Mingebag Mercedes-Tidy Up Underway

[Jerzy Woking]

Not my first collection (2 bikes bought from Wuvs collected in a van, and a bike collected from Madmopedracer in Glasgow)were uneventful. This collection will* be exciting.......

 

First bus.

 

 

Next stop the train station

[barmatt]

It appears to have fallen over, not a great start to your travels.

[Jerzy Woking]

Train next-hopefully not on its side like the bus.

[Jerzy Woking]

Off we go-train on time and the rightway up.

 

Next update when I reach Norwich.

[Jerzy Woking]

Tain arrived on time, and now on the train to Sheringham. Unlike the last train that had plenty of comfy seats, charging points and free wifi, this two carriage train is absolutely packed, and with sod all in the luxury department. Still, only an hours journey packed in like a sardines.

[Jerzy Woking]

Bollocks. Just two minutes in, and an announcement that a "bridge bash" will mean the train will be held at some station or another until it's been cleared.

Indeed, an exciting collection (should it ever happen).

[Jerzy Woking]

Double bollocks. Now stopped at Hoveton and Wroxham as the bridge that has been struck is the next one down the line.

 

Now announced this train is returning to Norwich and a bus is being organised to get to Sheringham.

 

Oh calamity!

[320touring]

In a good development, the current journey experience makes the idea of the merc look even more appealing!

[Ben_O]

yay, rail replacement services.

 

Oh joy

 

Good luck

[Jerzy Woking]

Now on the replacement bus on my way to Sheringham. The replacement bus is a "Megabus" which is somewhat cramped. Only got to suffer this for an hour or so!

 

And then get another bus....

 

[Pillock]

You could have hired a boat, don't think collectioning via inland waterways has been done yet on AS

[Jerzy Woking]

Collected. The seller collected me from where the bus dropped me off (hopefully he will sign up on Autoshite-I think he'll like it here).

 

It drives really well although it doesn't look like it. A few hours cleaning it up (at least the inside-I quite like the filthy exterior).

 

Can't seem to load the photos as very poor sinal on my mobile here- unadulrated interior shots to follow once home.

[barmatt]

Obligatory pez shot needed.

[Jerzy Woking]

Pez shot (sort of):

 

 

Drove 110 miles or so home, and it's really good. Engine is quiet, rattle free and pulls well, auto gearbox changes smoothly, brakes and suspension all good.

 

Inside is dirty, but better than I thought:

 

Front seats have covers on them which have done their job, as the actual seats are dirty bit intact. Not many cars with over 216,000 miles on them without threadbare bolsters:

Even the "wood" on the dash has no cracks or crazing, and the radio sounds ok;

 

Had a poke around the outside and apart from the front wings, although a fair few areas of rust, nothing appears rotten-cills and jacking points all good. And most of the flaking paint has rust underneath, there are no holes. A wire brush wheel, a lick of Kurust and some rattle cans will stop the rot setting in.

 

All in all, although my first 4 wheeled collection had some frustrating issues, thanks to Barmatt and the seller Hugh (top bloke) coming to the rescue, I had a great day out, with a car drive home as a bonus.

 

Tomorrow I'll fill it with rubbish for the tip, and then attack the inside once home with a hoover and some decent interior cleaner.

[Jerzy Woking]

So I've done 4 tip runs today in it, and with the seats folded it takes many, many bags and boxes.

 

After the tip, took it to the local jet wash to get all the muck off of it-not sure if I should have now, as it has exposed all its rustiness.

 

When I picked it up;

And now

 

Although it has exposed the expanse of rust, it is all surface rust under the bubblING paint. So I'll just rub it down and primer it and a few coats of rattle can silver. It will never be anything other than a shed.

 

Had a go at the drivers seat.

Before;

No after shots yet-and to see if the stuff I purchased at North Weald market about 10 years ago works. Seems to have done but want to see what it's like when they are dry.

 

Two things have raised their ugly head-the brake pad warning light is flashing away, and I lost the front left indicator-my fault as I noticed it was loose when I went out. Looks sorry now.

[Jerzy Woking]

Seats are drying nicely in this breeze;

 

 

Big difference and so quick-small bowl of warm water and a couple of capfuls of RAD shampoo applied with a small nailbrush. Took about three minutes to do this much. Hopeful that the inside will be a respectable place to sit in very soon.

[Vantman]

.

[Ghosty]

That's not the right manual!

[Jerzy Woking]

Not sure mine is the same model Vantman-the headlights on mine are different. I think mine is one of the last of these models registered on a X plate

[Vantman]

Not sure mine is the same model Vantman-the headlights on mine are different. I think mine is one of the last of these models registered on a X plate

 

OK,i saw it was X reg but never noticed the headlights were different!

[Junkman]

Now on the replacement bus on my way to Sheringham. The replacement bus is a "Megabus" which is somewhat cramped. Only got to suffer this for an hour or so!

 

And then get another bus....

 

14904428283951593889594.jpg

 

Why is Chewbacca on the bus?

[Felly Magic]

3 Rivers, that's one of the brandings of the firm the Mrs works for

[Jerzy Woking]

Not spent too much time (nor money) on getting this into a presentable state. Despite looking rotten in places, a quick blast with a wire brush in a drill showed no perforation, and a splash of Bilt Hamer rust removing gel and then their rust converter, primer and a £4 rattle can from Halford has tidied it up no end. At least from 10 yards away!

 

Interior has cleaned up remarkably well, with just a few very light marks visible.

 

Tyres are on the limit, but managed to bag 4 immaculate alloys with Goodyear tyres for £50. These will be fitted over Easter along with the new brake pads. I'll then put it in for the MOT before it expires at the end of the month.

 

Photos later, when I get home. Currently in a recovery truck, as the Ford Kuga auto I was driving has shot it's auto gearbox-the solonoid has gone apparently. Second time in 300 miles. Thank fuck it's a work car.