Minimad5 Posted March 22, 2019 Share Posted March 22, 2019 That 850 is nice.Just a few notes: Any history of cam belt or fuel pump belt ?? - Get them changed asap if not (I have some of the tools required to do it, if that helps) On idle - Listen out for a 'tick' , pump the brake pedal & if it goes, then change the Vac pump asap, this is driven off the camshaft via a plunger, they lock up and can snap the Camshaft. Get rid of the EGR (or just bypass it) - They run and breath so much better. Look out for Mass Air Flow sensors in scrap yards etc, as you cant buy them new anymore (if you get a few, let me know) And if you're inclined, get it 'fettled', surprisingly this engine can go like the clappers. The noise you mentioned a few pages back - Make sure it's not the water pump.It's probably the Auxilary tensioner, but get it checked out. Any 855 (850 estate) or D5252t spares going, do P.M me. OBD port - Can't be read with most generic devices, you need Vol-Fcr and a suitable cable. Happy motoring. purplebargeken and Wingz123 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wuvvum Posted March 22, 2019 Share Posted March 22, 2019 I had a Grand Cherokee with the 2.5 VM and I didn't find it particularly underpowered - a lot quicker than something like a 2.5 Pajero or even a 3.1 Trooper. It was comically unrefined though. Lacquer Peel, Ohdearme and Wingz123 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bramz7 Posted March 23, 2019 Author Share Posted March 23, 2019 Feel like I have hit optimum fleet. 820- Lovely (slow) wafty barge with a silky gear change, great seats perfectly adjusted, top notch steering feel etc....I don't even care if it's popped it's head gasket now as I'll happily get it done. Mondeo- needs that scrub but an ideal hard as nails (engine wise) back up. Insured for the whole year, paid up. New daily will need cash throwing at it but when done it will be a mega thing. There's only one car left to get. The last car my dad ever owned before he passed away in 2002. Somehow it survived being sold in 2003 and is still about in the same area we lived in. It's looking quite untidy these days so I wonder if it's on borrowed time. I know where it lives though. I will leave a note. I just don't know quite how to mention the above without sounding desperate. RobT, Jim Bell, Burnside and 10 others 13 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kringle Posted March 23, 2019 Share Posted March 23, 2019 I just don't know quite how to mention the above without sounding desperate."Please contact me on the following number should you ever decide to move this car on. It belonged to my late father and I'd be interested in preserving it. Kind Regards, Sam" Something like that? DVee8, bramz7, Ohdearme and 7 others 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bramz7 Posted March 29, 2019 Author Share Posted March 29, 2019 So in the worst kept secret awards I came first place as I'm the winner who bought the £150 E320 off of HMC a few days ago. What a torquey beast. I've deduced it will need money come MOT time in the form of at least one tyre and possibly some welding. As per usual Merc of the era the majority seems to be surface rot. The rear suspension truly is terrible though, bouncing up and down like a deflated Citroen. Engine and box are impressively smooth, and whilst there is something up with performance beyond 3k revs, I'm not in a rush to go changing the MAF yet. One other slight issue, the bonnet release handle has broken. What's the best bodge for that? Cable still there, but the mount for it on the handle has broken off. I might be sacking off the Mondeo. It's okay...just fancy an AX or even a Saxo instead. If anyone wants a swap for one of those or something else small and preferably French (or Italian) than let me know. Otherwise £250 to anyone else. Jim Bell 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gadgetgricey Posted March 29, 2019 Share Posted March 29, 2019 One other slight issue, the bonnet release handle has broken. What's the best bodge for that? Cable still there, but the mount for it on the handle has broken off. I've got a bit of sawn off broom handle in my Jeep.Handle snapped so 5cm bit of handle, with a saw hole from outside edge to the middle'ish, top to bottom.Slot cable in the saw hole, and just gives enough grip to be able to pull the cable. Certain there are more elegant solutions, but works a treat for me. mk2_craig, bangernomics and Ohdearme 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bramz7 Posted March 31, 2019 Author Share Posted March 31, 2019 I've always liked the W210. Personally I prefer the styling of the estate too. So, what's it like? Definitely more premium feeling than the slightly later C-class I had, but some of it still feels very cheaply done. The engine is a proper straight six though, with that unmistakeable noise. However... No willing to kick down or go beyond 2600 revs. Turning off the ESP makes a strange pulse in the idle (when coasting around 30mph) disappear. It's quite rough up close. None of the rot looks MOT fail worthy but I haven't dared peek underneath.Bonnet cable and handle have become detached. Rear suspension is frankly terrible.OBD is going nuts over a bulb fault but none of them have stopped working...Using the manual up/down on the gearstick takes an absolute age to do anything. 5-6 seconds. I think I'm going to try for an MOT in a few weeks, but I'd actually make profit on this just scrapping it. But that would be wasteful right? bangernomics, Jim Bell and Nyphur 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dean36014 Posted March 31, 2019 Share Posted March 31, 2019 Same boat I'm in with the C4. Been offered 185 for it scrapping it but it seems a shame when it's still useable with 6 months MOT left. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthernMonkey Posted March 31, 2019 Share Posted March 31, 2019 I might be sacking off the Mondeo. It's okay...just fancy an AX or even a Saxo instead. If anyone wants a swap for one of those or something else small and preferably French (or Italian) than let me know. Otherwise £250 to anyone else.AX you say? Must admit to having a soft spot for old Ford diesels Jim Bell 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bramz7 Posted April 1, 2019 Author Share Posted April 1, 2019 Anybody want the E class for £250? Yeah yeah, trying to make a profit on a car with three weeks test.... Engine and box seem smooth and powerful, gearchanges are silky but the manual shift in the box is mega slow. Maybe that is just me. MAF and EGR are causing the car to not kickdown, holding it at 2.5k revs max when moving, and causing an odd pulse when coasting at 25-40mph. Rusty, as its a Merc, Rear suspension spheres need doing as the ride is fucking awful on the back Interior is oddly wear free Bodywork has suffered with rust and dents. One rear tyre has worn quite well on the outer edges. Bonnet release handle has snapped.I am selling because I fucking cba to get it fixed up, especially as I've got something or things incoming which don't need a blank cheque throwing at them. Maybe if I could DIY... V5 present, ready to go this weekend. Cartakeback will give me this sort of figure if I scrap it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marm Toastsmith Posted April 1, 2019 Share Posted April 1, 2019 fancy an AX or even a Saxo instead. Me too... Saxos look like smart buys at the moment although unfortunately FJ won't insure them on a classic policy even if they're pre 98... I haven't asked them about Peugeot 106s. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fabergé Greggs Posted April 1, 2019 Share Posted April 1, 2019 Me too... Saxos look like smart buys at the moment although unfortunately FJ won't insure them on a classic policy even if they're pre 98... I haven't asked them about Peugeot 106s.When I rang them about insuring the Jim Bell AX, FJ quoted me £25 to put on my policy along with the 900 and x1/9. Marm Toastsmith 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HMC Posted April 1, 2019 Share Posted April 1, 2019 Funny that classic insurers are badge and not platform snobs often. FJ-Alfa 155- yesAlfa Gtv- yes Fiat tipo (which was older than both of the Alfas and provided the platform From which both Alfa’s were developed) NO SORRY MATE rant over! Angrydicky and Marm Toastsmith 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bramz7 Posted April 1, 2019 Author Share Posted April 1, 2019 I got my Tipo on classic insurance..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marm Toastsmith Posted April 1, 2019 Share Posted April 1, 2019 When I rang them about insuring the Jim Bell AX, FJ quoted me £25 to put on my policy along with the 900 and x1/9. Yeah, for some reason I guessed it would be OK. Old enough to be unreliable enough to be a classic. Xantias are OK too. Funny that classic insurers are badge and not platform snobs often. FJ-Alfa 155- yesAlfa Gtv- yes Fiat tipo (which was older than both of the Alfas and provided the platform From which both Alfa’s were developed) NO SORRY MATE rant over! Worth asking about a 106 then...306 cabriolet qualifies if pre 1998 fwiw...considered one last year before I bought the 205. Was hoping to get my 1999 CR-V on a classic policy this year. Lady on phone says Hondas don't qualify. She drives a Honda, apparently. Is there a classic policies thread on here? I get bored/embarrased ringing them up about every old banger I'm half thinking about buying. Would it be worth pooling knowledge? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flat4alfa Posted April 1, 2019 Share Posted April 1, 2019 With FJ, first step is to value the car at £1200 minimum Next step is to join the marque owners club Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bramz7 Posted April 12, 2019 Author Share Posted April 12, 2019 Now down to one (working) car. The Mercedes killed itself yesterday morning when the fuel pump failed on the way to work. The sorry shit show that is now the AA meant it took more than three hours to be recovered. It's now back at my old house waiting to be scrapped. I'm very glad I didn't spend any money on the heap. I was forced* to use the 820 today. I hadn't driven it down country roads for some time but in my opinion, it suits them. Yeah it understeers a tad and the bumpy surfaces can get a bit tiring, but it's super comfortable and snug in the drivers seat, with well weighted steering. I'm not sure how, but it's got the smoothest ZF automatic I've ever had. You can't even feel the changes, and it actually seems to change down at the necessary times when slowing. I even got stuck in some mild traffic earlier and was terrified it would cook (what with the potential HGF) but it settled right below middle of the gauge. Ace! Now I just need to clean the poor old thing. Wingz123, Sigmund Fraud, Nyphur and 5 others 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lanciamatt Posted April 12, 2019 Share Posted April 12, 2019 I'll say the same about the ZF boxes, my thema has the quite dated 3 speed box in and that is also silky smooth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ohdearme Posted April 12, 2019 Share Posted April 12, 2019 I might be sacking off the Mondeo. It's okay...just fancy an AX or even a Saxo instead. If anyone wants a swap for one of those or something else small and preferably French (or Italian) than let me know. Otherwise £250 to anyone else.There’s a £599 maroon saxo round the corner from me. I can go poke it with a stick on the dealers forecourt to seenwhat state it’s in and what he’d take if you like? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Moog Posted April 13, 2019 Share Posted April 13, 2019 I predict an AX roffle coming soon - may help that urge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bramz7 Posted April 13, 2019 Author Share Posted April 13, 2019 I've possibly* bid on an AX on eBay that fits my needs. Managed to convince my friend that we should go halves too, as he borrowed my old AX Forte and nearly bought it off me. Bit miffed about the Mercedes putting me in the shit with work to be honest, I'm not going to bother with cheap turds anymore as I don't especially want to lose my job. The Moog 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wingz123 Posted April 13, 2019 Share Posted April 13, 2019 Drove an old AX 1.4d to Edinburgh and back, back when I was about 18 at about 50mph all the way - yes it took forever but yes it also used very little diesel... Was in a peachy faded red well more pinky Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dean36014 Posted April 13, 2019 Share Posted April 13, 2019 You could buy an expensive car though and still have it let you down. These days I seem to see far more broken down cars on the motorway than I used to 30 odd years ago. Ohdearme 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flat4alfa Posted April 13, 2019 Share Posted April 13, 2019 For a few months it seemed like I was passing an Evoque a day Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dean36014 Posted April 13, 2019 Share Posted April 13, 2019 I was going to say Range Rovers seem to be the most common! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bramz7 Posted April 13, 2019 Author Share Posted April 13, 2019 I'm fully aware that the nature of the beast with old cars is likely FTPs, what I should have said is I won't be buying any cheap premium cars anymore. I'll stick at it with the French. Anyway I'm collecting a new daily tomorrow so let's hope that doesn't die on me as well. I doubt it will, I'm quite looking forward to it to be honest. adw1977 and HMC 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghosty Posted April 17, 2019 Share Posted April 17, 2019 Noticed reference to a 406 coupe in another thread, is that it?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bramz7 Posted April 17, 2019 Author Share Posted April 17, 2019 Yeah and I hate it. I can't live with a coupe. (See for sale section) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bramz7 Posted April 26, 2019 Author Share Posted April 26, 2019 About a year ago I bought a 306 D turbo. The seller had a lovely Xantia as a daily and I said to them I'd have it if they sold it. They put it up for sale a few weeks back so I arranged a purchase. It's not perfect but it's the perfect spec Xantia. HDI 110, electric heated leather seats, auto wipers, alloys etc. It has the better suspension being the Exclusive too. I think the HDI 110 is the best engine for these too. Small jobs that need doing are a small leak on a return pipe, a wheel balance, and some grot needs welding. I'll do the first two soon, but the rust can wait for now. In other news, I've got to get an AX on Saturday. I also fancied a Chrysler Neon briefly but most of the sellers are deluded. Spottedlaurel, Dirk Diggler, Fabergé Greggs and 15 others 18 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amishtat Posted April 26, 2019 Share Posted April 26, 2019 That looks a smart example. Reckon it'll hang around for long? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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