"Mercedes Streeter" (smart)
04/20/2020 at 18:55 • Filed to: None
7
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"Mercedes Streeter" (smart)
04/20/2020 at 18:55 • Filed to: None | 7
| 7 |
I’ve been pretty decent at not breaking the stay in place through April, but yesterday I just couldn’t take it anymore, I had to get out for a drive.
I drove the Benz about 200 miles yesterday. I’m super happy I’ve made this trade. It sounds like a city bus when it accelerates and sips so little diesel.
I was able to get a neat photo opportunity at a theatre in a nearby city. This wouldn’t have been possible during any other time.
Also got a shot at my third favourite beach.
Plan is still to safari build it. The car could be a cool restoration project but it’s beyond my ability to do any of the necessary body/paint work. At most I’ll freshen up the interior. It already has hands down the best stereo of any car I’ve ever owned, and the musical horsepower is discrete, too!
The Passat’s boost, limp mode, and oil leak issue was this absolutely destroyed intercooler hose. New owner reports it’s pretty quick now. Like, it comes pretty close to factory 0-60.
A part of me wants to get it from the new owner because I can’t get enough of that squared back wagon shape and the BHW is a bulletproof, coveted engine. I guess it’ll depend on how much he’ll want for it.
Unemployment will *finally* kick in as of a few days from now. As calculated, I’m making significantly more money with unemployment than I was while employed. That’s a sigh of relief. The feds are also giving me back my federal refund, too, so I can build a safety net in case my furlough goes longer than promised.
Keys are back from my ex and while we aren’t exactly on speaking terms, that headache is finally over. Note to self: Keys are a terrible show of trust early on in a relationship. And as another note, I’m legit now going to ask potential girlfriends if they’re poly right off the bat...none of this “oh hey, I’m poly” after I already said I love you.
The Goldwing is no longer burning coolant so bad it creates a smoke cloud. However, the starter clutch appears to act like it’s gunked up. Time for some seafoam.
And now that I will finally have positive income, I can tie up a few loose ends and get the Burgman a tire. :)
shop-teacher
> Mercedes Streeter
04/20/2020 at 19:03 |
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Nothing wrong with going for a drive! You’re not going to infect anyone or get infected from inside the car!
Have you noticed dog parks are still open in Illinois, and jam packed? I’ve seen a few of them open recently, with ev ery single spot in the parking lot full. How the hell is that an essential service?
Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing.
> Mercedes Streeter
04/20/2020 at 19:10 |
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As a salesman my uncle spent tons of time on the road. After analyzing the costs he decided to buy a W123 240D to get around the country, a very sound decision. He lived in Southern California, near the Mexican border, and diesel fuel was dirt cheap down there. He got the idea to have a massive fuel tank fitted between the wheel wells, and would go down to Mexico for the afternoon and stock up on cheap, cheap derv .
Well, it was a good idea, but it ended up costing him a small fortune and consuming every cent he saved with this purchase and then some . Apparently the allowable levels of sulfur in Mexican diesel is considerably higher than what was sold on this side of the border. As it was explained to me at the time , the excess sulfur, combined with the byproducts of combustion, essentially turns into sulfuric acid. Oops. One new expensive replacement engine later and he was back on the road...
Snuze: Needs another Swede
> Mercedes Streeter
04/20/2020 at 20:50 |
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I don’t know much about Goldwings, but Honda transverse engines (everything from the 450 singles to the CBR600/1000 engines) use a starter clutch, and certain models are notorious for burning through them.
The Benz looks like a good, fun project and a Safari build would be awesome! My friend in high school had a W123 300D diesel and we made a lot of fun, stupid memories in that car doing dumb stuff. Once we pegged the 85 MPH speedo on the highway, it was absolutely terrifying!
I’ve got a Volvo 240 wagon on the way as my next project, I’m currently trying to get rid of my 850.
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Mercedes Streeter
> shop-teacher
04/20/2020 at 21:55 |
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My only fear is breaking down and needing a tow somewhere, so I tried to keep it local-ish!
IIRC, state parks are closed, but municipal parks and such are up to the village/city/county. But yeah, the forest preserves near me are so busy that there are traffic jams on the trails. *Sigh*
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shop-teacher
> Mercedes Streeter
04/20/2020 at 22:06 |
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That was smart of you.
Ugh. People can be so freaking stupid!
pip bip - choose Corrour
> Mercedes Streeter
04/21/2020 at 04:52 |
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long drives are good for your mental health.
Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
> Mercedes Streeter
04/27/2020 at 21:30 |
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That’s a handsome ride, that Mercedes. I would not touch the exterior except to wash it once or twice a year. It has a wonderful kind of sinister look to it with the satin paint. It would cost a billion dollars to restore it. Make the mechanicals smooth and sound and the inside comfortable. Love it. Find some biodiesel and make the exhaust smell like fish & chips .
We made some TEAM OPPOSITELOCK Folding@home stickers. Can I send you one? Even if you haven’t folded, you can represent . Email me: oliphant.chuckerbutty@gmail.com
Re-keying locks is not expensive if you pull the lock itself and take it to the hardware store. I recommend it.
Cheers!
PS: what shop-teacher says. Going for a solo drive is absolutely within the spirit of the law.