Got a new Motor!

[Sir-Doris]

Well, I saw a 3.2 V6 on ebay with all the neccesary bits to have a shot at sticking it into a A series Frontera (mine) put a bid on it and thankfully I was outbid. Reason being that a couple of days ago I got hold of a 1989 Mercedes Benz 300TE (120,000 on the clock) estate with 7 seats and all the trimmings, automatic, electric windows, electric sunroof, cruise control, leather interior etc. Acquired it as a non runner with an almost expired MOT and no tax. So It cost me the sum total of £0 for the car, £50 for trailer hire and about £90 in petrol to get it from London to home. Trailered it home, unloaded it, had a look round it, put a battery into it and had a go at starting it, no such luck. I remembered from my youth when my dad had oldish Mercs that the fuel guage was always a bit wonky on them so I put some petrol in and after about 5 minutes worth of cranking the mighty staright 6 fired up. Sounded quite lumpy though which was alright as it stopped after a couple of minutes all by itself. I had a nose under the bonnet and decided to check the distributor which I was told had been replaced recently. It didnt look new to me at all so I whipped it off and lo and behold the thing must have been nearly the same age as the car. I cleaned the rotor arm and points with some fine wet n' dry put it all back together and it has fired up first time every time since. Still a little lumpy so I have a new dizzy on order. Couple of rust spots around the wheel arches to sort out, clean up of the old engine bay, couple of bits of interior trim to sort out, all the electrics work apart from the drivers side rear window. but for a 19 year old car it has been well looked after, no cracks in the leather, carpets dont look worn at all.

Chuffed to bits and will post pics tomorrow.

[Red Oktober]

cool ....can't wait to see it

[Sir-Doris]

Right, couple of pics.

The 1989 Mercedes Benz 300TE


And my latest 1990 Toyota Celica 2.0 GT

[weave67]

nice looking motors doris

[woodwizzard]

3" lift and some muds will sort it a treat

[Sir-Doris]

I would like to say the Merc is cushy to drive but that would mean I was breaking the law. It is very comfortable to sit in though and from experiences with my Dads old Mercs it will be a very comfortable touring car. Went a bit mad today and bought some bits for it to bring it up to date a bit. Chrome wheel arch strips, new wipers, 4 new matching tires to replace the 4 that are almost new but all different and some odds and sods for servicing. Bringing total for the merc to:

Trailer Hire £40
Fuel to collect £90
Servicing Odds n' Sods £130
Chrome trims £40
Tires x 4 £134
Total £434

A bit of elbow grease and some filler and I might make some money on this one!

[woodwizzard]

Is it a 3litre engine? I wouldn't go crazy with the spending as the market for big engined cars has hit the floor as I have found out trying to shift my monty, almost at give away price and still no interest.

[Sir-Doris]

Tis a 3 litre. Been checking around various Merc forums and they do seem to be in demand somewhat. Can afford to sit on it for a bit as well though.

[Drift]

You lucky sod, all them toys

[Sir-Doris]

Yup, all these toys and not a sunny day to do anything with them! Iv sold the Celica pending it passing its MOT and all the fiddly bits being finished off.