I guess this is an appropriate place for a build thread. I looked around the forum and it looks like most of the builds are just stuck in model-specific sub forums. Picked this up yesterday. It’s a 2003 W211 E500.

Backgroud: I’m coming from the JDM Luxury crowd, and the E500 has been a pleasant surprise. I have a dozen or so build threads floating around on the internet for different cars—I can’t ever just leave something alone. They’re a fun way to document ownership.

First impressions: it’s big. Real big. Not quite as big as the BMW 740IL, but it give the other big body Bimmers, Lexus LS UCF100/200 platform, and my second generation GS a run for their money. Torque! It’s been two years since my last big displacement V8. The last two have been turbo inline engines and, while they pulled like crazy under boost, the instant torque is something I’ve missed. The paint is a good starting point, but it’s definitely been through some automatic car washes. Whoever owned this before me was pretty religious about following the service intervals. I have 46 service records from dealerships since it was purchased new in 2003.

Issues: there are a couple trim bits that are broken. The stash box under the driver’s seat is unhinged, the rear driver side door ashtray doesn’t latch, the cup holder doesn’t work properly, one of the center console releases is missing the wood bit, the trunk latch cover is cracked, and the rear bumper cover tow hook cover/lid is missing. It has an idiot light on for Tele Aid not active—I’m not sure why this wasn’t addressed any of the times it was in a dealership since analog cell service went down in 2008, but it’s not a big deal.

Plans: fix everything. Get it 100% perfect then work towards an OEM+, VIP-inspired build. Lowered, big three piece wheels, subtle body work. Paint correction and lowering are first up on the to-do list after I find all the trim I need.

Pictures!

 

Finally got a chance to dive into this car. For bring 13 years old, the sophistication of the software is a little intimidating. I've done everything from piggybacks to factory flashing to full standalone, and am a controls software engineer by trade. I'm not boosting it or running e85. I just want to disable the Tele Aid idiot light and after 4 hours of reading, I still feel like it's a little overwhelming.

 

Disable teleaid? Its disabled, unless you plug in the phone.

 

Not disable. Set it as "not present." Even with a phone, it won't enable anything.

 

Welcome and good luck with the build. I'll definitely be watching. Do you have a STAR system? I'm guessing you can change the setting there.

 

You can and I don't. Yet. Dealership wants $248 to turn it off. I already have a dedicated tuning computer. I haven't decided whether to bite the bullet and buy the complete STAR/Xentry/DAS package or try to use bootlegged software and a Chinese mux. It would definitely be a nice tool to have.

 

Pulled the seats out and shampoo'd everything. Working on conditioning the leather. Going to get it nice and clean. Sneak peak before I take it oUT for some real pictures.

 

Some notes for later:

Service checklist:
https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/308124-service-d.html

Spark plugs:
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w211/407824-diy-changing-spark-plugs-w211-e320.html

Oil change:
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w211/236420-w211-diy-oil-change.html

 

Wasted a day at an independent shop. Tele Aid is still giving me a error and now I have an Airmatic malfunction message.

 

Welcome to owning an early W211.

There should be plenty of info on disabling Tele Aid and the warining.

Scan codes for the airmatic malfunction. Is there history of any components being repalced? Does the car sag anywhere. or sit really high now?

I have an 06 E500 wagon with 211k on it and everyday I wonder what the next warning will be. lol

 

There is, but you need Xentry/Star to do it. The shop said they specialized in German autos, and didn't have the equipment to do it.

The struts and lines are all new compressor is original, I think. Hub to fender is right where it should be... until I lock/unlock it. It's been sitting since the malfunction showed up and hasn't sagged at all. I started a new thread.

https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...oor-locks.html

I couldn't swing a C4, and the wasn't finding a C3 available when I was looking the other night, so I got the iCarSoft MBII. For $200, it'll pay for itself if it saves me one trip to the dealership.

 

Had the car a month now and put almost 150 miles on it. I've found most of (I hope) the quirks and need to write them down so I can start fixing them.

Issue: Machine gun FL door lock actuator
DTC: None
TSB: Maybe?
Solution: 1) Replace battery 2) remove door panel, pull rubber boot, lube 3) replace actuator

https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w203/188636-drivers-door-lock-going-crazy.html
Status: In work

Issue: Airmatic "Visit Workshop" message
DTC:
TSB:
Solution:
Status:

Issue: Non functional cup holder
DTC:
TSB:
Solution:
Status:

Issue: Widespread over/under voltage condition
DTC:
TSB:
Solution:
Status:

Issue: Broken RL ash tray
DTC:
TSB:
Solution:
Status:

Issue: Intermittent non responsive accelerator pedal
DTC:
TSB:
Solution:
Status:

Issue: TelAid not active warning
DTC:
TSB:
Solution:
Status:

Issue: Intermittent non functional CD changer/headunit
DTC:
TSB:
Solution:
Status:

Issue: Broken driver seat cubby
DTC:
TSB:
Solution:
Status:

 

And because I'm classy

 

hope your being sarcastic with this.

 

"Classy" was sarcasm. I'm whatever the opposite of that is.

 

so youve got those tips and gold wheels with red center caps goin on your black car soon?

 

And green Underglow.