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Mercedes-Benz E-Class Sedans
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As I mentioned a little while ago, we are changing the names of some of our discussions to drop the various "Part" indicators.
Now that we have moved to our new platform, we no longer have the requirement to stop and restart discussions after the numbers of posts exceed a certain limit. Since this discussion can continue as long as anyone wants to talk about the E-Class, there is no longer a need for the "Part 7" that has been included in the discussion name. Down the road, that could confuse our newer members so I have removed it. I altered the name of the original E-Class discussion in the Archives to distinguish it from this one.
Pat
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The dealer has already swapped out the COMAND system in its entirety (the old one was better, at least in the Radio), replaced an antenna amplifier in some hidden location in the car - all to no avail. As I write this, the AM/WB functions are completely dead (but not noise-free), and the car will be heading back to the dealer again. The service manager says this is a known problem for which M-B does not have a solution, and the business manager tells me that some customers just buy an aftermarket radio to be done with it. Now that the M-B radio systems are integrated with the phone, and COMAND is even more highly integrated, this swapping is difficult to impossible.
Is anyone else having these problems? Any thoughts? This is my first M-B, and is not what I expected.
Wally
EGR valve and fuel SE sender. Since the car had 19,800 miles on it and it is quite inconvenient for me to get the car to the garage, I asked that they go ahead and perform the Class I 20,000 mile service. The maintenance chief said that I would have to pay for it myself because the car computer said that maintenance was not due for another 2,000 miles. Is this Mercedes policy to treat customers in this fashion? Or is is just this particular dealer?
Also, I received a letter the other day from Mercedes (not the dealer) stating that they were recommending henceforth that synthetic oil be used in the 2000 and 2001 E-class cars. Does this mean that Mercedes will pick up the cost for this oil? I know in the past that owners had to pick up the synthetic oil cost themselves.
Per a recent post, I inflated the tires from dealer-set 32 to 36 psi, and then we went for a drive. Now that it has over 1,000 miles, I couln't resist bringing it up to an effortless 100 mph, albeit briefly, while the Valentine 1 was quiet.
The radio reception is not a problem, but we live in a metropolitan area, so I guess the signals are strong. The COMAND worked well, but I had to work around the region cds. To operate, insert the destination area cd and program the destination address. Then drive to the area on my own. Once in the region, the map pops up and starts giving directions. By the way, we named the voice "Marilyn".
So all in all, I spent the day bonding with our new E430. It was great.
I curently have a '92 LS400 which is a fantastic car but I need AWD. I don't have to make a move immediately if the change is coming within 2 years.
I, too, finally got my '01 E320 wagon a couple of weeks ago and am enjoying driving more than ever. Don't know if this helps, but the MB CD player is mounted in my wagon in the right rear deck, behind the access door to the first aid kit, below the deck surface. I would guess after-market brackets might duplicate the location but do not know.
Richard
My 2001 E320 was upgraded at 15 days to 17x8.5 AMG monoblocks, with Dunlop SP8000 tires. After five months, I notice two things: 1) there is a lot of space between the tire and the fender, which looks funny to me, especially compared to the new S Class low clearance, and 2) there is a fair amount body lean upon cornering. I drive 22 miles of semi-twisty canyon road each day at average speed of 40-50 miles per hour (75kph), so the cornering improvement will be felt every day.
I was at Globe Tire in L.A. to have the tires rotated, mentioned this, and the guy said I could solve both problems for only $550 installed with Eibach Pro-Kit springs. The Eibach springs will lower the chassis 1" (2.54 centimetres), and reduce body lean, and plowing upon braking, with very little effect on the ride quality. He said putting in Eibach shocks and roll bars would be overkill, since I never race the car, so I don't plan on that.
Also, wneil said that his tire expert recommends 36 lbs of pressure for maximum tread wear. I've kept my 17" Yoko dBs at 35 lbs and am very satisfied. Let us know your own experiences.
Don't miss the weekly MB Tuesdays chat at 6-7pm Pacific/9-10pm Eastern! All MB fans/enthusists/owners/potential owners are welcome to participate. Hope to see you there!
Click on the link below to enter the chat at the times above. Note that the link to the chat is always near the top of this page, just under the discussion topic title:
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Drew
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Hope this helps.
Wally
I hope that this helps.
Wally
Vinny
They also changed a steering angle sensor to get rid of a very embarrassing and annoying beep and flashing "visit workshop" for the ESP/ABS/BAS. I will watch this to see if it has indeed been fixed
Do you know the build date of your E?
The ML had this problem for the longest time, but they hardened the sender in roughly Feb, 2000. I haven't heard of it being a problem since...
yupyupyup:
No, I didn't have any squeeks or rattles after replacing the instrument cluster. Not sure with the additional work they will be doing will require the replacement of the cluster. I hope not. There was no evidence that I could see that would tell that the cluster had been replaced.
Wally
Haven't driven it yet but I'm looking forward to it. Had a C Kompresser loaner last year with the newer shifter - that was fun.
I expect I'll have it for the weekend - I'll post my impressions next week - but I probably should take it out for a spin at lunch time, just in case.
I haven't been posting lately but have been reading all your comments.
I have received an invitation from Mercedes to attend a driving event of all new cars including AMG models and the new C Coupe. If interested call your dealer for an invitation.
The event is gonna be held in Hollywood Park over the weekend of May 11th till May 13th, 2001. Or you could check it out at mbpowertrip.com
I am looking forward to go on the AMG "hot laps" and enjoy this sales-free atmosphere.
I hope to see some of you there.
Cheers
Johnny
I was looking at the same Yoko dbs you put on your car, and they get pretty high praise on tirerack.com. I'm in the market for tires on my E430 and was looking on that site at the same tires (same size as yours, btw). How long have you had them and how are they wearing? It sounds like you're pretty happy with them.
I also saw some Bridgestone Potenza RE730s and wanted to know if you know anything about them. They seem to be similarly rated in terms of customer satisfaction.
I still have the OE Goodyears and with 21,000 miles on them, I need to make a decision. I live in Houston, so weather isn't an issue.
Thanks for any help.
Dennis
My impression of these tires get better and better. The ride has actually improved with mileage, so I find higher pressures comfortable. I am still running them at 34 all around. The handling is neutral (little understeer), and the highway stability is just fine. The twitchy, overly-sensitive, wandering quality that I experienced with the original tires is simply gone. The car is rock steady at any speed and steering effort finally seems appropriate.
Generally, higher pressure at the rear gives better high-speed stability and maximum load carrying ability. The lower pressures at the front also improve ride quality, because passengers are more sensitive to harshness at the the front. So the 32/36 pressure recommendation makes sense. This arrangement, however, will produce less precise steering response and handling (more understeer) and make the car feel "sloppier." For feel, I like equal pressures all around. The ESP will deal very well with any oversteer that might develop from this arrangement.
Although the db's are Z-rated, they are not all-out performance tires like the Yoko AVS-I or Sport or Michelin Sport. The db's don't have that level of cornering adhesion. But they have enough adhesion to scare me, and that's my limit anyway.
I don't have any experience with Bridgestones, although I have heard good things about their high-line tires.
First question.. used up all of my washer fluid on my first long trip. (It was great though.) The owner's manual recommends a specific fluid combination. Do I really need to take it into the dealer for wiper fluid?
Also, although it is still under factory warranty ail 8/01, I want to start maintaining this myself. Is there a good place (on the web) that is a good resource for in-between major maintenance work?
Thanks for the assistance. P.. I am seriously thinking about upgrading the brand new 16" tires/wheels to 17". The car is too sensitive to my liking and I think that will help.
Maybe they should have used the same system found in other cars that have the same features.
I am beginning to question the belief that I will be able to keep this car long term. If basic changes in fuel treatment do this in 4 months, imagine what might happen over a 10 years.
thanks
Jean
Has anyone else have problems with stains on their molding of the Sports package ?
Thank you all !!!
Kenny
I will be doing my first(of many) Zaino's in the next few days, when my shipment arrives.
Just a couple of newbie questions, that I didn't find answers to on previous posts.
Has anyone used the clay bar on thier wheels('97 E420)? Then do you Z1 and Z2 your wheels? Does it help keep brake dust at bay, etc?
Secondly, since it is my first go at this, can I use the Z1 and Z2 on the black plastic door handles without that white haze that you see on some wax jobs?
Additionally, I just purchased this car, any tips on cleaning the interior dash, wood etc? I will be buying some Lexol to clean and condition the leather.
Thanks a million.
Brian
Interior includes all those radio and emergency telephone things - too many buttons, but the wheel mounted ones are convenient - don't you get a cassette player any more?, nice contrast piping on the leather (mine are vinyl) seats and headrests, Mercedes Benz and stainless on the front door sills, newer shifter shape and funtionality, and the changed displays. The digits are larger (nice for us bifocal aged owners) with more functions - I assume you can adjust the contrast but I didn't fuss with it. Since tele-aid isn't active on this loaner, I got an annoying "1 malfunction" displayed every time I shut off the car. Even the key fob has a changed shape with the panic button relocated. Both the key fob and the steering wheel have silver silver stars, mine are just embossed onto the black and oyster plastic.
The desert silver and java wouldn't be my choice, but I'm sure others really like that combination. I liked the single push for roof opening; must be German safety that requires holding the switch for closure. I played with shifting a little bit, but I doubt that I'd do that much once the automatic were adjusted to my driving patterns.
Performance was similar to the turbodiesel, but the handling differs due to my 17" wheel upgrade. Very nice car and fun to drive, but I'm glad to have my own auto back. Sure beats a Honda loaner for the weekend.
The Delaware dealer took care of getting my PA state safety inspection at their associated agency. The service adviser called and offered to perform my next service 2800 miles early, but since that's three months away and I'll be paying top dollar for synthetic oil as well as any other regular maintenance items when that happens, I demurred. I'd also like to wait to see how the a/c and engine cooling functions are performing as we move into that time of year. Speaking of cooling, I noticed that the temp guage would settle near 10 o'clock on the '01. I'm used to seeing it at about 8:30.
I'm still convinced that the E Class is the perfect sedan, even though I chuckle every time that robotic hand holds my coffee. You folks have good taste!