[Boring] Daddy taxi - 2010 W212 E350 CDI
Discussion
It could also do that...
3,000 miles over 2 weeks, we drove to Poland and back - we averaged around 3-4 hours in the car per day.
Didn't miss a beat, and took us there in supreme comfort.
Shame that we had the roofbox on, we couldn't use the performance on the Autobahns
Wife complained about the cramped cabin in the front (having food and snacks for people at the back), people at the back had it quite well, but filled the cabin up with their cuddly toys and stuff...
The boot was great, 500l, and the Saloon shape was not a problem at all.
Last year, to France - we took the S-Max Diesel, as the family liked it more.
This year we're taking the S-Max Diesel again (boo!), but I dread the wind noise at speed (with the roof box on).
Expense wise, it's been really good... Apart from the £290 per month personal loan that is 
£144 for diagnosing of slow start (hesitation). "They all do that, Sir", but at least they returned it washed...
£55 per month service contract for the first year, one B service carried out as part of it. Later cancelled.
£35 car wash (after holiday)
£115 brake pads
£525 new discs and fitting of the pads (MB prices)
£7 car wash
£42 4 wheel tracking
£7 number plate screws, the old ones rusted through
£30 wiper blads
£8 wheel centre caps (eBay)
£405 Service A1 plus oil changes in gearbox and torque converter (mobile Benz specialist, carried out on my driveway)
£630 power steering pump (see entry above, possible road item damage)
£385 4x Toyo Proxes T1 Sport
17,000 miles later:
£172 Toyo Proxes T1 Sport for rear + £32 fitting
Total fuel was 4369 l, distance covered 33,901 miles. Works out as 35.86mpg average.
Average cost per mile (fuel only) £0.139,
Average cost per mile (all in) £0.44
£144 for diagnosing of slow start (hesitation). "They all do that, Sir", but at least they returned it washed...
£55 per month service contract for the first year, one B service carried out as part of it. Later cancelled.
£35 car wash (after holiday)
£115 brake pads
£525 new discs and fitting of the pads (MB prices)
£7 car wash
£42 4 wheel tracking
£7 number plate screws, the old ones rusted through
£30 wiper blads
£8 wheel centre caps (eBay)
£405 Service A1 plus oil changes in gearbox and torque converter (mobile Benz specialist, carried out on my driveway)
£630 power steering pump (see entry above, possible road item damage)
£385 4x Toyo Proxes T1 Sport
17,000 miles later:
£172 Toyo Proxes T1 Sport for rear + £32 fitting
Total fuel was 4369 l, distance covered 33,901 miles. Works out as 35.86mpg average.
Average cost per mile (fuel only) £0.139,
Average cost per mile (all in) £0.44
Edited by qska on Thursday 23 March 20:41
Small update.
Next MOT time, time for new rear tyres. They did 17,000 miles and were down to 3mm.
I modded thd car even further. Bought black centre caps for all four wheels.
Most recent mod - a steering wheel cover, as Merc didn't put any padding below the leather on the wheel. I ended up with a pain in the base od the middle finger
Got bored with it again and looked for replacements. Found something cheap and cheerful, but without Xenons.
These bloody Xenons don't let me swap it for anything. They're just so so good.
Side note - test drove a Volvo V40 Cross Country.
Found the ride too firm, engine not that efficient, and electric steering completely alien.
Still bored with the E, steering too loose, gearbox too lazy. But it's oh so competent as a commuter barge. Great for overtaking, although people don't seem to like being overtaken. To be fair, on tge A road part of the commute, there's all of 3 decent spots in 20 miles where it's safe.
Next service is B3, we'll see how my mobile tech does his trick.
Oh, almost forgot. Side mirrors intermittently stopped unfolding on tge passenger side. Since I bought the car they also squealed after folding. Very easy fix - disable auto folding in thr car menu Only disadvantage is that I can't tell if the car is locked by just looking at the mirrors
Next MOT time, time for new rear tyres. They did 17,000 miles and were down to 3mm.
I modded thd car even further. Bought black centre caps for all four wheels.
Most recent mod - a steering wheel cover, as Merc didn't put any padding below the leather on the wheel. I ended up with a pain in the base od the middle finger
Got bored with it again and looked for replacements. Found something cheap and cheerful, but without Xenons.
These bloody Xenons don't let me swap it for anything. They're just so so good.
Side note - test drove a Volvo V40 Cross Country.
Found the ride too firm, engine not that efficient, and electric steering completely alien.
Still bored with the E, steering too loose, gearbox too lazy. But it's oh so competent as a commuter barge. Great for overtaking, although people don't seem to like being overtaken. To be fair, on tge A road part of the commute, there's all of 3 decent spots in 20 miles where it's safe.
Next service is B3, we'll see how my mobile tech does his trick.
Oh, almost forgot. Side mirrors intermittently stopped unfolding on tge passenger side. Since I bought the car they also squealed after folding. Very easy fix - disable auto folding in thr car menu
Only disadvantage is that I can't tell if the car is locked by just looking at the mirrors 
No, not really. It's plenty fast enough for my licence, and I paid so much for it that I'll have to keep it for ever in order to make financial sense.
Hence - reliability is paramount. See another thread about a guy who borked his Audi gearbox due to remapping.
The picture of suspension was supposed to show something falling off, but as far as I'm concerned the clip is meant to look like that.
Weird, as it has developed a knocking noise "around town", and also gave a one-off "piiiingggg" sound, like a spring letting go. Very loud.
I was rearranging the glovebox and boot to rule out any crap rolling about and knocking, but the noise is still there... But handling and road holding are as good as ever.
Mobile Merc tech comes next week, so the mystery will be solved!
Hence - reliability is paramount. See another thread about a guy who borked his Audi gearbox due to remapping.
The picture of suspension was supposed to show something falling off, but as far as I'm concerned the clip is meant to look like that.
Weird, as it has developed a knocking noise "around town", and also gave a one-off "piiiingggg" sound, like a spring letting go. Very loud.
I was rearranging the glovebox and boot to rule out any crap rolling about and knocking, but the noise is still there... But handling and road holding are as good as ever.
Mobile Merc tech comes next week, so the mystery will be solved!
Well you don't have to have a performance map, you could go for a eco map to give better mpg and still get the lazy auto box sorted.
There are many stories on things breaking after being mapped all depends on condition of the car to begin with and how much more abusive you are with it after.
Knew someone who's type r engine started rattling after a map. The rev limit was increased to 8900 from 8400 turns out he was bouncing it off the 8900 every where he went
There are many stories on things breaking after being mapped all depends on condition of the car to begin with and how much more abusive you are with it after.
Knew someone who's type r engine started rattling after a map. The rev limit was increased to 8900 from 8400 turns out he was bouncing it off the 8900 every where he went
colinjy said:
Well you don't have to have a performance map, you could go for a eco map to give better mpg and still get the lazy auto box sorted.
That sounds interesting. Any specialist recommendations?
Merc dealer told me to basically go away.
I know the car could probably support Bluetooth audio streaming, and also wanted nre software for the gearbox. Apparently their computer said "no".
Even though manufacture date is 7 years ago, and there's been facelifts and further upgrades, so news software must be available.
A different car, but the family xc90 was terrible for junction lag - pressing the accelerator only appeared to send a vague intent to increase pace sometime. A blue fin remap later and it no longer tries to kill me pulling out of junctions.
Clearly not turned it into a sporting experience, but more reassuring!...
Clearly not turned it into a sporting experience, but more reassuring!...
Quick update.
The E350 is going... Replaced with E350... Estate in Black. Also 2010, but with Distronic and a sun roof. No memory seats however, also seems a bit more squeaky than the old one.
But man oh man folding tow bars are useful. I hope. We'll get a cycle carrier on the back this summer holiday. Roof box, and we're good to go.
The E350 is going... Replaced with E350... Estate in Black. Also 2010, but with Distronic and a sun roof. No memory seats however, also seems a bit more squeaky than the old one.
But man oh man folding tow bars are useful. I hope. We'll get a cycle carrier on the back this summer holiday. Roof box, and we're good to go.
I know this is an old thread but this pretty much sums up my 2009 E350CDI - it just does what is asked of it in supreme comfort ( and I used to own a CL500) for as many miles as it is asked. I drive many other vehicles and sometimes don’t get into the 350 for 10 days or so and it always surprises me about how quiet/comfortable and swift it is.
They just work don’t they. I have a 2014 E220 estate, with a towbar (now, didn’t come with it) and I live with the performance because overall it’s just so much better than my previous 2015 bmw 335D. It’s a truly great car.
Must say I’m very tempted by a remap for engine and gearbox too.
Must say I’m very tempted by a remap for engine and gearbox too.
littlebasher said:
Milli94 said:
it just does what is asked of it in supreme comfort
I presume you installed your own wooden footrest as well 
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