Sensible family daily wagon - Mercedes Benz S211 E500
Discussion
Thanks Snoopy, I appreciate the positive feedback and makes the churn worthwhile. I'm determined to catch up with the present day, but as you say, this car just loves churning out the miles and each journey is an event in this thing. In fact, I discussed this with my tech chum with whom I was inspecting E39 M5s for purchase and he assured me that the E500 was a much better fit for my requirements, being spacious, fast, auto and more comfortable. Made me feel good, despite the fact that M5s have risen and value and this one is still worth f
k all! 
k all! February 2022
The family hadn't been out of the UK since pre-COVID and I'd manage to secure a week in Aups, Provence. Half-term came about and we managed to get the children out of school on Thursday so that an evening crossing on the chunnel could be made and we'd gain time and also relax on the journey down. Getting to France the night before, 'breaks the back' of a long journey.
Firstly, the indy overlooked this clasp which had dropped out of the front bumper, the purpose of which was to secure the wheelarch to the bumper.
a decent. robust cable tie was manipulated through the holes
trimmed
and neatly fitted -- no flapping any longer
Next was the packing
taking full advantage of the capacious boot and managing to leave a little window for the rvm
We paid for 'flexi-boarding' for both legs, once again. I'm never experienced a busier period such as this where the isolated/exclusive lounge basically became a one-way free-for-all whereby families ran in, loaded up with snacks and drinks and legged it back to the car again in time for the soonest train (for which there is perpetually a paucity of time!).
after disembarkation, I was travelling at a reasonable pace until I was hunted down by a couple of UK plated estates that we making headway. I decided to rein them in (the Audi A4 was travelling at a hell of a lick, but didn't have the power to keep up with us) and then kept the pace up, as happens once a higher speed becomes the 'new normal'.
The 'top speed' is always inaccurate on this app, which is a shame in many ways. However, this works out at an avg speed in excess of 84mph...
The place (a lovingly converted barn) was really nice with lots of architectural character
and a lovely, frosty morning
It was also opposite the allied war cemetry from the Great War -- this one as Vis-en-Artois. It was very poignant reading the tombstones, both known and unknown.
after that, we hit the road and made decent progress, stopping at McDonalds in Chalons-en-Champagne for some French McNuggets (crispier, tastier) and non-Autoroute-priced fuel.
The next leg was a mega one (with the exception of a splash-and-dash for a half tank of fuel) -- over four hundred miles to a service station in Provence for fuel and dinner. With the exception of traffic through Dijon, it was moving, though a couple of irritating drivers failing to move over focused the mind.
I'd also figured out that Waze indicates a 'speed enforcement zone' (as we have in the UK) as an 'average speed zone' and a 'speed camera' as 'police'.
We arrived at 10pm-ish and a very decent avg speed, considering the miles of twisty D roads to get to the village.
As usual, the E500 ate up the miles with excellent driving dynamics -- it comes into its own covering ground at speed. One of the highlights of the drive was approaching an AMG-GT 4 door from the rear and trying to figure out what the handsome, rather incognito car, was. It transpires that MB France have lower spec than the full fat GT63, the 53, which has two tubular tailpipes and is reminiscent of the 6 series Gran Coupe which is a lovely looking motor.
The family hadn't been out of the UK since pre-COVID and I'd manage to secure a week in Aups, Provence. Half-term came about and we managed to get the children out of school on Thursday so that an evening crossing on the chunnel could be made and we'd gain time and also relax on the journey down. Getting to France the night before, 'breaks the back' of a long journey.
Firstly, the indy overlooked this clasp which had dropped out of the front bumper, the purpose of which was to secure the wheelarch to the bumper.
a decent. robust cable tie was manipulated through the holes
trimmed
and neatly fitted -- no flapping any longer
Next was the packing
taking full advantage of the capacious boot and managing to leave a little window for the rvm
We paid for 'flexi-boarding' for both legs, once again. I'm never experienced a busier period such as this where the isolated/exclusive lounge basically became a one-way free-for-all whereby families ran in, loaded up with snacks and drinks and legged it back to the car again in time for the soonest train (for which there is perpetually a paucity of time!).
after disembarkation, I was travelling at a reasonable pace until I was hunted down by a couple of UK plated estates that we making headway. I decided to rein them in (the Audi A4 was travelling at a hell of a lick, but didn't have the power to keep up with us) and then kept the pace up, as happens once a higher speed becomes the 'new normal'.
The 'top speed' is always inaccurate on this app, which is a shame in many ways. However, this works out at an avg speed in excess of 84mph...
The place (a lovingly converted barn) was really nice with lots of architectural character
and a lovely, frosty morning
It was also opposite the allied war cemetry from the Great War -- this one as Vis-en-Artois. It was very poignant reading the tombstones, both known and unknown.
after that, we hit the road and made decent progress, stopping at McDonalds in Chalons-en-Champagne for some French McNuggets (crispier, tastier) and non-Autoroute-priced fuel.
The next leg was a mega one (with the exception of a splash-and-dash for a half tank of fuel) -- over four hundred miles to a service station in Provence for fuel and dinner. With the exception of traffic through Dijon, it was moving, though a couple of irritating drivers failing to move over focused the mind.
I'd also figured out that Waze indicates a 'speed enforcement zone' (as we have in the UK) as an 'average speed zone' and a 'speed camera' as 'police'.
We arrived at 10pm-ish and a very decent avg speed, considering the miles of twisty D roads to get to the village.
As usual, the E500 ate up the miles with excellent driving dynamics -- it comes into its own covering ground at speed. One of the highlights of the drive was approaching an AMG-GT 4 door from the rear and trying to figure out what the handsome, rather incognito car, was. It transpires that MB France have lower spec than the full fat GT63, the 53, which has two tubular tailpipes and is reminiscent of the 6 series Gran Coupe which is a lovely looking motor.
February 2022
The reason for the determination to arrive in Aups by Friday evening was to capitalise on the presence of the Saturday market.
I was like a kid in a sweet shop and made the awful mis-step of buying and biting into an andouilette. Never again
We spent the remainder of the week following the markets around the local towns and enjoying the roads a little too much -- after chasing some motorbikes, the car issued a warning -- just once and I never saw it again. Also, I'm certain that it was a little louder and it looked like one of the pulleys was a little laboured. Silly boy pushing an old car like a sprightly little Lotus.
There was also the excitement of entering and exiting the parking area
I eventually figured out that reversing out was the key to a swift exit. Genius.
From the keep at Salernes
When I returned, I managed to park and dink the spare wheel well on a concrete border for a tree...
Not the only one
After that mild disappointment, we jumped into the car and re-visited a motocross track and meeting that we had passed on the road to Salernes
Back to Aups
The reason for the determination to arrive in Aups by Friday evening was to capitalise on the presence of the Saturday market.
I was like a kid in a sweet shop and made the awful mis-step of buying and biting into an andouilette. Never again
We spent the remainder of the week following the markets around the local towns and enjoying the roads a little too much -- after chasing some motorbikes, the car issued a warning -- just once and I never saw it again. Also, I'm certain that it was a little louder and it looked like one of the pulleys was a little laboured. Silly boy pushing an old car like a sprightly little Lotus.
There was also the excitement of entering and exiting the parking area
I eventually figured out that reversing out was the key to a swift exit. Genius.
From the keep at Salernes
When I returned, I managed to park and dink the spare wheel well on a concrete border for a tree...
Not the only one
After that mild disappointment, we jumped into the car and re-visited a motocross track and meeting that we had passed on the road to Salernes
Back to Aups
The next day was wet, wet, wet, so we took the opprtunity to complete a commitment to collect and return some samples of the 2021 vintage to our UK-based host. It was a slightly longer, but pleasant drive to Brignoles on largely empty and swift curvy roads.
The owner is in the process of building up the chateau with olive groves too
He has previous -- he sold his last chateau to a couple that landed on his lawn in a helicopter one day... Bradley Pitt and Angelina Jolie!
We had a little presentation and a tour by the man himself.
The next day's market was in the beautiful town of Cotignac
and the final market of the week was back in Aups and a special one... the truffle market -- about €50/kilo for a black truffle.
The quality of truffles are determined by the quantity of veins -- that indicate aroma and freshness.
The remainder of the day was spent leisurely packing theboot
tardis space station for optimal visibility -- also removing the air from the balls as a pro tip to save space.
But of course, there's always one more bag, but looking at the orderliness is very pleasing to me
We had a decent day's drive ahead of us, so planned to leave early in order to make our dinner reservation in good time after having settled ourselves in our gite.
There was a moment when we were diverted off route and through the track in a field, due to a serious rta, in which a passenger vehicle of the ilk of a Corsa or similar head someone collided head on with a truck. The vehicle was absolutely obliterated -- we asked the children to avert their gaze and I was silently grateful that we were in a Merc.
Eventually, we arrived at 5.30pm after a very easy and pleasant day's drive, without indulging in the prolonged high speeds of the southbound leg.
and our accommodation was very pleasant.
I always think that white gravel on the tyres makes a very cool silhouette...
We made our reservation and were given the Chef's Table too, which was fun for all -- La Table du 18 in Tours sur Marne -- highly recommended and great friendly English speaking service too -- best of French hospitality, delivered with panache.
The next day we prepared to leave -- but not after securing some champagne from the owner who was a vinophile. I think that we were then about 1.5L over the import limit for the UK, but we took our chance!
The route back involved a must-do after many years of seeing PHers cool pics, the disused historic pit garages and grandstand for the Reims Motor Circuit.
The road back was straighforward and surprisingly fast, considering the the road to Calais should be littered with police for easy fines -- we actually came across just the one, but in town and we were with the flow of traffic. We hit a milestone on the way, too.
This time around, the flexi-pass lounge stop was a little more leisurely
An example of how modern tech overcomes the interior of a pre-tech vehicle
Showing an honest week's worth of grime
and still doing alright with space, despite the addition of the big white box containing half a dozen champagne bottles... (the two pinot noir were safely stashed in the 'gun' compartment). Packing theboot
tardis space station reminds me of this meme
The stats for the day (via Ramsgate to drop off the wine)
and the the trip
The owner is in the process of building up the chateau with olive groves too
He has previous -- he sold his last chateau to a couple that landed on his lawn in a helicopter one day... Bradley Pitt and Angelina Jolie!
We had a little presentation and a tour by the man himself.
The next day's market was in the beautiful town of Cotignac
and the final market of the week was back in Aups and a special one... the truffle market -- about €50/kilo for a black truffle.
The quality of truffles are determined by the quantity of veins -- that indicate aroma and freshness.
The remainder of the day was spent leisurely packing the
But of course, there's always one more bag, but looking at the orderliness is very pleasing to me
We had a decent day's drive ahead of us, so planned to leave early in order to make our dinner reservation in good time after having settled ourselves in our gite.
There was a moment when we were diverted off route and through the track in a field, due to a serious rta, in which a passenger vehicle of the ilk of a Corsa or similar head someone collided head on with a truck. The vehicle was absolutely obliterated -- we asked the children to avert their gaze and I was silently grateful that we were in a Merc.
Eventually, we arrived at 5.30pm after a very easy and pleasant day's drive, without indulging in the prolonged high speeds of the southbound leg.
and our accommodation was very pleasant.
I always think that white gravel on the tyres makes a very cool silhouette...
We made our reservation and were given the Chef's Table too, which was fun for all -- La Table du 18 in Tours sur Marne -- highly recommended and great friendly English speaking service too -- best of French hospitality, delivered with panache.
The next day we prepared to leave -- but not after securing some champagne from the owner who was a vinophile. I think that we were then about 1.5L over the import limit for the UK, but we took our chance!
The route back involved a must-do after many years of seeing PHers cool pics, the disused historic pit garages and grandstand for the Reims Motor Circuit.
The road back was straighforward and surprisingly fast, considering the the road to Calais should be littered with police for easy fines -- we actually came across just the one, but in town and we were with the flow of traffic. We hit a milestone on the way, too.
This time around, the flexi-pass lounge stop was a little more leisurely
An example of how modern tech overcomes the interior of a pre-tech vehicle
Showing an honest week's worth of grime
and still doing alright with space, despite the addition of the big white box containing half a dozen champagne bottles... (the two pinot noir were safely stashed in the 'gun' compartment). Packing the
The stats for the day (via Ramsgate to drop off the wine)
and the the trip
Edited by bolidemichael on Sunday 12th June 21:44
Love this story.
I’ve got a cross-France drive coming up, and reading this gets me looking forward to it more.
Interesting to note the fuel economy. Looks like you’re getting 26ish on fast motorway, which TBH is slightly worse than I’d have thought (given it’s a low car), but still not terrible.
(The worst I’ve managed on the Autoroutes was ~22 mpg - a diesel Disco 3 with a roof box)
I’ve got a cross-France drive coming up, and reading this gets me looking forward to it more.
Interesting to note the fuel economy. Looks like you’re getting 26ish on fast motorway, which TBH is slightly worse than I’d have thought (given it’s a low car), but still not terrible.
(The worst I’ve managed on the Autoroutes was ~22 mpg - a diesel Disco 3 with a roof box)
Thank you Mr McNugget 
I take it that you'll be travelling in the 140i (according to your garage)?
My method of covering ground is essentially to clear an obstacle and then blitz the remaining clear road until the next obstacle. I'm tolerant for 80% of the time and occasionally intolerant for those that are belligerent and fail to move over. However, the worst that happens is that I back off without aggression and undertake then. Sleepy sods don't ever seem to notice what has happened either. That's probably where the 26ish MPG comes from. Take Mrs Bolide, for example, and the MPGeees will be around 28-30mpg as she isn't testosterone fuelled and a hardened to covering ground.
I take it that you'll be travelling in the 140i (according to your garage)?
My method of covering ground is essentially to clear an obstacle and then blitz the remaining clear road until the next obstacle. I'm tolerant for 80% of the time and occasionally intolerant for those that are belligerent and fail to move over. However, the worst that happens is that I back off without aggression and undertake then. Sleepy sods don't ever seem to notice what has happened either. That's probably where the 26ish MPG comes from. Take Mrs Bolide, for example, and the MPGeees will be around 28-30mpg as she isn't testosterone fuelled and a hardened to covering ground.
March 2022
It was Mother's Day and of course, this meant a PH car meet for the family!
The caveat was of course that we turned up at a rather leisurely hour.
There were some interesting motors
Spot the E500
and afterwards went to The Volunteer Inn nr Abinger Hammer, at which a local chap sat outside complimented the Merc! He seemed quite the aficionado, tbh, not being too surprised that it was the V8 model -- or should I say, pleasantly surprised.
We then had some remedial work undertaken by my indy -- fixing self-induced breakages in France -- the PAS pump amongst them. However, they agreed that the pulley looked wobbly, but when replaced it there wasn't any difference in the behaviour, so they didn't charge any labour.
One of the other things was the water ingress. This may have been a legacy of poor re-fitment by the bodyshop, which caused the power boot to not close. Thankfully this failed when back in Blighty...
It was Mother's Day and of course, this meant a PH car meet for the family!
The caveat was of course that we turned up at a rather leisurely hour.
There were some interesting motors
Spot the E500
and afterwards went to The Volunteer Inn nr Abinger Hammer, at which a local chap sat outside complimented the Merc! He seemed quite the aficionado, tbh, not being too surprised that it was the V8 model -- or should I say, pleasantly surprised.
We then had some remedial work undertaken by my indy -- fixing self-induced breakages in France -- the PAS pump amongst them. However, they agreed that the pulley looked wobbly, but when replaced it there wasn't any difference in the behaviour, so they didn't charge any labour.
One of the other things was the water ingress. This may have been a legacy of poor re-fitment by the bodyshop, which caused the power boot to not close. Thankfully this failed when back in Blighty...
Edited by bolidemichael on Sunday 12th June 23:02
April 2022
The next sojourn was with the London chapter of the MB Club to the RAF Musuem in Hendon. It was a surpisingly chilly start to the day.
that was me, mit kinder sandwiched between a 5.5L V8 and a 6.0L V12... how often am I going to be out-cubed and cylindered in a car park?
[img]https://ams02pap001files.storage.live.com/y4muMOs_pI-DB6aWoC23n24DQBs5sUGZ-wNzg4JRwwjHo_EEkhN5EuyzY6FwUDPqSRUK7yl7mpPkkyBAoRmwPgNir8bKq_n_yX_BXxTh99zG8NYkxdv_zN02lWsmaz0yTMropZeeOuKD-L5V7y-ifKlcfjQJD8r8FCn3ml-T4B3ibjOqhg37q3id3sqmJFhj-px?width=1024&height=768&cropmode=none/img]
It's a massive museum and it houses a Vulcan!
from the Tirpitz
after that, we made our way to WHL for the thrashing of Newcastle in our chase for a Champions' League spot (spoiler: we did it!), then home after a long day out.
Next up, was the Barge thread losers meet at Bicester Heritage.
We spent some time intentionally in the car park and there were some great spots
Mr JWW's company was there displaying its vehicles too and there was a tasty array of metal
One of our number chatted to him and I joined in. The pleasant chap introduced himself to me and took time to explain how he came to be so popular on youtube. I left feeling rather pleased for him.
and there was endless more fun stuff too
one which would get this vehicle owner banned from PH, no doubt
a Singer unit, which had a test mule with the Williams-co-engineered rear windows
Harry Metcalfe was there too with a few of his vehicles (which we didn't catch on display)
Simply, cool cars everywhere
admittedly a monstrosity, but still potent
and finally to the pub for the Barge lunch
We'll miss the Barge thread...
The next sojourn was with the London chapter of the MB Club to the RAF Musuem in Hendon. It was a surpisingly chilly start to the day.
that was me, mit kinder sandwiched between a 5.5L V8 and a 6.0L V12... how often am I going to be out-cubed and cylindered in a car park?
[img]https://ams02pap001files.storage.live.com/y4muMOs_pI-DB6aWoC23n24DQBs5sUGZ-wNzg4JRwwjHo_EEkhN5EuyzY6FwUDPqSRUK7yl7mpPkkyBAoRmwPgNir8bKq_n_yX_BXxTh99zG8NYkxdv_zN02lWsmaz0yTMropZeeOuKD-L5V7y-ifKlcfjQJD8r8FCn3ml-T4B3ibjOqhg37q3id3sqmJFhj-px?width=1024&height=768&cropmode=none/img]
It's a massive museum and it houses a Vulcan!
from the Tirpitz
after that, we made our way to WHL for the thrashing of Newcastle in our chase for a Champions' League spot (spoiler: we did it!), then home after a long day out.
Next up, was the Barge thread losers meet at Bicester Heritage.
We spent some time intentionally in the car park and there were some great spots
Mr JWW's company was there displaying its vehicles too and there was a tasty array of metal
One of our number chatted to him and I joined in. The pleasant chap introduced himself to me and took time to explain how he came to be so popular on youtube. I left feeling rather pleased for him.
and there was endless more fun stuff too
one which would get this vehicle owner banned from PH, no doubt
a Singer unit, which had a test mule with the Williams-co-engineered rear windows
Harry Metcalfe was there too with a few of his vehicles (which we didn't catch on display)
Simply, cool cars everywhere
admittedly a monstrosity, but still potent
and finally to the pub for the Barge lunch
We'll miss the Barge thread...
Edited by bolidemichael on Sunday 12th June 23:07
April 2022
The next sojourn was with the London chapter of the MB Club to the RAF Musuem in Hendon. It was a surpisingly chilly start to the day.
that was me, mit kinder sandwiched between a 5.5L V8 and a 6.0L V12... how often am I going to be out-cubed and cylindered in a car park?
It's a massive museum and it houses a Vulcan!
from the Tirpitz
after that, we made our way to WHL for the thrashing of Newcastle in our chase for a Champions' League spot (spoiler: we did it!), then home after a long day out.
Next up, was the Barge thread losers meet at Bicester Heritage.
We spent some time intentionally in the car park and there were some great spots
Mr JWW's company was there displaying its vehicles too and there was a tasty array of metal
One of our number chatted to him and I joined in. The pleasant chap introduced himself to me and took time to explain how he came to be so popular on youtube. I left feeling rather pleased for him.
and there was endless more fun stuff too
one which would get this vehicle owner banned from PH, no doubt
a Singer unit, which had a test mule with the Williams-co-engineered rear windows
Harry Metcalfe was there too with a few of his vehicles (which we didn't catch on display)
Simply, cool cars everywhere
admittedly a monstrosity, but still potent
and finally to the pub for the Barge lunch
We'll miss the Barge thread...
The next sojourn was with the London chapter of the MB Club to the RAF Musuem in Hendon. It was a surpisingly chilly start to the day.
that was me, mit kinder sandwiched between a 5.5L V8 and a 6.0L V12... how often am I going to be out-cubed and cylindered in a car park?
It's a massive museum and it houses a Vulcan!
from the Tirpitz
after that, we made our way to WHL for the thrashing of Newcastle in our chase for a Champions' League spot (spoiler: we did it!), then home after a long day out.
Next up, was the Barge thread losers meet at Bicester Heritage.
We spent some time intentionally in the car park and there were some great spots
Mr JWW's company was there displaying its vehicles too and there was a tasty array of metal
One of our number chatted to him and I joined in. The pleasant chap introduced himself to me and took time to explain how he came to be so popular on youtube. I left feeling rather pleased for him.
and there was endless more fun stuff too
one which would get this vehicle owner banned from PH, no doubt
a Singer unit, which had a test mule with the Williams-co-engineered rear windows
Harry Metcalfe was there too with a few of his vehicles (which we didn't catch on display)
Simply, cool cars everywhere
admittedly a monstrosity, but still potent
and finally to the pub for the Barge lunch
We'll miss the Barge thread...
Edited by bolidemichael on Sunday 12th June 23:08
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