E320 Coupe Advice

[laps736]

Hi all,

This is my first posting although I have been reading quite a lot of threads recently and you all seem like a nice bunch!
I bought a mint E320 CE a few weeks ago and wondered if anybody could give me some advice on how to adjust the doors as they seem to have dropped slightly and require a very un Mercedes like slam to close properly!

Also when do the timing chains require replacement and anything else I need to be aware of to keep the car running sweet. Currently it has 60,000 miles showing with a full MB service history at every 4,500 miles.

Any advice at all would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks

Shaun

 

[television]

Re the doors, the adjustment is done with the stricker plates on B and C pillars and the hinges on the front.
the doors can be raised or lowered by undoing the hinge bolts if you are sure that they have dropped. In the first place I would remove the stricker plates and pust the door up closed as it could be the plates set wrong pushing the doors down at the back. to adjust the stricker plates for the correct closing, they hould be set so that the edge of the door is proud of the next panel by 1-2mm this is done to stop wind noise.

In cases where the door has dropped only at the back you may have to shim out the bottom hinge where it is bolted to the door. though we never did this as it was easier to jack up the back of the door, not for the light hearted.

malcolm

 

[stumpy]

Welcome and sounds like a fab car you have there. The biggest hot potato on this car will be the wiring loom in the engine bay. Do a search for more info, but check to see if it's been replaced or repaired. Your car is still 11 years old though very low miles. The doors can be adjusted quite easily. Is it the doors or the catches that have moved? Do the doors line up properly when closed?

 

[laps736]

Thanks guy's

The doors align perfectly when closed so I suppose it's the striker plates/catches that require adjusting as there seems to be alot of scrapes on them. Is this just a matter of loosening and moving them up/down to suit the door?
Any advice on the timing chains?

Thanks

Shaun

 

[stumpy]

The timing chain, as far as I know, you replace when it becomes noisy. You will know when it is noisy. Mine is on 139K and still going strong. If the door lines up when closed it would suggest that the door has dropped and therefore as Television says you need to play with the hinges.

 

[laps736]

Thanks for the info. I will try and make the adjustments this weekend.

My car is finished in silver with darker rear bumber and lower side panels, however, the front bumper is lighter. I've noticed this on other W124 CE's finished in silver but not other colours or models. Is this correct? If so does anybody Know why Mercedes did this?

 

[kth286]

laps736

If you are NOT getting an air whistle blowing by the join between front and rear side windows, it probably means that door still is properly aligned.

If you are getting wind whistle/noise around this sensitive area then perhaps the door does need to be re aligned.

Also, another test you could make before you disturb the door hinges: lower the window a small amount and see the difference when you close the door then.
It will probably shut much easier.

I think you will come to the conclusion it is the good airtight seal within a Mercedes cabin that prevents the door slamming tight first time.

With practise you will learn how to do it.

Always let your passenger close their door first - to give the 'right' impression.

Regards