So my 454 is approching 210,000 miles. Even without the "oopsie" wih the speedo replacement, I feel the engine valves are overdue their check and tighening. I'd like to take the car somewhere that has experience in doing this before, ideally somewhere in the North West of England but not against further afield if needed. Alternatively, I am not against trying it myself if it relatively straight forwards to do.

My rear shocks are new, but the front ones look a little bit tired...
Anyhow, I am used to the car and do not want to change it...I like the look on my friends' faces when going fast on a bend with my little 1.1 engine , they do not expect it!

the-wirewalker....there have been previous/older posts in respect of the ride and dare
I say the height/ground clearance of the 454.

For many; escpecially Brabus owners; who would like a smoother more compliant ride the
solution appears in their case to be to change to a smaller wheel diameter (16" v 17") and
go up a level in the profile to resolve the problem....as in to go from 205/40R17 to 195/45R16
which is the same ride height but taller tyre sidewalls for 'comfort'.
For increased ground clearance on a non-Brabus, Alex went from 195/50R15 to 175/65R15
and fitted CDI front springs....and at the rear fitted 4cm tall spring spacers and even bigger tyres
of 185/65R15) for no good reason other than looks !
(according to this post :- https://www.forfour.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=7406.msg79373#msg79373 )

One always has to bear in mind that if one changes tyre sizes from original that it will affect the accurancy
of the car speedometer...even allowing for the actual misreading of almost all old car speedometers.
Thankfully, most if not all SatNav's show a more accurate speed reading....so one can use that if one
is worried about getting caught by speed camera.

As a point of comparison, Motorsport UK mandate a minimum of 3.5" (or 89mm) ground clearance for Speed events

Never really had an issue with it, depsite the many speedhumps here in the UK. I've used both the steel wheels and 17" Grandlines. The only time when it has been an issue for me is when the exhaust has been dragging at the muffler end but that is more down to the fact that mine is currently ruined beyond belief. Sporty driving is a no go at the moment

How old are the shock absorbers in your car? Over time, they will perish and will need replacing which should help with ground clearence. 130mm, however, is about "right" from a "the last time I worked on the car in the middle of the burning hot countryside trying to mend my exhaust without a jack" memory. Have you measured yours on flat, level ground?

Good morning guys,
Just a small chat concerning our FFs...I find myself trying to avoid speed bumps or bad gravel road since I consider the car to be really low. I searched the internet and found that its ground clearance is 130mm, which is practically the ground clearance of sports cars. My ff is the 1.1 with 195/50/15 tyres and stock springs.
How do you feel about it? I consider it very low for forfours other than the Brabus (which is practically a sports car).

Yes. I think they are plexiglas. They are the small ones in the rear passenger doors, and seem to be very hard to find.

They are in fact polycarbonate...similar material to the lens covers of the headlights.

It appears that few owners have managed to 'polish' out the scratches/blemishes of
these rear door quarterlight windows, but they can occasionally be made to look a little
better.
The suggested use of window 'film' or tint has never been successful as it does not
adhere at all well to the polycarbonate surface, but perhaps as suggested one could
cover the outer surface with sticky backed black foil/vinyl, although this would render
the quarterlights opaque.
For some owners that is far more preferable than seeing the badly scratched/blemished
polycarbonate....   other owners may have alternative ideas.

There are a few things you can do:
1. Replace with new ones (don't know IF are still available at MB dealers A4547350109/A4547350309 left side and A 4547350009/A4547350409 right side, and A 0009910432 rivets)
2. Replace with SH ones, if you can find better ones.
3. Polish treatment and laquer/transparent film.
4. Self-adhesive black foil, on the exterior.

As for the replacement, here is how I did it (instead of rivets, I used screws)
https://www.forfour.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=7205.msg77997#msg77997

Good luck!

Yes. I think they are plexiglas. They are the small ones in the rear passenger doors, and seem to be very hard to find.

Hi,

Are you talking about the fixed plexi windows from the rear doors?