Dajazar's mk1 Sterling (formerly Rich Moss')

[Freewheel]

It's just so cultured.

Aren't they just !

[Richard Moss]

About time for an update on this, I think!

[Dajazar]

Yes absolutely except that (in no particular order):

a) I'm a lazy sod
b) It's been about the most reliable car I've ever owned
c) It doesn't look any different
d) I can't post photos of work done cos my mechanic does it
e) Hubby nicked it as his daily driver
f) See a)

Seriously though I've had this since collecting it from Rich in August 2010. In that time it's had a new radiator and a stainless exhaust off Chris. I've also had some decent part worn tyres fitted just before Christmas as handling was getting to be a problem. Apart from that and routine servicing, that's it. MOT is in March and I'm hoping it won't need much.

Next items are attending to some minor surface rust on the NSR arch and a front wing. There is also water ingress in the boot caused in the main by the channel edges rusting through in a couple of places (need welding). The front screen also lets in water BUT only if the car is parked facing West. Since this would be a pain to fix properly I just dont park this way and it doesn't cause a problem.

Hubby does about 30 miles a day in it and it does about 30mpg as he is not heavy on the pedal. That's pretty good and as a result I haven't had the LPG system fixed. We are really pleased with it and it is all I hoped it would be. There's a small split in the leather on the drivers seat that I will have a look at in the next few months but this is more of a niggle than a problem. I'll post some pics when it's through it's test and polished up as it'll be into the next decade before HE does it otherwise.

[Richard Moss]

Good to hear that it's still going well.

[Dajazar]

Right. An update on this one given that it's MOT time.

Had it booked in today. The only things I was aware of were a small power steering fluid leak and worn wiper blades. I booked an oil & filter change and new spark plugs to go with it. Bearing in mind that I had done precious little to it in 18 months apart from tyres, a new exhaust and a new radiator I figured that there would probably be something needing doing to get it through and I was right.... my spannerman found a little rot in the NSR sill which needed welding but that was all. Great I thought, especially as the fluid leak was just a loose pipe and was just a simple fix. WRONG. I'd reckoned without the MOT tester at the station down the road. Apparently since the new regs came in on January 1 he has, to say the least, become somewhat over zealous. To put it mildly, he had it in for the Sterling and did everything possible to fail it. Had it not been for my mechanic stoutly defending the car over the phone for nigh on 3 hours I'd have been looking at a whopping and totally unjustified "repair" bill. For a start he was going to fail the handbrake as not being up to scratch. This when normal application would have the car pulled down on it's springs on attempting forward movement. When this was pointed out, attention changed to some undefined problem with the rear brakes. Nope, nothing there either it was explained. Okay then there are the **dangerous** oil leak (it doesn't have one) and the **dangerous** corroded fuel pipes (a little light surface rust). To say nothing of the "corrosion" on the suspension mount on one side and near one seat belt anchor point (there is more corrosion on my cutlery than on those). Then there was the "blue smoke" on acceleration which he was adamant was a fail yet the emissions were so far inside the official tolerances that he couldn't do so.

Final outcome was a very, very grouchy pass with all the above as "advisories" and an "opinion" that the vehicle was "dangerous to drive". Now it might just be me but surely that is the whole purpose of an MOT???
If he genuinely thinks it is dangerous to drive then surely it should have failed?

The top and bottom of it is that the tester wanted to fail the car because of it's age. The only problem for him was that my mechanic, who takes all his cars for MOT's at this centre is a Honda specialist, knows his job and isn't inclined to take this nonsense lying down. The car is certainly not dangerous to drive and this is self evidently so.

This might be a salutory warning to other 800 or classic owners who have to face a tester from now on. If the intention is to take more unroadworthy cars off the road then that is all well and good but if in the process they are victimising classic owners then that is a disgrace. Now I'm worried about the 820 in August.

[BennyVitesse]

Compare and contrast to Keith Adams' SD1 MOT experience, also today, over on AROnline....

I think if you really wanted to push this Tracy you could complain to VOSA about his attitude, after all, if it meets the PASS specifications then its not dangerous. But whether it will achieve anything I do not know. I am always wary at MOT time as I have suffered at the hands of so called professionals who billed me £400 for work which may not have needed to have been done. I have also come across very helpful testers who have rung me up, talked me through various items and given me choices on how to proceed and sometimes not even charged for incidentals such as blown bulbs. Despite having set guidelines and procedures it still can be a lottery. I've had cars with advisories one year, not even commented on the next year.....

[CHR15E]

My run of MOT's start this month so it'll be my turn soon.

[Richard Moss]

When it comes to the 820, take it to a different testing station!

[Dajazar]

Ok gang.

MOT woes again but at least no issues with the tester now as I simply don't take it to the clown who used to do them.

She failed on a list of relatively run of the mill items this year but collectively, it's added up to quite a bit of money (almost £800 ). I'll be the first to admit that had I been faced with this cost at the outset, I'd probably have called time with it. There are some very nice, cheap 800's available (many of them on here) with tax and test at way less than I've just paid for a years ticket. AND the road tax is due at the end of the month. AND it's due a cambelt/water pump this year. AND theres a list of little bits to do as long as your arm. I also couldn't have done it without Brad's help in letting me have a couple of sills from his still voluminous stock of parts. It's not as if the car is immaculate-it isn't-far from it. It is hubby's daily hack, it sits out in all weathers and frankly gets a hard paper round. Many would call me stupid and yet I really do love it. I've had to drive the 820 a lot more recently and I like that too but getting back behind the wheel of the Sterling again after 3 weeks was just like meeting an old friend again after a long time apart. It is quick. It is smooth. It is a rare manual (I don't like autos after an accident years ago) and I'm getting over the financial shock-slowly. I would have to search long and hard to replace it and then that car too might need a lot of work. As it is, I know that this car has been through two talented enthusiast's hands before me and I'm still benefiting from the attention lavished upon it by them. So is it worth saving? Yes. Yes it is.

[Very Tall Brad]

Lovely stuff to read, Trace

How about a picture with the new sills fitted?

[CHR15E]

just like meeting an old friend again after a long time apart.

My dad use to say that about an old Sterling he had that I kept alive a while after he'd had a much better condition MK2.

There was just something about it to him.

I feel a bit like that about my V70R and I'm facing a similar situation regarding it needing some decent money spending on it to keep it useable.

I think if you're happy with it that's all that matters.

[Richard Moss]

I would have to search long and hard to replace it and then that car too might need a lot of work.

As Kylie said, "better the devil you know"

Isn't the 827 belt change schedule every 7 years/96,000 miles? If so, you have a couple to go yet. The water pump was done when I did the belt - so that has plenty of life left. I would get the belt tensioner spring done when the belt is replaced - an extra £1.40 in parts!

[TDHFastback]

Thats the problem with 800s they just seem to get under your skin, we get attached to them and feel sad when we see one neglected.
I'm sure I'm not the only one on this forum who wants to save every single one that comes up on e-bay that looks a little sad.

Well done Tracey for keeping your car going. I don't think you need to explain to anyone on this forum why you spent what you did.

We understand and would have done exactly the same thing.

Be nice to see some piccies and does he have a name?

Kate

[Dajazar]

Isn't the 827 belt change schedule every 7 years/96,000 miles? If so, you have a couple to go yet.


H'mm. I thought it was every 6 years and that you'd last done it in 2008 Rich?. A bonus if I'm wrong.

Be nice to see some piccies and does he have a name?

I'll get some pics up for you and Brad if I can pursuade hubby to get the camera pointing in the right direction. The Sterling's nickname is Carlos. The clue is in the registration plate featured earlier in the thread.

[Dajazar]

Hi All

Here as promised is a couple of pics of me (hate photo) and hubby with Sterling sporting its new (black) sills.
Maybe I can pursuade hubby to now wash car

http://s1272.photobucket.com/user/Dajaz ... 20Sterling