Mercedes W203 C320 Coupe
Discussion
gulls said:
It has recently had an alignment, my only minor criticism is that it doesn't track straight quite as strongly as I am used to, so maybe an adjustment to the toe (?) would be an idea, or perhaps a bush or two needs looking at.
The speaker grilles in the doors are cracked, oh and I need some floor mats.
On the alignment, one specialist told me that Mercs are set up for German roads with different cambers to ours, so that might be the issue. It is possible that if you really want to sort it, then some shims/bolts/plates may be required.The speaker grilles in the doors are cracked, oh and I need some floor mats.
For the speaker grills, I recalled coming across this on eBay a few years back, which may or may not fit your car: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/173597138382
Start with toe.
The camber was never set accurately from the factory. There are adjustment bolts available however there are two different types of front rear arms: elongated inner hole and non elongated. The elongated hole suits the camber adjustment bolts.
Aftermarket parts suppliers often supply a mix or arms or simply don't know the difference, so worst case is a mix on the same car. An alignment will show any issues.
The camber was never set accurately from the factory. There are adjustment bolts available however there are two different types of front rear arms: elongated inner hole and non elongated. The elongated hole suits the camber adjustment bolts.
Aftermarket parts suppliers often supply a mix or arms or simply don't know the difference, so worst case is a mix on the same car. An alignment will show any issues.
gulls said:
I did do a couple of overtakes and the technique does seem to work pretty effectively.
I have now read some of the manual, the sunroof might just need a reset as it has recently had a new battery fitted. You never know...
I have now read some of the manual, the sunroof might just need a reset as it has recently had a new battery fitted. You never know...
Sunroof: my first "Sports Coupé" (not just Coupé as per the new title) was a 2002 model with the panoramic sunroof. Like you, it never worked from the time I picked it up. Then one day after about 8 months of ownership, I had a sudden idea to just press the open button. And it worked. Not helpful to you but who knows. It might just start working again if you press it when it needs it.
mwstewart said:
Clear the gearbox adaptions so it learns your particular driving style. It's possible to do without diagnostics and involves a combination of pedal presses and ignition key turns. There will be a guide online.
It can make a big difference if the previous owner just pootled around.
agree- this guide worked for similar age SLK, i think process is very similar. noticeable immediatelyIt can make a big difference if the previous owner just pootled around.
https://www.slkworld.com/threads/reset-transmissio...
Hoofy said:
Sunroof: my first "Sports Coupé" (not just Coupé as per the new title) was a 2002 model with the panoramic sunroof. Like you, it never worked from the time I picked it up. Then one day after about 8 months of ownership, I had a sudden idea to just press the open button. And it worked. Not helpful to you but who knows. It might just start working again if you press it when it needs it.
This is the kind of thing you unthinkingly try while on a trip and then wish you hadn't!
Sheepshanks said:
Hoofy said:
Sunroof: my first "Sports Coupé" (not just Coupé as per the new title) was a 2002 model with the panoramic sunroof. Like you, it never worked from the time I picked it up. Then one day after about 8 months of ownership, I had a sudden idea to just press the open button. And it worked. Not helpful to you but who knows. It might just start working again if you press it when it needs it.
This is the kind of thing you unthinkingly try while on a trip and then wish you hadn't!
Good point. I only opened it a crack when I was sitting on my drive and it was a really hot day. One thing I tend to do with cars with a sunroof is work out how to manually wind them back in (after experiencing a failed one on an old Polo shed). Something (in the Merc sunroof) did go twang when I opened it which caused me to stop opening it, then it closed fine, so I tried it again and it all seemed to work as expected. There was a piece of metal that was really, really rusty but still fixed in place. Gave it all a squirt with WD40 and didn't have any problems with it until I scrapped the car. That said, I stuck to just having it in the tilt mode rather than using the slide mode as I just never trusted it fully!
Thanks ever so much for all the replies!
Sorry about the thread title name change, I asked for it as I felt the original was no longer relevant, needless to say I got the title wrong by missing the Sport (well spotted) but don't want to trouble the mods another time.
I hadn't thought about gearbox adapations, that's a good idea. I'm actually enjoying the waft of the Comfort mode at the moment, but I've barely done any more miles yet.
Thanks for the link to the speaker cover, I think I found a chinese copy but that'd probably break in shipping. I saw someone had covered a broken one in speaker fabric, that might be a good solution for mine. I know the interior quailty of these has a bad reputation but I'm surprised by the simple things that are broken, a mirror flap in the sun visor and the roller cover in front of the arm rest. I might sort them, but will probably ignore them just as the previous owner must have. They'll only break again after all!
Thanks for the notes about the suspension setup. I might take it to a local alignment place I've used before in Chesham, they were very good at sorting the E46 compact.
Is there any consensus on floor mats? The passenger one (the only one in the car) is the original Mercedes ribbed one which is really nice, they appear to be about £120 or so for a set. Before I make my mind up, is there anything else that's worth looking at?
Apparently the sunroof went in for a recall within the last couple of years, so presumably it was working then. I genuinely think the owner had never tried to operate it. I'm happy with it as it is, with the blinds open, but when the weather is better I will try the reset. I remember this with the lift out panel on my 944, the gears stripped, that was a nightmare! It is now bonded shut for ever more, that'll teach it!
The clock is an hour out. I've tried reading the ludicrously complicated manual but I think am just going to wait for the clocks to change (or move to a different time zone).
Sorry about the thread title name change, I asked for it as I felt the original was no longer relevant, needless to say I got the title wrong by missing the Sport (well spotted) but don't want to trouble the mods another time.
I hadn't thought about gearbox adapations, that's a good idea. I'm actually enjoying the waft of the Comfort mode at the moment, but I've barely done any more miles yet.
Thanks for the link to the speaker cover, I think I found a chinese copy but that'd probably break in shipping. I saw someone had covered a broken one in speaker fabric, that might be a good solution for mine. I know the interior quailty of these has a bad reputation but I'm surprised by the simple things that are broken, a mirror flap in the sun visor and the roller cover in front of the arm rest. I might sort them, but will probably ignore them just as the previous owner must have. They'll only break again after all!
Thanks for the notes about the suspension setup. I might take it to a local alignment place I've used before in Chesham, they were very good at sorting the E46 compact.
Is there any consensus on floor mats? The passenger one (the only one in the car) is the original Mercedes ribbed one which is really nice, they appear to be about £120 or so for a set. Before I make my mind up, is there anything else that's worth looking at?
Apparently the sunroof went in for a recall within the last couple of years, so presumably it was working then. I genuinely think the owner had never tried to operate it. I'm happy with it as it is, with the blinds open, but when the weather is better I will try the reset. I remember this with the lift out panel on my 944, the gears stripped, that was a nightmare! It is now bonded shut for ever more, that'll teach it!
The clock is an hour out. I've tried reading the ludicrously complicated manual but I think am just going to wait for the clocks to change (or move to a different time zone).
gulls said:
Oh dear, I must be being a bit thick, I couldn't see how to get there just by fiddling with the menus, the manual must make it seem more complicated than it is - I'll have another play
Some photos would be great Skylarking.
Clock now reset, no excuse for not turning up at work on time. Rats. I still think the menu system is not intuitive and the manual only adds to the confusion, I can’t even find an outside temp display, but I’m sure it’s in there somewhere.
I’m still very happy with the car, it’s almost perfect for what I need, it’s a bit firmer than I probably intended (it has the sports option of firmer suspension and 17” wheels) but still just comfortable enough.
The gearbox and torque encourages more leisurely driving than is usual for me, but that’s no bad thing. The engine is smooth and fairly characterful, it’s a nice change from the inline 6 I’m more used to.
I got bored in traffic and tried opening the sunroof, and after going through the reset procedure it works perfectly. Phew! The panoramic roof and the sun blinds are now one of my favourite features of the car.
I’ve started work on a long but hopefully not disastrous snagging list which I’ll be working through in stages - this is more to me wanting the car to be right than it being a shed (famous last words).
First up, it feels like the brakes need bleeding but as the pads and discs are looking very sorry for themselves the plan is to fit Brembo discs from Autodoc, I’ll probably stick with Brembo for the pads too (unless anyone has any other suggestions).
Clock now reset, no excuse for not turning up at work on time. Rats. I still think the menu system is not intuitive and the manual only adds to the confusion, I can’t even find an outside temp display, but I’m sure it’s in there somewhere.
I’m still very happy with the car, it’s almost perfect for what I need, it’s a bit firmer than I probably intended (it has the sports option of firmer suspension and 17” wheels) but still just comfortable enough.
The gearbox and torque encourages more leisurely driving than is usual for me, but that’s no bad thing. The engine is smooth and fairly characterful, it’s a nice change from the inline 6 I’m more used to.
I got bored in traffic and tried opening the sunroof, and after going through the reset procedure it works perfectly. Phew! The panoramic roof and the sun blinds are now one of my favourite features of the car.
I’ve started work on a long but hopefully not disastrous snagging list which I’ll be working through in stages - this is more to me wanting the car to be right than it being a shed (famous last words).
First up, it feels like the brakes need bleeding but as the pads and discs are looking very sorry for themselves the plan is to fit Brembo discs from Autodoc, I’ll probably stick with Brembo for the pads too (unless anyone has any other suggestions).
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