Very true. Which is why I may keep it. Just didn't think it would require it all of that at once. And since I am not really knowledgeable on the vehicle DIY is prob not a great idea lol.

 

 

So I wont the throw salt in the bleeding, gushing womb, but I take you never did a PPI?
2MERKS

 

You would be correct. Which is why I said in an earlier post, I take full responsibility for screwing this up so badly. Oh well, live and learn. Oh and btw to those that have been following along, the mechanic called today to tell me when they went to replace the thermostat seal, they pulled the thermostat out and it was damaged from when the car was in an accident and never replaced and the case that houses the thermostat also had to be replaced. So now we are up to $2800 in repairs. I pick it up tomorrow. Lord knows what I do with it from there haha. At this point, I am inclined to spend the tune of a regular car payment in the balance of the remaining repairs and services I did not have done this round (approximately $500 a month) so I can get the rest done without an huge outlay of cash.

 

As mentioned earlier, the thermostat is well known to go. I got a Wahler on Amazon for under $70, they're the oem maker. Many threads on here about those. It comes with the seal/gasket. I also got the tensioner, 2 idler pulleys and belt on Rockauto for about $120. Had my indy do both at the same time for about $50. I think it took him a little over an hour. You have to take off one of the idler pulleys to replace the thermostat anyway and one of mine was starting to make noise. Maybe you just need to find a cheaper mechanic. I think I've lost about 6-7k in book value in the last 4 years or so that I've owned it. Still it's been fun to drive and it's still enjoyable.

 

Gotta say your very calm and collected dealing with your ride, and for that I take my hat off to you! It'll all work out in the end! GL
R,
2MERKS

 

Picked the car up today from the repair shop. Everything is good except the TPMS sensors they installed wont show up in the computer so the car says there aren't any installed even after they did the re-learn. So they assume it is a computer or wiring issue. They wanted more $$ to look into it further. I told them I'll do more research and prob take it to the dealer for a diagnostic. I got a second opinion on the control bar and it definitely needs done soon. One of the bushings leaked the fluid out.

 

Sad to hear the horror story But honestly u need to find ureself a cheaper indie mechanic... U spent more or about the same on maintenance on this car that I spent on 3 yrs of ownership on my 07 e63 and that includes the dreaded AMG brake job , new radiator and front end work that was done on her ... At this point u mite just keep her, atleast u know what u got and she's good to go .

 

You are exactly right! I got stuck with the proverbial "hot potato" with this purchase. The poor car had been neglected and apparently the accident it was involved was way worse than the carfax noted and left many underlying problems that went unaddressed. So between all of those and the maintenance due I am pouring money into it. I have spent days looking for a cheaper indy. Not having much luck.

 

 

So after exhaustive research, countless threads on here read, and stopping at 3 different places regarding the TPMS, I found out today that the tech installed 433mhz sensors and they are supposed to be 315mhz. How did I find out? Well, my research led me to believe this was the case. So I went to Grismer Tires this afternoon in Centerville, OH and Andrew, the manager, was super helpful and nice and knew all about the w211 which was awesome. He scanned each wheel and found the problem. He called a Benz dealer and asked which frequency was set for my vehicle and here we are. I called the shop that installed them and told them they installed the wrong ones. The guy was not so sure I was right at first...he put me on hold and I guess confirmed the error. I go back Fri for the correct ones.

I also decided to start doing some minor DIY and ordered an air filter housing unit off ebay. Got one for $118. Tech wanted $400+ to get one and install it. I figure it isn't that difficult to do, so I am going to give it a try when it arrives. I will let you know how it goes. If anyone has any tips on doing it that would make it easier, let me know. Thanks! And for the record I am so grateful to this forum and website. I am learning a ton and it is easing the pain of this high dollar experience. So thanks everyone!

 

Try youtube, I think there's actually several videos on there on how to change the air filter just do a search on Mercedes W211.

 

It is the entire housing I have to change as it does not fasten securely so it all needs replaced. I have watched a couple of videos also. Thanks

 

Oh, and if you're going to DIY, I would suggest two other things, one is a copy of the WIS/EPC, you can get a knock off DVD on eBay for around $10. It's basically the shop manuals with all the repair info. Then get a code reader that can read MB specific codes. There's many out there, but I think a decent one that gets mentioned now is the Autel Diaglink, it's the DIY version of the MD802. About $110 on Amazon. Also I hope that bluetooth puck works, I only paid around $120 for mine several years ago on Ebay.

 

I canceled the puck. Going to get the mechanical stuff in order before I mess with the bluetooth. Can you send me a link to a similar one on ebay?

 

Just search ebay. I believe the right part number is B67876131. I think they've sold from $90-$120 or more. If you're not in a rush, just keep an eye on it. The brown one is the latest version, the silver one is the older one.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2005-2009-M...1/132629316152

 

 

Changed the air filter housing and filters myself today. Took me an hour and learned a lot. I know you guys are prob laughing at my feeling of accomplishment but I am about as mechanically inclined as I am a dancer (think Elaine from Seinfeld but in guy form LOL!) About another two weeks and the car will be my version of perfect. Lots of money and time but well worth it. Thanks again to all for the help and encouragement!

 

Check the local Craiglist, and this site under audio and electronics section
they pop up ever so often. Did you check your trunk for BT comm module..without that piece your not going nowhere.
r/
2MERKS

 

No I did not. I read in another thread that if it says Insert Phone then I should be good to go? I just ordered the puck yesterday too based on Cetialpha5's suggestion above. I hope when I plug it in it works.

 

If he has the connector in the center console, it should work. By 2008, most cars had the wired for bluetooth option. It'd be in the vin. Use the vin decoder to see if you have the option.

https://www.datamb.com/

 

140A MB TEX-LEATHER, TWIN/ARTICO
144A MB TEX-LEATHER, TWIN/ARTICO - BROWN
212B OP. INSTRUCT. AND MAINT. BOOKLET-ENGL. FOR USA/CAN
213 SPEED-SENSITIVE POWER STEERING/VARIO STEERING
232 GARAGE DOOR OPENER WITH 284 - 390 MHZ FREQUENCY
242 FRONT SEAT RH ELECTRIC ADJUSTABLE WITH MEMORY
249 INSIDE AND OUTSIDE MIRROR AUTOMATIC DIMMING
264 LICENSE PLATE ATTACHMENT AMERICA
265 LINES-NO.PLATE DISCONTINUED
275 MEMORY PACKAGE (DRIVER SEAT, STRG. COL., MIRROR)
284B AIRBAG LABEL - ENGLISH FOR USA
289 WOOD/LEATHER STEERING-WHEEL
293 SIDEBAG IN REAR LEFT AND RIGHT
301 ASHTRAY PACKAGE
309 CUP HOLDER
342B INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LANGUAGE - AMERICAN ENGLISH
359 LOW COST TELEAID USA
389 MOBILE PRE.-INSTALLATION (MTUS) USA/CANADA COMPL.
414 ELECTRIC TILT/SLIDE SUNROOF IN GLASS VERSION
423 5-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
461 INSTRUMENT WITH MILES IND. AND ENGLISH LEGEND
470 TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR (TPM) LOW LINE
48N STEUERCODE WERK SINDELFINGEN/GRAZ
494 U.S. VERSION
530 COMAND DVD APS USA WITH NAVIGATION
536 "SIRIUS" SATELLITE RADIO COMPLETE SYSTEM
540 ROLLER BLIND, ELECTRIC, FOR REAR WINDOW
543 SUN VISOR WITH MAKE-UP MIRROR L. AND R., BE-
551 ANTI-THEFT/ANTI-BREAK-IN WARNING SYSTEM
573 CHILD SEAT MOUNTING, ISOFIX IN REAR
580 AIR CONDITIONER
600 HEADLAMPS - CLEANING EQUIPMENT
634 DELETION - FIRST AID KIT
636 DELETION - WARNING TRIANGLE
650U CALCITE WHITE - STANDARD FINISH
668 PRODUCT PROT.F.TRANSPORT VEH. W/ TIE-DOWN HOOKS
673 HIGH-CAPACITY BATTERY
690 EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE (MINI SPARE)
705L UNITED STATES (USA)
763 RADIO REMOTE CONTROL W/ PANIC SWITCH (315 MHZ)
7XXL NORTH AND SOUTH AMERICA
808 AEJ 07/1
810 SOUND SYSTEM
819 CD CHANGER
873 SEAT HEATER FOR LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT SEATS
875 HEATED SCREEN WASH SYSTEM
887 SEPARATE TRUNK LID LOCKING
910 DYNAMO WITH HIGHER CAPACITY (FFO)
915 FUEL TANK WITH LARGER CAPACITY
919 AIRCON COOLING POWER PACKAGE
952 SPORTS PACKAGE
954 EQUIPMENT PACKAGE FOR AVANTGARDE VEHICLES
986 IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (VIN-NO.)
989 IDENTIFICATION LABEL UNDER WINDSHIELD
F211 SERIES PRODUCTION 211
FW LIMOUSINE
GA AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
HA REAR AXLE
K14 CONTROL CODE FOR SERVICE INTERVAL 20000 KM
L LEFT-HAND STEERING
M005 VEHICLES WITH 4-MATIC-/ALL WHEEL DRIVE
M272 V6-GASOLINE ENGINE M272
M35 DISPLACEMENT 3.5 LITER
R02 ALL SEASON TYRES
R68 LA 18" 10 DOUBLE SPOKE DESIGN
U12 FLOOR MATS, VELOURS
V47 SPEED + LOAD INDEX 93V
VL FRONT AXLE HALF, LEFT
VR FRONT AXLE HALF, RIGHT
W60 DESIGNO WOOD FINISH BURRED WALNUT VENEER

Mercedes Benz VIN decoded at https://www.datamb.com/vin/nNMKJ2PzVmNdvQgBl

 

New TPMS 315mhz sensors installed today and after a reprogramming of the computer, all worked. Finally getting close to finished with the maintenance and repair issues. So happy with the car now. And best of all it is 10 years old, but like brand new!

 

All repairs finally done! Ordered a new key so I can put the old one away as backup. Looking for an update DVD to the navigation. Any suggestions?

 

eBay - 2015/16 update disc is the last one made for this navigation system.