Sensible unicorn 2008 W251 R500L Sport
Discussion
Well, that was a fast journey, considering that we left at Midday… the first two hundred miles were virtually free flowing with the outside lane largely free of traffic, save for an A5 tdi that wouldn’t budge then tried, tried, tried to accelerate away until they gave up, pulled over, flashed me and retuned to cruising in the outside lane 
It’s really comfortable and one can really sense the length of the vehicle from the base of one’s posterior, as we cruise across the road surface. It’s positively limo like.
On occasion, I’d find the opportunity to squeeze the throttle and although it doesn’t offer direct feedback initially, it responds well to being set on course, on a long sweeper and planting one’s foot further downwards. The four wheel drive is really confidence inspiring and the airmatic settings are very pronounced… ‘sport’ which is the firmest is quite stiff and my son even commented on how juddery it was over less then smooth surfaces. Effective it is, but lacks finesse.
No complaints from the passengers on this journey, they were positively delighted by the comfort and one of them even snoozed in the rear. At the tonne, it feels really unremarkable (as any big engined, non-AMG,
senior class of Mercedes would) and the rate of acceleration from the M273 is quite remarkable considering that it’s a near, three ton vehicle.
It definitely feels as though the throttle is sharper after eight hundred or so miles, which is the learning and adjustment cycle of the ecu. Perhaps the new battery has positively affected the response too, I wonder what the technically minded contributors think about that.
It’s really comfortable and one can really sense the length of the vehicle from the base of one’s posterior, as we cruise across the road surface. It’s positively limo like.
On occasion, I’d find the opportunity to squeeze the throttle and although it doesn’t offer direct feedback initially, it responds well to being set on course, on a long sweeper and planting one’s foot further downwards. The four wheel drive is really confidence inspiring and the airmatic settings are very pronounced… ‘sport’ which is the firmest is quite stiff and my son even commented on how juddery it was over less then smooth surfaces. Effective it is, but lacks finesse.
No complaints from the passengers on this journey, they were positively delighted by the comfort and one of them even snoozed in the rear. At the tonne, it feels really unremarkable (as any big engined, non-AMG,
senior class of Mercedes would) and the rate of acceleration from the M273 is quite remarkable considering that it’s a near, three ton vehicle.
It definitely feels as though the throttle is sharper after eight hundred or so miles, which is the learning and adjustment cycle of the ecu. Perhaps the new battery has positively affected the response too, I wonder what the technically minded contributors think about that.
Absolutely adore these, they're the Vel Satis of Mercedes imho...
Regarding the limo like feeling, it looks like it has a massive wheelbase which tends to have that effect (enjoying the same thing in an EQE which feels levels above its Jag F-Pace predecessor).
As others have posted, seems like the potential love child (in functionality, not looks!) of the E500 and the FFRR, yet I also understand each of the cars has its own role to you. Enjoy in good health and please keep titivating and posting
Regarding the limo like feeling, it looks like it has a massive wheelbase which tends to have that effect (enjoying the same thing in an EQE which feels levels above its Jag F-Pace predecessor).
As others have posted, seems like the potential love child (in functionality, not looks!) of the E500 and the FFRR, yet I also understand each of the cars has its own role to you. Enjoy in good health and please keep titivating and posting
bolidemichael said:
Well, that was a fast journey, considering that we left at Midday… the first two hundred miles were virtually free flowing with the outside lane largely free of traffic, save for an A5 tdi that wouldn’t budge then tried, tried, tried to accelerate away until they gave up, pulled over, flashed me and retuned to cruising in the outside lane
The joys of a car with sprightly performance that flies under the radar for those who aren't in the know... Bonus points if you saw him turn to his passenger as if to say "hey, watch this" before his drag 
Good purchase. I've always been strangely drawn to these, "MLs that have had their stilts confiscated". I saw (and heard) a genuine R63 at a Screwfix in Hertfordshire many years ago on one of the Channel Islands' plates.
There's also an "R63S" I've seen near my FIL's house that sounds strangely like a diesel, has lots of soot around the exhaust, wonky eBay badges and seems to be missing the correct wheels and body kit. Driven much like an A5 TDI when I came across it on the motorway in the E500...
Regbuser said:
Agreed, and the 21s suit it
W00DY said:
Just needs to be filthy dirty with a roofbox and a snowy Alpine backdrop.
AC43 said:
No roof bars, so how do I get around that?
It's very unusual in that in that all the ones I can remember seeing have been silver non-Sport 320 CDIs on smaller rims.
Yours looks way better.
Agreed, the body kit etc work well and whomever selected the colour really chose well. The addition of the tailpipes is a little naughty, but I quite like it!It's very unusual in that in that all the ones I can remember seeing have been silver non-Sport 320 CDIs on smaller rims.
Yours looks way better.
This photo shows the colour of the alloys well, but I’m tempted to re-instate the original Titanium Silver. Thoughts?
Well, this is a pain
It seems as though a wheel sensor has failed and accompanying this unfortunate situation is a squawk from the engine. Unless by some miracle it can be repaired tomorrow, I may have the to take the E500 to the Isle of Wight and avoid heavy braking so as to minimise juddering due to the warped discs.
It seems as though a wheel sensor has failed and accompanying this unfortunate situation is a squawk from the engine. Unless by some miracle it can be repaired tomorrow, I may have the to take the E500 to the Isle of Wight and avoid heavy braking so as to minimise juddering due to the warped discs.
bolidemichael said:
Agreed, the body kit etc work well and whomever selected the colour really chose well. The addition of the tailpipes is a little naughty, but I quite like it!
This photo shows the colour of the alloys well, but I’m tempted to re-instate the original Titanium Silver. Thoughts?
For me, titanium silver all day long. When they're clean they will really pop.This photo shows the colour of the alloys well, but I’m tempted to re-instate the original Titanium Silver. Thoughts?
Ignore any comments about black wheels and dechroming. A dark car with silver wheels and chrome accents is just right in my eyes.
bolidemichael said:
Well, this is a pain
It seems as though a wheel sensor has failed and accompanying this unfortunate situation is a squawk from the engine. Unless by some miracle it can be repaired tomorrow, I may have the to take the E500 to the Isle of Wight and avoid heavy braking so as to minimise juddering due to the warped discs.
Agree that it is very likely a wheel sensor. I had this on my E500. I also lost power steering as part of the same problem. Relatively quick and simple fix for you hopefully.It seems as though a wheel sensor has failed and accompanying this unfortunate situation is a squawk from the engine. Unless by some miracle it can be repaired tomorrow, I may have the to take the E500 to the Isle of Wight and avoid heavy braking so as to minimise juddering due to the warped discs.
Church of Noise said:
Absolutely adore these, they're the Vel Satis of Mercedes imho...
Regarding the limo like feeling, it looks like it has a massive wheelbase which tends to have that effect (enjoying the same thing in an EQE which feels levels above its Jag F-Pace predecessor).
As others have posted, seems like the potential love child (in functionality, not looks!) of the E500 and the FFRR, yet I also understand each of the cars has its own role to you. Enjoy in good health and please keep titivating and posting
Curious, by ‘Vel Satis’ of MB, do you mean ugly, luxurious or misunderstood — or a combination of?Regarding the limo like feeling, it looks like it has a massive wheelbase which tends to have that effect (enjoying the same thing in an EQE which feels levels above its Jag F-Pace predecessor).
As others have posted, seems like the potential love child (in functionality, not looks!) of the E500 and the FFRR, yet I also understand each of the cars has its own role to you. Enjoy in good health and please keep titivating and posting
Yea, the lwb is definitely a contributor to the limo feel — it’s funny how one can sense the size and associated comfort
You’re possibly correct, I hadn’t really thought of it like that but with seven seats, MB quality and four wheel drive… it doesn’t have the Sloane Ranger feel of the FFRR though.
donkmeister said:
bolidemichael said:
Well, that was a fast journey, considering that we left at Midday… the first two hundred miles were virtually free flowing with the outside lane largely free of traffic, save for an A5 tdi that wouldn’t budge then tried, tried, tried to accelerate away until they gave up, pulled over, flashed me and retuned to cruising in the outside lane
The joys of a car with sprightly performance that flies under the radar for those who aren't in the know... Bonus points if you saw him turn to his passenger as if to say "hey, watch this" before his drag Good purchase. I've always been strangely drawn to these, "MLs that have had their stilts confiscated". I saw (and heard) a genuine R63 at a Screwfix in Hertfordshire many years ago on one of the Channel Islands' plates.
There's also an "R63S" I've seen near my FIL's house that sounds strangely like a diesel, has lots of soot around the exhaust, wonky eBay badges and seems to be missing the correct wheels and body kit. Driven much like an A5 TDI when I came across it on the motorway in the E500...
I don’t think that I’ve seen an R63 in the flesh before. Until now, I really wouldn’t’ve been bother about wanting one, but after experiencing the acceleration in this, I think that the 6.2L would really suit it!
Apologies if I’ve overlooked previous connection with a fellow E500 owner, but which model do you own?
AC43 said:
For me, titanium silver all day long. When they're clean they will really pop.
Ignore any comments about black wheels and dechroming. A dark car with silver wheels and chrome accents is just right in my eyes.
Ignore any comments about black wheels and dechroming. A dark car with silver wheels and chrome accents is just right in my eyes.
E90_M3Ross said:
Mine too.
I usually would, but the darker shade looks quite cool… how about the E39 Shadow Chrome?Biglips said:
bolidemichael said:
Well, this is a pain
It seems as though a wheel sensor has failed and accompanying this unfortunate situation is a squawk from the engine. Unless by some miracle it can be repaired tomorrow, I may have the to take the E500 to the Isle of Wight and avoid heavy braking so as to minimise juddering due to the warped discs.
Agree that it is very likely a wheel sensor. I had this on my E500. I also lost power steering as part of the same problem. Relatively quick and simple fix for you hopefully.It seems as though a wheel sensor has failed and accompanying this unfortunate situation is a squawk from the engine. Unless by some miracle it can be repaired tomorrow, I may have the to take the E500 to the Isle of Wight and avoid heavy braking so as to minimise juddering due to the warped discs.
I gave the car a clean this evening — blimey, it gets dark quickly but thankfully with the excellent Bilt Hamber products and a good, large drying towel, this car with its slab sides is easy to clean very quickly.
I also wanted to check out the ‘swivel’ lights and it runs out that the light is augmented by the fog lights, which is a feature that I’ve seen on a number of modern vehicles.
I have some Würth Gummi Pflegge in spray form which I applied generously to all the door rubbers and some Würth lithium spray which I intended to apply to the sunroof runners. Worryingly, the sunroof was really reluctant to open and close…
Worryingly, the sunroof was really reluctant to open and close.
I also wanted to check out the ‘swivel’ lights and it runs out that the light is augmented by the fog lights, which is a feature that I’ve seen on a number of modern vehicles.
I have some Würth Gummi Pflegge in spray form which I applied generously to all the door rubbers and some Würth lithium spray which I intended to apply to the sunroof runners. Worryingly, the sunroof was really reluctant to open and close…
Worryingly, the sunroof was really reluctant to open and close.
bolidemichael said:
Biglips said:
bolidemichael said:
Well, this is a pain
It seems as though a wheel sensor has failed and accompanying this unfortunate situation is a squawk from the engine. Unless by some miracle it can be repaired tomorrow, I may have the to take the E500 to the Isle of Wight and avoid heavy braking so as to minimise juddering due to the warped discs.
Agree that it is very likely a wheel sensor. I had this on my E500. I also lost power steering as part of the same problem. Relatively quick and simple fix for you hopefully.It seems as though a wheel sensor has failed and accompanying this unfortunate situation is a squawk from the engine. Unless by some miracle it can be repaired tomorrow, I may have the to take the E500 to the Isle of Wight and avoid heavy braking so as to minimise juddering due to the warped discs.
E90_M3Ross said:
bolidemichael said:
Biglips said:
bolidemichael said:
Well, this is a pain
It seems as though a wheel sensor has failed and accompanying this unfortunate situation is a squawk from the engine. Unless by some miracle it can be repaired tomorrow, I may have the to take the E500 to the Isle of Wight and avoid heavy braking so as to minimise juddering due to the warped discs.
Agree that it is very likely a wheel sensor. I had this on my E500. I also lost power steering as part of the same problem. Relatively quick and simple fix for you hopefully.It seems as though a wheel sensor has failed and accompanying this unfortunate situation is a squawk from the engine. Unless by some miracle it can be repaired tomorrow, I may have the to take the E500 to the Isle of Wight and avoid heavy braking so as to minimise juddering due to the warped discs.
One of the things that intrigues me from the data card is:
524 Protective Vehicle Cover (Full Body Cover)
Is it possible that one was made for such a large vehicle?
ETA: Some googling looks as though this refers to the protective cover used when transporting the vehicle from the factory.
524 Protective Vehicle Cover (Full Body Cover)
Is it possible that one was made for such a large vehicle?
ETA: Some googling looks as though this refers to the protective cover used when transporting the vehicle from the factory.
Edited by bolidemichael on Sunday 22 October 23:00
Out of curiosity, I ventured to How Many Left and it seems as though only six of the larger engined R500L with a Sport kit were registered, four in 2008 and two in 2009… I’d say that this lives up to the ‘Unicorn’ tag that I hyperbolically added to this thread title.
Of these, only three remain licensed whilst one is SORN… so your chances of spotting another are precisely half that of an R63, of which there are six currently road taxed with three on SORN.
Of these, only three remain licensed whilst one is SORN… so your chances of spotting another are precisely half that of an R63, of which there are six currently road taxed with three on SORN.
Edited by bolidemichael on Sunday 22 October 23:26
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff