Sherwood Green Sovereign New Owner File
Posted: Wed Feb 19, 2020 12:01 pm
Starting a file on my newly acquired 1996 Sovereign to keep record on progress and events as they happen. I was seeking a car that evoked memories of the early seventies when my Dad would haul us down to the south of France and northern Spain in a series I then later a series II. I settled on the x300 as the perfect compromise as I wanted the feel and the aesthetic but not the price tag or a restoration project. My goal - an anniversary run down to Ibiza and back come September.
After the necessary scanning ads period, this Sherwood Green car caught my eye - off to London I went for a viewing. As is often the case, all I saw on the way to and from where x300's - even a BRG one in the same hotel I stayed at! The car looked to be perfect for my needs and close to my budget. More research on regular x300 issues and a list of preventative works was drawn up. The price with the work was agreed and then a patient wait for those to be concluded and here we are - collected and homed in the north west.
I had an Andy bracket installed, new water pump, hoses, all the fluid changed and the underside rustproofed as the car clearly looked worth investing in beyond my term, from the on the ramp inspection. A few initial niggles to sort - the seatbelt isn't engaging reliably; need to source an ashtray cover and a passenger puddle light lens; a slight wheel vibration at 55 mph; and the driver's seat keeps moving into an exit position and not returning when I get in.
Other than that, I returned 25mpg on the return leg - it's first 200+ mile run in 13 years - in a reassuringly smooth trip. Credit due to Danny and Adam at Jagwest for prepping the car in a very pleasant and courteous transaction. Looking forward to tracking down some history - this car was previously based in the Essex/Sevenoaks area - if anyone recognises it please get in contact.
After the necessary scanning ads period, this Sherwood Green car caught my eye - off to London I went for a viewing. As is often the case, all I saw on the way to and from where x300's - even a BRG one in the same hotel I stayed at! The car looked to be perfect for my needs and close to my budget. More research on regular x300 issues and a list of preventative works was drawn up. The price with the work was agreed and then a patient wait for those to be concluded and here we are - collected and homed in the north west.
I had an Andy bracket installed, new water pump, hoses, all the fluid changed and the underside rustproofed as the car clearly looked worth investing in beyond my term, from the on the ramp inspection. A few initial niggles to sort - the seatbelt isn't engaging reliably; need to source an ashtray cover and a passenger puddle light lens; a slight wheel vibration at 55 mph; and the driver's seat keeps moving into an exit position and not returning when I get in.
Other than that, I returned 25mpg on the return leg - it's first 200+ mile run in 13 years - in a reassuringly smooth trip. Credit due to Danny and Adam at Jagwest for prepping the car in a very pleasant and courteous transaction. Looking forward to tracking down some history - this car was previously based in the Essex/Sevenoaks area - if anyone recognises it please get in contact.
