What did you do for your W211 today?
#551
MBWorld Fanatic!
I love the Forgestar F14 they look amazing and I really like your black setup on that car, I completely agree they are forged and great for the price without having to spend 15k on a set of wheels like HRE or apparently the no-longer ****ty ADV.1 camp
#552
Senior Member
I dislike the rear height because its such a pain to readjust. Btw, I have BC coilovers.
#555
Super Member
#556
Senior Member
#558
Junior Member
#561
I replaced the passenger side mirror indicator light. Wasn't easy either. The youtube videos didn't seem to have electric folding mirrors. Mine does and there was a plastic cover, which had to be removed when the mirror was folded in. Only then, could I dislodge the clip and remove the cover to replace the indicator.
I also changed a license plate bulb
no more malfunction.
I also changed a license plate bulb
![drive](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/driving.gif)
#563
Senior Member
Replaced OE high beams with Philips CrystalVision Ultra H7 bulbs. WOW!!!! So much more light. Amazing improvement. Got them from Amazon for $22.23 the pair (and paid a couple of bucks more than a Marketplace vendor so I could be sure they were authentic buying direct from Amazon). Completely worth it. They aren't as white as the HID Cystalvision Ultra D2S bulbs in the low beams, but they are about as white as I imagine incandescent bulbs can be, and more importantly they really illuminate everything, unlike the HIDs, unfortunately, which look a lot cooler than they actually perform.
Replaced the parking/city light bulbs in the high-beam housing with Sylvania LeDriving 2825 bulb. Nice and white, but occasionally tripped the CANbus and gave me bulb out warnings. Also flickered very bright -- like i wish it would stay, then went to a dim mode probably equivalent to how the incandescent bulbs are lit -- dimly. "Plug and play" says Sylvania -- well, kinda, but really not working as I would wish. People might start pulling over in front of me thinking I had police strobes in there. So out they came, to be replaced with Sylvania 2825 Silverstars. These are a lot whiter than the OE bulbs, but they are not "white". At least they work properly and are white enough (maybe 3200K) that they don't detract from the appearance of the other bulbs.
Finally, replaced the factory fog light bulbs. Initially bought Crystalvision Ultra 9006's. This is what Sylvania's chart, Amazon, everyone, frankly, say is the right bulb for the 2004 E500. WRONG. Apparently yes for the AMG, but not for we civilians. The correct fitment is in fact the H11, which I discovered when the 9006s wouldn't fit and I examined the writing on the almost-identical-looking bulb I pulled out of the bumper. OOPS. It was an H11. So much for the "authoritative" Sylvania chart. I didn't want to wait for Amazon to send me CrystalVision Ultra H11s, so I went over to Advance and bought the Silverstar Ultra H11s. They said the the zXe H11s (which weren't in stock) were whiter (4200K vs 4000K), but that these had more light output. They're appreciably-whiter than the OE fog lights, but again not as white as the HIDs. And while they have decent light output, they aren't SUPER-bright. They should be comparable to the CrystalVision ones, so I guess they are as good as I'm going to get.
So to recap, she is now sporting CrystalVision Ultra high-beams, which are AWESOME, Silverstar parking lights, which are necessary and look nice (but may get replaced with expensive flicker-free LEDs down the road), and SilverStar Ultra H11 fogs, which were a nice-enough upgrade.
And I have the scratches on my hands to prove my love for this car.
Oh, and she has had a lot of work since early December:
New IGNITER for left HID headlight (part from dealer -- ugh -- like $260, installed cheap by Pep Boys).
New Crystalvision Ultra 5000K HID D2S bulbs on both sides. (140.64 the pair at Amazon)
Remanufactured ProStart from Pep Boys ALTERNATOR with lifetime warranty ($146+1 hr labor) (runs great!)(Bosch core, claim Bosch-remanufactured)
New Fuji MAP SENSOR (in an Intermotor box from Pep Boys) (about $60; I know, too much)
New Intermotor EGR VALVE from Pep Boys ($133 -- could have bought the Pierburg OEM one from PartsGeek for $20 less, or the Intermotor from them for $30 less, but I was in a hurry...)
4-Step Fuel System Cleaning ($100-ish at Pep Boys)
New Engine Air Filters (OEM ones from Pep Boys for $88 w/free install since I complained b/c the Mann ones are way less at Amazon)
Oil Change -- $110 at Pep Boys using my Hengst Fleece Filter ($11-ish at Amazon) and their Mobil 1 Euro 0W-40
4-wheel Alignment ($89 at Pep Boys)
New Serpentine Belt (free belt and install at Pep Boys because I complained about the prices on the Map Sensor and EGR Valve)
State Inspection (at Pep Boys)
New Cabin Air Charcoal Filter ($21.38 at Amazon, installed myself)
Check car stem-to-stern and neaten up Pep Boys' work by reinsulating and wire-tying certain wires (my fabulous local Indy, Michael Singh at Cove Tire, Glen Cove, LI)
Replace 2 sway bar links and bent bushings on stab bar (squeaking bushings on all)($100 each OE MB parts on ebay from my NYC dealer incognito plus two FEBEST stabilizer bar bushings ($40) plus $315 to my Indy for labor)
Brake Fluid Flush and Exchange ($200 at MB Dealer using Valvoline Professional Extra-Dry DOT4)
Transfer Case Flush and Replace Fluid ($400 labor at MB Dealer plus $68 for two bottles of MB Transfer Case Fluid): Totally eliminated chattering in transfer case that had been going on for 8 years and other dealer called normal
Straighten ($85) and Refinish ($50) all four bent wheels on car, and free Road Force Balance tires. (Al's Hubcap, Mineola, LI -- awesome workmanship)
The new wheels look great and don't vibrate at all, the new sway bar links make a huge difference in handling (which was great to begin with), and the transfer case repair is a relief after years of annoying chattering. It's like a brand-new car, and I am so happy, despite the hit to the pocketbook. I can't imagine what the dealer would have charged to do all this...
(PS I would have had Michael do all the work Pep Boys did, but I was stuck in NYC and didn't need the car and Pep Boys was right over the bridge and a State Inspection was days away with the check engine light on, so they got the work. And they did a decent job at a decent price, but I always give it to Michael when I can because he does amazing work at a fair price, is scrupulously-honest, and, unlike Pep Boys, gets it done when he says it will be done and gives the car and me personal attention.)
Replaced the parking/city light bulbs in the high-beam housing with Sylvania LeDriving 2825 bulb. Nice and white, but occasionally tripped the CANbus and gave me bulb out warnings. Also flickered very bright -- like i wish it would stay, then went to a dim mode probably equivalent to how the incandescent bulbs are lit -- dimly. "Plug and play" says Sylvania -- well, kinda, but really not working as I would wish. People might start pulling over in front of me thinking I had police strobes in there. So out they came, to be replaced with Sylvania 2825 Silverstars. These are a lot whiter than the OE bulbs, but they are not "white". At least they work properly and are white enough (maybe 3200K) that they don't detract from the appearance of the other bulbs.
Finally, replaced the factory fog light bulbs. Initially bought Crystalvision Ultra 9006's. This is what Sylvania's chart, Amazon, everyone, frankly, say is the right bulb for the 2004 E500. WRONG. Apparently yes for the AMG, but not for we civilians. The correct fitment is in fact the H11, which I discovered when the 9006s wouldn't fit and I examined the writing on the almost-identical-looking bulb I pulled out of the bumper. OOPS. It was an H11. So much for the "authoritative" Sylvania chart. I didn't want to wait for Amazon to send me CrystalVision Ultra H11s, so I went over to Advance and bought the Silverstar Ultra H11s. They said the the zXe H11s (which weren't in stock) were whiter (4200K vs 4000K), but that these had more light output. They're appreciably-whiter than the OE fog lights, but again not as white as the HIDs. And while they have decent light output, they aren't SUPER-bright. They should be comparable to the CrystalVision ones, so I guess they are as good as I'm going to get.
So to recap, she is now sporting CrystalVision Ultra high-beams, which are AWESOME, Silverstar parking lights, which are necessary and look nice (but may get replaced with expensive flicker-free LEDs down the road), and SilverStar Ultra H11 fogs, which were a nice-enough upgrade.
And I have the scratches on my hands to prove my love for this car.
Oh, and she has had a lot of work since early December:
New IGNITER for left HID headlight (part from dealer -- ugh -- like $260, installed cheap by Pep Boys).
New Crystalvision Ultra 5000K HID D2S bulbs on both sides. (140.64 the pair at Amazon)
Remanufactured ProStart from Pep Boys ALTERNATOR with lifetime warranty ($146+1 hr labor) (runs great!)(Bosch core, claim Bosch-remanufactured)
New Fuji MAP SENSOR (in an Intermotor box from Pep Boys) (about $60; I know, too much)
New Intermotor EGR VALVE from Pep Boys ($133 -- could have bought the Pierburg OEM one from PartsGeek for $20 less, or the Intermotor from them for $30 less, but I was in a hurry...)
4-Step Fuel System Cleaning ($100-ish at Pep Boys)
New Engine Air Filters (OEM ones from Pep Boys for $88 w/free install since I complained b/c the Mann ones are way less at Amazon)
Oil Change -- $110 at Pep Boys using my Hengst Fleece Filter ($11-ish at Amazon) and their Mobil 1 Euro 0W-40
4-wheel Alignment ($89 at Pep Boys)
New Serpentine Belt (free belt and install at Pep Boys because I complained about the prices on the Map Sensor and EGR Valve)
State Inspection (at Pep Boys)
New Cabin Air Charcoal Filter ($21.38 at Amazon, installed myself)
Check car stem-to-stern and neaten up Pep Boys' work by reinsulating and wire-tying certain wires (my fabulous local Indy, Michael Singh at Cove Tire, Glen Cove, LI)
Replace 2 sway bar links and bent bushings on stab bar (squeaking bushings on all)($100 each OE MB parts on ebay from my NYC dealer incognito plus two FEBEST stabilizer bar bushings ($40) plus $315 to my Indy for labor)
Brake Fluid Flush and Exchange ($200 at MB Dealer using Valvoline Professional Extra-Dry DOT4)
Transfer Case Flush and Replace Fluid ($400 labor at MB Dealer plus $68 for two bottles of MB Transfer Case Fluid): Totally eliminated chattering in transfer case that had been going on for 8 years and other dealer called normal
Straighten ($85) and Refinish ($50) all four bent wheels on car, and free Road Force Balance tires. (Al's Hubcap, Mineola, LI -- awesome workmanship)
The new wheels look great and don't vibrate at all, the new sway bar links make a huge difference in handling (which was great to begin with), and the transfer case repair is a relief after years of annoying chattering. It's like a brand-new car, and I am so happy, despite the hit to the pocketbook. I can't imagine what the dealer would have charged to do all this...
(PS I would have had Michael do all the work Pep Boys did, but I was stuck in NYC and didn't need the car and Pep Boys was right over the bridge and a State Inspection was days away with the check engine light on, so they got the work. And they did a decent job at a decent price, but I always give it to Michael when I can because he does amazing work at a fair price, is scrupulously-honest, and, unlike Pep Boys, gets it done when he says it will be done and gives the car and me personal attention.)
Last edited by wjcandee; 02-17-2015 at 04:32 AM.
#564
Did the service last weekend, changed the oil and got a list of other items. Today saw new air filters, cabin air filters, and a new serp. belt. Basic maintenance on these cars is actually not so bad. I changed the belt on my ML the same day, and there is a lot less room to work on the front of that motor.
#565
Last weekend gave it a good cleaning and today had the AC serviced due to it being noisy (turns out it only had 635 gr of coolant instead of 950 gr like it's supposed to).
Best regards,
Vigoras
Best regards,
Vigoras
#568
#571
Senior Member
Of course, to avoid all this, you can get on the LIE and drive to Exit 39, and go to Cove Tire in Sea Cliff, and get Michael Singh to look at it (or call ahead and talk to him). He is an excellent, talented mechanic and service advisor, and you'll get personal service, a $105/hr labor rate, and a guy who never ever tries to sell you more than you need (i.e. I have to ASK him to replace both left and right light bulbs, or put two new tires on instead of one,, because he's not going to put the pair in if the other one is still okay). If you tell him that you want to use very good parts but not necessarily dealer parts, he will understand and get you excellent stuff at excellent prices. He really works to find reliable, affordable sources of quality parts. For example, when he did a rear brake job on my E500, I told him that I wanted OE-quality, but I didn't see the need to use MB dealer parts. He used Textar brake rotors and pads (which are OE on BMW and Porsche), in a nice yellow box from Germany, that are coated so they don't rust like the MB ones, and did the whole job for less than Pep Boys wanted for their ProStop brakes. You can't beat that.
PS if you do you get your oil changed at Pep Boys, they do not carry the Mann fleece filter, but they do carry the Purolator Classic L25277, which is a Mann fleece filter in a Purolator Classic box, which makes sense since Mann owns Purolator. Specify that and you'll get a great filter at a good price. They do carry Mobil 1 0W-40 Euro.
Last edited by wjcandee; 03-03-2015 at 03:47 PM.
#572
Took my dear 2006 W211 for annual maintenance yesterday. Nothing surprise me anymore on this engineering marvel. After a 2 hours review by the mechanic, his report. Oil change, oil filter , Air filter, ..... then turns out the oil leak on the gasket are due to cam cover deformation which according to the mechanic is common with the W211 so replaced them both with new one plus gasket kit. My SBC had a few incident of locking by itself recently and after a computer diagnosis a new SBC unit replacement is recommended. Total bill US$3500.