The MG has gone........

[Southern Storm]

Into hibernation. In summer.
After careful consideration I actually tried selling the MG as the rise in fuel and tax worried me greatly, especially with a family now. Anyway, I could not sell the car for anywhere near a respectable price. Had a few time wasters and dreamers as usual, but after a recent wash and polish and the fact I really bonded with the car when my daughter was ill means I cannot let it go for any reason now. Hooray get to keep it. As the wife says 'might as well, most reliable car you have owned'!
However, stupidly I bought another car thinking 'ah it will sell'. I now have to sell this but I thought I would make the use of it as the tax is up on the MG so it means I can keep it off the road for 2 months, tax it for 6 then tax it for 12 at end of Feb. Almost makes me smile that I am keeping money from the government for a bit.
Anyway now in rather retro heaven again. a 1988 Mercedes Cosworth. First day today being out on the road properly since bringing it back from Cardiff, got it tuned at work and now runs almost right. So what do we think to the current MG replacement?
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b13/Southern-Storm/RIMG0161.jpg

[peterzs]

Hi, Nice looking car, don't think my derv will beat you away from the lights somehow. We've
got a garage in Bournemouth with 3 MG's, 2 ZS, 1 ZT, all met blue 01 to 03, One was a derv but prices were £3,995 up to £5,000. I think one has sold as we could'nt see it last night.:thumbsup::thumbsup:

[arwilson80]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/7484478.stm - There may be hope for us and VED yet (but i'll not hold my breath)

[stamford]

Nice Merc, always liked them as they were a good track car back in their day. Glad to hear the ZS is staying with you, it is hard to part with them.

[Southern Storm]

Yeah its all cuddled up in its garage. Got a few probs with the merc but it is 20 years old. Working throught them slowly. Nothing major either which is good.

[MGZS55]

Can you tell us a little more about your 1988 Mercedes Cosworth. Always interested when I hear Cosworth in a title! Looks very nice for a motor that is 20 years old. Good negotiating skills on the ZS retention there!

[Maxxed_Ross]

saw a report on one on Topgear a few years back and it said it was a future classic car and you should try and find a good one now.

Is it manual or auto?

[Southern Storm]

Back in the 80's Mercedes wanted to go rallying and thought they would use the Mercedes 190 to do it. However they wanted more power from their engines. Wanted to use a lighter 4 pot engine rather than the 2.6 6cylinder but needed more power. So they got our friends, Cosworth, to do the work on there new 2.5, 4 cylinder engine. And not a bad job they did too however the same year they wanted to take this f door barge rallying, Audi released a little known car called the quattro. 4 wheel drive and turbo charged power was a bit of a death toll to the powerful rear wheel drive Merc. So they never really bothered. Releasing it as a fast car to the public with full bodykit and either half or full leather bucket seats front and back. Available as a 2.3 or 2.5 engine eventually they slapped an even bigger kit on known as the Evo (draw your own conclusions) and entered it into the DTM touring car races where it did very well.
The Evo
http://www.mercedesclasicos.com/modelos/1982_Mercedes_190E/Mercedes_190E_Evolution_II.jpg
The powerplant
http://www.classiccarshop.co.uk/images/Mercedes%20190E%20Cosworth%20engine-Large.jpg
One of my favourite parts. A work of art.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Mercedes-190-2-3-16v-exhuast-manifold_W0QQitemZ160256053194QQcmdZViewItem?hash= item160256053194&_trkparms=72%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C65%3A12&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

[Southern Storm]

Mine is the Manual with the dogleg first gear. Weird to get used to. Full leather in good nick. Troublesome auto levelling suspension removed and full stainless system.
Indeed an up and coming classic. Mine far from a perfect example but good. A few foibles to sort out electrically but damn, a powerful car which can be put into a power slide VERY easily. had the back out too, twice, pretty unprovoked but good fun when done.

[Maxxed_Ross]

so in short you'll be keeping it then lol

[MGZS55]

Neat car, thanks for the info. The Evo spoiler...hmmm, Evo, big spoiler...:whistle:! That manifold really is a piece of work too. Seems a definite keeper bud.

[Southern Storm]

To be honest no. I cannot keep the MG and Merc and wouldn't want to. It was pain enough having to spread myself so thinly between the MG and Scirocco. The MG is alot easier to drive, smoother and in my opinion an all round better car.
I have leg ache from the clutch in traffic today and I have found 2 more, no, wait, 3 more problems with it today. 2 months time, its up for sale. Probably just as i get everything working and running as it should lol.

[stamford]

Sounds like the Merc has a Getrag box, a bit confusing when stepping from the ZS to the Merc, I know as it used to confuse me when I ran my HSX Chevette!

[Southern Storm]

Thats the puppy and found that mine to be tricky getting first. Quite stiff and notchy, might be the same on all of them. Or mines knacked. Oh well, not the MG so its ok lol.

[TjP]

Nice car :) They look cracking in red, but thats a nice colour too.

I like the Cosworth name too, Escort and Sierra Cosworths with their huge spoilers... hehe, cool cars. Glad you prefer the MG though :)