Your fleet running reports

[Ascender]

Update... I got one of them off.

Time for a beer.

[Explosive Newt]

Any knack to it or just brute force?

[Ascender]

Just the right size socket (22mm) and force. Unfortunately after getting the nut off the car, it’s pretty much welded to the socket. A heat gun and masonry chisel got it out but the socket is toast. So I’ll need to get another one in the morning...

[Jimmy Choo]

While posting in the moaning forum about how rubbish STATION GARAGE, MILNTHORPE are, I remembered I’d not done a gratuitous engine pic. Not that you can see much, but here you go. Needs cleaning.

Is the engine under all that plastic?

I don’t know, I’ve not looked. STATION GARAGE, MILNTHORPE told me it’s just a bog standard universal V6 Obviously they didn’t look either, they JUST KNOW.

STATION GARAGE, MILNTHORPE kicked my dog and ate my cat.

[Rich B]

Is the engine under all that plastic?

I don’t know, I’ve not looked. STATION GARAGE, MILNTHORPE told me it’s just a bog standard universal V6 Obviously they didn’t look either, they JUST KNOW.

STATION GARAGE, MILNTHORPE kicked my dog and ate my cat.

I took my cat to STATION GARAGE, MILNTHORPE, he wouldn't kick it and told me it was a dog!

[JonMad]

I couldn't say which is better, really - mine has done 11,000 miles so far without any cost except a new rear wiper blade though. Based on the minimal tyre wear over the first 10k miles I would say a high miler which has sat on the motorway is a great buy, except they aren't that much cheaper.

Does yours have the 9 speed box or the 7?
I assume the performance is always acceptably rapid with a flex of your right foot?

Mine is the pre-facelift so 7-sp box, no Adblue (does have space saver spare wheel instead) and slightly more power (265bhp plays 248bhp). It is nicely effortless, doesn't feel overpowered for the chassis like the C350 CDI did but it's very Merc in that it has a long, stiff accelerator pedal so you won't accidentally put your foot down hard. It's a conscious flex.

Great car, very much a relaxing cruiser though it is unexpectedly fun to drive on smaller roads. You won't be chucking it around though

ETA: just saw your post in the other thread; mine's the W218; the W219 is better looking (IMO) and a lovely car too but I think the W218 is probably a more sensible purchase. Either generation, memory seats weren't standard and (again IMO) you need them to get the full luxury Merc effect. You can tell they're fitted because the little seat-shaped adjuster is on the door next to the door handle.

Ta. That particular one I'm looking at. FSH but 55k over 10 years for a car in the London suburbs = DPF issues? Or is it a case that if the DPF light's not on then the last regen completed successfully and there won't be any issues?

[Ascender]

Was sitting at Halfords at 8am waiting for them to open to get another 22mm deep socket. Got the last one in the shop, came home and it won’t work on the remaining rear

Honesty is always the best policy so will see how I get on with Kwik Fit.

Need to get some stuff to wash the car with, that’s the next purchase.

[Jobbo]

Ta. That particular one I'm looking at. FSH but 55k over 10 years for a car in the London suburbs = DPF issues? Or is it a case that if the DPF light's not on then the last regen completed successfully and there won't be any issues?

I have never had any DPF issues with my C-class or CLS so I don't know how they manifest themselves. There's an independent garage near me that says it specialises in DPF problems so they're probably all over the place; might be worth trying to find pricing for fixing or replacing a Merc DPF so you know the worst case cost.

[JonMad]

Ta. That particular one I'm looking at. FSH but 55k over 10 years for a car in the London suburbs = DPF issues? Or is it a case that if the DPF light's not on then the last regen completed successfully and there won't be any issues?

I have never had any DPF issues with my C-class or CLS so I don't know how they manifest themselves. There's an independent garage near me that says it specialises in DPF problems so they're probably all over the place; might be worth trying to find pricing for fixing or replacing a Merc DPF so you know the worst case cost.

https://www.cats2u.co.uk/mercedes/10783 ... 11331.html
£400ish plus fitting. Not as bad as I was expecting tbh.

[integrale_evo]

Mito mot pass, no advisories

[Nathan]

Ta. That particular one I'm looking at. FSH but 55k over 10 years for a car in the London suburbs = DPF issues? Or is it a case that if the DPF light's not on then the last regen completed successfully and there won't be any issues?

If the light isn't on, its probably fine. Worst case £300 to remove and clean

[Ascender]

Kwik Fit are legends. Top bloke from their mobile fitters managed to get the other rear off with a 21mm socket. The bolt is wedged in there but he’s got a vice so isn’t bothered. I’ve ordered a 21mm heavy duty one from Amazon in the meantime to look at the fronts.

He was also asking if I knew the Porsche rule about the centre caps, locking wheel nut and tyre valve having to be aligned which I have to say isn’t something i’d ever heard of! Apparently its a long-standing rule and if you post pics of unaligned setups you are subject to nerd rage. So he sorted the front ones out as they had triggered his OCD.

The Pilot Sport 4s are also a good choice as apparently they have a bit more width than other tyres of the same size which can leave you with some exposed alloy on the inside.

[nuttinnew]

Excellent service

[JonMad]

He was also asking if I knew the Porsche rule about the centre caps, locking wheel nut and tyre valve having to be aligned which I have to say isn’t something i’d ever heard of! Apparently its a long-standing rule and if you post pics of unaligned setups you are subject to nerd rage. So he sorted the front ones out as they had triggered his OCD.

Result all round.

[Ascender]

I kind of felt bad I couldn’t tip him tbh - it didn’t take him any time at all to get the nut off, so its not like he went above and beyond, but I was just really impressed with the service. Have tweeted them to thank them for the great service.

[nuttinnew]

Why couldn't you tip? They don't do cash monies?

[Ascender]

Why couldn't you tip? They don't do cash monies?

I don’t do cash monies and was here alone and working unfortunately so couldn’t pop out either. And wasn’t sure if tip was appropriate under the circumstances.

[nuttinnew]

Fair enough

[mik]

We had a Tesco delivery driver refuse a cash monies tip last week. Unheard of....

The concept in relation to centre caps is scarey. And I will probably always look for it now - on everything - not just Porkies YOU BASTARD.

[Sundayjumper]

He was also asking if I knew the Porsche rule about the centre caps, locking wheel nut and tyre valve having to be aligned...

I do this

But there is a slight practical benefit - I always know which bolt is the security one without feeling around in the recess to check.