Advice on what to next

[petermansell]

My car has done 69K since July 2003. The miles have been a mix of 24 miles in London traffic 5 days per week (and about one million speed humps ); an average of 4 track days or driving courses per year and some great long trips . It’s been regularly serviced but given its nearly 6 years old I think it needs some special love and attention to keep it fresh for the next few years.

This is what I had in mind

1) New spark plugs (The cars’ spark plugs were changed in December 2005 at 28000 miles to sort out a misfire – should I change them now?)

2) New gearbox oil and filter (I’m pretty sure it’s one of those sealed for life boxes)?

3) Respray – just the outside to get rid of all the stone chips

4) New battery?

5) New shocks, springs and suspension bushes?

6) New spare tyre for the spacesaver wheel?

I’m not at all mechanically minded but the car is my pride and joy and so want to ensure it is in the best condition. Do the tasks suggested appear correct or am I being too fussy, or doing them too soon or wasting money?

All thoughts welcome – both on the tasks and the specifications - eg types of plugs, suspension etc.

Pete

 

[Baron_Samedi]

Talk to Olly about suspension bushes.

 

[SportsCoupeRich]

Due a change for something even crazier?

 

[Alps]

id defo go for the

-plugs
-GB oil and filter - mine was sealed for life but still managed to die at 70K(ish)

 

[Londonscottish]

g/box oil - deffo

paint - why not?

sparkplugs - maybe

bushes - maybe, as speed bumps don't so them any favours. Lower ball joints and wishbone bushes go on c43's with speed bumps

dampers - maybe beginning to weaken at that mileage - I'd buy mine from Bilstein not Mercedes as it's £600 vs £800+ for same parts

 

[Seamster15]

if you respray outside the dealer will you loose Mobilo?

 

[Will]

I'd go for new plugs, gearbox oil and a thorough going over on the ramp. Some of the parts listed might be fine, and others could well be worn prematurely.

Wouldn't personally re-spray a 2003 car unless it was really, really tatty - OE paint will probably be better than a refinish job - would you paint it again, say, in another 5-6 years?

Maybe paint the front end if it's *really* bad (chipped), otherwise a good clean up and polish will look great I would think.

IMHO put any extra cash towards saving for whatever the replacement would be one day - maybe a CLK63 or something?

All IMHO of course

Will

 

[petermansell]

I don't think I would lose Mobilo life. I was partially resprayed after a very small shunt in 2006 and I have used Mobilo since then.

 

[Will]

I think Seamster means the rust warranty part of Mobilo? And/or the previous repair in 2006 might have been carried out in a MB approved bodyshop?

Will

 

[petermansell]

Thanks all - it looks like I am on the right track.

So now to specifications

I don’t want to lower the car and am happy with its suspension - so do I replace bushes, springs and shocks with OEMs or not? Or are there improvements/savings to be made when replacing these items (thanks Whitnemisis). If so what are they?

I see some different types of spark plug - are there any real differences?

I see where you are coming from Will – but I have had the car nearly 6 years and at present don’t plan to sell it ..... ever.

Good suggestion about Olly Baron Samedi – I am going to the GTG on May 16 so will pick his brains then