I’ve driven with the 17” wheels and sport suspension.
My Friend Ian was also asking me to take ownership of his 94 SL600. I eventually caved and I must say I really like the ADS suspension and the torque delivery of the M120. It has needs as all R129 cars. Especially with the ADS and M120 but I’m committed to hopefully win the battle.
And finally just when I think I don’t need another Mercedes in my life is see a ad on Marketplace for a 79 euro 280SE. One owner who bought it in Germany and had it shipped and federalized. Nickel green with beige houndstooth cloth. Looks like it was never sat in. Perfect wood and dash. I had to go look at it. What can I say. Hook line and sinker I was smitten.
