Das Rüstbückette: Mein E-Klasse

[cort16]

Agreed, it's not that much better than some other new stuff I've drive but it doesn't feel cheap either. The A6 I had previously was probably the best quality car I've had (inside anyway) I just couldn't get on with the way it drove. The Alfa 159 I had before that wasn't quite up there with the Audi or the Merc but it had a lovely dash, looked a 1000 times better than the both of them and a turbo boost guage, which made up for all other short comings. I mainly like the boost guage.

[Mike D]

In a contrast to most of the opinions of these, I really liked mine! It was a '98 E320 Avantguard, with factory AMG wheels and suspension package. It went very well, handled excellently, especially so for a big old unit, the interior was comfy, it didn't rattle or squeak from the trim, and had an excellent stereo.

 

It wasn't really rusty at all either, I've still got it sat in my mates field, and the only rust is a bit around the boot lock, and a couple of small bubbles on the base of the drivers door. Its killer was a cracked screen, and then the gearbox grenaded itself. I'd have another though

 

Here's a pic from when I bought it

 

[garycox]

Avantguard

 

AAAARGHH!!

[Spiny Norman]

In a contrast to most of the opinions of these, I really liked mine! It was a '98 E320 Avantguard, with factory AMG wheels and suspension package. It went very well, handled excellently, especially so for a big old unit, the interior was comfy, it didn't rattle or squeak from the trim, and had an excellent stereo.

 

Nice.

They do seem to be universally hated, which I guess makes them the ideal shiter's transport.

 

Mine's the first Merc I've ever had, and while I quite like it I'm not convinced I'd have another. There's something about the driving experience I still haven't come to terms with, it all feels a bit 'remote' but without the easy lightness of a Jag or even an E39. Everything in it seems to need more effort that I consider appropriate for a 'luxury' car. The throttle I find heavy and awkward as with all these floor hinged jobbies, the brakes are heavy although they work well enough and the steering isn't that light for a PAS system either.

Hell even the bloody indicator stalk needs a firmer shove than a Micra's gearlever.

 

I'll probably be stuck with it till it goes bang, since the chances of selling one these days are virtually zero. It's a heavy bugger so it'll be worth an easy couple of hundred quid as scrap when the time comes though....

[Partridge]

It's quite possible that the heavyness was engineered into them. Apprently Audi had an oppertunity to make their cars "lighter" to drive and less heavy feeling, but VAG said no, keep the Audi feeling-which meant engineering it into the car.

[Spiny Norman]

I know they got steering racks 'engineered' to feel like the old ZF boxes fitted to the earlier cars.

Which seems as sensible as designing a 16v DOHC engine to sound like a Talbot Horizon....

[Partridge]

I found out this evening the front crossmember is rotten. Which is what saw my 190 I had years ago off. Piece of crap.

Remind me, why did I buy this?

[Junkman]

Because you like it. Now fix that ruddy crossmember and go for it.

[Partridge]

It's crap, but I am fond of it. But I'll probably rip it out and put a fresh or less rusty one in, crossmember wise.

Also took the rear bumper off today...oh look more rust!

 

[Sigmund Fraud]

Can you weld ? If not, it's the perfect opportunity to enrich your skill set

[Partridge]

...don't know, never tried It's a good car to learn on, I won't be upset if I mess it up.

[Vince70]

That's if you can find any metal to weld to

[Partridge]

You should see the crossmember. It's a serious of holes that should be there, held together by ones that shoulden't.

[forddeliveryboy]

Section of 4x2 should do. Steel, that is.

[Partridge]

Right. It's fix up time this week.

 

This is the list of work that I think it needs doing to pass it's MOT. The crossmember and arches have been patched up to get it to pass, and the wings sprayed over in blue (ish) where needed, and it also has new boots now (part-worns), so attention must turn to:

 

That rathole on the back

That bloody crossmember

The front bushings are knackered

It's also running a bit rich

 

I'm also worried that it's two cars welded together (does that even happen these days?). I took the front bumper off, and under that it's blue. Under the rear bumper it's green. I initially thought it was just the light playing tricks, but after a direct comparison, it's not. A bought a real corker didn't I?

[londonm]

Remind me to never buy a Mercedes. I hired a basic E190 years ago and wondered how they justified the price even then. Interesting stuff Junkman.

[Partridge]

You print off this topic and put it in your wallet, Londonm.