Car appreciation... the aesthetics, the engineering, etc

Yeah there is that. I liked that in that Harry's Garage when he's discussing classic car options he references safety.

Petrol is the only thing I guess on these old German saloons. My mum had to look after an E34 for a bit when I was a kid. I thought it was awesome. My folks just complained about the mpg.

Driving back to my parents and noticed that precision Porsche have relocated about a mile away from their place @Dammit is that who you got to work on your 996?

Car (non-runner) sold on eBay, cash on collection. Buyer offering to pay £100 via bank trf whilst they sort arrangements for collecting the car, then rest as cash on collection. Seems odd, or am I overthinking this?

Aren't they kind of putting down a deposit, so it's more locked in while they arrange stuff? Seems like the sort of thing I would do tbh, I'd worry about it being sold on underneath me

Ah right, makes sense thanks. I'm in no rush to flog it on to anyone else but I guess they don't know me so won't know that.

I had a 300TE-24 for a while. It had done a quarter of a million miles but was in great condition.
It was super practical load carrier, and very refined with a great ride. Performance was very good in its day, but best described as 'brisk' these days.
What it wasn't was reliable. In fact it was an absolute money pit. And not just for me. The first owner spent an absolute fortune on fixing it, with some huge expenditure around the 100,000 mile mark. Being the sporty one, and a late addition to the range it has loads of unique parts not on other W124s. Brakes, ball joints, driveshafts are all 24v specific (though shared sometimes with the 300SL-24) and cost a fortune compared with the 12v equivalents.

When it worked it was wonderful. When it didn't, which was often, it was not.

Oh dear... That's actually good to hear, thanks. Maybe that's why it's being offered quite cheap. I can't deal with ongoing maintenance at the moment so probably not the best time to jump into older mercs. Was looking at a w202 c36 in a beautiful green black colour. I'd assumed that would be an expensive car to own too, but it has a much higher entry price!

Yes- they had a major fire at their old premises I believe.

But it looked cool.

The other side of this is they turn up and try and negotiate a discount based on something they 'couldn't see' from the listing. It works on a lot of people because they want rid of the car and it's a pain to go through the sales process again.

I had an older G Wagon and it was also pretty expensive to maintain. Great to own and drive but ultimately expensive.

I will allow them the wriggle room of the monthly insurance premium in that case.

any recommendations for a decent cigarette lighter powered tyre inflater and pressure gauge ?

something my mum and dad can use to check tyre pressures and add some air when required.

garage forecourt machines are so expensive / short lasting out of order and inaccurate

cheers

I’ve always had a soft spot for the s-type and x-type.

The look of the s, but with the functionality x

Before and after.
Tickled it with the carbon (gear) stick, surround and handbrake - this should have been stock - and an Alcantara arm rest replacing the saggy leather one.
OEM+ loveliness.

Really enjoying this car. Had a dry day last week and finally got to use kick down with full throttle.
2dr is mildly inconvenient with a 4yo and the wife says it’s too firm (ooerr) but that’s why we have a family car.

Need to update the idrive to achieve full screen CarPlay, but that’s my only quibble right now.

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Me too. Owned the s type twin turbo, v6 diesel with the zf box. Belt change on the engine and oil and filter change costs more than the car is worth. Engine worth a lot to land rover people as the LR fitted version fails.

The X is a better mk3 Mondeo estate. The Mondeo imo was pinnacle ford/Volvo/Jag.

Go back and see what bq recommended.

I've got a ring inflator that fits in the cigarette lighter. Works OK, digital display is clear.

The nuisance for someone with less than nimble fingers is that it connects to the valve with a screw fitting which might not be as easy as a QR lever type fitting.

As per @midlife above I have just purchased 3 of these for the three emergency tyre pumps I possess. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/285268070093?chn=ps&_ul=GB&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=710-134428-41853-0&mkcid=2&mkscid=101&itemid=285268070093&targetid=1814673647662&device=m&mktype=pla&googleloc=1006696&poi=&campaignid=19089547614&mkgroupid=142438599285&rlsatarget=pla-1814673647662&abcId=9303859&merchantid=562986454&gclid=CjwKCAiAnL-sBhBnEiwAJRGigrZhMvb0yNReB8GmbWHwu8rml_WI5rXt-bXb1JXP0wXgETBl_s_WURoCrp0QAvD_BwE

P.S. I don't know how to shorten links😁

Anything after the ?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/285268070093

You are a scholar and a gentleperson.

Went to my first ever car meet this morning. Stress reversing in with a Ferrari in the rear mirror and a wall in the side mirror. Strange to have people looking at my car! A delightful way to spend 8-10 on a Sunday morning! Will attend again..
For anybody down in the SW - between Shaftesbury and Salisbury on the A30, once a month:
https://www.instagram.com/sunday_startup?igsh=MWNxdmhpcTdtNzV5cw==

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Hah I see that wrapped Taycan(?) all the time, lives somewhere on the main road to Bruton near Upton Noble.

Nice shout, I’m not too far away, I could come down in my shit box 130i next time.