DWP

OK, so this isn't very important, but I'm curious ...

For those who haven't heard the term, "decontenting" is the process by which DaimlerChrysler has removed features and functions from the W211 since the 2003-04 models. And no, I'm not saying that the '03s and 04s are in general superior to the '07s. I would gladly trade the puddle lights and glove box shelf on my '03, maybe even the two-level console storage, for the 80 additional HP on the E550.

My '03 goes out of warranty next month and so of course I've been trying to have all the little things that need attention fixed under warranty. One thing was a cracked wood (or pseudo-wood) lid on the front storage/lighter compartment, the one directly in front of the gearshift lever. Today the dealer replaced, apparently, the whole compartment, not just the wood lid part. Thing is, the lid on the original compartment had a damping mechanism that made it open slowly and silently when you pushed on it. Very classy, very Mercedes. The replacement unit has no damping mechanism, just a strong spring; when you push on the lid it pops open with a loud "clunk" if you don't catch it with your fingers. Very cheap-seeming; it's something you would expect in a Chevy Cobalt rental.

The dealer had to order the replacement unit because they didn't have it in stock. I'm assuming that it's the unit fitted on new W211s, not the kind originally fitted on my '03, and I'm also assuming that somewhere between '03 and '07 DCX decided to save a little money by eliminating the damping mechanism. If I had known that they would replace the original compartment with a cheaper one, I might have decided to live with the crack in the lid. So, just out of curiousity, for those you with '07s, does the compartment lid on your car open smoothly and silently, or with a loud clunk?

Forumid

The one on my '07 550 is not only dampened, it's linked to the Airmatic and the level of dampening changes in accord with the Airmatic comfort setting. Serious though, yes, it's dampened.

tlbeedy

The one on my 2007 may be dampened a bit, but still opens fairly quickly. Not as slow as on my 2003 C-Class. I think this was even the first time I've opened my ashtray.

DWP

Hmmm. Thanks for the replies. Looks like I'll have to go to the dealer and play with the ashtray lid on one or more of their '07s. I don't smoke but I use the "lighter" socket as a power source fairly often.

lkchris

Don't think you'll find any "decontenting" during life of W211.

W211 doesn't have some features present in W210, however, and in fact it's a smaller car.

AndrewAZ

Just looked at both hte 06 and 07 E's in the garage and both of the compartments go down slow and quiet.. I think your dealer screwed up..

DWP

Bingo. Today the compartment door is sticking after it opens an inch or so. I can pry it open the rest of the way, barely, with my hand. Either the replacement part is defective or they installed it incorrectly. Back to the dealer.

Forumid

This doesn't reconcile with what I've been seeing on the forum. Are you referring specifically to the ashtry dampening? From what I understand there's been decontenting of the passenger rearview mirror backup function, seat adjust during door open, sill lighting, etc. Maybe I'm misunderstanding.

lasvegas99

If you like your cars features, but want a little more HP like a 550, maybe it would worth looking some basic RENNtech or Kleemann packages. Depending on mileage and if the car is paid off, an extended warrenty and one of these kits could get you back in the game without recommiting to a new car. Then again, it may be nice to switch colors and have the E550 badge.