Automatic Gearbox Additive

[Styria]

In summarizing, I need to talk about the car in general - what I like, and what I don't like. From the outset,one area that needs improvement greatly is the quality of suspension. Quite harsh, overly firm and there are still some bushes somewhere that should have been replaced. On that score, I am disappointed. Otherwise, very little to complain about. It is a great workhorse with its quite large loading area, but also a false floor pof substantial proportions. Check out these pictures:

 

[Styria]

Sorry, I got a few too many. Performance wise ? Nothing has been done to the engine except a service as part of the overall work. It certainly pulls more strongly, with additional immediacy, and fuel consumption is fair at about 13 liters to the 100. Recent trip to the Central Coast yielded 10 litres per 100. For a car with the mileage indicated, that is more than acceptable. The gearbox ? Lucky old me, is perfect. BTW, the Captiva comes with a full size spare, located in a cradle below the boot floor. Ergonomically, for a car that was designed "in a hurry" with little development back in 2006 (year of manufacture), it is beyond reproach. Very comfortable seats (1200 kms. in a day - to Coffs and back), no water leaks body wise, or in heavy rain for that matter, all body rubbers still totally pliable, no wind noise irrespective of speed, and now starts immediately on the touch of the key, what more can I ask for ? Ah, nothing, except for..........a reversing camera. Otherwise, I am as happy as a pig in mud up to my eyeballs. Regards Styria

 

[BenzBoy]

That is a fairly big undertaking and certainly the price was sharp. Well done.
Regards,
Brian

 

[Michel]

I took the CLK430 to Pymble and back via the M7 and M2 to buy another Benz

 

[c107]

I took the CLK430 to Pymble and back via the M7 and M2 to buy another Benz

And the other benz you bought?

 

[Patrick_R]

We are waiting

 

[Patrick_R]

Sorry, I got a few too many. Performance wise ? Nothing has been done to the engine except a service as part of the overall work. It certainly pulls more strongly, with additional immediacy, and fuel consumption is fair at about 13 liters to the 100. Recent trip to the Central Coast yielded 10 litres per 100. For a car with the mileage indicated, that is more than acceptable. The gearbox ? Lucky old me, is perfect. BTW, the Captiva comes with a full size spare, located in a cradle below the boot floor. Ergonomically, for a car that was designed "in a hurry" with little development back in 2006 (year of manufacture), it is beyond reproach. Very comfortable seats (1200 kms. in a day - to Coffs and back), no water leaks body wise, or in heavy rain for that matter, all body rubbers still totally pliable, no wind noise irrespective of speed, and now starts immediately on the touch of the key, what more can I ask for ? Ah, nothing, except for..........a reversing camera. Otherwise, I am as happy as a pig in mud up to my eyeballs. Regards Styria

Styria,
I had a diesel Captiva as a company car, and like you I enjoyed it.
The diesel was a non turbo, and a little sluggish, but was ultra reliable, and extremely good on fuel.
Like your pics showed, the storage was quite amazing.
I did nearly 200,000 in that Captiva, and it never missed a beat.

 

[Michel]

And the other benz you bought?

Sorry I was watching the Tennis
It’s an E320 estate

 

[c107]

Sorry I was watching the Tennis
It’s an E320 estate

W210 or W211?

 

[Michel]

W210 Godfather

 

[c107]

Congrats on the purchase.

Post some photos on a new thread when you get a chance. I’m quite familiar with the 124 and 211 wagons but not the one in between. these MB wagons are great cars.

W210 Godfather

 

[Michel]

Congrats on the purchase.

Post some photos on a new thread when you get a chance. I’m quite familiar with the 124 and 211 wagons but not the one in between. these MB wagons are great cars.

I will… i haven’t picked it up yet…
And it needs a bit of work
But great value for money

 

[sean sherry]

Styria..... A Reversing Camera now fitted to the 2010 C 200 by "Adam Auto Accessories" It is better and clearer than the Factory Camera in the new Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross. 0405 221 994

 

[Styria]

Sean, thanks for the tip. I will give this man a phone call TODAY - that's how badly I want one installed in two cars, if the price is anywhere within cooee of being reasonable.

BTW, I think I did well to solder on with the Captiva for just on two and a half years. In another thread on the Captiva somewhere else on our forum, I referred to starting/non starting/self starting issues with the car - that's all gone now although, I am certain, that no one has fixed any of those issues - really, they seem to have fixed themselves. Again, lucky lucky boy. Regards Styria

That is a fairly big undertaking and certainly the price was sharp. Well done.
Regards,
Brian

Thank you Benz Boy. It was quite co incidental that one of Marteen's relations (an Afghani - a good guy and my mechanic) was loking for a used gearbox. Apparently, $3K. was the going rate, so he/his relations, decided to scrap the car.

 

[Styria]

Sean, thanks for the tip. I will give this man a phone call TODAY - that's how badly I want one installed in two cars, if the price is anywhere within cooee of being reasonable.

BTW, I think I did well to solder on with the Captiva for just on two and a half years. In another thread on the Captiva somewhere else on our forum, I referred to starting/non starting/self starting issues with the car - that's all gone now although, I am certain, that no one has fixed any of those issues - really, they seem to have fixed themselves. Again, lucky lucky boy. Regards Styria

Thank you Benz Boy. It was quite co incidental that one of Marteen's relations (an Afghani - a good guy and my mechanic) was looking for a used gearbox. Apparently, $3K. was the going rate, so he/his relations, decided to scrap the car.

 

[Styria]

Some three and a half years later, and perhaps it may be fitting to have another review regarding that wonderful workhorse in the shape of my trusty Holden Captiva. I know that there is a more appropriate thread detailing the fortunes and otherwise of the Captiva, but I yet have to find it somewhere in the hallowed pages of TK. Lots of things have happened since the last post. First of all, the speedo reading is now up to in excess of 262K. kilometers and engine and gearbox are still performing quite reliably all things considered. The pre-used gearbox fitted at the cost as previously mentioned has held up well, but during the last twelve months or thereabouts there has been an engine light obviously pointing to some form of malfunction. It is not easy to precisely pin point the source that activates the warning light, but I have chosen, at this stage, to ignore whatever issue may be the cause. An OBD test seems to indicate a timing chain issue, but other components could be at fault as well. For the last twelve months or so I have been tippy toeing driving the car, accelerating with very little accelerator pedal pressure going up inclines or from rest when at traffic lights. However, once on the level and in topgear, the car performs strongly and effortlessly. Fuel consumption a little on the high side - maybe 15-16 l/100 kms. To be continued. Regards Styria

 

[Styria]

At the last service, the mechanic indicated that there was a slight leak from the Water Pump, but I had been aware of that and decided to carry on, topping up a little every fortnight or so. I really need to comment on the splendid and thoroughly reliable operating conditions in spite of seemingly pump issue. Never any signs of overheating, just a slight increase in operating temperature occasionally - and that includes operation for the last twelve months or so even with the heatwave going back to January and February earlier this year.

A week ago things took a turn for the worse. Not far from home, there was an almighty explosion from under the bonnet, with hot water being blown out past the CLOSED bonnet and onto the front screen AND roof. Well, I thought it was time to stop the car and maybe investigate. However, there was little to be seen to locate the root of the blow up, but I did start the engine and all seemed well. It started instantly, greatly to my relief. My trusty partner of many, many years managed to walk home to her place and came back to pick me up and take me home. I left the Captiva in a quite safe spot and left her in abeyance for about four days without any harm being done by way of malicious damage or foul play. Lucky. I was trying to work out my next course of action, and who to trust to take the car to. The mechanic that had serviced the car did not respond to my phone calls (not surprising - he runs a slack operation), the mechanic that had serviced the car previously for ten years (inc. g'box installation) had sold the business about eighteen months ago, and I had discontinued my association with the new owner - according to him, I was too fussy, and told me to go elsewhere. I was more than happy to accept that. It takes all kinds of people and misfits to occupy this world - might even include me in that category. Well, at least one person who shall remain nameless at this point of time. More to come. Regards Styria

 

[Styria]

I then made up my mind to take the car to the mechanic that had previously tested the ECU to trace the engine light issues. I liked his attitude and approach hen testing the ECU and engine light function and after consultation with him, I decided to drive the Captiva to his premises about a kilometer from where the car had stopped. I thought I would take the chance and drive the Captiva up to the next major intersection (close to Hilltop Tyre Centre), switch off the engine, and then coast downhill all the way to the Merrylands and Fowler Road intersection, re-start the car and drive 50 meters down to the mechanic's workshop. It all worked out well, with no damage to the Captiva's engine, and they are presently working on the car - on and off. The bottom Radiator Hose was fine, but the Radiator Core sprung a huge leak and a new radiator has been installed. In addition, the water pump, the drive pulley and drive belt have been replaced, and they are also rectifying an Inlet Elbow Air leakage that would, or could have, caused the engine light. In addition, a new MAFS sensor is being fitted, and there will also be some form of repair/restore of the Catalytic Converter. The captiva is still with them pending the fitting and supply of a gearbox mount (strange, given the previous g'box replacement) and I am quietly confident that they will return the Captiva with at least twelve to eighteen months of faithful operation. Regards Styria (More in due course).