The official Mercedes-Benz Club Founded 1952

Gazette
December 2015
The official Mercedes-Benz Club
Founded 1952
In this month’s issue
Mercedes-AMG GT S
W124 Day
Alternator wiring repair
Contents
Board of Directors
Chairman and Editor-in-Chief Ian Keers OBE
Vice Chair and Membership Services Director
Rosemarie Maslin
Finance and Internet Services Director Kenny Ooi
Company Secretary Phil Greaves
Marketing Director and liaison with
Mercedes-Benz UK Michael Chapman
Technical Director Jeremy Stevens
Regional Development Director Trevor Mitchell
Club Services Director Tony De Frates
Correspondence for Club Directors should be sent
to: The Mercedes-Benz Club, PO Box 284,
Stamford PE9 9BY
Honorary President John Surtees OBE
Honorary Life Vice-Presidents
Tina Bellamy, Erika Gupwell, Jacqueline White,
Roger King, Vic Harris, Chris Cloke and Nicky Porter
28
Founder R H Johnson
Past Presidents G C Monkhouse (1952-1971),
Interregnum, Roger King (1989-1992),
Tina Bellamy (1992-1995), Interregnum
Past Chairmen C W E Kerr (1955-1963),
A J Ray Whiteway (1963-1970), John Barley (19701975), Gerald Coward (1975-1982),
Dr Herbert Ochs (1982), Roger King (1982-1989),
Jacqueline White (1989-1996), Mike Powell
(1996-2003)
Mercedes-Benz Silver Star Winners
Ron Cushway (deceased), Tina Bellamy,
Roger King, Gordon Hoey (deceased),
Jacqueline White, Maurice Stapleton (deceased),
Vic Harris, Mike Powell (deceased) and Steve Emeny.
This is a rarely made award from the Mercedes-Benz Museum
in Stuttgart to club officers who have made a particularly long
and distinguished contribution to their club.
Help for Heroes
is the Mercedes-Benz Club’s
adopted charity
The ‘Good Garage Guide’ and contact details for all Club
Officials can be found in the Club Directory distributed
with the October Gazette. The password for access to the
Members’ pages of the Club website is no longer required
as this is now controlled by membership number.
Advice and recommendations in the Gazette are
given in good faith by the authors concerned, but neither
they nor the Mercedes-Benz Club Ltd will accept
responsibility for any direct or consequential loss or
damage resulting from persons acting on such advice
or recommendations.
Reproduction of any part or whole of this
magazine is prohibited, unless written permission has
been obtained from the Editor.
Gazette copy dates
February closes December 11
March closes January 15
Published by the Mercedes-Benz Club Ltd
Editorial Office: Chris Bass
94 Connaught Road, Brookwood,
Woking, Surrey GU24 OHJ.
Tel: 01483 481836.
E-mail: [email protected]
Advertising, Design and Production:
Hine Marketing, Hill Farm Studios,
Wainlodes Lane, Bishops Norton
Gloucestershire. GL2 9LN
Tel: 01452 730770
E-mail: [email protected]
Gazette distribution queries:
Rosemarie Maslin,
PO Box 284, Stamford PE9 9BY
Tel: 01780 460922
E-mail: [email protected]
36
33
4
PubMeets DiaryDates
5
ForthcomingEvents
5
InvitationRecieved
7
News&Views
39
14 YourLetters
37 From deep in the Archive
39 Adenauer restoration
20 ClubShop
TechnicalCorner
22 ViewPoint
42 W124 alternator wiring
repair
45 Spares register
Features
24 Car of the month
25 Mercedes-AMG GT S
28 The Brooklands Aero
Clubhouse
33 BTCC
34 W124 Day
36 F1 news
46 RegionalReports
72 Back numbers
72 Special notices
73 NewMembers
77 CarsforSale
Membership benefits
■ First ever Mercedes-Benz Club –
founded 1952
■ Only UK club recognised by
Mercedes-Benz
■ Monthly Gazette
■ Technical support
■ Free access to the Mercedes-Benz
■ Electronic Parts Catalogue and
Workshop Information Service
■ Discounted insurance
■ Club shop
■ Local, national and international
events
■ Discounts from many MB dealers
■ Members’ website forum
■ Free subscription to Mercedes-Benz
Classic magazine
■ Discounts from parts suppliers
■ Discounts from hotels and ferry
operators
For membership and general enquiries telephone 01780 482111
www.mercedes-benz-club.co.uk
www.mercedes-benz-club.co.uk • DECEMBER 2015 • 3
News&Views
Payments to the
Club
R/C107 Parts Day – Sunday September 13
Further to the item in last month’s
Gazette on this subject, a simpler link for
non-Paypal account users, that is easier
to type in, is: http://tinyurl.com/nkg79ty
Kenny Ooi, Finance Director
Classic Motor Show
ticket competition
The winners of the pairs of tickets for the NEC
show – see page 33 of the November Gazette
– were John Cummings of Manchester, and
Roger Needham from Yorkshire.
Trevor Mitchell
Grille badges
A roaring trade in parts at the SL Shop (photos from Sam Bailey).
The weather stayed fine and dry for our first spares day dedicated to the R and C107 models.
We were also lucky with our venue as we were generously hosted by Sam Bailey, Bruce
Greetham and a large team of helpers from the SL Shop in Worcestershire. The central location
was used to try and encourage as many Members as possible and although we had a relatively
low turn out on the day we certainly had a good turnover with many parts sold.
Personally, I was happy to be able to pick up an indicator assembly which was a rare find
for my R107 and the Club had brought along a van full of parts. The money from the Club
sales went to the Help for Heroes charity. Along with items traded there was even greater
value to be had from the advice from the SL Shop team and from chatting with other owners.
The wealth of knowledge in the Club is vast and these sort of occasions are the perfect chance
to tap into that. We will certainly do this again and are likely to combine the spare sales with
another event to be sure of a larger audience.
John Boggis, R107 Model Register Captain
Spotted
Grille badges are available from the Membership
Office. They are approximately three inches
(76.2mm) in diameter in a nickel silver finish.
They have a simple fixing which enables them
to be mounted directly on to most radiator grilles
and come complete with a nyloc nut and penny
washer. An adaptor plate is also available (at extra
cost) to bolt the badge to a badge bar clamp.
The cost is £25 or £30 for a badge and adaptor
plate. These prices include postage and packing
within Europe. Please enquire for the cost of
postage to other destinations. To order your badge
please contact Catherine Barlow on 01780 482111
or [email protected]
SEC cabriolet.
E63 AMG on test at the Nurburgring?
There were what appeared to be two different Mercedes-AMG GTs on the track.
On his trip to the Mille Miglia, while in the village of Radicofani south of Siena, Club Member
Peter Brown spotted this SEC cabriolet based on a W126 SEC, by an unnamed coach-builder.
He also made a detour via the Nurburgring and saw some disguised AMG and Mercedes-Benz
prototypes testing. Apparently the two-door coupés were Mercedes-AMG GT Black series
and the four-door was a W213 E63 AMG.
Stars of the future
New advertising from Mercedes-Benz Cars UK is looking to recruit the ‘stars of the future’ to
join its dealers. The campaign is designed to attract people from outside the automotive industry.
“Mercedes-Benz Cars has seen five years of continued sales growth in the UK,” explained
Gary Savage, CEO Mercedes-Benz UK. “Underpinning the new cars we’re retailing and the
new customers we’re attracting is a community of franchised dealer partners that are the
best in the business. The ongoing professionalism of our dealer network is absolutely critical
to ensure our continued success, to best-serve our new and returning customers, and for us
all to achieve the company’s ambitious growth plans. We’ve already got brilliant colleagues
working around the country and now the time is right to encourage more talent to join us.”
The main focus for the advertising is a careers website which details all the opportunities
available: https://careers.mercedes-benz.co.uk
www.mercedes-benz-club.co.uk • DECEMBER 2015 • 7
YourLetters
The opinions expressed are those of the individual writers and do not necessarily reflect Club policy. The Editor reserves the right to edit letters if necessary.
They should be sent to the editorial office at 94 Connaught Road, Brookwood, Woking, Surrey GU24 0HJ or [email protected]
Letter of the Month
As a thank you (and as an incentive for even greater
efforts) we like to choose a letter of the month.
Meguiar’s have kindly agreed to sponsor this and the
Member whose letter is selected receives a Wash &
Wax car care kit.
Fantastic experience
Dear Chris,
I know this is not a Mercedes, but I have just taken part in the London to Brighton
Veteran Car Run, what a fantastic experience and what fun! Must admit I was not happy
about being called at the hotel at 5.00am, but the rest of it was just amazing. I was lucky
enough to be in Beaulieu’s 1904 de Dion, driven by their two most experienced drivers.
At the start the fog in London was terrible, though the arrival in Brighton in sunshine
was a plus. Naturally I want to do it again!
I was interested in the feature ‘From deep in the Archive’ in the November Gazette
– Ralph, my late husband went on the visit to Germany and I have the original invitation
as featured at the end of the article!
By the way my Mercedes is 60 next year [Johanna’s 300 cabriolet] and I want to
have a birthday party for her – any ideas?
Regards,
Johanna Lack, via e-mail
Hoops and keys
Dear Chris,
If like myself (running a 560SEC) other Club Members have recently tried to purchase a
new Mercedes-Benz ignition key from an official dealer against their chassis and registration
numbers, they will have come across the new ‘anti-theft security measures’ that have been put
into place by MBUK.
These measures, regardless of any proof of previous dealings with the official dealer,
such as repairs, servicing and being personally known with no material changes, will cut no
ice with any form of concession. As you must now physically present yourself with the car
for VIN number inspection, with V5 and driver’s licence. The dealer who has ordered the
key will then ‘try’ the key (remarkably at no cost to the customer) to ensure that it works
satisfactorily, obtain a signature and take payment (unless paid for in advance). Previously the
phone, photocopies and secure post worked surprisingly well.
Replacement Mercedes keys are not always available from third party suppliers and I have
no idea if blank keys bought on E-bay are capable of being used, but may well of course only
be capable of producing another defective key at best, but of no use if you have lost your only
key when parked away from your home. So here is a warning to Members who may have for
some valid reasons changed their door and ignition locks – you will not get a new key as the
changed locks would have been previously fitted to a car with different chassis and registration
numbers, which of course you may well have obtained by nefarious means (I don’t think!)
Christopher Mackeonis, Somerset.
14 • DECEMBER 2015 • www.mercedes-benz-club.co.uk
Cliffs of Moher
Dear Chris,
I recently attended a Connaught Region
event, organised by Sean McGreevy. It was
a superb weekend in Co Clare, taking in
a tour of Bunratty Castle and the Cliffs of
Moher. The timing of the drive out to the
cliffs on the Saturday had to be spot on,
and it was – for no sooner had we parked
our cars than, coming over the hills behind
us, was a charity truck run, which I’m told
numbered over 400 Mercedes, Scania,
Volvo, Mann, DAF and Fiat trucks. Thanks
to Club Member Pat Flattery (who planned
the route), that we were ahead of that
massive convoy and not behind it.
Our accommodation was at the Inn at
the Dromoland, a place where good food
and drink were in abundant supply. After
dinner, Sean with his lovely wife Anne
Marie, presented each Member with six
beautiful Galway Crystal glasses and a
bottle of Irish Mist.
On Sunday morning it was a short drive
round to Dromoland Castle for coffee and
a chat, after that we all went our separate
ways. For me it was a very enjoyable 640mile round trip in my 190E 2.5-16. Thanks
to Sean for a great weekend.
Michael Maguire, Crumlin, Co Antrim
Dear Members,
Thank you for your e-mails and I’m
pleased to hear that the Mercedes-Benz
Club Autumn Run went smoothly and that
your participants enjoyed their visit to the
Cliffs of Moher. All of the team here at the
visitor centre and indeed our owners, Clare
County Council, were happy to join with the
Shannon Group to support this initiative for
the Club’s visit to the county and we hope
to see it return to the area in years to come.
Regards.
Katherine Webster, Director – Cliffs of
Moher Visitor Experience
Winchester
recommendation
Dear Chris,
I have recently had my 1996 W202 C-Class
serviced at Hill Farm Garage, Sutton Scotney,
Winchester SO21 3NS, telephone 01962
760041. They were most helpful and did an
excellent job. They have one of the old school
mechanics there, vast experience, especially on
the older models as he has been dealing with
Mercedes for many years. They have other
technicians, but Mervyn is the man for any
problems with your older Mercedes. I would
like to include them in the recommended
garages.
Regards,
Philip Langley, via e-mail
ClubShop
Available from the Club website
All prices include UK post and packing
More detailed clothing descriptions, sizes and colours shown on the Club website shop.
Baseball caps in navy,
black, red, burgundy or
bottle green with silver
Club logo. £13.50
Long-sleeve jumper in blue or
black with silver Club logo.
V-neck or crew. £34.00
Gazette binder – holds 12
issues, complete with year
stickers. £13.00
Backpack, black and tan with
silver Club logo. £19.00
Water-proof blouson jacket
in navy, black or grey £60.00
Club fleece with silver logo, in
navy blue, burgundy, black, grey
or green. £34.50
Club cuff-links
supplied in a gift box £20.00
Buy on the Club website
Visit our Club website shop where all items can be viewed. Orders
can now be made via the site with payment by credit card or
cheque. Log onto the Club website and start shopping the easy way.
Please make cheques payable to Mike Colls.
All orders will be despatched within 14 days, if there is a
problem we will contact you. UK post and packing is now included
in all prices, please ring or e-mail for overseas rates. Goods found
to be faulty through design flaws or postage damage will be
replaced free of charge.
20 • DECEMBER 2015 • www.mercedes-benz-club.co.uk
Club polo shirts in various
colours, ring for details.
£23.50
Tie with
Club logo.
£18.50
Club holdall/sports-bag
in various colours £26.00
Coolplus anti-bac polo shirt
with Club logo. £29.00
Club wall clock
£19.50
Contact details
Mike Colls
To order please ring 01934 418364
If we are unable to answer the phone, please leave a message on the
answer-phone and we will call you back.
The e-mail address is [email protected]
Sorry, but due to bank charges,
we have had to introduce a minimum order value of £5.00.
A ‘Green Goddess’ seems to have arrived in my life, newly acquired 500SEC.
ViewPoint
by Ian Keers
Parts sale day
In early September the SL Shop near
Redditch, Worcestershire kindly agreed
to host an SL parts sale day which was
organised by Model Register Captain John
Boggis. Some months prior to this the
Club had been gifted quite a lot of ‘new
old stock’ parts by garage owner and Club
Vice-President Nicky Porter. Nicky has a
Mitsubishi dealership in West Auckland,
Co Durham that used to be a MercedesBenz Service Point. They were having a
clear out of their stores and rather than
dump his surplus parts Nicky offered them
to the Club so that Members could benefit
and the proceeds could go to charity. This
was a great offer and the parts were duly
collected and over a period of time were
catalogued, there were over a thousand
items altogether. When John announced his
co-venture with the SL Shop, I asked if we
could sell these parts as well and he agreed.
I rented a van, loaded the crates and headed
for Worcestershire. It would have been too
much of a task to price everything and then
apply a discount so we adopted a cheerfully
simple method of charging £5 for small bits,
£10 for medium sized bits and £15 for large
items. Unfortunately the day wasn’t well
attended, but those Members who did turn
up got some real bargains and at the end of
the day I was delighted when the owner of
the SL Shop, Sam Bailey, offered to buy
what was left. Anyhow, we made exactly
£800 and after we have knocked off VAT
and van and fuel costs, Help for Heroes will
get a decent donation, so thanks to Nicky
Porter, Sam Bailey and John Boggis for
making it happen.
A ‘Green Goddess’ and a clay bar
A ‘Green Goddess’ seems to have come into
my life and no, it is not a 1950s Bedford RL
fire tender! (Nor an over-enthusiastic fitness
instructor from the telly.) It is in fact a 1987
500SEC finished in 254 ‘Nacht Grun’ (night
green I believe, although contemporary UK
W126 literature called it ‘pine green’ for
some reason). Anyway, green it certainly
is and what a lovely, smooth driver it is
too. Like any 28-year-old car that has
done 184,000 miles it has a few issues, but
nothing that cannot be overcome. That said,
the only things I could fault it on really were
a slight exhaust blow (now welded) and an
intermittent offside front fog light, which I
traced to a bad plug-in connector under the
headlight, now fixed. It had lived outside
and the paintwork felt rough to the touch and
was dull, so I spent a few hours with paint
cleaner, a clay bar and then carnuba wax
and boy, what a transformation! The biggest
surprise to me was the incredible effect of
the clay bar. I have had a clay bar for years
but have never really had to use it in anger
as my other cars lead very pampered lives.
Setting about the SEC with the clay bar,
using quick detailer as a lubricant, changed
the paint from being as rough as a badger’s
bottom to being as smooth as glass – it was
amazing! Try it for yourself, run your fingers
over the paintwork on your car and if it feels
coarse, apply clay bar and feel it again, the
difference is astounding. As with acquiring
any ‘new’ old car, I am in that period of
assessment at the moment, running it about
a bit and discovering whether I can trust it,
and it seems I can. I had to attend a meeting
at the National Memorial Arboretum a
couple of weeks ago and decided to take
the big coupé up to Staffordshire and it was
fine. Then, last Sunday I drove it down to
Brighton to watch the London to Brighton
Veteran Car Run, a return journey of about
260 miles, and once again, the car ran
perfectly, in fact it seems to have improved
a lot since I acquired it (it had been standing
for quite a while), but isn’t that always
the case with older Mercedes-Benz cars?
Anyhow, it has arrived at the wrong end
of the season, but it should provide lots of
enjoyment at next year’s events.
International Presidents’
Conference – Stuttgart
I represented the Club at this conference held
in Stuttgart in October, along with 61 other
club chairmen or presidents from all over the
world. It was very interesting and informative
as ever, with presentations from many areas
of Daimler AG. Of special interest to those
of us with older models was a presentation
by Klaus Reichert, Manager, Classic Centre
parts. He reminded us that the Classic Centre
assumes responsibility for spare parts for all
models 15 years after the end of production.
Picture courtesy of Pete Brown – Chris Evans (right) and Alex Jones (second left, of the BBC’s
The One Show) and Ken Bruce (centre) with others tearing a red flag in half at the start of
this year’s London to Brighton run in Hyde Park.
22 • DECEMBER 2015 • www.mercedes-benz-club.co.uk
Car of the month
Steve Swithin’s 190E 2.6 Sportline
S
teve writes: ‘During the last 10 years I have owned most models of the 190E, from a humble
1.8 to a fully rebuilt 2.5-16. For me, the best engine in a W201 is the smooth, 2.6-litre, straightsix M103. My daily driver for six years and 75,000 miles was a standard 2.6 auto, which was
a great car. I spent three years searching for a 2.6 with Sportline suspension and a leather interior,
and discovered that good ones are very hard to find. The previous owner of this car had spent many
thousands on an engine, gearbox and full suspension rebuild in 2007, the year before I bought it. A
change of job meant the 190E was no longer appropriate for his visits to remote farm premises. He
replaced the Mercedes with a Land Rover Discovery, so I willingly snapped it up.
The first owner was the wife of the proprietor of Potters Leisure in Norfolk – home of the World
Indoor Bowls Championships. The car has almost come full circle as my house overlooks a bowling
green. I still have the original sales invoice and in 1992 it cost over £27,000, a fair chunk of cash back
then. I am the fourth owner. The car has a fully documented main dealer and specialist service history
for all of its 23 years and 113,000 miles. To say it has been mollycoddled by me (and my trusted
independent, Lime Tree Garage near Lancaster) for the last seven years and a mere 5,000 miles would
be an understatement. It is affectionately (I think) referred to by my chums as the “Garage Queen”. I
can’t think why?
The car has received awards for best hard-top and best saloon/estate on the Club stands at the
Tatton Park and Dalemain shows respectively, so the bribes did pay off! Chris Bass tells me that
when he was allowed to choose a Mercedes as a company car, he always specified a manual 190E 2.6
Sportline for its combination of handling and relaxed fifth gear cruising. I prefer the silky automatic
gearbox. As my mother used to say – it wouldn’t do if we were all alike.’
Since submitting this, Steve has told me that he has sold the 190E 2.6 to another Club Member –
Steve wasn’t using it enough and received an offer he couldn’t refuse – Ed.
If you would like your car to be a Car of the month, please send a good photo (conventional or digital) and a few details to the Gazette Editorial
Office: Chris Bass, 94 Connaught Road, Brookwood, Woking, Surrey GU24 0HJ or [email protected]
24 • DECEMBER 2015 • www.mercedes-benz-club.co.uk
Feature
The GT S is beautiful from any angle.
Mercedes-AMG GT S
road test
by Paul Kelly
R
ussell Morgan, team principal of
Ciceley Motorsport, kindly agreed
to let me test drive his newly
acquired Mercedes-AMG GT S.
I arrived on a cloudy day and, as Russell
backed this handsome beast out into the
daylight, I was stunned at the car’s presence.
It is beautiful from every angle and, in
iridium silver with the optional carbon trim,
certainly looks the part. From the rear it
looks to me a little bit like a Porsche 928,
and the slim tail lights seem to be a modern
version of the famous Gullwing’s.
The GT S has the all-new M178 V8
twin-turbo motor, with 3,982cc and 503hp
at 6,250rpm. The maximum 479lbs/ft of
torque is on tap from as low as 1,750rpm.
Nought to 60mph comes in 3.8 seconds and
the top speed is 193mph. It has a trans-axle
transmission for better weight distribution,
giving the car a 47:53 per cent front/rear
split. It sits on 19-inch wheels at the front
and 20-inch at the rear, shod with Michelin
Pilot Super Sports. As I climbed into the
cockpit I was surrounded by swathes of
leather, alcantara and carbon-fibre – Russell
opting for the carbon pack at an eye watering
£2,995. The centre console is higher than
most other models I have been in but all the
functions and controls fall easily to hand
and it is a pleasant place to be. The now
familiar ‘infotainment’ screen is placed in
the middle of the leather-covered dashboard.
The control for this is in the centre console
Carbon-fibre accents abound.
M178 V8 bi-turbo – good for 503hp.
The car sits low and wide.
Alexander Hahn built this one!
www.mercedes-benz-club.co.uk • DECEMBER 2015 • 25
Feature
The cockpit will feel familiar to many.
Huge six-pot brakes behind forged AMG
alloy wheels.
26 • DECEMBER 2015 • www.mercedes-benz-club.co.uk
where the gear selector should be. That
is set at the back, slightly out of reach but
perfectly useable, especially as you are
likely to use the steering wheel-mounted
‘paddles’ for manual shifting. The boot has
a useable 350-litre capacity – plenty of room
for a couple of weekend bags. It is all very
familiar, actually, to any modern Mercedes
owner, who could jump in the car and drive
away, that’s if they have paid the £113,500
price.
As I pulled away onto the country lanes
near Ribchester, the car felt muscular but not
intimidating in any way. The sports exhaust’s
flaps open, letting out a ‘NASCAR’ burble,
although you can shut the flaps with a
touch of a button on the dash, which will
please the neighbours. I set off in Drive
Feature
BTCC
Adam Morgan with the
leaders in race two.
BTCC Rockingham
by Paul Kelly
Circuit doctors
Driver safety and rapid medical attention
are top priorities at any motor sport event
and at Rockingham I had a chat with the
medical team. It is headed by Doctor Jonathan
Whelan and he is aided by two paramedics
– Nigel Wells and Ian Roberts. Both work as
paramedics during the week and give up their
time at race weekends. Another doctor also
attends, his name is Nick James and he is a
consultant plastic surgeon.
Doctor Jonathan told me one of the most
common injuries is to the thumbs. When a car
crashes the impact can wrench the steering
wheel out of the driver’s hands, and the
thumbs take a lot of the impact.
The team’s choice of transport is a Porsche
Cayenne, fully loaded with all the gear you
would expect to find in an ambulance, which
includes anaesthetic which can be used if
the need arises. With a 540hp V8 engine,
the Porsche is driven by professional racing
driver Bill Coombs, who is a Thruxton
circuit director. He also drives an ex-Didier
Pironi 1979 Tyrell 009 in the Classic F1
championship. Bill said: “The Porsche only
has steel brakes and is totally standard. It is
serviced the same as any standard Porsche
road car. We go through a few sets of tyres
though! Off the line, compared to the touring
cars, it’s not too shabby!”
There is also a Ford Transit van for the
Extraction team. They carry a KED (Kendrick
Extraction Device) which is a body harness that
is used to immobilise the neck and upper spine of
a driver while being removed from the vehicle.
The medical team is in constant radio
contact with the organisers, TOCA, and watch
the race on the car’s TV screen. Response time
is about 90 seconds.
Many thanks to the guys for sparing me
a bit of time out of their busy schedule. They
do an important job at the circuits, and racing
can’t start until the medical team are in place.
Qualifying was a bit of a disaster for Adam
Morgan, leaving him down in 19th position.
He was having a real problem in the braking
zones. He explained, “When I brake the
front of the car pitches down and helps bury
the tyres in the tarmac. The car isn’t pitching
down fast enough, so I am unable to stop,
running in too deep and missing the apexes.”
It was hoped that a slight change in the front
geometry would fix things for the races.
Race one
Another great start and Adam made up three
places in the drag up to the hairpin. The
Mercedes driver then scythed through the field
in a great display of race craft and pace – a
better start position would surely have seen
him at the sharp end of the race. However
he took a great ninth – and a brilliant second
fastest lap for his start for race two! This year
the fastest lap in race one gets pole position for
race two and so on. For 2016 this will change
to finishing order.
Matt Jackson won the race in his ballastfree Ford Focus. Aiden Moffatt in the other
A-Class crashed out.
Race two
Adam got a pretty good start but was passed by
Matt Jackson on the run up to turn two, and it
stayed that way for most of the race. Adam tried
to attack Jackson to regain his second place, but in
doing so destroyed his tyres on this abrasive track
and fell into the clutches of the hard-charging Josh
Cook in his Chevrolet Cruze. Adam defended
brilliantly but Cook found a gap two corners from
the chequered flag, so the A-Class finished fourth,
0.3 of a second from another podium. The race
was won by Gordon Shedden in his Honda Civic
type-R. Aiden Moffatt was 13th.
Boot full of kit.
Race three
The medical team, left to right: Ian Roberts, Nigel Wells, Jonathan Whelan and Bill Coombs.
Reverse grid rules put Adam seventh for the
third outing of the day. A good start saw him
up to fifth on lap one. On lap eight the safety
car came out and when racing resumed Adam
was hit side on by Aiden Moffatt, pushing the
Mercedes into the gravel and damaging its
steering. From then on Adam was fighting a
losing battle, eventually running into the gravel
after losing control under braking. He got back
on the track to finish 18th. Jason Plato won the
race in his VW Passatt CC. Aiden was taken
out by Hunter Abbot, with a rear wheel and
its suspension ripped off the car. The Ciceley
mechanics faced much work back at base.
www.mercedes-benz-club.co.uk • DECEMBER 2015 • 33
Feature
W124
Day
by Neville Wright and Claire McFadden,
photos by Nicky Porter
W124s of all types at the W124 Day.
A
fter experiencing our fantastic W124
weekend last year at Sparkford, and
whilst travelling back to Durham on
the Monday, Karen and I decided to stop off
at Stratford-on-Avon for lunch. I spotted the
car park at the Holiday Inn and thought what
a good venue it would be for our 2015 W124
weekend. I briefly met the events manager
there and came away full of enthusiasm
– I could hardly wait to contact Claire
McFadden and share ideas! As a venue for
a Club meeting it ticked all the boxes – right
in the middle of a busy and interesting town
but with loads of hard-standing to park on
and our own private area. A large hotel with
good facilities and a great riverside terrace
where we could meet the night before. And
so much to see and do in the area that, as
usual, the event spilled over to two days.
Whilst some Members were off
exploring the Cotswolds on Saturday’s road
run, Brian Ellis and I prepared things for
Sunday’s static show. Jamie Ray from Wales
was anything but static, but more of that
The 500E/E500 line up.
34 • DECEMBER 2015 • www.mercedes-benz-club.co.uk
later! After a busy day 60 of us enjoyed a
barbecue at the hotel with weather just about
fine enough to stay out all evening.
Sunday morning arrived and at 7.00am
walking round the car park it could not have
been more perfect. After breakfast it was
non-stop. I must thank the Members for
their patience and co-operation with me as
I parked their cars in the model categories
– with more E500s than we have ever seen,
it really was a sight to behold. I was more
than impressed with every single car and
I’m always pleased to see how enthusiastic
Members are about their cars. Many stayed
Car of the day – Tony Elliott’s estate.
Tony is behind the car (right) with Club
Chairman Ian Keers.
Feature
seasons, but enjoyed little success, its best
finish being second place for Roy Salvadori
in the 1959 International Trophy race. Team
principal Vijay Mallya feels the association
with the aspirational British brand will make
the team more marketable and better place it
to attract sponsors.
Mexico
F1news
Hamilton celebrating his world title.
by Will Gardner
Champion
Following on from the Mercedes team
clinching the constructors’ title in Russia,
Lewis Hamilton took his third driver’s title
in America. He became the 10th driver to
win three titles and the first British driver to
achieve this feat since 1973. Hamilton now
has 43 career victories, moving him ahead of
Vettel for third place in the all-time wins list.
Only Schumacher with 91 and Prost with 51
have more. After the win, Mercedes team boss
Toto Wolf committed the team to supporting
Hamilton going forward, promising to build
him an even better car for next season.
Hamilton took the title, having recorded
11 pole positions and 10 wins, only failing to
appear on the podium twice over the 16 races
that it took him. After the race he said he was
committed to a further seven years in F1; and
was already making plans for what he would
do in his retirement. Meantime, he said that
having emulated his childhood hero Ayrton
Senna in terms of total wins, his target now
is to continue to achieve the most success he
can in the remaining seasons of his career,
the next three of which are under contract to
Mercedes.
to Hamilton – as he prepared for the podium
– throwing Rosberg the second place cap,
which was angrily thrown back.
Vettel in his Ferrari finished third.
An incident packed race saw only 12 cars
reach the finish line, with both the Williams
retiring, along with the Lotus of Grosjean,
leaving Maldonado scoring points for just
the eighth time this season as he come home
eighth. Force India driver Perez finished well
in fifth, with the sister car of Hulkenberg
also suffering a retirement.
The lack of front runners in the race
made room for the beleaguered McLarenHonda team to score points, with Button
claiming a season-best sixth.
Aston Martin
As we go to press, negotiations are ongoing to rebrand the Force India team as
Aston Martin for the 2016 season. Mercedes
owns a stake in the British firm and the deal
would allow the team to continue to use the
Mercedes customer engine. Aston Martin
last competed in F1 in the 1959 and 60
Mexico had been without a GP for 13 years –
until the refurbished Autodromo Hermanos
Rodriguez staged an impressive show on
November 1.
Nico Rosberg said that finally the pieces
of his jigsaw had fallen into place as he
drove superbly from pole to claim the win,
over Hamilton in second place. This was
probably Rosberg’s best performance of
the season; perhaps no longer having the
pressure of the championship battle to deal
with had a positive effect. Both drivers
traded fastest lap times, but Hamilton could
find no way past his team-mate, finishing
less than two seconds behind.
The race also saw success for Bottas
in his Williams, who fought-off the
Ferraris – surviving a coming together with
Raikkonen, who retired – to take third place,
thus securing the team’s fourth podium of
the season. Sergio Perez, in the Force India
– driving at his home GP, finished eighth,
behind his team mate Hulkenberg. Neither
Lotus finished in the points
Competition
Moves had been afoot recently to cap the cost
of customer engine packages for a season;
reducing financial pressures on the smaller
teams. However, as a result of its long-term
commitment to the sport, the Ferrari team has
a veto on such proposals – something that is
simply not seen in other sports. Ferrari used
this veto, so no agreement was reached. All
this has led to Sauber, and Mercedes engine
customer Force India, using the European
Union Treaty to appeal against what they
see to be anti-competitive agreements. EU
Competitions Commissioner Margrethe
Vestager is now said to be considering if an
investigation is appropriate.
America
The US GP took place on October 25 over
56 laps of the Circuit of the Americas.
Texas, the fourth time that the event has
been hosted at this circuit. Hamilton won, as
he did last year, but this time he did it from
second place on the grid, passing Rosberg
as he made an unforced error in the later
stages. A first corner incident between the
two Mercedes drivers saw their cars touch as
Hamilton took a fractional lead, the contact
forced Hamilton to yield and fall in behind
his team-mate. After the race the team
played-down the issue as a racing incident;
and the media switched their interest instead
36 • DECEMBER 2015 • www.mercedes-benz-club.co.uk
Rosberg leading Hamilton in Mexico.
From deep in
the Archive
Feature
by the Archive Team
Four – traction
With this being the December issue of the
Gazette the theme of the latest Archive feature
was obvious and it’s not Christmas (that
might happen next year). Instead, as this is a
magazine for motoring enthusiasts, traction is
the theme – not the sort you have for your bad
back – but for better grip on or off the road in
wintry or other adverse conditions.
Today Mercedes-Benz is well established
in the 4x4 SUV sector – but this was not
always the case. Before the G-Wagen the
company’s all-wheel-drive offerings consisted
of the very specialist and much larger Unimog
and various 4x4/6x6 heavy truck models.
The G-Wagen was initially developed as a
military vehicle at the suggestion of the Shah of
Iran – then a major Daimler-Benz shareholder.
The first civilian G-Wagen appeared in 1979
seven years after work first started on the
project, in partnership with Austrian off-road
specialist Steyr-Daimler-Puch (SDP), now
Magna Steyr. G-Wagens were and still are
made at a purpose-built SDP factory in Graz.
It might have had a protracted
development, but the G-Wagen was worth
waiting for. The civilian line-up included
short wheelbase (SWB) and long wheelbase
(LWB) three and five-door station wagons, an
open-backed/canvas-roofed SWB pick-up and
SWB and LWB vans. The initial power choice
included 74hp 2.4 and 88hp three-litre indirect
(pre-chamber) injection diesels and a 2.8-litre
fuel-injected 156hp six-cylinder petrol engine.
The G-Wagen’s serious off-roading capability
was underlined by its beefy all-round, coil
spring suspension and two lockable cross-axle
and inter-axle differentials.
G-Wagen brochures from the Archive.
Though the G-Wagen was MB’s first
attempt at a smaller, multi-purpose, off
road vehicle it had vaulting ambitions for
the new model. The opening page of one
of the earliest G-Wagen brochures in the
Archive is headlined ‘The new MercedesBenz cross-country-vehicle. There has
never been anything like it before’.
The slightly stilted copy of the
brochure goes on, ‘The demand for goanywhere vehicles is increasing. And the
range of types on offer is growing too. But
what the market needs, what it must have,
is an off-road vehicle which is highly
economical, because of the wide range
of work for which it can be used, and is
totally suited to every type of operation.
Such a vehicle now exits, it is made by
Mercedes-Benz.’
It was a strong claim for the G-Wagen
in 1979 – but 36 years of continuous
development and production has proved
that it was a genuine one. In its long
production life the G-Wagen has served
armed forces around the world, been
used as a ‘Pope-mobile’, been a global
workhorse in police, fire and Red Cross
applications, as well as being a luxury offroader.
If you would like to dispose of surplus
Mercedes-Benz literature or photographs
please let us know. Whether it’s one brochure
or a car load your surplus material will benefit
Club Members. Please contact the Archive
team: Jon and Lynne Bell, Mike Venables
or Phil Reed ([email protected]). If you do not use e-mail please
telephone 01932 346981 and leave a message.
Some of Phil Reed’s collection of model G-Wagens, photographed in an appropriate environment by Mike Venables.
www.mercedes-benz-club.co.uk • DECEMBER 2015 • 37
Feature
The size of an Adenauer shows in this side view.
Adenauer restoration
by Peter Hampson
C
olin Jailler is a collector of classic
cars. He currently has two pre-war
classics, a 1933 Talbot 105 and a
1936 Derby Bentley, and a 1953 MercedesBenz Adenauer A series. In addition he has
just bought a 2000 Ferrari 456. The Mercedes
is a type W186 – ‘Adenauer’ is simply a
nickname because the German Chancellor
at that time was Conrad Adenauer and he
regularly used this type of car.
W186 ‘Adenauer’
The W186 was first unveiled at the 1951
Paris Motor Show. There were two versions,
a saloon and a four-door cabriolet. It was
clearly aimed at the very top end of the
market and was well equipped. It was
Mercedes first attempt to get back into the
The car as found.
luxury car market after the war. It’s list of
options included such things as VHF shortwave telephone, dictation machines etc.
Contrary to some perceptions, the German
Chancellor, Conrad Adenauer, used all
versions of this car, having six different cars
during his period in office, which was from
1949 to 1963. The W186s that he used were
specially fitted out for him, with curtains,
chauffeur division, magazine racks and
folding tables for writing or eating.
It should not be forgotten that the
running gear from this car was the basis
for the fabulous W198 Gullwing – only
the space-frame chassis being significantly
different from the heavy X-frame chassis
of the W186. Mercedes claimed that the
W186 was capable of 100mph and that if
necessary it could cruise at this speed! The
power output for the A-type was 115bhp,
it had independent front suspension and
a rear swing-axle with coil springs. All
models featured adjustable rear suspension,
depending on the load, a steering lock, a
built-in lubrication system operated by the
driver by pressing a pedal when indicated by
a dash light every 100 miles.
Later versions
In 1954 the 300B was introduced and this
had various modifications, such as 10
more bhp and upgraded brakes, this was
quickly followed in 1955 by the C model,
which included Borg Warner three-speed
automatic transmission. In 1956 Mercedes
announced that it was cancelling production
of the W186, but there was such a demand
from dealers that they changed course and
introduced the 300D.
When this was introduced, in 1957,
it was sufficiently different to be given a
new designation and became the W189.
This was the model that was a pillar-less
saloon – all the side windows, with their
frames, could be lowered out of sight, and
it was sometimes referred to as a ‘hard-top
saloon’. This model came with fuel injection
and gave 160hp. There was also the option
of power-steering and air conditioning.
Total production of all the models made,
from 1951 to 1962, was just over 12,000
cars. In 1962 the completely new W112
300SE, with air suspension, took over from
the Adenauer.
www.mercedes-benz-club.co.uk • DECEMBER 2015 • 39
TechnicalCorner
1. Alternator connector.
W124 alternator
wiring repair
A
s cars get older some faults develop
as a result of vibration or, in this
case, excessive engine rock due to
worn engine mounts. I had the engine mounts
changed about 10,000 miles ago but then the car
developed a fault where the instrument cluster
warning lights that should come on when the
key is turned to position ‘2’ before starting
by Dave Shynn
were not working when the engine was cold.
To make it more confusing the lights would
sometimes work normally when the engine
was hot. This sounds like a loose connection
type fault, but where to start looking? Rather
than tearing the car apart by guess-work I had
a chat with the Club electrics expert Jeremy
Stevens, who immediately diagnosed a break
2. Top cover off the connector.
42 • DECEMBER 2015 • www.mercedes-benz-club.co.uk
in the smallest of the three wires from the
alternator.
This theory was tested very quickly, with
an assistant in the car – switch to position 2,
move the alternator wiring and the lights came
on, result.
Now to fix it. Photo one shows the
alternator connector. Move the wire clip away
and the connector pulls straight off. Release
any fixing points to give some slack in the
wiring to make working easier. Remove the top
cover carefully as you will need to refit it and it
is old plastic so prone to breaking. With the top
cover off it will look like photo two, you will be
working on the blue wire.
Now the fiddly bit. The spade connector
needs to come out and is retained by a tag
which needs to be released – see photo three
3. Releasing the tag to allow the spade
connector to be removed.
SparesRegister
A FREE Service For ALL MEMBERS
FOR SALE
Parts for 1960 models onwards Coupés, convertibles and saloons, W111,
W112, W113, R107, W108, W109, W114, W115, W123, W124.
W108 280SE auto engine and gearbox, complete with injection and
accessories, low mileage. Also handbooks. Vic 0208 890 3220.
Breaking 1991 W126 500SEL, 420SE. W123 280CE. W140 S320, S500.
W220 S600, S320. W210 300 diesel estate, E240 saloon. W124 230
estate. Parts off the shelf for W108, W111, W123, W124, W126 and
W201 190 range. 1984 W123 230E, 1992 W124 300TD, complete at
the moment, both with good engines and auto gearboxes. Dave 07710
672986 [email protected] (no text messages).
W124 parts Breaking W123. Parts for 1962 W111 220SEb Fintail. Parts
for W114 parts. W113 hard-top glass and chrome. R/C107 Fuchs
wheels and tyres. Roger or Joe 07831 432186 or rj.tompkins@
ntlworld.com
W108-W112 parts Including new old stock exhaust sections and outer
sills, good and poor doors, used seats, bumpers, air suspension
axles, M189 engines, wheels and tyres, Dunlop callipers, lights
etc. Sell or ideally swap for parts for my W111 Universal project.
[email protected] west London.
1986-2000 R129 SL hard-top stand Very little use, as-new condition
£100 including mainland delivery. Bob Maughan 01934 824414 or
0770 928 1750 north Somerset.
R170 SLK200 and 230 CKS exhaust headers, right-hand-drive, brand
new, cost over £800 will accept £500 ono. Free – used exhaust
(good condition) and new Viponds Tautflex interior paint, anthracite
211A, just pay postage or collect. Ian 07834 132654 ian.lindsay@
zodiacconsulting.co.uk Derby.
1980 R/C107 280SLC/SL To clear garage – silver doors, boot, bonnet,
grille, windows and mechanisms, bumpers, steering wheel, lights,
ignition box, much small stuff, manuals. Alan, Brighton, 07973
944202, [email protected]
R129 Pair of front indicators (orange) £30. R230 radiator grille in sliver
£30. CL55 AMG radiator grille in silver £30. Buyer collects or pays
post and packing. Pete Jepson 07717 216301 Chesterfield.
1999 E320 driver’s seat base Part number A2109102850, new, ordered in
error, cost £119, will accept £65 ono. Mike 01934 838812 mikelake@
uwclub.net
1992 W124 320 coupé Nearside front wing, pattern, new, £20. Front
spring, new, £5. Four-speed auto gearbox, radiator, air cleaner
trunking, rear plastic bumper – all free. [email protected]
07999 403552.
Four Rosso alloy wheels 18 x 8J (five-bolt on 112 PCD), fitted with
245/40 x 18 97V Nankang winter tyres, previously fitted to E-Class
estate. Tyres have plenty of tread – about 6,000 miles use over the last
two winters. Complete with covers and wheel bolts. Minor damage on
one wheel. [email protected] 07980 371105.
W203 four 16-inch alloy wheels Fully refurbished as-new with
Continental tyres, 205/55 x 16 V-rated, buyer collects from West
Yorkshire £400. Roy 07957977113 [email protected]
R107 Hard-top, soft-top, bonnet, boot-lid, front bumper, rear bumper, rear
lamps and lenses. W D Depper 07791 367651.
Four Black DOTZ wheels As new, only 800 miles, fitted with Toyo
225/50 ZR17 98Y tyres. Balanced, ready to fit with lockable nuts.
Collection or you arrange to be shipped £525 ono. Bognor Regis
01243 826638 or 07818 418766 [email protected]
1985 190D Left-hand-drive, spares or repair, unfinished project. Fitted
with 2.5-litre turbo diesel out of a W202. Plenty of good spares.
Genuine AMG boot spoiler. Garaged nine years, runner, colour
schwartz blue. Also Gazettes 2004 to 2014. 01617 678071 or 07762
879677 Lynne Rohmann [email protected]
W110 Chrome reg-plate holder, new £15. Speedo head, complete, used
£15. Pair of rear lamp lenses, used, all red, good condition £30. Pair
of round headlamp rims, fair condition £10. Two new fan drive belts,
part number 997 08 92 £10. Pair of end of fin covers, good condition,
part number 111 690 04 and 03 79 £30. Tail-pipe trim, part number
A 000 492 06 14 £10. Locking fuel cap with two keys £20. Interior
mirror mount stalk, new £10. Plus post and packing on all items. Bob
01992 302238 [email protected] Herts.
R129 SL draught excluding screen Excellent condition. Fits onto rollbar. £100 – a fraction of the price new. Collect or can send via carrier.
Michael 07514 662237 Cambridge [email protected]
Classic Additions Super Soft SL indoor fitted cover Best in UK (see
their website for details), black with large embroidered MB logo
on front. As-new, used for just six weeks. Cost new £175 yours for
£99 including carry bag & UK mainland delivery (other destinations
additional shipping costs may apply). Nigel [email protected]
1999 W202 Elegance passenger seat and sensor. Steering wheel, tan, tatty
stitching but air-bag good. 722 auto-box selector. Rear-view mirror,
black. Roof-light console, black. David Crawford [email protected]
All Spares Register entries should be limited to 40 words maximum and sent to
Bob Coxshall, 55 The Avenue, Bengeo, Hertford SG14 3DS to arrive by the
26th of the month preceding publication. All correspondence should be by
post or e-mail to [email protected] In emergencies only,
telephone 01992 302238.
NB Complete cars for sale must be advertised in the classified section.
W201 190 set of four wheel trims Part number 201 401 0324, as-new. May
also fit W124. Paul [email protected] or 01933 624666.
W124 grille Plastic only (no chrome). Sent in mistake; not 100 per cent
sure which model. Part number 210 888 0023. 28½ inches x 10
inches. Paul [email protected] or 01933 624666.
W113 headlamp reflector £45 From a right-hand-drive 230SL, European
spec, good condition but needs re-silvering. These are unobtainable
new and repros are €95. W113 chrome headlamp surround £100,
from 1966 230SL, good condition, with very small dent/crack. These
are unobtainable new and repros are €230. p.glennie-smith@talk21.
com for pictures.
W113 Pagoda Tonneau cover lid (for soft-top), outer door handles,
speedo head(mph), heater radiator, headlamps and glasses, rear lamps
surrounds and lenses, rev counter, fuel gauge, various mouldings.
David Rogers 01773 835462 [email protected]
Workshop manuals, parts catalogues, special tools, owners’ handbooks
and sales literature too numerous to list. These are all original (not
reproductions), factory-printed books for all post-war models up to
1984. Geoff Marshall 07414 538004 [email protected]
Various parts, mostly R129 Panoramic hard-top, warning triangle, wheel
brace, soft-top spanner, pin for wheel mounting, wind deflector cover
(grey), new five-speed auto selector with walnut trim, gaskets and
fittings. Any questions (including part numbers) contact Todd 07710
619981 [email protected]
SLK outdoor cover By Hamilton Classics, about 18 months old, with
soft protective liner and securing straps. Seldom used, in sound
condition with a few minor cosmetic blemishes. £75 plus carriage
(£165 new). Sinclair 01823 666786 [email protected]
NTG 2.5 Comand Navigation DVD 2015/2016 for Europe. Complete
with paperwork and instructions, installed once on my W211. Check
on https://www.commandonline.co.uk/comand-aps-mapdvd-ntg2.5europe.html to confirm suitability £50. [email protected] 07867
790199.
R129 SL Weyer wind break New, still in box as delivered £75. Delivery
by arrangement. Roy Shakeshaft [email protected]
481425 07944 890057.
W203 four 16-inch alloy wheels For C270 CDI, fully refurbished as new
with four Continent tyres, 205/55 x 16, V-rated, buyer to collect from
West Yorkshire £400. Roy 07957 977113 [email protected]
R107/W124/W126 set of five TSW eight-hole alloy wheels 7J x 15CH.
Four with Michelin Pilot HX 205/65 R15 94V tyres. All 6/7mm
tread. One with Pirelli P6 Cinturato 205/65 VR15 5mm tread. All
in excellent condition. Wheel bolts and centre caps included. £500.
Freddie 01932 787178 [email protected] Shepperton.
W113/R107 hard-top stand Excellent condition £85.Collect or carrier at
own cost. Chris Moffat 0161 439 0848 [email protected]
190SL White steering wheel, second-hand £100. W113 headlamp glass,
part number 113 826 03 90, new, boxed £50. Speedo cable, part
number 113 542 10 01 £30. Auto gear-lever guide box, fits other
models, second-hand, part number 111 260 00 28 £40. W111 pair of
left-hand-drive ‘tombstone’ headlamps, no chrome £150, one righthand-drive £75. John 01255 870954 north Essex.
W136 170s saloon Full set of seats, door cards and interior trim £250.
OM 636 diesel engine, running order, good condition £500 ono. Lots
more W136 spares. Bob 01992 302238 [email protected]
W123 Four 14-inch original equipment wheel trims with chocolate
brown centres in fair condition plus one with white centre £60. W123
luggage cover/dog guard in green, £30. Geoff Holden 020 8891 6525
07957 631113 [email protected] Middlesex.
WANTED
1972 W115 220/8 Brake fluid float switches/senders or complete reservoir
including the two switches. Robin Spalding rollerrob@btopenworld.
com
W201 190E 16-valve Tow-eye cover and beige/cream parcel shelf. Ciaran
[email protected]
W126 Front and rear bumper chrome trim. Conor Crowley conorcrowley@
carhoo.ie 00353 87 2211292.
York air conditioning compressor For 1983 W123 250 automatic.
The original compressor is York with the numbers EK223764.
R210R-20889.12-82. Fuad Sankar [email protected]
R170 automatic gearbox For 1999 230SLK. [email protected]
R107 SL Hard-top rear glass window, heated and tinted. Would consider
complete hard-top. 01704 510060 or 07801 537596 d.martlew@live.
co.uk
W201 190E 2.5-16 Instrument cluster in mph. James 07974 387762
[email protected]
R129 SL Panoramic glass roof hard-top, Amber red/java interior colour
ideally. Alan Brown [email protected] 07769 295800.
www.mercedes-benz-club.co.uk • DECEMBER 2015 • 45
RegionalReports
Star
Event
Club Members at Mercedes-Benz of Belfast.
Visit to Mercedes-Benz of Belfast
B
efore we delve into the main body of this feature, we want to
emphasise from the outset that it has been written primarily
to demonstrate the benefits of Club regions developing a
relationship with their local official Mercedes-Benz dealer. It is our
hope that by reading on, both Club Regional Officers and those who
work in Mercedes-Benz dealerships across the country might be
influenced and indeed maybe even inspired by it to make contact,
have a cup of coffee and explore the merest possibility of organising
something in partnership. Go on, give it a try, we dare you. That
applies to both ROs and those staff in Mercedes dealerships in equal
measure. Read on and we hope you enjoy our writings.
In early August of this year we enjoyed our annual visit to
Mercedes-Benz of Belfast. Superbly organised by Customer
Relations Manager Peter Foley and Parts Manager James Dorman,
the usual warm welcome awaited us. The 20-odd Club cars were
parked between the workshop and showroom buildings on the large
site this dealership occupies on the edge of Belfast. As ever, Members
mustered around and between their cars. We were greeted by Emma
Boden and shortly afterwards by James Dorman and resident MB of
Belfast parts ‘guru’ Louis Paul. After the pleasantries our Members
were ushered by James into the newly refurbished workshop.
As clean and neat as an operating theatre, the workshop
refurbishment had not long been completed, with MB of Belfast being
one of the first in the UK to convert to the new franchise standard.
Essentially the main difference is that the old workshop adage of each
technician having their own tool storage chest is now gone. Passé
is the term perhaps? The new Mercedes-Benz standard is a fully
integrated workbench which runs the entire length of the workshop,
with each ramp/work-station having storage for the technician’s tools.
In addition, all the necessary fluids for servicing are also integrated
into the workbench, again dispensers at each individual work-station.
It certainly looked very impressive and gave a sense of order in the
workshop. A corporate look and feel would be the fitting description.
Workshop tour completed, CRM team member Emma Boden
guided us upstairs to the canteen (which has also just undergone
a refit) where we were treated to a robust breakfast. After we had
enjoyed that, Parts Manager James Dorman and parts expert Louis
Paul called us all to order and led us across the dealership car park,
46 • DECEMBER 2015 • www.mercedes-benz-club.co.uk
The newly re-fitted workshop.
through the showroom (some Members got a tad distracted here
with the new metal on display) and up to the boardroom. Once our
Members had all squeezed in, James and Louis began to deliver
their presentation, which began with some interesting facts about
Mercedes-Benz of Belfast. 470 phone calls are fielded each day
with 150 of those being for the Parts Department. This equates to
£20,000 of parts sales per day (including at the dealership’s other
location, Portadown). The showroom is about to undergo a major
refurbishment in line with the new Mercedes-Benz corporate look
and will include a separate area for AMG. In June of this year over
100 new cars and 100 ‘Signature’ approved used cars were sold. The
workshop statistics were also impressive, with 18,000 cars passing
through the doors each year, with an average of 110 per day being
dealt with. Those figures include Portadown. To finish this first
part of the presentation, James gave us a brand update detailing the
excellent sales growth Mercedes has enjoyed this year and explained
the new model name structure.
Genuine versus pattern
The subject matter of the presentation then changed its focus to parts,
with the old killer question as its title: Genuine Mercedes-Benz versus
pattern? Discuss. Well, the benefits of genuine parts are hard to refute
as James and Louis began to extol their inherent virtues. Then that
killer question was asked? Why are genuine parts more expensive
than pattern parts? The answer is simple, the quality control aspect
RegionalReports
required – photographic ID, the V5 document for the car in question,
photographic verification of the VIN number by an appropriate
Mercedes-Benz dealership employee (this may require a breakdown
call out charge if the vehicle is not on dealership premises) and full
completion of the official Mercedes TRP (Theft Relevant Parts) Form.
There can be no deviation from this process as all Mercedes-Benz
dealers are audited heavily on this particular procedure. The security
aspect for owner and car cannot be overstated. Going to some ‘Fred
in the shed’ to have your key cloned could be dangerous. All of the
codes pertaining to your Mercedes security are potentially ‘out in the
open’ as it were for anyone to abuse, possibly allowing another key
to be cloned to gain unfettered access to your car and simply drive it
off! We were wondering where your insurance company might ‘sit’ on
that one if it were to happen. An interesting point, but one for another
discussion. The room went quite quiet for a few seconds when that
bombshell was dropped. This ended a most excellent presentation, or
more fittingly, informative lecture. We thanked James and Louis for
what really was an education and made a presentation of token gifts
to show our appreciation.
To finish our visit to Mercedes-Benz of Belfast our Members
were ushered into the AMG showroom, where the latest models were
on display in this dedicated facility. The highlight was of course
the new AMG GT, where our host for this aspect of the visit was
Fiona Hill. Fiona walked and talked us around this thing of beauty,
imparting in encyclopaedic detail the rationale for the AMG GT and
its key features. Fiona then assaulted our eardrums. She started the
car up and the new four-litre twin-turbo V8 AMG engine filled the
showroom with a thunderous rip from the exhausts, with cracking
and popping on the overrun. It sounded absolutely fantastic. Once
we had enjoyed the AMG GT demonstration, we meandered around
the other AMG models on display, thanked Fiona and Emma Boden
and departed. What a superb morning it was and we must extend our
thanks to Customer Relations Manager of Mercedes-Benz of Belfast
Peter Foley who ultimately made all this possible.
NB We have no vested interest in Mercedes-Benz of Belfast, or
they in us (the NI Region), other than we enjoy an excellent and
mutually respectful relationship.
Alan McCartney and Gareth Giboney
Anglia – North
Appointment of Paul Jobling as joint Regional
Officer
Paul Jobling (right) with his son Alex and Paul’s 280SL Pagoda.
We would like to begin by sending a festive greeting to all Anglia –
North Members from Richard Lee-Warder, Roger Hinton and Paul
Jobling. The third name may be unfamiliar to you, this is because we
are absolutely delighted to announce the appointment of him as our
third Regional Officer.
A trio of AMGs in the dedicated showroom.
The newly launched AMG GLE coupé.
Alan McCartney presenting Louis Paul, Emma Boden and
James Dorman with gifts.
Paul is a very experienced Club Official and has previously run
the North East Region, along with two colleagues, and steered the
area into winning the prestigious Shakeshaft Trophy for best region.
He joins Richard and Roger to change the already successful duo
into a triumvirate, each bringing different skills to the table. Our
newly appointed RO is based in Wisbech and therefore will be
looking after events in the west of the region, focusing around Kings
Lynn, Wisbech and Peterborough. As Paul points out, that small
corner of Cambridgeshire borders both Norfolk and Lincolnshire.
He is particularly interested in the classic car side of the Club and
in particular wishes to promote its attendance at large classic car
events in the region and is interested in information from Members
regarding any events which are ‘not to be missed’ – although he is
keen to attend events where the Club stand will be open to cars of
all ages.
For those of you who were able to come along to the Poachers
Pocket event in September, Paul brought his trusty C-Class estate,
which he purchased in Norfolk three years ago and which is now
heading for 200,000 miles and still going strong. In addition he has a
280SL Pagoda, which is a well known Club car and has been featured
in Classic & Sports Car magazine when it was pitched against a
Jaguar E-type.
Paul has organised Club attendances at numerous large events
for the North East Region, including Newby Hall, Dalemain House
and the Beamish Museum. Nationally he organised ‘Destination
Westminster’ which was a run to the Houses of Parliament. He is also
a regular attendee at the Pagoda Rally which takes place in Germany,
Austria or Switzerland each year.
www.mercedes-benz-club.co.uk • DECEMBER 2015 • 49
Call for a quote today
01376 573033
The best policies for either
classic or modern Mercedes-Benz
www.peterbestinsurance.co.uk
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CLASSIC CAR TOURS INTERNATIONAL
E320 Sportline Cabriolet.
95,225 miles. 1995. Almandine
red, beige leather interior. Walnut
dash, original windbreak, radio/CD
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AMG wheels. Heated front seats,
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for the last 5 years, 7,000 only in
this time. Truly loved and adored.
Excellent condition. £12,000
Tel: 07874 80373. (N London) (12/15/01)
CLASSIC CAR TOURS INTERNATIONAL
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Est. 2001
E300D Estate 2996cc. 1996 one
of very last ‘124’ Diesels made
and best colour. Azurite Blue /
cream cloth. 7 seats, alloys, E/W
E/mirrors E/sunroof C/L E/close
tailgate 178,000 miles with
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stamps. Near new Avons. Just
2016ESCORTED
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CROATIA
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£5,450. Tel: 01803 712990.
12 day tour,(
or 9 day
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--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------pretty villages
and several
(Totnes) (12/15/03)
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9 days
MONACO
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PRIX TOUR
Mayin
2nd12th
2013 EUROPEAN CAR TOURS
TUSCANY SPRING
April 9th-22nd
9 day tour, (with 5 day option) to watch the exciting historic racing
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------13 day tour with 7 days in Tuscany, including 2 nights on Elba island, visiting Siena,
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------MILLE MIGLIA
/ITALIAN
May 10th- 19th
Florence, Lucca,
Pisa, SanLAKES
Gimignani TOUR
and Chiantishire.
MILLE MIGLIA / ITALIAN LAKES TOUR
May 12th-18th
9 day tour,
(or +56HISTORIC
day
tourGRAND
to watch
theMille
atmospheric
historic
Mille
10
day
day tour
to)watch
the 2014
Miglia via 5 Italian
Lakes
MONACO
PRIX
May 7th-16th
Miglia classic
rally
viathe
five
countries
and six
8 day tour
to watch
historic
racing in Monaco
with Italian
4 nights inlakes
Villefranche-sur-Mer.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------TUSCANY TOUR
May 29th-June 7th
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------300CE
W124,
1989.
MILLE MIGLIA /ITALIAN LAKES May 16th-23rd
10 day
tour toMay
Italy's stunning Tuscany visiting historic towns
and villages
Stunning car, must TUSCANY
be
24th7 dayTOUR
tour to watch
the 2016 Mille Miglia classic rally/historic re-run
with aJune
week in5th
the
seen. With 12 month MoT.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Italian Lakes
including
5 nights
onItaly's
Lake Garda.
13
day
tour,(
or
8
day
tour),
to
Tuscany
region
visiting
History.
£3,500
ono.
SPANISH PYRENEES TOUR
June 15th-23rd
Florence,8IRELAND
Siena,
Lucca,
andfrom
many
other topretty
villages.
Tel: 07957 485549
June 1st-12th
day
tour across
thePisa
Pyrenees
Santander
the Mediterranean
(London) (12/15/05)
11 day tour of Ireland visiting Cork, Blarney Castle, Ring of Kerry, Dingle Peninsula,
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Kilarney,
County
Galway,RACES
Kildare and
Wexford and the Wicklow June
mountains.
LE
MANS
CLASSIC
TOUR
July
2nd-7th
DORDOGNE
TOUR
11th-19th
5SPANISH
day tourPYRENEES
to Le Mans to watch the historic and atmospheric racing
June
19th-29th
9 day tour to the stunning Dordogne region in south west
France
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------9 day a
tourdozen
across the
Pyrenees
frombeautiful
the Atlantic villages.
to the Mediterranean coast
visiting over
of Spanish
France's
most
PROVENCE
TOUR
July
11th-22nd
over twenty mountain passes amidst stunning scenery.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------10 day tour to France's Provence via beautiful villages and stunning gorges
MANS CLASSIC
July 6th-11th
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ITALIANLE
LAKES/STELVIO
PASS TOUR
June 26th-July
9th
300SE 1988/F. 43,000 miles and 1 owner from
5 day tour to watch
the exciting historic races with 4 nights July
in a sumptuous
Loire 4th
Valley
DORDOGNE
TOUR
28th-August
to
the
Italian
Lakes
including
Lake
Orta,
Maggiore,
brand new. Visually the car appears brand new12
as day tour,
chateau.
8 day tour visiting beautiful villages, pretty chateaux and stunning gardens
there are no signs of rust or corrosion anywhere,
Lugano, --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Como, Iseo and Garda and a drive over the Stelvio pass.
it drives smooth without any faults. Velour interior
ITALIAN LAKES / STELVIO PASS
July 15th-28th
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------LOIRE
VALLEY
SUMMER
TOUR
August
5th-12th
extremely clean (call me if you request to see
13 day tour
to the Italian
Lakes via
Luxembourg and Switzerland and
over 20
mountain
7passes,
day
tour
visiting
caves,
and 15th-22nd
museums
PYRENEES
TOUR
July
more photographs). Brand new brake discsSPANISH
&
including
thewine
iconic
Stelvio gardens,
Pass, with historic
6 days inchateaux
the Italian
Lakes.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------calipers have recently been installed. Includes
7 1day tour
across the Spanish Pyrenees from the Atlantic
coast
to
LOIRE VALLEY ALPS/ STELVIO PASS TOUR
August
1st-8th
years MoT, factory sunroof, cruise/ climate
SWITZERLAND/
August
14th-25th
the
Mediterranean
coast
staying
mainly
in
stylish
Parador
hotels.
7
day
tour
to
France’s
Loire
Valley
visiting
historic
chateaux,
gardens,
wine
caves
and
control, central arm rest, original Mercedes stereo, engine cover, matching front & rear seat
11 day tour via 7 countries and 30 mountain passes including the Stelvio
fascinating museums staying throughout in a stunning 4 star chateau hotel.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------covers, tool kit, fire extinguisher, unopened first aid kit, unused spare wheel, service book,
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------handbook & 2 keys. This highly collectible classic example must not be confused with others
LOIRE VALLEY
TOUR
August
2nd9th
ITALIAN
LAKES
/ STELVIO PASS TOUR
August
27th-Sept
8th
DORDOGNE
August
14th-23rd
available on the market today, surely a car that will complement any collector’s portfolio
12
daytour
andto8France’s
day tour
withDordogne
8 Loire
days inValley
the Italian
lakes
Stelvio
Pass
9 day
pretty
region
visiting
12 ofand
France’s
most
beautiful
8 day tour
to
France's
historic
staying
in the
a 4*
chateau
£9,995. Tel: 07747 866 234 (London) (12/15/07)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------villages gardens,
plus Rocamadour,
Brantome,museums
Aubeterre and Sarlat.
hotel, visiting
chateaux,
and pretty villages.
ANGOULEME CIRCUIT DES REMPARTS RACES TOUR Sep 17th-22nd
CIRCUIT
REMPARTS
September
14th-19th
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------6ANGOULEME
day tour to watch
theDES
unique
classic car street races in
south-west
France
5 day tour to watch the unique CircuitPASS
des Remparts
classic carAug
races 14th-24th
in Angouleme
SWITZERLAND/ALPS/STELVIO
TOUR
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------including 3 days in the scenic Dordogne region.
CORSICA/
SARDINIA TOUR
2nd- route
12th
10 day tour
to Switzerland
and the Alps on a stunning Oct
driving
300SEL 6.3, 1970. Pristine
12
day the
tour
to France’s
beautiful
island
+ optional
7 day tour
of Sardinia10th
CORSICA
AUTUMN
September
26th-October
incorporating
Stelvio
Pass
and
24
other
mountain
passes.
cond, owned 15 yrs and 15k
13 day tour to Corsica, France’s beautiful Mediterranean island, with a week driving
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------miles, now 68,300, sunroof,
around the entire
coastline,
over CARS)
impressive
mountains
and through
AUSTRALIA
( FLYstunning
AND DRIVE
RENTAL
TOUR
Nov 25th-Dec
8th
blue velour int, perfect
ITALIAN13
GP/STELVIO/ITALIAN
LAKES
TOUR and
Aug
30th-Sep
9th
scenic
daygorges.
tour fly to Adelaide and drive
via Melbourne
Canberra
to Sydney
air
suspension,
part
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------10 day tour,(
and a 5 day tour ), to Monza to watch the Italian F1
of
original
Merc
was great
and with
we were
most impressed
by the lakes.
routes, the
Grand Prix"The
viaholiday
the Stelvio
pass
7 days
in the Italian
collection. £23,000 ono.
scenery and your organisation of the trip."
Tel: 00 353 86 2566880
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------(Dublin) (12/15/10)
ANGOULEME CIRCUIT DES REMPARTS
Sep 19th-26th
8 day tour,(and 5 day tour), to watch the atmospheric and nostalgic
Circuit des Remparts classic races with 5 days in the Dordogne.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------"The best holiday we have ever had."
Low mileage. Incredibly high spec which includes, AMG
Sport Pack, 19 inch AMG alloys wheels, full screen sat nav "The holiday was great and we were most impressed by the
(with 2014 mapping updates), full black leather interior,
routes, the scenery and your organisation of the trip."
Modern sports cars welcome!
electrically adjustable CLIMATIZED (heated and ventilated)
memory seats, bi-xenon headlights, auto lights and
wipers, DAB radio CD, CD/DVD changer, Harman Kardon
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power steering, alarm, immobiliser, palladium silver metallic, full Mercedes & Mercedes
specialist service history. 12months MoT. 45,252 miles. £20,995ono Tel: 07904 439669
– [email protected] (12/15/13)
Modern
sports cars welcome!
See website for full details and prices
www.ccti.co.uk
CLASSIC CAR TOURS INTERNATIONAL
Tel: 01253 884361 (UK)
0033 553 910946 (France)
www.mercedes-benz-club.co.uk • DECEMBER 2015 • 77
SpecialistServices
ACCIDENT & BODYWORK REPAIR
Redcastle Classics Limited
19 Sir Alfred Owen Way, Pontygwindy Industrial
Estate, Caerphilly, CF83 3HU
P J Smith
Classic and modern paint and bodywork Ltd
Unit 2, Manor Park,
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Tel: 01234 341410
Accident repair and restoration specialists
Tel: 029 20882110 Mob: 07710 077605
www.redcastleclassics.com
[email protected]
Specialists in 190SL restoration, servicing & repairs
Also Pagoda 113 series, Fintail, Ponton etc. 1950s-1980s
VANLEIGH COACH WORKS
Unit 7, Central Ave, West Molesey,
Surrey KT8 2QH
Tel 0208 783 1212
[email protected]
SilverStar Garages Limited
Lazarus Court,
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Leics, LE7 7NR
Tel/Fax 0116 230 3801
From classic to modern all MERCEDES BENZ
vehicles serviced & repaired, MERCEDES
Trained Technician, full workshop facilities
available, free quotations and friendly advice
Discounts for club members.
All aspects of repair & restoration undertaken
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CAR MATS
Classic
Mercedes Mats
www.silverstargarages.co.uk
Project1:Layout 1
15/12/09
09:50
Page 1
JOSEPH JOOS
Over 50 years experience
Specialist service,
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Sovereign Motor Centre
Unit C5, Connaught Business Centre,
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Tel: 0208 699 4455
Servicing, electrical, mechanical repairs,
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Merc-Care has been established since 1988
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CAR STORAGE
Richard Thorne
The Courtyard Garage, James Lane,
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M
A
AD ENGINEERING E
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email: [email protected]
With over 40 years experience in restoration, we are Mercedes specialists
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Radford Road, New Basford, Nottingham NG7 7NQ
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Accident repair and restoration specialists
Steve Redfearn Motor Co Ltd
169 Gladstone Rd, Wimbledon, SW19 1QS
Tel: 0208 540 2311 Fax: 0208 5430812
[email protected]
Specialising in Mercedes Benz repairs &
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80 • DECEMBER 2015 • www.mercedes-benz-club.co.uk
Specialising in
Mercedes-Benz
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Established 15 years
Unit 1, 28 Send Road, Caversham,
Reading, Berks RG4 8EH
Tel: 0118 946 2750
[email protected]
www.starmotorservices.com
SM Auto-Care
19 Enterprise Way, Thornton Dale Ind Est
Pickering, N Yorkshire Y018 7NA
Tel: 01751 474847
Fax: 01751 477725
All repairs carried out on Mercedes
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65 School Road Himley,
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INDEPENDENT MERCEDES BENZ SPECIALISTS
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Unit 8, 24 Central Avenue,
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Tel: 0208 941 4044 Fax: 0208 941 4340