Cookiesouwest

I voted to leave well alone, but the comment re the ebay threads is valid.

I can't change my vote, but I do support some kind of auto delete for clearing down the old data not needed in those threads.

I dont think the flyleaf is long enough, even if it could be disconnected. I did try to disconnect last night, but will take another look.

11 minutes ago, SiC said:

Does it start to go in? Sometimes those rubber boots on connectors can snag
Small dab of silicone grease/spray of silicone lube can help them slide in better.

I dont know if it does, as its all being done blind.

I will get some silicone for the rubber boot and try again.

The new drivers mirror indicator arrived, so once work was out the way today, thought I would give it a go.

Watched a YT vid. Seems easy.

Well it wasn't. My mirror had a internal cover that the ones in the YT vids didn't have.

So being the professional mechanic that I am, I pryed it out the way with a screwdriver. Miracle - I didn't break it.

See that little metal clip at 10 o'clock?

It needs to be pushed to the right, so the cover will come off.

Success.

Two little philips screws to remove and unplug the puddle light.

Fitting the new one is simply a reverse of the process.

Then push it back on. Sadly epic fail.

I can't get it to clip back in.

See the electrical connection, with the red plastic round it?

Well in theory, it should slide back in to the connector attached to back of the mirror assembly.

It won't. 

So now my mirror looks like this

Classy hey

1 minute ago, High Jetter said:

Did you get LC tho?

Yes LC got picked up.

She asked if she was going to get to drive the BFG.

I was non committal

53 minutes ago, andyberg said:

Safrane sometimes does this, especially if there is a slight incline/decent in a car park. But the Safrane 'creeps' on zero throttle so maybe it's that 🤷

Yes could just be not enough gas.

Still getting use to the box. Sometimes it will creep with no throttle - which I'm used to and expect. Sometimes it won't.

Also when in Comfort mode, its reluctant to get going. It does start in 2nd in Comfort. Maybe I'm not giving it enough beans. Switched it to Sport mode, that gets off the line quite nicely.

The BFG has made we anxious.

Went to pick up Little Cookie from Taekwondo.

Car park is always full, so I just do slow laps, till she comes out.

Little to no throttle and BFG starts stuttering while lapping the car park. Not kangarooring but stuttering

Seized by the fear, I give it some welly and go find somewhere else to park.

Behaved impeccably on the way home.

Hopefully a rare occurance. Just an old car thing. Fingers crossed.

12 minutes ago, SiC said:

No I haven't but I suspect it'll be hundreds of pounds. I did see a forum post from last year that said the resistor pack was NLA and factory back ordering since 2019. 

Maybe one of those things that they only make when enough orders come in?

Either way, I don't really want to spend hundreds on this if I don't have to. Otherwise I'll be in money wise at more than buying a bigger engined nice one 🙃

Still need to buy a cheap laptop to run dodgy software and reflash that airbag module so it behaves properly on the network. 

I'm upgrading my think pad as its slow AF.

Might be ok for your purposes though.

When my newer one arrives next week from Markeh, you can have it.

Specs are as pic

2 hours ago, HMC said:

Looks great! Cooled seats, and massage seats may have been an option on these, has it got a sunroof ?

No sunroof. Def not cooled or massage seats.

How dare the 1st owner, not tick ALL the boxes

52 minutes ago, rantingYoof said:

One of the reasons my dad bought it was the spec. When I found it for sale, I told him that the 'Elegance' was, basically, the 'luxury' specification. When we were looking at it in London, I told him that it looked like the first owner had basically clicked a 'Select All' button when faced with the options list.

Both of us love finding the top-spec top-specced cars...a long time ago I found him a V-plated 3.0 Omega Elite which had all options ticked as a factory demonstrator. Even a built-in phone which worked.

Nicely bought. My dad will be chuffed it's still within the Autoshite fold.

You did well to find it. It is very well specced and yes the 1st owner looks like he ticked all boxes.

I might try and find out what spec was available to see if any boxes were left unticked.

Another car pressie has arrived

Put the new rubber boot mat in, to give some protection from the dogs (on the rare occasions they will be allowed in it).

Before

After

Needs a bit of a trim in places, but happy. Note the back of the gun rack - saying that will never get old. Gun rack

While in the boot, I had a root around and tried to access the spare wheel.

The handle that you use to release the floor and pull it upwards, is no longer attached to the floor !! so need to find another.

The instruction manual has arrived. I can now work out what all the buttons are for.

Although not the stereo / navigation / dvd player.

A separate manual is winging its way to me for that.

I did a VIN decoder look up, to find full spec.

Std E Class fuel tank is 80L.

The BFG has an extended tank fitted (Code 915), which is 90L.

God knows how much that cost when it was specced.

Who thinks, nah 80L is not enough, I will pay extra for a bigger fuel tank, cause those extra 10L will come in handy.

Full spec for BFG below - nappa leather for extra softness

Code U16 - Stowage tank behind rear seat backrest.

@SiC thought it was for the storage of the Load compartment package (code 942). Makes sense because it fits.

But when I ordered the boot mat, the guy asked if my car had the gun rack behind the rear seats !!

SiC is probably right, but gun rack sounds cooler, so I'm going with that

The required pez shot.

The first of many many trips to the pumps. Shes a thirsty old girl. But a lovely place to be.

Mrs Cookie is seriously happy with it. Although I did get the 'I told you to buy a mercedes years ago' speech.

3 minutes ago, andyberg said:

Wow I would never have thought that. The BFG looked much bigger when we picked it up.

Yep I was amazed.

Maybe I've just got use to the Mondy, but like you, I thought the BFG looked bloody huge on first viewing and when we picked it up.

Had to pop out to get chocolate as Mrs Cookie was having a hypo.

After sorting her Galaxy Ripple needs, I lined the two cars up, Mondeo mk4 Saloon v E320 Wagon AKA Big Fat German (BFG).

Now excuse the crap camera angles but amazingly the Mondeo is longer, taller and I think a tad wider.

Feels the complete opposite, when in the car. Would have put strong money on the Merc being bigger.

At least I don't have to worry about the BFG fitting in the pub and Tesco parking spaces.

The search for a small auto for Little Cookie is over.

After weeks of frustrating car viewing and not finding anything suitable, that I can also use, I've bought a car.

A big fat German bird to be precise.

I've bought the E320 wagon, that @SiC was selling.

While its probably unsuitable for Little Cookie, now its on fleet, she can learn to drive in the Mondeo. 

No collection thread as I forgot

but @andyberg and @BerginJR accompanied me to pick it up.

Good chinwag ensued and then the drive home.

First impressions. Its a big heavy motor. Been a long time since I've driven a big petrol engined slush box motor. Needs a different driving style to the Mondeo. Very comfortable, lovely seats, makes you drive in a more relaxed manner. Lots of buttons, no idea what most do. Car exactly as described, as I expected, given I'm a repeat customer.

Mrs Cookie likes it a lot. She has always wanted a mercedes, seats are comfy and cosseting for her bad back and heated. She had a big smile on her face. Not taken her out in it yet, as have to save up for petrol

@SiC kindly threw in some parts, engine mounts, transmission service kit, which was very kind of him.

Fat bloke with the worst wollard selfie ever.

I've ordered some bits. Rubber boot mat to keep the boot clean, new wing mirror indicator, as the drivers side is a bit grotty.

A replacement rear view mirror, as the auto dim liquid has leaked, leaving the mirror with a dark bottom half.

And I've ordered a book pack, so I can find out what all the buttons do.

She will be used for the upcoming family visit to Hexham and Kirkcaldy and nephews wedding in Corbridge.

That should put a thousand miles on her.

When we get back at end of May, I will tackle the replacement of the rear air bags, engine mounts and service the box. 

You bought a van??

And everyone on AS was expecting a BMW !

Are you there yet?

22 minutes ago, SiC said:

I ought to get my insurance ready too! I'm quite enjoying the comfy seat and pleasant view though. 

It was really sunny down in Bristol but it's gone a bit grim now we're at Gloucester. 

Its always grim up north

Some tickets, as I'm sure you know, let you take any train.

If you are on a fixed ticket I.e  particular trains, they will usually let you catch a later one, if your train was missed because a connecting train was late.

Depends on what mood the guard is in.

When I went to the smoke to pick up Prince Rupert Saab, I missed my connection and the guard let me get the next one (actually it was the second next) without any trouble.

Oh and first class all the way. Seats are much better.

Don't forget Parrots welding prowess if you don't like the quote

Not bad MOT history too.

Hope the coolant leak is not too worrying.

Weird I'm more excited about an MPV than an MGF.

Had both. I prefer the Galaxy.

5 minutes ago, Bren said:

I think the 2.3 motor is sought after for transplants into escorts etc. I think it only went in the galaxy and scorpio?

Went in the mk4 mondeo too.

Unless Ford developed a whole new 2.3 that no one wanted.

4 minutes ago, HMC said:

This £600 ford galaxy 2.3 is doing dog/ children duties. Another bargain bucket with about 11 months mot

My Sister had one of those. Terrible on fuel but brilliant fun and rather quick