Crazy newbie. Sight unseen with inactive suspension..

Hello all

I would like to introduce myself as one of your newest members.

For background, i've been into the Mercedes scene for the last 2.5 years and have been on a steep learning curve around them and DIY'ing all the tasks. Prior to March 2019 I hadn't ever used a socket wrench before. I have been active over on the MBO forums..

While I plan on keeping my Mercedes, I have just recently acquired a 2005 4.2 SC L322 in Silver, for £2k

What's totally mental about this purchase is that I don't have a massive amount of detail on the car. I haven't actually seen the interior at all and only a couple of not great photos of the exterior at odd angles. I have been told it's "very clean"

• I do know the suspension is bust (on bump stops) due to water ingress during a recent car wash episode. The water has been identified as coming in one of the rear doors (side or tailgate).
• The remote locking had supposedly stopped working but that has been referenced as fixed.
• Also only one key (hate that!)
• According to recent MOTs the rear subframe bushes are outstanding and nearside non-obligatory mirror is damaged (god knows how bad and the price of what I guess is a wing mirror)
• The rear video screens aren't working.
• Rear cameras and parking sensor work 90% of the time.
• It also has "superficial" rust in the usual rear quarters. No idea about the tailgate.

Oh and it has 162k miles on the clock.....

After some initial research here is what I am currently thinking

• Suspension is due to compressor getting shorted/wet. Considering that, the suspension system has shut down and won't raise because it knows the compressor is bust. The compressors needs test/refurb/renew and errors cleared and should work (big a** guess!!) - DIY
• I can get a new spare key programmed for £100
• Rust is a cut/weld/fill/spray job - DIY final spray might be pro depending on impact (silver is difficult to match)
• I believe the wires to rear screen were incorrectly routed under seats around 2005ish. I believe those wires are probably sliced and can patched up.
• No idea on rear camera + sensors
• Rear subframe bushes are a brutal job but i'll still DIY them.

I haven't actually received the car yet too...

I have referred to DIY as I am kind of into that. I have a decent tool setup and have done various jobs on my MB. I am also restoring a Renault Clio 172 Cup track car which has thought me a load and given me plenty of confidence. You can find that build here if curious. https://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/thread...car.111627

Let's see how this all goes eh!

Welcome.

Sounds like you have alot to deal with, but the positive attitude will do you well.
I guess we will see you around for a while to get that lot sorted.

J

Haha I guess so..

It should make for a nice project thread though

Boot is probably soaking wet from tears of the last owner

Welcome to the madness

Hope you got deep pockets or a massive pile of spare folding.

sounds like a wreck lol

Hello and welcome to the mad house

marjon said:

Welcome.

Sounds like you have alot to deal with, but the positive attitude will do you well.
I guess we will see you around for a while to get that lot sorted.

J

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Yea, plenty to do.. to be honest the faults are keeping me keen. I don't think i'd have bought a perfectly running example. I like the problem finding and fixing element.

It's a 4th vehicle so by no means will I be relying on it really.

And yea, I should be here for a while

RangeRoller dt said:

Boot is probably soaking wet from tears of the last owner

Welcome to the madness

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Thanks.. madness is what this is, for sure..

flat said:

Hope you got deep pockets or a massive pile of spare folding.

sounds like a wreck lol

Click to expand...

brianp38dse said:

Hello and welcome to the mad house

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I've got neither.. it should be fun to fix up though.

After fixing the suspension and and rust. I think it will be just another Range Rover .. i.e. one with a few faults here and there

Howdy guys,


Quick update from me..another day and another round of speculation.


Got a few pics from the mechanic today who has been holding the car.


I'm not too familiar with L322 body styling and versions etc. I had been trying to narrow down the front bumper but it looks like it may have been retrofitted with a facelift bumper, possibly grill and front lights. I'm not sure if that is an aftermarket grill or the standard supercharged version.


I also find it strange that one headlamp is clean and the other dulled. I guess the clean one was a renewal at some point.


Overall, a clean looking car up front anyway?





Part of the door card I guess... but what gets me in this photo is the oil. I guess it's burning oil?






Superficial rust, eh!? Good job I have a grinder and mig and know how to use them





Nice black leather.. from this angle it looks very clean considering age and miles. Looks like a bit of wear on the driver, door side. While difficult to say for sure, doesn't look like any collapse of the foam inside.


I'm not going to lie. This photo fills me with a little excitement. Looks clean and looks like a very nice and comfortable place to be.


Seems like i'll need a cigarette lighter anyway.





Brembo and some Overfinch wheels. I wonder do I keep these wheels, are they too big and prone to cracking? What size do you guys reckon?


Looks like smaller than 22inchers so should be good for me.. this won't be no chelsea tractor!





Here's where the speculation begins.. Why is the door car removed?


I had originally believed that the rear door/tailgate had leaked water into rear and caused a suspension fault.... but I don't imagine a suspension fault could be trigged from inside this door, could it? I think that perhaps this photo is closer linked to the central locking fault that had been mentioned by the seller in advert. They did say the locking problem was fixed.


That leads me to the suspension problem..... according to the MOT in October 2020. There was 162k miles. There are still 162k miles on it. Go figure.. it hasn't been driven in 12 months and just sat, understandable due to CV19.


That leads to me to believe that perhaps something gave way in the suspension. It is plausible that perhaps a bag had perished and when they went to drive the car recently the compressor couldn't reach operating pressure and shutdown as a result.





Good ride tyres.... class! (Not!?)

conor1n said:

Thanks.. madness is what this is, for sure..

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And so it begins....

conor1n said:

After fixing the suspension and and rust. I think it will be just another Range Rover ..

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I doubt it.

They all have their own idiosyncrasies but a similar spoilt attitude. It’s the attitude that will shock you. They are like a 2 1/2 tonne pet that knows they can wrap you around their little paw

RangeRoller dt said:

And so it begins....



I doubt it.

They all have their own idiosyncrasies but a similar spoilt attitude. It’s the attitude that will shock you. They are like a 2 1/2 tonne pet that knows they can wrap you around their little paw

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Oh haha, that's exactly what I meant. Any other Range Rover, being one that has it's various issues here and there. Never 100% right lol.

Perhaps i'll get shocked. But I spent £2k on it and considering I am going to be doing all the labour it shouldn't turn out crazy money. I won't be bringing it back to concourse or anything.

conor1n said:

Oh haha, that's exactly what I meant. Any other Range Rover, being one that has it's various issues here and there. Never 100% right lol.

Perhaps i'll get shocked. But I spent £2k on it and considering I am going to be doing all the labour it shouldn't turn out crazy money. I won't be bringing it back to concourse or anything.

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I am sure someone MUST have told you that this is the Introduction Section. Where you knock on the front door, come in to the club, meet some of the members and tell them a little about you and your vehicle. Sort of "Hi I'm a person who is about to become a lot poorer, greyer, and stressed, due to having bought an any year, any model, any condition Green Oval'. Then show a few pics.
After this you are invited to pop over to the section your vehicle fits best. Where you may regale a wider audience with tales of joy, pain, heartbreak and jubilation. Sometimea linked to your vehicle, quite often not, as we tend to go off track , frequently. In return you will get suggestions, support, and a whole bucket load of mickey taking.
Did I say welcome? If not 'welcome'.

Thanks Gold Rover

Yes, I did forget to split up my intro and project postings up. I must do that..

conor1n said:

Thanks Gold Rover

Yes, I did forget to split up my intro and project postings up. I must do that..

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No worries. I only mention it as, you'll get more views and help over in the Range Rover section

Welcome to the forum

For a range rover... the list of faults is quite small.

Wait til he realises why one quarter of the front is newerer

Oh my, did I write that out loud?

RangeRoller dt said:

Wait til he realises why one quarter of the front is newerer

Oh my, did I write that out loud?

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So that would explain the new headlight then... just realised that now.

Well no category on the logbook. But I know that means nothing. Time will tell

I’m only teasing mate.
front looks newer than rest though . Know when you dig deeper. PO’s do all sort of strange things could be complete coincidence

RangeRoller dt said:

I’m only teasing mate.
front looks newer than rest though . Know when you dig deeper. PO’s do all sort of strange things could be complete coincidence

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Yea who knows.

It does look like it got face lifted bumpers and lights etc..

Who knows. All part of the fun

Quick update on this..

Courier number 1 has been taking the pi$$ the last few weeks, so I have engaged a guy who seems more tuned in and reliable. Should have it next week.

I spoke to the mechanic today who has been keeping it in his yard.. he told me he went to move it today and there are no longer any brakes on it and that only brake now is hand brake... well!

Hoping that system is just leaking fluid, probably corroded line or something... hopefully it's not something crazy.

Nothing wrong with getting engaged to a guy. Does the misses know?