86 replies to this topic

[campaj1]

Not sure how many will be interested, but here goes!

So the poor old Minx is in for a significant overhaul with the lovely people at Minimine thanks to major bodywork troubles. Sounds like it's going to take the best part of 6 months to complete too; so here's my man-maths solution to getting about; a monster of an old Merc!

 

Amazing to think that the MPI and this car were built within a year of each other; it truly is a chalk and cheese comparison. 

 

The Good:
-Fantastically comfortable; near silent at a cruise thanks to double glazing and a smooth 'six.

- (so far) supremely reliable and well built; the usual "bank vault" metaphors apply. 

- some amusing, if superfluous toys e.g. cruise control, AC, all foreign to us Mini drivers!

- Cosseting seats and room to stretch my legs; a change from folding myself out of the MPI!

- has a tre-mendous Bose Stereo; cabin is quiet enough to enjoy it too! Have pinched the Parrot head unit from the Mini too for   the time being, and have finally managed to get the handsfree facility to work.

- giant sunroof makes it a wonderfully chilled way to waft to the pub for a half on a summer's evening.

- was a bit of a steal with only one owner from new, FMBSH and 67k miles... I've paid more for laptops too 

- has 'presence'.

- bonnet opens to 90 degrees; a godsend as have the scars to prove my incidents with Mini Bonnet catches! 

 

The Bad:

-28MPG at best

-Feels titanic in size compared to the Mini- no parking sensors and cr@p rear visibility; you really do have no idea where the back ends, all I know is that it is a long way away from the drivers seat!

-Zero steering feel- I can do a U-turn using one pinkie is the flipside!

-Have had to replace a failed window regulator, was fairly cheap though. 

- It's a bit of an ugly old thing! Nowhere near as many grins from passers-by as a Mini too, and even though its relatively ancient its sheer size coupled to the arrogant pointed star on the front means that few people let me out at junctions! 

- Frustratingly lazy slushmatic gearbox! Goes without saying that not a patch on the Mini for driving fun.

 

So far enjoying it all the same!

 

Cheers

 

Alex

 

 

[Anthony30]

Any rust?  I would like an old 190e at some point.

[Broomer]

I like it, a lot.

[campaj1]

Any rust?    I would like an old 190e at some point. 

Not too bad on rust, one slight chip on a wheelarch which needs a bit of TLC before it spreads, and a dribble under the front of the bonnet basically sums it up! Like the 190Es too but used some carefully deployed man maths to choose this! 

 

I like it, a lot.

Cheers!

[Tamworthbay]

Bit of a change from the mini! I ran an M plate 300E for a while as it was just too cheap to say no to. Great car but I did feel old driving it even though it would beat most hot hatches in a straight line.

[megamini_jb]

I like it

[campaj1]

I like it

Cheers

Bit of a change from the mini! I ran an M plate 300E for a while as it was just too cheap to say no to. Great car but I did feel old driving it even though it would beat most hot hatches in a straight line.

 

Indeed it is! Yup I get the 'old man' vibe too; family joke that I need a straw hat on the parcel shelf and a pipe! Worth it for the cheap comfort though! 

[Anthony30]

 

I like it

Cheers

Bit of a change from the mini! I ran an M plate 300E for a while as it was just too cheap to say no to. Great car but I did feel old driving it even though it would beat most hot hatches in a straight line.

 

Indeed it is! Yup I get the 'old man' vibe too; family joke that I need a straw hat on the parcel shelf and a pipe! Worth it for the cheap comfort though! 

 

How much are you paying for insurance, if you don't mind me asking. I'm currently paying £955 for a mk3 astra 1.4 mpi estate ls. Fully comp with Aviva. I have the ls spec alloy wheels as a modification.  Your two years younger than me.

[Ben_O]

I like it too.

 

I used to have old mercs and loved them. Would love another one day.

 

Enjoy it!

[campaj1]

^^ thanks, will do! Interested to hear what old MBz did you have?

 

Am planning some fairly subtle upgrades to glam it up a bit, be interested to hear some thoughts...

- Mirror Polishing the alloys (some light scratching on them at present, may have been polished from factory but uncertain)

- a touch of Rear window tinting

- Navy Blue carpet mats to make the interior less grey/dull.

- painting the B-Pillars black to make back to OEM, some shotgun-style fading on them atm.

^^ the above may be a bit "Miami Vice" for some but reckon it would give the car a bit of required sparkle to make it less 'old man'!

Or should I leave it stock?

 

Along with these:

- A damn good valet, and some paint repairs to the odd bumper scuff/rust bubble here and there

- Waxoyling the undersides (better safe than sorry).

- seeing to a squealing and slightly binding front right caliper.

- taking care of a slight fuel leak at idle from the fuel filter

 

Should be good for improving on its mileage after the above; have already covered almost 2k miles such is its cruising ability!

Edited by campaj1, 11 July 2015 - 05:47 PM.

[Anthony30]

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item25a996359d

 

Something like this would be ideal for me.  I don't think Mr insurance company would agree, with it being a Mercedes.  

[Ben_O]

Here's mine 

I regret selling each of them alot. Great cars

 

W201 2.0 auto

 

 

W201 2.6 Manual

 

 

W201 Cosworth Rep in various guises over the years

 

 

 

Edited by Ben_O, 11 July 2015 - 06:15 PM.

[Ben_O]

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item25a996359d

 

Something like this would be ideal for me.  I don't think Mr insurance company would agree, with it being a Mercedes.  

They are rubbish mate. get a W201. I had my first when i was 19 and it cost £701 FULLY COMP

[campaj1]

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item25a996359d

 

Something like this would be ideal for me.    I don't think Mr insurance company would agree, with it being a Mercedes.    

 

Mr Insurance has actually not too shabby to me, as most of these are driven pretty sensibly by sensible types, unlike one of my alternatives the E30! Also less prone to massive, crash inducing mechanical failure than some things! 

 

 

Here's mine  

I regret selling each of them alot. Great cars

 

W201 2.0 auto

 

 

W201 2.6 Manual

 

 

W201 Cosworth Rep in various guises over the years

 

 

 

 

Nice selection! Love the look of the second one!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Like a W201, however my delusions of dictatorial grandeur demanded the W140 lol!

Was only £200 odd more than that for me, again fully comp aged 20.

[Anthony30]

£1176.03 Aviva fully comp for this.  

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item43df723b54