HMC- Return of the Cheeky 500

[320touring]

A sad state of affairs! Needs immediate resolution ( the single car, not the sticker!)

[HMC]

Excellent.

 

What's the story with the LDV then? Did the fuel tank run off with your wallet?

Sold to an LDV licker, who has sold it on again I think.

[wuvvum]

Are you OK HMC?  Two months ago you had a fleet that I would have given my (admittedly redundant) right bollock to own.  Now you, er, don't. 

[Supernaut]

Are you OK HMC?  Two months ago you had a fleet that I would have given my (admittedly redundant) right bollock to own.  Now you, er, don't.

Yes, but surely this means there is space for something hilarious.

[HMC]

The drive is empty. So too, the overflow layby, as is the garage. For the first time since 2002 and with 200+ cars in the interim, there is no car. I nearly bid on a 1999 avensis estate last night (ended up going for £215 with MOT but cracked screen)but talked myself out of it.

 

Tomorrow that is set to change as the vendor is dropping off my newly purchased BMW e46 330d. I lasted 48hrs. How long have you gone cold turkey?

[clayts450]

18 years AICMFP

[egg]

3 years, and life was really easy, taxis and hire cars filling in occasionally.

[gadgetgricey]

Tomorrow that is set to change as the vendor is dropping off my newly purchased BMW e46 330d.

I'll keep it 48hrs.

 

Fixed that for you

[twosmoke300]

Prob bankrupt him in that 48hrs tho

[Isaac Hunt]

There's an element of style over substance though.. Gone are the days a wing mirror or indicator stalk or door handle was on a whole range of models. .

Yet they still manage to make a whole host of cars look the bloody same

[Marm Toastsmith]

How long have you gone cold turkey?

 

Well... I've managed to make it a couple of months with just the wife's car, and another car SORNed (with no plans to get back on the road). Does that count? For me it's quite an achievement.

 

Have been spending every spare minute for the past 60 days looking at for sale ads though...

[HMC]

Well the vendor dropped off my new (and only) set of wheels today. It's that old forum favourite* a BMW E46. It's my second E46 (people with very good memories may remember my dopehead cast off coupe with 1.8 litre 4 cylinder power. It was a bit sorry for itself but an easy sell to the gumtree massiv.) The rationale behind this touring is- not too big, not too boring, auto so missus friendly and scores points as hails from her homeland...

 

Of course it's rusty- bubbling on the arches, but in contrast to the coupe it has been looked after otherwise and has a decently potent engine. It's the 3l 6 pot dizzler with an engine remap ( fully declared to my insurers fwiw)

 

Drives lovely, no knackered bushes, pokey, already on its second auto box (chip Just kicked in yo) How long will I keep it? Do I like it's chav image? Do I like it? YES YES YES; today at least it's sunny and I'm happy. WCPGW?!

[Jim Bell]

When all else fails, buy and e46.

 

Looks canny man.  

[Lord Sterling]

Looks great that. If you can keep it long enough for me to get comfy in new job (about a month) I'll happily take it off you when you are done with it. Wouldn't mind a powerful estate again. I drove one of the new shape 335d BMWs and that was pretty fun.

[HMC]

I've just got rid of the "for sale" tag from whenever I last got bored. Let's be honest, how long before it gets put back? I'm hoping to make amends with this one- 6 months ownership is a laughably small target for most normal people, but if I manage that I'll be genuinely chuffed to bits.

[JohnK]

I've just got rid of the "for sale" tag from whenever I last got bored. Let's be honest, how long before it gets put back? I'm hoping to make amends with this one- 6 months ownership is a laughably small target for most normal people, but if I manage that I'll be genuinely chuffed to bits.

I walked past my E39 today and it recalled in my head that I’ve now owned it for 5 months, which is a long time really for me in terms of a daily driver. I don’t think it will quite make the 6 month mark however.

 

This one must be a challenge for you I reckon!

[HMC]

Incoming E300 Diesel estate! Some MOT, some seats (7), some rust (hopefully nothing nasty) it's due to be dropped off mid afternoon......

[RobT]

Good!  You were worringly free of chod for a while there.

[Schaefft]

Whats up with all these W124s recently. Looking forward for more!

[HMC]

So mid afternoon and the 281k merc was trundling down to the westcountry driven by the vendor. Whilst getting a splash of fuel a wayward Nissan Juke reversed into it! Sad faces all round. The vendor was as gutted as I was but there was still a deal to be had. Although I felt I was taking advantage of the situation, the seller immediately offered to reduce the price; I knocked the price down a bit as it was looking even more sorry for itself and would need further TLC. So a slightly sorry for itself 25 year old Mercedes once again is seen by HMC towers. It's a bit worn and tired, and has had a left hook to the face by a juke; but it's still standing. Back in the early 00's a used late "multivalve" diesel was pretty much the coveted pick of the estate range.

[Ghosty]

Pfff, it's only a headlight!

[Fabergé Greggs]

Was this the one on RR? Looks tasty. 

[Peter C]

W124, you know it makes sense.

[Peter C]

Pfff, it's only a headlight!

And the bonnet looks a little out of shape.

[anonymous user]

Ok then, who reversed the Juke for you?

[HMC]

I recon the rear subframe mounts are a bit fruity on this, known weak spot alas. In my mind it's in the sort of semi dilapidated condition that one of the landed gentry might smoke around in, but in plain speaking terms it's a bit fucked.

[gadgetgricey]

Ok. I'll ask what everyone else is probably thinking...

What's occuring with the E46? (Goes off to book train tickets)

[Talbot]

Back in the early 00's a used late "multivalve" diesel was pretty much the coveted pick of the estate range.

It's still a coveted model. The om606 (non-turbo) in this is a very sought after engine for various reasons: Bottom end can take big power, the pump is very robust, OMGHGF is almost unheard of, and will run on literally anything that burns. Diesel, Heating oil, Veg oil, LHM, Gearbox oil, ATF, frigging anything.

[HMC]

Quick w124 diagnostic test- put the car in park, rock it back and forwards and watch the front of the rear subframe pop up and down; feeling around the rear tyres half the rotten mount is attached to the chassis and half bolted to the subframe. The dangers of buying 25yo cars unseen even if they are cheap.

 

I recon the vendor was unaware and the previous MOT people too- it's often missed on these. 2 tyres aren't legal and of those one is just about through to the carcass on its inner shoulder. 2 tyres ordered and my local welding specialists will soon be on the case for a look over.

 

Conclusion- well engineered metal rusts after 25 years just like any other. I haven't plucked up the courage to pop the jacking point covers off yet....

[gadgetgricey]

Quick w124 diagnostic test- put the car in park, rock it back and forwards and watch the front of the rear subframe pop up and down; feeling around the rear tyres half the rotten mount is attached to the chassis and half bolted to the subframe. 

 

and my local welding specialists will soon be on the case for a look over.

 

 

 

Sounds quite involved? Or is it a jack up/unbolt and weld situation.