Sensible family daily wagon - Mercedes Benz S211 E500
Discussion
I'm certain that the S211 will set them back for you!
June 2021
There was a camping trip to Sussex - confirmation that a full sized airbed will fit
and at some point, I removed the rear bench seats for the first time in years, to marvel at how much space can be gained. What for, is another questions, but it's good to know that it's there if required.
June 2021
There was a camping trip to Sussex - confirmation that a full sized airbed will fit
and at some point, I removed the rear bench seats for the first time in years, to marvel at how much space can be gained. What for, is another questions, but it's good to know that it's there if required.
July 2021
This was a non-Magnus month. Highlights were some rather balmy weather
followed by torrential rain storms
Additionally, the slamming bootlid continued to irritate me. Hurrrumph.
This was a non-Magnus month. Highlights were some rather balmy weather
followed by torrential rain storms
Additionally, the slamming bootlid continued to irritate me. Hurrrumph.
August 2021
...began with a Goodwood Breakfast meeting, which we all attended as a family. It was a great morning and there were loads of lovely and evocative classics on display.
I thought that this may have been FastGerman's, but not
The car park, as always, was enticing. One day, I'll just wander around this with my coffee-in-a-mug and have a car show all to myself!
This was one of the highlights for me
OOF indeed
But this would've been my drive-away vehicle of the show
and just look at the sumtuous interior
The stats for the run
There was an issue that we experienced on the A3 return leg i.e. national speeds, with a juddering through the steering wheel. So I took it round to Star-Tec and he put the front wheels onto an oscillator to measure the movement of the front wheels under braking.
But nothing obvious was registered, so we agreed to revisit it at a later date.
...began with a Goodwood Breakfast meeting, which we all attended as a family. It was a great morning and there were loads of lovely and evocative classics on display.
I thought that this may have been FastGerman's, but not
The car park, as always, was enticing. One day, I'll just wander around this with my coffee-in-a-mug and have a car show all to myself!
This was one of the highlights for me
OOF indeed
But this would've been my drive-away vehicle of the show
and just look at the sumtuous interior
The stats for the run
There was an issue that we experienced on the A3 return leg i.e. national speeds, with a juddering through the steering wheel. So I took it round to Star-Tec and he put the front wheels onto an oscillator to measure the movement of the front wheels under braking.
But nothing obvious was registered, so we agreed to revisit it at a later date.
August 2021
As above, we didn't have time to consider the 'tremble' as we were due to go away in a few days -- back to Herefordshire.
Prior to departure, I popped to MB Brooklands to pick up some final fettling bits -- as I had earmarked some quiet time to work on the interior (predominantly). The colour on this G63 is fabulous:
loaded the car, complete with hamster cage in the middle of the rear bench and bags by the childrens' feet. They weren't really amused, but it wasn't tooooo far
Part of the reason that there was a compromise on luggage space was that I had to load the small bikes into the boot, as I only had two bike racks... however, fortuitously, I had managed to find a couple and negotiated £120 with the chap to collect them en route from a nice little village near Oxford. They were a little more than the ones I had purchased in 2020 for £15 each, then again, the popularity and staycations would've ensured that demand increased.
we arrived fairly late, about 2230hrs, but the house was warm and welcoming and we were on holiday
Fuel economy always suffers by about 2/3mpg with bikes on the roof
Unloading, the next day:
One can see that some cheeky MB parts have occupied quite a bit of boot space, sorry children!
Anyway, I was itching to do something on the car, so whilst it was fairly glum on day one, I decided to tackle the trim for the nearside rear quarter glass, which was forever popping out.
with an unfortunate chip in the paint
and peek-a-boo -- the offending clip onto which the trim secures:
The trim is removed from a single bolt
Once removed, the damage on the clip is evident
So here is the replacement part code
Side by side, the damage on the incumbent is clear
The clip slides on, it's a fairly tight fit (precise engineering, thanks to Mercedes)
and we have a fitted trim
the rubber is a bit fiddly and took quite a bit to adjust correctly with my plastic trim tools
and this is the best I could get it. The rubbers aren't available separately, so to get them perfect I'd have to order the upright trims, which isn't imperative.
As above, we didn't have time to consider the 'tremble' as we were due to go away in a few days -- back to Herefordshire.
Prior to departure, I popped to MB Brooklands to pick up some final fettling bits -- as I had earmarked some quiet time to work on the interior (predominantly). The colour on this G63 is fabulous:
loaded the car, complete with hamster cage in the middle of the rear bench and bags by the childrens' feet. They weren't really amused, but it wasn't tooooo far
Part of the reason that there was a compromise on luggage space was that I had to load the small bikes into the boot, as I only had two bike racks... however, fortuitously, I had managed to find a couple and negotiated £120 with the chap to collect them en route from a nice little village near Oxford. They were a little more than the ones I had purchased in 2020 for £15 each, then again, the popularity and staycations would've ensured that demand increased.
we arrived fairly late, about 2230hrs, but the house was warm and welcoming and we were on holiday
Fuel economy always suffers by about 2/3mpg with bikes on the roof
Unloading, the next day:
One can see that some cheeky MB parts have occupied quite a bit of boot space, sorry children!
Anyway, I was itching to do something on the car, so whilst it was fairly glum on day one, I decided to tackle the trim for the nearside rear quarter glass, which was forever popping out.
with an unfortunate chip in the paint
and peek-a-boo -- the offending clip onto which the trim secures:
The trim is removed from a single bolt
Once removed, the damage on the clip is evident
So here is the replacement part code
Side by side, the damage on the incumbent is clear
The clip slides on, it's a fairly tight fit (precise engineering, thanks to Mercedes)
and we have a fitted trim
the rubber is a bit fiddly and took quite a bit to adjust correctly with my plastic trim tools
and this is the best I could get it. The rubbers aren't available separately, so to get them perfect I'd have to order the upright trims, which isn't imperative.
Edited by bolidemichael on Tuesday 15th August 22:00
What a great thread. I’ve not managed to read all of it. I am looking at possibly getting one. A friend managed to find one. It’s a 2002 E500 Avantgarde with FSH. On 155 for £2500. Is there any specific questions I should ask the dealer to see if they have been done? What’s the general cost of parts and service items like?
Thanks.
Incidentally, O Kanenas or Mr Nobody is the name that Odysseus gave to the cyclops before stabbing him in the eye! I imagine that you know this already.
As you've read through the thread, you'll be familiar with almost everything that is likely to go wrong with these as the vehicle begins to show its age. Either you fix everything or it'll drive you mad.
There's another thread called 'An Act of Irresistible Folly' by Magikarp that is less optimistic in its determination to commit to endless overhaul. In fairness, my car has covered 60k and I'm determined to have a reliable and well operating vehicle. It's a peach mate.
Incidentally, O Kanenas or Mr Nobody is the name that Odysseus gave to the cyclops before stabbing him in the eye! I imagine that you know this already.
As you've read through the thread, you'll be familiar with almost everything that is likely to go wrong with these as the vehicle begins to show its age. Either you fix everything or it'll drive you mad.
There's another thread called 'An Act of Irresistible Folly' by Magikarp that is less optimistic in its determination to commit to endless overhaul. In fairness, my car has covered 60k and I'm determined to have a reliable and well operating vehicle. It's a peach mate.
bolidemichael said:
Mr Nobody, I should add that the 2002 E500 is really early and may not have the 7G-Tronic, but instead have the five speed, which won't be as chilled at motorway speeds.
I’ve read the whole thread. A truly great read. There is some eye watering bills, but you are only here once and you may as well enjoy the car. They are a rare gem. The one I have found looks good but the seller is less than helpful. Would it be possible for you to assemble a list that I could send over to get an idea of the cars history. Mr.Nobody said:
bolidemichael said:
Mr Nobody, I should add that the 2002 E500 is really early and may not have the 7G-Tronic, but instead have the five speed, which won't be as chilled at motorway speeds.
I’ve read the whole thread. A truly great read. There is some eye watering bills, but you are only here once and you may as well enjoy the car. They are a rare gem. The one I have found looks good but the seller is less than helpful. Would it be possible for you to assemble a list that I could send over to get an idea of the cars history. snoopy25 said:
Will we be getting some new update on this car?
Find this thread a really interesting read (Also find the Range Rover thread a good read as well! )
I've been trying to muster the energy since the last update. The next post is when I stripped the interior for the replacement seat trim and it's quite detailed. Then I have the trip to Herefordshire, Scotland, Spain & France by sea and road, Provence... I'm never going to catch up and it's a damn shame as the FFRR thread I can maintain in real time which is much more manageable and engaging. Find this thread a really interesting read
(Also find the Range Rover thread a good read as well! )300sl-24 said:
bolidemichael said:
Mr Nobody, I should add that the 2002 E500 is really early and may not have the 7G-Tronic, but instead have the five speed, which won't be as chilled at motorway speeds.
Looked everywhere for you today, your car was there but you were on the missing list!It would've been nice to see you, to express my condolences in person and then fan the flames of the MB political flame.
bolidemichael said:
Come again? What is it that you'd like from me? If I'm understanding correctly, you'd like a list of things to look out for? The best is to work your way through the thread and detail the items that I have had done, which is warts and all. The second best is for me to email you my personal running costs excel doc, which I can strip out the titivation parts and leave the mechanical.
Yes that is correct. Sorry if I didn’t make it clear. If you could email me over a spreadsheet that would be fantastic. Thank you.bolidemichael said:
I was there early and chatting to Elena, Phil's wife, then Alan and Stuart, whilst absolutely busting for the loo. Once the museum opened, I grabbed the kids and then we didn't really leave the museum again until 2pm. We then headed to WHL to watch the 5-1 spanking of Newcastle COYS!
It would've been nice to see you, to express my condolences in person and then fan the flames of the MB political flame.
Yes there mutiny in those posts! Great win on Saturday, just watching Arsenal getting beat by Palace. We will catch up sometime soon no doubtIt would've been nice to see you, to express my condolences in person and then fan the flames of the MB political flame.
300sl-24 said:
bolidemichael said:
I was there early and chatting to Elena, Phil's wife, then Alan and Stuart, whilst absolutely busting for the loo. Once the museum opened, I grabbed the kids and then we didn't really leave the museum again until 2pm. We then headed to WHL to watch the 5-1 spanking of Newcastle COYS!
It would've been nice to see you, to express my condolences in person and then fan the flames of the MB political flame.
Yes there mutiny in those posts! Great win on Saturday, just watching Arsenal getting beat by Palace. We will catch up sometime soon no doubtIt would've been nice to see you, to express my condolences in person and then fan the flames of the MB political flame.
I'm amazed that my FFRR thread is now on thirty five pages, ahead of this one which has been running for years!. I've really got to catch up... but so much to catch up on!
So, whilst in Herefordshire, I took the opportunity to replace the cracked plastics around the seats in addition to the B pillars for aesthetic popoises.
We can see where the plastic has cracked, around the lug hole
Replacement parts
Side by side
I recruited the boy to assist
These silencing fabrics weren't supplied, so I'd have to find a way to retreive them
So into the Aga it went
applied to the replacement part and a little slit to help it fit on the curve
Then took the opportunity to de-grub the carpet
and mentally preparing myself for the installation of the B pillar trim
and the reason why
this textured door rubber has to make way to unclip the incumbent
the removal of the threshold showed up some damage -- I had already purchased a replacement
New v Old, there are a couple of snapped extensions notably at the bottom (which slots into the trim at the base of the A pillar(ish)
and as an indication of how well engineered the interior fitments are, look how the threshold slots into the clip -- there are a couple of these along the length
So the B pillar trim isn't supplied with any vent or rubbers, so they'll have to be extracted delicately, as well as the seat belt slider
I suspect that this has been off before -- but I don't know where this fits, despite having a replacement ordered too
and at initial glance, this looks mis-shapen but seems to locate well
and further evidence that someone has bodged this before
New next to old -- the curved vent is missing
So it has to be removed gingerly
How it secures -- a real bugger to carefully dislodge and perhaps more evidence of tempering
[img]https://db3pap007files.storage.live.com/y4m33gD_dhSpgynYPiHf3zHnMCr8RD3uIMhOZsgcYBNBD4S_b7az14zXpnFFOD2Vbc0iZaOWcUIWn3l3cTPE4E69_QFBCFSbUP7OTwvWFek_8kDEz1wL4NgjjuF3JoWpIUrBhkIG14grSe6qTcAfQnca2_3zHKiLkgAYkXvCCnz7F3EHUHcCNTu27yN2KvFrQaP?width=768&height=1024&cropmode=none/img]
Here it is having been removed
the plastic lug fell apart with movement
Remedied with precision repair
Slotted from outside in
et voila
more precision taping
Starting to clip and come together
trim insterted
Someone has bodged the seat electrics in the past too -- not badly but enough to dislodge the sheathing
Some more precision taping required
Next step -- ready for the replacement of the very heavy and awkward seat
Everything routed accordingly and plugged in. It's important to get the wiring neat, as it'll snag and stretch with the fore and aft of the seat
We can see where the plastic has cracked, around the lug hole
Replacement parts
Side by side
I recruited the boy to assist
These silencing fabrics weren't supplied, so I'd have to find a way to retreive them
So into the Aga it went
applied to the replacement part and a little slit to help it fit on the curve
Then took the opportunity to de-grub the carpet
and mentally preparing myself for the installation of the B pillar trim
and the reason why
this textured door rubber has to make way to unclip the incumbent
the removal of the threshold showed up some damage -- I had already purchased a replacement
New v Old, there are a couple of snapped extensions notably at the bottom (which slots into the trim at the base of the A pillar(ish)
and as an indication of how well engineered the interior fitments are, look how the threshold slots into the clip -- there are a couple of these along the length
So the B pillar trim isn't supplied with any vent or rubbers, so they'll have to be extracted delicately, as well as the seat belt slider
I suspect that this has been off before -- but I don't know where this fits, despite having a replacement ordered too
and at initial glance, this looks mis-shapen but seems to locate well
and further evidence that someone has bodged this before
New next to old -- the curved vent is missing
So it has to be removed gingerly
How it secures -- a real bugger to carefully dislodge and perhaps more evidence of tempering
[img]https://db3pap007files.storage.live.com/y4m33gD_dhSpgynYPiHf3zHnMCr8RD3uIMhOZsgcYBNBD4S_b7az14zXpnFFOD2Vbc0iZaOWcUIWn3l3cTPE4E69_QFBCFSbUP7OTwvWFek_8kDEz1wL4NgjjuF3JoWpIUrBhkIG14grSe6qTcAfQnca2_3zHKiLkgAYkXvCCnz7F3EHUHcCNTu27yN2KvFrQaP?width=768&height=1024&cropmode=none/img]
Here it is having been removed
the plastic lug fell apart with movement
Remedied with precision repair
Slotted from outside in
et voila
more precision taping
Starting to clip and come together
trim insterted
Someone has bodged the seat electrics in the past too -- not badly but enough to dislodge the sheathing
Some more precision taping required
Next step -- ready for the replacement of the very heavy and awkward seat
Everything routed accordingly and plugged in. It's important to get the wiring neat, as it'll snag and stretch with the fore and aft of the seat
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