ALFAitalia's new Captain Kirk!

[ALFAitalia]

Just go here......

Check your Vehicle

tfl.gov.uk

But it appears that it's not for London... but OK elsewhere.

 

[Darrell]

Just go here......

Check your Vehicle

tfl.gov.uk

But it appears that it's not for London... but OK elsewhere.
View attachment 161870

Weird. Thanks.
I thought that her engine might be the same as yours.

 

[ChrisPDuck]

Not quite sure why you need a new V5.....

The V5 came automatically after I uploaded the evidence of Euro4 compliance to the CAZ website.

I guess it’s because some places looked only at the Euro rating on the V5 when setting up their databases (Bristol and Birmingham), and others looked at the emissions figures. Of course, by submitting evidence to CAZ you are superseding what they found on the V5, but it doesn’t hurt to have it correct on the V5. And if your emissions values are within the Euro6 thresholds, that should make it Euro6.

 

[SpikyMikey]

So they want to charge you £8 to go to Birmingham?

Frankly, they would have to pay me far more than £8 to go there...

I think you've misunderstood.
It's free to get in, but 8 quid to get out...

 

[ALFAitalia]

. And if your emissions values are within the Euro6 thresholds, that should make it Euro6.

Not really.... there is rather more to being Euro 6 than just meeting ULEZ levels on NOX and particulates.... but that's all ULEZ zones care about. My car will always be Euro 5 on its type approval and that can't be changed.

 

[ChrisPDuck]

Agreed. But I didn't say that meeting ULEZ levels was sufficient to make it Euro 6.

According to wikipedia, if your car is Euro 5 and meets the NOx and PM levels for Euro 6 (which is what ULEZ requires), then the only other thing preventing it being classified as Euro 6 would be the HC+NOx level: Euro 5 = 0.230, Euro 6 = 0.170.

Does your V5 list the HC+NOx level?

 

[Darrell]

Agreed. But I didn't say that meeting ULEZ levels was sufficient to make it Euro 6.

According to wikipedia, if your car is Euro 5 and meets the NOx and PM levels for Euro 6 (which is what ULEZ requires), then the only other thing preventing it being classified as Euro 6 would be the HC+NOx level: Euro 5 = 0.230, Euro 6 = 0.170.

Does your V5 list the HC+NOx level?

I’m thinking it fulfills the criteria but because it’s Euro 5 it won’t work in London. The cameras will tag it because it’s Euro 5

I reckon you’ll get fined but it’ll be up to you to prove them wrong and you’ll then win.

 

[ALFAitalia]

There are loads if E3 petrol and E5 and E4 dervs that are ULEZ compliant..... several owners on this very forum. Some had to get their classification changed.

 

[ALFAitalia]

Ok..... so just over a week in and having found a few issues I've formed a list of things to do... split in to need and want.

Need.....

Rear bumper repair... some one reversed into a towbar or similar which had left a small area of damage with a small depression and paint damage/ crazing. Since there are two other marks (a paint blister and a spike mark) i will see whether our local paints guys what to do local repairs or spray the whole bumper.

AC...not working...but having pressurised the system last Friday it appears to be a simple pin whole in the condenser from stone damage. Hopefully I will find time to solder that up on Friday and, as long as that's the only leak, get it filled at the weekend.

Passenger seat airbag warning when no one in passenger seat. Going to check for wiring damage under the seat... but its probably going to need a new on seat occupancy sensor.

Pollen filter.....filthy!...new one on way.

Tints.... the rear black tint is fine.... the front side ones are about 50 %.... the legal minimum is 70%. So will remove those and just leave the factory tint. Don't think the cops would care but why risk it?.

Deep clean of grey leather and touch up a few small marks with grey leather paint. Paint to be ordered.

AMG badges removed....DONE!

Want....
Wing mounted "Blue Efficiency" badges missing....I would not worry but the passenger side one has left a mark in the clear coat from removal. Genuine Merc ones received in post today.
E350 badge deleted when new....pattern ones arrived....not replacing missing CDI badge.
Calipers need painting as they look tatty. Since a have black rims I'm going for a ceramic brake mimicking metallic orange To add a bit of colour. Possibly with Merc stickers... but definitely none that say ceramic!
Spacers....don't like the wheels, especially the rears looking so sucked in. Not measured yet but it's looking like 10mm front and 15mm rear spacers will be needed to get that flush look.
Spoiler....factory looking small AMG type Spoiler would be nice
Alloys....507 style 18 or 19 inch alloys. Bit further off this one as there is nothing wrong with my current wheels/tyres. But the y spoke 507 design wheels are my favourite ever Merc wheels and I would like to get a set on... in staggered sizes like I have now.
Turn off annoying auto folding mirrors and auto locking at a certain speed. DONE!

There will be more as I can't leave my cars alone.... but that will do for now.

 

[ChrisPDuck]

Deep clean of grey leather and touch up a few small marks with grey leather paint. Paint to be ordered.

FYI - This (light grey) isn't a very good match for the grey seats in mine: Leather Repair Paint Dye ALL IN ONE for Restoring Colour to Leather | eBay

I've used this brand a few times (e.g. for a leather suite, different car interiors) and it's a good product, and maybe a different colour will match my seats better, but 'light grey' doesn't.

 

[StMarks]

Passenger seat airbag warning when no one in passenger seat. Going to check for wiring damage under the seat... but its probably going to need a new on seat occupancy sensor.

Forgive my ignorance, but if the symptom is as you describe wouldn't the problem more likely lay with the seat belt buckle switch ?

 

[Londonscottish]

Just a few pics I snapped on my way out of the house today....more to follow after a proper clean. I said I would not buy another derv.... but they are so much cheaper than the petrol I could not resist. It does not sound or drive much like an oil burner either! It's an E350 CDI Sport 2010 model with 96000 on the clock. She's pretty tidy with just a small ding on the rear bumper to sort...I wanted a fairly basic spec with no suspension airbags or radar to worry about. Love the colour.... depending on the light it can look grey, silver or blue! And most importantly, no coalmine black interior....well except the head lining and i can live with that! Air con could be better so that's being done tomorrow.... but other than that everything is good. Will let you know how she goes. And before anyone says anything the 3 AMG badges will be gone tomorrow. Even though it has AMG body kit, wheels, steering wheel etc etc....its NOT an AMG! I must have grabbed the centre consul about 5 times driving it home....got to get used to that column mounted drive selector!
And no....Im not sure about the grill either. Might be swapped for another black one....but in the stock style. Plenty cheap on Ebay and Im sure someone might want mine.
View attachment 161780
View attachment 161781
View attachment 161782
View attachment 161783

Nice, especially the interior.

WRT the grille I've seen a 212 with Sports grille. Looked good. I went as far as seeing if I could fit one to mine but couldn't find one thar was definitely compatible with Distronic.

 

[SpikyMikey]

Ok..... so just over a week in and having found a few issues I've formed a list of things to do... split in to need and want.

Need.....

Rear bumper repair... some one reversed into a towbar or similar which had left a small area of damage with a small depression and paint damage/ crazing. Since there are two other marks (a paint blister and a spike mark) i will see whether our local paints guys what to do local repairs or spray the whole bumper.

AC...not working...but having pressurised the system last Friday it appears to be a simple pin whole in the condenser from stone damage. Hopefully I will find time to solder that up on Friday and, as long as that's the only leak, get it filled at the weekend.

Passenger seat airbag warning when no one in passenger seat. Going to check for wiring damage under the seat... but its probably going to need a new on seat occupancy sensor.

Pollen filter.....filthy!...new one on way.

Tints.... the rear black tint is fine.... the front side ones are about 50 %.... the legal minimum is 70%. So will remove those and just leave the factory tint. Don't think the cops would care but why risk it?.

Deep clean of grey leather and touch up a few small marks with grey leather paint. Paint to be ordered.

AMG badges removed....DONE!

Want....
Wing mounted "Blue Efficiency" badges missing....I would not worry but the passenger side one has left a mark in the clear coat from removal. Genuine Merc ones received in post today.
E350 badge deleted when new....pattern ones arrived....not replacing missing CDI badge.
Calipers need painting as they look tatty. Since a have black rims I'm going for a ceramic brake mimicking metallic orange To add a bit of colour. Possibly with Merc stickers... but definitely none that say ceramic!
Spacers....don't like the wheels, especially the rears looking so sucked in. Not measured yet but it's looking like 10mm front and 15mm rear spacers will be needed to get that flush look.
Spoiler....factory looking small AMG type Spoiler would be nice
Alloys....507 style 18 or 19 inch alloys. Bit further off this one as there is nothing wrong with my current wheels/tyres. But the y spoke 507 design wheels are my favourite ever Merc wheels and I would like to get a set on... in staggered sizes like I have now.
Turn off annoying auto folding mirrors and auto locking at a certain speed. DONE!

There will be more as I can't leave my cars alone.... but that will do for now.
View attachment 162000

That's a nice list of 'doable' upgrades, but you've forgotten something...

 

[BTB 500]

AC...not working...but having pressurised the system last Friday it appears to be a simple pin whole in the condenser from stone damage. Hopefully I will find time to solder that up on Friday and, as long as that's the only leak, get it filled at the weekend.

AFAIK condensers are are normally aluminium now (the one on my 2007 Vito definitely is), and the pinholes come from corrosion. So you might be looking at replacement rather than repair.

 

[W1ghty]

Love the car buddy !
Looking forward to all the updates and pics .

 

[Trickythemerc]

You beat me to that one BTB. My first was alloy ??? unless the tubes are still copper and the fins are alloy ???

 

[StMarks]

You beat me to that one BTB. My first was alloy ??? unless the tubes are still copper and the fins are alloy ???

It could be that Alph' is intending to use those alloy repair sticks ("solder for aluminium") ?
Fwiw I've used them very successfully a few times myself, although not on Aicon condensers.

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[ALFAitalia]

That's a nice list of 'doable' upgrades, but you've forgotten something...
View attachment 162016

Yes realised that later.....its annoying that you cant edit a post for more than a few minutes here. Not sure why when you can on all the other forums I use.

 

[ALFAitalia]

Forgive my ignorance, but if the symptom is as you describe wouldn't the problem more likely lay with the seat belt buckle switch ?

Maybe...I will check.......but all the similar issues on this forum turned out to be the occupancy sensor.....as soon as someone sits in the seat the problem goes....seatbelt fitted or not.

 

[BTB 500]

It could be that Alph' is intending to use those alloy repair sticks ("solder for aluminium") ?
Fwiw I've used them very successfully a few times myself, although not on Aicon condensers.

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Yep I've used those too, but would be tricky on thin-wall stuff like a condenser. Plus if it's already corroded through in one place ...