However when I got there I also noticed;
1. CEL Illuminated, “Error” showing on the odometer
2. AC as good as not working at all
3. AC Control Console with washed out buttons (my 2002 Pug 307 AC control buttons still look like brandnew)-what plastic did these Germans use…? (I don dey fear german bulid quality o)
4. Not too good front shocks and some clunking noises from the front end.
5. Driver”s side seat control plastic housing all spoilt
6. Both the fuel pump and Fuel level sender unit covers were left open (there is a black roundish cover with 3 screws that is used to cover both
7. All so common Thermostat bypass, with a separate wire run from the battery terminal to the engine cooling fans that turned them on once you switch on the ignition ( with an embarrassing howl)
8. Engine otherwise seemed fair enough-considering it was Naija used… with that sweet V6 sound, and boy did she pick up speed on stomping the gas pedal… Auto tranny was also OK with smooth shifting and kickdown working when it should.

So after discussing with Siena, I proceeded to inspect the car… the known faults according to the owner were;
1. AC not cooling properly
2. Fuel leak from the petrol pump (some stupid mechanic had spoilt the fuel sender unit under the backseat and you couldn’t get beyond ¾ tank when refilling without having fuel fumes escape into your car and fuel seep out from beneath the seats.. (Thank God the Guy wasn’t a smoker)
3. Faulty (squishy) brakes (Brake pedal gets to floor when braking, Brake indicator on dashboard flashing)
4. Leaky radiator ( had a problem at some point and was modified by our wonderful roadside Mechanics)-without much effect (otherwise it wouldn’t be leaking anymore)

However, as luck would have it, a friend of mine who had a 2002 Audi A4 3.0L Quattro (B6/8E) wanted to sell it at a reasonable because he had gotten tired of its “issues”. I called up Siena immediately and sought his advice on the absolute no-nos for the car. After educating me on the virtues of the car I fell in love (with the car o).
For me, the top advantages were;
1. All-time 4WD in a Sedan; I never did like SUVs because of their relatively unstable handling characteristics when maneuvering at highway speeds-even with all the electronic thingys working-ESP, stability control, etc. , but their 4WD can come in handy in quite a number of sticky situations. However, with the Audi Quattro, I got a sedan (with the associated stability) and 4WD (albeit not as effective as that of an SUV) in the same package… Yipee…!
2. European marque: I have always loved European cars-back in the days I used to argue that Japmobiles were reliable but not fun to drive. Having grown up now “D”, I only say “to each his own”. European Cars are good, Japmobiles are also good-depends on what you’re looking out for and how much of a maintenance culture that you have, oh… and availability of the proper mechanics. I absolutely refuse to be drawn into Euromoblies vs. Japmobile argument these days.
After all some Japmobiles like Lexus, and even the lesser Toyota brand have good handling reviews-even on Topgear UK if you gather my drift.

The top contenders were;
1. Facelift 1995 Mercedes w124 E320 (Love of my life-will still get one sometime this year hopefully).
2. 2002 Peugeot 406 V6 Manual Tranny
3. 2002 Nissan Pathfinder 3.5L 4WD (considering the bad roads)
4. 2003 Jeep Liberty 3.7L (Renegade edition)
5. 2006 Range Rover sports (shebi dem talk say Luxury vehicle dey lose plenty value over time-make the car price fall reach 1.5M nah, make I rush buy one… ;-) ) Otherwise for now it’s absolutely out of range (forgive the pun). However Dreaming is allowed nah…!

Hi all,
Have been off radar for a while now… plenty Office waka etc. Thankfully it’s a bit quieter now and I have decided to spice up my life a bit by commencing on a Car restoration project.
The last time I travelled from Enugu to Uyo in April with my 2.0L Auto-trans 2003 Peugeot 307 hatchback, I was given a very hot chase by 4 hefty dudes in a 1996 Toyota Camry V6 sedan (I wouldn’t go ahead to speculate who they were, but the experience wasn’t a nice one-and I DID see the tip of a gun). My saving grace was that I did know the terrain quite better than they (and whenever we would approach other vehicles, they would draw back) and I had to turn into Umuahia at the Umuahia towers where they slowed down, glared at me menacingly and drove on towards Aba/PH. However there were quite a few moments with my throttle floored and my lion doing 170km/hr. that I did wish for more power whenever I saw the rate at which these dudes were catching up with me in my rearview mirror.
Anyways I decided to sell my Lion (I don’t have the space, or desire for 2 cars at the moment), and get me a more powerful car, since I undertake long distance journeys quite a number of times.

RapzyJ:

I was at a store today but didnt get the electrical contact cleaner but saw a spray bottle and this idea came into my head:

Fill the spray bottle with METHYLATED SPIRIT and use WITH the option of using a small hand/painters brush on the contacts after spraying. What do you think?

Meanwhile I spoke to a parts seller who offered to get it for me.

Till Then!

Methylated spirit as commonly sold in the patent medicine stores is a mixture of alcohol with water and a bittering agent (to prevent cheap highness ;-) ). It is not 100 percent alcohol and would leave behind unwanted residue.

Any luck with the guy?

From my experience, any reputable panelbeater/ Car sprayer (Painter) would always have some 'Upholstery specialist' who fixes back all the car seats, door and roof linings etc. after a major overhaul.
I don't live in Lagos, but there is this dude (Pastor Kun, Tel 08027338500) who is always advertising his Car spray workshop in Lagos here on NL (Autos). He should be able to help.

Could possibly be an exhaust pipe leak into the car.
This would spew Carbon monoxide into the cabin which can very quickly make someone unconscious-especially if the windows are wound up and the Ac is on 'recirculate'

@ Trac;
I am also in Academia, and different opinions CAN and DO exist about some particular issues...at least in my own branch of science (Medicine).

I created because I felt that the pettiness of the other sections had crept into Car Talk and its entirely up to us to chart the way forward. It is also sad that our more experienced contributors are keeping a rather low profile these days.

However, if our major contributors (or anyone for that matter) decide(s) to leave the section, It is not a right or wrong decision; its THEIR decision, and has be respected.

It however still leaves the problem(s) unsolved.

Come on Guys, no sulking or keeping long faces....
How can´we make this Section better??

Abi make I borrow Obama Slogan...

YES WE CAN!!!!

Leaving the forum will not make it better, neither will it solve the problems at hand. And if members leave, how do we get to learn from each others wealth of experience.
Its not by force sha, but methinks that if we can surmount this challenge, then the Car Talk section would definitely be better for it, and stand out from other sections where strife seems to be the order of the day.

Hi Guys,
It's really saddening to see our beloved Car Talk section degenerate into a section where insults (both subtle and glaring) are being exchanged between members-all because of differing opinions.
Without starting to mention names, I want to appeal to all of us to please sheath our swords. Lets learn to accept that people will ALWAYS have different opinions about the same thing. These opinions CAN be discussed without being rude-its the norm in the academic world and we CAN do it here.
Car Talk has succeeded in educating a lot of us about cars and if a lot of contributors start backing off, then we have all lost an avenue for learning.
On behalf of all of us who feel slighted by some members of the section, I apologize.
Please lets start afresh.
t-die

hen6kay:


Didn't you read the Title of the Post

Oga, as at the time this thread was created, the topic did not have "Accra, Ghana" in its title.
it was changed by OP AFTER my comment.
Its all good though.
:-)

Wow...
From the registration number plate on the truck, this doesn't look like it happened in Nigeria-or am i wrong?
Anyways its a good thing that the wreckage was promptly removed.

inspired_m:

Thanks for the Enquiry Sir

All Our vehicles Comes with a Minimum of 6 Months Warranty Valid in Nigeria

W are the ONLY Auto Dealer in Nigeria that gives Warranty on Used Vehicles, We Stand By Our Cars Whether its 1990 Year Model or 2013 Brand New, Youre rest assured.

We Can Also Upgrade your vehicle with Whatever factory or after Market Accessories you wish.

Looking forward to your Business

Cheers
Inspired

Thank you inspired. Trying to finalize the after-market mods I want to get... there's such a huge list to choose from... . Will contact you very soon.

SUVs generally are more unstable than smaller vehicles because of the higher center of gravity. Mercedes benzes are no exception. So if the driver performed a sudden maneuver like suddenly overtaking at high speed or the likes, then he would very likely lose control of the vehicle... Mercedes Benz or not.
Anyways RIP to the departed.
Sad...

Hello inspired. I'm almost ready to place my order for the 1995 Merc W124 E320 (in the next 2-3 weeks). My question however is whether you would also give your 6months guarantee (considering that its a relatively old old car). Also i am considering ordering a few mods for the car from amazon (like LED rear lights, keyless entry, and a few chrome trims). Is it possible to have them shipped to you for fitting to the car in the US before shipping the car down to Nigeria?
I also enquired for the cost of a few cars for the missus on this thread. Sorry i didnt get back to you when you posted the prices... A few issues came up and getting her a car has been put on hold temporarily.
Thank you as usual for your prompt reply.
T-die

You're not alone. I also do love oldies-especially the Mercedes W124 Series (aka V. Boot)-much to the dismay of my friends.
In a very recent trip out of Nigeria, I fell in love with a 1959 Peugeot 403 but realized that I wouldn't be able to legally get her into Nigeria without breaking the Bank.
Our mod on this section Ikenna is also in love with Oldies and is also coming under flak from the 'new school' dudes
Anyways, everyone is free to make a choice of what kind of cars he/she likes, and if one decides to join the trend (new cars), then so be it.

Dude didn't agree to sell the car o. :-( but said He can get me a similar one for 10,000 Euros (about 2.05millon).No be small thing o.
Its actually a 1959 model 403... Wonder how much it'll cost to clear at our customs legally as an "antique/collectors item"....

Sorry Dr. Joe for all the stress. I use a Pug 307 myself with the auto tranny, and its actually not a bad car if you get it right. Am not in Enugu at the moment or I would have scanned the car free for you. Anyways I would need the exact print out or screen shot of the your car diagnosis (scan). Please insist that the Diagbox scanner is used (has a Peugeot/citreon on the box).

Hi Guys...
What's been happening on our thread lately??
Came across a classic pug today; the 403. Fell in love and have been begging the owner to possibly sell the car to me so I can bring it back to naija. :-)
Will keep you guys updated....

t-die:
Whats the price of an Acura CSX 2006/2007?

Bump

Whats the price of an Acura CSX 2006/2007?

Nice one...
Makes for quite an interesting read

inspired_m:

Thanks for the Enquiry, Seems like you want to Open a Car Shop.

Will be back With Quotes Sir.

Lolz. No be say I wan open carshop o. Just want her to choose one out of the mix. Hope she chooses European...
I await your reply.
Thanks

Hello Inspired. Please I kinda need your attention on your other thread
www.nairaland.com/158762/pre-order-car-usa-40/117#14628732
Sorry if I have derailed your thread

T-die

Bump

Hello Inspired. Still waiting for your reply. Thanks a million

Bump

Hello Inspired

I'm still very much interested in the w124 sedan or convertible we talked about earlier(1995 Merc E320)
But now, a car for my missus is my priority;
I'll need your quote on the following cars;

2007 Honda civic; fabric/leather, with/without navigation
2005 lexus ES300
2008 Nissan Altima 2.5L
2007 volkswagen jetta Wolfsburg edition. 2.0L
2004/2005 audi A4 2.0L
2008 Honda accord EX/LX. 2.4L
2007 Rav 4 Toyota 4 cylinder
2007 Honda CRV
2008 Volvo S80 and S40
2005 acura TL
Another question I've been meaningto ask?? Do you only do clean title vehicles? Is it possible to order non-clean title vehicles (like theft damage etc) through you.
I understand you're quite busy but would appreciate an early reply so I can discuss further with my missus and make a choice before she locks me out... :-D

Thanks

T-die

Siena:

Personally, I'm a great fan of the OEM look. After market bodykits are garbage. I've fitted them on client's automobile (at their requests) and the fitment is like dogshit. An aftermarket bumper can take hours to get the fitment 100%, and even then, it'll never look right. It all depends on what you're satisfied with.

I'm very ana-l when it comes to automobile, and I won't compromise on quality. I would only fit bumpers / skirts off the equivalent MB Sport / AMG model. Nothing else will do. Some of these kits are also made of fibreglass, and stress cracks are a big issue. It may look average when first fitted, give it six months, and your MB will be looking bad. Such kits are aimed at teenagers, and mostly fitted to Honda Civics and similar automobile. The MB is a classy vehicle, and an aftermarket bodykit will detract from that look.

I've also looked at the bodykits on that site, and they're made of fibreglass, just as I suspected they would be.

Good luck.

Thanks Siena for your valuable contribution. I guess I'll leave off the bodykit then and just show off its classic looks. I thought those were OEM kits made to retrofit to the w124..