damage to my 97 E420

Jun 16, 2003 | 09:58 AM

leafian

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Joined: Jun 2003

Posts: 24

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From: Markham,Ont. Canada

2007 E550 4matic 1997 E420

damage to my 97 E420

I've only had this car for two weeks and decide to drive to Niagara Falls. Everything was fine until I turned into a mall and the car bottomed out on the steep incline. I drove to a gas station next block over and when I started the engine I heard a noise. I thought it was a pickup truck next to me. The noise went away as I drove. Went to Walmart to get Mobil 0w40 and the engine was noisy again. Sounded like no oil.

When I got back home I noticed the fan was hitting the fan shroud and radiator. Upon further inspection, I saw that the radiator support beam was pushed back and up and moved the coolant hose. I also saw drips of oil. Could it be from the oil cooler? (if the car has one).

Shouldn't there be a plate or cover underneath the engine? On my Volvo 850 there is a plastic cover underneath the radiator.
I tried attaching a picture of the damage but it was too large.

Does anyone have a picture of the undercarriage of their car?
I specifically am interested in the part underneath the rad.

Now I have to find a cheap and honest body work shop

Jun 20, 2003 | 01:32 AM

Lovemy420

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Joined: Jun 2003

Posts: 14

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From: Richland, WA

1997 E-420

Enginewell cover for E-420

The E-420 comes standard with a lower fiberglass cover under the engine well. It 's not sturdy enough to withstand the kind of damage you described though. Good luck.

Jun 20, 2003 | 10:58 AM

leafian

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From: Markham,Ont. Canada

2007 E550 4matic 1997 E420

77 views and 1 reply

Thanks for your reply. 77 views and you're the only one that replied. I guess my message wasn't worth replying to.

I called Mercedes and ordered the front shield and the middle one as well. $205 CDN.

I managed to pull the support back out so now the fan is not hitting. I'm going to drive tomorrow to a body shop.

I called Homelink and found out mine doesn't support rolling codes

Maybe the 98 E430's support rolling codes.

Jun 20, 2003 | 03:21 PM

wookiehoth2

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Joined: Jun 2003

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From: Los Angeles, CA

2000 E320

I thought you said "drive it over the Niagara falls...."

I know it's not funny.

Jun 20, 2003 | 03:34 PM

leafian

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Joined: Jun 2003

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From: Markham,Ont. Canada

2007 E550 4matic 1997 E420

If my car turns out to be a lemon, I may drive it over the Falls

Jun 22, 2003 | 12:04 AM

Lovemy420

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Joined: Jun 2003

Posts: 14

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From: Richland, WA

1997 E-420

When I first got my 420 I drove it over (to) Niagara Falls!! As you can tell I love my 420. I haven't had any problems except with light bulbs burning out which is a common occurence from what I've seen posted. Good luck on yours.

Jun 22, 2003 | 03:15 AM

leafian

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Joined: Jun 2003

Posts: 24

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From: Markham,Ont. Canada

2007 E550 4matic 1997 E420

damage fixed

Well, I woke up Sat. morning and drove to a bodyshop that was recommended by a friend. They managed to straighten things out and only charged me $100 CDN. That includes putting on the two protective shields under the car!

As I drove to get a case of Heinekin for them, I noticed the AC wasn't working. I was PO'ed. Thought that maybe the AC lines got damaged.

Got home and checked. Full of freon. Noticed that I didn't hear the compressor click in. Checked fuses. Good. Read the manual.
Says EC disables AC. EC light not lit but pushed button anyways.
EC light on. Pushed EC again and light off. Now I hear compressor click and cold air comes from vents!

Now I'm happy again.

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Jun 27, 2003 | 08:32 AM

Tim-BlackE320

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Joined: Mar 2003

Posts: 21

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'98 Black E320 4matic Wagon

glad to hear about the happy ending, Leafian

also congrats on doing the right thing by getting them a case of Heines. I like to continually grease my parking lots guys at work to remind them that I don't want anyone getting within 100 yds of my ride!

Jun 29, 2003 | 02:34 AM

#10

leafian

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Joined: Jun 2003

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From: Markham,Ont. Canada

2007 E550 4matic 1997 E420

Kenny,

There's a Merc meet on July 12 at hwy 400/7. Are you going?
My friends are always going to the BMW meets.
I never went to any Volvo meets cause I'm too busy and my car is stock. My 420 is stock as well.

Debating whether I should get 18" AMG's.
That means I would have to lower it and I wonder if that would make the ride too harsh

Jun 29, 2003 | 03:12 AM

#11

paomien

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Joined: May 2002

Posts: 449

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From: Long Island, NY / Mississauga, Ontario / Changhua, Taiwan

11 S550V4

Quote:

Originally posted by leafian
Kenny,

There's a Merc meet on July 12 at hwy 400/7. Are you going?
My friends are always going to the BMW meets.
I never went to any Volvo meets cause I'm too busy and my car is stock. My 420 is stock as well.

Debating whether I should get 18" AMG's.
That means I would have to lower it and I wonder if that would make the ride too harsh

18" AMG's look great on the E, especially with a staggered setup;
you're right about the ride, it does make the car ride harsher... the type of tire you put on also makes a difference. If you travel the 401 often, you'll be going ow ow ouch oooo #($*@#$ from all the construction every time you hit a pothole..... too bad the 401 is the only way from Mississauga over to Scarborough (not including the 407)

Jun 29, 2003 | 12:00 PM

#12

leafian

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Joined: Jun 2003

Posts: 24

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From: Markham,Ont. Canada

2007 E550 4matic 1997 E420

What size rims do you have? Did you put on H&R springs? Bilstein shocks? If I get the AMG rims that would be the setup for me.

I like the ride now, but I'm afraid those mods would make it too harsh. I want it a bit stiffer with less body roll. I don't see any sway bars or strut braces for Mercs.

I rarely drive across the 401. I mostly idle along the DVP.
When I get past Steeles, I can open it up, but then I exit at hwy 7

Jun 30, 2003 | 12:53 AM

#13

paomien

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Joined: May 2002

Posts: 449

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From: Long Island, NY / Mississauga, Ontario / Changhua, Taiwan

11 S550V4

I have 17" with 235/45ZR17. They came with the sport package. I remember the original tires (goodyear eagle F1) riding super harsh, but after changing them over to michelin pilot sport A/S's, the tires run silent, and ride is much better. I have a stock suspension setup. My friend who has a 98 E320 with 18" brabus rims and bilstein suspension complains his car rides stiff all the time. I do admit, however, that the car looks really nice. So if you're willing to trade ride quality for looks, then go for it. The DVP isn't that bad, actually. I can imagine most of the time you're just stuck. Not like the 401 is any better, especially with all that lane closure going on right now by 400. Too bad it only opens up after Steeles, it's not much distance from steeles to Hwy 7...

Last edited by paomien; Jun 30, 2003 at 12:55 AM.

Jun 30, 2003 | 12:54 AM

#14

paomien

Senior Member

Joined: May 2002

Posts: 449

Likes: 10

From: Long Island, NY / Mississauga, Ontario / Changhua, Taiwan

11 S550V4

btw...

by the way, FWIW, I know what you mean by liking the way it rides; I have a set of 225/55ZR16 standard 430 wheels with all season tires for the winter time, and there's still a difference between riding with 16 and 17 inchers. That extra sidewall makes a huge difference...