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

Nice car, and well advertised:

http://www.mtsv.co.uk/info/190E2516R.htm

Didn't the original Cosworth Mercs, have slight factory Wheel arch kits ?

Is this a convertion as I don't recall Cosworths in that colour either... most were eithera light gold, or black, with a bodykit.

or am I mistaken as usual ?

Apart from those concerns ^^^

I want that.

It looks original and intact, far as I can see. I think more colours were introduced later on, and AMG / Carat / Lorinser / Evo etc kitted cars had the wheelarch add-ons.

Mercedes heads - are 80's 450SLs any good?

Don't know, apart from:
The simpler fuel/ignition systems can (will) give much less trouble than later 420/500 / 560 versions.
SLCs seem to be popular / successful in historic rallying.

If you want 80's Merc madness check this site

http://www.1000sel.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=45&Itemid=61

Provided they have been fundamentally cared for 80's Mercs go on forever - my SEL had 360k and I used it daily.

The 190 Evos had the body kits, primarily the EVO 2 which was the full on DTM rep

Eg this EVO 2

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2277673.htm

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/470264_406493199372360_100000350492561_1339882_1943953152_o.jpg

Seems to be a lot of space between the block and the cooler. More than enough for a rad and fan.

thinking of riding 120km on the road bike to see a G Class on Saturday...

1983 230GE swb. Would prob. have preferred diesel but I've been hunting all week and they seem to be going for stupid money unless they are totally shagged or in some random town in the middle of Germany (and possibly still totally shagged).

Still having 2002 Touring lust though. but again, unless they are rotted out they seem to be going for silly cash. ;(

Trying to be patient...

Tread carefully UG, you've got at least two classic symptoms of Shedosis:
1) have convinced self of rationale to buy impractical/unusual car
2) money burning hole in pocket
3) perma car-boner
I've seen men buy allsorts in this condition. Montegos. Rover 800 coupes. Citroen BX turbos. Yes: be very careful.

you're right... I should just stfu and buy a Ford Ka. Or a Suzuki Jimny if i want to be really 'out there'...

the thing is that the Dutch tax break on older cars kind of legitimises buying something fucking wierd or unusual that you wouldn't even consider otherwise. i've already justified the juice guzzling of the G Klasse because i ain't paying tax. makes no sense when I'm still a skint mutha.

ok. so open question.

You're poor, but expecting a small windfall (insurance payout on being ruthlessly mown down by a bimmer last year on my bike-Stockholm syndrome?), you can get a tax break on a pre '87 car (as long as you keep it registered in Holland) and will be moving to Sweden for at least 2 years with all the cunting winter driving that entails. Ideal budget less than 4000 euros for something reliable, and at least partially sexy, and a decent amount of space for moving my shit around.

What would you buy?

Citroen BX turbos.

I actually saw a really well loved looking one of these on my ride today... no boner effect on me though.

Tread carefully UG, you've got at least two classic symptoms of Shedosis:
1) have convinced self of rationale to buy impractical/unusual car
2) money burning hole in pocket
3) perma car-boner
I've seen men buy allsorts in this condition. Montegos. Rover 800 coupes. Citroen BX turbos. Yes: be very careful.

This man speaks the truth. This is why, before I have passed my test I have already owned two Rover SD1s. And once I have a licence, I am thinking about a Jag XJ-S V12.

I have a soft spot for Rover 800 Coupes. I know they are dynamically crap, but they are so pretty, so cheap, and the interiors are lovely.

And Citroen BXs are great. My dad had a 1.9 GTi in black. It looked fantastic, went like the clappers and was as comfy as a sofa. It had all the toys and never went wrong. Lovely car.

I doubt I would ever buy either of them myself, but never say never.

I cannot imagine what possesses anyone to buy a Merc G class though. They are foul.

I'm a bit foul too i suppose.

Dunno... always liked 4x4's because they are fun to drive but bloody practical. if i wasn't going to sweden I'd probably have caved and gone for a 2002 though... seem to be a lot of enthusiasts pouring their time and cash into restorations of varying quality.

Ideally I'd buy both, but i probably shouldn't be buying either.... can you even call that the dichotomy of man or is that what's called just being an unrealistic bell end.

Tread carefully UG, you've got at least two classic symptoms of Shedosis:
1) have convinced self of rationale to buy impractical/unusual car
2) money burning hole in pocket
3) perma car-boner
I've seen men buy allsorts in this condition. Montegos. Rover 800 coupes. Citroen BX turbos. Yes: be very careful.

Anyone who buys a Montego (even the turbo) should be shot.
Rover 800's were genuinely terrible - friends of my parents had one and it actually fell to bits daily from the minute it left the showroom.
The Citroen B(m)X was an utter rectum of a car unleashed on us by the French - proof enough that they hate us as much as we hate them.

An ancient German will cost you, but at least it'll last.

If you want 80's Merc madness check this site

http://www.1000sel.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=45&Itemid=61

Provided they have been fundamentally cared for 80's Mercs go on forever - my SEL had 360k and I used it daily.

Cheers VV. Thinking of waving one in for the missus if we get over to california next year. Seems like the 560SL might be the choice over there.

This one has the much nicer Euro bumpers - handsome.

Ideal budget less than 4000 euros for something reliable, and at least partially sexy, and a decent amount of space for moving my shit around.

What would you buy?

Audi 200 quattro.

I was going to suggest Evo 1 but that's 92.

Anything 80s, 4wd, and turbo I'm suggesting.

Legacy outback.

Audi 200 quattro.

This is one of the first cars I looked for but couldn't find any that were either roadworthy, had less than 350,000 on the clock, or at a reasonable price (they still seem to sell for 6000eur plus) so I gave up thinking they were such good cars anyone buying them has ridden the shit out of it. would be nice though...

Also looked at Subaru but rust seems to be quite bad in the earlier ones?

Tread carefully UG, you've got at least two classic symptoms of Shedosis:
1) have convinced self of rationale to buy impractical/unusual car
2) money burning hole in pocket
3) perma car-boner
I've seen men buy allsorts in this condition. Montegos. Rover 800 coupes. Citroen BX turbos. Yes: be very careful.

Nothing wrong with BX turbos, the 4x4 one was the one to have.

Anyone who buys a Montego (even the turbo) should be shot.
Rover 800's were genuinely terrible - friends of my parents had one and it actually fell to bits daily from the minute it left the showroom.
The Citroen B(m)X was an utter rectum of a car unleashed on us by the French - proof enough that they hate us as much as we hate them.

An ancient German will cost you, but at least it'll last.

The monti were a fun cheap and powerful car easily tuneable.

The BX was awesome, magic carper ride smoothness with the amazing suspension and breaks and when bored you could make the car rise and fall. The suspension was so easy and straight forward can't understand why people could not fathom them.

Then there was the XM not that was truely awesome. Pitty mine got nicked after I'd had the cambelt done and the diesel pump reconditioned.

Look for a car from warmer climes such as around the med.