New Merc owner, first timer!
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Joined: Nov 2009
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From: Southeastern USA
2010 E350 Luxury Sedan, Engine 272 (V6)
Then it is NOT a "stealership."
My stealer got me all sorted with a Command software update under warranty last week. They apparently found "current and stored faults in Command for comm with central gateway and instru cluster." For what it's worth, no TSB was noted in my paperwork.
The new C300 4Matic was loaner... um, nevermind.
The new C300 4Matic was loaner... um, nevermind.
Not a "stealerhip!"
BTW, highly unlikely an indie would have been able to diagnose the problem and definitely would have not repaired it without a huge charge.
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Joined: Oct 2014
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From: Zion
W212 E550 4M P2
Yes, I'm grateful for my s/dealer's effort on my behalf. Yes, I fully intend to frequent my s/dealer for the duration of my warranty and potentially beyond depending upon how the relationship goes. I treat them well and hope they'll treat me well in kind.
With respect to experiencing a Command error while under warranty, that's warranty in my book. All day, every day. Not saying that it'd get me anywhere, but I'd be furious w/Merc and the s/dealer if it wasn't covered. Is it truly excluded?!
Fair point about an Indie's somewhat limited capabilities I suppose, but a dealer will also be a stealer to me. Indies remain a valid deterrent to s/dealers acting up too much.
P.S. My comment about the loaner was tongue-in-cheek given the other lengthy post here. As we all know, sarcasm doesn't often convey digitally.
With respect to experiencing a Command error while under warranty, that's warranty in my book. All day, every day. Not saying that it'd get me anywhere, but I'd be furious w/Merc and the s/dealer if it wasn't covered. Is it truly excluded?!
Fair point about an Indie's somewhat limited capabilities I suppose, but a dealer will also be a stealer to me. Indies remain a valid deterrent to s/dealers acting up too much.
P.S. My comment about the loaner was tongue-in-cheek given the other lengthy post here. As we all know, sarcasm doesn't often convey digitally.
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From: Zion
W212 E550 4M P2
I intended to replace my OEM set of A/S P-Zeros just before winter, but frustratingly picked up a screw in the side wall ... enter my new set of non-staggered A/S Conty PureContacts w/ECO Tech. Here's a recent W212 thread on "new tires" where I posted my initial review (<500mi). In short, they're off to a good start.
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...ml#post6438415
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...ml#post6438415
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Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 748
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From: Zion
W212 E550 4M P2
...popping noise from the sunroof area is a known problem. I had it and the sound happened when I drove over a curb or anything that put twist on the car body. The dealer serviced it and no single pop since then about 1 1/2 years ago. I think you can relax on this one.
The issue with the moon roof not closing i have not experienced but If it backs open at closing try to see if it happens when the moving glass frame hits the arm of the fabric that pops up when the moon roof opens. The problem could be a too strong spring under the arm or not enough lubrication between the arm and the frame of the glass.
The issue with the moon roof not closing i have not experienced but If it backs open at closing try to see if it happens when the moving glass frame hits the arm of the fabric that pops up when the moon roof opens. The problem could be a too strong spring under the arm or not enough lubrication between the arm and the frame of the glass.
Pano Won't Close Update: I've concluded that my pano won't close properly when the car sits outside in hot weather with the sun beating down on it for awhile. I have to coax it closed by holding the close button in these instances. All (most?) other times it operates as designed. I'm kinda over it now that I better understand when it happens, but how could heat (or something similar) contribute to a mixed up pano roof?!
Last edited by Johnny Rad; Aug 19, 2015 at 10:52 PM.
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Joined: Oct 2010
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From: Southern US
2010 E550, 273 Engine: 2012 S550, 278 Engine
Pano Popping Update: Just had my pano roof serviced for a second time. The popping noises went away for a few months, but came back. The stealer attempted the same repair again and here's hoping that it's a more-lasting remedy this time.
Pano Won't Close Update: I've concluded that my pano won't close properly when the car sits outside in hot weather with the sun beating down on it for awhile. I have to coax it closed by holding the close button in these instances. All (most?) other times it operates as designed. I'm kinda over it know that I better understand when it happens, but how could heat (or something similar) contribute to a mixed up pano roof?!
Pano Won't Close Update: I've concluded that my pano won't close properly when the car sits outside in hot weather with the sun beating down on it for awhile. I have to coax it closed by holding the close button in these instances. All (most?) other times it operates as designed. I'm kinda over it know that I better understand when it happens, but how could heat (or something similar) contribute to a mixed up pano roof?!
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Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 748
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From: Zion
W212 E550 4M P2
THANKS to the solid info on our forum (and a sister forum? http://www.mercedescla.org/forum/62-...r-install.html), I successfully swapped my steering wheel trim today for a new, OEM piece of AMG-badged trim (Merc p/n A0994642313). Please leave your "it's not an AMG" argument at the door. All in all, it was a simple and straightforward job and I'm no Alois Ruf or Jonathan Ward.
The original trim was beginning to peel / bubble on the edges making for annoying sharp edges. Plus the little black "airbag" doohickey at the bottom of the wheel squeaked when you'd bang it ("that's what she said").
As cnolke posted (and I think someone else, but I can't find that thread now), the most complicated part of the job is getting the airbag assembly unclipped, which requires blindly pushing two retaining clips with allen wrenches or similar. It took a lot of fooling around with little to no progress - kinda like your first time - until the airbag magically popped off.
The original trim was beginning to peel / bubble on the edges making for annoying sharp edges. Plus the little black "airbag" doohickey at the bottom of the wheel squeaked when you'd bang it ("that's what she said").
As cnolke posted (and I think someone else, but I can't find that thread now), the most complicated part of the job is getting the airbag assembly unclipped, which requires blindly pushing two retaining clips with allen wrenches or similar. It took a lot of fooling around with little to no progress - kinda like your first time - until the airbag magically popped off.
...to remove the cover/airbag/horn "pod", one needs to use the two indents on the side of the wheel. The tool isnt a Torq 30, but a torx 20 works fine in order to find the spring clips that get pushed in order to release each side of the "pod". It took about 1/2 an hour of feeling around in there for what to do, and I'm happy to report its a wire spring clip that needs to be pushed in towards the center.
Last edited by Johnny Rad; Nov 12, 2016 at 02:34 PM.
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Joined: Oct 2014
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From: Zion
W212 E550 4M P2
In the interest of putting the tweaks to my car in a single place, I really like my EU-spec aspherical side view mirrors that replaced my NA-spec mirrors. It took about a week to train my eyes to stop going cross-eyed and my brain from freaking out, but that's all behind me now and I'm not going back to flat mirrors. The install was simple and the benefits are easy to see.
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...ror-glass.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...ror-glass.html
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Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 748
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From: Zion
W212 E550 4M P2
This summer I also tossed my bland Keyless GO button for a carbon faced button from Eddie @ kallegamento@gmail.com
I vacillated between red and black before eventually choosing the black one. I also had it made without the AMG script, so some level of customization is available.
It's been nothing by unicorns and rainbows. In my experience, they’re top-quality and built on an OEM Merc Keyless Go button. I can happily confirm they’re plug and play with my W212 … simply pop out your boring silver button and put Eddie’s custom carbon button in its place.
I vacillated between red and black before eventually choosing the black one. I also had it made without the AMG script, so some level of customization is available.
It's been nothing by unicorns and rainbows. In my experience, they’re top-quality and built on an OEM Merc Keyless Go button. I can happily confirm they’re plug and play with my W212 … simply pop out your boring silver button and put Eddie’s custom carbon button in its place.
Last edited by Johnny Rad; Nov 12, 2016 at 02:35 PM.
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Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 748
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From: Zion
W212 E550 4M P2
Finally did a little debadging on my car.
Getting rid of the silly BlueEfficiency badging on the front quarters was on my radar from day one. Just never made it a priority until a cousin asked me if my car was a diesel - ugh! Two weeks later it was gone and it looks great. No residue. No nothing fortunately.
I also intended to debadge my rear deck lid, but got cold feet. I wondered what a future buyer would think - was my car wrecked, vandalized, repainted, etc. I'll also admit to a wee bit of pride on the "550" badging since the 350 and 550 are visually indistinguishable.
Getting rid of the silly BlueEfficiency badging on the front quarters was on my radar from day one. Just never made it a priority until a cousin asked me if my car was a diesel - ugh! Two weeks later it was gone and it looks great. No residue. No nothing fortunately.
I also intended to debadge my rear deck lid, but got cold feet. I wondered what a future buyer would think - was my car wrecked, vandalized, repainted, etc. I'll also admit to a wee bit of pride on the "550" badging since the 350 and 550 are visually indistinguishable.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 748
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From: Zion
W212 E550 4M P2
Hi, All. I need your expert help with wheels...
My wheelset was banged-up before I dented a lip last week, grr.
As you know, the 2012 E550 is a square set-up (18x8.5 +48 with 245x40x18 tires). I intend to stick with stock tire size.
I see three wheel options and am leaning to option 3 (replicas):
1. R&R existing OEM wheels. Refinishing appears to be about same or slightly more than new replicas, but I'm not excited to open a potential can of worms only to find that some or all of my rims can't be saved.
2. Buy new OEM replacement wheels (I'm against buying refurbs). OEM isn't cheap and I know firsthand they're not bulletproof, so I don't like this idea.
3. Buy replica wheels. Which replica mfg's are more trustworthy and higher-quality than others? Who do you like and who do I skip?
Offset question - Can I safely go from my square +48 wheelset to a square +35 wheelset running the same tires? In other words, going from "18x8.5 +48 running 245x40x18 tires" to a "18x8.5 +35 running 245x40x18 tires?" Online wheel calculators show the +35 wheelset will stick out ~0.51" versus my stock set.
My wheelset was banged-up before I dented a lip last week, grr.
As you know, the 2012 E550 is a square set-up (18x8.5 +48 with 245x40x18 tires). I intend to stick with stock tire size.
I see three wheel options and am leaning to option 3 (replicas):
1. R&R existing OEM wheels. Refinishing appears to be about same or slightly more than new replicas, but I'm not excited to open a potential can of worms only to find that some or all of my rims can't be saved.
2. Buy new OEM replacement wheels (I'm against buying refurbs). OEM isn't cheap and I know firsthand they're not bulletproof, so I don't like this idea.
3. Buy replica wheels. Which replica mfg's are more trustworthy and higher-quality than others? Who do you like and who do I skip?
Offset question - Can I safely go from my square +48 wheelset to a square +35 wheelset running the same tires? In other words, going from "18x8.5 +48 running 245x40x18 tires" to a "18x8.5 +35 running 245x40x18 tires?" Online wheel calculators show the +35 wheelset will stick out ~0.51" versus my stock set.
Last edited by Johnny Rad; Sep 7, 2020 at 12:32 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 6,190
Likes: 1,550
From: MA
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
Hi, All. I need your expert help with wheels...
My wheelset was banged-up before I dented a lip last week, grr.
As you know, the 2012 E550 is a square set-up (18x8.5 +48 with 245x45x18 tires). I intend to stick with stock tire size.
I see three wheel options and am leaning to option 3 (replicas):
1. R&R existing OEM wheels. Refinishing appears to be about same or slightly more than new replicas, but I'm not excited to open a potential can of worms only to find that some or all of my rims can't be saved.
2. Buy new OEM replacement wheels (I'm against buying refurbs). OEM isn't cheap and I know firsthand they're not bulletproof, so I don't like this idea.
3. Buy replica wheels. Which replica mfg's are more trustworthy and higher-quality than others? Who do you like and who do I skip?
Offset question - Can I safely go from my square +48 wheelset to a square +35 wheelset running the same tires? In other words, going from "18x8.5 +48 running 245x45x18 tires" to a "18x8.5 +35 running 245x45x18 tires?" Online wheel calculators show the +35 wheelset will stick out ~0.51" versus my stock set.
My wheelset was banged-up before I dented a lip last week, grr.
As you know, the 2012 E550 is a square set-up (18x8.5 +48 with 245x45x18 tires). I intend to stick with stock tire size.
I see three wheel options and am leaning to option 3 (replicas):
1. R&R existing OEM wheels. Refinishing appears to be about same or slightly more than new replicas, but I'm not excited to open a potential can of worms only to find that some or all of my rims can't be saved.
2. Buy new OEM replacement wheels (I'm against buying refurbs). OEM isn't cheap and I know firsthand they're not bulletproof, so I don't like this idea.
3. Buy replica wheels. Which replica mfg's are more trustworthy and higher-quality than others? Who do you like and who do I skip?
Offset question - Can I safely go from my square +48 wheelset to a square +35 wheelset running the same tires? In other words, going from "18x8.5 +48 running 245x45x18 tires" to a "18x8.5 +35 running 245x45x18 tires?" Online wheel calculators show the +35 wheelset will stick out ~0.51" versus my stock set.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 748
Likes: 27
From: Zion
W212 E550 4M P2
Yeah, this is “my” original thread.
Yeah, I think 245/40/18 is correct. My bad.
I think factory W212 sport wheels are >$500/ea.
Can I legitimately go with 35 offset rather than stock 48?
Yeah, I think 245/40/18 is correct. My bad.
I think factory W212 sport wheels are >$500/ea.
Can I legitimately go with 35 offset rather than stock 48?
Last edited by Johnny Rad; Sep 7, 2020 at 12:31 AM.
