Car Talk

[Ray]

I'd recommend finding out a bit more about that gearbox glitch Robin before deciding 100% to keep her and have the other work done. 

[scaniaman]

A good place to start with the gearbox might be a fluid and filter change. If the fluid is a brownish colour, instead of pink, it may need changing. should be a relatively cheap fix. Saw Ed China do it on a Porshe Boxter with the same fault once  on Wheeler Dealers. Heater blower might just need to be pushed onto the grommits fully according to the youtube vloggs.  Good luck.

Paul.

[oldgregg]

1 hour ago, Ray said:

I'd recommend finding out a bit more about that gearbox glitch Robin before deciding 100% to keep her and have the other work done. 

Agreed. Old Mercedes' (well... old but post 1997) are notorious for electronics problems and because they tend to use a lot of proprietary components things can get expensive.

[Poppy]

4 minutes ago, oldgregg said:

Agreed. Old Mercedes' (well... old but post 1997) are notorious for electronics problems and because they tend to use a lot of proprietary components things can get expensive.

A neighbour has an SLK. The folding roof stopped working. £1300 for a new electronic control unit and a shed load of hours labour to access the ond one and swap it.....

[Stranger]

 

the auto box has a 13 pin connector plug on it and the "o" ring seal could be at fault    a common thing apparently

check oil level

as for heater fan  get a secondhand matrix assy from  a breakers yard  theres a specialist breakers at Manchester   with very reasonable rates

Dronsfields  the name of the breaker 

[oldgregg]

8 minutes ago, Stranger said:

theres a specialist breakers at Manchester   with very reasonable rates

Dronsfields  the name of the breaker 

https://www.dronsfields.com/

[oldgregg]

12 minutes ago, Poppy said:

A neighbour has an SLK. The folding roof stopped working. £1300 for a new electronic control unit and a shed load of hours labour to access the ond one and swap it.....

I think that's one of the reasons the MX-5 is so popular actually - There are no roof electrics to go wrong (apart from the folding hardtop version obviously) and the engines are Japanese so other than a bit of rust the cars are fairly painless to own.

[Chris1986]

I’ve had 2 SLKs and would have another one tomorrow! The 350 is definitely a drivers car. My Auntie ordered a new 320 in 2000 and took delivery in June 2001, 18 years and 35k miles later she’s still got it. The first one I had was a 2003 2.3 Kompressor, it quickly became apparent it was a dog and hadn’t been looked after, everything was botched, but I still loved it! I like the view out of the windscreen on the older models, a long flat bonnet with 2 humps. The second one I had was the same as yours Robin, but blue with cream leather. When I first got the car I took it to Pro Shine in Norwich for the full works, it looked brand new after 2 days with them. I used to use Pflege Rubber Care on the seals etc, totally cherished that car! My girlfriend and dog enjoyed it too!

[LondonRascal]

2 hours ago, Ray said:

I'd recommend finding out a bit more about that gearbox glitch Robin before deciding 100% to keep her and have the other work done. 

 In my mind if you've got a car that you really cherish, or cost a great deal of money, or you've owned from new or maybe are only its second owner and you knew just how well the car was looked after by the first - all this would mean the slightest 'twitch' outside the norm and you will want it looked at for peace of mind if nothing else.

If this transmission shows any signs of playing up again like it did in Yarmouth, then I will get it looked at - of course if it does decide to 'tits up' the second time and I loose all drive, that is why I have paid extra for the recovery option on the insurance. I know from the 7 Series when it had a leaking transmission sump how low fluid levels will effect drive, also how that causes slip between gears. BMW make their transmission sumps out of plastic these days, they then crack around the fasteners - but plastic sumps are not just a BMW thing.

38 minutes ago, Stranger said:

the auto box has a 13 pin connector plug on it and the "o" ring seal could be at fault    a common thing apparently

check oil level

as for heater fan  get a secondhand matrix assy from  a breakers yard  theres a specialist breakers at Manchester   with very reasonable rates 

Dronsfields  the name of the breaker 

I don't need a new Matrix, just a blower fan assembly - everything else works as should.  I am waiting for an estimate form Auto Technic in Loddon who appear to be a very well regarded Mercedes independent specialist  as to the cost of a replacement along with a new AC Compressor.

 

32 minutes ago, oldgregg said:

think that's one of the reasons the MX-5 is so popular actually - There are no roof electrics to go wrong (apart from the folding hardtop version obviously) and the engines are Japanese so other than a bit of rust the cars are fairly painless to own.

I looked at a far newer (2010) MX-5 but it simply was too small, inside was narrow and especially  low to the ground i practically had to crawl out on all fours. I know a previous MX-5 owner complained bitterly about damp autumn and winter days with condensation with the soft top, so I was looking for the electric hard top version.,

Having then found the SLK I went on to buy was so much cheaper than the MX-5 but had a real punch 'push back in your seat' feel, wider cockpit, higher off the ground and all round more practical it won me over.

 

[oldgregg]

10 minutes ago, LondonRascal said:

I looked at a far newer (2010) MX-5 but it simply was too small, inside was narrow and especially  low to the ground i practically had to crawl out on all fours. I know a previous MX-5 owner complained bitterly about damp autumn and winter days with condensation with the soft top, so I was looking for the electric hard top version.,

Having then found the SLK I went on to buy was so much cheaper than the MX-5 but had a real punch 'push back in your seat' feel, wider cockpit, higher off the ground and all round more practical it won me over.

 

Yeah the one I looked at was 2010. I don't fit in them either....

S2000 is a bit more spacious (relatively) although the price tends to reflect how good they are.

Just don't buy an RX-7 or RX-8!

[LondonRascal]

I have just been shuttling items between north and west London, and it dawned on me that while the SLK has some issues, I have put almsot 2,000 miles on the clock since buying it and other than that little twitch with the transmission, has been faultless. I check the coolant and oil after long runs and it uses nothing, there is no oil leaks under the engine or around it, and having now added some ZX1 Friction Eliminator, the car is running incredibly quiet and smoothly.

My biggest problem is the amount of times I have to stop for fuel. Brundall to Putney used as close as damn it half a tank of fuel. Today, I have gone from Putney which is in West London over to Tottenham and back, and used a third of a tank. I know when I get back to Norwich it will be first stop Sainsbury for some cheap petrol.

I also nearly got rear ended on the A4 about an hour ago.  I had overtaken a woman in a Toyota CH-R who was doing that "sort of hands free phone call" the one where they have the person on speaker phone, but are still holding the phone at chest height with one hand...So she is now behind me and we are all slowing down as the traffic is pretty bad ahead. Two cars ahead a white Transit cuts in - cue hard braking from these two cars, I had to brake firmly and the next thing I hear is ABS working hard to control the skidding of the Toyota CH-R behind me.  From my rear view mirror she has the look of shock on her face BUT still is holding her damn phone.

Anyway, all is okay...So I am going to load up the car (well as best as you can with this little boot) and shortly be heading back up to Norfolk. Oh and it has a name now, Bob.

[Paul]

4 hours ago, scaniaman said:

should be a relatively cheap fix.

Fluid change on the 7g-tronic is not a cheap fix sadly .... though it should only need doing once in the cars lifetime, after 5years / 50k. It may be worth making sure it was done. 

Mercedes ATF fluid is clear cherry red colour, if it has become opaque then it should be changed, along with the transmission fluid filter and sump bolts. It is not an easy diy job. You need to have (or have access to) a Mercedes Benz diagnostic tool and a pressurised fluid pump, as well as the correct MB threaded connector to refill the transmission after refitting the sump. 

It is also important to make sure when draining that the torque convertor is drained, this doesn't drain when you remove the gearbox sump. There is a drain bolt on some but it is a b1tch to find and get to, some vehicles don't have one and the fluid has to be pumped out. 

[LondonRascal]

On 01/04/2019 at 14:17, Paul said:

Fluid change on the 7g-tronic is not a cheap fix sadly .... though it should only need doing once in the cars lifetime, after 5years / 50k. It may be worth making sure it was done. 

This was done at 51,456 miles by a main MB dealer in Bedford.

 

[LondonRascal]

So...Today I got the X5 back and remember how nice it is to drive and what lovely seats it has compared to the SLK, where I also learn that the likely cost to sort all issues (not including any transmission problems) is about £3,000 - therefore that ain't gonna happen..

Here is a chat about today car capers..Think yourself fortunate you are not beset with things that seem to happen to me.

 

[finny]

well you can only drive one at a time ............but i recon its time for something new Robin - What about getting a van 

finny 

[scaniaman]

Or maybe a mighty TIGER Robin and Griff as easy riders. 

[LondonRascal]

26 minutes ago, finny said:

well you can only drive one at a time ............but i recon its time for something new Robin - What about getting a van 

finny 

I can't say I have ever really been taken by vans. I don't want to covert one to a 'stealth camper' and have no need to transport large items, like sheets of Ply.

While it is true you can only drive one car at a time, it is also nice to be able to think...Hmm, it's a warm sunny day today I'll take the the convertible to Sainsbury's - and then end up driving 20 miles round the country lanes simply because it is a blast and brings a smile to your face.

19 minutes ago, scaniaman said:

Or maybe a mighty TIGER Robin and Griff as easy riders. 

I can't say I have ever really been taken by Motorbikes - sorry to all those who love them so that is something I can be sure I won't be taking up because it would have happened, or at least been tried a long time ago.

[BroadAmbition]

I can't say I have ever really been taken by Motorbikes

Probably because you have never tried a 'Proper' bike?  Need to get you astride the Tiger as a pillion one of these days to experience it

Griff

[Cockatoo]

On 01/04/2019 at 10:39, oldgregg said:

I think that's one of the reasons the MX-5 is so popular actually - There are no roof electrics to go wrong (apart from the folding hardtop version obviously) and the engines are Japanese so other than a bit of rust the cars are fairly painless to own.

The problem is Mazda's are Alfa Romeo'esque in their ability to rust :(

 

Great in Japan where they don't spread salt on the roads.

[unclemike]

9 minutes ago, BroadAmbition said:

Probably because you have never tried a 'Proper' bike?

been there done that , grew up

[BroadAmbition]

Growing old is compulsory

Growing up is optional

Griff

[oldgregg]

1 hour ago, SteveDuk said:

The problem is Mazda's are Alfa Romeo'esque in their ability to rust :(

Great in Japan where they don't spread salt on the roads.

Yeah indeed - There aren't many mk1's around with the panels they left Hiroshima with!

Or mk2's......

Or early Mk3's....

Best to paint the underside and check the drainage channels regularly.

[Victoryv]

10 hours ago, LondonRascal said:

I can't say I have ever really been taken by vans. I don't want to covert one to a 'stealth camper' and have no need to transport large items, like sheets of Ply.

While it is true you can only drive one car at a time, it is also nice to be able to think...Hmm, it's a warm sunny day today I'll take the the convertible to Sainsbury's - and then end up driving 20 miles round the country lanes simply because it is a blast and brings a smile to your face.

I can't say I have ever really been taken by Motorbikes - sorry to all those who love them so that is something I can be sure I won't be taking up because it would have happened, or at least been tried a long time ago.

Never owned a camper van but always had an open mind, I do however love motorbikes and boats, so we have just ordered a race van, sleeps 4 people and has a garage in the rear for two bikes.

Somewhere comfortable whilst working on our boat and a nice old motorbike to potter around Norfolk, bliss !

[ranworthbreeze]

1 hour ago, oldgregg said:

Yeah indeed - There aren't many mk1's around with the panels they left Hiroshima with!

Or mk2's......

Or early Mk3's....

Best to paint the underside and check the drainage channels regularly.

It must be just certain models, my old Xedos 8 (1996) was in better condition than most Fords, Vauxhall's.

Regards

Alan

[oldgregg]

19 minutes ago, ranworthbreeze said:

It must be just certain models, my old Xedos 8 (1996) was in better condition than most Fords, Vauxhall's.

I think it is, yeah.

The Japanese know how to build cars that don't rust, but if you remember the original pitch to Mazda management for the MX-5 was that a car could be built for a third less than a 323 and sold for a third more then it sort of makes sense.