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Anyone live in or near Manchester, UK? If so, please PM me. Thanks!
Any UK members?
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I am presently in Venezuela where my drive is a 1983 500 SEC (Fuel is 2 cents a Litre) and in a few weeks I will be returning to the North of England where my drive is a 1995 W124 2.5D and where fuel is certainly not 2 cents a ltr. If I can be of any help please contact me. I would also like to fantasize that XTCBYTES would be passing through Liverpool in mid May, on his way to experience the Isle of Man TT motorcycle races, as that is one experience that every petrol head should experience at least once in a lifetime. Dave
UK
Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
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No need to, whenever I have friends over from the U.K. instead of taking photographs of the beaches or wildlife they return home with dozens of photographs of petrol pumps. To fill up the SEC costs about one dollar twenty cents U.S. Having said that new vehicles are limited to 3.5 ltr unless built or assembled in Venezuela. Used cars are much more expensive than in the States or U.K. (swings annd roundabouts) but you can very often sell at a profit. Classic cars are appreciated like anywhere else. Dave
I'd be happy to get a few ones to see by my own eyes
Zotye Auto 1.5T T600 2016
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Good evening from China, yup I'm from the UK too and I am english for my sins
I'm in the Scottish Borders, between Edinburgh and Newcastle.
Zotye Auto 1.5T T600 2016
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Interesting user name bielefeld, west germany, you ex forces?
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Sorry, but I'm rubbish when it comes to photographing/attaching, but try this linkhttp://www.truveo.com/Venezuela-fuel-cost-crisis/id/1365031130.
The prices they talk about on the video are correct when you exchange the local currency (Bolivars) for U.S. Dollars at the official rate which is 2.1 Bolivars to the Dollar. But there is an aditional bonus for us foreigners, because there is an unofficial (grey market) exchange rate which currently is at about 6 Bolivars to the Dollar. Dave
The prices they talk about on the video are correct when you exchange the local currency (Bolivars) for U.S. Dollars at the official rate which is 2.1 Bolivars to the Dollar. But there is an aditional bonus for us foreigners, because there is an unofficial (grey market) exchange rate which currently is at about 6 Bolivars to the Dollar. Dave
Do you know Quentin from the Mercedes-Benz Club? Like you he runs a w126 300 SE. He lives just north of Beriwck. I bought my 500 SEC from him. I'm writing this in Edinburgh. I make the trip between Newcastle and Edinburgh about twice a week, sometimes in my 500 SEC sometimes in my SL500, sometimes by A1 past Berwick, sometimes by A697 or A68. Today was in the SL by A68, it took me less than 2hours which is good going.
Hi Eric, no not ex-forces, just my family is from Bielefeld which is where the W116 that sparked my interest in Mercs came from. Its a 280SE, 1977, which we still have today!
JJRodger - yes I know Quentin from the club, been to a couple of events together. I've seen his 300SE and the SL but never got a chance to see the SEC. How is it running? Are you also a club member?
JJRodger - yes I know Quentin from the club, been to a couple of events together. I've seen his 300SE and the SL but never got a chance to see the SEC. How is it running? Are you also a club member?
Bielefeld,
Yes, I am a member of the Club. I live further down the coast at Druridge. As well as the SEC I have a r129 SL500 in smoke silver which you may have seen around and about.
The SEC is running very well. It is a super car. I have had it a year now, in which time I have had to spend a fair bit of money on it (about the same as what I paid for it). The main things have been a new exhaust, new suspension bushes, some a/c components, some electric bits and bobs, as well as comprehensive servicing at the dealer. The a/c still is not right and I suspect the suspension needs further work.
The car has a very comprehensive service history: the first owner kept it until 2004 and spent thousands keeping it A1. From 2004 to 2005 it seems to have been neglected a bit. Then Quentin got it in 2005 and threw some cash at it. Before I bought it, Quentin sent it to Walter Niewkoup to have it painted and he seems to have made a total pig's ear of the job. At some time in the future I will have it properly resprayed but that will cost GBP3-4,000 and will have to wait. I don't know why Quentin sold it (I suspect he may have been very disappointed with the very poor paintwork done by WN) or, more precisely, why he bought it: in three years he seems hardly to have used it. Well I have changed all that. I have done 14,000miles in one year, as well as taking me to and from Edinburgh countless times, it has done a high speed run to Paris.
When I get the chance I will take some photos of it.
Yes, I am a member of the Club. I live further down the coast at Druridge. As well as the SEC I have a r129 SL500 in smoke silver which you may have seen around and about.
The SEC is running very well. It is a super car. I have had it a year now, in which time I have had to spend a fair bit of money on it (about the same as what I paid for it). The main things have been a new exhaust, new suspension bushes, some a/c components, some electric bits and bobs, as well as comprehensive servicing at the dealer. The a/c still is not right and I suspect the suspension needs further work.
The car has a very comprehensive service history: the first owner kept it until 2004 and spent thousands keeping it A1. From 2004 to 2005 it seems to have been neglected a bit. Then Quentin got it in 2005 and threw some cash at it. Before I bought it, Quentin sent it to Walter Niewkoup to have it painted and he seems to have made a total pig's ear of the job. At some time in the future I will have it properly resprayed but that will cost GBP3-4,000 and will have to wait. I don't know why Quentin sold it (I suspect he may have been very disappointed with the very poor paintwork done by WN) or, more precisely, why he bought it: in three years he seems hardly to have used it. Well I have changed all that. I have done 14,000miles in one year, as well as taking me to and from Edinburgh countless times, it has done a high speed run to Paris.
When I get the chance I will take some photos of it.
I think Walter is more a man for the older stuff anyway, but I'm surprised he screwed up the paint job. Quentin said he went to Mill Garage in Duns for some paint work too and recommended them. On that recommendation I've just got the 300 there at the moment getting some things looked at. Mechanical though, not paint. I will however also be needing a couple of new wings quite soon. I just bought it a few months ago so want to see how it runs before spending too much cash. Its in nice condition though and only got 95k on the clock. Plus its a manual which is rather rare and something I love!
I had some issues with my 420 which I cannot solve so it's just sitting there SORN for the moment til I decide what to do with it. Might end up using it for spares.
VERY hard to find a good garage around here though, one that knows old Mercs. Do you go to main dealers with yours?
It's good that you are using the 500 regularly, cars are there to be driven! Where do you stay, Edinburgh or Newcastle?
I had some issues with my 420 which I cannot solve so it's just sitting there SORN for the moment til I decide what to do with it. Might end up using it for spares.
VERY hard to find a good garage around here though, one that knows old Mercs. Do you go to main dealers with yours?
It's good that you are using the 500 regularly, cars are there to be driven! Where do you stay, Edinburgh or Newcastle?
Bielefeld,
Interesting. Maybe Mill screwed up the paintwork, then. The bonnet and bootlid are very orange peely, almost matt in finish unless mega-polished.
Tell me about the trouble finding good garages. I use Paul Smith at MB Newcastle: he has been there forever and is very, very good. MB Newcastle give me very good service generally, along with 40% off labour and about 10 to 20% off parts. The SEC has an almost total MB service history and my SL has never been away from MB: I feel both these things are worth keeping up.
I have used MB Coldstream in the past and they were OK. Otherwise I use Staithes Garage at Dunston in Gateshead or Formula 1 Engineering in Newcastle for bits and bobs of work on the SEC. Neither is perfect. I can recommend Alpine at Blaydon, too. All a bit far away from you. I don't know where to start when it comes to bodyshops. I have used Bill Heaney Coachworks and Steve Watson Coachworks with some success in the past. To be honest, I am learning how to do mechanical work myself: not only is it satisfying and cheap, but the job gets done properly.
The 500 relishes use. I think it suffered enormously for doing only 1,000miles in three years. I may be driving it to southern Portugal next month, a 4,500mile return trip which will be done over about six days in total. I would rather take the SL but my wife, who will be flying there anyway, prefers the SEC.
Edinburgh/Newcastle: both. My wife works in Edinburgh and we have a flat where she stays during the week. I pop up one or two nights to keep an eye on her... I work in Newcastle on the quayside and we have our home at Druridge. It is a fantastic drive: motoring can still be a pleasure.
Interesting. Maybe Mill screwed up the paintwork, then. The bonnet and bootlid are very orange peely, almost matt in finish unless mega-polished.
Tell me about the trouble finding good garages. I use Paul Smith at MB Newcastle: he has been there forever and is very, very good. MB Newcastle give me very good service generally, along with 40% off labour and about 10 to 20% off parts. The SEC has an almost total MB service history and my SL has never been away from MB: I feel both these things are worth keeping up.
I have used MB Coldstream in the past and they were OK. Otherwise I use Staithes Garage at Dunston in Gateshead or Formula 1 Engineering in Newcastle for bits and bobs of work on the SEC. Neither is perfect. I can recommend Alpine at Blaydon, too. All a bit far away from you. I don't know where to start when it comes to bodyshops. I have used Bill Heaney Coachworks and Steve Watson Coachworks with some success in the past. To be honest, I am learning how to do mechanical work myself: not only is it satisfying and cheap, but the job gets done properly.
The 500 relishes use. I think it suffered enormously for doing only 1,000miles in three years. I may be driving it to southern Portugal next month, a 4,500mile return trip which will be done over about six days in total. I would rather take the SL but my wife, who will be flying there anyway, prefers the SEC.
Edinburgh/Newcastle: both. My wife works in Edinburgh and we have a flat where she stays during the week. I pop up one or two nights to keep an eye on her... I work in Newcastle on the quayside and we have our home at Druridge. It is a fantastic drive: motoring can still be a pleasure.
Could be Mill garage that did that I suppose but then he did go out of his way to recommend them on the forum and in the Gazette. If I remember correctly I think Quentin had a door sprayed at Walters. Is that possible?
A 4.5k trip to Portugal is the sort of trip W126s were made for! Sounds fun!
Were you at the club event at MB Newcastle? A couple of years ago now I think. I was there with the silver 420.
I go to Coldstream for parts from time to time but never had any work done. Though it is just 5 mins drive away from where I stay, which is certainly handy for parts! I was gonna go there with the 420 but they wanted around £100 per hour, which was just a bit much. I do enjoy tinkering with the cars myself and am learning a lot, though it can be frustrating when things do not go as planned. But it can be very satisfying too, as you say. The forums are very handy. Just discovered a German W126 forum which I think I might sign up for too as I speak German. They have some useful DIY posts up.
A 4.5k trip to Portugal is the sort of trip W126s were made for! Sounds fun!
Were you at the club event at MB Newcastle? A couple of years ago now I think. I was there with the silver 420.
I go to Coldstream for parts from time to time but never had any work done. Though it is just 5 mins drive away from where I stay, which is certainly handy for parts! I was gonna go there with the 420 but they wanted around £100 per hour, which was just a bit much. I do enjoy tinkering with the cars myself and am learning a lot, though it can be frustrating when things do not go as planned. But it can be very satisfying too, as you say. The forums are very handy. Just discovered a German W126 forum which I think I might sign up for too as I speak German. They have some useful DIY posts up.
Yes, Quentin had a door done at Walter's. Unfortunately he stored the car there for the winter and I think it got covered in bird sh*t which etched the gloss black paint. I suspect Walter also machine polished the car and left it covered really bad swirl marks. I don't think the paint job on the boot and bonnet is up to snuff but it wasn't enough to put me off a lovely car! One day I will spring the cash to make it perfect, it really is a good car.
I was at the Newcastle event two years ago. Rather naughtily I got the (brand new, 150miles on the clock) SL55 AMG demonstrater up to 145mph on the A69... My wife got everyone lost in the R-Class. An enjoyable day.
What is up with the 420? The best things I have bought for fixing the cars have been a subscription to the online electronic parts catalogue (available on the MBUK website for 15euros per annum), a dodgy WIS which I run on an old computer and a good socket set. I am an absolute novice mechanic but with these I have found it easy to work on the 126 and to diagnose the 129. The 126 is built like Meccano, very easy to disassemble, fix and reassemble.
I was at the Newcastle event two years ago. Rather naughtily I got the (brand new, 150miles on the clock) SL55 AMG demonstrater up to 145mph on the A69... My wife got everyone lost in the R-Class. An enjoyable day.
What is up with the 420? The best things I have bought for fixing the cars have been a subscription to the online electronic parts catalogue (available on the MBUK website for 15euros per annum), a dodgy WIS which I run on an old computer and a good socket set. I am an absolute novice mechanic but with these I have found it easy to work on the 126 and to diagnose the 129. The 126 is built like Meccano, very easy to disassemble, fix and reassemble.
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