dwooderson

We just bought an impressively clean 2007 R350, in silver/black. It's a wonderful car that suits my families needs perfectly. It has a panoramic roof, Harmon Kardon sound, and navigation. Some questions:

1. Can my local MB service department provide me with a document that specifies my car configuration? A thread on this forum regarding DTBs refers to model and engine numbers that are foreign to me. Can anyone here pull the car config from a VIN?

2. This car certainly has the "Creaking Noises in Area of Door Seal on Rough Roads" issue. It's sort of like a clucking or clicking noise on ours, and it comes from the top of both front doors. I noticed it 5 seconds into my test drive, and I'm surprised the former owner didn't complain about this issue prior; it's pretty loud in an otherwise quiet car. Is this a widespread problem? How does MB repair this defect?

3. The CEL came on when I was about 50 miles from the used car dealer (I live 175 miles away). We have a service appointment for this (and item #2) tomorrow. Is it possible that the used car dealer reset the computer to clear a condition prior to when I took delivery? I'd like to ask the MB service technician about this, but only if it's possible for them to interrogate the "reset event" date/time. Otherwise, I'll keep my paranoia to myself.

4. This car has 45,000 miles. I plan to read the (long) DTB list, but is there anything specific that I should be looking for prior to tomorrow's service appointment? Maybe a common defect that I haven't noticed yet?

5. Future adds, in order of priority:
-- Heated seats. Would that be cost prohibitive or exceedingly difficult to install heated seats myself? I have decent mechanical skills. Has anyone done this?
-- Thule crossbars - for cargo box, bike trays, ski buttondowns, etc.
-- Receiver hitch - for bike rack and occasional small trailer use.
-- Bluetooth dongle - eBay (the wiring exists in the armrest console)
-- iPod integration (still need to research, not critical)

smokersteve

get that car to the dealer so they can fix that CEL.

I have an after market hitch, I would prefer the OEM hitch. Spend time on finding a cheap price for the OEM hitch.


You should have had a trans fluid and filter change by the dealer at 39,000 miles. if not, DO IT. I change my oil every 10,000 miles and I use a mann filter. do not use a Fram, very cheap product.

smokersteve

if you have no record of when the air filter was changed and it looks dirty, change it. Use a Mann, it is the same as oem but cheaper.

cyeung65

The Star diagnostic can tell when the computer was reset. I would just ask them for the history and not be shy about it. I highly suspect they cleared the CEL before turning over the keys. 50 miles is what it takes for the computer to develop a history to be interrogated.

Adding factory heated seats would be expensive I would think since you have to remove the seat skins to insert the strip elements as well as add the wiring and switches. If you really need them, consider some aftermarket systems. They are universal fit, but get the job done.

aggst1

+1 on the CEL possibly be reset by the seller/dealer.

dwooderson

I'll certainly ask for a diagnostic history. Thanks. I'm not sure what knowing will get me, outside of being certain that the dealer tried to "pull one over" on me.

Smokersteve, why do you prefer the OEM hitch over the aftermarket hitch?

OEM heated seats would be strongly preferred for the switch/dash integration, but I agree they are probably cost prohibitive to add later. I will look into aftermarket heated seats too. It's hard to go from having them, to not!

smokersteve

The OEM is designed differently. The OEM has better ground clearance.

llcd

I had all 4 windows regulator changed on my R-350.

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w251...dows-roll.html

aggst1

Relevance?

llcd

The OP mentioned about the above problem. So I thought I might
alert him to other problems that he could get fixed under warranty.

avlis

1. Dealer can pull the config. I can also do it for you if you give me the VIN (I have a Startek subscription).

aggst1

Sorry, I hadn't heard of this issue before happening on Rs and I thought you posted on the wrong thread. Sounds like a bad batch of regulators went in your car for all four to go at the same time or was it an electrical fault that caused them to blow.

llcd

No problem.

Even some of the 2006 R's had this problem.

mercdriver

Not sure, but think the OEM hitch (which I added to my R) only fits the 2009 and later cars...

mercdriver

The Mercedes factory crossbars are made by Thule and, believe it or not, are less expensive than the Thule system.

lsp85

I had the same rattle noise with my '08. Dealer replaced all 4 rubber door gaskets. There is a service bulletin on same and is covered by warranty.

Funny our 2006 Chrysler Pacificia had the exact same door noise and Chrysler couldn't figure out how to correct the problem. Yes I know the Pacificia was a Chrysler/Benz Frankenstein.

Give your VIN to the dealer and they'll printout for you all services records on file and then ask for the VMI (Vehicle Master Inquiry) which is a listing of all the option codes for all the different components used to create your R.

Finally, call MB customer assistance center (800-367-6372) and ask for a copy of the original window sticker! It's a half-*** version, (kinda like the VMI) but its still pretty nice to have. They will ask for the VIN, owner's name etc...

Good luck with the R

Lou

dwooderson

I'm watching a set on eBay now (don't go steal them out from under me!), but I'd prefer the Thules because the crossbars are much longer due to the overhang.

dwooderson

Thanks Lou, I'll add Service Records and VMI to the list, and will grab that sticker!

davidbho

see this thread...I did it myself about 3 years ago, and was nothing complicated...

https://mbworld.org/forums/r-class-w...tion-r350.html

dwooderson

The VMI only had a coupe things on it, a routine service, and an issue with the rear windows that was repaired under warranty.

When I picked up the car, I asked the service tech if the computer had been reset, and he forgot to check.

The CEL was caused by failed cam solenoids(?). The service tech said that they have since been redesigned, and should not fail again.

Looking forward to trying out a MP3 CD. I've never had that feature in a car before.

The car came with only 1 key/remote. That's $240+tax I hadn't planned on spending.

fstshrk

If your car was CPO, they should give you two keys.

aggst1

Make sure the dealer has deactivated the missing key on the MB database and the car itself otherwise there is an extra key out there that could be used to gain access.

dwooderson

I didn't know you could have keys deactivated. Good to know.

More conspiracy theory: I know this is a stretch, but maybe the used car dealer (non-CPO) kept one key in case my check didn't clear. It sure would make it easier to reposes if something went south! I'm usually not this paranoid. Really.

I found the original owner's name on a "Owners Card" in the operators manual. He has a pretty unique name, and the car was originally sold in Beverly Hills, CA, so I might try to track down that person, and see if he still has the other remote.

Davidbho: That is a great guide, I might tackle the iPod cable installation after the holidays. Thanks for the link.