Mercedes E320 CDI S211, Shite or Shiteable?

[Snake Charmer]

1 hour ago, goosey said:

Did you go for the genuine Merc diff oil ? 

No, matching spec I had on the shelf. It's an open diff so not incorrect spec oil in an LSD causing noise from the plates.

[Snake Charmer]

I had surgery on Monday so the other half used the car as an ambulance to ferry me about. This reminded me of the trip to Wales and how the passenger seat was holding the air operated bolsters etc. better than the drivers side.  Feeling better on Tuesday I had a play with the drivers seat and either a couple of bladders are leaking or the air control switches. Looks likely to be a fun job.

Wednesday the battery was flat from spending time mesding with the seats so I ordered a new 019 AGM to replace the Bosch S3 013 as I have been putting it off long enough. That arrived today, next day delivery from Tanya Batteries  £174.50. Weighs 6kg more than the Bosch removed. Added a CTEK charging lead then went for a 15 mile drive to watch the charge voltage on the hidden display menu. Ran iCarsoft diagnostics and the intermittent code "9059 communication with component B33 (ATA Inclination Sensor) is interrupted" has returned. Decided to investigate and seems to have suffered screen wash ingress from the popped connector to the rear wash wipe and been a previous problem looking at the wiring. Found a replacement with part of the wiring and plug on Ebay for £14 delivered. I could have left it disconnected but it is part of the alarm system and might stop the wheels being nicked.

[Snake Charmer]

Headed to Brooklands on Saturday, the car seems to like the new battery as the drivers door mirror folds out every time now instead of intermittently. Not sure it will cure the intermitent LED tail light problem but I think that is coupled to having the headlights on.

Leaving Brooklands, I put the air conditioning on LO as the temperature was almost reminiscent of summer and no cold air. 🥵

Plugged the iCarsoft in once home and the compressor isn't running. 🤔 190/200psi in the system so I'm thinking does it need a reset or something daft? I had another battery hooked up when fitting the new one so nothing was lost. Google.  I see posts about resetting and it was fine after plugging iCarsoft in etc etc then I noticed the display.......

Seriously? 😳  The display had the sun on it at Brooklands and was unreadable.

That's better, cold air. I think I might have accidentally pushed the OFF/REST button with the ignition on when I went shopping recently to enable the REST function. I normally use the 0 to switch the AC off, nearly two years of ownership I now know there's two ways. Investigations required in greater depth. 

Phew, the beer cooler is back in action.

[Snake Charmer]

Bin day tomorrow so I emptied the workshop bins and noticed the packet containg the old number plate Festoon bulbs, this prompted me for no reason to check the s211 footwelll lamps. Both good, passenger side disconnected by the muppet who fitted new carbon filters. That would be me. 

Then I noticed this:

Glovebox damper, disconnected it was. Who knew? Not me.
Glovebox now drops with utter time wasting decadent luxury.

 

[AnnoyingPentium]

6 minutes ago, Snake Charmer said:

Glovebox now drops with utter time wasting decadent luxury.

I love stuff like this. It's the reason I had those soft close Golf handles off you, if only for the slow return of the OH SHIT handles.

[Snake Charmer]

59 minutes ago, AnnoyingPentium said:

I love stuff like this. It's the reason I had those soft close Golf handles off you, if only for the slow return of the OH SHIT handles.

The car does my head in, I have no idea how I missed seeing it or the lamp cable when replacing the carbon filters.
 

[Snake Charmer]

Fitted a replacement anti-tilt module and plug to clear an intermittent code. As posted previously, the original was destroyed by the rear washer hose popping apart and spraying straight on the connector flooding the unit. Judging by the previous repair this is not the first time but should be the last with the addition of a plastic bag cable tied around the offending hose.

Also had another go at the intermittent tailgate closure switch previously repaired by an accredited insurance repairer. Incorrect 4 pin plug bodged on with wire twists and the switch socket buggered to fit. Soldered new pins in as one had broken due to the plug not being supported. I  have a plug and socket off a PCB and fan that will suit but can wait until I dismantle the tailgate again. Seems to be working at the moment. 

Need to get it on the ramp this week to look at the suspension and rear brakes, rear creaking and front right seems to be sitting a little lower. Spring choice is a headache.

 

[Snake Charmer]

Performed the seemingly weekly iCarsoft plug in this afternoon to check for codes on the alarm sensor fitted last week, all good but the pesky "930E Synchronisation of the DTC memory cannot be assured" and "930C knowledge base configuration incomplete" codes will not reset showing historic and current. Researching both codes gives no definitive answer other than disconnecting the batteries for a while to loose the current status so I gave that a go. Sure enough, both came up historic, deleted them and they both popped back up again. Reset all the steering angle and windows etc but did notice a 3 mile or so discrepancy between the dash recorded mileage and Assyst stored mileage.

The tailgate button has been behaving itself this week, the passenger door mirror has resorted to not opening intermittently again since fitment of the new battery so that will be apart soon for wiring checks, a good ticking off and lubrication. Shame, it was doing so well.

Accessing the backup battery I noticed the pollen filter cover water drain gutter mouldings were filling with dirt so I gave that a wash, the pollen filter is a bit dirty and over a year old now so an Autodoc order is imminent as I also want to replace the front springs. The joys of identifying the correct springs, might have to take them off to measure and see if the colour codes can be found. I miss the days of simple suspension, "uprated springs sir, standard ride height or 1" lowered?"

 

 

 

[Snake Charmer]

In my quest to delete a couple of odd codes, my drivers door window and mirror switches no longer function. Pulling the boot release opens the drivers window and any attempt to open the front passenger window opens the tailgate. Seems my iCarsoft CR Max will flip codes one way but not back again. 🤔

New front springs on order along with a pair on gas struts for the tailgate, I wasn't aware until last week the hydraulic cylinder was assisted by a pair of struts. The shutting has always been a bit more of a slam and that may explain a couple of electrical gremlins in the back.

Latest addition is an Android 11 radio bought from @Jazoli he had fitted to his E-Class. Not fully fitted as yet but functional for my current needs. A reversing camera is still in a sorting centre on Chinese soil, the new gas struts might be fitted before it arrives to save it getting shaken to bits.

Mot Monday. 🤔

 

[Snake Charmer]

Mot number 18 passed last night. 🙂

I was thinking about this on the way to work this morning, it should be 17 as the car will be 20 nexr April. Upon checking, in 2008 the car had two Mot's a month and 600 miles apart. 

 

[Snake Charmer]

Stayed late at work last night and did battle with the tailgate gas struts. Took a while and stretched my gynaecological skills but they are done now. Front springs will hopefully be done this evening.

Had a quick play with the reversing camera via a wireless connection. 

Need to try a direct connection as the quality is not great and flickering plus the transmitter and receiver units are running a bit hot.

 

[Snake Charmer]

Front springs fitted, ride height much higher as these are 17mm longer than the longest of the old springs. 7mm difference side to side on the old ones. Ride feels better, not had much of a chance to compare the handling.  Had to adjust the seat recline as the front is so high! Might be getting the cutting disc to this pair.

[Rust Collector]

2 minutes ago, Snake Charmer said:

Front springs fitted, ride height much higher as these are 17mm longer than the longest of the old springs. 7mm difference side to side on the old ones. Ride feels better, not had much of a chance to compare the handling.  Had to adjust the seat recline as the front is so high! Might be getting the cutting disc to this pair.

I need to do this on our w210, it’s an Avantgarde and whilst it looks pretty sitting low I keep smashing the radiator carriage on every bump and undulation. The roads round here are no good for low slung cars!

Does your car have SLS on the rear, and does the rear now sit as high as the front?

[Snake Charmer]

9 hours ago, Rust Collector said:

Does your car have SLS on the rear, and does the rear now sit as high as the front?

Yes, it has self levelling air on the rear but has not risen the same amount. 

 

[Snake Charmer]

One of the reasons for changing the front springs was I noticed a difference in ride height on the drivers side front arch. Since driving the car yesterday and today there is still a slight difference, mainly at the rear arch and quite likely related to the creaking noise I have noticed when the SBC does whatever it does when you unlock the car. Compressor,  rear air springs and all the dampers are under a year old so probably one of the arms or bushes. The joys of old cars.

[Snake Charmer]

Took a trip to Luton and collected a wing for my S211 in the correct colour, came back with a door and wing mirror too. Hoping the mirror is auto dimming!  Easy 47mpg on the way back at 56mph.

[vaughant]

Loving the updates 🫡🫡🫡

[Snake Charmer]

Despite two new tailgate gas struts the closure still seems a bit of a crash.  I noticed this morning one of the number plate sticky pads has come adrift and most of the noise is that flipping and flapping, much quieter with a digit applied. 🙄

I will at some stage attempt to change the hydraulic cylinder oil and give the system a bleed so it has no excuse not to close properly other than the cylinder being worn out and letting by.

Once I get a good look at the rear suspension arms the front springs may be getting part of a coil removed down to the old spring height, far too giffer for this old giffer.

[1duck]

I'd say 1500 is about right tbh, maybe a little low given that it has an MOT

[Snake Charmer]

3 hours ago, 1duck said:

I'd say 1500 is about right tbh, maybe a little low given that it has an MOT

Was that meant for @purplebargeken and his CLK? 🙂

[1duck]

35 minutes ago, Snake Charmer said:

Was that meant for @purplebargeken and his CLK? 🙂

Wrong thread altogether, it was meant for the Scirocco thread.

[Snake Charmer]

Fitted my new spare door mirror as the old one one is intermittent on folding. Pleased to see I have a dimming glass fitted, not so pleased it is bronze and boogernackered so I fitted my old glass. (Bottom lip still sticking out.)

Clipped the door tweeter in correctly, checked the wiring as the main door speaker I noticed is not working since fitting this Android radio. Tried the old radio and must not have been working previously. Prefer the sound from the old wireless!

Fitted some foam to the Android mounting frame as it doesn't locate properly on the tapered clamping system. Sits a little better now.

Went for a drive to test the wireless and sat in a lay-by with the iCarsoft to check the codes.

Bought beer in the late night garage. A more satisfying evening than the day at work, Lamborghini Gallardo roof not working. Apparently Lamborghini's need lubrication like mortal cars.

Splashed out on a yellow Fido Dido sticker for the apprentices grey toolbox as he's skinny and keeps leaning on things. 

Started looking into Star/Xentry setups. 'Kin 'ell, £££, $$$ and €€€!

Decided I'm not keen on the new Eibach front springs, I can sort the ride height but the spring rate is softer than the old Avantgarde springs and feels well overdamped now.

[vaughant]

I do recon this will be the best maintained s211 on the road when it eventually comes up for sale ( and praying I'll be in a position to buy it 😉😉).

[Snake Charmer]

On 12/07/2023 at 00:40, vaughant said:

I do recon this will be the best maintained s211 on the road when it eventually comes up for sale ( and praying I'll be in a position to buy it 😉😉).

That has cheered me up no end and put a smile on my face, thank you.  😊

I enjoy driving the car, it is genuinely beat up and scruffy outside, there are times I get in after a few days of repairing someone's mid life chrisis and realise I'm not £50k+ to into a shiny poorly driving GRP monstrosity passed down through a series of owners. Some days it even pleases after a sunny drive through leafy lanes in £500k+ car as the air-conditioning works!

If the insurance company ever cough up I will spend their money and some on paint then likely have to spend more on insurance for an agreed value and some performance modifications. It nearly went to Brands Hatch on  a track day recently. 

[Snake Charmer]

Bit the bullet and entered the world of Star diagnostic software, I will soon have a dedicated laptop and associated gubbins to trash any electronic components the S211 deems to throw at me. I did some digging and came up with a reliable solution recommended by other poor Mercedes owners. Not the cheapest route but has good support.

[Snake Charmer]

The newly fitted drivers door mirror decided not to unfold this morning so the problem is possibly on the wiring through the door shut as the speaker isn't working either. Unless I'm unlucky and the mirror has the same faults tge old one and the speaker is not plugged in. I  can see me stripping the original mirror down to check the wiring.

Did a bit of Googlefoo to see if the door shut loom can be removed and what's involved in fitting the spare door, looks quite easy. Just my luck, the bloody door glass is different so a full on strip down is needed!

At least I have a spare IR sensor for the door handle now that may work better. 

[Snake Charmer]

Stayed on a bit at work tonight and took the drivers door card off.  Speakers work so much better connected.

Refreshingly,  the door wires amount to six and are easily removed from the door to check out.

All I could find fault with. Taped them up and marked the area.

Quite looking forward to getting the software up and running to have a proper look at what's what. Nice having the other speaker running but the Android system definitely does not sound as good as the Clarion Mercedes system even when it had one speaker down.

[Snake Charmer]

Took a trip up to Chesham with @bobdisk as Co-pilot to look at another 2004 E320cdi estate in brienz blue as either a replacement or donor for my car. 5 faults on the dash and EML on, 61 stored codes. Best parts I could see for my car were two left-hand doors and a cup holder. The search continues........

Waiting for an SSD to arrive via the slowest USPS to Royal Mail service ever for my C4 diagnostic laptop, landed over a week ago at Heathrow. Harrumph with a capital H.

[Snake Charmer]

Woo hoo! C4 Mutleyperplexer up and running, windows, mirrors and tailgate buttons now all tickety boo. 

[Snake Charmer]

Had a few goes with the Xentry system to find my way around the software, frightening what it finds. The heated rear washer nozzle was off for some reason, I knew about altering the rear wiper delay time once the washer is pressed as that could be adjusted on the iCarsoft unit but the time between sweeps can be adjusted too. One special equipment option was coded in the car does not have and the mileage has a discrepancy between the dash and other places it is stored for some reason, that was the code I chased with the iCarsoft unit.

I now have 3 problems to solve, 2 software related and one is hardware that needs adjusting. Tonight I will have a look with the iCarsoft and see how many codes show compared to Xentry, I have a feeling it will be 2.