Replacement parts?

[Mike Trident]

When I come onto this forum I often see people having problems with poor quality replacement parts that are just not up to the job.

I guess this can't be just a Rover / MG problem. Does it effect all cars of a similar age? If so, the modern classic cars are going to have a lot of problems in future years.

[MSS]

I own an Omega 2.5 V6 which will be 20 years old in September and there is no such problem.

I can still buy original parts from Vauxhall whilst the likes of Lemforder still manufacture the suspension components.

My own feeling is that Rover owners started to teat these cars as bangers rather early in their lifecycle and stopped buying quality parts, which in turn meant that the manufacturers stopped making them. If you go back around 8-10 years, there were so many posts from owners about how "I bought a part x for so little".

I am currently considering getting the last of the original Mercedes CLS (a beautiful classic to be) of around 8-10 years old and if I buy one I would hope to run it until the age of 18 - 20 years without any issues with parts quality.

[macafee2]

it cant help that Rover no longer exists
I'm sure some other cars have the same problem when it comes to spares availability.
When the manufacturer no longer exists and the number of cars dwindle even third part companies will find there is no money in mass producing these parts.
Perhaps if more were being restored and demand was greater then parts availability would be better
stock up while you can

macafee2

[roverbarmy]

My old 1964 BSA motorcycle had replacement parts that were better than the originals! They were not cheap though!

[Mike Trident]

Originally Posted by mss

I own an Omega 2.5 V6 which will be 20 years old in September and there is no such problem.

I can still buy original parts from Vauxhall whilst the likes of Lemforder still manufacture the suspension components.

My own feeling is that Rover owners started to teat these cars as bangers rather early in their lifecycle and stopped buying quality parts, which in turn meant that the manufacturers stopped making them. If you go back around 8-10 years, there were so many posts from owners about how "I bought a part x for so little".

I am currently considering getting the last of the original Mercedes CLS (a beautiful classic to be) of around 8-10 years old and if I buy one I would hope to run it until the age of 18 - 20 years without any issues with parts quality.

Would that be the C63 AMG?

Considering one myself, before all the real cars are gone and everyone has gone electric.

We usually bring it upon ourselves, everyone wants cheap until it backfires on us.

[MSS]

Originally Posted by Mike Trident

Would that be the C63 AMG?

Considering one myself, before all the real cars are gone and everyone has gone electric.

We usually bring it upon ourselves, everyone wants cheap until it backfires on us.

My ultimate would be a CLS63 or an XFR-S Sportbrake, but that will have to wait until the kids have completed university, got jobs and are standing on their own feet.

At the moment I am looking at the CLS350 Grand Editions. There were only 560 of these special editions produced at the end of the original CLS style and have a Brabus tune as standard. This raises the diesel power to 272BHP and torque to 590Nm. Ideally I would like one in Obsidian Black with Cashmere leather interior and low mileage. So carrying on looking until one turns up.

This is the beast.

https://www.mercedes-benz-media.co.u...b/releases/510

[Comfortably Numb]

Always loved the styling of those. But Mercs are not without issues. The R170 SLK had weak timing gear on the 200K, but the 230K was bulletproof. If your boot leaked, the security ECU would flood, - £900+, thank you. And of course they rusted. The R171 1.8 engine and early 3.5L V6 had a variety of problems, from cheese timing sprockets to dodgy timing solenoids. So read the forums and reviews carefully before you buy, and check that all recalls and upgrades have been completed.

[MSS]

Originally Posted by Comfortably Numb

Always loved the styling of those. But Mercs are not without issues. The R170 SLK had weak timing gear on the 200K, but the 230K was bulletproof. If your boot leaked, the security ECU would flood, - £900+, thank you. And of course they rusted. The R171 1.8 engine and early 3.5L V6 had a variety of problems, from cheese timing sprockets to dodgy timing solenoids. So read the forums and reviews carefully before you buy, and check that all recalls and upgrades have been completed.

I agree - they have their issues, as in fact do the Vauxhall Omegas.

I have done a lot of research on the Mercedes V6/V8 engines so know them pretty well.

I tend to buy my cars for the long term so all weak areas get addressed as a mid-life update. Also, I would only buy from one of a few well respected Mercedes specialists who only sell cars in very good mechanical condition. I am fortunate in having two well known Mercedes independent service/repair garages within 5 miles of my house. One of them is well known and respected on the Mercedes forums.

[victorgte]

It is a thread that keeps appearing more often.
Having owned 2 Scimitars until a few years ago, parts are available and good quality. Rare parts command a premium price as would be expected. That’s despite Scimitars not fetching high prices compared with other classic cars.
What has happened is that in my 13 years of ownership i’ve seen the clubs, forums and suppliers change and evolve into a much narrower and focussed group and specialising in supporting the cars. Furthermore there are cars that have been restored to a very high standard that do fetch strong money when sold. 10k to 15k has been achieved for the best cars. Compare that with cars offered to me for free that need full restoration but do run!
Yes you can get parts, of good quality but you now have to know where or who. This will probably be the same for MGR cars in the future and it will become a proper hobby to maintain your car. Fewer will be used as everyday cars as they will be harder to keep going for Joe Public. Who needs the hassle when it breaks down and no one can get parts or does not want to work on the car anymore.
Membership will decline but the remainder will be a tighter and more focused group keeping the cars going. As for quality, more people will be needed to make or commission parts for the cars and premium prices will make the cars more exclusive. It’s almost inevitable.