Recommissioning the SL

[Doodle]

Back again after another long break (hopefully the last!), and during the break it became clear that I really can't bring myself to sell mum's SL. Hence a question for you techie-heads out there...

It's not moved since her funeral in September, and hadn't really done much for a few months before that. I've earmarked the following for attention:

108k engine service (car currently at 105k)
Autobox fluid change
Diff fluid change
Brake fluid - due anyway
Brake hoses (they were getting squidgy)
Aircon regas

Engine is running ok (dizzy caps ok), brakes & g/box are not seized, new battery just fitted. Coolant was done a year or so ago, should be good for another year.

Anything else I should be looking at?

 

[Will]

Hi there and welcome back

That list sounds like a good start, maybe check the tyres as well if it's been sitting for some time?

Fuel filter? Air filter maybe? Not sure if those are part of the 108K service?

Good luck,

Will

 

[television]

Just take it down a safe road and do a few hard stops to clean the brakes up and test for seals leaking

 

[glojo]

It looks like the car has been stationary for a very long time and before putting the pedal to the metal I would seek professional advice about the tyres. The exhaust system might also need a very close inspection.

John

 

[Venomous]

Hey Drew,

I thought the SL was going to Italy...

Hmm.. I suspect the plot has changed since then..

 

[bolide]

I would seek professional advice about the tyres

Throw them away - that's my professional advice. Once tyres have been on a car more than about 4 years they get hard as hell

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[grober]

If its been stored with its hard top on it might be worth giving the soft top/hood mechanism an airing?

 

[BTB 500]

Definitely tyres, depending on where it's been standing the brake disks may be corroded too.

 

[Doodle]

Evening Brian...it was going to Italy, but the insurance and re-registration costs for a 5 litre are utterly ridiculous, so it's staying registered here and will waft between the two several times a year. The best Dad could manage in Italy was around the £1000 mark

The tyres are definitely going, the rears (P6000's) were totally shot anyway before the car went into hibernation. I've re-acquired my old Brabus monoblocks and will be re-shoeing them before fitting.

Air filter would be done as part of service IMO, but will add fuel filter to the list, thanks Will.

The hood was repaired with new plastics just before hibernation, so should be ok, mechanism was also working fine at this point, but will be watching anyway for the first few operations of the season.

It's been stood on the patio, which drains fast and is fairly shielded from the elements but maintains a good airflow - hence why it's still running ok. Mum used to park on the front lawn but the underlying damp caused havoc with the dizzy caps.

 

[BTB 500]

The hood was repaired with new plastics just before hibernation

Out of interest, where was that done and would you recommend them? I've got a tiny crack at the edge of my rear screen that will no doubt be spreading

 

[Doodle]

It was done by Car Hoods in Chessington. They did a hood on the MX5 for us previously, have been happy with all their work. Decided not to have the whole hood done as ours is still in sound condition, and a brand new hood would look a little out of place.

Ok, the windows are not Mercedes marked and slightly thinner, but the MX hood lasted very well. There were 2 other SL's and a Boxster being done on the same day as ours, all done to the same high standards.

 

[Doodle]

MoT Thursday 2pm. Drop it off, pick up the 530d which is being MoT'd at 11am, drive home, cross fingers.

 

[stats007]

Car Hoods are good people and recommended them before. I replaced the tyres on the 190 I bought as it had been SORN for 2 years. Brake fluid, oil, filters as mentioned had been done.

 

[wobbly]

I too can recommend Car hoods in Chessington, they replaced my soft top last year, very good service, quality and price.

 

[BTB 500]

Thanks guys.

 

[Doodle]

Well, I'm stunned, it passed first time. Now just a case of getting it back into an acceptable state

 

[Doodle]

One weekend on the job, and so far:

Down to Olly's for a full checkover, fluids, plugs and filters changed. All went smoothly, apparently she's in good condition Only problems are a seized bolt on the transmission pan (left for now), and knackered top mounts; it'll be going back shortly for replacements and new shocks while they're out.

New mats, MBClub pedals and replacing the broken vent have lifted the interior hugely, along with a wood/leather steering wheel (wrong colour, but filling in until I can get the original recovered)

Today was spent stripping down the drivers seat and fitting the optional longer seat belt, so I'm no longer being throttled by it. It's surprisingly easy.

On the list for next week - bonnet liner, collect and fit the Brabus wheels, full valet ready for Sunday.