LILBENZ230

Oh yeah.. I'm back to BMW and Benz. Major problem with SUV after a week and back to dealership it went to stay.

Having a towel in my car on Friday would've been akin to bringing a roll of paper towels to a flood.

bdgdl08

Oh! I'm sorry, I missed that. You going to look for a replacement, maybe a GLK? Those things look so nice!

EDIT: Glad to hear the dealer took it back!

patrick_y

Glad to hear that you are enjoying your car!

I would do the transmission service asap! I typically try to do the transmission fluid service before 40,000 miles.

I don't have 60,000 miles yet, but I'm still loving this car too.

LILBENZ230

Not planning an SUV replacement. Who needs one when the Benz can do what I do with it? Haha

You're right, I've yet to do a transmission service. It's a priority but not an emergency. It'll be done by 75,000. At 35,000 about half the fluid was replaced with new after a repair. The shift quality is perfect and it spends a good bit of time in highway cruise, too.

Glyn M Ruck

Ah! If you saw what SA & Aus farmers do with them you would not worry - they are tough.

We **** types just like looking after them - and so it should be!

SickSpeedMonte

Mine has just started doing that at around 40k... the SA told me that it was probably a bad switch panel. I'll try the reset and if that doesn't work, back to the dealer for a new panel, replace the mirror turn signal lense with the condensation in it, and the rear lisence plate surround which isn't sitting right.

Norwichdelta06

(((In 13.5 months and 35,000 miles the maintenance expenses total $1,319.12. This includes 3 oil changes, a cabin filter change, an air filter change, 4 tires, new front rotors and pads, an alignment, an additional tire balance, cam sensor adapter wires (pigtails), a brake fluid flush,)))

Did you do the rotors/brakes/oil yourself?

LILBENZ230

No. I bought the materials and had my indy guy install the rotors and pads. I spent $348 for rotors, pads, fluid flush, installation, and tax. The prices some on here pay for stuff makes me cringe.

LILBENZ230

The HVAC malfunction hasn't happened to my car since, for the record. Just that one day. I'm sure that isn't a cheap thing to replace.

LILBENZ230

As my car leaves the 60,000's behind this week, I've decided to do show and tell on some recent events and maintenance.

Most people love the number 69, no? Well, the Benz did not. For it's 69,000 mark, a truck on the highway slung mud all over its face. There was nothing I could do except wash it, and there was no actual damage. I was pretty pissed, though, at the time.





It got new shoes! The last set of tires were put on back last January at 40,491 miles. They were Kumho Ecsta ASX tires, rated for 30,000 miles of life, and cost me $504.55 out the door. They lasted till I replaced them today at 69,498 miles. 29,007 total miles, 11 months, 1 patch - they were excellent tires. Given the demanding circumstances I've subjected the car to (overload conditions, probably 12 trips in the mountains, constant spirited travel on backroads) the fact the tires lasted as long as they did is amazing. The wear bars were exposed on one front and one rear tire at the time of replacement, so all four were replaced. I've been loyal to Kumho for quite some time, and have ran the ASX on cars from an Acura TL to a Civic Si to a Camry and finally the Benz with nothing but great results. Ultimately, though, I wanted to see if I could get more life from a tire since I drive the car about 80 miles a day. So I elected to spend just a little more ($590.68 OTD) on Continental SportContact DWS tires. Kumho said I'd get 30,000 out the ASXs, Continental say I can get 50,000 out of these. We shall see. Initial impressions are quite favorable - these are by far the quietest tires I've ever experienced (and yes, I've had cars with Michelins) and the ride quality is superb. Note, my car is filthy.








Does anyone know what I can clean these god awful calipers with? I've tried everything and nothing seems to work!



A Service B was performed on the car at 68,000 miles. The last service was at 55,000 miles (that included a Service A, brake fluid flush, new pads and rotors on the front). Yes, I run the full 13,000 between changes and I have absolutely no plans to ever change the oil more frequently. The local Nissan dealership has a dedicated mechanic who does the oil changes on my car while I watch. I bring the filter, the oil (pre-measured), and he does the labor for $20.67. He was kind enough to capture this sample for me. I'll be sending it off to Blackstone labs. Dirty, eh? Kinda smells a lil like gasoline, too.. I'll see what they have to say.



Here is a picture of my car's 55w 6000k Apexcone HIDs. The camera exposes slight dark spots that aren't noticeable in real life. I'm satisfied, and I'm one of the few who simply installed the kit with no errors.



See this interior color matching seal? This stays clean thanks to my handy SpinBrush Pro and spot remover. Drew, this pic's for you.



Alas, nothing can save these POS armrests. This is a photo of mine from ~65,000 miles.



The car's build date is 01.25.2005, so it has a 5 year birthday soon. It's hard to believe in July of 2008 it had just 25,000 miles.

bdgdl08

Thanks for the pic, Matt. I did purchase a spinbrush for that purpose, but I haven't used it yet. Your car looks great, and that is a great picture of the headlight beam pattern. I received my HIDs today, and am taking a diner break from installing them. The armrests are horrid. The CLK's was so bad that any pressure put on it left an arm/palm/finger print permanently imbedded in it. Happy birthday to your car!

W203E35

Great info...I'm glad the Benz is making you happy. I heard for the Caliper you can use some type of acrylic cleaner but dont leave it on for too long. I didn't know you don't have the SUV anymore.

samaritrey

Keep us posted on those tires i am looking at tires and could not find any good reviews on them. i am either going to get those or the bridgestones i have already.

LILBENZ230

Hey Karo, forgive my ignorance.. but acrylic cleaner? Can you give me more info?

Trey - I read lots of positive reviews. There were the negative ones, too, but that's true with everything. I really like the tires so far, the car rides so smooth and quiet.. I'd forgotten. The Kumhos had gotten quite loud and rough as they aged.

W203E35

http://forums.turbobricks.com/showpo...43&postcount=6

Edit:
I forgot the "I meant to say you can do what this guy did on the forum" (link)

Edit: Acrylic cleaner
You can get it from any hardware store.

I have seen this thing turn old calipers/hubs turn them into brand spanking new

Glyn M Ruck

Matt,
The acidic or strong alkyli 1 minute mag wheel cleaners will take that crap off the caliper. Might have to leave on a bit longer but be careful. I know people that use powerful oven cleaners but I suspect that is asking for trouble. If you let that crap eat into the caliper finish it will become a permanent feature. Hate the damn stuff.

I will watch with interest your experience with the Conti DWS. It's another tyre that's known to get noisy with mileage on the 203. Your car has the softer castor & camber bushings so it might be less noticeable. I would not put them on a pre facelift 203. I've just put a new set of PS2's on my new 17" wheels - 235/45/17 - all round - dead quiet - but they won't do the mileage you are looking for.

LILBENZ230

Maybe I could use something like BrakeCleen or something? I'm not sure what happened to my calipers.. they were soo clean a few months ago.

LILBENZ230

Glyn, it was only the new Conti's that showed me how noisy the Kumhos had became. It didn't really bother me. I don't think I'm as noise sensitive as you are. Maybe it's because you're several hundred years old? I kid, I kid.

The really high treadwear rating and lifespan of these are what I was looking for. I have never had any luck with Michelin, but I'll admit to only using Michelin tires that came OEM. However, my Civic Si came with Michelin Pilot Sport Exalto summer rubber. Good tire that lasted about 10,000 miles. Replaced with ASX, which were still good after 22,000 at the Si's demise. I just can't bring myself to spend the kind of money Michelin demands for a tire that won't last, not as much as I drive. Like I say, I've had tons of sets of Ecsta ASX tires and they've never been anything but great. If the Conti's don't suit me, I'll go right back.

I noticed today that my sunroof is having an issue. It'll open automatically, but seems to bind just a little bit at a certain spot. This prevents it from auto-closing, surprise, surprise.

Glyn M Ruck

Ha Ha No it's the silky smooth quiet V6 - You are able to hear & feel things. You think I'm bad news now? I've mellowed

I refected the other day - after fitting the new wheels & tyres. Took the car for a spin on the highway where I could check balance etc. at a number of different speeds including too fast.

I'm lucky - my car is still dead quiet - not a single squeak, rattle, tick, vibration or groan. I keep waiting for the drivers seat to make a noise but even that is quiet thusfar. Even my armrest is clean & perfect. That's an SA part & that may be why. Benz endurance UV test all locally made cabin parts in our harsh sun.

LILBENZ230

My car isn't as tight as it used to be. But I think my car has significantly more use than your car.

W203E35

My driver seat squeaks, My armrest sucks, My passenger seatbelt clip keeps hitting the platic and making noise and my pass rear door makes noise on regular driving.

06 year...so you guys are lucky not to have a problem like that.

LILBENZ230

My car is sooo much quieter on the new tires. I do wish I could get the crap off the calipers, though. Any hardware store will carry this mag wheel cleaner?

Glyn M Ruck

People like Wynns make & supply it in SA & you can get it in most supermarkets here.

Yes - agree - my car does not work very hard. Apart from being driven too fast - a South African' malady.

Still - I'm pleased with our East London build quality. The kits & redesign to kill the 203 squeeks & rattles & fabric inserts in the sides of seats to stop them creaking against the plastic work etc. etc. were all developed here & that might help.

Cintoman

Glad to hear that I'm among good company here too....Although I haven't recorded fillups, I've kept records of all the maintenance, add ons, tire changeovers, etc on mine.

Cintoman

johnand

Matt, keep us up to date on your impressions of the tires. I may get a pair of those soon. I have a few thousand miles left on the rear pair.