I'm in a quandary.......

[Darrell]

Looks lovely - hope it works out well.

How's the XK? I've had an XKR for 16 year now .... heavily modified and never going to sell it. Have you found the XKEC club? Well worth £40 a year.

Pictures please.

 

[John]

Love it.

One of the few classic cars that really does the figures for me.

I'd love one but I think the scarcity of parts and cost of them puts me off.

 

[DoberMan]

Looks lovely - hope it works out well.

How's the XK? I've had an XKR for 16 year now .... heavily modified and never going to sell it. Have you found the XKEC club? Well worth £40 a year.

Yes, joined up before i bought the car. Worth it for the discount alone.

 

[DoberMan]

Love those Bentleys and I’ve never seen one with that mileage on it. Look forward to reading how it goes for you.

I didn't want a low mileage garage queen I wanted a well used one with a good history. It's had plenty of work done over the years and I'll continue to use N.Sandell, Isleworth for the servicing.

 

[DoberMan]

Love it.

One of the few classic cars that really does the figures for me.

I'd love one but I think the scarcity of parts and cost of them puts me off.

Parts not that difficult to obtain from the likes of Flying Spares and Introcars. I originally considered a Arnage (VW era) but after speaking to Nigel Sandell (specialist) he said parts for those were more difficult to obtain. He was selling this on behalf of a customer and had serviced it for years. It had a full service plus some other work required at a cost of £4k, MOT and 2 new tyres (£1k ! ) paid for by the seller prior to delivery. Bargain me thinks. Fingers crossed.

 

[DoberMan]

Well we’ve done 2k+ (s)miles so I decided to treat the old girl to a new coat.
A ceramic one. Really pleased with the result.
View attachment 122298View attachment 122298

 

[Ted]

That is a beauty to behold.

 

[A.J.]

I love my Mercedes, in fact I love most Mercedes and I've had six since I was in my mid-thirties.

However, having owned my first diesel* and convertible car ever I find myself taking it out for a 30-60 mile run once or twice a week avoiding any short journeys just to make sure I don't experience any dpf problems and I feed it exclusively (probably unnecessarily) on Shell V-Power.

I have a second petrol car, X-Trail, for dog duties and short one mile each way run to visit my Father in a care home every day.

Previously had a brand new B Class but couldn't bring myself to put the dog in it although it was bought for that purpose. I like things immaculate and tidy.

I've always hankered after a 'classic' car, straight forward mechanics and less electrical gizmos to go wrong.
I keep looking at classic Mercedes at such places as Edward Hall in Bucks (anyone used them?) but the prices are probably more than I want to spend. Ideally I don't want to spend more than mine is worth.

I value comfort and luxury above all else. I am not at all interested in speed.

The quandary is, a 1980's Rolls Royce Silver Spirit has the comfort and luxury I would like but is the size of a barge and big potential bills down the road. Apart from MPG. But then I wouldn't be 'having to go for a run' just do it for the pleasure. The prices seem to be lower than ever and possibly on the increase.
I prefer the Shadow shape but the prices are higher and the Spirit is supposed to be the better car to drive.

I also like the Jaguar XJ series and most Mercs of that era.

Now seems the time to scratch that V8 itch before they become obsolete.

There are 2 or 3 RR independent specialists not too far from here so maintenance shouldn't be a problem.
I am not mechanically minded whatsoever and unfortunately my brilliant mechanic Father wouldn't know the difference between a spoon and a spanner now.

Am I mad?

All comments welcomed.






* no petrol cabriolets when I bought mine. Another itch scratched.

I have had many MB’s. It all started in 1993 when an MB 190E appeared on our company car list. I thought that car was the best thing I have ever had. Since that time I have always hankered for another, would something like that fit the bill ?

 

[DoberMan]

I have had many MB’s. It all started in 1993 when an MB 190E appeared on our company car list. I thought that car was the best thing I have ever had. Since that time I have always hankered for another, would something like that fit the bill ?

The 190 was my first Mercedes in my 30's. Built like a tank. Loved it but it was a snail compared to the BMW325i I traded in.

I'm now hooked on the Bentley and can only see me trading for a rarer pristine model.

The other dilemma now is do I keep the XK8 convertible as I've used the Bentley more in a few months than the Jag in 2 years and my daily driver is an Audi RS4.

 

[DoberMan]

Well we’ve done 2k+ (s)miles so I decided to treat the old girl to a new coat.
A ceramic one. Really pleased with the result.
View attachment 122298View attachment 122298

 

[A.J.]

The 190 was my first Mercedes in my 30's. Built like a tank. Loved it but it was a snail compared to the BMW325i I traded in.

I'm now hooked on the Bentley and can only see me trading for a rarer pristine model.

The other dilemma now is do I keep the XK8 convertible as I've used the Bentley more in a few months than the Jag in 2 years and my daily driver is an Audi RS4.

The Bentley I really like is the Armage

 

[Swotty]

View attachment 122307View attachment 122308

She looks lovely!

Had the XKR ceramic-coated 3 years ago and all she needs is a wash (i.e. just water) every now and again. A good investment. Washed her today for the Bergerac Classic Car Show tomorrow ... 19 - 21C forecast, so convertible it is.

First 2 pics at Tom Lenthall's when done in 2018 and 3rd & 4th pics today ..... sadly cameraman today is a complete amateur!

 

[Flyinspanner]

Dober - that looks absolutely fabulous.
wishing you many cosseted carefree miles in it