lpolo

I know it may sound stupid, but here it is: I bought 2004 E500 w/ appearance + premium package. The built-date is 12/03 and the car was delivered few weeks ago. Some issues: (Please help..)

1. NO ACTIVE HEADLIGHT:
I read some posts here that anything built after 11/03 should have Active headlight and mine doesn't. Another user w/ production date 12/03 posted that he has active headlight and I DON'T HAVE I read some messages in the forum and some of them said they REORDER the car. What does it mean? Does it mean I can claim to the dealer and get a new car instead? WHAT CAN I DO NOW? Can I get some compensation or return the car to the dealer to get this feature??? Please helpp......

2. Sport Badge and No Badge.
Apparently, I found out that some 2004 E500 have sport badge and some don't have. Mine doesn't. How could this happen? Make it feels strange/not right.

3. Because of this issue, I would like to know if my car is really 2004 or the dealer sold me a 2003 w/o a very low mileage on it. The only way is by checking 7G-tronic speed because 2003 model don't have this. During the manual shift my car has 1-6 gears and then D. Is it 6-speed automatic OR 7G-tronic? What is the difference.

Last, my car has obsedian black color. Anyone can suggest me how to wash the car SAFELY so that I won't damage color (scratch, swirl, etc.)?

moa4r

you have an '04 man
the best indication (besides the build date ) is the fact that your transmission goes up to 6th before D, meaning you've got the 7g

glojo

Hopefully your car will have Mercedes-Benz latest paint which is a great quality improvement on the previous water base product. You can read about this under the thread 'Nano Paintwork' or words to that effect.

Really dark colours need a lot of loving care and I personally would never use a commercial car wash.

Nice car

Regards,
John

Oslo

They started the production of MY '04 ultimo September '03

johnroden

The 7 speed means you have an 04. How do you like the 7 speed?

marksatex

You have a 04. the 5sp went 1-4 then D. The sport badging was phased out some some have it some do not. You can get them from parts. They are stick on. I had a 03 Sport and traded for the 04. I was also disappointed on the lights, but world's not perfect.

Use ZAINO products- I use Microfiber towels only. Check out the detail forums. Once you get the hang of it- it is easy and fast to care for a black car. Look at my tag. Mine looks like a show car-no swirls- Use Micro-fiber- no commercial washes and be sure your towels are CLEAN. The detail forums and ALBOSTON are invaluable aids.

Mark

lpolo

Mark:

Does your 2004 E500 have active headlight? Mine is 12/03 production date but don't have active headlight. Some in the forum with same production date have active headlight.

marksatex

No not active- big disappointment. But I didn't pay for them either- I was getting a replacement car for a sweet deal.

rusnakmb

Hi,

The MB factury will be close before Sept every year. The car produce after Sept are becoming next year model. Just look at your VIN and see the year model you got. The 10th number indicate the year model. 03' will have a "3" and 04' car will have a "4".

All dark cars are easy to show scratches. So just wax it good

Fastbuck

I'm expecting delivery of an E320 CDI next week and the VIN number I have been given has a "2" as the 10th character. Any ideas why, it clearly is not a 2002 model.

rusnakmb

The 10th VIN for year model is for US models only!!

Fastbuck

Thanks. That explains.

EX-BEEMER

I'm also betting you've got an '04. The reason you don't have the,"curve sensing" headlights is because the car was ordered with the old 319 lighting package. My car is an '04 but because my salesman ordered the old number instead of the new 339 lighting package I didn't get the active lights either.

Not that it matters much, from what I've read from people who have them it's no big deal.

Enjoy! ( I wish I could get the 7G tranny! )

glojo

The tenth number on mine is also a 2 but I do not think there is a connection between that and the year of manufacture.

Good luck with your new car,
John

rusnakmb

hmm....

Please read my eariler post. The 10th VIN is for US model car. That has been there to tell model year for many decades already.....

RJC

Wash and wax your car in the direction the wind goes over the car, in other words in a straight up and down direction. This will help prevent swirls, caused by circular motions of the washing mit and waxing bonnet.

BTW my clk 500 was a july 03 production and it's an 04.

glojo

Double hmmm!!!

I apologise if it appears I contradicted you. On this great forum there are members from a multitude of countries and when I answered the query it was done on the basis of the question came from Great Britain, and that it where I live, so I answered it after checking my documentation. Your answer came after I had posted my reply, but you quite obviously answered the question before me.

The numbering system does vary from country to country and although this is confusing I still find it interesting. Just to highlight this difference I would point out the very topical subject of Active Headlights (option 616 in the UK)

Last night I watched Men in Black II, featuring the new W211 and was very impressed with the 'US options' that this vehicle had, none of which appear to be available here.

Your contributions are always both informative and accurate so please do not think I was attempting to either criticize or contradict you.

Take care
John

Fastbuck

Thanks for the info. John. I find it bizzare that they have different VIN systems for different markets. I assume that there must be some good reason for it (who cares about ISO etc!).

WRT new car. I can't wait now. I'm getting it on Sunday with trade plates and will have to leave it in the garage until Monday morning before I can drive it. AARRRGGGHHH

glojo

Thanks for the reply.

You must have a very honest looking appearance. I remember many years ago when I wanted to take delivery of my new car in very similar circumstances (I wanted it delivered New Years Eve or a convienant date) The dealer flatly refused giving any number of excuses. He did however deliver the vehicle first thing New Years Day.

Is your new car an Elegance or Avantgarde???

Good luck,
John

Fastbuck

I'm not sure about that! I know the sales guy quite well. I bought my last couple of BMWs from him and he conveniently moved to a MB dealer just as I was about to by my W211. He knows it would have been a deal breaker to do otherwise.

It's an Avantgarde with Full leather, COMAND, heated seats, sports suspension, 17" rims, phone prewire, parktronic and 6CD changer.

glojo

Hi Fastbuck,
That's a very nice specification. I have just sent you another personal message.

Thanks for your interesting reply that I have just read.

Regards,
John

rusnakmb

Hi,

The US model only offer the "vantgarde" version. Which Japan already have the AMG package avaliable for W211.

I hate what MB did to last year model which all the AMG package is cheap and only avaliable before remodeling...

glojo

Could you please explain what you mean. The Uk version is Avantgarde, and I was of the opinion that this was not a US 'option' package.

We have four different versions of the W\S211. The most basic being the:

Classic
Elegance
Avantgarde
E55AMG

The differences are in the options packages except the E55AMG which is a completely different specification. (You cannot have the AMG engine in the Elegance or Avantgarde, but you can have the AMG trim fittings\Wheels on them.

The S211 E55AMG is a beautiful looking car, although completely impractible for my use.

The UK price list states that the biggest engine available for the Classic is the 270 CDI or 240 petrol.

What is the US 'Vantgarde' specification?

Regards
John

rusnakmb

Hi,

The 03 E model comes with sport package and 04 calls appearance package, which they both are the same. It is same as what MB call "Avantgarde" in Euro and Asia verson. The "real" sport version should be AMG package, which is avaliable in Japan market already... Only few of them were made at this moment.

Fastbuck

You can currently purchase the AMG Body Kit and/or Alloys for any UK spec W211 even the diesels. On face value it's quite pricey for what you get. Only mouldings, nothing with any real impact on performance.