Wheeler Dealers

seymore · 02-23-2013, 07:50 AM

I'm watching an episode and they are working on a Targa.
The thing that drives me crazy about this show is that when they start the car(Cold start) they immediately rev it to 3 or 4000 rpm. I could be wrong but I believe this is bad.
I know you should drive the car to warm but keep the rpm kind of low.
Is this bad? Or do other people do this as well?

matt930s · matt930s's Garage

Also...

They make multiple mistakes describing the car...also, they will pull a motor and not clean or address any other common issues...the fan for instance.

If I remember correctly, one supposed 911 sc owner mentioned "making sure coolant isn't mixed in the oil" on this car....lol...

But it's fun to watch.

Matt

apriliaguy · 02-23-2013, 08:28 AM

I really liked it when they revisited. Where is it now. They need to do that more

KNS · 02-23-2013, 08:31 AM

I don't think mashing the throttle on a cold engine is good for any car. They do seem do to that on quite a few cars.

megerian · megerian's Garage

love that show

hcoles · 02-23-2013, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KNS

I don't think mashing the throttle on a cold engine is good for any car. They do seem do to that on quite a few cars.

as I recall all the "car" shows do this - these are tv entertainment, not technical instruction - I like the show. They imply money making or close to breaking even, but don't include days/weeks of "Ed" labor. I also don't like that Ed doesn't do a first level of cleaning things before digging in for most cases. It looks like the shop is on a dirt road so maybe the are used to having things dirty.

NeedSpace · NeedSpace's Garage

It could simply be how the editors edit the show. For years i read you should let the car warm before revving hard. Then i read this is a falacy. However, a few weeks ago i did this in my car. Shortly after starting it my oil cooler split open spewing oil ovdr the highway. My thought NOW is to let the engine warm so that the oil is more viscous to decrease pressure. My oil cooler was failing already this just helped it along.

I love the show and have the targa one saved. I review it to look at parts as mine is a 76. I does give me bad ideas...like restroing cars to make some extra money...i know it wouldnt work out as well for me though. I wouldnt mind getting ed china in my garage

Quote:

I don't think mashing the throttle on a cold engine is good for any car. They do seem do to that on quite a few cars.

Don Ivey · 02-23-2013, 09:58 AM

I think it's a great show, and I've even gotten my wife watching it. I do agree though that they hardly ever make any money, or very little. It drive me mad to see them buy a car for three thousand pounds, put another thousand into fixing it, and then he asks five thousand. This after Ed puts in what appears to be many days working on it. Still enjoy the tips and "how to's".

KNS · 02-23-2013, 10:13 AM

I don't like how Mike almost always drives the car after Edd is done with it. Edd needs to stuff him in the trunk and then take it for a spin.

DWeg1998 · DWeg1998's Garage

If I had someone with Ed's talents of working on all makes, models, and generations of cars, all for FREE, maybe I could make a few hundred quid for months of work!!!

That's what I take from the show. But it's still a good program.

newms · 02-23-2013, 11:05 AM

I will add, and I like the show too, that it drives me crazy how they seem to immediatley want to sit on or lean on every hood and fender, er, wing that comes in.

JQ911 · JQ911's Garage

Is that the green one which Ed changed the US bumprettes to a Euro bumprette? I loved that episode. I heard they traced it after a few years and it was in a better condition now.

byfdinky · byfdinky's Garage

The green Targa had SSI's and H-4's and no mention of them on the show. Ed is a tireless tech.

JQ911 · JQ911's Garage

I think here is a follow up episode on that little green one. Wheeler Dealers 911 Revisited.

Porsche 911 2.7S Targa.flv - YouTube

nineball · 02-23-2013, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JQ911

I think here is a follow up episode on that little green one. Wheeler Dealers 911 Revisited.

Porsche 911 2.7S Targa.flv - YouTube

never been on a track that lets you run with no top or cage, no helmet and the windows up...

TMoreken · TMoreken's Garage

Don't we all have a little "wheeler dealer" in our DNA? I have purchased a number of cars with known problems and drove them for 6-12 months while fixing and refining them. I have always turned a profit when selling, excluding my FREE LABOR. I didn't do this to make money. It was more the idea of owning older cars with character that I couldn't afford when they were new.

I used to enjoy the show, but now I get aggravated watching Ed seemingly do a semi-restoration in two days -- while Mike is out redlining stone cold engines! I know it's TV, but it's not realistic at all. Car guys know that. I wish they had a disclaimer indicating that Ed's labor costs (if included) would yield a significant loss after every sale.

Did anyone ever notice how Ed gives Mike the "I want to beat you with this spanner" stare when he drops the cars off at the shop?

Sorry for the rant. I feel much better now.

eolson · 02-23-2013, 01:17 PM

I'm sure it's just on the track for filming, he doesn't really get it up to speed and the engine sounds seem dubbed. Probably just got an exception for the show.

I love the show, though I agree with everyone about Edd's labor rate being ignored. The Morgan episode might be my favorite, but it took almost a month of full-time labor, which would definitely change the cost for anyone that doesn't have a private (and free) mechanic.

They never mention head stud issues as a possibility on the Targa, shouldn't that be on the list of things to watch out for on a '76?

Bob Kontak · Bob Kontak's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by eolson

They never mention head stud issues as a possibility on the Targa, shouldn't that be on the list of things to watch out for on a '76?

I recall the engine was out and they did not touch the valves.

It's a tv show. What you gonna do?

More Edd, less Mike, I say, but then would it not be the same show.

Panzer909 · Panzer909's Garage

I always rush home from the gym after work on Wednesday night to watch it. Love it. It's my mid-week reprieve

It's for the viewers' entertainment only. As other said repeatedly, the business model is downright illogical at best - Edd's labor is never in the equation(!) Not to mention, they'll fix the car only to flip it. I remember they pulled the motor on an Esprit once only to change the timing belt and header.....and the entire block was caked in gunk otherwise. I cringed..

911-detroit · 911-detroit's Garage

I think that episode with the Targa is my favorite, for obvious reasons. I can't help but to feel sorry for poor Ed, Mike constantly brings back these tired cars in need of much work with little hope of ever making a decent profit, laughing enjoying his exploits and self perceived ablitys as a consummate sales man, and poor Ed left with all the dirty nasty work to get these poor beaters running correctly so that they might break even or make 10 quid ! Absolutly hilarious .....And also a cautionary tale.