Hi Mark, I had a sneaking suspicion that I should have shut my trap, hence my remark concerning knocking everything that comes up for sale. I just don't know what is an ideal car to buy, especially one like a 6.9. It just depends on what you expect in the end the car to be like, and the amount of money you wish to spend on various items.
On a 116 car, any sort of deterioration has to be accounted for. Rust is a relatively easy item to attend to, but it depends of course on its location and what has to be moved to get to it. But you also need to account for the condition of the interior - this car has spent a lot of time, unprotected, in the sun. I have hardly ever seen a worse steering wheel, and by the time you start pulling things out, God only knows what you are likely to find that will need refurbishing. Leather upholstery does cost money even with the 20% discount that I extend from the GAHH retail price. Then it has to be fitted, seats may have to be repaired, door trims may need re-foaming, to purchase new carpet is not cheap and you then have to fit it at extra cost, and I have already written about the fitting of carpet at length. It is not a matter of putting in the four square, pre-made pieces. As I said, it doesn't take long for the dollars to accumulate.
Then you have the mechanicals. This car is no-goer, has a faulty valve, and God knows what else needs fixing. It's a dangerous car to get involved with.
I have often said that it surprises me no end how 116s, and 6.9s in particular, can deteriorate so badly. Take GB for instance - at one stage, I had no garaging facilities for ten years and the car was being used as a daily driver and, yes, I have replaced the steering wheel probably some twelve years ago, but it still looks almost like new today. It's a question of looking after things, so perhaps you will understand why I am being critical, but I also try to be subjective. Believe me, Mark, there is nothing I like better than to see an immaculate 116. Regards Styria