Mercedes Benz E500 Estate (W211) aka 'Thirsty Merc'

[slippery]

Looks like a great purchase. We've got an ML with the same engine and it's plenty powerful enough for the type of car that it is.

[GBB]

Rat_Fink_67 said:

GBB said:

How do you access the picture above? I couldn't see this on the options on my display?

It's the distance display for the cruise control, it'll only be there if spec'd with Distronic. If you've got Distronic then if you scroll through the first menu (outside temp, mileage etc) using your up and down arrows it'll be there.

Thanks. No Distronic explains it.

[Synchromesh]

Just coming up to a year that dad's owned this now, so perhaps time for an update. Over the 9200 miles since we bought it it's averaged 22.5mpg which, for a 400bhp estate that resides in a city, isn't all that bad. Other expenses have been limited to tax, a main dealer service and two new parking sensors. Beyond the sensors, the only other failure has been the drivers door handle, which has stopped responding to the lock / unlock buttons when used 'keylessly', and this will be replaced in due course. So not a bad year for running costs, but a better one for enjoyment. Last week it took on its biggest challenge yet: a 1400-mile trip round Ireland, where its space, comfort and solidity shone. Ample luggage stowed, all four passengers sat in individually climate controlled luxury, and diesel clatter was there none. Could there have a been a better tool? Thirsty Merc (for all those who missed the Aussie pop-rock reference the first time round) is a keeper it seems. Sadly, that means it'll be all the more time until I get my promised first refusal on it!

[Odhran]

Something very appealing about these cars, great update! What was the itinerary of your Ireland trip?

[philmots]

I think I've seen this on here before. It's wonderful and would take it off his hands straight away, if he fancied another T5!?

[w210e320]

Thanks for the update.
I am tracking prices of these facelift 211s. Planning on a purchase within next 24 months - preferably for the E500.

This car must have been great on Ireland's almost empty (for now) motorway network.

[Barchettaman]

Awesom car, awesome writeup! Thanks for posting.

[bmthnick1981]

Very nice.

[johnfm]

That is a bloody super estate car.

[carinaman]

Nice car and nice write up! Good photos. I am not sure I could live with the RFL but I like to think I'd notice the E 500 badge.

[em177]

That's bloody lovely.

[Spyder3400]

That is a lovely car. I commented on the crosseyedlion thread a while back.

How is the car going? Mine has been amazing, but I've decided to move onto something else (ahem look in PH Classifieds if anyone is interested).

Thanks for sharing the car on here, it reminds us all how awesome these e500's are!

[Synchromesh]

Spyder3400 said:

That is a lovely car. I commented on the crosseyedlion thread a while back.

How is the car going? Mine has been amazing, but I've decided to move onto something else (ahem look in PH Classifieds if anyone is interested).

Thanks for sharing the car on here, it reminds us all how awesome these e500's are!

Thanks. I know I've been lax in keeping this thread up to date, but really that's been because there's been very little to report. Only costs have been the usual suspects; tax, insurance, MOT and servicing. Oh and it had a pair of front tyres.

I know there's a big service coming up before Christmas though, including replacement of all 16 plugs!

Now just biding my time until my dad passes it down to me. Any ideas for a suitable replacement to lure him out of it?

[Mr E]

W212 500?

[Rat_Fink_67]

Synchromesh said:

I know there's a big service coming up before Christmas though, including replacement of all 16 plugs!

The M273 only needs 8

[Synchromesh]

Mr E said:

W212 500?

And here's the predicament: it doesn't really offer him anything more than he has in the 211. And 212 500s seem rarer still - there are currently no saloons or estates on Auto Trader.

Rat_Fink_67 said:

The M273 only needs 8

In that case we were ill-informed by the dealer. Strange, our man there is normally pretty on the ball. Having said that, I'm sure we can let him off, I doubt he sees many E500s!

Thanks for the info though. Might be interesting to keep shtum and see what they bill us for

[Rat_Fink_67]

Synchromesh said:

In that case we were ill-informed by the dealer. Strange, our man there is normally pretty on the ball. Having said that, I'm sure we can let him off, I doubt he sees many E500s!

Thanks for the info though. Might be interesting to keep shtum and see what they bill us for

No problem. The earlier M113 "500" V8 was a twin plug setup, but the later engine reverted to single plug per cylinder. They're located smack bang in the centre of the cylinder heads too so they're a doddle to change, unlike the older version that had them down near the exhaust manifolds.

[Spyder3400]

Indeed pulling the coil packs off and swapping plugs on the m113 engine V8 is not for the bear handed among us! The V8 takes up nearly all the space.

[C7 JFW]

It looks lovely, I bet it makes silky sounds but I fell to sleep at the word AirMatic - no doubt i'll read it again.

Still, nice choice.