Sensible family daily wagon - Mercedes Benz S211 E500
Discussion
Come departure day we had some time to kill, as were planning to luncheon in Cupar, at the place run by my uni mate and his brother. Before that, I was very keen to see Broughty Ferry for some reason.
Well, we took a very short drive and it certainly has an interesting topography with plenty of nice houses with mature trees. The incline of some of the roads is quite a challenge for pedestrians and cyclists alike.
On the rather quaint drive to Cupar over the Tay Road Bridge and then alongside the River Tay on the B946, we came across a rather nice view:
the slogan on the flower bed says 'Wormit in Bloom'. Quite.
I believe that I'm correct in stating the the inverse of this view is one that I had spotted from the veranda of the V&A
from there is was a nice brisk drive to the lovely town of Cupar.
and perhaps the lineage of a certain Mercedes enthusiast that frequents these forums.
After a lovely lunch at The Press Cafe & Bistro we meandered back through Stirling, with the Ochils to our offiside.
Back to Glasgow
The journey down to London had a moment of the kind of excitement that I like, just after Preston.
I still had five litres remaining...
It was a fairly turgid journey home. lots of slow coaches, congestion and poor weather around the Manchester M6. The end of half term.
Well, we took a very short drive and it certainly has an interesting topography with plenty of nice houses with mature trees. The incline of some of the roads is quite a challenge for pedestrians and cyclists alike.
On the rather quaint drive to Cupar over the Tay Road Bridge and then alongside the River Tay on the B946, we came across a rather nice view:
the slogan on the flower bed says 'Wormit in Bloom'. Quite.
I believe that I'm correct in stating the the inverse of this view is one that I had spotted from the veranda of the V&A
from there is was a nice brisk drive to the lovely town of Cupar.
and perhaps the lineage of a certain Mercedes enthusiast that frequents these forums.
After a lovely lunch at The Press Cafe & Bistro we meandered back through Stirling, with the Ochils to our offiside.
Back to Glasgow
The journey down to London had a moment of the kind of excitement that I like, just after Preston.
I still had five litres remaining...
It was a fairly turgid journey home. lots of slow coaches, congestion and poor weather around the Manchester M6. The end of half term.
Another great update. I have family north of Dundee and try and visit once or twice a year. I visited the V&A in November 2019 and agree it’s a fantastic place - the Mackintosh tea rooms are the high point for me, but most of the displays are fascinating. When I next get up there I’ll make a point of visiting again.
Always nice to see an update in this thread
bolidemichael said:
Additionally, some of you may have enjoyed whiling away the hours on a computer game named 'Lemmings'. It was a veritable classic and so addictive. I recall that it earned a score above 95% in C&VG mag.
It was created by DMA Design, based in Dundee and they went on to become Rockstar and to create Grand Theft Auto.
The only computer game I have ever played (winter lemmings) - probably still got the floppy disc somewhere - not that my current PC even has a floppy disc slot!!!It was created by DMA Design, based in Dundee and they went on to become Rockstar and to create Grand Theft Auto.
Stegel said:
Another great update. I have family north of Dundee and try and visit once or twice a year. I visited the V&A in November 2019 and agree it’s a fantastic place - the Mackintosh tea rooms are the high point for me, but most of the displays are fascinating. When I next get up there I’ll make a point of visiting again.
Thanks Steve, it was really worthwhile - we stayed in the Apex hotel and everything about it was fantastic, including the swimming pool/spa facilities for all of the family to enjoy.I was particularly enamoured by the Mackintosh Tea Rooms; for those uncertain of the story behind this, it was a tea room designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh, an influential designer/architect whose legacy has been fraught with danger from the ravages of time. This particularly characteristic interior was salvaged by a prescient council worker, although no contemporary pictures of the furniture exist and the originals are likely dotted around the tenement buildings of Glasgow.
Here is a great view from underneath the Tay Road Bridge
tobinen said:
Very good BM. It has me pining for another road trip, whenever that might be.
Me too, particularly as I continue to spend money on Magnus, going nowhere! I've been eyeing up a leaflet that I picked up at the tourist office in Dundee, anticipating having to enjoy creative staycations in 2021. Below is a clickable pic... just look at the potential trips to all of the islands!
B'stard Child said:
The only computer game I have ever played (winter lemmings) - probably still got the floppy disc somewhere - not that my current PC even has a floppy disc slot!!!
I reckon that it'll be downloadable as an app nowadays. Do you recall the little jumping sound and splat they made? It was great.
nblr said:
Always enjoy these updates - this thread was a part of the reason I bought an s211 e500 recently.
Also speaking of Calmac, I’m a regular visitor to the Isle of Lewis (where my mother comes from) so I’m a bit biased but can recommend it. The village, from another village:
Fascinating nblr... so my commitment to throwing huge sums of money at an ageing and anachronistic ICE powered motor has partly inspired you? I love not being the only nutter. Can you tell us more about your motor? I watch most of them for sale, so may have spotted it.Also speaking of Calmac, I’m a regular visitor to the Isle of Lewis (where my mother comes from) so I’m a bit biased but can recommend it. The village, from another village:
Also, thanks for the pic, it looks wild and isolated and lovely. I'm very keen to head to the Isle of Harris Distillery which is in Tarbet and pick up a bottle of gin. Ideally I'd arrive there in the most interesting manner possible... I'll start plotting at some point soon
B'stard Child said:
bolidemichael said:
a satisfying fix? Like f
k, it fell off soon after!
Sorry but I laughed - I laughed a lot!!!!k, it fell off soon after!king thing has been sitting in my leather bag for over a year now! I'm too tight to purchase another and keep forgetting to tackling it - apparently one solution is to push a burning hot piece of metal into the plastic frame in place of the snapped lug.bolidemichael said:
The fking thing has been sitting in my leather bag for over a year now! I'm too tight to purchase another and keep forgetting to tackling it - apparently one solution is to push a burning hot piece of metal into the plastic frame in place of the snapped lug.
Drill a hole in the flap cut down a panel pin and epoxy in place worked for me have done both sides.king thing has been sitting in my leather bag for over a year now! I'm too tight to purchase another and keep forgetting to tackling it - apparently one solution is to push a burning hot piece of metal into the plastic frame in place of the snapped lug.bolidemichael said:
Fascinating nblr... so my commitment to throwing huge sums of money at an ageing and anachronistic ICE powered motor has partly inspired you? I love not being the only nutter. Can you tell us more about your motor? I watch most of them for sale, so may have spotted it.
Also, thanks for the pic, it looks wild and isolated and lovely. I'm very keen to head to the Isle of Harris Distillery which is in Tarbet and pick up a bottle of gin. Ideally I'd arrive there in the most interesting manner possible... I'll start plotting at some point soon
Yeah I sold my old car and bought an e34 5 series in the summer, but it was a bit miserable in the rain and dark and frost so was looking for something newer and estate shaped. So this thread put an e500 on the list of potentials. I saw this one in East Kilbride, the only one I’d seen within sensible driving distance:Also, thanks for the pic, it looks wild and isolated and lovely. I'm very keen to head to the Isle of Harris Distillery which is in Tarbet and pick up a bottle of gin. Ideally I'd arrive there in the most interesting manner possible... I'll start plotting at some point soon
Tanzanite Blue, 160k. Checked all the air suspension, looked fine, interior was in good condition, drove nicely, bought it. Went into the garage in mid December, didn’t come out until mid January after getting an engine mount and exhaust manifold replaced, new brake lines and refurbed alloys, so the bills have already started However passed MOT no bother and decided to be optimistic and consider it an investment.
harrycovert said:
bolidemichael said:
The fking thing has been sitting in my leather bag for over a year now! I'm too tight to purchase another and keep forgetting to tackling it - apparently one solution is to push a burning hot piece of metal into the plastic frame in place of the snapped lug.
Drill a hole in the flap cut down a panel pin and epoxy in place worked for me have done both sides.king thing has been sitting in my leather bag for over a year now! I'm too tight to purchase another and keep forgetting to tackling it - apparently one solution is to push a burning hot piece of metal into the plastic frame in place of the snapped lug.nblr said:
bolidemichael said:
Fascinating nblr... so my commitment to throwing huge sums of money at an ageing and anachronistic ICE powered motor has partly inspired you? I love not being the only nutter. Can you tell us more about your motor? I watch most of them for sale, so may have spotted it.
Also, thanks for the pic, it looks wild and isolated and lovely. I'm very keen to head to the Isle of Harris Distillery which is in Tarbet and pick up a bottle of gin. Ideally I'd arrive there in the most interesting manner possible... I'll start plotting at some point soon
Yeah I sold my old car and bought an e34 5 series in the summer, but it was a bit miserable in the rain and dark and frost so was looking for something newer and estate shaped. So this thread put an e500 on the list of potentials. I saw this one in East Kilbride, the only one I’d seen within sensible driving distance:Also, thanks for the pic, it looks wild and isolated and lovely. I'm very keen to head to the Isle of Harris Distillery which is in Tarbet and pick up a bottle of gin. Ideally I'd arrive there in the most interesting manner possible... I'll start plotting at some point soon
Tanzanite Blue, 160k. Checked all the air suspension, looked fine, interior was in good condition, drove nicely, bought it. Went into the garage in mid December, didn’t come out until mid January after getting an engine mount and exhaust manifold replaced, new brake lines and refurbed alloys, so the bills have already started However passed MOT no bother and decided to be optimistic and consider it an investment.
Do you know what work has been done recently? I think that Tanzanite Blue is possibly the nicest colour for the S211 - what colour is the interior? I'd be interested in seeing the build sheet, purely to perv over the options list.
Where are you based?
I'm West Lothian, so a short hop over to East Kilbride.
There's a history file with it but seems a bit spotty - doesn't have the replacement of the rear airbags which was in the last couple of years. It's mostly suspension parts, but also a £1500 bill for various bodywork repairs a few months before it was sold to the trader I bought it from, so looks good from the outside.
Spec sheet is here: https://www.vindecoderz.com/EN/check-lookup/WDB211...
I don't think it's particularly well specced from reading the manual, however it does have dynamic and heated seats which were at the top of my list. Black leather inside, which is fine but cream would have been perfect with the blue outside. Seats are all good condition, no tears or bad wear for the mileage, so overall has held up nicely. The finer points like door seals and clips are a bit tattier but might look at replacing them if I can.
My 4 year old daughter is a huge fan of it as well, especially all the cubbies which she can hide stuff in and the sweetie drawer next to the glovebox. I'm just sad it doesn't have the 7 seat option as that would have blown her tiny mind.
There's a history file with it but seems a bit spotty - doesn't have the replacement of the rear airbags which was in the last couple of years. It's mostly suspension parts, but also a £1500 bill for various bodywork repairs a few months before it was sold to the trader I bought it from, so looks good from the outside.
Spec sheet is here: https://www.vindecoderz.com/EN/check-lookup/WDB211...
I don't think it's particularly well specced from reading the manual, however it does have dynamic and heated seats which were at the top of my list. Black leather inside, which is fine but cream would have been perfect with the blue outside. Seats are all good condition, no tears or bad wear for the mileage, so overall has held up nicely. The finer points like door seals and clips are a bit tattier but might look at replacing them if I can.
My 4 year old daughter is a huge fan of it as well, especially all the cubbies which she can hide stuff in and the sweetie drawer next to the glovebox. I'm just sad it doesn't have the 7 seat option as that would have blown her tiny mind.
Is it an elegance or avantgarde?
The kids love all the little cubby holes, though don't really like the pop up rear seats. I think that the pimped out windows entail a lack of engagement with follow road users.
Would you mind sharing how long it takes to drive to the Isle of Harris from home and which route you follow?
The kids love all the little cubby holes, though don't really like the pop up rear seats. I think that the pimped out windows entail a lack of engagement with follow road users.
Would you mind sharing how long it takes to drive to the Isle of Harris from home and which route you follow?
It’s an avantgarde.
With no stops, it’s 4 hours from home to Ullapool for the ferry. We take the M90 to Perth, the A9 to Inverness, then there’s another A road to Ullapool. I prefer to do it early morning, leave about 4:30am for the 10:30am ferry (need to be in queue by 9:45) which gives time for a toilet stop and a roll. It lets the wife and kids sleep a lot of the way and it’s really nice driving in the quiet pre-dawn, apart from the average speed cameras on parts of the A9. But you can enjoy more of the scenery. The ferry is 2.5 hours and gets you to Stornoway at 1pm so you still have the afternoon to settle in and do stuff. There’s a later ferry after 5pm but less convenient as a tourist.
However last time (summer 2019) we took my mother in law and the new baby so took a whole day travelling and stopping, stayed overnight in Inverness, then didn’t need to get up very early for the ferry. I normally like getting the travel over with but there’s plenty to see up the A9 so it was nice doing something different.
On the way back we get the afternoon ferry at 2:30, stop in Inverness or Aviemore for dinner then kids sleep most of the way home.
I typed all that out and realised that’s how to get to Lewis - you can drive to Harris from Stornoway or you can get there direct by driving through Skye and getting the ferry to Tarbert. I haven’t done that before but it’s something I'd be interested in doing one day. Both routes seem to work out roughly the same time to Tarbert so maybe depends on what part of the highlands you’d rather see the most. Or just go up one way and back the other.
With no stops, it’s 4 hours from home to Ullapool for the ferry. We take the M90 to Perth, the A9 to Inverness, then there’s another A road to Ullapool. I prefer to do it early morning, leave about 4:30am for the 10:30am ferry (need to be in queue by 9:45) which gives time for a toilet stop and a roll. It lets the wife and kids sleep a lot of the way and it’s really nice driving in the quiet pre-dawn, apart from the average speed cameras on parts of the A9. But you can enjoy more of the scenery. The ferry is 2.5 hours and gets you to Stornoway at 1pm so you still have the afternoon to settle in and do stuff. There’s a later ferry after 5pm but less convenient as a tourist.
However last time (summer 2019) we took my mother in law and the new baby so took a whole day travelling and stopping, stayed overnight in Inverness, then didn’t need to get up very early for the ferry. I normally like getting the travel over with but there’s plenty to see up the A9 so it was nice doing something different.
On the way back we get the afternoon ferry at 2:30, stop in Inverness or Aviemore for dinner then kids sleep most of the way home.
I typed all that out and realised that’s how to get to Lewis - you can drive to Harris from Stornoway or you can get there direct by driving through Skye and getting the ferry to Tarbert. I haven’t done that before but it’s something I'd be interested in doing one day. Both routes seem to work out roughly the same time to Tarbert so maybe depends on what part of the highlands you’d rather see the most. Or just go up one way and back the other.
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