Sold Dollywobbler's Honda S-MX - Provisionally sold

[dollywobbler]

I'm just back from another S-MX roadtrip. It went like this.

 

Firstly, I drove to Kent to meet up with Autoshiters. This is the second 'local' meet I've attended in the past few months. On the previous one in Blackburn, I got there via The Peak District, Bradford and Morecambe. Look on a map. It makes little sense. This Kent meet had the added advantage of daylight.

 

I stayed the night on the Isle of Sheppey, then headed off to see the country's only S-MX specialist near Sheerness. He's even closer to this old minster, built in 650AD.

 

Another S-MX!

 

I left the S-MX for suspension bush replacement at the back, and another gearbox fluid drop at the front. I got collected my a colleague and went to play with Rolls-Royces for the day. I got very excited about pantograph wipers.

 

Yes, the dashboard really is blue. I like this Silver Spur a lot. Now, how to raise £27k...

 

Once back down to earth, helped by a Ginsters ham and cheese slice, we returned to Sheppey. I inspected my new bushes.

 

Lee, who did the work (and who also runs the S-MX Owners' Club) also pointed out that both the outer track rod ends are goosed. They were brand new back in October (Less than 5000 miles ago). So, either Ebay rubbish really doesn't last (possible) or CRV track rod ends don't actually fit (also possible). Lee has ordered me a pair of 'definitely S-MX' ones, but couldn't get hold of them on the day. Might explain the wheel wobble at speed.

 

End result of all the work is that the ride feels better, probably because all of the clonks (at the back at least) have now gone. Gearbox fluid change has gone less well. It's not vastly better than it was. In fact, it's just as bad when cold, slipping on the upchanges. When warm, some kickdowns are much cleaner, dropping into third can still be a bit revvy. I suspect this is too little too late - the damage has probably already been done. I'll continue to drive around the problem (ie manual kickdown). 

 

The late doesn't end there though. Once the car was off the ramp, I set off for Northamptonshire. Amazingly, I sailed through the Dartford Crossing (at 5pm!) and the M25. The M1 was a bit sticky though, but we never actually came to a full on stop. I stayed at a swanky AirBnB, which was nice. 

 

This morning (was it really this morning? It feels like about a week ago), I awoke to lovely sunshine and headed for an appointment with the Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts' Club. I found somewhere to stop on the way.

 

Silverstone! We'll be back here 30th April for Japfest. 

 

Here we are at the RREC. I absolutely adore the stone here in Northants. We used to live in a cottage made from this stuff.

 

Then it was across to Oxfordshire and the Bentley Drivers' Club. A very different building.

 

Then it was a 'simple' case of driving home. Near Droitwich, I spied a Minor in this traffic queue.

 

By the time I reached Tenbury Wells, I was shattered. Stopped for food at a very bright pub.

 

Things turned nasty after this. In Ludlow, I encountered a fairly fresh accident. Emergency services were on hand, but not really helping. So bright were their lights that I found it tricky to drive past the scene, even at a walking pace. Copper shouted "go through slowly" as if I had any choice! The smash involved a Laguna Mk1 estate and a Disco II. Looked a properly nasty one, but I was guessing not too serious if they were letting people drive through...

 

Things didn't improve. Not long after I crossed into Wales, it started snowing. Mile after mile driving into snow feels like being The Enterprise at warp speed. It's horrible! Then there was lightning. Then it started to settle.

 

Thankfully, it didn't settle too badly, and I'm not sure the Nokian all-season tyres were actually that necessary. I just drove smoothly and it was all good. However, I arrived home about half an hour ago, which is about 12 hours after I left the AirBNB this morning, and about 600 miles since I left home on Sunday morning. I'm knackered. The car seems fine.

[bub2006]

Lovely views there dw. Shame about the issues with the smx. Can the box's be rebuilt easy on ough or will a crv box fit? I'm still waiting for the snow here to arrive!

[dollywobbler]

Chap I visited sells used gearboxes for £150. If it comes to it, that'll be the road to go down. As long as it keeps moving, I'll just keep using it. It's a nice car to drive when you're knackered and the weather is terrible. Just a shame about the poor ride. How Honda.

[UltraWomble]

I do like the look of these ( but then I have a "thing" about boxy cars like the Cube, the Berlingo and so on).

Interesting to hear of the issues you are having with the box though - I always thought Honda = plod on forever with nowt going wrong

[dollywobbler]

I do like the look of these ( but then I have a "thing" about boxy cars like the Cube, the Berlingo and so on).

Interesting to hear of the issues you are having with the box though - I always thought Honda = plod on forever with nowt going wrong

 

Oh anything but when it comes to autos. Very nice when they're working, but they can be quite flaky in fact. As anyone with an Accord V6 coupe can tell you. Mind you, it seems they may suffer from that 'Japanese cars are always reliable' mindset that means people never change the fluid, then wonder why they've lost drive...

[alcyonecorporation]

See also Subaru SVX

 

GO TO 10

[Snipes]

Screw this rubbish I'm off to find more 75 threads.

[dollywobbler]

Orange has happened.

 

Sadly, I fear this is just the start, as I'm thinking it needs more graphics, a clear-lens conversion and I quite like the idea of a rear spoiler. WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO ME?!

[gadgetgricey]

They would look just as good on the Daimler (....not)

[UltraWomble]

Not overly keen on the orange - but do like the boxy car.

Carry on.

[twosmoke300]

Good car - terrible wheels !

[KruJoe]

Suits it well!

Is the roof still looking scabby? Orange up there would balance out the wheels well, I reckon.

[Sloth in a bowl]

Time for some A Team van graphics?

 

[Noel Tidybeard]

Orange has happened.

 

Sadly, I fear this is just the start, as I'm thinking it needs more graphics, a clear-lens conversion and I quite like the idea of a rear spoiler. WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO ME?!

 

oh dear first a jaaaaagaimler now this- i think its midlife crisis time in the wales

[dollywobbler]

Suits it well!

Is the roof still looking scabby? Orange up there would balance out the wheels well, I reckon.

 

Yup. Orange roof could well happen. The ribbed structure might make it tricky to vinyl wrap, but it'd certainly tidy things up nicely.

[cort1977]

I have to say...

 

I like it.   It sounded like a terrible idea but I think it suits the car quite well.   Is it powder coat or paint?

[dollywobbler]

Powder coat. I'm still not entirely convinced myself - I very rarely tart cars up. I don't think I'm very good at it. The fact it divides opinion is good. One thing was for sure, I was never going to go for the diamond cut look of the originals. 

 

On top of this, I bought some new trainers today, so it's been a megastressful time of wondering if I've made the right decision. And that's after heading to Glasgow to buy a cheap Daimler with a fuel leak.

[320touring]

Yes! Looks exactly how I'd pictured it in my head:)

[Shep Shepherd]

I think you should paint the mirrors, grille and tailgate handle to match

[Ghosty]

Looks alright that.

[twosmoke300]

I think you should paint the mirrors, grille and tailgate handle to match

Don't forget the air vents and panels inside too , big sub in the boot and a passenger footwell full of empty mac Donald's packaging .

[dollywobbler]

Air vents and interior door handles are orange from the factory...

[STUNO]

Dislike   But too far away to come and adjust your thinking. 

[twosmoke300]

Air vents and interior door handles are orange from the factory...

The horror ! The horror ! 😄

[dollywobbler]

A quick one-bucket wash, followed by Autoglym's Rapid Aqua Wax, and it looks like I actually made some effort to smarten the ol' girl up!

 

Will it still be shiny when I get to Silverstone tomorrow though?

[Asimo]

Orange good, number of spokes not an exact multiple of number of (visible) wheel bolts bad.

 

Also needs real orange indictor lenses. Like every other car.

[dollywobbler]

What if I paint three wheel nuts orange?

[twosmoke300]

How does the ignore function work on here again ? 😂

[DVee8]

This is for sale on the Blue

 

http://forum.retro-rides.org/thread/197419/1997-honda-camper-surf-glasgow

[KruJoe]

Now THOSE wheels are worthy of ignoring.