First of all, let me say hello and peace to everyone here.

I'm a former Lexus enthusiast, who recently purchased my first MB (1989 300E Sedan). So far, so good. It's a completely different driving experience compared to the Toyota brand, but I'm really digging it.

Anyhow, I spent a couple of hours mulling over this website this evening and decided to join. I found several MB forums, but to me, this seems to be the one. Ha.

With that said, I have a few questions I'd appreciate receiving feedback on.

1. Since I purchased the car (2 months ago), it's had an issue that causes the vehicle to "tug" or "stick" when decelerating and then re accelerating quickly. For example, say I come up to a stop sign decelerating from 30-40 mph, as I reach the stop sign, I see their is no visible traffic in sight, so rather than come to a complete stop, I begin accelerating through the turn. As that happens, theirs this "thud" sound that feels like the transmission is pulling or something. Any ideas on what might be causing this? It's worth noting that sometimes quick acceleration from a complete stop can cause this "pull/thud" too. The thing is, if I'm not gas pedal heavy (ie. I make a conscience effort to be very deliberate in my acceleration cycle) it won't produce the "tug".

2. I've noticed that regardless of my cabin fan buttons being depressed or not, sometimes the heater/AC will come on regardless (it's faint, but the fan will turn on). It doesn't happen all the time, but it most commonly happens when I accelerate to a high speed (like getting on the high way for example). Any idea what might be causing this? I've never in my life experienced an issue like this!

3. I'm trying to avoid taking my vehicle to the shop to keep my expenses down, so little things like headlight assembly/bulb replacement I'd like to do myself. Here are my questions:

-My low beam light on the right side went out (high beam still works fine) So I got the manual out. I followed the instructions but hit a snag. First step was I removed the plastic Mercedes casing panel which exposes the power cable, wires, etc. Then I removed the the socket plugged into the back of the bulb. Now, here's where I hit a snag. The manual says to turn these plastic pieces that hold the bulb in place apparently, counter clockwise. Now, I've tried with all my might to remove these things, on both sides mind you, and have not been successful. It appears the lights have never been replaced and are original, but I'm not certain. If this is the case, could that twisting mount just be dried up and stuck? Is there a better way to get at these mount pieces? Currently I'm trying to twist those pieces with the light assembly still completely in place, perhaps I should take the entire light assembly out, and come at these mounts with a better angle? Or is their some locking mechanism in place I'm unaware of?

-Additionally, I'd like to install a set of HID lights at some point. Does anyone have any suggestions on brands, wattage, etc? Also, any step-by-step photo instructions available?

4. Last but not least (bare with me guys, this is an easy one!), If you go to my profile you'll see a photo of my '89. Their is some peeling on the sun roof, hood, and trunk, which I'd like to have repainted. Would anyone happen to know what MB referred to that color as? As I'm a fan of it, I'd like to have the car repainted it's stock color. I suppose I could drop by a MB dealership and they may know, but I figured I'd ask here too.

So that's it, hope to contribute to the forum in the future, and of course, be back with more puzzlers and such.

 

Anybody?

 

That "thud" your talking about, that would be your flexdisk or at least I'm 90% sure of that. Its basically a rubber piece that connects your driveshaft to the transmission output and then another towards the rear connecting the driveshaft to the differential. Its a $60 part and you could do it yourself easily if your adequate with a wrench, and socket driver. First things first, find out which one is your culprit, take a look underneath the car and evaluate them. I'd do both at the same time anyway if I were you. Another common symptom of this is a "thud" when the car shifts into overdrive.

 

Appatula:

That's exactly what it was/is. Thank you man, I appreciate the help/information.

Any idea as to where the a/c unit comes on despite none of the a/c buttons on the dash panel being depressed? It doesn't always happen, but when I go from using the a/c to not, is usually when it starts 'ghost' starting. It seems most common during a heavy acceleration. Obviously it's an electrical issue, and I plan to investigate soon.. but any suggestions as to what could be the cause of this are welcome.

I'm also noticing now that when I start my car for the first time in the day, it's really rough. Like it sputters and almost seems like it's going to die. If I give it a bit of gas, it usually does die. If I just let it idle for a minute, it smooths out.. then I give it gas, and it's great. It'll run and turn over smooth the rest of the day.

Also, I'm noticing the steering wheel is a bit tough to turn (not too tough, but tougher than I imagine it should be) yet the power steering canister appears to be adequately full. Any ideas?

 

Also, Appatula:

What size tire and what style of rims are on the car you have pictured in your profile?