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Me, too!! And sat back grinning at how well it handles and maneuvers in deep powdery snow on top of ice (and subsequent slush). It was SO much more sure-footed in that stuff than our newer ML350, which was a pleasant surprise. (The ML required some big steering inputs to stay in a straight line or to correct drift, and the steering wheel feedback surprisingly-sucked, whereas I always could feel what the E500 was wanting to do, and it only took little inputs to keep her straight.)
I've noticed in really icy and snowy conditions the 4-Matic system with fixed output exhibits some characteristics of a rear-wheel-drive vehicle due to its 60% rear bias, but not in a bad way. If you give it a certain amount of throttle input the back end will try to step out but ESP will keep it in check and get you going even in the iced over intersections.
I'm really amazed how well 4-Matic does in the snow and ice even with all seasons tires, never had an issue climbing a hill or getting out of deep powdery snow. The nice part of the car being a fixed-output, rear bias is that it is predictable. You aren't suddenly shifting power to one axle and you don't plow (understeer) like front wheel drive cars, yet can steer with your right foot a little bit when it comes to 90 degree turns with the throttle.
I bought mine last august, and 120k miles service was coming up. As I went through the car in more detail then when I bought it, stuff came up, so Not today, but last two weeks:
Oil and filter change.
Coolant flush
Replaced upper (driver's side) rad hose.
Both front tires.
replaced front wheels with extra rear wheels.
Valve cover gaskets
Spark plugs
Injectors/tune
Lube pano roof
Painted surge tanks (this is an E55)
Installed fuel pressure sender.
This weekend:
All lower suspension related stuff, including fluted bolts.
Belt/pulley
belt wrap kit
Next weekend:
Rotors and pads all around
brake fluid flush
paint calipers.
Me, too!! And sat back grinning at how well it handles and maneuvers in deep powdery snow on top of ice (and subsequent slush). It was SO much more sure-footed in that stuff than our newer ML350, which was a pleasant surprise. (The ML required some big steering inputs to stay in a straight line or to correct drift, and the steering wheel feedback surprisingly-sucked, whereas I always could feel what the E500 was wanting to do, and it only took little inputs to keep her straight.)
Funny you should say that, as my E320 4Matic handles better in snow and ice than my wife's Lexus Rx330 awd. Must be a center of gravity thing for sure.
Switched in a pair of oem e55 tail lights that i picked for 80 bucks onto my 06 e350. Was a pretty straight forward process. I was trying to change my fog lights too but I bought 9006 2500k bulbs and when I pulled the existing fog light bulb out it was a H11.... Waiting on a H11 pair ...
Switched in a pair of oem e55 tail lights that i picked for 80 bucks onto my 06 e350. Was a pretty straight forward process. I was trying to change my fog lights too but I bought 9006 2500k bulbs and when I pulled the existing fog light bulb out it was a H11.... Waiting on a H11 pair ...
Please forgive my ignorance, but what is special/different on the E55 tails compared to stock?
Please forgive my ignorance, but what is special/different on the E55 tails compared to stock?
I actually should have mentioned them as "Avantgarde tail lights" than e55 tails. They just came off an e55. The difference between the avantgarde and the elegance lights is that the brake light part of the tail light (the top portion) is an array of leds. Its a subtle difference
I actually should have mentioned them as "Avantgarde tail lights" than e55 tails. They just came off an e55. The difference between the avantgarde and the elegance lights is that the brake light part of the tail light (the top portion) is an array of leds. Its a subtle difference
What about the turn signal portion? Is that still yellow or is that now part of the led brake light, so it will blink when the turn signal has been applied?
Is it plug and play for an 03 E320? Easy to install?
What about the turn signal portion? Is that still yellow or is that now part of the led brake light, so it will blink when the turn signal has been applied?
Is it plug and play for an 03 E320? Easy to install?
Got any pics?
I just attached a pic of the set i installed on my car. Its just the brake part thats different. The turn signal is the same.
Its plug and play. My car was an elegance but these lights are off an avantgarde model. I did not need SAM coding in the rear, plug and play. Just take your time, its pretty easy. I dropped one of the washers from the taillight down the inner liner of the trunk. Guess its gone there for good lol
Just did airmatic conversion kit on my 2003 e500 .
started off with waking up to my w211 bottomed out. STAR check said it had a bad rear shock bought a new 1 did not fix .mechanic said airmatic ecu was bad bought ecu did not fix so I decided to do airmatic conversion kit for $1100 Suncore fixed my problems
Just did airmatic conversion kit on my 2003 e500 .
started off with waking up to my w211 bottomed out. STAR check said it had a bad rear shock bought a new 1 did not fix .mechanic said airmatic ecu was bad bought ecu did not fix so I decided to do airmatic conversion kit for $1100 Suncore fixed my problems
Yikes. That's the sort of thing that made me go for an E350 rather than a v8 model. No warnings that the problem was coming? You hadn't noticed the car drooping somewhat until it was fully bottomed out?
As to "what have I done to my W211", in the past 3 weeks I've changed the oil (correct Mobil 1 and filter), brake fluid (Pentosin), and did the transmission service (pan drop, filter & gasket, and Shell ATF 134). Also swapped out a blown right front marker bulb. For that I went from below by pulling the plastic rivets/pins and a couple of the lower wheel well/underbody cladding screws to give access to the back side of the marker fixture. I tried the method of popping it out from the front, but was too worried about snapping something to proceed.
YESTERDAY DURING WORK HOURS I INSTALLED THIS FRESH RE-MAN UNIT IN MY CAR. SEX IN MY EARS, NO RADIO FOR A MONTH! GLAD ITS NOT MY DAILY! HAHA
IN THE TWO MONTHS I'VE OWNED THE VEHICLE THINGS I'VE DONE:80K SERVICE: TRANS, BRAKE FLUSH, OIL CHANGE X4, ENGINE AIR FILTER, FRESH A/C FILTER. COOLANT FLUSH, REAR DIFF FLUSH, BALANCE AND ROTATE TIRES, WIPER BLADES, LED TAG BULBS, FRONT TOW HOOK LICENSE PLATE HOLDER, DETAILED 2X, SPARK PLUGS, P/S FLUSH, AND TINT WHICH I GOT DONE YESTERDAY EVENING AFTER I INSTALLED MY COMMAND, I'LL POST PICS LATER OF THE TINT. THE LIST OF THINGS TO DO IS EXTENSIVE. NEXT ARE ALL FOUR FRONT BALL JOINTS, UPPERS AND LOWERS, TRANS/ENGINE MOUNTS.
As to "what have I done to my W211", in the past 3 weeks I've changed the oil (correct Mobil 1 and filter), brake fluid (Pentosin), and did the transmission service (pan drop, filter & gasket, and Shell ATF 134). Also swapped out a blown right front marker bulb. For that I went from below by pulling the plastic rivets/pins and a couple of the lower wheel well/underbody cladding screws to give access to the back side of the marker fixture. I tried the method of popping it out from the front, but was too worried about snapping something to proceed.
FOR THE SIDE MARKERS YOU CAN SIMPLY JUST TURN THE WHEEL IN WHAT EVER DIRECTION YOU NEED TO ACCESS THE SIDE MARKER ASSEMBLY FROM THE WHEEL WELL. REMOVE RIVETS WHICH YOU DID AND FINAGLE YOUR HANDS BEHIND THE FENDER LINER. GLADD YOU DIDNT POP FROM THE FRONT BECAUSE THAT WOULD OF CRACKED! THOSE SIDE MARKER CONNECTORS GET CORRODED ALL THE TIME WHEN THE LENS IS CRACKED. (CONDENSATION)
I've replaced my radiator to fix a small coolant leak, and as a result, I now have a small power steering leak. (I guess I could have replaced the o-rings on the power steering connectors...)
Does anyone know that size of the o-rings, or have a part number?
I have noticed the E350 is more sure footed than my GL.
Probably because of the lower weight and lower center of gravity.
I completely agree! I feel more sure footed in the snow in my RWD E320 than I have in: X5, Armada, and Endeavor. About the same as in the W204 4Matic and now the W166 4Matic of course.
Current mileage is near as makes no difference 150k! (149,949):
Oil exchange w/ 0w40 and filter of course
Engine air filters
Brake fluid exchange
Tire rotation and corrected pressure (Nitro)
cleaned oxidation from wheels and hubs
Blew out oxidation and brake dust
Changed out coolant
Replaced thermostat
Replaced coolant tank - Yes this is a must if you wish to leave your coolant in for many many years. This was my first flush since the car was new in 2003. There really is a capsule that releases chemical to maintain PH balance.
Cleaned under the coolant tank before installing new tank
Reset maintenance indicator
I work at a dealership in sales/internet so I had free reign of the shop, lift, and a great technician's tools!! Left some money in his drawer as a thank you.
All in all it was just over three hours including clean up and having my two boys with me for the first hour and a half (helping )
Total savings were about $680 vs. paying retail for parts (all parts and fluids were genuine Mercedes-Benz) and labor. I even fill out my own service sheets.
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Waiting on a H11 pair ...
