The story of a 38k miles 90Q... Glory, or HORROR?

[elwesso]

Some of you may remember the gold/burgundy 38k miles Q that was on ebay a few weeks ago, well member Johnny Rocket bought this thing.. Maybe someone can find the original eBay listing..

Anyway, this weekend I headed over in the "NICO Track Slut" to Mr. Rocket's intense shop... Easily the nicest place Ive worked and a super nice guy to boot, put me up in a hotel for free and fed me a couple times (what college kid doesnt like that).. Plus i got to tinker with Q's all weekend....

The long and short of it is he had the car sent from florida to T3 to have the guides done (great plan). Passenger side guide was broken but broken in one piece so it didnt fall down into the pan, which is definitely a plus. Proves that even at 38k miles you're guides are SUSPECT after 20 years...

Showed up there and the car had 2 GOOD injectors. Thats right, out of 8 injectors 2 ohmed within spec.. Needless to say, it didnt run well.. So we dug into the plenum (see my other thread), put in 94-96 injectors.

After we did the plenum and started it, it still had a miss, so we pulled the plugs and found 7 NGK plugs and 1 Bosch plug. changed out all 8 with new PFR6G-11's and it still has a tiny miss somewhere (not sure) but we'll find it.

Long story short, be very wary of buying somehting sight unseen.. You may even thing that "how many things can be wrong with a Q with 38k miles??".. Well heres the short list on this Q of whats wrong (not including brakes, shocks, and other wear items)...

1. 2 out of 8 injectors were GOOD (in other words, 6 bad ones)2. Differential is likely bad (whining bad). My THEORY is (without confirming it) is that someone drained the fluid before taking the fill plug out first and couldnt refill the diff and starved it of fluid, we all know that nissan diff's last way longer.3. HVAC controller is out4. Turbine sensor is leaking5. Steering rack is leaking

However impressively enough it did have a transmission cooler so at some point in time there was someone working on the car that knew a little bit.

Proves theres no free lunch with Qs. Even if theyre low miles you still have to maintain them as if you drive them regularly... I really dont think that overall if you drive the 1000 miles/year or 20,000 miles a year makes a whole lot of difference (besides on tires, shocks, brakes, and fluids) on the overall wear and tear on the car.

Anyway, heres some pics

Plenum off



Shop we worked at, which is behind his house.. He has heated floors in this thing, and thats definitely a cool feature....



Later that night we pulled the "NTS" into the garage to warm up a little (she hasnt seen about 50F since october)



Pics of the car







The interior is probably the most stunning part, has anyone sat in these seats???







Proof's in the pudding

[Q45tech]

I only glanced at car once but seem to remember water pump was changed and interior of engine was black and slimey and oil abused [way too much dirt/varnish for 38k] without adding it by the spoonful.

Good luck.

I am basing my interior comments on the typical pristine JDM takeout engines we receive [and still replace guides].Driving one < 2,000 miles per year can destroy things more than driving 20,000 miles per year............................or odo tampering?

[oldmako]

Very nice ride! I am not at all surprised about the mechanicals however. It's been my experience that if it burns fuel (cars-boats-airplanes) leaving them to sit is no guarantee that you won't have problems, and in most almost guarantees that you will.

I've never driven a first gen Q. Next time I see on on a lot I will swing in and wail on it.

[Jesda]

A lot of Crossfires sat on docks in the US and Germany for years before they got sold, resulting in a lot of parts breaking within the first 40,000 miles.

At 29k I just dropped mine off at the dealer for an intercooler pump, non-functioning power locks, and a corroded wiring harness.

There was also a water leak in the rear and wipers that wouldn't come on. I had to replace the battery last week as well.

The lesson here: Drive your car.

[Trumpkin]

Low miles are nice. However the car is very old and looking at the list Wes made not suprising. All are normal Q wear items. So my opinion is not too bad. I assume he knew what he was getting into. Most of the jobs are not bad for a person with a nice shop-like he has! Also having mechanical ability is a plus. Racks are not bad to do, and the rear diff is a snap. Worst job is the under plenum and all Q's need it. Nice buy! Wish my 95 had that few miles.

[Q451990]

The lesson here: Drive your car.

Or maybe: It's a Dodge?

[Q451990]

I don't remember the history on this car - but I'm glad things are progressing. I think I was lucky that mine had been driven on a regular basis, and I guess there's a big difference in a low mileage 11 year old car and a low mileage 19 year old one. That remaining miss is troubling. What type of injectors did you use... new OEM, Deatchwerks, or are you trying my aftermarket BWDs?

That shop is awesome! Heated floors and a lift!

Heath

[Infinitiguy19]

good luck with your Q, But know this: When your Q is all restored and running great you will give Mike (Goody94Q45) a run for his money compared to his Q.

But I as others on this board are glad to see another person restoring a Q45 to what it was meant too be.

[Jesda]

Or maybe: It's a Dodge?

Worse: Its a Mercedes! If it was a Dodge I could fix it with chewing gum and yarn.

[Q451990]

Even better

Actually I have never noticed the Crossfire... looks like an interesting car!

Heath

[maxnix]

Actually I have never noticed the Crossfire... looks like an interesting car!

Heath

SOHC, 3 valve head. Old SLK underpan.

Perfect if you always wanted to drive a Chris Craft styled car on land.

[Jesda]

Even better

Actually I have never noticed the Crossfire... looks like an interesting car!

I've never noticed the Crossfire either, but this one is an SRT, which means 0-60 in 4.8 seconds from the supercharged AMG V6. Puts the fear of god in me every time I stomp on it. It doesn't do anything else that well though, thus the resale value, thus the reason why I have one for cheap.

Thankfully the warranty covers everything (except heated seats, annoyingly, which I could use right now).

Q45tech's C32 AMG has the same engine, transmission, and even the same engine cradle. The rest of the Crossfire, including the interior, is taken from the first-generation SLK. The rear suspension has bits from the S-class.

I didn't really want the car, but a friend needed to get rid of a payment and made me an offer I couldn't refuse. Now the darn thing is growing on me.

[goody90q45]

Find the owner a nice set of wheels Wes. You've got to like that burgandy interior. Same interior/exterior colors as my 90Q with 238k and the leather seats are still holding up nicely.

I feel like we've met. What's the VIN? Were we next to each other on the assembly line?

[maxnix]

Q45tech's C32 AMG has the same engine, transmission, and even the same engine cradle. The rest of the Crossfire, including the interior, is taken from the first-generation SLK. The rear suspension has bits from the S-class.

I didn't really want the car, but a friend needed to get rid of a payment and made me an offer I couldn't refuse. Now the darn thing is growing on me.

Q45tech has a C43, which is the V8. You know Dennis!

At least you have the only interesting crossfire. Surprised the handling isn't better, though. Running dubs on the rear, right?

[Jesda]

Q45tech has a C43, which is the V8. You know Dennis!

At least you have the only interesting crossfire. Surprised the handling isn't better, though. Running dubs on the rear, right?

Oh right, C43! Fun sleepers.

The Crossfire's handling is excellent with seemingly unlimited grip (staggered 19 rear, 18 front), but there isn't enough feedback to feel like you're in control. The steering is quick but numb (recirculating ball system) and the rest of the car is a weird mix of AMG brutishness and typical MB stodginess. There's a lack of luxury features except heated seats, which in my case don't even work.

I apologize for thread jacking.

There's quite a few low-mileage 90s Devilles and older Fleetwoods that come up on eBay and the Cadillac forum, thanks to older folks who don't drive much. I'm often tempted to buy these as drivable collectors items. Unfortunately, these visually pristine cars sometimes need thousands of dollars in initial repairs (AC rehab, brake rehab, fluid changes, suspension rehab, hoses, bushings), and the damage from sitting around hurts their mechanical longevity.

[Q45tech]

A Payment, everyone knowns you down acquire a loan to buy a used car with 87k [C43 now with 120k] after all it has cost $9,000 in repairs to drive 33,000 miles...................that's 27.3 cents per mile.Can you say it's a Mercedes and even I should have known better.

Oil leaks, diff leaks, ac leaks, water leaks, shocks, steering and thousands in rubber items to be repaired.

[maxnix]

[C43 now with 120k] after all it has cost $9,000 in repairs to drive 33,000 miles...................that's 27.3 cents per mile.Can you say it's a Mercedes and even I should have known better.

Oil leaks, diff leaks, ac leaks, water leaks, shocks, steering and thousands in rubber items to be repaired.

It would be good to put maintenance and repair costs of similar imported V8 luxury cars in separate threads so members can compare true costs of ownership.

Good for the teenage newbie owners too!

As an aside, I saw a rehabilitation of an AMG E500 (5L V8, DOHC 4 valves - a legendary and expensive performance MB V8) on the web and the two piece heads looked like they had been cast in a Swiss cheese factory and were as porous to boot!

[maxnix]

Oh right, C43! Fun sleepers.

And the C36 was actually a I6.

Jesda will next report on taking his Amphicar down the Snake River!

[Jesda]

And the C36 was actually a I6.

Jesda will next report on taking his Amphicar down the Snake River!

The one to have, not factoring in maintenance costs, is the rare C55.

I haven't had an amphicar yet... hmm.... lol

At some point I'll probably go back to driving a luxury sedan.

[elwesso]

Find the owner a nice set of wheels Wes. You've got to like that burgandy interior. Same interior/exterior colors as my 90Q with 238k and the leather seats are still holding up nicely.

I feel like we've met. What's the VIN? Were we next to each other on the assembly line?

its a late car, 02/90 if I recall, serial number around 8000

I agree with the comments above, its kinda to be expected to have a Q with these issues.. Some cars can sit around fine but Qs cant. I'd take a Q with 150k miles thats been well maintained all day vs a low miles with who knows what...

[goody90q45]

its a late car, 02/90 if I recall, serial number around 8000...

My VIN is 011xxx with a build date of 4/90. I thought maybe all the burgandy interiors came off the assembly line at the same time.

[Jesda]

I'd take a Q with 150k miles thats been well maintained all day vs a low miles with who knows what...

Amen to that. They were never intended to be garage queens. You don't buy a luxury sport sedan as nice as a Q45 and leave it to rot. In addition to causing wear, its morally wrong, like chaining a greyhound to a pole and never taking it for walks.

[NightRiderQ45]

I've never noticed the Crossfire either, but this one is an SRT, which means 0-60 in 4.8 seconds from the supercharged AMG V6. Puts the fear of god in me every time I stomp on it. It doesn't do anything else that well though, thus the resale value, thus the reason why I have one for cheap.

Thankfully the warranty covers everything (except heated seats, annoyingly, which I could use right now).

Q45tech's C32 AMG has the same engine, transmission, and even the same engine cradle. The rest of the Crossfire, including the interior, is taken from the first-generation SLK. The rear suspension has bits from the S-class.

I didn't really want the car, but a friend needed to get rid of a payment and made me an offer I couldn't refuse. Now the darn thing is growing on me.

My friend had one. No pun intended, but you must be small/short? I took a ride in that car and my knees were buckled the whole trip. It's definitely not a car for guys who has large frames as I.

[Jesda]

My friend had one. No pun intended, but you must be small/short? I took a ride in that car and my knees were buckled the whole trip. It's definitely not a car for guys who has large frames as I.

It fits me *just* right, especially because I recently lost some weight. If I was any taller or wider I'd be uncomfortable. I'm a chubby 5'8" and its snug, but very comfy. I have to lean forward to see ahead of the roof so I can see some stoplights.

I probably won't keep it forever. Its a fun toy. It even looks like something that could be radio controlled.

[NightRiderQ45]

It fits me *just* right, especially because I recently lost some weight. If I was any taller or wider I'd be uncomfortable. I'm a chubby 5'8" and its snug, but very comfy. I have to lean forward to see ahead of the roof so I can see some stoplights.

I probably won't keep it forever. Its a fun toy. It even looks like something that could be radio controlled.

Oh ok. My friend is a small guy so it was ok for him but I'm 6'2" 220 and I was in pain! I must say that the sound system is great in that car.

[Johnny Rocket]

Was a horror story now a glory......she has returned to her old glory..

After...

Complete brake job...new rotors/calipers etsChain GuidesUpgrade to 94 injectors ( thanks to Wes and Deatchwerks)New Plenum HosesNew Trans MountNew Rack ( Special Thanks to the Rack Doctor) Upgraded rack CHEAP has some new boots etc...does great work( nice and tight now4.37 Gear installed in my case...No thanks to forum member for the BS I went thru...but maybe it will help somebody elseNew Tokiko BluesNew Upgraded Driveshaft 1310 u joints No disc..New alternator

New tires and rims on the way and a new convertor after I investigate which company to deal with...

Thanks to all on the forum that helped me with information that I did not know.......but know now

Made some mistakes along the way.....but am better for it now

Anyway what a treat to drive after some restoration and some performance mods..Its like a new Q again..almost

[Jesda]

My 1990 Q45 had a mountain of warranty and out of warranty work done. It was, for the first two owners, a nightmare. What you guys have been through is similar to what my '90 had done, compressed into a few weeks.

Worth it though, right? That pebble sand is an incredible color.

[Denver90Q]

Good to see it back on the road. Same color as my 1990. What did you do to fix your leaky intake?

[Johnny Rocket]

Good to see it back on the road. Same color as my 1990. What did you do to fix your leaky intake?

Put a nw metal shim gasket on it...should have been done in the first place as there is a raised embossed area.......and second......put the correct 94 fuel injector insulators on.......the 90 model was way to big..

The car had a miss in the engine and now its gone....must had about 10 vac leaks

[Denver90Q]

Did you remove any of the spacers under the fuel rail bolts in order to extend the fuel injector tip further into the intake?