From owner-diesel-benz-digest-at-digest.net Sat Nov 6 18:53:07 2004 From: diesel-benz-digest diesel-benz-digest Saturday, November 6 2004 Volume 01 : Number 1602 Forum for Discussion of Diesel Mercedes Benz Automobiles Derick Amburgey Digest Coordinator Contents: [db] Re: Mercedes ASD [db] RE: xj: ...of Rovers and Defenders [db] MB qualified tires [db] seeing is believing... :) Re: [db] MB qualified tires RE: [db] MB qualified tires RE: [db] seeing is believing... :) Diesel Benz Digest Home Page: http://www.digest.net/diesel-benz/ Send submissions to diesel-benz-digest-at-digest.net Send administrative requests to diesel-benz-digest-request-at-digest.net To unsubscribe, include the word unsubscribe by itself in the body of the message, unless you are sending the request from a different address than the one that appears on the list. Include the word help in a message to stag-digest-request to get a list of other majordomo commands. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sat, 6 Nov 2004 08:02:23 -0800 (PST) From: john Subject: [db] Re: Mercedes ASD My ASD quit working after I jump started a friend... the module that is suspect costs around $500 and I haven't bothered to replace it because when the system was working, like on wet roads, it would induce massive amounts of oversteer. Hey, I love powersliding and all that, but when you have that small of an engine you just can't sustain it properly. :) What is nice though is that it has a limited slip along with that lock up feature, and that works quite nicely in the snow. I'm going to hard wire my system so I can control the lockup with a switch for those times when I want traction... :) john meister On Sat, 6 Nov 2004, John Peterson wrote: >-->John, this is John Peterson writing from Kingston, RI. I've seen your name on mbz diesel. I was searching for info on the ASD system and your personal site for your 2.5 showed up. I'm looking to buy a '95 E300D that has ASD. I was trying to get a feel for its reliability (does it cost a fortune if it brakes?) and if it is effective in gaining any traction on snow? >--> >-->Thanks for your expertise! John Peterson ---- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ** http://wagoneers.com ** ** http://freegift.net ** Snohomish, Washington USA - where Jeeps don't rust, they mold. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 6 Nov 2004 08:05:21 -0800 (PST) From: john Subject: [db] RE: xj: ...of Rovers and Defenders Range Rovers are nice, but they have a bad reputation for reliability, and of course excessive repair costs here in the states. My buddy paid $58K for his in '98... just sold it for $16k. That's a big loss in a short period of time... pretty typical of new cars I guess. His was pristine. I probably should have bought it, but the fuel economy was terrible on it. :) Another thought has crept into my head... building a Diesel powered XJ again... heading out to pick up an '82 300D this morning that doesn't run... :) john On Sat, 6 Nov 2004, Vincent Bentley wrote: >-->I wheel regularly with drivers of Defenders and Range Rovers in the United >-->Kingdom. Most of them didn't even recognise an XJ as an offroad vehicle - >-->they do now!. A lot of them get very upset when you remind them that the >-->very first Land Rover was just a replacement body built on a Jeep chassis. >--> >-->The Defenders are good straight out of the box, Discoveries and Range Rovers >-->are also very capable. All respond well to sensible modification, >-->particularly the Range Rover with all round coil spring suspension. So much >-->so that you often find Range Rover chassis with V8 engines under many hybrid >-->Defender and SIII project vehicles. >--> >-->Yes the V8 is a descendent of the lightweight Buick V8 of the 1960's. In >-->fairness it has been improved over many years and is well supported by >-->aftermarket tuning companies. >--> >-->--- >-->Vincent Bentley >-->w: http://www.jeepclub.co.uk >-->t: +44(0)7900 437975 >-->e: vince-at-jeepclub.co.uk >--> >--> >-->-----Original Message----- >-->From: owner-xj-at-digest.net [mailto:owner-xj-at-digest.net] On Behalf Of john >-->Sent: 04 November 2004 15:40 >-->To: xj-at-digest.net >-->Subject: Re: xj: ...of Rovers and Defenders >--> >--> >-->On Thu, 4 Nov 2004, Boney Varghese wrote: >--> >-->>-->How do 4x4 like the Range Rover (with variable air suspension & 4.2l >-->>-->engine) and defender (apparently crowned the most capable 4x4xfar) >-->>-->compare to the XJs? >--> >-->they're good rigs, but expensive, heavy, slow, have awkward controls... >--> >-->but the Range Rover is a nice vehicle on the freeway, very comfortable and >-->quiet. >--> >-->a doctor friend of mine had one (past tense) and when he rode in my XJ he >-->was amazed at the power it had. >--> >-->when looking at buying his I found out all kinds of horror stories about >-->repairs that could happen. >--> >-->I think the articulation on the rovers is very good, they are indeed good >-->4x4s. Most of the influence of the early rovers came directly from >-->the Jeep Wagoneer. The v8 they use is a direct descendant of the buick >-->aluminum v8, a 215 I believe... they bought it from Buick... check it out. >--> >-->john >--> >-->>--> >-->>-->Cheers >-->>--> >-->>-->Boney Varghese >-->>-->Ph: +971 4 335 2419 >-->>-->Fx: +971 4 335 2419 >-->>-->Mob: +971 50 545 0436 >-->>--> >-->>-->-----Original Message----- >-->>-->From: owner-xj-at-digest.net [mailto:owner-xj-at-digest.net] On Behalf Of >-->>-->Boney Varghese >-->>-->Sent: Thursday, November 04, 2004 12:25 PM >-->>-->To: xj-at-digest.net >-->>-->Subject: xj: Clutch pressure >-->>--> >-->>-->Hey guys >-->>--> >-->>-->Recently I had a problem with loss of pressure in my clutch cylinder >-->>-->and as a result my clutch would never push back. Since then I had >-->>-->replaced the cylinder and for a few months it was running perfectly >-->>--> >-->>-->Recently though, every morning when I start the jeep I have little >-->>-->or no pressure with the clutch. It's only after I pump and drive a >-->>-->while that the pressure returns back to normal? >-->>--> >-->>-->Any ideas? >-->>--> >-->>-->Cheers >-->>--> >-->>-->Boney Varghese >-->>-->Ph: +971 4 335 2419 >-->>-->Fx: +971 4 335 2419 >-->>-->Mob: +971 50 545 0436 >-->>-->-----Original Message----- >-->>-->From: owner-xj-at-digest.net [mailto:owner-xj-at-digest.net] On Behalf Of >-->>-->john >-->>-->Sent: Thursday, November 04, 2004 10:19 AM >-->>-->To: undisclosed-recipients: >-->>-->Subject: xj: off topic: '80 triumph spitfire... pass the popcorn >-->>--> >-->>-->I'm being tempted by a non-running '80 Trimuph Spitfire... it >-->>-->doesn't run, but it's complete and in pretty decent shape over all. >-->>--> http://wagoneers.com/fotos/2004/Triumph-Spitfire/ >-->>--> >-->>-->I may end up buying it just to help someone out of a pickle. Seems >-->>-->they bought it with the idea of restoring it and then realized they >-->>-->didn't know what they were doing and didn't have any place to work >-->>-->on it etc. >-->>--> >-->>-->She's got the thing sitting over at her dad's house under a tarp. I >-->don't >-->>-->think the car has run in about 7 years... I talked to a good mechanic >-->>-->friend, he says the engine will be fine. The clutch (hydraulic) >-->>-->doesn't work... at all. It does have the overdrive. According to >-->>-->the specs this car is capable of 50mpg. It has nice lines, comfy >-->>-->seats and good glass. the top looks ok, but doesn't seem to close >-->>-->all the way, not sure why. >-->>--> >-->>-->So, dire warnings? Should I run or plunk down the initial $600 and >-->>-->keep shelling bills out until it's moving under it's own power or >-->>-->what? :) >-->>--> >-->>-->When I was in High School I really wanted a sports cars... wanted >-->>-->one, but instead had a '68 Mustang. ;) I wanted a Lotus Europa >-->>-->Special, or an MGB GT, the Spitfire or TR6 were also cars I had >-->>-->considered... >-->>--> >-->>-->So, I'm putting it before my wheeled and esteemed colleagues for >-->>-->advice. >-->>--> >-->>-->BTW, I did look at an '82 300D with a bad engine for $800 this >-->>-->morning... thinking about putting that on the GMC Jimmy frame... but >-->think I'll >-->>-->not do that... ;) For those of you in the popcorn section the >-->Spitfire >-->>-->would probably fall between the frame rails of the Jimmy... ;) >-->>--> http://www.wagoneers.com/DieselBenz/CARS/82-300d-bad-engine/ >-->>--> >-->>-->I really don't have time for a project, but than again, why would I >-->>-->miss an opportunity to save a classic? :) I know my wife won't >-->>-->ride in it, she doesn't like convertibles... So, that brings me to >-->>-->another question, where do I get a hard top for this thing? :) >-->>-->(and an automatic transmission... oh, just kidding on the last >-->>-->one... rofl... actually I'm thinking if the engine is kaput that >-->>-->I'd look for a complete engine/auto trans setup that >-->>-->would fit... put some fire in this spit. :) A nice fuel injected >-->setup >-->>-->would be pretty cool... a sleeper sports car... too bad a v8 wouldn't >-->>-->fit... or would it? :) If I could get a hardtop I might consider a >-->>-->240d driveline... Diesels and convertibles don't seem to be a good >-->>-->mix... >-->>--> >-->>-->dreaming on a budget... :) >-->>--> >-->>-->if any sane person in the seattle area has interest in this project >-->>-->step forward and relieve me of this problem... :) >-->>--> >-->>-->standing by for suggestions now. :) (pass the popcorn... ;) >-->>--> >-->>-->btw, did snap a few night shots of seattle on the way home: >-->>-->http://wagoneers.com/fotos/2004/space-needle-nov3.jpg >-->>--> http://wagoneers.com/fotos/2004/seattle-skyline-nov3.jpg >-->>--> >-->>-->john >-->>--> >-->>--> ---- >-->>--> >-->>-->------------------------------------------------------------------------ >-->- >-->>--> ** http://wagoneers.com ** ** http://freegift.net ** >-->>--> Snohomish, Washington USA - where Jeeps don't rust, they mold. >-->>-->-------------------------------------------------------------------- >-->>-->----- >-->>--> >--> >--> ---- >--> >-->------------------------------------------------------------------------- >--> ** http://wagoneers.com ** ** http://freegift.net ** >--> Snohomish, Washington USA - where Jeeps don't rust, they mold. >-->------------------------------------------------------------------------- >--> ---- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ** http://wagoneers.com ** ** http://freegift.net ** Snohomish, Washington USA - where Jeeps don't rust, they mold. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 06 Nov 2004 17:52:13 -0500 From: Edward Pomeroy Subject: [db] MB qualified tires John, I went to my local Costco (1 hour drive to Indiana from MI) and found the following offers for MB 300D 2.5 Turbo. I know listers have beat the tire issue to death, but I am looking for best choice out of this group. Anyone care to comment? Michigan weather, lots of wet pavement. Consider same as Seattle as I don't drive it in the snow. Thanks, Edward Bridgestone. Potenza RE950 P195/65HR15 All-Season High Performance$88.99 Bridgestone Potenza RE930i P195/65HR15 All-Season Performance $84.99 Michelin. Energy MXV4+ P195/65VR15 Luxury Touring $146.99 Michelin. Energy MXV4+ 195/65HR15 Luxury Touring $127.99 Michelin. Energy MXV4+ P195/65HR15 Luxury Touring $119.99 Michelin. Pilot XGT H4 P195/65HR15 All-Season Performance $98.99 ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 6 Nov 2004 14:53:58 -0800 (PST) From: john Subject: [db] seeing is believing... :) http://www.wagoneers.com/DieselBenz/CARS/ideas-etc/ ok, ok, sometimes I just need to SEE an idea to understand why it's not a good idea. I'm kind of a visually oriented ADD type. :) I think this cured me. This 85 XJ (jag type) is sitting on a shortened '74 chevy pickup chassis. It's done pretty well, but there are just somethings that don't work well... So, at this point I plan to fix the '83 300D I just brought home and sell it... it's in nice shape, hopefully it's not going to require a lot. The Dept. of Licensing tried to tax me on $3,000 as that's the lowest price they claim it's worth... Also going to sell the '83 GMC Jimmy 6.2L Diesel and the '75 J10 hydraulic dump bed trailer... along with some antiques, one of my laptops, and other stuff... want to pay off the WJ. Also need to raise some bucks for the SuperDawg project. Let me know if you're interested in any of this stuff off list... lots of technical books I need to sell too... (software engineering & electronics). So, it looks like the final score will be one '99 WJ (4.0L), one '91 300d(2.5L) and one '83 J10 (4.0L) stepside... I'll be looking for a Bri-Mar dump trailer or build another hydraulic dump trailer later... later, john ---- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ** http://wagoneers.com ** ** http://freegift.net ** Snohomish, Washington USA - where Jeeps don't rust, they mold. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 6 Nov 2004 14:55:46 -0800 (PST) From: john Subject: Re: [db] MB qualified tires I'd look for a Discount Tire, or someone that sells BFG's. I love my BFG Traction T/A's on my benz. They worked amazingly well in the one snow we had last year, do great on wet roads, are quiet, handle amazingly well and ride nicer than the Michelin MXV4's I removed... I only wish they made them for my Jeeps. :) john On Sat, 6 Nov 2004, Edward Pomeroy wrote: >-->John, >--> >-->I went to my local Costco (1 hour drive to Indiana from MI) and found >-->the following offers for MB 300D 2.5 Turbo. >-->I know listers have beat the tire issue to death, but I am looking for >-->best choice out of this group. Anyone care to comment? >-->Michigan weather, lots of wet pavement. Consider same as Seattle as I >-->don't drive it in the snow. >--> >-->Thanks, >-->Edward >--> >--> >-->Bridgestone. Potenza RE950 P195/65HR15 >-->All-Season >-->High Performance$88.99 >--> >-->Bridgestone Potenza RE930i P195/65HR15 >-->All-Season >-->Performance $84.99 >--> >-->Michelin. Energy MXV4+ P195/65VR15 >-->Luxury >-->Touring $146.99 >--> >-->Michelin. Energy MXV4+ 195/65HR15 >-->Luxury >-->Touring $127.99 >--> >-->Michelin. Energy MXV4+ P195/65HR15 >-->Luxury >-->Touring $119.99 >--> >-->Michelin. Pilot XGT H4 P195/65HR15 >-->All-Season >-->Performance $98.99 >--> ---- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ** http://wagoneers.com ** ** http://freegift.net ** Snohomish, Washington USA - where Jeeps don't rust, they mold. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 6 Nov 2004 17:11:56 -0600 From: "Alec Cordova" Subject: RE: [db] MB qualified tires I'd suggest you check out more info on the tires, including comparative surveys, at www.tirerack.com. The rate tires on many different categories, so you have a good chance of finding some that match what you're looking for. Personally, I consider the Michelins to be overpriced relative to other tires. They're like old school IBM, where you won't get fired for choosing them, but they're not necessarily the best. My W124 coupe has worn Michelin Energy MXV4+ (195/65-15 HR), Michelin Pilot XGT V4 (205/60-15 VR), and Kumho 716 HP4 (205/60-15 HR), but I'm now on Yokohama AVS Db2 (195-65-15 VR), and I think I like them. Again, see what info you can find at TireRack, but of your listed choices, I'd probably go with one of the Bridgestones. Alec Cordova Taylor, Texas 89 300CE, 177K ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 6 Nov 2004 17:16:15 -0600 From: "Alec Cordova" Subject: RE: [db] seeing is believing... :) Hmm. Maybe that type of conversion would look best with a 300TD W123 wagon. That might visually balance up the back half best, and provide for additional utility. Maybe it's evil to suggest such things to a man like our John, but I did just buy a case of popcorn at Sam's. ;-) Alec > -----Original Message----- > From: owner-diesel-benz-at-digest.net > [mailto:owner-diesel-benz-at-digest.net]On Behalf Of john > Sent: Saturday, November 06, 2004 4:54 PM > To: undisclosed-recipients: > Subject: [db] seeing is believing... :) > > > http://www.wagoneers.com/DieselBenz/CARS/ideas-etc/ > > ok, ok, sometimes I just need to SEE an idea to understand why > it's not a good idea. I'm kind of a visually oriented > ADD type. :) I think this cured me. This 85 XJ (jag type) is > sitting on a shortened '74 chevy pickup chassis. It's done pretty > well, but there are just somethings that don't work well... > > So, at this point I plan to fix the '83 300D I just brought home and > sell it... it's in nice shape, hopefully it's not going to require a lot. > The Dept. of Licensing tried to tax me on $3,000 as that's the lowest > price they claim it's worth... > > Also going to sell the '83 GMC Jimmy 6.2L Diesel and the > '75 J10 hydraulic dump bed trailer... along with some antiques, > one of my laptops, and other stuff... want to pay off the WJ. Also > need to raise some bucks for the SuperDawg project. > > Let me know if you're interested in any of this stuff off list... lots > of technical books I need to sell too... (software engineering & > electronics). > > So, it looks like the final score will be one '99 WJ (4.0L), one > '91 300d(2.5L) > and one '83 J10 (4.0L) stepside... I'll be looking for a Bri-Mar dump > trailer or build another hydraulic dump trailer later... > > later, > john ------------------------------ End of diesel-benz-digest V1 #1602 **********************************