Had to get it on the road to see what else needs attention, let the '95 go away, I think that this one is the right keeper of the fleet (for now).

Drove 435miles this weekend, most of it freeway @ 74mph.

Stuck in an extended traffic jamb/accident in Kalamazoo yesterday afternoon, 90F in the air, hotter on the asphalt idling/creeping, engine temp stayed between 85C and 90C on the gauge, fans never kicked on. Running on the freeway, gauge stayed glued at 85C.

Fuel mileage wasn't impressive at 28.7 round-trip, but this is with the fatter 225 x 16 Michelins, a pretty full load, sunroof open, dog nose out the window, and a pretty fair gusty wind from varying directions along my travels. I think I'll be able to get 32mpg or so if I drive nicer on a low-wind day. Still needs the nozzles and IP tuned-up so that will make it better, but unfortunately the bigger turbo and bigger IP will probably go on at the same time so, ... I doubt I'll get much better mileage.

Belle tracked beautifully, on rutted lanes and in the gusty wind. I guess that the new links etc. in the suspension were worth it as were the new spheres and big tires/wheels. That thing sure stays planted.

The German Shepherd Dog fuzzed up the interior, had to have her window open, so it's a good thing I haven't detailed the interior yet. Love those folding seats (so does she). I guess I won't need to brush her this week (extra fur gone).

Saw a really nice emerald-green SD in Grand Rapids, "HI" if you're on here. Three (that I've seen) 123 TDs here in town too, two white and one red.

I think (we'll see) that I'm going to stay with one M-B for a while. Driving Belle this weekend is not as crisp as the big power in the gassers, or the faster-steering in the late models, and I do miss the subwoofers, ... but there's something really special about the car (after a couple-hundred hours' work and a couple-thousand $$ parts so far), time to move forward and complete the project.

One odd thing: Re-setting the trip odometer at the "gas" station this morning, now it only clicks and won't register. I tried pushing the reset multiple times to get it to un-stick, but no joy. The main odometer is running fine, registering miles (turned over 200K yesterday!!), just the trip odometer. Any advice or quick-fixes? Yes I reset it while I was parked.

__________________

Gone to the dark side

- Jeff