Red V6 Just needs a bit of polish..!

[RedV6]

Made some more progress. Car back on the lift and suspension removed again after the pressure washing. Cut back and repaired, treated etc the areas of surface rust and damage under coating. Amazingly it really wasn't too bad. Then masked everything up ready to respray the stone guard/coat tomorrow. Then onto rubbing down the engine bay after that.

[K Simmonds]

I can recall when these car were going for peanuts, around 2008/10 I picked up a fairly tidy, MOT'd 2.6 V6 for £350, the front bumper is worth double that now!

The V6 is much more refined to drive compared to the 2.0 16V, very smooth with loads of torque, the 2.8 AAH engine cars are boarding on fast, thought the 2.6 ABC motor's are still quick enough to be fun.

[RedV6]

Thanks. Yea thats the plan, we have always missed our original, even though it was just a 16v. If we had had space at the time I would have stored it away as it was virtually brand new inside and out. I think we sold it for about £1600 around 1999.

[K Simmonds]

Don't worry, I'm a spaz with a smartphone as well, part due to getting to old to read it properly, I have to use a laptop to do anything online.

I like the solid suspension, great budget mod. In seriousness looks like you're making good progress, not may people would put that much effort into a FWD Coupe but as it was free and you've got the time and skill then why not. You'll end up with a very reliable car that you know inside out and will go on to give you many years of enjoyment.

[RedV6]

Just realised I managed not to upload photos. A combination of me being useless with technology and my daughters hand me down phone, which she said was no good about 3 years ago.
Anyway here goes

[RedV6]

So a bit more progress this week, everything underneath removed, engine out, then subframe and spare rear axle refitted with wooden rear and waste pipe front shocks installed so I could give the underside and arches a good blast with the pressure washer.
Next step is to stick it back on the lift, remove the subframe and axle so I can repair, re coat the underneath.

[RedV6]

Totally agree, Merc, BMW, VW, Audi all producing the best they could.

Are you in Western Isles ?

Yep. Just shows how good the steel and coatings were in those days. Even the Merc which has lived here for much of its life and its 240,000 miles has its original paint and virtually no corrosion.
Not many cars would have survived outside in a field up here for 10 years like the Coupe.
A bit like the Merc, I never set out to find a Coupe to replace our original. My son stumbled upon it and we just had to rescue it. Its going to be a keeper.

[John.]

Those early 1990s German cars really are the pinnacle. Bullet proof, safe, just enough technology (as in stand alone modules), they have character and are fun to drive.

Totally agree, Merc, BMW, VW, Audi all producing the best they could.

Are you in Western Isles ?

[RedV6]

I’m biased (obviously), but I do think it’s a shame when Cab’s are parted to restore Coupe’s and S2’s rather than restored themselves.

I agree, its a shame to strip a repairable car of interest. But in this case the Cab had had a very nasty bash in the rear passenger side at the door shut. So I will use what I can and then hopefully whats left will help keep another Cabriolet on the road ?

[JayCab]

I’m biased (obviously), but I do think it’s a shame when Cab’s are parted to restore Coupe’s and S2’s rather than restored themselves.

[RedV6]

Wow, that's a serious project!

JW

Ha ha, very generous. I have followed yours for a while now and that is the "serious project" great work!

[david1980]

A lot of the cab bits will fit and swap over easy enough. The engine should quieten down once it gets up to temp, they are strong engines.

[RedV6]

856206F1-CB28-4258-9A1A-F3F1FB546A55.jpg
Thanks for everyone's encouragement, I'm certainly looking forward to it, my wife is just looking forward to it being finished, 26 years after selling her original.
Those early 1990s German cars really are the pinnacle. Bullet proof, safe, just enough technology (as in stand alone modules), they have character and are fun to drive.
After the demise of the 20v Passat, we had a B5 Tdi and then my wife moved onto her current car which has been great, she loves it and uses it most days but is looking forward to the Coupe.
Mercedes 300TE 4Matic

[struikie]

Wow, that's a serious project!

JW

[John.]

Liking your work.