Anything I should look out for?

[starlitegaize]

Hi all, just picked my E220 94 (L reg) estate up, and am really pleased with it. Not just economical, it's saving me a fortune on chiropractors too!!! - 124900 on the clock, coming up for a service soon - has full MB service and stamps - does this mean the bodywork is covered by the 30 year warranty?

What should I watch out for when I take it in for its service? And can I order the second and third keys for it? (It only came with the master key).

One problem though, the previous owner smoked really heavily... Anyone got any good ideas for cleaning the leather for a start? I might even resort to leaving a bowl of vinegar in when the car's not in use!!

 

[Bolide]

AFAIK there's no 30-year warranty on the bodywork of the older cars. Ordinary keys are available from a dealer for about £13

If you take the car to a specialist they'll know what to look out for. I'd say consider doing the front ARB Bushes, gearbox oil & filter and carefully check the engine mounts, front springs and front balljoints

Megiaurs make an odour-reducing spray that works very well, but I'd have the car properly valeted - including the headlining - before using it

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[starlitegaize]

Thanks for that Nick, so there's little point in me keeping the Merc service stamps going if the bodywork isn't covered on an L reg 94 car? I have just been quoted 800 quid for Merc to do it... or 1200 quid and they'll look at the gear box etc... Seems a bit steep!

 

[jibcl500]

swarfega does a great job on leather!!! use a towel based cloth but dont use excessive pressure just massage the area, a very soft tooth brush will also work well.


jib

 

[gworilla]

You can also try a good leather cleaner (I use Autogylm) and follow up with a good leather treatment (again Autoglym). Opinions will vary and Meguiars is also very good.

I heard from a friend in the trade that this stuff works very well also http://www.restoration-express.co.uk/acatalog/Products_Leather_Cleaning_Products_24.html

or if you wanted a leather cleaning kit:
http://sacsrepackaging.com/leathercleaner.html

 

[gworilla]

This is what I used:

http://www.autoglym.co.uk/enGB/product-proddetail.asp?v06VQ=FD&Range=1

http://www.autoglym.co.uk/enGB/product-proddetail.asp?v06VQ=GF&Range=1

Cheers!!

 

[lakeside]

There's really no need to take it to a main dealer, a good specialist would know the car better, and charge half the labour rate. If you have a documented history rather than just stamps in the service book, it will show when the important fluid changes were done (transmission, brake fluid etc). As a guide, transmission fluid and filter should be done every 30,000miles at least. The front antiroll bar bushes are cheap to buy, and along with the steering damper (also cheap), get a hammering on our lousy UK roads. Do get the balljoints checked, as Bolide suggests. He knows these cars very well! The service book itemises the various service intervals.