Just Bought a Pagoda

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No, the steering is slightly on right lock. The restoration was carried out by an enthusiast who just likes restoring cars, he sold to fund the next one a 190.
I think I have now made the decision to return the car, will contacting the dealer on Monday.
So far he is being very reasonable giving me the option of a suitable refund or he will come over to collect car and refund my money.

I quote from a classic car broker of my acquaintance, the words he most shudders to hear are "I've just finished restoring my car - would you sell it for me please". He tells them to go away and run it for a few years to find and sort the problems.

One such car I owned looked to have been done very nicely, until checking found self tapping screws within millimetres of the fuel line, and brake hoses attached to wiring by cable ties. Then the modifications (as always) broke etc, propshaft doughnuts were worn (and the wrong way round) etc.

A dealer with such a lousy approach to quality control will certainly have missed stuff.

One reason I am having all my work on the W114 checked and the main mechanical bits done by professionals is to be certain (as far as is possible) that the car is done to a proper standard.

An inspection by such as Haynes, SL shop or Silver Arrows (among many others) will most likely find enough stuff to frighten you and the dealer off. It would certainly be educational, but my personal recommendation is not to spend your time on this, get it out of the way asap.
 
They were my thoughts as well Charles. I will be speaking to the dealer tomorrow and hope that he doesn't go back on his word.
 
My thoughts are just that , unless you buy a fully remanufactured car from the Classic Centre , or from one of the top restorers like Keinle , any 50+ year old car is going to have issues , and this is to be expected .

Only the individual can decide what can be deemed acceptable in relation to the price paid , I fully agree the overspray in the photos is not , but the idling/running issue , given the age of the car and that it could be fixable ( overhaul of the mechanical injection pump is a big issue though , but it might well be something simpler ) , might not put me off if it was just a snag that was then put right .

If there were no other major issues , the paint could easily be sorted and a competent mechanic familiar with these vehicles could sort the other problem , then you would have a very nice car .

However , you would need to know whether there are any other serious issues , particularly the bodyshell , hence my thought of an expert independent inspection . If the dealer would consider meeting the cost of this inspection , then , depending on the findings , either taking the car back or contributing/paying fully for rectification of issues , then you might still end up with the nice car you thought you had bought .
 
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I totally agree with you Derek. Everything that is wrong can be fixed at a cost and the dealer has suggested that he will recompense me accordingly. However, I am now at the stage of wondering what else is wrong, although the rest of the car looks to be in excellent condition. A couple of the panel, gaps are not quite right but the floorpan is just as new as is the underside. I just feel that the excitement has worn off and left me more than a little disappointed. Hopefully I will have learnt from this and move on, there are plenty more out there.
Thanks all for your comments and particularly Charles for posting the pics.
 
If I were you I would:

Get an estimate from a reputable place like John Haynes
Present it to the seller
Try to negotiate a deduction close to that amount
Keep the car

If this fails, return it, count your blessings and your learnings and start the search again! Good luck!
 
If I were you I would:

Get an estimate from a reputable place like John Haynes
Present it to the seller
Try to negotiate a deduction close to that amount
Keep the car

If this fails, return it, count your blessings and your learnings and start the search again! Good luck!



That is exactly what I have done. All the work is superficial and can be rectified in a good paint shop. The lumpy low revs engine I am sure is just the fuel injection system needing a good set up. Rest of the car is fine. Dealer has given me 4k to put things right which I think is reasonable under the circumstances.
Goes on next week for MOT and FI setup then I can get a V5. No road tax - Woohoo.:thumb:
 
That sounds like a good resolution, it is a beautiful car and colour.

Obviously i don't know how much you paid for it, the key is that you are happy that you will end up with a great car at a price you are happy with.

Looking forward to seeing some pictures when you have had it sorted.
 
Great to hear you've resolved the issue and more importantly you are happy with the resolution. Bar the obvious paint issue it's cracking looking SL, then again there's few now I'd imagine that are not but the colour combo of yours does add an extra bit of sparkle.

It would be interesting to know how you get on with the rectification and just as importantly the car in general. Keep us posted.
 
I've been following this thread with high interest and when Charles posted pictures I have to admit I got goose bumpes. It's one very nice looking car.
Offer for sorting out paint you got from a dealer I think is a good one and look forward to seeing more photos when you finish it.
Congrats on your purchase.
 
I hate that feeling when you think you may have made a poor purchase, but I thought your car looks stunning. Hopefully you will settle now, as you know it has been inspected, and I think you've been nicely recompensed for what should now only be niggles, putting your mind at ease.
 
Thanks to everyone for your complimentary comments. It was the colour combo that attracted me to the car in the first place, don't think I have seen one in the same colour before. It has had a full nut and bolt restoration only 200 km ago and is in excellent condition. The only paint problems are those created by the dealer. Whoever did the restoration has made a great job although not as original as some would like. As soon as the work has been completed I will let you all know how things went. Just got to get it passed by DVLA. Hopefully, I can once more avail myself of Charles' generosity to post some more pics.

Paul
 
If I can get it on the road before Jays bash I will bring it along.
 
Fire away with photos.

A good result and I hope it all gets sorted!
 
Well just an update on the Pagoda after a few years Have lapsed.
I eventually decided to keep the car and carry out the work needed.
had the engine out and reconditioned including setting up of the fuel injection.
Had the roof totally stripped with new glass rubbers, all chrome redone, new headlining, soft top all realigned and working fine, new seat beLG’s and correct period radio, sunvisors and wheel hubs sorted. All this work was carried out by a well know Pagoda specialist in Surrey.

The car is now as I would like it and has gone on to win various MB concours including the National Concours at Milton Keynes and also won the Pergoda Cup which is on display at MB World. so all in all a vey happy bunny.

However I have now sold it and she has a new home in the South of France.
Here are a few picks.

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Well just an update on the Pagoda after a few years Have lapsed.
I eventually decided to keep the car and carry out the work needed.
had the engine out and reconditioned including setting up of the fuel injection.
Had the roof totally stripped with new glass rubbers, all chrome redone, new headlining, soft top all realigned and working fine, new seat beLG’s and correct period radio, sunvisors and wheel hubs sorted. All this work was carried out by a well know Pagoda specialist in Surrey.

The car is now as I would like it and has gone on to win various MB concours including the National Concours at Milton Keynes and also won the Pergoda Cup which is on display at MB World. so all in all a vey happy bunny.

However I have now sold it and she has a new home in the South of France.
Here are a few picks.
Lovely car. It's a credit to you. Have you thought of setting up in competition with Hemmels?
 
Lovely classic,I can see that it was first registered in Swansea,most likely supplied by Neyland motors in Kingsbridge Gorseinon.
 
Picked the car up from Calais yesterday, but noticed a few paint issues and dealer failed to fit seat belts as agreed. Anyway, drove the car home some 200 miles during which time the car ran well cruising at 65-70 on the A1. Then got caught up in a traffic jam. When slowing down engine started to hunt badly almost on the verge of stalling. When pulling away would cough and splutter but eventually picked up and drove sweetly once more. With my limited mechanical knowledge I put this down to a fuel injection problem which hopefully could be fixed quite easily. This car certainly commands attention, lots rubber necking, waves and smiles.
Anyway, thought I would give it a quick once over today and noticed pIntwork problems. After I bought at Essen I had a call on the Monday morning to say that during removal from the exhibition a Bentley backed into it bending the bumper and breaking a headlight. I was assured that the repairs would be as good as new but if I wanted to cancel I could do so but decided to go ahead.
This morning I thought I would give it a quick once over and was surprised to see that when they resprayed the roof they didn't remove the bright work but just masked up leaving surplus paint on the chrome. This also applied to the wheel trims. All this took the edge of the experience. I contacted the dealer who was very apologetic and has agreed that if I wanted to cancel he would come over to collect the car and give me a full refund. My heart tells me to keep her but my head says send her back , what would you do? If someone can tell me how to post pics or gives me their email and post for me I can put you all out of your missery.
Seems to me you were seen coming & too anxious to spend too much.
 
What a coincidence, as I have just bought a Gazebo :D

Oh didn't you mean a Pergola ?? :doh:
Funnily enough I had exactly the same thought "oh, that'll be nice, somewhere to sit and admire the car...." ....I'll get me coat....
 

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