Sensible family daily wagon - Mercedes Benz S211 E500
Discussion
Old and new
I think that the 210 looks fantastic in solver with the private plate and AMG monoblocks, though the fact that it's an E320 and not an E430 is a shame. A Merc estate ought to have a big V8, then you'll be a goddamn sexual Tyrannosaurus, just like me.
I think that the 210 looks fantastic in solver with the private plate and AMG monoblocks, though the fact that it's an E320 and not an E430 is a shame. A Merc estate ought to have a big V8, then you'll be a goddamn sexual Tyrannosaurus, just like me.
Edited by bolidemichael on Monday 26th August 18:09
Late October came along and I reasoned that it was time to 'make like a tyre and roll'
to the tyre place and swap the contisport summer tyres out for the Michelin Alpin winter tyres. There was around 2.5mm remaining on the Continentals, so we scrapped them and left me plotting which tyres to opt for next. I had around six months to decide and in the meantime I was looking forward to seeing how the Michelins performed.
Once again, an estate comes out trumps for everyday practical requirements. The V8 is necessary for lugging power.
The plan was to put the winter tyres onto the current shagged alloys and refurb the second set that I picked up for the summer tyres.
I would then have immaculate wheels, whilst plotting how to add increasing amounts of patina to the bodywork.
to the tyre place and swap the contisport summer tyres out for the Michelin Alpin winter tyres. There was around 2.5mm remaining on the Continentals, so we scrapped them and left me plotting which tyres to opt for next. I had around six months to decide and in the meantime I was looking forward to seeing how the Michelins performed.
Once again, an estate comes out trumps for everyday practical requirements. The V8 is necessary for lugging power.
The plan was to put the winter tyres onto the current shagged alloys and refurb the second set that I picked up for the summer tyres.
I would then have immaculate wheels, whilst plotting how to add increasing amounts of patina to the bodywork.
Edited by bolidemichael on Tuesday 6th August 00:08
I rounded off the year, by kissing another vehicle at seemingly no speed on Wandsworth roundabout.
It was a strange one, as I suspect that he actually cut across into my lane, misjudging the distance and scraping my n/s/f, but as I was looking over my shoulder at the time towards the n/s/r, I can't be certain. Anyway, the chap didn't pursue any claim so I have been left with another piece of patina to add to my collection.
It was a strange one, as I suspect that he actually cut across into my lane, misjudging the distance and scraping my n/s/f, but as I was looking over my shoulder at the time towards the n/s/r, I can't be certain. Anyway, the chap didn't pursue any claim so I have been left with another piece of patina to add to my collection.
Christmas time took us up to Norfolk and the journey back entailed cruising at a slow speed to let my tired little children rest. I've posted the trip report for comparison with my exhaust improvements at a later juncture. Hitherto, this had been the highest mpg that I had seen... high twenties!
Some highlights from a very involved year so far!
In Feb, the crankshaft position sensor packed up. Basically, the car doesn't start when hot and it takes about ten minutes before getting going again. It happened on Friday night on the way home from work at a petrol station and I called my MB friend who told me what the issue was. Funnily enough, he had warned me about this when I first got the car and advised me to replace it, as they are a common issue on the M113 engines. I ordered and collected one from MB Brooklands the next morning (10% MB Club discount was handy) and Magnus took me there and back, before dying on idle as I pulled over to read a text!
The resolution was easy enough with a little know-how... remove the engine covers, dismantle the MAF in order to access it, remove it with a torx E11, lie down (!) on the engine block with head pointing towards nsf a pillar, reach over with left hand and remove/replace sensor. Man points for having accomplished this for myself... though I did have to call my friend after an infuriating forty five minutes with all manner of extensions in an attempt to access the CPS for removal! He said "that's why I told you to remove the MAF, as you have to lie down on the block"!
The replacement component
Front engine cover removed
Main engine cover removed
MAF disconnected ready for removal
Extension with a TORX E11 socket for removal of bolt... but not the CPS
Disconnection of the wire to the CPS
The failed component, removed after far too much wasted time, using my 'reach around' technique
Engine warning light still appearing
After a little drive round the block, no more warning light
In Feb, the crankshaft position sensor packed up. Basically, the car doesn't start when hot and it takes about ten minutes before getting going again. It happened on Friday night on the way home from work at a petrol station and I called my MB friend who told me what the issue was. Funnily enough, he had warned me about this when I first got the car and advised me to replace it, as they are a common issue on the M113 engines. I ordered and collected one from MB Brooklands the next morning (10% MB Club discount was handy) and Magnus took me there and back, before dying on idle as I pulled over to read a text!
The resolution was easy enough with a little know-how... remove the engine covers, dismantle the MAF in order to access it, remove it with a torx E11, lie down (!) on the engine block with head pointing towards nsf a pillar, reach over with left hand and remove/replace sensor. Man points for having accomplished this for myself... though I did have to call my friend after an infuriating forty five minutes with all manner of extensions in an attempt to access the CPS for removal! He said "that's why I told you to remove the MAF, as you have to lie down on the block"!
The replacement component
Front engine cover removed
Main engine cover removed
MAF disconnected ready for removal
Extension with a TORX E11 socket for removal of bolt... but not the CPS
Disconnection of the wire to the CPS
The failed component, removed after far too much wasted time, using my 'reach around' technique
Engine warning light still appearing
After a little drive round the block, no more warning light
February half term came along and an impromptu trip to the Isle of Wight ensued... that was a frustrating drive too with loads of dawdlers on the outside lane of the dual carriageway. The conditions were extremely foggy as soon as we hit Butser Hill on the A3 into Portsmouth, long enough to postpone the ferry departure for an hour or so.
Queuing
On the water
On arrival it was akin to driving in the 1950s, narrow lanes and hedgerows. The sea fog still remained dense
POWEEEERRRRR
Other than the excitement of the arrival night, it's a fabulous place with a varied topography. We didn't see too much but enjoyed our stay enough to desire a return trip. Magnus performed admirably and the winter tyres - Michelin Alpins being very sure footed.
Queuing
On the water
On arrival it was akin to driving in the 1950s, narrow lanes and hedgerows. The sea fog still remained dense
POWEEEERRRRR
Other than the excitement of the arrival night, it's a fabulous place with a varied topography. We didn't see too much but enjoyed our stay enough to desire a return trip. Magnus performed admirably and the winter tyres - Michelin Alpins being very sure footed.
Edited by bolidemichael on Friday 18th September 09:47
March saw the much anticipated (for me) Goodwood Breakfast Club, themed 'Fast Estate Sunday'. I hauled myself out of bed early on Sunday morning for a swift and wet drive down to Goodwood in Surrey, from SW London on the mostly deserted A3. The Michelin Alpin tyres are very good in the wet, too.
For most of the drive, I was being kept honest by a Ford Focus ST estate who actually parked next to me on track = "Bloody hell it's a 500, no wonder we couldn't keep up!" was the remark, promptly followed by a discussion on the merits of winter tyres, as their summers were really skittish in the conditions. It was mostly this reason, rather then bhp which enabled my liberal application of the throttle. Funnily enough, their reg was also ending AZB, but I never got a photo of my Ford cousin.
A bonus of the atrocious weather was the sparse attendance, which made queuing for a breakfast roll and coffee a breeze. There were some fantastic cars on display, including my favourite combo of E61 M5 Touring - Indianapolis Red with a Sepang Bronze interior, lovely.
Alpina B5 bi-turbo
A lovely rare E39 540i - it's aged well and the alloys suit it.
This Lancia Thema HFE isn't too common
JAAAAAAAG
An unusual Tesla 'Qwest' conversion
Some sort of Vauxhall Carlton, I'm sure that @b'stardchild would know what it is!
I do like these Polestar V60s, a thinking man's estate
Triumph 2000 estate with 46k miles
This chap couldn't spend enough money on his RS6 - detailed, lowered, boosted - it pushed out something like 900bhp!
This Alpina B5 has an impressive spec list and was immaculate. Much want.
My favourite combo of M5
This attractive Alpina D3 lives locally to me and the plate was previously on an E46 based D3. I love the stripes
V8 sported proudly on the grille. I'd rather be in my Merc on a day like that!
Finally, Magnus, in situ
For most of the drive, I was being kept honest by a Ford Focus ST estate who actually parked next to me on track = "Bloody hell it's a 500, no wonder we couldn't keep up!" was the remark, promptly followed by a discussion on the merits of winter tyres, as their summers were really skittish in the conditions. It was mostly this reason, rather then bhp which enabled my liberal application of the throttle. Funnily enough, their reg was also ending AZB, but I never got a photo of my Ford cousin.
A bonus of the atrocious weather was the sparse attendance, which made queuing for a breakfast roll and coffee a breeze. There were some fantastic cars on display, including my favourite combo of E61 M5 Touring - Indianapolis Red with a Sepang Bronze interior, lovely.
Alpina B5 bi-turbo
A lovely rare E39 540i - it's aged well and the alloys suit it.
This Lancia Thema HFE isn't too common
JAAAAAAAG
An unusual Tesla 'Qwest' conversion
Some sort of Vauxhall Carlton, I'm sure that @b'stardchild would know what it is!
I do like these Polestar V60s, a thinking man's estate
Triumph 2000 estate with 46k miles
This chap couldn't spend enough money on his RS6 - detailed, lowered, boosted - it pushed out something like 900bhp!
This Alpina B5 has an impressive spec list and was immaculate. Much want.
My favourite combo of M5
This attractive Alpina D3 lives locally to me and the plate was previously on an E46 based D3. I love the stripes
V8 sported proudly on the grille. I'd rather be in my Merc on a day like that!
Finally, Magnus, in situ
Edited by bolidemichael on Friday 15th November 14:07
Edited by bolidemichael on Saturday 16th November 20:55
Late March came along and Spring was in the air. A little spring cleaning of the headlights was required... I had done them the year before and failed to protect them with UV, so the cloudiness started to creep in again. Cloudy headlights really age a car and subsequent to keeping Magnus in fine mechanical fettle, it's a shame these degrade so easily.
This time around, I extended the tape to cover more of the bodywork. Last time around, the mop (attached to the end of a drill) lightly scored the panels and so I wanted to avoid this
Not perfect, but better...
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This time around, I extended the tape to cover more of the bodywork. Last time around, the mop (attached to the end of a drill) lightly scored the panels and so I wanted to avoid this
Not perfect, but better...
idealstandard said:
Thankyou for making my lunchbreak more interesting than normal. That was a great read. Look forward to future updates.
Thank you for your comment. It is quite gratifying as I have set myself the Sissiphian task of trying to catch up with the present day, yet perpetually seem to be one year behind!Spring was burgeoning in April and so with detailing in my mind, I placed a juicy order with the excellent English company, Bilt Hamber.
Cleanser fluid is for scraping old polish from bodywork
Double speed wax is for better bodywork (Mrs Bolide's A2) and Auto Balm is for stone chips and assists with rust prevention
Korrosol is a fallout remover, citrus bomb is an air con sanitiser and smells great. The clay is the medium density.
Surfex is a great degreaser undiluted and APC when diluted. We now use it around the house too.Five litres is a steal at £15.
Auto Wheel is an alloy cleaner that reacts with iron to show that it's working. I also stocked up on cheap detailing brushes, too.
The first run with these products was Mrs Bolide's A2, which turned out really well
Whilst tracking was being done on the A2, I also inspected and collected the refurbished summer alloys. Surprisingly, they turned up as diamond cut, according to the product code. They had been refurbished when I bought them soon after purchasing the car, getting rid of the horrid 19" aftermarket alloys, though obviously not to spec. I think that they turned out quite nicely.
Additionally, I opted for Falken Azensis FK510s, to replace my 2mm Continental PremiumContact MO that we binned when switching to Michelin Alpin winter tyres. I conducted quite a bit of research on these and felt that the approximation of reviews and tests for 17" summer tyres indicated that the cost compromise on the Falkens was worth the quality difference to the Michelin Pilot Sport 4. I bought four tyres for the price of three Michelins.
They weren't all perfect - here you can see some light scoring, but for £50 each, I didn't get too upset when my tyre 'Man' resisted sending them back. Hindsight proves that I could live with the imperfections.
Next step was to take them home, give them a polish/protection with BH Double Speed wax and dress the tyres, before returning to have them fitted and then wheels tracked.
Cleanser fluid is for scraping old polish from bodywork
Double speed wax is for better bodywork (Mrs Bolide's A2) and Auto Balm is for stone chips and assists with rust prevention
Korrosol is a fallout remover, citrus bomb is an air con sanitiser and smells great. The clay is the medium density.
Surfex is a great degreaser undiluted and APC when diluted. We now use it around the house too.Five litres is a steal at £15.
Auto Wheel is an alloy cleaner that reacts with iron to show that it's working. I also stocked up on cheap detailing brushes, too.
The first run with these products was Mrs Bolide's A2, which turned out really well
Whilst tracking was being done on the A2, I also inspected and collected the refurbished summer alloys. Surprisingly, they turned up as diamond cut, according to the product code. They had been refurbished when I bought them soon after purchasing the car, getting rid of the horrid 19" aftermarket alloys, though obviously not to spec. I think that they turned out quite nicely.
Additionally, I opted for Falken Azensis FK510s, to replace my 2mm Continental PremiumContact MO that we binned when switching to Michelin Alpin winter tyres. I conducted quite a bit of research on these and felt that the approximation of reviews and tests for 17" summer tyres indicated that the cost compromise on the Falkens was worth the quality difference to the Michelin Pilot Sport 4. I bought four tyres for the price of three Michelins.
They weren't all perfect - here you can see some light scoring, but for £50 each, I didn't get too upset when my tyre 'Man' resisted sending them back. Hindsight proves that I could live with the imperfections.
Next step was to take them home, give them a polish/protection with BH Double Speed wax and dress the tyres, before returning to have them fitted and then wheels tracked.
Excellent. That E39 must be one of the last on an 04 plate and I love the Rover P6. I mistakenly thought Bilt Hamber was a German company so happy to see it's English.
I tried the 3M kit on my 210's headlamps but I didn't really do a good job. It was a lot of effort for not much improvement.
Please consider me if you decide to sell the 211, though I suspect you're keeping it for a while longer
I tried the 3M kit on my 210's headlamps but I didn't really do a good job. It was a lot of effort for not much improvement.
Please consider me if you decide to sell the 211, though I suspect you're keeping it for a while longer
I hadn't seen that coming! I do plan to hold onto it for longer and my investment demonstrates my intentions, but there is also the niggling expectation that I'll probably require something like an R Class sooner or later, for three generation roadtrips...
Bilt Hamber are a fantastic company with which to deal and are very responsive and engaging to questions regarding the correct usage of their products.
I decontaminated the alloys and then applied BH Cleanser Polish - despite there having been no polish nor wax to cleanse, it still provides an excellent adhesive base for the subsequent application of Double speed wax. I then applied two coats of double speed wax, leaving a few days for each coat to cure (which is actually unnecessary as it simply makes it tougher to remove!) to the refurbed alloys and many coats of Meguiars Endurance Tyre Gel (all capitalised). My intention was that the double speed wax would resist the impregnation of brake pads dust, metal filings and general fallout penetrating the lacquer.
That weekend, I started on detailing the car. Really, one day isn't enough but there you go
BH Auto Wheel is very effective
A 50/50 using just the power wash
Clay Bar - I struggled with this medium density clay bar in cooler April weather, so had to use my neighbour's amazon sourced item, which was good enough.
Decontaminated, cleansed, polished, finished - this job should see the car protected until the late Autumn
Bilt Hamber are a fantastic company with which to deal and are very responsive and engaging to questions regarding the correct usage of their products.
I decontaminated the alloys and then applied BH Cleanser Polish - despite there having been no polish nor wax to cleanse, it still provides an excellent adhesive base for the subsequent application of Double speed wax. I then applied two coats of double speed wax, leaving a few days for each coat to cure (which is actually unnecessary as it simply makes it tougher to remove!) to the refurbed alloys and many coats of Meguiars Endurance Tyre Gel (all capitalised). My intention was that the double speed wax would resist the impregnation of brake pads dust, metal filings and general fallout penetrating the lacquer.
That weekend, I started on detailing the car. Really, one day isn't enough but there you go
BH Auto Wheel is very effective
A 50/50 using just the power wash
Clay Bar - I struggled with this medium density clay bar in cooler April weather, so had to use my neighbour's amazon sourced item, which was good enough.
Decontaminated, cleansed, polished, finished - this job should see the car protected until the late Autumn
Next fettle was a service due, according to the obc - I was over by just a couple of hundred miles, so had timed it really well.
I received a call telling me that the propshaft couplings needed to be replaced and a thrust arm needed replacing. I hate the diminishing of the performance and silent ride, so I don't put up an argument in most instances. However, the manifold connection had begun to rasp since the replacement of the exhaust - as the flange was widened for the fitment of an awful powerflow exhaust. Some putty was slopped on initially but this perished, so the garage applied some more. If it didn't work, I would be looking at a replacement o/s manifold and the exhaust at £738... no thanks!
A minor thing but important - the sunroof kept retracting to the half opened position so I asked them to lube it - the lube is available from MB, but it's a large enough tub for a generation of vehicles!
As always, Star-Tec seemed to do the correct job with no comebacks and I endured a pleasant delusion that the car felt smoother from cold and less sluggish after the oil and filter change. In hindsight... perhaps it was the propshaft coupling?
I received a call telling me that the propshaft couplings needed to be replaced and a thrust arm needed replacing. I hate the diminishing of the performance and silent ride, so I don't put up an argument in most instances. However, the manifold connection had begun to rasp since the replacement of the exhaust - as the flange was widened for the fitment of an awful powerflow exhaust. Some putty was slopped on initially but this perished, so the garage applied some more. If it didn't work, I would be looking at a replacement o/s manifold and the exhaust at £738... no thanks!
A minor thing but important - the sunroof kept retracting to the half opened position so I asked them to lube it - the lube is available from MB, but it's a large enough tub for a generation of vehicles!
As always, Star-Tec seemed to do the correct job with no comebacks and I endured a pleasant delusion that the car felt smoother from cold and less sluggish after the oil and filter change. In hindsight... perhaps it was the propshaft coupling?
I bounced back home and grabbed the wheels for fitting - April 18th, so five months on winter tyres.
Arrived at the den of my tyre 'Man'
Admiring the work of my deep detail
and the car on as new diamond cut Ankaa 17"s - it's the first time that I've ever had refurbished wheels so I am not going to be parking within six inches of any kerb from now on!
After that, it was home and then a clean of the winter wheels with BH Auto Wheel - as powerful as this class leading product is, it took a couple of passes to dissolve the grime. After that, it was a case of tucking them away until required, but the alloys are in a pretty poor condition and it's only £50 an alloy to get them refurbished...
So I gave it another squirt
I also had asked the garage to fit me a new badge that I had purchased a while ago, the previous one was wonky and sad - the new one got a polish and protect with double speed and some remaining polish from the detail tidied up with a swab
Then it was back to using Magnus as intended
Arrived at the den of my tyre 'Man'
Admiring the work of my deep detail
and the car on as new diamond cut Ankaa 17"s - it's the first time that I've ever had refurbished wheels so I am not going to be parking within six inches of any kerb from now on!
After that, it was home and then a clean of the winter wheels with BH Auto Wheel - as powerful as this class leading product is, it took a couple of passes to dissolve the grime. After that, it was a case of tucking them away until required, but the alloys are in a pretty poor condition and it's only £50 an alloy to get them refurbished...
So I gave it another squirt
I also had asked the garage to fit me a new badge that I had purchased a while ago, the previous one was wonky and sad - the new one got a polish and protect with double speed and some remaining polish from the detail tidied up with a swab
Then it was back to using Magnus as intended
At the end of May, we had planned to go to San Sebastian for the first time, having been to Torla in the Monte Perdido National Park the previous year. We had booked the tickets for the ferry quite far in advance, but around two weeks prior to departure, I was sent a message from Brittany Ferries regarding some essential maintenance for the ferry; this meant that the ferry would depart from Plymouth a few hours later than planned at around 6pm, scheduled to arrive in Santander for 4pm on Monday. As San Sebastian is around a couple of hours drive, we'd arrive in reasonable time, but still robbing us of some time in a week's holiday.
Events conspired to work in our favour, as things transpired; I received another message on the Thursday prior to departure informing me that the ferry had been cancelled all together and that I'd have to book another route to France! Since I had never driven to the South West of France having arrived by the most southerly port available with Brittany Ferries, it took me a while to do my research and in the meantime, all of the remaining overnight options were disappearing as I went to click the mouse... I was left with an option that actually seemed quite suitable if a bit of a stretch. Leaving Portsmouth at 0830hrs on Sunday morning, we would arrive at the port of Caen at 1400hrs local time. This meant a 500odd mile drive to San Sebastian with two children... but we were fairly confident that it would be okay, trying to stick to around 100mph and just munching through the miles.
On Saturday, we planned the food for the journey down - some cooked pizzas, chicken wings, salad, crisps and nibbles were prepared, in addition to some lovely Cypriot fried onion and lamb meatballs called koftedes - thanks to my Mum!
On Sunday morning, we were in the car at 0630hrs as planned and the day was pleasant. We live fairly close to the A3 which takes us all the way to Portsmouth and at this time on a Sunday we just sailed down at a generous pace without being overly rushed. We arrived on time and them embarked according to schedule.
The ferry was typically fantastic, with lots of facilities, a cinema to pass the time and a play area for the children.
Events conspired to work in our favour, as things transpired; I received another message on the Thursday prior to departure informing me that the ferry had been cancelled all together and that I'd have to book another route to France! Since I had never driven to the South West of France having arrived by the most southerly port available with Brittany Ferries, it took me a while to do my research and in the meantime, all of the remaining overnight options were disappearing as I went to click the mouse... I was left with an option that actually seemed quite suitable if a bit of a stretch. Leaving Portsmouth at 0830hrs on Sunday morning, we would arrive at the port of Caen at 1400hrs local time. This meant a 500odd mile drive to San Sebastian with two children... but we were fairly confident that it would be okay, trying to stick to around 100mph and just munching through the miles.
On Saturday, we planned the food for the journey down - some cooked pizzas, chicken wings, salad, crisps and nibbles were prepared, in addition to some lovely Cypriot fried onion and lamb meatballs called koftedes - thanks to my Mum!
On Sunday morning, we were in the car at 0630hrs as planned and the day was pleasant. We live fairly close to the A3 which takes us all the way to Portsmouth and at this time on a Sunday we just sailed down at a generous pace without being overly rushed. We arrived on time and them embarked according to schedule.
The ferry was typically fantastic, with lots of facilities, a cinema to pass the time and a play area for the children.
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