S Class - Dad Tank II

[mdmay]

Alex_225 said:

Well my E320 sold the other weekend to a nice chap and his partner. Sad to see it go but it was an excellent car and I certainly got my money's worth. Other than servicing the car cost me £2700 in depreciation over nearly four years, couple of minor wear and tear items to fix on it but overall an excellent 43,000 miles of service!



Back onto the S Class now. I had suspected it had a slow air leak as the rear of the car would sit very low overnight. Contacted the dealer I bought from and they advised me to book it in with someone local for investigation and they'd pay. I used DDR in Surrey who are a Merc specialist who diagnosed the issue as a leaking valve luckily so a minor issue and all sorted. Whilst it as with them I had the gearbox serviced and I had my usual mobile mechanic give it a major service so mechanically we're all set.

Annoyingly whoever bought it new didn't opt for Xenon headlights and the bulbs fitted were a bit rubbish. Opted for a set of Osram Night Breaker Laser bulbs.



Hard to tell from the photo but definitely a worthwhile update. Not as white as Xenons but a huge improvement in brightness.



Next up was debadging the rear of the car. I'm not a fan of badges on the back of Mercs. My E320 looked much cleaner without badges and unless usually the badges don't really do much for the look of the car. Unless it's a genuine AMG in which case it's worth it haha.



So a gentle heat with a heat gun meant I was able to lift the badges off by hand. Warmed the glue underneath to remove the remnants, Autoglym tar remover and a light polish/seal to finish.



Much tidier.



This is where the OCD number plate kicks in. For some reason on the seats and arm rest there were tiny spots of what I assume was white paint. You'd hardly notice them unless they were pointed out but finding it really really annoying and couldn't shift them.



I was geared up to get a specialist to look at them and in the end booked in a local leather repairer. I decided to go full out and have both from seats re-painted. We discussed the finish I wanted and agreed I'd like them to look as close to factory as possible but whilst blending in with the rears.

Really interesting process and a hell of a lot of effort involved as the seats are technically sprayed and lacquered. It also turns out it is genuine leather where I'd been assuming it was artico! The seats have some creases in which is to be expected for a 12 year old car but look fantastic and I'm very pleased.









Side bolsters all look like this now





To be fair the leather wasn't in bad shape anyway but now it looks as close to new as you'd get.

That'll be it for the time being, next up will be a wheel refurb and remap.

Do you mind me asking how much the leather repair was as my car could really do with it too

[Alex_225]

Two front seats were around £150 each. The chap charged me £70 for the centre arm rest and door card arm rest.

[mdmay]

Thanks much appreciated

[Alex_225]

mdmay said:

Thanks much appreciated

Any time mate. The only trouble I'm having now is due to my somewhat OCD nature, I'm looking at the other bits of the leather going, 'Should I just get that done so it looks like new'. haha

[Shakermaker]

Alex_225 said:

mdmay said:

Thanks much appreciated

Any time mate. The only trouble I'm having now is due to my somewhat OCD nature, I'm looking at the other bits of the leather going, 'Should I just get that done so it looks like new'. haha

Those of us who know you understand it is a question of "when" rather than "if" you'll get it done. We'll expect the photos in the next couple of months.

[Alex_225]

Shakermaker said:

Alex_225 said:

mdmay said:

Thanks much appreciated

Any time mate. The only trouble I'm having now is due to my somewhat OCD nature, I'm looking at the other bits of the leather going, 'Should I just get that done so it looks like new'. haha

Those of us who know you understand it is a question of "when" rather than "if" you'll get it done. We'll expect the photos in the next couple of months.

Well yes perhaps you're right. There is a list though, wheel refurb may take precedence. We shall see.

Either way not much I can do until I'm allowed out the house. Well other than washing it!

[Meriden Man]

It is real ‘animal skin’! That's what Mercedes calls ‘passion leather’, which would have been a £1,000-plus extra.

[J-2]

Hi Alex
I had the esp light come on on a 204 c class a few times it turned out to be the stop light switch just not switching off if you were very gentle when releasing the brake pedal. If it comes on again just put your foot under the brake pedal and pull it up and if the light goes out it must be the switch.

John

[Alex_225]

Meriden Man said:

It is real ‘animal skin’! That's what Mercedes calls ‘passion leather’, which would have been a £1,000-plus extra.

That's interesting, wasn't aware that the real stuff was an option on these. It's certainly very nice that's for sure.

J-2 said:

Hi Alex
I had the esp light come on on a 204 c class a few times it turned out to be the stop light switch just not switching off if you were very gentle when releasing the brake pedal. If it comes on again just put your foot under the brake pedal and pull it up and if the light goes out it must be the switch.

John

Hi John, not currently suffering with the ESP light. Handy tip for if it does though mate.

[Alex_225]

Well not much to do in the current climate other than fiddle with the car and clean it.

Now these may be a bit divisive on here but I quite fancied some of the projector puddle lights so thought for what they cost I'd give them a go. Nothing too 'pimping' but for £12 a pair worth a go.

Old ones at the top and new ones at the bottom. For the price and the fact they're from China they appear to be made extremely well.



Literally a two minute job each door to get them fitted and I actually rather like the result



so much so that I fitted some on the rear doors as well. Bit of a sharper image not begin on the gravel.



Now compared to my old E Class, the S doesn't appear to be having any issues with sitting still for a week or two at a time. My E, I would put on charge if it was sitting for longer than a week as it would give me an error about convenience features being switched off. This car doesn't but doesn't mean I want to risk a flat battery so installed the Ctek convenience plug.



I looked at installing in the boot as the E had it's main battery by the spare wheel. The S has it behind a panel right behind the rear seats. I couldn't quite see how that came off and for the sake of ease thought I'd fit it up front. I'll figure out the logistics of the lead draping over the side of the car but should do the trick.

[Adam B]

Your number plate seems suitable

Nice motor, might peruse the classifieds for a bit of fun

[bolidemichael]

Alex_225 said:

Well not much to do in the current climate other than fiddle with the car and clean it.

Now these may be a bit divisive on here but I quite fancied some of the projector puddle lights so thought for what they cost I'd give them a go. Nothing too 'pimping' but for £12 a pair worth a go.

Old ones at the top and new ones at the bottom. For the price and the fact they're from China they appear to be made extremely well.



Literally a two minute job each door to get them fitted and I actually rather like the result



so much so that I fitted some on the rear doors as well. Bit of a sharper image not begin on the gravel.



Now compared to my old E Class, the S doesn't appear to be having any issues with sitting still for a week or two at a time. My E, I would put on charge if it was sitting for longer than a week as it would give me an error about convenience features being switched off. This car doesn't but doesn't mean I want to risk a flat battery so installed the Ctek convenience plug.



I looked at installing in the boot as the E had it's main battery by the spare wheel. The S has it behind a panel right behind the rear seats. I couldn't quite see how that came off and for the sake of ease thought I'd fit it up front. I'll figure out the logistics of the lead draping over the side of the car but should do the trick.

My view is that the lights are so, so naff! But it's your lovely stinky diesel and I respect that

Funnily enough, the CTEK convenience chargers are featured on the latest Harry's Garage video.

[Alex_225]

bolidemichael said:

My view is that the lights are so, so naff! But it's your lovely stinky diesel and I respect that

Funnily enough, the CTEK convenience chargers are featured on the latest Harry's Garage video.

Erm, well yeah thanks for that! lol

[Alex_225]

So I've had a fun 4-5 weeks with the S Class. I drove it properly for the first time since lock down and it went into limp mode. Plugged in my diagnostic machine and it gave me an error regarding the transmission control module as in the well known conductor plate issue of the 7G gearbox. Joy!

I booked it in with my local Mercedes specialist following a conversation had with the dealership I bought from. It actually turns out that the EGR valve was the cause of limp mode and had to be replaced (£500) and was done so under warranty.

Next came the conductor plate. Essentially this was throwing up an error but not showing any symptoms, the main two being stuck in park or only staying in 2nd gear but nonetheless the error was there. So after coming to an agreement with the garage, that was also replaced!

So with the car mechanically fit (I hope), I also had the wheels refurbished. They were a costly option and some cheapskate had just painted them silver. The OEM finish is silver with a diamond cut face. I have had them powder coated a genuine Mercedes light anthracite with a diamond cut. Now I'm mindful of diamond cut wheels as they don't seem to last. I discussed this with the wheel repairer and they explained that they actually use acrylic lacquer which is basically powder coating as well so last a lot longer.

I'll shut up now but overall really pleased with the look now.











The anthracite has a great metallic fleck in it and I like the contrast it gives. Still subtle and OEM but different.

[Trustmeimadoctor]

Well my prediction of gearbox has come true its a shame

[Alex_225]

Trustmeimadoctor said:

Well my prediction of gearbox has come true its a shame

Sorted now though so all good.

[bolidemichael]

Well, to paraphrase Tony the Tiger, the wheels look GGG-reat! Which company did you use?

Your comments on the lacquer are interesting. My summer set of alloys are diamond cut and the lacquer has tarnished at the aperture for the bolt-holes. As a consequence, the metal underneath has reacted and caused some milky spots to appear, which isn't ideal. I'll have to get them done again, but will probe 'Spit n' Polish' before I do so.

[Trustmeimadoctor]

im glad you got it under warranty try and get every other common issue triggered and fixed. Still a lovely looking car

[Alex_225]

bolidemichael said:

Well, to paraphrase Tony the Tiger, the wheels look GGG-reat! Which company did you use?

Your comments on the lacquer are interesting. My summer set of alloys are diamond cut and the lacquer has tarnished at the aperture for the bolt-holes. As a consequence, the metal underneath has reacted and caused some milky spots to appear, which isn't ideal. I'll have to get them done again, but will probe 'Spit n' Polish' before I do so.

Thanks mate, I'm ridiculously pleased with them.

I'm intrigued how well the lacquer lasts. I'm completely aware of how the finish on normal diamond cut wheels lasts, as in it just doesn't seem to. One chip and the moisture gets in and it starts to lift.

Speaking with one of the main chaps at the place I used, he actually took me through to show me some of the process. He referred to 'wet lacquer' which is standard lacquer to go on paint. He said (as we know) that it just doesn't adhere properly to bare metal, it will look nice for a while but eventually tarnish and isn't suitable. What they use is 'dry lacquer' which is acrylic lacquer that goes on as powder and is then baked. Apparently as strong as normal powder coating and should last. Time will tell of course but I'm hoping that with looking after them and cleaning them properly they should last me.

Trustmeimadoctor said:

im glad you got it under warranty try and get every other common issue triggered and fixed. Still a lovely looking car

That was kind of my views on it as well. The issues I've had are all relatively common faults and on a car that's low mileage for it's year these will inevitably raise their heads.

[Trustmeimadoctor]

yes im bitter as mines had everything but i had to pay to fix them ;(