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

[LostKiwi]

Available through the MB dealer, but you were buying a Brabus with a hefty premium over standard. I'm sure they are badged as such too?

A proper Brabus is far more than just a chip just as a proper AMG is more than just a body kit.
The upgrade BC is referring to was an add on box I believe which whilst it had the Brabus price tag was discrete (which a real Brabus isn't).

 

[Blobcat]

Available through the MB dealer, but you were buying a Brabus with a hefty premium over standard. I'm sure they are badged as such too?

No, no badging, it is an engine management chip

 

[Holmey]

Is that button marked S and W? If so W is Winter mode (2nd gear start, earlier upshifts). S is summer mode.

On my 350cdi with the 7 speed gearbox there is little difference between S (sport) and E (economy) modes in 0-60 terms. The S mode tends to hang into gears longer but does feel it hangs on too long so dropping off the wave of torque. The only benefit I've found to S mode so far is the gearbox feels a bit less dimwitted when you put your foot down. You may find the same with the 5 speed.

With closer ratio gears I'd expect the 2nd gear on your 7 speed box to be lower than 2nd gear on my 5 speed box, which perhaps explains why you found little difference setting off in second and why I expect it to make a bigger difference to my 0 - 60 time.

 

[A.J.]

Hi Holmey, welcome to the forum

 

[M80]

With closer ratio gears I'd expect the 2nd gear on your 7 speed box to be lower than 2nd gear on my 5 speed box, which perhaps explains why you found little difference setting off in second and why I expect it to make a bigger difference to my 0 - 60 time.

Surely if you floor it it will choose 1st anyway.

 

[Holmey]

Surely if you floor it it will choose 1st anyway.

No, in the W transmission setting the car will always pull away in second gear.

 

[Holmey]

Having trouble with it already

I intended driving down to Birmingham this morning with a friend, and when I got to his house and turned the key off and removed it, the engine carried on running, and when I managed to get the engine to stop, (by sliding out the front ECU connection plug in the fuse box), the key wouldn't turn, and the cooling fan was spinning away even with the key out. Also, when I tried to start it, the lights on the dash would go on when I put the key in, (and the cooling fan stop), but the key wouldn't turn. All the time, the steering lock was off. It also flashed up and SRS and ABS malfunction warning.

I've continued this https://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/...-cdi-running-on-and-ignition-problems.192416/

 

[Wighty]

Having trouble with it already

I intended driving down to Birmingham this morning with a friend, and when I got to his house and turned the key off and removed it, the engine carried on running, and when I managed to get the engine to stop, (by sliding out the front ECU connection plug in the fuse box), the key wouldn't turn, and the cooling fan was spinning away even with the key out. Also, when I tried to start it, the lights on the dash would go on when I put the key in, (and the cooling fan stop), but the key wouldn't turn. All the time, the steering lock was off. It also flashed up and SRS and ABS malfunction warning.

I've continued this https://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/...-cdi-running-on-and-ignition-problems.192416/

Dealer sale buddy ? Might be worth getting them to fix it all .

 

[Holmey]

The dealer is 150 miles away and I need it sorting quick, I use it for work

 

[Wighty]

The dealer is 150 miles away and I need it sorting quick, I use it for work

It’s just that costs add up buddy , maybe this was why the car was traded in by the last keeper ?

 

[Holmey]

It’s just that costs add up buddy , maybe this was why the car was traded in by the last keeper ?

As costs would add up getting the car back to and collecting it from Birmingham where I bought it, (one of the problems of buying at a distance), but I always budget £500 to put things right on a new to me car, so hopefully I can get it sorted quick for that.

I've disconnected the main, (new boot), battery and the secondary battery, (that's tested as being OK), and going to leave it overnight and see if it resets itself, (more in hope than anything else), but if the problem persists I've got it booked in at my mates garage to run a full diagnostics in the morning to find what the actual problem is, unless somebody comes up with something on here before then.

 

[Holmey]

Sorted it - https://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/...-on-and-ignition-problems.192416/post-1970796

It was water that had got in the fuse box due to the top not being fixed on correctly when I had the car washed, once I'd dried the fuse box out and liberally dosed it and the rest of the electricals with WD40 and left it overnight to reset, it was fine

 

[Holmey]

Seems I've got a right bargain here for £2,000

First, I've been offered £750 for the "private plate" on the car, then today I took it to a mate who has a garage, (not a Mercedes specialist, but a clever lad that knows his stuff), for him to give it a check over and it turns out it's got a Brabus tuning box fitted, no wonder she flies

So, less the number plate, (that I don't give a damn about), she stands me at £1,250, (plus the £180 I paid for a new battery), then whatever the tuning box would have cost me, (that will certainly be staying), to say I'm pleased is an understatement

 

[Wighty]

Seems I've got a right bargain here for £2,000

First, I've been offered £750 for the "private plate" on the car, then today I took it to a mate who has a garage, (not a Mercedes specialist, but a clever lad that knows his stuff), for him to give it a check over and it turns out it's got a Brabus tuning box fitted, no wonder she flies

So, less the number plate, (that I don't give a damn about), she stands me at £1,250, (plus the £180 I paid for a new battery), then whatever the tuning box would have cost me, (that will certainly be staying), to say I'm pleased is an understatement

Everyone hates someone else getting a good deal buddy

 

[Holmey]

Everyone hates someone else getting a good deal buddy

Believe me, I'm still struggling to get my head round the fact that for once I may have actually bought a good one, normally whatever I buy ends up needing a fortune spending on it, even when I've given it a right good check over and me buying this one unseen from a dealer description 150 miles away - I'm expecting starting it in the morning and a con rod smashing it's way out of the block

Hopefully not though, with from what my mates said, as well as the recent new disks and pads I knew about, she's had had recent new shockers, all the filters looked like new, and even better, the (SBC) ABS Pump looks like a recently fitted new unit too

I checked it out on the ramp with him, and underneath it's like a 1 year old car, with not a jot of rot or sign of any accident damage, (I was concerned about the front near side as the head and main beam lights look new), with the only work we could find to do on it being a new drivers door mirror glass, (currently it's got a stick on replacement), a new front fog light, (it works, but the glass is broke), and polishing the O/S headlight and main bean lens's as they are a little murky.

Another thing I want to look into are new tyres, the current ones, (Pirellis), having a reasonable amount of life in them, but for some reason that I can't fathom out, they don't seem right for the car, with tyre noise being prominent and very little feeling for the road through the steering - Then again, that may be how an E Class drives, I haven't driven an E class since a W123 280E I had over 20 years ago.

Can anybody recommend the best tyres for her? With me driving around 40,000 miles a year and me never being stingy on tyres, when it comes to tyres on my cars, within reason, cost's no object as I'd rather fork out a little more and know that I've got the best, so what should I be looking to shod her with?

 

[Noddy 99]

Believe me, I'm still struggling to get my head round the fact that for once I may have actually bought a good one, normally whatever I buy ends up needing a fortune spending on it, even when I've given it a right good check over and me buying this one unseen from a dealer description 150 miles away - I'm expecting starting it in the morning and a con rod smashing it's way out of the block

Hopefully not though, with from what my mates said, as well as the recent new disks and pads I knew about, she's had had recent new shockers, all the filters looked like new, and even better, the (SBC) ABS Pump looks like a recently fitted new unit too

I checked it out on the ramp with him, and underneath it's like a 1 year old car, with not a jot of rot or sign of any accident damage, (I was concerned about the front near side as the head and main beam lights look new), with the only work we could find to do on it being a new drivers door mirror glass, (currently it's got a stick on replacement), a new front fog light, (it works, but the glass is broke), and polishing the O/S headlight and main bean lens's as they are a little murky.

Another thing I want to look into are new tyres, the current ones, (Pirellis), having a reasonable amount of life in them, but for some reason that I can't fathom out, they don't seem right for the car, with tyre noise being prominent and very little feeling for the road through the steering - Then again, that may be how an E Class drives, I haven't driven an E class since a W123 280E I had over 20 years ago.

Can anybody recommend the best tyres for her? With me driving around 40,000 miles a year and me never being stingy on tyres, when it comes to tyres on my cars, within reason, cost's no object as I'd rather fork out a little more and know that I've got the best, so what should I be looking to shod her with?

Pleeeaaaase don't get us started on tyres...

 

[Holmey]

Pleeeaaaase don't get us started on tyres...

What's your views on Pirellis on an E Class then?

As I've said above, I can feel it in my gut that the tyres on the car aren't the right tyres for the car, even taking into account I'm not familiar with how a W211 E Class drives and me knowing they have a reputation for not being the "most rewarding" to drive, I just know that there is a better driving experience to come and that it's down to the tyres.

 

[Noddy 99]

I value comfort and softness so Pirellis have never appealed.

You ask 100 people on this forum what tyres to fit and you'll get 150 different answers - it's soooo subjective.

 

[Noddy 99]

For what it's worth, I'm going with Avon ZV7s at my next change. I have two different wheel sizes so they will average out at about £115 per corner, unfitted.

At that price, if they're good enough for Aston Martin, they're good enough for me...

 

[keefysher]

On the 2 W211's I had, tyres were Conti's factory fitted. Had Michellin, Kuhmo, and Avons over £250k miles in those 2 cars. Avons by far the fave. But then I didn't drive it like I stole it as it's a Mercedes after all. The fronts wear the inside edges due to the weight of the lump under the bonnet.