Sensible family daily wagon - Mercedes Benz S211 E500
Discussion
Whilst in Scotland, I was determined to scratch an 'island' itch and so headed a reasonable distance from Glasgow to the East coast and Anstruther, for a visit to the Isle of May.
The boat journey itself was a little, well, boaty.
It's a small, craggy island with young volunteers who frequent and stay for research purposes. I'd wager that they get off their tits and have a right ol' knees up. Lucky sods.
We returned, had a splendid fish n' chips supper (they fry everything in beef dripping) and dossed about for a while.
A slightly better mpg return, with five up.
On the return leg to London, it was slower, as per usual
the stats for the round trip
The boat journey itself was a little, well, boaty.
It's a small, craggy island with young volunteers who frequent and stay for research purposes. I'd wager that they get off their tits and have a right ol' knees up. Lucky sods.
We returned, had a splendid fish n' chips supper (they fry everything in beef dripping) and dossed about for a while.
A slightly better mpg return, with five up.
On the return leg to London, it was slower, as per usual
the stats for the round trip
As above...
bolidemichael said:
We returned, had a splendid fish n' chips supper (they fry everything in beef dripping) and dossed about for a while.
It was very nice, but finding a coffee slightly later in the day wasn't easy. There was a fabulous old red range rover L32(?) in the car park at the quay, too -- also, no photos.October 2021
Magnus had received little attention since Scotland, due to the arrival of Grayson, the FFRR and my nameless Honda VFR1200 (warning! bike content!). However, duty called when we secured tickets to watch our team Spurs play Newcastle away. I made the awful error of going anti-clockwise round the M25 and up the hellish two lane A1. I was absolutely knackered by the time I arrived and was very close to bailing on the dinner appointment that I had with PH's r129sl. I suspect that he was feeling the same, however, it would've been a shame to waste an evening and by the time we sat down our spirits had been lifted. A splendid evening was shared, so thanks to Mr & Mrs r129sl.
Newcastle is a nice place:
It was the first match since the club's takeover by the-not-sovereign-nation-of-Saudi-Arabia-cough.
The footie was great and we thumped them too. The drive back was eventully swift, on empty Sunday night motorways -- once the initial traffic had dispersed and we negotiated the roadworks on the M1. However, it just highlighted the ludicrous state in which we find our modern surveillance -- braking for a speed camera on a four/five land section of an empty, lit motorway just to avoid a penalty and no other benefit to anyone.
We hit a milestone en route
Magnus had received little attention since Scotland, due to the arrival of Grayson, the FFRR and my nameless Honda VFR1200 (warning! bike content!). However, duty called when we secured tickets to watch our team Spurs play Newcastle away. I made the awful error of going anti-clockwise round the M25 and up the hellish two lane A1. I was absolutely knackered by the time I arrived and was very close to bailing on the dinner appointment that I had with PH's r129sl. I suspect that he was feeling the same, however, it would've been a shame to waste an evening and by the time we sat down our spirits had been lifted. A splendid evening was shared, so thanks to Mr & Mrs r129sl.
Newcastle is a nice place:
It was the first match since the club's takeover by the-not-sovereign-nation-of-Saudi-Arabia-cough.
The footie was great and we thumped them too. The drive back was eventully swift, on empty Sunday night motorways -- once the initial traffic had dispersed and we negotiated the roadworks on the M1. However, it just highlighted the ludicrous state in which we find our modern surveillance -- braking for a speed camera on a four/five land section of an empty, lit motorway just to avoid a penalty and no other benefit to anyone.
We hit a milestone en route
Edited by bolidemichael on Wednesday 18th May 15:03
As I'd broken the belt for the easi-fix kit en route to newcastle (it was cracked already), I purchased another off ebay -- if you watch these things for long enough you can find them for a decent price as I did in this instance, as two of the locaters were missing (they don't fit my 211 anyway) -- £20.
If anyone with an ML needs these lugs, cover the postage and I'll send them to you - A0998900011
If anyone with an ML needs these lugs, cover the postage and I'll send them to you - A0998900011
Back to August 2021 -- I did actually miss a service that was squeezed in between Herefordshire and Scotland. As ever, there was a little fettling thrown in, though fairly modest my *our* standards -- pretty impressive that the front brake discs were replaced under warranty! They were oscillating under braking, if you recall my earlier post.
November 2021
With covid on the wane, I had concocted another road trip -- Barcelona for business to Valencia for research and MotoGP, the final race in the career of the magnificent Valentino Rossi; then back to Blightly through France.
Firstly, I had to conform to new Boris-Brexit driven regs for displaying UK over GB abroad. Since I could, I opted for the longtitudinal aesthetic for the Union Flag and a sticker was purchase from ebay.
I also 'ummmed' and 'aaaaahed' over the fitting of my winter wheels and tyres, since Spain wouldn't likely be below 8degC, but France and UK would. In the end I figured that since this'll be the last year with them (being 2016 tyres), I'd get the usage out of them and on balance, I'd rather be with a set of winters in cold weather when they'd operate well enough in warmer temperatures.
I opted for the ferry to Santander and arrived at Portsmouth for 0800hrs on a rather brisk morning. Ofc, I had missed the completion of the form to enter Spain and was pushed to one side to complete an inane 'cross my fingers and hope to die' self-declaration of no-covid-honesty before I could emark:
I was delighted to see so many motorbikes, it's great to chat to fellow bikers on board and I was also chuffed to park behind a Macan Turbo. Petrolhead, saddo -- whatevs!
Magnus does look a bit saggy bottomed from this angle
This fella seemed to have a really sorted set up, with a bike-sock?!
All the bikes -- love it
I imagine this rider won't be travelling too far on this
I think that guy just hasn't grown out of stickers
My cabin -- I dithered on the Commodore suite and it got snapped up. They lock the beds that haven't been paid for, too.
I did wake up at dawn the next morning to try and catch some whales and dolphins in the Bay of Biscay, but alas, not even a mermaid.
Eventually, having been moving at snail's pace alongside the coast of France, we spotted land
and arrived [url]into the port of Santander|https://vimeo.com/660658481[url]
Somehow, despite being one of the last to board due to the Spanish entry form requirement that I'd overlooked, I was fortunate that when I disembarked I was one of the first off.
I ended up behind a 0a and B'stard Child stylee SLK55 with themed number plate (albeit in white).
and the night was young, but I had quite a drive ahead of me in order to meet my brother for dinner -- he was just arriving at the airport to fly over at around the same time.
With covid on the wane, I had concocted another road trip -- Barcelona for business to Valencia for research and MotoGP, the final race in the career of the magnificent Valentino Rossi; then back to Blightly through France.
Firstly, I had to conform to new Boris-Brexit driven regs for displaying UK over GB abroad. Since I could, I opted for the longtitudinal aesthetic for the Union Flag and a sticker was purchase from ebay.
I also 'ummmed' and 'aaaaahed' over the fitting of my winter wheels and tyres, since Spain wouldn't likely be below 8degC, but France and UK would. In the end I figured that since this'll be the last year with them (being 2016 tyres), I'd get the usage out of them and on balance, I'd rather be with a set of winters in cold weather when they'd operate well enough in warmer temperatures.
I opted for the ferry to Santander and arrived at Portsmouth for 0800hrs on a rather brisk morning. Ofc, I had missed the completion of the form to enter Spain and was pushed to one side to complete an inane 'cross my fingers and hope to die' self-declaration of no-covid-honesty before I could emark:
I was delighted to see so many motorbikes, it's great to chat to fellow bikers on board and I was also chuffed to park behind a Macan Turbo. Petrolhead, saddo -- whatevs!
Magnus does look a bit saggy bottomed from this angle
This fella seemed to have a really sorted set up, with a bike-sock?!
All the bikes -- love it
I imagine this rider won't be travelling too far on this
I think that guy just hasn't grown out of stickers
My cabin -- I dithered on the Commodore suite and it got snapped up. They lock the beds that haven't been paid for, too.
I did wake up at dawn the next morning to try and catch some whales and dolphins in the Bay of Biscay, but alas, not even a mermaid.
Eventually, having been moving at snail's pace alongside the coast of France, we spotted land
and arrived [url]into the port of Santander|https://vimeo.com/660658481[url]
Somehow, despite being one of the last to board due to the Spanish entry form requirement that I'd overlooked, I was fortunate that when I disembarked I was one of the first off.
I ended up behind a 0a and B'stard Child stylee SLK55 with themed number plate (albeit in white).
and the night was young, but I had quite a drive ahead of me in order to meet my brother for dinner -- he was just arriving at the airport to fly over at around the same time.
The route itself to Barcelona was awesome, empty and swift.
I was making super progress and then... a problem
a convoy of police vans -- despite it slowing me down, they were stil travelling at an impressive 150km/h -- one or two locals overtook them long before I -- I just stuck it in cruise and after one or two hills, I had cleared them. They still have a sense of freedom in Spain.
Ably demonstrating the fact that Waze algorithms are based on machine learning of one's own journey history, my arival time of 20:36 was five minutes earlier than anticipated in Santander. I'd've loved to have had a clear run to try and smash it, such is the joy of driving on the more sparesely populated continent.
I was making super progress and then... a problem
a convoy of police vans -- despite it slowing me down, they were stil travelling at an impressive 150km/h -- one or two locals overtook them long before I -- I just stuck it in cruise and after one or two hills, I had cleared them. They still have a sense of freedom in Spain.
Ably demonstrating the fact that Waze algorithms are based on machine learning of one's own journey history, my arival time of 20:36 was five minutes earlier than anticipated in Santander. I'd've loved to have had a clear run to try and smash it, such is the joy of driving on the more sparesely populated continent.
Edited by bolidemichael on Wednesday 18th May 22:00
Next up, was the drive to Valencia.
It was quite a beautiful drive through a lovely landscape
Though it was very frustrating, all two-lane carraigeway with poor lane discipline. One of the highlights, however, was when we stopped for fuel and at the same location was a couple on an Italian registered motorbike and a French plated car -- the draw of MotoGP was palpable.
We hit another milestone on the way, too. This car just seems to rack up and stroll through the '000s.
Arrived thirty minutes later than waze, but stopped for fuel etc
It was quite a beautiful drive through a lovely landscape
Though it was very frustrating, all two-lane carraigeway with poor lane discipline. One of the highlights, however, was when we stopped for fuel and at the same location was a couple on an Italian registered motorbike and a French plated car -- the draw of MotoGP was palpable.
We hit another milestone on the way, too. This car just seems to rack up and stroll through the '000s.
Arrived thirty minutes later than waze, but stopped for fuel etc
Thankfully, the hive mind of PH pointed me in the right direction with regards to Valencia and we enjoyed lunch at La Pepica on the coast -- a traditional paella with rabbit and broad beans.
Other than that, it's a fairly handsome city
and thanks to over-cautious advice on said thread, I left the hotel at 5am -- next time, I'll leave at 7am.
There was a fantastic atmosphere in the grandstands, Rossi finished in the top ten and the weather was wonderful. To think that it was 2degC in Portsmouth on the morning of my departure and Magnus was shod in winter tyres...
Leaving the circuit was fun, with the mix of cars and bikes
Grazie indeed
Other than that, it's a fairly handsome city
and thanks to over-cautious advice on said thread, I left the hotel at 5am -- next time, I'll leave at 7am.
There was a fantastic atmosphere in the grandstands, Rossi finished in the top ten and the weather was wonderful. To think that it was 2degC in Portsmouth on the morning of my departure and Magnus was shod in winter tyres...
Leaving the circuit was fun, with the mix of cars and bikes
Grazie indeed
Edited by bolidemichael on Wednesday 18th May 22:55
Read your whole thread while being kept awake by our baby last night, loved it.
Was looking for an E500 estate for a while after having the CLK500 previously.
Ended up with a Caravelle 2.5tdi as the family wagon.
Very much looking into driving to south of France or Spain now that looks a great adventure and we can’t be doing with flying with the amount of crap a kid brings!
Was looking for an E500 estate for a while after having the CLK500 previously.
Ended up with a Caravelle 2.5tdi as the family wagon.
Very much looking into driving to south of France or Spain now that looks a great adventure and we can’t be doing with flying with the amount of crap a kid brings!
Tell me about it! Hopefully I can one day track down the photos of when we drove down to SoF in the 325i and every inch of the boot was expertly packed to accommodate all the ancillaries for the-then one year old.
That was one hell of an effort to read the entire thread; how do you cope with the lack of speed in the Caravelle, in comparison to the CLK500?
That was one hell of an effort to read the entire thread; how do you cope with the lack of speed in the Caravelle, in comparison to the CLK500?
It’s a very comfortable place to be and has a good slug of torque being the 174bhp model and auto, cruises nicely.
Trade off being it’s a van in regards to braking and corners, there is some weight there but I’m happy to just take it easy in comfort with a ton of space.
I still have my Golf R32 for a fun ish drive but that is rarely touched now so may go.
Any recommendations for places to visit with the 9 month old?
The Mercedes E500 is also ULEZ exempt which does make me smile!
Trade off being it’s a van in regards to braking and corners, there is some weight there but I’m happy to just take it easy in comfort with a ton of space.
I still have my Golf R32 for a fun ish drive but that is rarely touched now so may go.
Any recommendations for places to visit with the 9 month old?
The Mercedes E500 is also ULEZ exempt which does make me smile!
I'd like to suggest that you keep it simple -- either with the ferry to Santander (which has a pool and play area on board) or to Caen and drive down. If you stay in San Sebastian, you can replicate our trip and stay in this place which had animals grazing on site and was relatively peaceful, but within driving distance to the towns and beaches of Zarautz.
Yes, E500 is ULEZ exempt, the emissions are very low!
Yes, E500 is ULEZ exempt, the emissions are very low!
bolidemichael said:
I'd like to suggest that you keep it simple -- either with the ferry to Santander (which has a pool and play area on board) or to Caen and drive down. If you stay in San Sebastian, you can replicate our trip and stay in this place which had animals grazing on site and was relatively peaceful, but within driving distance to the towns and beaches of Zarautz.
Yes, E500 is ULEZ exempt, the emissions are very low!
+1 to the Santander ferry it's great & makes a trip to any circuit in Spain a lot less painless when doing trackdays & it keeps the fuel costs on the truck down too.Yes, E500 is ULEZ exempt, the emissions are very low!
Monday was our day to begin the journey back North, via France, to Blighty. Weather seemed alright, I guess, but I was really looking for the validation in having fitted my winter tyres. With a high of 8degC at 1400hrs, it would seems as though the operating range for the winters was correct.
However, the balmy morning termperature in Valencia was...
I earlier referred to the algorithms in Waze that tailor themselves to one's driving profile... I run this by the goodly folk of the barge thread (which is currently enduring a Xinjiang-style self-reckoning) and they had experienced similar, notable r129sl who usually outpaces his own shadow, but can't beat waze. So a little experiment with my brother in the car (who doesn't have a profile on waze).
Firstly, my waze timings, an avg speed of 82.32mph:
Secondly, his, an avg speed of 72.18mph:
I suppose that speaks for itself in terms of my avg speeds over distance in the E500!
Aaah, November sun:
and a view across to the Camino de Ca Artigues, which is quite an oddity on the landscape
The Monday late morning drive through Catalunya was helluva fast, even by the standards that I like to keep -- there were at least two others at my pace and both SUVs, one was a large JEEP thing, perhaps a Cherokee(?), looked new though and the other a nice Macan in the milky grey porsche colour which looks rather fetching.
After when had all parted ways, I was kept very, very honest by a brand new M5. In the rvm it looks amazing, particularly with the distinctive mirrors. I spotted at least three young male occupants in the cab, so possibly some racers leaving the Valencia MotoGP? Anyway, I've got to be honest with you guys, I started to hit nine-tenths as the race face came over me and the tyres were on what could reasonably considered the edge of their performance envelope -- squirming once I was settled into long sweepers and accelerating at 130mph... after I'd managed to get some space between us and some other drivers with lane-hogging tendencies got in between us, I breathed a sigh of relief and continued unhindered. That was really something though, what a great car the M5 is -- my brother's face was frozen for a while after that
After a final stop in a fantastic Spanish petrol station for a variety of gastronomic treats and also wine, we continued unimpeded -- the wonderful Route du Soleil A85 is a very unusual motorway, climbing to 3,000ft and with fast sweepers.
Eventually, we arrived somewhere I've traversed in previous journeys but without having stopped -- the Millau Viaduct. It turns out that they have an exhibition centre-cum-aire on one end.
It was also the first time that I'd encountered having to show my covid pass in order to gain access to public places, as the rule didn't apply in Spain. That took me by surprise. Anyway, the shop has lots of nice trinkets and the presentation on the construction of the bridge is absolutely remarkable, in that they utilitise the entire space of the room as a visual landscape.
I would say that the only -ve is that they seriously downplayed the role of the Englishman Sir Norman Foster, who designed the bridge.
The original intention when sketching out my itinerary was to stop overnight at a place that PH's 'tog' recommended to me on this very thread -- Auberge de Chassignoles, run by a Brit named Peter but, alas, they are closed for the off-season (which is a thing, somewhere, lucky bar stewards). Neverthless, he responded to me and recommended staying with Laura at Hostel Orfenor in Brioude, who told me that they had some rooms available but, alas, didn't serve dinner on a Monday night! Laura, in turn, pointed me towards Les Glycines in Vielle-Brioude who not only served dinner on a Monday night, but also had a twin room, as opposed to the farrago of configurations in Orfenor -- so we opted for the latter.
It wasn't too far from the Millau and we arrived at a reasonable hour. Speed Matters.
also, the temperature justified my sad fascination with wearing the correct tyres.
The day's route:
When we sat down for the meal, we were greeted by this -- one of our favourite naturally carbonated waters and a local source -- the Auvergne is a volcanic region ergo a source for many highly mineralised waters:
We suspected that we might be in for a treat... as we were the only(!) guest, we thought that we'd keep them busy with a tasting menu and quaffing loads plonk, too. They specialised in local natural wines which don't belong to the strict (restrictive) conditions of an appellation, so is catogorised as a 'Vin de France'. In truth, they can be hit and miss... this one 'sein pour sein' was definitely a hit.
The food was top notch -- the story is that this young couple had just taken over the place (well, just before covid) from the chef's mother. Herself and her front-of-house-boyfriend had been gaining experience for the previous ten years in Michelin-starred restaurants and the quality showed, what a discovery! When the French get it right, they deliver the gastronomic experience with such panache -- such a difference after the rather unpolished service standards that we experienced in Spain.
The also had an amusingly named 'Chariot des fromage' and an awesome homemade digestive liquer
All that cheese... my God -- I experienced some VERY lucid dreams that evening and thankfully, woke up unscathed and without a hangover! The morning was refreshingly brisk and mist clung heavily to the air:
we stopped for a photo op, then some supermarket fuel (where my brother popped in for some more French cheese!)
Before negotiating our way to the Chunnel -- once again, I was grateful that I'd booked the FlexiPass as the queues were quite large.
The stats once the UK bit had been traversed:
and the route for the day:
So, once week away -- quite the roadtrip and rewarded in the off-season with mostle empty and fast roads. Fantastic.
However, the balmy morning termperature in Valencia was...
I earlier referred to the algorithms in Waze that tailor themselves to one's driving profile... I run this by the goodly folk of the barge thread (which is currently enduring a Xinjiang-style self-reckoning) and they had experienced similar, notable r129sl who usually outpaces his own shadow, but can't beat waze. So a little experiment with my brother in the car (who doesn't have a profile on waze).
Firstly, my waze timings, an avg speed of 82.32mph:
Secondly, his, an avg speed of 72.18mph:
I suppose that speaks for itself in terms of my avg speeds over distance in the E500!
Aaah, November sun:
and a view across to the Camino de Ca Artigues, which is quite an oddity on the landscape
The Monday late morning drive through Catalunya was helluva fast, even by the standards that I like to keep -- there were at least two others at my pace and both SUVs, one was a large JEEP thing, perhaps a Cherokee(?), looked new though and the other a nice Macan in the milky grey porsche colour which looks rather fetching.
After when had all parted ways, I was kept very, very honest by a brand new M5. In the rvm it looks amazing, particularly with the distinctive mirrors. I spotted at least three young male occupants in the cab, so possibly some racers leaving the Valencia MotoGP? Anyway, I've got to be honest with you guys, I started to hit nine-tenths as the race face came over me and the tyres were on what could reasonably considered the edge of their performance envelope -- squirming once I was settled into long sweepers and accelerating at 130mph... after I'd managed to get some space between us and some other drivers with lane-hogging tendencies got in between us, I breathed a sigh of relief and continued unhindered. That was really something though, what a great car the M5 is -- my brother's face was frozen for a while after that
After a final stop in a fantastic Spanish petrol station for a variety of gastronomic treats and also wine, we continued unimpeded -- the wonderful Route du Soleil A85 is a very unusual motorway, climbing to 3,000ft and with fast sweepers.
Eventually, we arrived somewhere I've traversed in previous journeys but without having stopped -- the Millau Viaduct. It turns out that they have an exhibition centre-cum-aire on one end.
It was also the first time that I'd encountered having to show my covid pass in order to gain access to public places, as the rule didn't apply in Spain. That took me by surprise. Anyway, the shop has lots of nice trinkets and the presentation on the construction of the bridge is absolutely remarkable, in that they utilitise the entire space of the room as a visual landscape.
I would say that the only -ve is that they seriously downplayed the role of the Englishman Sir Norman Foster, who designed the bridge.
The original intention when sketching out my itinerary was to stop overnight at a place that PH's 'tog' recommended to me on this very thread -- Auberge de Chassignoles, run by a Brit named Peter but, alas, they are closed for the off-season (which is a thing, somewhere, lucky bar stewards). Neverthless, he responded to me and recommended staying with Laura at Hostel Orfenor in Brioude, who told me that they had some rooms available but, alas, didn't serve dinner on a Monday night! Laura, in turn, pointed me towards Les Glycines in Vielle-Brioude who not only served dinner on a Monday night, but also had a twin room, as opposed to the farrago of configurations in Orfenor -- so we opted for the latter.
It wasn't too far from the Millau and we arrived at a reasonable hour. Speed Matters.
also, the temperature justified my sad fascination with wearing the correct tyres.
The day's route:
When we sat down for the meal, we were greeted by this -- one of our favourite naturally carbonated waters and a local source -- the Auvergne is a volcanic region ergo a source for many highly mineralised waters:
We suspected that we might be in for a treat... as we were the only(!) guest, we thought that we'd keep them busy with a tasting menu and quaffing loads plonk, too. They specialised in local natural wines which don't belong to the strict (restrictive) conditions of an appellation, so is catogorised as a 'Vin de France'. In truth, they can be hit and miss... this one 'sein pour sein' was definitely a hit.
The food was top notch -- the story is that this young couple had just taken over the place (well, just before covid) from the chef's mother. Herself and her front-of-house-boyfriend had been gaining experience for the previous ten years in Michelin-starred restaurants and the quality showed, what a discovery! When the French get it right, they deliver the gastronomic experience with such panache -- such a difference after the rather unpolished service standards that we experienced in Spain.
The also had an amusingly named 'Chariot des fromage'
and an awesome homemade digestive liquerAll that cheese... my God -- I experienced some VERY lucid dreams that evening and thankfully, woke up unscathed and without a hangover! The morning was refreshingly brisk and mist clung heavily to the air:
we stopped for a photo op, then some supermarket fuel (where my brother popped in for some more French cheese!)
Before negotiating our way to the Chunnel -- once again, I was grateful that I'd booked the FlexiPass as the queues were quite large.
The stats once the UK bit had been traversed:
and the route for the day:
So, once week away -- quite the roadtrip and rewarded in the off-season with mostle empty and fast roads. Fantastic.
Edited by bolidemichael on Tuesday 24th May 00:05
December 2021
After returning from Spain/France, I felt as though Magnus deserved some more titivation, prompted by a blown side light, ofc.
A couple of long standing issues -- the bloody bootlid which still slams shut periodically, they replaced the tailgate rams and seemed to bhave better. Also the gps had failed -- it transpires (I may have mentioned this from when they previously inspected it) that perhaps the bodyshop left the bootlid 'spoiler' cover off when painting and rain may have penetrated it and caused corrosion in the wiring. I bit the bullet and got it replaced as it's handy to have sat nav when 'off the grid' and also, it's nice to have available functions working, isn't it. As the screen in the E500 can't be switched off, it's my favourite screen to have on and gives a nice sense of place and progress.
A replaced 'blue' bulb (both sides replaced simultaneously)
and a top up of 1L oil. When I had returned from Spain, it asked me to top up with 1.5L, which, considering the prolonged high revs, was quite understandable.
However, looking at the invoice, it shows that actually, I kept the summer tyres on the car during my spain trip. Fantastic, I'm turning into a turnip and can't recall the events of six months ago. wibble.
After returning from Spain/France, I felt as though Magnus deserved some more titivation, prompted by a blown side light, ofc.
A couple of long standing issues -- the bloody bootlid which still slams shut periodically, they replaced the tailgate rams and seemed to bhave better. Also the gps had failed -- it transpires (I may have mentioned this from when they previously inspected it) that perhaps the bodyshop left the bootlid 'spoiler' cover off when painting and rain may have penetrated it and caused corrosion in the wiring. I bit the bullet and got it replaced as it's handy to have sat nav when 'off the grid' and also, it's nice to have available functions working, isn't it. As the screen in the E500 can't be switched off, it's my favourite screen to have on and gives a nice sense of place and progress.
A replaced 'blue' bulb (both sides replaced simultaneously)
and a top up of 1L oil. When I had returned from Spain, it asked me to top up with 1.5L, which, considering the prolonged high revs, was quite understandable.
However, looking at the invoice, it shows that actually, I kept the summer tyres on the car during my spain trip. Fantastic, I'm turning into a turnip and can't recall the events of six months ago. wibble.
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