Interstate 6.9

[Styria]

A number of months ago, the owner of this 6.9 decided to ship the car from Melbourne up to my premises for remedial work - primarily relating to hydraulic suspension issues. The owner had bought the car at auction "sight unseen" and he paid a hefty amount for it. Sorry, but I am not at liberty to disclose financial details. With the initial work being problems with Hydraulics, it did not take long to realize that the car could not have been driven to the auction venue. It was undriveable. I reckon they would have driven it into the auction area, and back out again. After thorough testing of all components, we replaced the rear suspension valve, the Hydraulic Oil Pump, the Pressure Regulator, all five Air Pressure Cells and both rear suspension struts. As I said, the car would have been undrivable.

In the course of further work, the owner decided for me to go right through the car and rectify "everything" that requires rectification. That work included replacement of all disc rotors, brake calipers (all round) and new disc brake pads. The braking system was in extremely poor condition - it had obviously been a country car and once you got down to the nitty gritty, it opened up a new "vista' of items needing attention. The car also needed a replacement exhaust system - luckily enough for me, and the owner, I did have two really good mufflers on hand that I was able to provide the exhaust company with and that really helped to defray the cost. However, it still came out at $900.00 for their time, the piping and installing flanges for the system. I don't like slip joint fittings. Regards Styria

 

[Styria]

It was then at some stage, that the owner decided to fit a replacement dash in lieu of a cracked unit that was on the car, and he also instructed me to fit new carpets - these I obtained from GAHH in California. Unfortunately, this purchase was far from straight forward. Despite providing them with full and accurate details, they sent the rear carpets as applicable to the short wheel base model. That doesn't work as the rear floor between SE and SEL is completely different. Apart from unresponded phone calls etc. etc., the Company's prices to the trade have been completely revised and, in my view, they no longer enjoy my complete trust and satisfaction. Too many variables and conditions. Most owners do not realize just how much work, and how many pieces, are required to recarpet the interior of a 116. I will dee if I can find some illustrative photos - perhaps I have forwarded some previously. Let's see.

 

[Styria]

It should be noted that ALL of the original black underlays should be saved and transferred (glued) to the new carpet. Anything other than that, and you are way off the originality factor. Also notice that it was GAHH the glued just simple dark foam to the underside of the short wheel base rear carpet. The rear parcel shelf is very tricky to duplicate - that alone cost me $250.00 in labour.

N.B. Originally the car's owner felt that the existing carpet was "quite okay" - when you compare old with new, it succintly illustrates what's okay, but what it is like to have something really nice.

 

[Styria]

Talking about originality and the transfer of the original black underlay the following two pics. amply illustrate the amount of "de-gluing" that's involved. It really is quite a horrible job.

 

[Michel]

Great stuff Godfather, I recall you doing all of that for my 6.9 a few years back.
Front suspension replacement, brakes, mounts, carpets, etc. etc.

 

[Patrick_R]

A huge job Styria.
Can we have some pics of the car inside and out when completed please?

 

[Styria]

Yes Michel, a lot of work went into that Red Terror of yours, and believe it or not, that was ten years ago. Food for thought ? Not so sure. Patrick my friend, I will certainly keep everyone up to date with appropriate pictures. Presently, I have removed both front and rear screens as the car is to be repainted. Furthermore, the dash pad has also been removed, and basically the whole interior has been stripped. I should have some photos somewhere.

N.B. As it stands, I have submitted a number of photos of the work carried out to the owner of the car. These are all WHAT'S APP photos (he is a member also), but unfortunately I am unable to transfer What'sApp photos to my Samsung S21 Folder on my desktop. Michel, Albert.....? Any clues. Anyway, I will take some photos now and transfer them as I go along. Regards Styria

 

[Styria]

As promised, here we go. The owner provided me with a brand new, original (but soiled so to speak due to bad storage) dash top and he has also instructed that new refurbished timber items be fitted. The refurbishment is all of my own perhaps somewhat amateurish initiative, but quite passable. The panel containing the Air Con/Fresh Air slides had been broken by previous tradies, and in addition, repairs had to be carried out to a broken section that holds the radio. In reality, that is a very flimsy arrangement and great care needs to be exercised when refitting any of those dash components. Pictures of timber in due course. In the meantime.......

 

[Styria]

Further work - as can be seen quite clearly, the "basics" of the car, in other words the unseen items, are in poor shape. Of course there are new carpets, replacement of all four door rubbers (not a nice job), priced at a "genuine MB item" at $1800.00 (which price includes both window and door rubbers, and you never know how well they will fit until you come to fit them Make sense ? I am afraid so. Additionally, I do know that there is a water leak to the interior of the car, and also another one in the right wheel well in the boot of the car - never easy to trace, and harder (sometimes) to eradicate. Additionally, the left front window does not operate, so that is another item to be attended to.

I have further pictures that were taken some little while ago. Let's find them. Regards Styria

 

[Patrick_R]

Huge job!