Mercedes w210 E430 (no titivating allowed)
Discussion
An eBay price list arrived today. It is a little earlier than the car but the total price on its data came to £47,351.
The sun visor, auxiliary fan control unit and a lovely USA-market brochure also showed up. Something to keep me out of trouble for a few hours later on. The American marketing material is always vastly better than the European stuff.
The sun visor, auxiliary fan control unit and a lovely USA-market brochure also showed up. Something to keep me out of trouble for a few hours later on. The American marketing material is always vastly better than the European stuff.
r129sl said:
An eBay price list arrived today. It is a little earlier than the car but the total price on its data came to £47,351.
So, inflation adjusted from 2001 to 2016, £71,867.97. Then again, a full-house W124 300-24 Sportline in 1991/2 probably wasn't far off the £47k list of the E430 (so cars, especially Mercedes, have been getting cheaper in absolute terms for a while).
Replaced the sun visor. New parts are so beguiling.
Shiny plastic:
New:
Nice matching flock:
I also cleaned the sunroof shutter. The part which sticks out even when the shutter is pushed back was very grubby, with a "masking" line visible when the shutter is pulled forward. I'll spare you a picture of a clean shutter. Cleaning fluid and a cloth for the desperate.
And I have cracked on number plates. The Welsh ones are so gash. Here is the choice:
1. current legal font:
2. pre-September 2001 legal font (a):
3. pre-September 2001 legal font (b):
I kind of like the latter.
Shiny plastic:
New:
Nice matching flock:
I also cleaned the sunroof shutter. The part which sticks out even when the shutter is pushed back was very grubby, with a "masking" line visible when the shutter is pulled forward. I'll spare you a picture of a clean shutter. Cleaning fluid and a cloth for the desperate.
And I have cracked on number plates. The Welsh ones are so gash. Here is the choice:
1. current legal font:
2. pre-September 2001 legal font (a):
3. pre-September 2001 legal font (b):
I kind of like the latter.
Chris x said:
The bluetooth module thing, how does that work? Is it plug and play? I have an old Nokia phone setup in my W220, wondering if I could do the same?
It is essentially plug and play. It imitates an old Nokia handset and thus mediates between the new fangled smart phone and the COMAND system in the car. I can't get the phone book to sync but I try not to make calls when driving, just receive them. Unless I get really bored.I can't think of anything to buy for the damned thing, which is limiting my pleasure.
r129sl said:
I can't think of anything to buy for the damned thing, which is limiting my pleasure.
Happy to help:http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CHROME-AMG-BOOT-BADGE-EM...
CharlesdeGaulle said:
r129sl said:
I can't think of anything to buy for the damned thing, which is limiting my pleasure.
Happy to help:http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CHROME-AMG-BOOT-BADGE-EM...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/mercedes-amg-emblem-badg...
r129sl said:
I want the one with "Black Edition" in little letters on a black square.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/mercedes-amg-emblem-badg...
Agreed. Very you. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/mercedes-amg-emblem-badg...
R129sl, saw the car yesterday and looks in great condition.
Must admit I do like the facelift w210, especially in the elegance trim. They carry themselves very well, without daft body kits and big alloy wheels.
Pleased you've decided to get shot of the number plates, they were ghastly, and particularly like the stealth de badged look. Very subtle.
Good luck with the car, and look forward to updates.
Must admit I do like the facelift w210, especially in the elegance trim. They carry themselves very well, without daft body kits and big alloy wheels.
Pleased you've decided to get shot of the number plates, they were ghastly, and particularly like the stealth de badged look. Very subtle.
Good luck with the car, and look forward to updates.
Beautiful car sir.
Actually had my eye on this one myself as I missed out on a W210 E55 AMG recently - you may have seen it advertised for a while, it was the one that seemed to have every possible option specced.
For now I'll make do with my E240 Avantgarde - Been in the family from new and only 34k miles. Not the 1st choice of car for a 23yr old but I absolutely love it.
Actually had my eye on this one myself as I missed out on a W210 E55 AMG recently - you may have seen it advertised for a while, it was the one that seemed to have every possible option specced.
For now I'll make do with my E240 Avantgarde - Been in the family from new and only 34k miles. Not the 1st choice of car for a 23yr old but I absolutely love it.
Remagel2507 said:
For now I'll make do with my E240 Avantgarde - Been in the family from new and only 34k miles. Not the 1st choice of car for a 23yr old but I absolutely love it.
Nice picture and nice car. I owned a C240 when I was 25. The little V6 is very smooth and quite a joy to wring out. I think the 210 is a bit of a bargain, so long as you get one that isn't riddled with rust.killysprint said:
R129sl, saw the car yesterday and looks in great condition....
Good luck with the car, and look forward to updates.
Thanks KS. Whereabouts did you see us and what were you in?Good luck with the car, and look forward to updates.
I see a Triumph about but not a Dolly. I think it is a 2000-series. It is a yellowish colour. I really like those cars. They remind me of my childhood. A well-off aunt (distant branch) had a Dolomite. They are kind of beautiful in a way which suggests car design might have gone down a different avenue altogether. Your Sprint is obviously a very interesting car.
Lovely car, I'd love this car for myself actually. Must make a cracking invisible daily.
I was once a passenger in a similar e430 that was driven with a great deal of anger down a very Tight, twisty and wet backroad (oo err). It was far faster and more composed than I ever thought it would be. I shall follow your updates with interest.
I was once a passenger in a similar e430 that was driven with a great deal of anger down a very Tight, twisty and wet backroad (oo err). It was far faster and more composed than I ever thought it would be. I shall follow your updates with interest.
r129sl said:
Running my r129 (which has 266,000+ miles on it) and my s124 (now up past 357,000) is quite expensive and neither of them is the last word in refinement.
I'm interested in your views on refinement of the W210 vs the W124. Granted its been nearly 10 years since I last drove a W124 (our old 200TE), but from memory at the time I didn't notice that much difference between a W124 and slightly newer cars, in this case my E39 (same period as the W210), in terms of refinement.
Edited by RiccardoG on Wednesday 7th June 20:07
The hideous weather having passed, I got round to changing the auxiliary fan relay. My concern was that the fans seem to run at speed an awful lot. The usual culprit (according to the sages of the internet who all speak in an American accent) is the auxiliary fan control unit, located somewhat awkwardly (easy access—yeah right!) above the near side fog lamp. To access this, remove the nearside front wheel and strip back the wheel arch lining. Then it is a single 10mm bolt. Actually it was easy.
What I found was interesting. First, it is immaculate under there. All the suspension components are clean and rust free. Second, there is no major rust on the chassis, although there is a fair bit of speckling. Third, all the rubber components look brand new. See below:
You can see the old relay hidden here:
And new and old on the chopping block:
When I was finished, I sprayed Dynax S50 liberally on any painted metal. The chassis leg, the backside of the front wing, the inner wing, the wheel house. Who knows whether it is worthwhile but it surely can't do any harm.
I am not sure whether the fans now run less. I went for a road test but in all honesty it was hard to tell. They still seem to run more than they should. However, I cannot see any bad sensor value which might be causing them to switch on. Maybe the refrigerant volume is not quite high enough. It runs at 17 to 22bar but I have seen it suggested that it should be higher.
Finally, the steering is a bit squeaky. This is probably just the rubber boot at the foot of the steering column being a bit dry. However, just in case, and in order to spend £7, I ordered some Lubrizol additive from the main dealer. Into the reservoir, run the engine, jerk the steering around at each lock.
What I found was interesting. First, it is immaculate under there. All the suspension components are clean and rust free. Second, there is no major rust on the chassis, although there is a fair bit of speckling. Third, all the rubber components look brand new. See below:
You can see the old relay hidden here:
And new and old on the chopping block:
When I was finished, I sprayed Dynax S50 liberally on any painted metal. The chassis leg, the backside of the front wing, the inner wing, the wheel house. Who knows whether it is worthwhile but it surely can't do any harm.
I am not sure whether the fans now run less. I went for a road test but in all honesty it was hard to tell. They still seem to run more than they should. However, I cannot see any bad sensor value which might be causing them to switch on. Maybe the refrigerant volume is not quite high enough. It runs at 17 to 22bar but I have seen it suggested that it should be higher.
Finally, the steering is a bit squeaky. This is probably just the rubber boot at the foot of the steering column being a bit dry. However, just in case, and in order to spend £7, I ordered some Lubrizol additive from the main dealer. Into the reservoir, run the engine, jerk the steering around at each lock.
[quote=r129sl]
Thanks KS. Whereabouts did you see us and what were you in?
I was the kind chap that let you out yesterday outside the RGS. In the black lexus with the big wheels and the daft body kit.....
The sprint will be out soon just sorting out a bits and bobs, don't think it'll be used on the school run though, my daughter won't be seen dead in it!!!
Thanks KS. Whereabouts did you see us and what were you in?
I was the kind chap that let you out yesterday outside the RGS. In the black lexus with the big wheels and the daft body kit.....
The sprint will be out soon just sorting out a bits and bobs, don't think it'll be used on the school run though, my daughter won't be seen dead in it!!!
killysprint]129sl said:
Thanks KS. Whereabouts did you see us and what were you in?
I was the kind chap that let you out yesterday outside the RGS. In the black lexus with the big wheels and the daft body kit.....
The sprint will be out soon just sorting out a bits and bobs, don't think it'll be used on the school run though, my daughter won't be seen dead in it!!!
Hahaha, I made an arse of getting out of that parking space! Thank you. The driving round there can be thoughtless.I was the kind chap that let you out yesterday outside the RGS. In the black lexus with the big wheels and the daft body kit.....
The sprint will be out soon just sorting out a bits and bobs, don't think it'll be used on the school run though, my daughter won't be seen dead in it!!!
Edit: I have sussed out the fans. Either there is too much gas in there or the pressure sensor is bust. The fans switch on at 14bar. The pressure is never less than 14bar. Makes sense? I think I'll just let a bit out (screwdriver pressed onto valve) and see what happens.
Edited by r129sl on Wednesday 7th June 23:00
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