Grass vs Gravel and the dreaded Rust

[JonFB]

Hi Peeps,

Into my 3rd week with my first Benz and luving it (as is the guy at the petrol station!).

Question: I park the car on the grass in front of my house, having read quite a few posts about c classes from 2002 it seems they may be prone to rust...so do you think it is any worse parking on grass rather than having a proper drive?

Do you think it's a real issue?

Also now I have a decent car I'm not succoming to the lazy car wash but spending ten minutes with the jet wash (no brush), to protect the mint paintwork.

Another question: At present each week I am coating the wheel archs in hot shampoo and they jet washing it off afterwards. This gets rid of all the mud on the plastic liner - but do you think I am perhaps encouraging water to get to inaccessible places - or should I continue in my obsessional way?

Short of giving the girl a heated garage I'm not quite sure of the lengths I should go to protect my new beautiful (if thirsty) family member!:-D

Your thoughts would be most welcome.



Jon

______________
'02 C200k Estate

 

[television]

Parking on grass is not good, there will always be damp air rising. OK its not too bad if you use the car every day, long term is not good

Do not use a very high presure wash onto the sides of the car as they are not designed for that,when the car is wet, a soft cloth does no harm as no presure is needed, even with a high presure wash it will not get off salty dirt. by all means clean the wheel arches out a few times a year,I waxoil mine and wash under them twice a year. An old washing up brush is perfect for the wheels do not use wheel cleaners, they contain acids.

OK its a C class, what did you buy

 

[JonFB]

OK its a C class, what did you buy

Thanks for the feedback Mr TV. I have a gravel drive at the back of the house, so maybe I should use that until I give some serious thought to a garage for her majesty.

Oh, I'm afraid I am not a contender in any way. I used to have a filthy old Peogeut diesel estate to cart my smelly old dogs around the Norfolk countryside. So I have fractionally slid up the scale of motoring evolution to another estate this time it may be four years old but it's my first Benz.

Stupidly I didn't wait to save my money for a diesel (which I reckon would have been another two to three grand) but fell for a pretty immaculate C200K.

I drive it like I could be your grandfather and on a run I can max about 36mpg but my daily commute to the humming metropolis of Norwich;-) I average later twenties. I believe that maybe quite good but having come from a 1.9 non turboed diesel I'm use to putting £40 quid in the tank and then reffilling it 450+ miles and a couple of weeks later, so having to shove £60 quid in almost once a week is kind of a reality check.

I did start to work out the bargain I got (it's an Elegance auto with leather, and seemingly tonnes of kit inc heated seats=yum, and full MB serv history on 70k miles) - all for £9k vs the extra cost of the petrol compared to the saving I made on a CDi, but I think I worked out the CDi would have paid for itself in under two years.

Having said that I do truly luuv the car. Weird how basic things like auto sensing lights and wipers plus the auto box and excellent road holding can make for such a relaxing drive (assuming I can keep myself from looking at the fuel guage). Maybe if they had put an obscenely huge tank in it, that might well cost me £100 to fill up, but at least I wouldn't have to do it quite so often.

Having read the posts here I am putting BP ultimate in her tho, so that is a slight expense but sound's like it's a worthwhile thing to do.

BTW, I know you are a guru of all things MB on this and other sites so can you tell me, she's due her "A" service in just over 4k miles. I have heard nothing of a cam belt in her history. As she will have done approx 80k miles, should I get it done? I'm going to ignore the full MB history and take her to a local Benz specialist in Loddon in Norfolk, as I am assuming I shall have her for life and could do with shaving a few pennies off the labour bill, so presume I may have to tell the mechanics to wip the belt out, if you think it's a good idea.

As I've posted before, I was going to change the 15" wheels for 17" as they look very slightly punny but the ride is already firm and I'm kinda terrified of spending a grand upgrading and then finding my back being pile driven into the tarmac each morning. Perhaps I should take a ride in a car that has larger wheels or should I just go for it.

Ok, shall stop babbling.

Thanks for your help.



Jon

 

[BarryG]

I drive it like I could be your grandfather and on a run I can max about 36mpg



Jon

Now that could be interesting as Malcolm "Television" is into his seventh decade wonder what his grandfather drives?

Barry:-D

 

[robbo]

BTW, I know you are a guru of all things MB on this and other sites so can you tell me, she's due her "A" service in just over 4k miles. I have heard nothing of a cam belt in her history. As she will have done approx 80k miles, should I get it done? I'm going to ignore the full MB history and take her to a local Benz specialist in Loddon in Norfolk, as I am assuming I shall have her for life and could do with shaving a few pennies off the labour bill, so presume I may have to tell the mechanics to wip the belt out, if you think it's a good idea.

Jon

All mercs have a timing chain so no need to worry about changing cambelts!!

Personally, I'd think carefully about taking it to a non MB garage for servicing. Yes, its cheaper, but you will lose the mobilolife corrosion warranty which may be worth having on cars pre 2005 model year. You pays you money and takes your choice!

 

[television]

Now that could be interesting as Malcolm "Television" is into his seventh decade wonder what his grandfather drives?

Barry:-D

I will be able to ask him in a few years time

Malcolm

 

[M6AJJ]

Have the basic service done at Robinsons at the set cost, they will give you a list and a quote for any work required, then go to the guys at Loddon to have the work done.

This will keep your Mobilo warranty up to date (in spite of all the posts on here, I have found it excellent, twice!) and will minimise your costs.

 

[JonFB]

Hey thanks AJJ,

Never crossed my mind to do that - but sound's brilliant idea, that way I can be sure that any necessary stuff will be picked up (and then sorted later at a more reasonable price).

Notice you're from this fair county, have you ever used the people at Loddon? I haven't been reccomended them or anything (I don't know anyone here with a Merc) but found them on a web search. I just thought...Loddon....Loddon...that doesn't sound like that should have very expensive labour rates...assuming the place is on a tarmacadamed road and they have finished installing that new fangled electricity thing we in north Norfolk have heard so much about.

Must go, have to put another turf on the fire and then fetch some water from the well ready for work tomorrow...



Jon

 

[Rory]

I drive it like I could be your grandfather and on a run I can max about 36mpg but my daily commute to the humming metropolis of Norwich;-) I average later twenties. I believe that maybe quite good but having come from a 1.9 non turboed diesel I'm use to putting £40 quid in the tank and then reffilling it 450+ miles and a couple of weeks later, so having to shove £60 quid in almost once a week is kind of a reality check.

If you'd got a auto CDi then its commuting fuel consumption may not have been much better - my C270 only does 30MPG on 5/6 mile runs into town. They also take a lot of warming up - there's an auxilary heater (not the fuel powered pre-heater, but something to do with the a/c pump working in reverse?) but that impacts fuel consumption too.

 

[BarryG]

I will be able to ask him in a few years time

Malcolm

Nah Malcolm check this out
http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/showthread.php?p=126457#post126457


Barry

 

[M6AJJ]

Hi, hoping you are still enjoying your MB. I have not personally used Autotechnic yet, but have had good reports from people who have.
They have all the correct equipment, Star Diagnostics etc, and are ex Robinsons so are MB trained.

Had an A service done at Robinsons and had an estimate prepared for what was required for the next service, plugs (12 of them) filters, brake pads etc. all coming to £700. Have rang AT who are sending me an estimate for the same work. (By the way, they are at Chedgrave, near Loddon). Will let you know what they say.

Where about are you in N Norfolk?

Tony

 

[OmniCognateNeutronRangler]

I will be able to ask him in a few years time

Malcolm

can I have your SL when you go ?

 

[Bobthebuilder58]

Question:

I park the car on the grass in front of my house, having read quite a few posts about c classes from 2002 it seems they may be prone to rust...so do you think it is any worse parking on grass rather than having a proper drive?

I have just re-graveled my drive,it took me 7 days to do and i used 180 tons of the stuff.When I started the job I weighed 13 stone........i now weigh 3 stone?Gravel is much better to park your car on than grass but I am sick of looking at the stuff I don't live to far from you and I think I have few shovel fulls left

I get a lot of pleasure picking the gravel out of my tyres..............NOT!

Bob.


.

 

[jberks]

Interesting original question - where to park. Mine lives in the garage as that's what I've got. However, whilst I can see that parking on grass is a bad idea long term, my understanding is that the best place to park is actually under a car port. No moisture gets in and plenty of airflow to keep the car dry. The problem with garages is that the airflow is quite low, so whatever moisture you bring in with you, stays on the car.

 

[television]

Interesting original question - where to park. Mine lives in the garage as that's what I've got. However, whilst I can see that parking on grass is a bad idea long term, my understanding is that the best place to park is actually under a car port. No moisture gets in and plenty of airflow to keep the car dry. The problem with garages is that the airflow is quite low, so whatever moisture you bring in with you, stays on the car.

Yes a car port is the best you can get for an everyday car, putting a wet car into a garage is not good.

Malcolm

 

[JonFB]

...Had an A service done at Robinsons and had an estimate prepared for what was required for the next service, plugs (12 of them) filters, brake pads etc. all coming to £700. Have rang AT who are sending me an estimate for the same work. (By the way, they are at Chedgrave, near Loddon). Will let you know what they say.

Where about are you in N Norfolk?

Tony

Hi Tony - That's a big :cry:OUCH on the Robinson's quote, i.e. £700 quid. That's just for maintenance right? I guess the MB specialist should reduce that down to something a little more civilised (here's hoping).

I'm in a village called Northrepps, which is a mile from the coast and about three from Cromer.

BTW Is that your big pile of a house in your avatar photo or were you just parked up outside some national trust place?! :wink:

 

[M6AJJ]

Jon FB

I know where Northrepps is, well I think I do!

I live in Hingham, which is on the B1108, 8 miles from Dereham, 5 miles from Watton, and 7 miles from Wymondham. Yes the middle of nowhere, but we like it.

I still have not had the quote, but will let you know as soon as I get it.

No, that's not our house, the one over the road looked better, hence the Avatar.

Tony

 

[hawk20]

Stupidly I didn't wait to save my money for a diesel (which I reckon would have been another two to three grand) but fell for a pretty immaculate C200K.

but I think I worked out the CDi would have paid for itself in under two years.

Having read the posts here I am putting BP ultimate in her tho, so that is a slight expense but sound's like it's a worthwhile thing to do.

I'm going to ignore the full MB history and take her to a local Benz specialist in Loddon in Norfolk, as I am assuming I shall have her for life and could do with shaving a few pennies off the labour bill, so presume I may have to tell the mechanics to wip the belt out, if you think it's a good idea.

As I've posted before, I was going to change the 15" wheels for 17" as they look very slightly punny but the ride is already firm and I'm kinda terrified of spending a grand upgrading and then finding my back being pile driven into the tarmac each morning. Perhaps I should take a ride in a car that has larger wheels or should I just go for it.

Ok, shall stop babbling.

Jon

1. It is incredibly unlikely that you could save the £3k difference in price in 5 years let alone two unless you do a huge mileage. Get the mpg figures for 220 diesel and 200 compressor from Merc's website. Calculate how many gallons you need at the 'combined' consumption figures and multiply by about £4-50p per gallon. There's usually a few hundred pounds a year in it.
2. Use normal unleaded and save money. Most 'super' fuels are a gimmick and they never last -they just get replaced by another uneconomic gimmick. IMO.
3. Never get serviced elsewhere. You get a 30 year rust guarantee and it does just what it says on the tin as many threads will show.
4. Never get serviced elsewhere. You get free breakdown cover for you and all drivers (costs at least £150 from the AA) and includes cover in Europe, however many trips you make (another £100 or so from the AA). The A service is about 1 hours labour and the B service about two hours. Great value.
5. And when you sell it you give someone else the pleasure and comfort you felt at having full MBSH.
6. Better still get a quote forn Service PLUS which covers virtually all bills including MOT's and is virtually an extended warranty. Covers you up to 6 years old or 120,000 miles (see other threads).
7. Why ruin the ride on a Mercedes by putting on bigger wheels than it was designed for? You will make it harsher to ride in and easier to crunch the alloys against pavements due to the low profile tyres needed on bigger wheels. The ride is one of the great features of a Mercedes. Well worth keeping. Spend the money on good servicing or Service Plus.
Good luck.

 

[television]

7. Why ruin the ride on a Mercedes by putting on bigger wheels than it was designed for? You will make it harsher to ride in and easier to crunch the alloys against pavements due to the low profile tyres needed on bigger wheels. The ride is one of the great features of a Mercedes. Well worth keeping. Spend the money on good servicing or Service Plus.
Good luck.

On my day off today I wandered around the MB SW outlet and was amazed to see a SL500 demonstrator on 285 x30 x 19" wheels, just checked and I see the AMG65 has these as standard, this time next year we will be running on 325 X 10 X 21.

malcolm

 

[OmniCognateNeutronRangler]

£700 for a service, surely not. See if you can get it serviced at the same place as Hawk20, he pays considerably less than that. Not sure if you are in the same neck of the woods....