Random Thoughts... [Automotive Edition]

@EyeMWing What color is your first gen Cayenne Turbo?

?
 
You fools! He never said the car came standard with air suspension.

1991-subaru-legacy-1304126-9305169.jpg
 
*googles*

I'm not changing my guess. though the bodystyle may be off.
 
Is it a Land Rover, or a Range Rover from the early 2000s?
 
Is it a Land Rover, or a Range Rover from the early 2000s?
I'm thinking it has to be an L322 of some kind, 2003-2012. Buying a 95-02 P38 now would be suicide. :LOL:

Could be an L405, hard to believe that shape is almost 10 years old now.
 
I'll also give you guys this: It isn't a commercial truck. Remember, we learned the hard way last year that the neighbors don't like me having those?
 
I'll also give you guys this: It isn't a commercial truck. Remember, we learned the hard way last year that the neighbors don't like me having those?
SRT Grand Cherokee, 1st gen ML, or a Touareg.
 
I suppose a question would be what material are the seats? LR3 and LR4 would also fit the original description but I don’t think they would be crazy enough. He wouldn’t buy a brand new Defender, would he? Nah.
 
Car developed a water leak. Was driving in the rain, and noticed the headliner was looking wet around the dome light/sunroof switch/sunglasses holder area. Took a right turn, and a small/short stream of water drizzled out onto my arm. Either a sunroof seal leak, or the top of the windshield, which I just had replaced last fall...

Or the drain for the sunroof is plugged.

Where's the antenna on those? My 405 has a leaking seal to the antenna which is directly above the dome light, so it can collect water. The dome light also houses the remote key components and ... some cars have apparently caught fire because of water in the dome light ...

I had my windshield replaced in 2018. I found one place that was $600, but took it to the dealer who was charging $800, because I heard horror stories about the othert place screwing up rain-sensing wipers, and whatever other sensors might be in there, and figured the dealer would do it "right".

There's a 1 year warranty for the installation.

The leak was at the top of the windshield. It's been flooding that molded plastic dome light/sunroof control/sunglass cubby assembly for a little while, mold growing on the top-side of the headliner, and water's been running down the driver's side A pillar, so that airbag was all wet (and no idea how long it's been that way.

$2300 bill.

Fuuuuuck that.
 
Does your dealer even do windshields in house? Every one I've ever asked about it said something to the effect of "We'd just outsource it to this other company, call them directly"
 
Does your dealer even do windshields in house?
It turns out, no they don't. The good news is that it seems the dealer's pressure has more weight behind the issue than I could apply on my own. So far, the company has agreed to do the windshield leak repair, and the initial "take-apart-the-roof" diagnostic aspect, and trying to get them to cover more. It's technically out of warranty, so legally they aren't on the hook for anything at all, so I'm way more calmed down than I was yesterday.
 
Today's little parts trick:

If the NGK spark plug you need ends with a number, like BPR7HS-10, and your parts guy only has BPR7HS, no problem. The "-10" on the end just means it has a millimeter gap instead of the 0.7 or whatever the normal plug has. This can be fixed in seconds with a feeler gauge. Just remember that you can't go off of the old plug the next time you need a new one.
 
How do we feel about the traditional internet guidance of "Do not under any circumstances regap any plugs that aren't copper because you'll break them"?
 
How do we feel about the traditional internet guidance of "Do not under any circumstances regap any plugs that aren't copper because you'll break them"?

Nothing I've ever heard of, at least. This is pretty common practice.
 
I've determined that I like a lot of Bertone designs, especially the Fiat X1/9, Alfa Montreal, Lancia Stratos, Lambo Urraco... The list goes on.

However I'm not a fan of all their designs. How about this BMW concept from 1970... look familiar?

1617024600896.png
 
So, my dad finally found a cottage truck for hauling firewood, tools and whatnot around the countryside. He's been looking at various things during recent years to keep his 3er wagon from getting too beat up, as he's quite particular about car condition. But for less than a road legal Lada Niva, he now has bought ...

A Mercedes-Benz ML!

qyEX5Ix.jpg


I didn't even know you could get them as manual, but there was a '99 ML230 5spd for sale at a used car dealer nearby. It's been imported from Germany already in 2005, gone through a handful of owners and some service history and bills followed, including a clutch/gearbox rebuild receipt from a specialist. There's traditional moderate rust in the edges of wheelarches and the suspension components, but the sunroof surround and the doors etc are OK and it looks well kept.

eEzMvnY.jpg


I think it's amusing that it's the smallest engine, a 148-hp straight-four, but the car has been specced like a dealer did it as it has a custard coloured leather interior combined with dark wood decor and factory bull bar and side steps and all. Dad says it drives surprisingly well, doesn't whine or creak and goes straight (though I expect slowly), and the gearbox feels on point. I also presume the 4x4 works. It doesn't need anything other than a new set of summer tires and some cosmetic work done on the southern side of the gulf when travel opens up again. It'll be interesting to see how it holds up and just how much fuel it uses.

VIN data:

189 (Black Opal)
200A LEATHER
205A LEATHER MUSHROOM
221 LEFT FRONT SEAT, ELECTRICALLY ADJUSTABLE
222 RIGHT FRONT SEAT, ELECTRICALLY ADJUSTABLE
249 AUTOMATICALLY DIPPING INSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR
259 RADIO PREMIUM WITH BOSE SOUND SYSTEM (head unit is a Becker TrafficStar 1DIN navi)
280 LEATHER STEERING WHEEL AND LEATHER GEAR SHIFT KNOB
414 ELECTRIC TILT/SLIDE SUNROOF IN GLASS VERSION
580 AIR CONDITIONER
661 TYRES 255/65 R 16 WITH LIGHT METAL WHEELS
723 BAGGAGE COMPARTMENT COVERING
731 WOOD TRIM BURRED WALNUT ROOT
809 AEJ 06/1/M/X
841 FRONT PROTECTION BAR
846 SCUFF PLATE IN ALU-APPEARANCE WITH RUBBER STUDS
873 SEAT HEATER FOR LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT SEATS
988 REG. DOC. AND COC CERTIFICATE WITH EC TYPE LABEL
E03 UNIVERSAL RUBBER MATS (SET) ANTHRACITE
E15 DOOR SILL PANELS STAINLESS STEEL
U40 No code designation available
U50 No code designation available
U61 LUXURY PACKAGE

Order number 0 9 250 10943 (Destination: Branch Duisburg)
Delivery date 12 01 1999

Fun fact: Prices for the M-class started at 357000 FIM in 1999, or 81 500 eur in today's money. An ML320 would have cost a lot more at 466000 or 106k and change, but I bet the kit with which the ML230 was ordered would have cost a pretty penny too.
 
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