Sensible unicorn 2008 W251 R500L Sport
Discussion
bolidemichael said:
Thanks Regbuser and ConnectionError, I bought the cheaper one linked above and it arrived this evening, ready for a suspected inoperative keyless go function. 
bolidemichael said:
You guys are sooo common. Think different.
Ooh I like that a lot. National Lampoon’s Offroad Vacation.What a day!
It went quite well
I called my indy at 7.30am to be told that they were expecting the wheel sensor and air con compressor to be delivered by around 8.30am and all being well, to be ready by around 10.30am. Our ferry was scheduled for 11.20am, so that wasn't happening -- I logged on and pushed it back to 1.20pm in order to give us some head room. Check in wasn't until 2pm anyway, so we'd be good to arrive a little later.
A call to check in at 10am and they were just finishing up and re-gassing the a/c which was estimated to take around 25-30mins.
As the car was on the ramps for the undertrays to be fitted, we had a look at some of the items that needed to be address -- an slight oil leak from the back of the o/s cam cover and both large bushes from the track control arms were evidently past their best when stretched with a crowbar. Generally, they commented that it seemed well maintained and it decent fettle -- it will require a compressor for the suspension, however.
When I commented that the air con wasn't very cold, the response was that there wasn't any gas... the system was empty. The compressor must've been faulty for a while and leaking gas. So we paid up, having transferred the luggage from the E500 (10.5L between the two vehicles
) and headed to the local Shell to fill up (75L) and lose a little more time adjusting the tyre pressure to 34F 39R for the greater weight with seven passengers and the use of probably more than the 324L available for luggage. Iceland bag, just to keep things real.
tbc
It went quite well
I called my indy at 7.30am to be told that they were expecting the wheel sensor and air con compressor to be delivered by around 8.30am and all being well, to be ready by around 10.30am. Our ferry was scheduled for 11.20am, so that wasn't happening -- I logged on and pushed it back to 1.20pm in order to give us some head room. Check in wasn't until 2pm anyway, so we'd be good to arrive a little later.
A call to check in at 10am and they were just finishing up and re-gassing the a/c which was estimated to take around 25-30mins.
As the car was on the ramps for the undertrays to be fitted, we had a look at some of the items that needed to be address -- an slight oil leak from the back of the o/s cam cover and both large bushes from the track control arms were evidently past their best when stretched with a crowbar. Generally, they commented that it seemed well maintained and it decent fettle -- it will require a compressor for the suspension, however.
When I commented that the air con wasn't very cold, the response was that there wasn't any gas... the system was empty. The compressor must've been faulty for a while and leaking gas. So we paid up, having transferred the luggage from the E500 (10.5L between the two vehicles
) and headed to the local Shell to fill up (75L) and lose a little more time adjusting the tyre pressure to 34F 39R for the greater weight with seven passengers and the use of probably more than the 324L available for luggage. Iceland bag, just to keep things real.tbc
We joined the A3 at 11.50am. A car stuffed and with no luggage net either (remains in the possession of the previous, seven passengers and a ferry to catch at 1.20pm.
Whilst not going mad, it was notable how well the W251 carried the weight and how composed it remained. The velvety torque from the engine was well suited to unassuming bursts of acceleration from eighty to a tonne, in order to compress the distance, where possible. It’s a cliche. but the power meant that shifting the weight felt effortless and easily manageable without troubling any revs beyond four thousand.
From the passengers there were some grumbles about the seating position, which I attribute to the rushed departure and lack of time spent adjusting the seats. For example, the third row was bolt upright… in fact the seats can be reclined quite generously — excess luggage notwithstanding.
After some congestion in Portsmouth, we arrived at the port at 1.10pm to see a stream of vehicles disembarking from the ferry; bonus… it must be running a little late. After all that, we were third to last in row twenty five which was the last to be loaded.
Whilst not going mad, it was notable how well the W251 carried the weight and how composed it remained. The velvety torque from the engine was well suited to unassuming bursts of acceleration from eighty to a tonne, in order to compress the distance, where possible. It’s a cliche. but the power meant that shifting the weight felt effortless and easily manageable without troubling any revs beyond four thousand.
From the passengers there were some grumbles about the seating position, which I attribute to the rushed departure and lack of time spent adjusting the seats. For example, the third row was bolt upright… in fact the seats can be reclined quite generously — excess luggage notwithstanding.
After some congestion in Portsmouth, we arrived at the port at 1.10pm to see a stream of vehicles disembarking from the ferry; bonus… it must be running a little late. After all that, we were third to last in row twenty five which was the last to be loaded.
E90_M3Ross said:
Have a good trip! When are you looking to get the oil leak and suspension bits sorted?
Good question… definitely once Magnus is ready. After that, I’ll probably first get the alloys refurbished before sending it to the indy for a deep dive. That way, despite the alloys won’t affect the tracking, I’ll have everything true, balanced and in place so that it’s good to go.
There are a few things to investigate and rectify or otherwise bring up to the standards that I feel are acceptable for a Merc if this ilk (captain of industry, delusions of grandeur, inordinate love of curio vehicles in full working order). Even small items such as the os washer jet being cracked and not functioning correctly, for example.
On another note, since the wheel sensor was replaced I’ve experienced auto braking at manoeuvring speeds, so I’ll add that to the list of queries.
In the meantime, the slow compressor for the air suspension is a good example of why optimal functionality is desirable as we waded through the IoW today after an evening of heavy rainfall combined with inadequate drainage.
4x4 and new Continental All Seasons were a reassurance, however.
andy43 said:
bolidemichael said:
You guys are sooo common. Think different.
Ooh I like that a lot. National Lampoon’s Offroad Vacation.
bolidemichael said:
Church of Noise said:
Best of luck for tomorrow, and for the wheels, perhaps consider the Mercury Grey that Maserati used on e.g. the Gransport
(I am very biased and not even trying to hide it)
AC43 said that I should just ignore any non-silver representations, but I can’t resist. The darker alloys make the naughty tailpipes rudely protrude, and I like it. (I am very biased and not even trying to hide it)
You didn’t say anything about the reference to the E500… which one do/did you own?
Is the slow speed braking problem described in this thread? > https://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/index.php?threa...
bolidemichael said:
bolidemichael said:
Church of Noise said:
Best of luck for tomorrow, and for the wheels, perhaps consider the Mercury Grey that Maserati used on e.g. the Gransport
(I am very biased and not even trying to hide it)
AC43 said that I should just ignore any non-silver representations, but I can’t resist. The darker alloys make the naughty tailpipes rudely protrude, and I like it. (I am very biased and not even trying to hide it)
You didn’t say anything about the reference to the E500… which one do/did you own?
Other views are acceptable, etc
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