A member at last!
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 432
Likes: 96
From: Just north of Detroit,Michigan
2012 E350 4Matic P2
A member at last!
I have been lurking around the forums for over a year now and have finally taken the plunge into buying a new to me Merc. It is a 2001 S430 with just over 96000 miles and a 100% Florida car so no salty Michigan (where I live) winters ever! My previous car was a 1991 BMW e32 750il which I sold in July 2011. I was an active member of Bimmerboard and posted many repair narratives with pictures.
As you can imagine, owning an older car especially one as complicated as a 750il one would go broke using the dealer to maintain it. So as a consequence and to make ownership possible, I bought the tools and learned to do the many tortuous repair jobs that would have cost a fortune to have done at the dealership. The work space is so tight on the V12 that you could rarely go directly at any repair. Your tools for most any job always consisted of extensions and universals and you had to usually attack from at least two directions. The write ups and picture post instructionals on Bimmerboard saved my bacon over and over again and I returned the favor by taking and posting pictures of my repairs and commenting if I had something worthwhile to add. It’s really true that a picture is worth a thousand words.
During my year +of lurking here and there, I determined that the W220 Mercedes is a much admired car with a strong and dedicated following. I am hoping for a minimum of problems but I will be willing to share my triumphs and failures with the group if I do encounter an issue.
Just a couple of questions, (don’t laugh). Do we pronounce MERC as Merse or Merk? (I’ve been puzzling that one for some time). Also, Benzworld and MBworld are the two forums that I registered on, are there any others that I should check out and become a part of? I do have the free account available at http://epc.startekinfo.com/epc/login.jsp That site by the way was invaluable in my car search. You just plug in the VIN # and you get the DATA card with the delivery date, options etc. Also the complete parts catalog with part numbers and pictures are there as well VIN specific. How cool is that!
My car is still in Florida as of now waiting for me but I should be down there shortly.
Bob Edwards
As you can imagine, owning an older car especially one as complicated as a 750il one would go broke using the dealer to maintain it. So as a consequence and to make ownership possible, I bought the tools and learned to do the many tortuous repair jobs that would have cost a fortune to have done at the dealership. The work space is so tight on the V12 that you could rarely go directly at any repair. Your tools for most any job always consisted of extensions and universals and you had to usually attack from at least two directions. The write ups and picture post instructionals on Bimmerboard saved my bacon over and over again and I returned the favor by taking and posting pictures of my repairs and commenting if I had something worthwhile to add. It’s really true that a picture is worth a thousand words.
During my year +of lurking here and there, I determined that the W220 Mercedes is a much admired car with a strong and dedicated following. I am hoping for a minimum of problems but I will be willing to share my triumphs and failures with the group if I do encounter an issue.
Just a couple of questions, (don’t laugh). Do we pronounce MERC as Merse or Merk? (I’ve been puzzling that one for some time). Also, Benzworld and MBworld are the two forums that I registered on, are there any others that I should check out and become a part of? I do have the free account available at http://epc.startekinfo.com/epc/login.jsp That site by the way was invaluable in my car search. You just plug in the VIN # and you get the DATA card with the delivery date, options etc. Also the complete parts catalog with part numbers and pictures are there as well VIN specific. How cool is that!
My car is still in Florida as of now waiting for me but I should be down there shortly.
Bob Edwards
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,063
Likes: 26
From: Tampa, FL
2005 S500 4-Matic, 1978 450SL
Welcome to the W220 forum, Bob.
I hope you will find the thread at http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w220...tart-here.html to be a helpful supplement to your reading here.
I hope you will find the thread at http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w220...tart-here.html to be a helpful supplement to your reading here.
Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 141
Likes: 0
From: Grosse Pointe, Michigan
2002 S430 Sport Pkg
Welcome to the forum! In the winter they can go nuts with the roadsalt, that is why I don't drive in the winter unless the roads are dry and salt free as possible. You will many friendly individuals on MBworld.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 340
Likes: 0
From: Ludicrous Speed
opposite-lock...
welcome and congrats!
great story, I hear you on all that 100%
I've heard those e32 12's can be a nightmare - so you'll hopefully be in better sorts now 8-)
looking forward to your contributions - everyones are invaluable
enjoy!
ps. pics, or vote to ban 8-)
great story, I hear you on all that 100%
I've heard those e32 12's can be a nightmare - so you'll hopefully be in better sorts now 8-)
looking forward to your contributions - everyones are invaluable
enjoy!
ps. pics, or vote to ban 8-)
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 508
Likes: 1
From: california high desert
2003 S500, 03 C240, 03 E320, 03 tahoe
congrats on the MB purchase!
imo you may allways miss the v12, i had a 850 which i still miss to this day but the absolute nightmare of trying to keep it out of "limp home mode" drove me insane!. you will love the reliability and top of the line luxury, styling and performance of your benz. thanks for joining!
Go get your new ride!
Go get your new ride!
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Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 432
Likes: 96
From: Just north of Detroit,Michigan
2012 E350 4Matic P2
Thanks for the welcome to all! The Bimmer spoiled me and got me into German engineering. Hard to argue with engineers whose only goal is perfection. I have enjoyed the ownership of many Cadillacs over the years and most recently sold my Allante. The Bimmer did take me to the next level and now I am ready for the next step up! 
Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 141
Likes: 0
From: Grosse Pointe, Michigan
2002 S430 Sport Pkg
I also had an Allante that I was going to turn into a somewhat restored driver, but then I decided to sell it. The two seats don't make sense when you have two kids that want to ride with dad. lol
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 277
Likes: 0
From: Nebraska
2005 CLK500 cab, 2004 S600 designo mocha
Welcome to the forum. In addition to the free EPC site you mentioned, WIS can be a big help. I believe with BMW's it's called TIS. This software is basically a step-by-step repair guide for ALL Mercedes. It can be a little tricky to install, you must be pretty good with computers.
WIS is like a Chilton's repair manual on steroids, and the only repair guide that I know of for Mercedes vehicles. I will PM you specifics.
Good luck, welcome to the board.
WIS is like a Chilton's repair manual on steroids, and the only repair guide that I know of for Mercedes vehicles. I will PM you specifics.
Good luck, welcome to the board.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 432
Likes: 96
From: Just north of Detroit,Michigan
2012 E350 4Matic P2
Thanks babyman1737 for the pm heads up. I pm'd you back.
I have ordered a WIS DVD from MERCEDES WIS & EPC DVD WORKSHOP INFO & PARTS SYSTEM 02 / 2012 on ebay. I don't need the EPC portion of the set because I have access to the EPC on the start tek site which I'm guessing is always updated and accurate due to supporting the dealership network. I'll be booking my one way ticket to Florida shortly to pick the car up. I just registered it today at Michigan Secretary of State. $265.00 yearly plate fee, ouch! ( My Bimmer however used to cost $280.00!!) But, I'm not complaining!
I have ordered a WIS DVD from MERCEDES WIS & EPC DVD WORKSHOP INFO & PARTS SYSTEM 02 / 2012 on ebay. I don't need the EPC portion of the set because I have access to the EPC on the start tek site which I'm guessing is always updated and accurate due to supporting the dealership network. I'll be booking my one way ticket to Florida shortly to pick the car up. I just registered it today at Michigan Secretary of State. $265.00 yearly plate fee, ouch! ( My Bimmer however used to cost $280.00!!) But, I'm not complaining!
