http://www.car4play.com/forum Car4play forum en-gb Sat, 01 Aug 2026 18:16:21 +0100 Copyright: Car4play webmaster@car4play.com (Technical) 5 car4play690933 Sat, 01 Aug 2026 18:16:21 +0100 Got the car back from the wheel powder coating people today. Must say, it does look almost smart, which is quite an achievement for a ten year old car that has led such a hard life. The wheels had all corroded and were looking really tatty, but now they are like a new set. I may even wash it before hoses become frowned upon. ;-) http://www.car4play.com/forum/post/index.htm?m=690933&v=e car4play690917 Sat, 01 Aug 2026 10:43:04 +0100 There are days when you really wouldn’t want our bikes inside a car. They are ridden primarily off-road and are usually not the cleanest of things at the end of a ride. http://www.car4play.com/forum/post/index.htm?m=690917&v=e car4play690916 Sat, 01 Aug 2026 10:03:26 +0100 >> Yes of course, rear mounted would be better perhaps. We avoided towbar/tailhatch bike transport in favour of roof mounting for the BX and Xantia. The Berlingo carried them inside in place of the offside rear seat. http://www.car4play.com/forum/post/index.htm?m=690916&v=e car4play690915 Sat, 01 Aug 2026 09:47:25 +0100 That is the thing T&E. The regularity of our usage is such that a rear mounted system would be more of a faff than just leaving racks permanently on the roof. Takes me less than 30 seconds to put a bike on top and probably a bit less to take one off. Downside is a little bit of an impact on mpg. http://www.car4play.com/forum/post/index.htm?m=690915&v=e car4play690913 Fri, 31 Jul 2026 20:51:26 +0100 Always the potential problem with an estate and towbar mounting of access through the tailgate (unless a tilting variety of rack is used). I had a purpose built rack installed on the back of a Ducato, it pivoted on one end away from the doors to remove that issue. The platform also folded upwards 90 degrees, such that when it wasn't in use it added little to the overall length. (which was good, as it was chassis mounted and not easily removed). I thought a tiltable, foldable rack might be an appropriate solution for you, but research didn't reveal anything where the platform would fold up (at least in the UK market). http://www.car4play.com/forum/post/index.htm?m=690913&v=e car4play690911 Fri, 31 Jul 2026 20:14:43 +0100 Yes of course, rear mounted would be better perhaps. However, we go somewhere at least 3 but usually 4 times a week with the bikes outside. It may sound trivial, but attaching and removing a towbar mounted rack that frequently feels like it might become tedious. Others may disagree without contention. ;-) http://www.car4play.com/forum/post/index.htm?m=690911&v=e car4play690897 Fri, 31 Jul 2026 11:59:17 +0100 >> The “other” was when it was my company car for the first 4 years of its existence. I bought it from my then employer in spring 2020 .... Got it for a very good price. Nothing is that cheap anymore is it? http://www.car4play.com/forum/post/index.htm?m=690897&v=e car4play690895 Fri, 31 Jul 2026 11:08:58 +0100 My brother has run Merc E-class diesel estates for over 20 years. He buys them second hand/low mileage and put a fair few miles on each. He tended to find that circa 200,000 was when expensive things started to go wrong and it was more economical to replace. The problem is that any modern replacement is likely to be more problematic, and you might be better off with the devil you know. Surprised you still but the MTBs on the roof - I find a tow-bar mounted rack much easier. http://www.car4play.com/forum/post/index.htm?m=690895&v=e car4play690887 Thu, 30 Jul 2026 18:52:57 +0100 Ok so I had to check. Renegades are actually marginally wider than mk1 Qashqais. I’m not sure what to say now. Best left there I suppose. http://www.car4play.com/forum/post/index.htm?m=690887&v=e car4play690886 Thu, 30 Jul 2026 18:23:56 +0100 >> >> That doesn’t need to be mentioned again either now does it? >> ;-) >> Of course it doesn't. But you know this place... http://www.car4play.com/forum/post/index.htm?m=690886&v=e car4play690885 Thu, 30 Jul 2026 17:31:06 +0100 Indeed they are. I think the Renegade must be narrower than the Qashqai… Haven’t checked but so far so good! That doesn’t need to be mentioned again either now does it? ;-) http://www.car4play.com/forum/post/index.htm?m=690885&v=e car4play690884 Thu, 30 Jul 2026 17:22:12 +0100 Mirrors still on, Runfer? http://www.car4play.com/forum/post/index.htm?m=690884&v=e car4play690881 Thu, 30 Jul 2026 13:34:13 +0100 It took me more than three years to be able to face fish and chips again, and I shall certainly never return to Herne Bay. All far too traumatic, despite the “damage” being all but invisible to the human eye. Trust you by the way. I had just about managed to block all that out. However yes, the refurbishment will include the repair of the tiny, insignificant nano scratch incurred all those years and miles ago. At least it can all now be put to rest and never mentioned again. ;-) http://www.car4play.com/forum/post/index.htm?m=690881&v=e car4play690879 Thu, 30 Jul 2026 12:59:52 +0100 So it's taken you 10 years to fix that alloy you mullered? http://www.car4play.com/forum/post/index.htm?m=690879&v=e car4play690873 Wed, 29 Jul 2026 22:51:50 +0100 Indeed…. And as you have probably guessed from the cars I mentioned, he wasn’t even interested in cars! Still, the Maxi was replaced by a Honda based Rover 216 GTi so things did (briefly) improve :) Stick to the Merc. You know where you are with a Mercedes :) http://www.car4play.com/forum/post/index.htm?m=690873&v=e car4play690872 Wed, 29 Jul 2026 22:42:40 +0100 Eek, what a way to go! :-( http://www.car4play.com/forum/post/index.htm?m=690872&v=e car4play690870 Wed, 29 Jul 2026 22:09:06 +0100 My Grandad did that with his 1982 Austin Maxi in 1994, when the rust finally got it. But fear not, the Austin Montego, bought in 1985 and ordered in 7 seat version for us grandchildren, was already well on its way to rusting to death as well by then. Somewhat unfortunately the Montego is what killed him. He was patching up some of the rust before it’s MOT when he had a heart attack under the car… http://www.car4play.com/forum/post/index.htm?m=690870&v=e car4play690869 Wed, 29 Jul 2026 22:07:14 +0100 Oh ok, well that implies I can have another 7 years or so out of mine based on current usage. I’ll let you know! http://www.car4play.com/forum/post/index.htm?m=690869&v=e car4play690868 Wed, 29 Jul 2026 22:01:07 +0100 As I understand it the rear self levelling suspension on these things is pretty simple, and not that expensive to fix. It’s either the airbags that need replacing as they’ve sprung a leak, the pump because it’s fubar or the pipes that go. All easy enough to fix at a non main dealer non specialist garage. The airbags are around £120 each. What is expensive is the full air suspension fitted to some cars; airmatic I think it’s called. That’s got air springs all round and adaptive dampers all round as well - and as I understand it when that goes wrong it can be upwards of £1k a corner to fix…. Less is more! I have seen several of the later generation (213?) with well north of 300k miles on the clock… http://www.car4play.com/forum/post/index.htm?m=690868&v=e car4play690867 Wed, 29 Jul 2026 21:41:56 +0100 That’s interesting Peter. In truth, I really don’t know what I’d replace mine with. Clearly it isn’t immortal and that is a decision that will have to be made at some point. Budget for a suitable successor isn’t really the issue here, fortunately my financial stars aligned acceptably well enough in the end. However, my residual inner canny Scot doesn’t take pleasure in wastefulness! Short of a better idea, I’d probably just buy another younger one. Or I would have until Duncan warned me off! Or a Grande Panda, for no useful reason at all. Other than that they seem like a giggle. ;-) http://www.car4play.com/forum/post/index.htm?m=690867&v=e car4play690863 Wed, 29 Jul 2026 21:02:42 +0100 I took a 2012 Mercedes E250 CDI, though not the one I bought new back in 2011, from 173k miles to 232k miles when, post sort-of retirement I foolishly accepted a short term bit of contracting in Herefordshire. Or perhaps it was Worcestershire. Wherever Ledbury is. It’s a bit of a trek from the south coast, and though I didn’t commute daily (that would have been madness) I did do the journey several times a week. At the time I had a leased Tesla Model 3, and throwing 600 or 900 miles a week on it didn’t seem sensible, so I did what anyone would do and that’s buy a by then old, cheap, diesel car to do the trip some of the time. As luck would have it what should come up locally but a palladium silver E250 CDi estate. Not far off identical to the one I bought new in 2011. Back then, after discount, it cost £31,000. In 2022 a 6 month younger one with 173k miles cost a smidge under £4k. It had just had its rear subframe replaced under warranty by Mercedes. In the 60k miles I did other than regular servicing per the cars ‘instruction’ it also had a set of front discs/pads, a pair of front springs as one had snapped and a gearbox service which I saw as preventative as I didn’t know when it had last been done. But it did have the rear airbags replaced at 162 k miles according to the service history. Why service at Mercedes? Well, it was convenient, they offer ‘up to’ 50% off parts and labour for old cars and you also get full European breakdown cover renewed. What did I sell a 232k miles, 12 year old Mercedes for when I finally got rid of it (it hung around a while after the commuting stopped becuase a large estate car is a useful thing to have around)? £3,250 via an add in Autotrader. Who bought it? A chap from Birmingham ‘upgrading’ his 2007 S211 E class estate with 320k miles on the clock! http://www.car4play.com/forum/post/index.htm?m=690863&v=e car4play690859 Wed, 29 Jul 2026 19:02:11 +0100 Not sure I’m convinced about the yellow Manatee! Anyway, I’m using the Feep this week while the Merc is in having its toenails painted. I rather enjoy that car too. In fact I enjoy it way more than I probably should I’d imagine. Maybe I just like cars eh? That’ll be it. ;-) http://www.car4play.com/forum/post/index.htm?m=690859&v=e car4play690855 Wed, 29 Jul 2026 17:52:02 +0100 The manual box in the 124 is from the Mk3 MX-5. Which - some say - is better than the Mk4 one. I liked the 124 in the primrose yellow. Possibly I was the only one who did because I don't think I've seen one since! http://www.car4play.com/forum/post/index.htm?m=690855&v=e car4play690851 Wed, 29 Jul 2026 17:06:38 +0100 …that might actually hold a certain appeal come to think! http://www.car4play.com/forum/post/index.htm?m=690851&v=e car4play690850 Wed, 29 Jul 2026 16:15:51 +0100 à la Thelma and Louise? ;-) http://www.car4play.com/forum/post/index.htm?m=690850&v=e car4play690843 Wed, 29 Jul 2026 15:21:58 +0100 I’m fairly certain I’ll never attempt to sell mine. I shall either continue to keep it maintained while that is possible or eventually, drive it one last time to the scrap yard. http://www.car4play.com/forum/post/index.htm?m=690843&v=e car4play690839 Wed, 29 Jul 2026 15:00:32 +0100 >> If not rusty, why sell? http://www.car4play.com/forum/post/index.htm?m=690839&v=e car4play690838 Wed, 29 Jul 2026 13:33:22 +0100 In so many ways, I hung my boots up three years ago! Don’t know if this is normal, but I barely recognise my old self anymore. I hadn’t realised how miserable I had become until I stopped being so miserable! ;-) http://www.car4play.com/forum/post/index.htm?m=690838&v=e car4play690836 Wed, 29 Jul 2026 12:57:48 +0100 Still wearing Timberland boots ? If I encounter anyone haring downhill toward me on a MB in the Picos or Pyrenees I take several steps to the side. I don’t want to be a part of your next ‘adventure’. Glad you are still having fun on two wheels :-) http://www.car4play.com/forum/post/index.htm?m=690836&v=e car4play690835 Wed, 29 Jul 2026 12:13:08 +0100 The “other” was when it was my company car for the first 4 years of its existence. I bought it from my then employer in spring 2020 during the lockdown times. Got it for a very good price. Nothing is that cheap anymore is it? Anyway, so far so good. Yesterday is dead, tomorrow is as yet unborn, today it’s fine. I’ll let you all know when it develops something potentially terminal. ;-) http://www.car4play.com/forum/post/index.htm?m=690835&v=e car4play690833 Wed, 29 Jul 2026 11:45:53 +0100 >> It has air at the back Duncan. I am aware that can be a ticking time bomb.... When it does suffer from something like that I’ll either just suck up the cost or give it a decent burial...>> Just for hopefully reassuring info, I bought a long coveted 8yr old Audi A8 12yrs ago, gambling that the air suspension would last a few years longer. At over 20yrs old it finally landed me with a humungous bill which, after a bit of man-maths (I translated it into an imaginary one year £300pcm PCP plan!), I am content to bear because, like your Merc, it has long since stopped depreciating (it cost exactly £12k back in 2014). If interested, you'll find its story with me, especially its suspension saga, on, ahem, another site - just search '2005 Audi A8 Quintessential Q car'. http://www.car4play.com/forum/post/index.htm?m=690833&v=e car4play690832 Wed, 29 Jul 2026 11:30:00 +0100 >>...... Mercedes E Class estate. Ten years old now and with 225,000 miles accrued. Had it from new, one way or another. >> What was the other??! >>.... having required nothing more than servicing and tyres so far....>> I think you have been lucky. Everyone I knew who had MBs has been stung by astronomical depreciation, or repair bills, or both! This is why I chose a nearly new Passat 2.0GL Estate for family use....1994-2004, 4,500 - 242,000miles, £13,000 - £0, 5.5ppm. No big bills. >> I should polish it one day I suppose, but it has never been used to that sort of thing>> V wise. Doesn't do the surface lacquer any good if done more than biennially. >> I should probably sell it I guess, but it still seems to fit my needs remarkably well....>> If not rusty, why sell? http://www.car4play.com/forum/post/index.htm?m=690832&v=e car4play690830 Wed, 29 Jul 2026 08:54:33 +0100 Good points Manatee. We have another car which has that very 1.4 turbo engine. It’s in “her” little Feep Renegade. I quite like driving that sometimes. Nice manual box too. http://www.car4play.com/forum/post/index.htm?m=690830&v=e car4play690829 Wed, 29 Jul 2026 08:48:45 +0100 >>We've been sniffing around Fiat 124 Spiders I was quite taken by the retro style of those at the time, I didn't go for it because I preferred the non-turbo Mazda engine but some like the more flexible turbo 1.4 better. The thing to be aware of now is that parts availability can be a challenge for the parts that differ from the Mazda. Not so much the engine which is found in other cars, but body panels and Fiat/Abarth specific trim and light units. I love the 1.5 MX-5. Had it 9 years now, rust protected from almost new. I can't sell it, and the boss wouldn't let me either. I've turned the BRZ into more of a mini GT car. It has much more luggage capacity than the MX-5, and I've added sound proofing to make it a better cruiser. But I have been told that a convertible will still be much better for scenic tours and I don't disagree. http://www.car4play.com/forum/post/index.htm?m=690829&v=e car4play690828 Wed, 29 Jul 2026 08:41:23 +0100 Sounds like it’s the garage that needs a repair! ;-) http://www.car4play.com/forum/post/index.htm?m=690828&v=e car4play690827 Wed, 29 Jul 2026 08:33:49 +0100 One of the outlaws has an E Class. The air susp. was as good as gold until it wasn't. The car has now been back to the garage for the 7th? time... http://www.car4play.com/forum/post/index.htm?m=690827&v=e car4play690826 Wed, 29 Jul 2026 08:05:30 +0100 It has air at the back Duncan. I am aware that can be a ticking time bomb. However, so far, it hasn’t gone off! Hey ho, of course something expensive will fail sooner or later. Who could blame it for a late life ailment or two eh? When it does suffer from something like that I’ll either just suck up the cost or give it a decent burial I suppose. http://www.car4play.com/forum/post/index.htm?m=690826&v=e car4play690825 Wed, 29 Jul 2026 07:20:22 +0100 I bought an E Class estate in 2000, or was it 2001? 3.2 litre straight six. Very nice car. One problem with the gearbox at 155,000. Sold or p/exed in 2008 at 215,000 miles. Bought another one in 2008. 2.1 litre 4 cylinder. Rather agricultural by comparison with the previous car, but it did the job. Had it until 155,000 miles, should have kept it. Each MOT there seemed to be something needed replacing on the suspension or steering. In those days, after my first retirement in 1992, I set up an airport car service, living between LHR and LGW, it was a prime location. An American school just down the road in Cobham and two more not far away in Kingston and near Chertsey gave me a good supply of clients from the parents of those children. The Mercedes E Class estates were perfect for airport runs. I bought another E Class in 2021? but it wasn't the same. Too complicated. KISS is the answer. I wish you well with yours, Runfer. It hasn't got air suspension, has it? http://www.car4play.com/forum/post/index.htm?m=690825&v=e car4play690824 Tue, 28 Jul 2026 23:33:31 +0100 Thanks Smokie! Although I was never really away. I’ve had a fairly regular lurk here. I’m not sure if I really am back as such, as the years advance, I find that I have much less that is new or interesting to say or relate! However, I may indulge myself in some repetition here from time to time. ;-) http://www.car4play.com/forum/post/index.htm?m=690824&v=e car4play690823 Tue, 28 Jul 2026 23:16:49 +0100 Nice to see you back!!! http://www.car4play.com/forum/post/index.htm?m=690823&v=e car4play690821 Tue, 28 Jul 2026 22:23:24 +0100 Independent garage where we get our cars maintained is busier than ever. The owner tells me that his customers are all, or for the most part anyway, keeping their cars much longer than they used to. http://www.car4play.com/forum/post/index.htm?m=690821&v=e car4play690819 Tue, 28 Jul 2026 22:06:22 +0100 Humph, in a kinda similar situation - my X1 is coming up for 10 years in October, but ony has 65000 miles. I still love driving it, and it is still doing everything I need it to do and proving very reliable. Have a severe itch to change to a new EV or PHEV but just cant bring myself to do it. I really dont need all the warning bings and bongs that seem to drive everyone mad! Oh and one other difference, the BMW bodywork has been lovingly cared for in the 7 years of ownership with me. In fact only last week I gave it the full claying and waxing treatment prior to a long drive to Cardiff and back, hoping when I get the pressure washer out this will make things much easier to remove the bugs on the front. But here in Lanarkshire its torrential rain so instead I can take great pride in the lovely beading that my handywork has caused. And another itch is I want to drive it to France - havent managed that yet. http://www.car4play.com/forum/post/index.htm?m=690819&v=e car4play690818 Tue, 28 Jul 2026 21:05:15 +0100 Good to hear! We’ve been sniffing around Fiat 124 Spiders (not the classic ones) the Mazda derived ones. Not because we see them as in any way better than MX5s, but it’s hard to deny that they are a bit pretty. Might get one next spring, not instead of anything else, just as a little bit of a toy I suppose. http://www.car4play.com/forum/post/index.htm?m=690818&v=e car4play690817 Tue, 28 Jul 2026 20:59:26 +0100 Glad you're still clogging, and your remarkable car. Merc maintenance at one time amounted to replacing most of the wearing parts of the car over a period didn't it?. I don't suppose that's the case any more, but there must be a point at which it become economic to do a load of preventive stuff? A specialist might advise. But keeping a proven workhorse would seem to make sense if you like it. And you could say the jury is out on what the market will offer in 1,2,3,4,5 years. Assuming the direction of travel continues towards EV's both they and the supporting infrastructure should improve so your options will get better rather than worse. And your requirements might change. I seem to be accumulating antiques or at least backwards looking technology. Petrol MX-5, BRZ, and self-charging hybrid Mazda 2 (Yaris) and diesel Outlander. The Outlander I have no special attachment to, the MX-5 and the BRZ seem like all that stands between me and terminal decline. Off to Spain with the MX-5 later this year. Men make plans, God laughs. Just do it. http://www.car4play.com/forum/post/index.htm?m=690817&v=e car4play690815 Tue, 28 Jul 2026 20:43:29 +0100 Well now, it has been a while, so a cheery hello to those who remember, and the same to those who don’t! Anyway, the first group may just about recall that one of our cars is a Mercedes E Class estate. Ten years old now and with 225,000 miles accrued. Had it from new, one way or another. Retired these three years now and spending our time messing about on mountain bikes, walking and swimming a lot. Finding ourselves in the South of France as much as can be afforded and arranged. Anyway, back to the Merc, it’s away at the moment having its wheels powder coated. I miss it. However, it deserves no less having required nothing more than servicing and tyres so far. Well, I say that, it has had two sets of front brakes and one set of rears. Everything else seems prepared to carry on as required for now, but if it doesn’t, well, I can hardly complain can I? For fun, I asked a certain “we will buy your car” website to quote on it and they said they’d pay £2150 for it if it was spotless, which it isn’t entirely. But it’s not bad really, given it’s not been mollycoddled. I should polish it one day I suppose, but it has never been used to that sort of thing. I should probably sell it I guess, but it still seems to fit my needs remarkably well. Swallows people, their stuff and their bikes without complaint and shrugs off thousand mile trips to the Med. Still gets high 40s to low 50s to the gallon depending on what is attached to the roof rails. Sun roof doesn’t work anymore come to think, but given that there are bike racks on top all the time, which would be noisy if it was open, kind of offsets the irritation. Goodness knows what I’ll get when it shuffles it’s mortal. Anyway, hope you are all doing well. ;-) http://www.car4play.com/forum/post/index.htm?m=690815&v=e