Hey guys , might as well make this a w210 forum intro and ill post my questions at the end. I just got a w210 as a gift from my parents since they were about to get rid of it. My parents are the original owners of this 1998 e420 i know in the states in 1998 the e class was a e430 but not in mexico, this car was purchased in mexico since thats where i am originally from. My parents moved to Vancouver Canada and kept their house in mexico along with this car so it has been sitting for about 5 years. Before i sent the car from Mexico to San Antonio TX i had it inspected at a mb dealer over there they purged the gas tank, changed the tires, oil etc. I received the car today and noticed a weird sound by the gas tank it seems the fuel pump is making a loud whining noise, i also felt it handled a bit bouncy ( might need new shocks ) i remember driving this car before and it was amazing!!! I need help restoring it so its 100% perfect it only has 37k miles so its practically new but needs some tlc. I really admire w210's they are great cars i remember my face when my parents first purchased this car and i was 13 years old i was so exited and hoped one day i could drive it lol i did when i turned 16 and now i own it. N ways my questions are as follows:

1- What could be the wining noise from the fuel pump? is it dead? If it needs replacement what brand should i go with?

2- I need new shocks in all 4 corners ( What brand and model?)

3- The rear license plate is missing a bracket to hold it in place since the holes are pre drilled for the euro plates i need an adaptor do you guys know where i can get one? ill post a pic below.

Xcuze my iphone quality pics.



If you notice the license plate is not centered due to the holes being too far apart i need an adaptor where can i buy one?

 

anyone?

 

Cars are designed to be driven frequently. When they sit problems develop. You just have to sort thru the issues as they come up and fix them. As for your specific questions -

- Not sure on the fuel pump. The correct way to check the pump's performance is to test the fuel pressure at the fuel rail on the engine.

- Determine if you have SLS (Self Leveling Suspension) first. If you do, you will be limited to OEM on the back. Unless you are looking to change the ride/performance I generally suggest OEM replacement. Have the suspension inspected. Many components use rubber bushings which wear with time regardless of mileage.

- Car was built for international license plates. There are probably adapter plates you can buy to mount US license plates in the center but not sure how well it looks. I think dealers may have something.

 

Pierburg fuel pump will run you about $260 at Autohausaz.com The shocks are Bilstein, but they're unlikely to be bad after 37K miles. I would drive it a while before doing them, but if you want firmer, go with the Bilstein HDs

 

Dont know how to check the pumps pressure but ill take it to a shop to get it tested on monday, the weird thing is the noise it makes kind of like a whiny noise right below the rear left passenger door. I dont think the car has sls but i will look into it. Do US e class come with holes for us license plates or do they need an adaptor as well?


How much firmer are the HD´s ? Im thinking about replacing them since the ride does seem a bit bouncy and i dont remember being that way. Is the pierburg better than the bosch?

 

US cars are drilled for US license plates on the trunk. On the front there is an adapter.

 

had self leveling suspensions on the w210
drive it for a while and let the moving parts start moving again,before deciding what to replace. Fuel sitting for years in a fuel pump could easily gum it up and if it runs fine may just take a bit to quiet down.
Sachs boge are the oem shocks and those also probably just need to be used a bit before you decide shot or not.
Center the plate and drill new holes in the plate if wide enough or you will need to make your own adapter.
Time to change the spark plugs,time to change the trans fluid
Enjoy the new car

 

1- What could be the wining noise from the fuel pump? is it dead? If it needs replacement what brand should i go with?

The pump is on the way. Go for the OE brand from autohausaz

2- I need new shocks in all 4 corners ( What brand and model?)

I put Bilstien HD on my car 4 years ago and they have been just fine.

3- The rear license plate is missing a bracket to hold it in place since the holes are pre drilled for the euro plates i need an adaptor do you guys know where i can get one? ill post a pic below.

You may be able to buy a bracket from the dealer. I've had them on my Euro spec SL's.

 

Thanks for the tips guys!! Ordered my pump, and shocks. Had a friend down in Monterrey check for the bracket at the mb dealer over there to see if they sell it.

 

A little update.

I did a full brake job, changed the fuel pump, drained the gas tank, cleaned injectors, ive been using a fuel system treatment, ordered a bracket from the mb dealer (thanks to a quick search on mb world i found the part number), ordered a oem e55 exhaust that i will be custom fitting to the car, ordered a set of practically new oem 18 inch monoblocks , installed k&n filter and new airbox since old one was missing some latches, ordered some nitto invos, new hood star since it was missing one, changed the oem shocks to bilstein touring shocks, did a tune up, Daily drove it for 2 days and then i left it at the paint shop to get the hood resprayed as well as the front bumper. Its coming along nicely ill post some pics when its out of paint.

Next on the list:

- New tail lights cant decide if i should go with oem clear tail lights or smoked e55 taillights. Will facelift tail lights work on my pre facelift e420?

- Polish my front headlights since they are a little yellow.

- Full detail with chemical guys products

- Take a road trip with my new baby