Thoughts on Mercedes E220 Coupe

jmreire

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118003046#Comment_118003046

Thats the COMMAND control, silver wheel? Bloody great system when you get used to it. And not too difficult to replace either. And its not irreplaceable, you can still carry out all the functions that it does, but as one by one "commands", on the steering wheel and the main dash console. The COMMAND system just brings them all together. Doing a detailing job, is not that difficult ( I know its now a specialist trade in itself) but you dont need to be a specialist to keep your car in tip top shape. Regular washing, a good polishing once or twice a year, regular use of the vacuum cleaner, and you are good to go. Plenty of detailing tips on YouTube,,how to get into the inaccessible places, and what to use to get them clean and bright. I'm heading into NCT territory nex Feb,,,but when the wifes car was due last month, and I applied, I got a new date,,,next march??? Meanwhile, after long threatening. I took the plunge and changed the transmission fluid in the gearbox, resulting in smoother changes. Next change due in 75'000 Miles or 5 years. Present project is to remove all 4 wheels and repair the scuff marks and repaint them. Might try out the Autoglym on the leather too whils I'm at it....could do with a bit of brightening up.

Potential-Monke

My problem is that I just don't have enough interest in the detailing side of it that i'll never do it properly. I'm shopping around for prices, but the 450+ one will make it showroom condition (they turned a cousins 95 Fiesta into something that looked like it was brand new). I know there are some minor paint issues that a good, proper polish would sort, but I feel there's others that might need more work, specifically where the boot meets the bumper, previous owner seemed to use it as a sill and paint is chipped in places. Still intent to replace the rear bumper and exhaust from a E350 or something, the dual exhaust look.

How are you finding bushes, springs, shocks, hedges, small shrubs ?😂

Sorry, I've spend a load of money on my 13 yo E class on the above - I blame it on Dublin ramps and bad commuter roads- all springs and shocks replaced between 10 and 12 yo, a LOT of bushes replaced and I still have a "clunk" on the passenger side when driving- any thoughts? What's left there that could need repair? Mechanic (new) I don't think could be bothered finding the problem or at least it's too much trouble for him to fix. Saying that, touch wood, car overall going very well and love it.

jmreire

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118071268#Comment_118071268

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118038158#Comment_118038158

I can understand where you are coming from,,,a friend of mind is in the detailing business so I know what they can do plus I have experience in the motor trade too. There are a few light scuffs on the wheels, that I can and will repair myself,,,just as soon as I find the time !!! 😀

Plenty O'Toole, Irish roads ( especially secondary one's..😕) and car suspensions in this Country will never make for a happy marriage.......with suspension part's taking the brunt of the damage, and if proof were needed, as you are finding out, the most damage will be happen on the Passengers side. Ask me how I know.. But to your problem, is the knock more noticeable under certain circumstances? Or can you hear it any time? On the straight, on a bend, good road surface, bad surface, accelerating, braking etc.? In most cases, a mechanic can check while the car is on a lift, using a pry bar. If you have kept a record over the years of exactly what was replaced, and when, it would be a good help in identifying what is causing the knocking.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118072441#Comment_118072441

Thanks- I’ll drive it over next few days and see if I can accurately describe it

jmreire

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118076513#Comment_118076513

Sometimes, it can be difficult to pinpoint where the noise is coming from, but if you can, it will be very helpful. Of course, if its banging after hitting a pot hole, it will make it really easy to pinpoint, and more than likely, that's where the problem the will be found, and generally on the passengers side. It could be engine or gearbox mounts too, but it will need to be on a lift to check those out. Good Luck with it, few things more annoying car-wise anyhow than a knocking noise..😐️

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118077519#Comment_118077519

Thanks.,I’ve read up on it just a little and engine mounts came up as a potential problem area- also are there “arms” or something near the bushes- I think that was a potential also.

There”s two sounds really.

1. when I take off from a standing position, I can feel and hear a “movement”- like there’s something being pushed forward on the passenger side as a result of the car starting to move/accelerate
2. when in motion on a slightly uneven surface (Doesn’t have to be a bad pot holled road) - it’s like a rubber on metal sound but I’m out later today in the car so I’ll try and concentrate to get an accurate description

would I be right in saying engine mounts would be a big or awkward job and therefore a costly repair? NCT is due soon- I doubt this would be picked up by them as the issue is there for so long now

jmreire

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118078287#Comment_118078287

Personally, I've never had to replace the ones in my My Eclass, ( touch wood ) so I can't tell you for sure ( and from what you are telling me now, they do sound like the culprit ) I've replaced engine / gearbox mounts in other makes and generally, its not too difficult, but these are famous last words. Basically you have to jack up the engine / gearbox, and well and good if its possible to get it high enough to replace the mounting, but sometimes the subframe has to be dropped as well. Personally I'd try to get it fixed before the NCT. If you are hearing it, they will too ( or you could be lucky ) Good Luck with it.😀

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118079339#Comment_118079339

In fairness to me I’ve never shied away from getting things fixed on the merc- either I’ve spotted something and told my mechanic or he spotted something and told me- 2020 I spent a grand on some shocks springs and a service- this year I got off lightly with just a service and some other minor stuff -while it would please me to see out the year with no more bills, the savings on petrol have been huge due to lockdown so I’m well up😀

if I can keep it on the road another year to 18 months and then use it as a trade in I’d be happy as overall it’s been a great car.

jmreire

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118079886#Comment_118079886

Presently 13 year old, and you plan on keeping to the 15 year old mark ?, why not? should not be any problem with that,(from the viewpoint of the car anyway....should be good for even longer ) and in other Country's, would indeed be doing that. But here in Ireland.........😡

TheBigGreen

This is a good tread.

I recently purchased a 2013 E250 estate. I had been looking for one for months.

[img]https://i.ibb.co/g3CbpsP/Inked-IMG-1816-LI.jpg[/img]

The only thing it's a not AMG Sport spec but it has a FMBSH and low mileage.

I bought a set of refurished AMG 18" alloys so that will improve the look.

It's great to drive and comfort level is 100%!

jmreire

That's a nice one you got, well wear !!! What kind of miles / klms, and what is listed in the service history? Hard to put a value on FMBSH its that important. Happy Motoring !!!😀

TheBigGreen

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118087391#Comment_118087391

172,000km when I bought, service history all looks fairly standard, no major issues with it down through the years.

jmreire

106'000 Miles....baby!!! Its automatic, I guess? 722.9, 7 speed transmission? Have a look and see if the history shows a transmission fluid change, it should have had its first one by now ( @ 40'000 Miles /65'000 Klms ) and its pretty important. I would not mind having a 250 E class estate myself either. Actually was an estate I went to see, but it was gone when I got to the dealership,,,,but he did have an alternative, and I bought instead. No regrets 😎

TheBigGreen

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118104472#Comment_118104472

Yep 7 speed automatic with paddle shifters (first time with an auto and paddle shifters, they are great for overtaking)

Transmission service was done at 52,000 miles.

I'm loving it, such a big bus. Just bought a set of refurhished genuine staggered 18" AMG wheels, should make a better look than the current 17"s!

jmreire

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118114264#Comment_118114264

Thats a good one!!! Mine is the same, 7 speed, paddle shifter. Not that I ever use it much...maybe going down hill I'll downshift to hold it in the hill. For overtaking, I just use the kickdown, and it works very well. Mine has full MBSH, and the only thing that I don't like about it was when I saw "ECU Updated. This was an MB recall over false emissions, same as the VAG scandal. So when you get your car back after the "update" it has been cut back in performance, and will not be as economic in fuel consumption. It was done in the last service on mine just before I bought it, but even so, I can feel it in the car. Its performing fine, for my needs anyway, but just lacking that little bit of pep I feel it should have. Mine has the standard 17" wheels, and I don't particularly like them,,the design does not do a lot for the car. So down the road, I'll more than likely change them, but not sure if I will go for 18" wheels. We will see, Let us know how you find them, OK?

Potential-Monke

Update. While very tired one morning recently, I accidentally reveresed into the fence at home. Where I park I have to bring is very near the fence to allow the father out in his van, so I've been parking it there for 2 years without incident. Very tired the other morning and of course hopped (slowly) off it. Back left bumper scuffed, "chrome" strip for back left snapped in 3 (can't find 1 piece). Ringing around, I was expecting about €200 for a respray, and around €200 for the chrome.

Brought it to a nearby neighbour who has been doing spraying all his life. He said most will probably rub off, but not all of it. Went and got some magic liquid and lo and behold, it completely removed all scuff. No damage at all to the paintwork. Mercedes paint is strong than fence paint! Was having a hard time finding OEM strips for the bumper, so rang Mercedes:

• Back left/right section: €80 each
• Middle section: €106

I'm in two minds...

jmreire

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118270552#Comment_118270552

That scuff mark would have been removed with cutting compound, and a polish. I've often used it myself when I was in the business. I've had a look at some pic's that I have of my 2010 E class, but it only has the single chrome strip running all round the rear bumper...and yours is the Coupe model so maybe has different bumper fittings?

Potential-Monke

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118294794#Comment_118294794

I think it may be similar, looks like 1 while bit but is actually 3 bits. I'll most likely end up getting it from Mercedes. At least I'll know its genuine and will fit!

jmreire

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118295086#Comment_118295086

Yes, you could well be right...you don't see too many Coupe's in the breakers. Good luck with it anyway.🙂

Bhail

How's the car going to date? Any issues, all good? Has work from home affected anything?

jmreire

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118807019#Comment_118807019

Mine ( if that's the one you mean?? ) is going fine. In Feb I changed the engine oil and filter, Engine air filter, transmission fluid and filter, so next on the list will be changing the engine coolant. Then due NCT this mth, but got letter fron NCT saying new date will be in May.... Fuel -wise, its averaging 8 ltrs / 100 KLms, but having said that, most of my driving hilly back roads, and it rarely reaches 7th gear. One of these days, I'll take it on a long motorway road, where I can set the speed on 110 Kph, and we will see how it does then fuel wise. I'm still having a problem locating a feed for the brake light on the trailer, but when the weather clears up a bit, I'll get that sorted. Not doing much trailer work anyway. But its driving fine,,,no complaints there!!! LOL 😂 , And yours? how is it going for you?

Bhail

Cheers for the update! This is back on my radar again. Not as much owner info around as much as you would think. So this is helpful.