New 2003 E Class 320 CDi owner saying Hi...

[Holmey]

Having run a remapped 04 Jaguar 2.0d X Type for the past 18 months and added over 40,000 miles to its clock in that time, (taking it to just over 190,000 miles), I’ve treated myself to a new, (to me), motor this New Year, a 2 owner 2003 Mercedes Benz E320 CDi Avantgarde with 130,000 miles on the clock and FSH, and although I only picked it up on New Year’s Eve I’m loving it, not only does it drive like a new car, it goes like the clappers and seems to be brilliant on juice, it creeping up to just over 50 MPG on my trip from Birmingham to Blackpool yesterday when I picked it up, although quite a lot of the trip was stuck at 50/60 MPH on the M6 due to roadworks.

Due to the way it performs, (out of curiosity I did an 0 to 60 run this morning using a phone app to get the time and the 1st time with limited effort it produced an 0 to 60 time of 6.8 seconds), I suspect it’s been remapped, but have no idea how I can check if my supposition is correct. Interestingly, the first owner of the car was Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service, (possibly the Chief Fire Officers staff car), which likely explains it’s amazing condition, with due to this it has likely been “chipped” since new, me knowing that MB offer the police vehicles with a higher than standard power output, so it’s likely the same when it comes to the fire service.

As I’ve said, so far, everything seems brilliant, everything works as it should, it drives like a new car, (with not rattles or shakes), goes like the preverbal clappers and is returning what I consider to be amazing economy for a car of its size and performance, but can I ask of the knowledge base her what I need to watch out for with my new motor, what problems I can expect from a clearly well looked after, but elderly E320 CDI.

Highest Regards,

Holmey

 

[dry run]

Welcome
Nice cars - I loved my 320 CDi

 

[mioba]

Welcome to the forum, the OM648 is one of the best merc engines!

 

[M80]

Nice car,
nice engine reputedly.
Look into the SBC brake system. Brake hold is something that you soon feel is something you couldn't live w/o, but being aware of SBC prior to dash warnings could be an advantage.

If you're using Torque to monitor acceleration you should also be able to monitor the EGR activity. If mapped you might find that has been mapped out, otherwise EGR cleaning regularly can be worthwhile.

MB's were (still are) prone to rust, especially pre 2006. Pre treatment can be worthwhile. Brake pipes are worth a good inspection. Using Dinitrol products on the underside might preserve longevity of ownership.

Otherwise they are a well made car.

For me replacing the HU with a Chinese unit is well worth it, I did.

 

[EmilysDad]

.... Brake hold is something that you soon feel is something you couldn't live w/o, ....

I do use HOLD, because it's there (not SBC system) but I could quite easily manage without it ... as I do when out & about in my Smart or EmilysMum's car

 

[M80]

I do use HOLD, because it's there (not SBC system) but I could quite easily manage without it ... as I do when out & about in my Smart or EmilysMum's car

Me too, do you sometimes press the accelerator expecting the parking brake to release, as I do in the Viano now and again?

I miss it in the Viano, applying the brake 'aint so bad, but the lean forward to release is a nuisance.

 

[EmilysDad]

Me too, do you sometimes press the accelerator expecting the parking brake to release, as I do in the Viano now and again?

I miss it in the Viano, applying the brake 'aint so bad, but the lean forward to release is a nuisance.

I normally just keep my foot on the brake though I did once nod off while waiting for lights to change and slowly rolled into the back of the car in front!

 

[M80]

I normally just keep my foot on the brake though I did once nod off while waiting for lights to change and slowly rolled into the back of the car in front!

Oops, I'll bet that woke both of you.

I hadn't experience Bake Hold till the 211. During the pre purchase test drive I said to the owner now I'll try the Brake Hold, what's that he asked.
He also had an S class, I'll bet he learnt to use it after that.

 

[LostKiwi]

Both my R Class and Smart have brake hold of a sort.
The Smart it holds the brakes on for a second after releasing the brake pedal to prevent rolling back as the foot moves to the accelerator. It does this automatically.
The R seems only to hold for a couple of seconds but needs to be activated manually with a firm press of the brake pedal.
Frankly I find them of limited use as I tend to drive left foot brake right foot accelerator anyway when in traffic.

 

[M80]

The Smart it holds the brakes on for a second after releasing the brake pedal to prevent rolling back as the foot moves to the accelerator.

Is that 'Hill Start'?
I've read it is the spec and felt it. It feels like a stuck caliper.

Edit,
In the Viano manual they're calling it 'Start Off Assist'. It maintains brake pressure for 2 seconds after the pedal is released.
But not on mine according to the VIN.

 

[LostKiwi]

Is that 'Hill Start'?
I've read it is the spec and felt it. It feels like a stuck caliper.

Edit,
In the Viano manual they're calling it 'Start Off Assist'. It maintains brake pressure for 2 seconds after the pedal is released.
But not on mine according to the VIN.

That sounds like it. On the Smart it's on every time you start off. On the R you have to consciously engage it. Interestingly the R won't do it if on the flat or facing downhill.

In spite of having SBC the SL doesn't have it.

 

[EmilysDad]

Oops, I'll bet that woke both of you.
....

It did ...

 

[EmilysDad]

Both my R Class and Smart have brake hold of a sort.
The Smart it holds the brakes on for a second after releasing the brake pedal to prevent rolling back as the foot moves to the accelerator. It does this automatically.
The R seems only to hold for a couple of seconds but needs to be activated manually with a firm press of the brake pedal.
Frankly I find them of limited use as I tend to drive left foot brake right foot accelerator anyway when in traffic.

I'd had my R Class a good while before I realised it had some kind of hill assist - it only seemed to hold facing UP hill whereas the Smart always does it. The Roadster's manual says it holds for 0.7sec ... who dreamt that that time up?

 

[EmilysDad]

Is that 'Hill Start'?


....

Yes.

 

[Wighty]

Having run a remapped 04 Jaguar 2.0d X Type for the past 18 months and added over 40,000 miles to its clock in that time, (taking it to just over 190,000 miles), I’ve treated myself to a new, (to me), motor this New Year, a 2 owner 2003 Mercedes Benz E320 CDi Avantgarde with 130,000 miles on the clock and FSH, and although I only picked it up on New Year’s Eve I’m loving it, not only does it drive like a new car, it goes like the clappers and seems to be brilliant on juice, it creeping up to just over 50 MPG on my trip from Birmingham to Blackpool yesterday when I picked it up, although quite a lot of the trip was stuck at 50/60 MPH on the M6 due to roadworks.

Due to the way it performs, (out of curiosity I did an 0 to 60 run this morning using a phone app to get the time and the 1st time with limited effort it produced an 0 to 60 time of 6.8 seconds), I suspect it’s been remapped, but have no idea how I can check if my supposition is correct. Interestingly, the first owner of the car was Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service, (possibly the Chief Fire Officers staff car), which likely explains it’s amazing condition, with due to this it has likely been “chipped” since new, me knowing that MB offer the police vehicles with a higher than standard power output, so it’s likely the same when it comes to the fire service.

As I’ve said, so far, everything seems brilliant, everything works as it should, it drives like a new car, (with not rattles or shakes), goes like the preverbal clappers and is returning what I consider to be amazing economy for a car of its size and performance, but can I ask of the knowledge base her what I need to watch out for with my new motor, what problems I can expect from a clearly well looked after, but elderly E320 CDI.

Highest Regards,

Holmey

Welcome buddy , nice looking car .
Ideally you should have a gearbox service every 40k miles .(£200-250 at an Indy ?)
If it were me I would change the differential oil , cheap job .
Remove all the undertray’s and clean the dirt out . Spray all the brake lines with something like ACF50
Clean the inside of the wheel arch lips that collect dirt .
Make sure all the engine bay drains are not blocked .
Spray acf50 on all the earth points that you see .
Lube the drivers door and boot key locks and use the metal key in the lock (yearly)

 

[SmartAmg]

Welcome.

 

[Noddy 99]

Welcome buddy , nice looking car .
Ideally you should have a gearbox service every 40k miles .(£200-250 at an Indy ?)
If it were me I would change the differential oil , cheap job .
Remove all the undertray’s and clean the dirt out . Spray all the brake lines with something like ACF50
Clean the inside of the wheel arch lips that collect dirt .
Make sure all the engine bay drains are not blocked .
Spray acf50 on all the earth points that you see .
Lube the drivers door and boot key locks and use the metal key in the lock (yearly)

Bit optimistic on the gearbox service price there, Wighty. My E280 at an indy cost £386 to have the box and the torque converter done...

Welcome to Holmey! Be prepared for some bills. It's worth it, though...

 

[M80]

My E280 at an indy cost £386 to have the box and the torque converter done...

Did he do it twice?
I know I'm out of touch but that feels like big inflation.

 

[Wighty]

Bit optimistic on the gearbox service price there, Wighty. My E280 at an indy cost £386 to have the box and the torque converter done...

Welcome to Holmey! Be prepared for some bills. It's worth it, though...

I don’t think I’m that far out buddy

 

[Holmey]

Thanks for all the reply's

I haven't had chance to give it a good check over yet, but it's got a full MB service history, the last service only 3,000 mile ago at MB Aylesbury, and from the look of them, it's been recently fitted with new discs and callipers all round, (so hopefully they sorted any brake pump problems at the same time), and the only advisory's on the full MOT was 1 brake pipe slightly corroded and one of the front wheel wheel bearings with slight play, (with me not being able to hear it or feel it when driving).

As to me thinking that it's already been mapped, (to me it's too fast to have not been), I'm looking to get it on a dyno in the next couple of weeks to see exactly how many pony's are under the bonnet and I'll report back after that, but can anybody confirm that as a car that was sold to a Fire and Rescue Service, if it is mapped, it is likely it was mapped from the factory, (as I understand police vehicles are), and if so, what that remap is likely to have been?