I know that the Mercedes W210 is labelled as the worst E-Class in history, but for me, this is an awesome deal given the ride quality, fuel efficiency & bulletproof engine.

BHPian Vmax1200 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Hey, fellow car enthusiasts!

I am sharing my recent used car buying experience with all of you.

After months of scouring online listings, visiting dealerships, and test driving more cars than I can count, I finally stumbled upon what seemed like the perfect used car for me—a sleek 1998 Mercedes Benz E250 Diesel (W210) and a price that didn't break the bank. The excitement was real!

First off, the initial meeting with the seller was smooth. We arranged to meet at his house, and the car looked even better in person than in the photos. The car had some issues like power steering pump leak, sound from suspension etc. But the engine and gearbox were in awesome condition. Literally no smoke at even full throttle. I was sold!

Some history

I started my quest for a new set of wheels with one brand in mind – the iconic Mercedes-Benz W124 E250. I had this dream of cruising in a classic boxy Benz, imagining the smooth rides and the envy-inducing stares. But the asking price of good condition W124s was too high.

In a sudden twist of fate, I found myself torn between W124 and W210. After a test drive, I made the leap and went for the W210. It felt like the right choice given the ride quality, 1/4 price of W124 etc.

After some back-and-forth with the owner, we finally settled on a price. But here's the kicker – the owner threw in a brand-new battery (15K) and a year of insurance coverage (10K) as part of the deal.

I know that this Benz is labelled as the worst E-class in history. But for me, this is an awesome deal given the ride quality, fuel efficiency (13-14 kmpl) and bulletproof engine (same W124 engine). Only issue I am facing is the low ground clearance.

In the quiet town where I reside, nestled between green hills and winding streets, my car emerges as a rare and distinctive presence amidst the commonplace vehicles that navigate our familiar roads. Currently, W210s are very rare. Most of them are either scrapped or in very bad condition. But I have the feeling that if I maintain the car with genuine spares and the right mechanic, this will be more reliable than the latest Mercs.

Mileage

Car has clocked 175,000 kms but the engine has good compression. These engines are known to clock 5,00,000 kms without any issues. Engine still starts in half crank.

Interior

Car still has the original leather upholstery without any cracks. Only needs some detailing. Planning to get new covers for the speaker as it is cracked. The rear seat is very comfortable for long-distance travel. The boot is large as well.

Air conditioning

Air conditioning is cooling adequately.

Gearshift & clutch

Clutch is soft and the gearshift is smooth. There is some vibration in the gear lever. I ordered gear lever bushes to rectify this.

Overall NVH levels

Not very quiet like new generation cars. Diesel clatter is audible in the cabin but I like the clatter of old-school engine

Fuel efficiency

Fuel efficiency is 12 in the city and 16-17 on the highway. These figures are on sedate driving.

Steering

Steering feel is good. The steering wheel has some wear. Planning to replace it in the near future.

Braking

Braking is not very effective. I bought new brake pads but need to replace the brake rotor as it is not smooth.

Drive

As expected from a naturally aspired non-turbo diesel, acceleration is just adequate only. But when the car gains momentum, it's fun. This engine is a real workhorse and can run on vegetable oil too (saw some videos on YouTube). I replaced all the O rings in the fuel line.

Things I like:

• Good road presence
• Magic carpet ride
• Engine's character (even though it's underpowered, loves the sound and feel)
• Timeless design

Things I don't like

• Low ground clearance
• Spare parts availability

Intended usage

Planning to use this car as my daily commute which is around 20 km

Final verdict

IMO, W210 is an understated car which is a real value for money. This is the right time to buy given the current market prices. Properly maintained and running examples are very few. So, the value will definitely go up in future. The facelift CDI models have good power and ground clearance but I feel it's easy to maintain this old-school NA diesel. The parts availability is ok in India. If you have any friends/relatives in the UK/Europe, parts are dirt cheap to buy. Almost all parts are available. I prefer brands like Lemforder/Febi as it is cheap and have good quality. For reference, the 4-piece tail lamps (Depo brand) costs INR 4,500. The car can be maintained in normal workshops.

Works planned:

• New headlights (Friend arranged brand new Hella from Germany)
• Tail lamps (Friend arranged from Dubai)
• Engine and gearbox mounts (Lemforder brand)
• Changing all fluids
• Power steering overhaul
• New brake pads and hand brake shoes
• Diesel filters
• Air filter
• New fog lamps (Friend arranged brand new OE from Germany)
• OE 15-inch rims (Currently in 17-inch S500 alloys)
• New tires (Yokohama S drive)
• Full suspension rebuild
• New ABS sensors
• Minor touch ups
• New Hood emblem, rear emblem etc
• New signal lights

Parts already arrived and will update the progress.

Front view

On Flatbed

Side view

OE Fog lamps

Signal light

New Yokohama in 15-inch alloys

Fuel filter

Brand new Hella headlamps

Oil filter

Diesel (Got turbo diesel as it is common overseas)

E250 badge

Shaft Rubber

Wheel bearing

Shocks

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Compared to the C-Class, the refinement of the E200 is next level. And the space at the back is much more than a BMW 5 Series.

BHPian Mission_PGPX recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Hello BHPians,

After 6 months of searching, I finally brought home a facelifted W212, E200 as my next car. It's a mid-2014 car with just 13000 kms on the ODO. Serviced 9 times in MB, and the owner did every single recommended change including tyres, engine and GB mounts, battery, coolant etc.

Service history added up, insurance was zero dep even in the 10th year. Took the test drive, and it was a true Mercedes experience. The refinement of MB petrol made me totally forget about the "kitna deti hai? " problem. I paid the top dollar (21.xx lacs) for this according to used car markets all over India, but it was the lower ODO reading and mental peace of mind for some time as a priority. One more important point was about protection from a possible 10-year diesel vehicle ban, that may come up in future.

Here are my key takeaways after doing a couple of highway trips:

Things I like:

1. I have owned a W204 C Class in diesel guise and never liked the cold start with a tractor-like sound at cold start. The E200 was at a different level of refinement and NVH levels.
2. The 2 ltr petrol engine with 184 bhp and 300 Nm of torque coming in at just 1250 rpm does the duty just fine. It does not feel slow, but just doesn't feel dramatic. The acceleration is linear and top speed stability is superb. Sport mode and paddle shifters make the enthusiast in me satisfied at the moment. 0-100 comes up in 7.9 secs so it still qualifies for that less than 10 sec car.
3. The interior does feel old by the current standards of Carplay and AA, but the build and finish are even better than current standards. It has ambient light (although only 3 colors). The aluminium vents feel sturdy and luxurious on touch. The aircon also has 3 settings Diffuse, Medium and Focus. I love the setting at diffuse, hardly any fan noise but still enough cool. I am still getting used to the steering-mounted gear lever though, especially while parking when I have to use my right hand for steering as well as shifting from R to D.
4. The space at the back feels higher than that in a 5 series. Back benchers get their own AC controls and vents on the pillar as well along with privacy / sunshades. Nowadays, the back sunshades do qualify as luxury / feature.
5. The intelligent LED headlight: This deserves a special mention since I have used the same in 5 series as well. I am highly impressed by the throw these LEDs make and for the first time, I could see the beam changing from deeper to low and back. The show is amazing. The illumination also adjusts according to speed on the highway, now that's intelligent.
6. Full size spare wheel, that too an alloy.
7. NVH level and refinement: I loved the NVH level in C class and this one is even better considering a petrol engine. I get a lovely exhaust note inside the cabin at over 5000 rpm. Below that it is super silent. Again, refinement while taking off without any pedal input is just like an EV, if I dare to say.
8. Surprisingly good Mileage: City + Highway mileage is closer to 14 kmpl which was a surprise since it is higher than 12.4 quoted by MB.

Things I don't like:

1. No folding rear seat: This would have improved the practicality aspect a whole lot more for buyers coming from VWs. I just can't imagine a reason why MB had not given it in India.
2. The door pockets can't hold a round bottle. I seldom use the center console cup holders for keeping drinks (fear of spilling).
3. 7G Tronic GB: After using DSG and 8-speed ZF, this one feels slow to react to accelerator inputs. Also, the same gearbox had a speed sensor that failed in my C-class at 80,000 kms and eventually valve body and conductor plate went kaput at 100,000 kms so had to sell the car itself. Hope this one stays trouble-free for 3-4 years at least.
4. Suspension set-up: Super comfortable at city speeds but makes highspeed changes a bit nervous, it could be due to the sheer size of the car.

Next Steps:

1. A good stage 1 Remap: Quantum is in my mind giving gains up to 230 Bhp and 400 Nm of torque.
2. Wheel hub caps are losing color somehow, I will replace them.
3. Analogue clock is not working, I tried setting the time and making all changes possible via YT videos and forums. It costs a whopping 30000 bucks to replace. Any experience in this regard would help.
4. Getting the Audio 20 upgrade to a bigger screen and carplay.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

I simply love it and when I find myself in a car with a calf support, I use it even for a 20 min car ride.

BHPian Sahil recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Ottoman Seats are the best thing that happened to rear seat comfort since the introduction of the air suspension decades ago. Infact, they provide more tangible comfort than a cushy suspension does.

In a chauffer driven market like ours, these seats are fast catching on but I think they further need to gather some pace. They now exist in cars right from the GLS Maybach to Toyota Innova Hycross ZX.

This one feature is enough to make a car a hit even if it looks like a 'dabba' aka The Vellfire. Several others have done well in our market such as the Kia Carnival.

From the Sedans currently only the higher end models like the S,7 and A8 offer this. I hope with the new E LWB and 5 LWB due next year, we see this feature catching on.

I simply love it and when I find myself in a car with a calf support, I use it even for a 20 min car ride.

What your take on it?

I hope this poll compels more car makers to explore adding this to their rear seats! Or even front passenger seat like the Nissan Tian did over a decade ago!

Here's what BHPian Shreyas_Jain had to say on the matter:

Frankly, not enough people have had the experience of ottoman seats to have a poll of consequence. This is still a feature beyond the mass market. The closest it has come to being democratised has been the top ZX model of the Innova HyCross. But even that has been a blow hot - blow cold kind of car with its extremely limited availability and overall cost cutting which kills the interior ambiance and feel.

Ottoman seats require a big car with a very long wheelbase and loads of legroom. Indian mass market cars are simply not big enough for this to catch on and become a trend like sunroofs.

Here's what BHPian ron178 had to say on the matter:

Tried them in a Toyota Vellfire and they made the whole experience a lot better.

But in shorter-wheelbase models like the Innova Hycross they can at best improve thigh support when set to their mid-position (feet just below the front seat). Even with the seat as far back as possible, for most people they will be impossible to extend fully without flexing their knees.

Given the option, I would certainly choose "depends on car".

Here's what BHPian Haze had to say on the matter:

As a 6'0" guy, I have tried them in various overnight Volvo buses, and disliked them in every single one of them.

So my vote would have been "Strongly dislike".

Here's what BHPian Jeroen had to say on the matter:

Can’t say I ever had the pleasure of sitting on such a seat on a car.

However, I do have such a reclining leather seat as a stand alone chair at home.

It has travelled with me all over the world. Nobody sits in my chair other than me. As soon as I sit down and recline the cat will jump in my lap. She knows I ain’t getting up.

My wife and my kids call it my old git chair! I don’t care, super comfy and relaxing

Jeroen

Read BHPian comments for more insights and information.

The Indian version is expected to get 4 and 6-cylinder petrol and diesel engine options.

Mercedes-Benz has unveiled the long-wheelbase version of the 6th-generation E-Class. The sedan will initially go on sale in China and will be introduced in India in the second half of 2024.

The new E-Class LWB measures 5,092 mm in length, 1,880 mm in width and 1,493 mm in height. The wheelbase has been extended to 3,094 mm, which is longer than the E-Class LWB currently sold in India.

In terms of design, the 6th-gen E-Class LWB looks similar to the standard model, except for the stretched rear doors. The interior has been carried over from the standard model and gets Mercedes’ “Superscreen” setup that includes a 14.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system in the centre with an additional screen on the passenger side and a 12.2-inch digital instrument cluster. The sedan also features power reclining rear seats with an ottoman function, air suspension and rear wheel steering.

In China, the 2024 E-Class long-wheelbase will be offered with a 6-cylinder petrol engine. The Indian version, however, is expected to get 4 and 6-cylinder petrol and diesel engine options.

The new car will be mostly used 1-2 days a week (for city meetings) & for Sunday drives, so require it to be well spaced in the back seat as we are now used to comfort of our S class.

BHPian alashkari recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

This is my first post on Team-BHP. First of all I would like to thank the community for the knowledge i have gained from the last one year since I have gone through various posts.

Last year in October we bought a Tata Harrier Automatic which is my daily driver & a Tata Punch automatic for my wife. We also have a pre-owned Mercedes S class (V221) which we got 2 years back & is mostly used on Sunday drives by me or when my father goes to his meetings outside the city. Extremely happy with the car but have spent close to 6-7 Lakhs for its upkeep. We also have a 14 year old Honda civic which is mostly used once a fortnight by my father just for the upkeep of the engine & the car. Both the S class & Civic are driven by the driver.

Since the last 2 months there is a itch to get a new car as the Mercedes is also 14 years old. Mostly if in the future there are major issues in the car will keep it for its vintage value . The new car will be mostly used 1-2 days a week (for city meetings) & for Sunday drives, so require it to be well spaced in the back seat as we are now used to comfort of our S class. The car will be driven by me + our driver & we both like normal sedate drivers. We like the car to be filled with lot of gizmos as we have the mentality that paying such a hefty amount we want all the features to be available.

We have checked the below car & on further knowledge gained from the forums & other YT videos have deduced the below observations-

• BMW 6GT- Quite a stunner & have reclining rear seats which is a big positive for both my father & myself. Also have rear set screens. Car shall be driven by the driver & myself. The only drawback is that I have read that car shall be discontinued from this year onwards. Got quote for OTR @ Rs. 84 Lakhs.

• BMW 330 GLi- Have read positive reviews on the internet. Have the BMW driving pleasure + rear seat space. The front touchscreen looks amazing. Car luxury feel is not at par with the mercedes.

• Mercedes E class LWB - Good looking & amazing interior but found a lot of semblance to our S class. No USP for us. Got quote of OTR price for Rs. 85 Lakhs.

• Audi A6- Went just for checking the car for the sake of it but came out exteremely happy. Timeless design + Amazing interior + lot of gizmos. Got quote for OTR with Matrix light @ Rs. 77 Lakhs.

• Ioniq 5 - Saw the car on the road & it was mesmerised by the design. Went to the dealership & the car was very unique unlike other cars that we have seen above. Car is full of Gizmos & the rear seat, front seat comfort is quite good. If we go ahead with this car it will be our first EV & then will be our daily driver. Harrier will be relegated to the highway drives. Got quote for On road price of Rs. 48 Lakhs. The only thing is that the car doesn't have the german cars badge value.

We are yet to take the test drive of all the cars listed above.

Request your opinion should we go with the Ioniq or the Audi/BMW.

Thank you!

Here's what GTO had to say on the matter:

The Ioniq 5 is a phenomenal EV and technologically ahead of most cars that you've listed. It has a big "wow" factor to it and is an all-rounder too, easily useable as a daily driver or on the highway. I think it is one of the best cars you can buy today for 50 lakhs.

If you love it, go for it. But I can tell you that, as great as the Ioniq 5 is, it won't match the sheer quality & luxury of a car like the 6-Series. End of the day, you are comparing the quality of a 50-lakh car with a 90-lakh one. If you want luxury, then the 6-Series is best for you. Whoever owns the car absolutely loves it.

Since you have experience with the S-Class & used cars, I would actually suggest you get a late model W222 facelift model. One of the best S-Class ever made IMHO. A late model W222 will offer you acceptable reliability too.

If you want to spend 50-lakhs, go for the Ioniq 5.

If you want to spend 80 - 90 lakhs, then the new 6-Series or a late model W222.

Here's what BHPian zandot had to say on the matter:

I love my Ioniq5, it is the ultimate daily driver and when it boils down to it, it has more features than my ‘22 5 series. Not only does it drive better, cheaper to run, as luxurious inside, turns more heads and gets more comments from people that have much nicer cars.. but when it boils down to it - a BMW is a BMW.

Are you looking for simple badge value? Then a Hyundai won’t cut it, but if you’re looking for an incredible piece of tech that actually delivers almost everything what an EV should be.

Ultimately would you be happy buying a Hyundai instead of an Audi/BMW?

I personally ended up getting a used 5 series instead of a new one just so I could have the Ioniq too. See how you feel after the test drive, EVs aren’t for everybody. Perhaps you could get a lightly used 6 series/A6 down the line as there are some fantastic deals out there to go with the Ioniq.

Here's what BHPian Actuator had to say on the matter:

From your garage, it is evident that you tend to keep your cars for a long time. Although EVs have captured many enthusiasts' attention, ICE cars, ostensibly in their swansong, are still the purists' choice. While the Ioniq 5 looks futuristic and striking, I don't see it justifying its price tag in the long run, especially with an unproven track record of EVs' battery degradation, replacement timeline and cost. However, if you have your heart set on switching to electric, you could probably check out the Volvo XC40 Recharge which should provide a better badge value in the same price band.

The W214 has already been launched internationally and is expected on our shores next year, so you should probably hold off buying the last-gen facelift. The A6 looks like an ideal proposition and considering the quoted price, seems value for money too.

Here's what BHPian vattyboy had to say on the matter:

If you have a budget for E class or 6 series or A6 then go for one among them. They will provide you with luxury and you will earn some respect from the public on the roads, your relatives and friends.

If you are price-conscious then connect to 3- 4 Audi dealers in your state or nearby states, and you will get a good deal on it surely below 77 lakh.

Here's what BHPian Vijay_T had to say on the matter:

Your garage allows to have Ioniq IMO instead of German sedans.

As many have pointed out,it's badge value is less but you will have fun driving it with all those gizmos available at your disposal along with sheer pulling power.

Ultimately it should be a decision of heart over head when one has such a fantastic garage.

Read BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Bringing home a Benz is truly special especially the first one. Even more so when it's a dream that has been there for a long time.

BHPian cefiljoseph recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

"Where curiosity meets forbidden fruit, the heart wrestles between the desire for pleasure and the fear of consequences."

Most of us on this forum would agree that Germans stand at the top of the car food-chain. It's no news but why is it so? German engineers over the last century have near perfected the art turning engineering into enthusiastic little toys for the car loving child that lives within us. This little child amongst all of us irrespective of our current age loves to be coddled in the laps of luxury, loves to feel safe like we were with our parents and loves to be have a blast on the open roads without worrying about fuel economy as if money can just be printed like that. Umm that's kind of what the governments do these days oops. Well, that's a story for another day

Everyone in the community agrees that these cars are relatively harder to take care of. A major component going wrong or a accident outside the seven year zero-depreciation insurance period would be enough for an owner to swear one of these brands out for their life. Even more so at this vintage of fifteen years it's would painstakingly hard to keep one running if not impossible. Or is it?

Through this thread, I wanted to share the continuing journey of how we bought and are owning a Mercedes W211 E280 CDI E-Klasse after yearning for a German car for almost a decade. I don't just want to talk about it with an enthusiast lens but also through socioeconomic and psychological perspectives which are discussed or even observed far lesser in comparison.

Might not have been the easiest ownership. Just like with any good things in life it comes at a price

In search of a star.

Are car enthusiasts born or created?

Spoiler alert: It's both.

I was in the middle of a an entrepreneurship session with one of the pioneers, Mark Searle from Berkely University. He was talking about the trainings he does to inculcate leadership skills in individuals and how powerful the skill was. One curious student asked Mark, "Aren't people born as leaders and is it something really that can be coached?" Mark graciously answered with a counter example of athletes. Are the best athletes born or coached? It's both plus their environment, privilege they hold in the society, genetics all play significant roles in it.

In my humble opinion, this is wonderful analogy to think about car enthusiasm as well. Most people have an innate love for cars. Some people get it genetically, some have the conducive condition and financially sounds families which fuel this passion, some have good environments where they are around people who loved and talks about cars. However, there are levels to this. Someone might just momentarily observe a car passing by and think, "that's a good car" and someone else might build their entire lives around cars. i.e., own a garage to fix cars, make content around cars, be in business of selling and buying cars, the world is your canvas.

I too had a story of getting into cars very young. I have always been fascinated by the idea of cars. I feel it's the humanish design that connects us with cars in some sense. Like we have two hands and two legs, cars too have two front wheels and two rear wheels. There is an heart that beats it a.k.a the engine(motors too). A network of wires like our nervous systems and so on. Just like with humans when all of these things come in unison it gives the effect of creating something that's greater than the sum of all parts. Germans have a word for this called Gestalt. Perhaps the German engineers understand this and it's no coincidence that they end up making the best cars out there.

I kind of knew this from a very young age that I really wanted one at home. I was maybe six or seven when I learned that BMW makes really fast cars. At the time going fast was the only parameter I looked for when evaluating a car. Oh, it still is. Just that I tweaked the definition of "fast" from speed to the sensation of speed which is what we experience

Anyways going back to my six year old self, I had been a agnostic child which isn't a good place to be when your mother is a hardcore believer. It's always like this isn't it?

Challenging my mother about god not existing was my sport then. At some point she had told me that god gives us the things we ask for. To prove her wrong, I asked her that if I pray for a BMW will god give me one? Being low-key done with me and as a last resort to get me to pray she told yes god will give you a BMW if you pray for it sincerely.

I took this seriously and started praying everyday mostly loudly saying "please give a BMW in our home" hehe

Till day not sure if it was the power of manifestation of the magic of god himself , a few years of me praying continuously, when I turned ten, my father in fact did trade the Innova we had then for an E90 320d. It was truly an on top of the world feeling to have it.

Forget being in it, even being around the car filled me with pride and joy

BMW shenanigans and realignment

Happiness doesn't last long especially when you have a BMW

Wasn't any different for us, maybe god wanted to teach me a lesson for question it's existence, he gave us this e-series bimmer. Don't get me wrong it was exceptionally engaging to be in it and feel the peppy acceleration and engagement even as a passenger at least for me when my father drove it around.

However, for better or worse, we felt the sour of this lemon early into the ownership. There were some weird rattles and issues that happened within the warranty period which didn't really inspire confidence to keep it longer. The fact that the Kochi dealer then, Platino Classic were downright frauds and horrible to deal with (Read - https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/india...o-classic.html (BMW terminates dealer agreement with Platino Classic)) made this decision even more easier. Immediately after the warranty period, baby bimmer was gone. Having learned our German car lesson, we played it safe and got a good 'ol Fortuner.

Back, then I did't realise the nuances of warranty or anything. I thought my dad was doing the stupidest thing when I saw him exchanging a 3er for a glorified Toyota pickup. However, ten years later taking the Fortuner for it's service and seeing the advisor struggling to cross ten grands for it, I couldn't have been more wrong. Seeing the mighty Fortuner still looking and driving like it's almost new made me realise that German cars shine during the warranty period while the Japanese shine once it's out of it.

All that said and done, as much as I loved and appreciated the Fortuner, there is no denying that a German car leaving creates a void that only another German can fill.

"Longing is the bridge between the present and the someday we dream of"

Years went by, while the world changed, our love for cars remained the same. Having a German was still the dream. My mother did buy a boring Dzire sometime in between but that didn't change anything. I moved out of my home to Delhi for my undergrad at Ashoka. However, a semester and half into my dream college experience, pandemic changed our lives in way we couldn't imagine and I was back at home. With the newer disposable incomes and changing economies and personal priorities, we started talking (well me mostly nudging my family ) about getting a German during this period. Seeing the value and the stigma going away in the used car segment we had decided that it had to be a used German. It wasn't a serious search or anything but we did visit some of the large used-car dealers to scout for one semi-seriosuly.

Soon the pandemic situation subsided, I returned to college in my final semester and landed a job in Mumbai. That's when Coco came into life.

Coco in some sense was the precursor to get W211. Getting her inspired confidence in pre-owned cars and we were ready for a bigger German bet

As you mature as a car enthusiast you incline more towards a Mercedes.

I know it's a big claim to say that Mercedes is the best brand especially on an automotive forum where all kinds of people exist. Yet, I stand by my words and let me try to convince you too to go for a used Mercedes

I was always a horses guy - the best car in my eyes would be the one that went the fastest and that was it. However, the more I started going deep into forums and research, I realised that Mercs were more reliable since we were looking at cars in the 10-15 lakhs budget. Moreover, we didn't want a German for the sake of the brand but for the car itself. So, we didn't want it to be just another 4-pot sedan. We were strictly looking for something special ideally a V6 or a V8.

Started by compared the Bimmers and Mercs from the same era. E60 v/s W211, E90 v/s W204 and E65 v/s W221. Time and again, realised that Mercedes was simply ahead in terms of the engineering, design and manufacturing. Someone might say that the bimmer counterpart is more athletic and while that is true, it is not the point of a Mercedes. It's simply to to glide over tarmac which they excel in. It's this kind of honesty to the purpose while cutting out the noise on focusing on other aspects like performance that got me hoooked on to it. However, this comes with Caveats. It's only for specific eras where this is valid. Moreover, it's particularly true for turbodiesel Mercs. As a counterexample say if the I was looking at something after 2013/14, I would gravitate more towards the equivalent bimmer unless of course it's the S-Class which captures the Mercedes persona the best.

Honesty to it's ethos - This is something that's always beautiful whether it's done by a car manufacturer or a human. When you are focused at a goal and in the case with Mercedes to offer the best luxury and quality build as it's first priority, it becomes an art piece on wheels.

Heritage and Tradition - Mercedes literally invented the car with the Patent Wagen. They survived in the industry for more than a century which is not just exceptional by car manufacturer standards but also by any organisation standards. This gives them a really good understanding of making cars especially when it comes to ergonomics and design. The rear parking sensors that appears in the Rear view mirror one brilliant execution of this. The list doesn't end there. The headrests that fall down on the touch of a button, REST option on the AC which directs the hot air from the engine to prevent condensation are all clever touches that comes with expertise that is only unique to a Merc. To add to this, the precise placement of hand rests on the door pads and the the sun visor that extends when blocking the sun are all features that add intangible value but never come on a spec sheet. These are things we really appreciate over time. I'm sure that there are many more features that I'm yet to discover in these stars that is yet to reveal it's marvel going forward.

Engineering, built and design quality - Mercedes spends massive amounts for R&D and it's observed in the innovations they make and the superior nature of their cars. The built quality is also commendable. This is why it is often called as indestructible tanks. Well, almost.

On the whole, a V6 or a V8 Mercedes E-class/S-class respectively seemed like the perfect fit for our use case and requirements.

This is by no means to say other manufacturers are not great, it's just that it's a matter of fit and a true blooded star seemed to be the perfect fit in our case.

Now we get into the harder part - addressing the challenges, deciding on the exact model and finding a decent example.

Scale model exhibition at LandMark Thane. Living in Hiranandani Estate, they were our beloved friendly neighbourhood Mercedes Benz dealer. Quick to answer any queries and always supported in our ownership as you will be reading ahead.

Money don't jiggle jiggle, it folds.

Right of the bat when the conversation comes up about getting an older Merc, everyone straight up jumps to the conclusion that it's an endless money pit and something only a madman can do.

There is some degree of truth and sincerity to this advice. It's no surprise that many cars are abandoned on roads. It usually happens at a point where the cost of saving the car is more than it's current value. However, there is more to it.

Let me unpack this. Take the most extreme example of W220/W221 S-Klasse. These cars can be had for as low as 2-3 lakhs. However, the cost of repair including the Airmatic, Air Conditioning systems, Steering Rack, Electricals etc might cost maybe 10-20 percent of the cars original price. In the case of a W220/W221, this amounts to 10-20 lakhs. So why would anyone in their right minds be willing to shell out this kind of money when the car's value itself is peanuts. One word - experience. If you need to get the same experience today of the W220/W221 S-Klasse, there is no other way but to spend 2-3 crores to get the latest W223 S-Klasse. This perspective is what most people lakh in my opinion. Therefore, in my opinion, while the money might seem high in absolute terms and might not be justifiable for everyone to spend, in my humble opinion it's moeny that's well spent.

This isn't just theory. Many people do in fact realise this and keep their stars shining as bright as possible.

In a world where a Jeep compass costs 30 big ones, getting a big mighty S for the same is a steal. It's definitely not a bad place to be.

Does it comes with risks? Of course it does. Does it mean you don't do things that involve risks? Anything worth doing rarely comes without risks. Excellence doesn't come from avoiding risks rather by learning how to manage it. In this case, what it means would be instead of a Creta or a Compass you now get to have a V6 or a V8 Mercedes beauty.

I also think it's an ego risk that you have to take. I have seen two kinds of approached people have when they hear about us getting a W211. The first approach is trying to learn more about the ownership so that they can someday potentially get one. This is a growth attitude that benefits everyone. I really appreciate this and I'm willing to help anyone out there with whatever little information and experience I hold. There is a second approach that is horrible - to simply complain about anything and everything once they know we got a W211. Oftentimes, I have noticed that these comments comes from people who have absolutely no idea about these cars and just want to add on to the negativity. They are also not even willing to hear about anything and appear to be out of reform. These are the people who say things like, it will be scrapped after 15 years or this will always give you troubles and stuff. Now, I get there are some merits to this but it's not things which aren't addressable. You can pay the green tax get additional five years, do preventative maintenance to keep the car fresh again and so on. Complaining does no good. Thinking about solutions is what moves us forward and improves life.

Too many stars in the Galaxy

Now that it was decided that we were getting a full-sized star, we started hunting for models more seriously and comparing the models with each other.

S500 - this was the first car we seriously considered. We specifically only wanted the V8 since we would be shelling a lot on it, might as well be a V8 and enjoy the endless torque. We saw some examples in Mumabi but on further checks found one or the other issue with them. Like with all other places, dealers tried to do horrible things. Finding a good example became a challenge and we then decided to not splurge for the S and look for a more reasonable E.

Then I moved the conversation towards getting an even older model with lesser complications yet with the complete persona of a star. W123 is what I'm talking about. Reliable, timeless and relatively easy to keep running. However, the current giving rates of 7-8 wasn't cool in my opinion but still it would be a financially terrible things to do since it holds value. I and my dad test drove some examples. We concluded that when there is a W211 and W212 going for the same price, it doesn't make sense to get this when those cars are much more fun and simply put better. We really didn't want to give into any artifical hype that was created around these cars. Maybe if it were 2-3 lakhs a W123 would have been fine.

So, after moving from a modern star to a classic star, we once again decided to look at more modern models - W211 and W212. However, like we earlier decided, only the V6 versions would be considered.

I drove some W212s but didn't really connect with the car. Don't get me wrong, it was a good car but it just didn't speak to me.

Then I went and drove the W211 and it was instant love. We saw some cars in Thrissur, Kerala where we are from and in Mumbai where we were both working at the time.

First we saw the car in Thrissur. It looked decent so we decided to take it for an inspection at Infinity Autodynamik which is a competent independent shop there. They diagnosed it with multiple issues and faults and told us to pass it.

Then I saw another car in Mumbai which was a final year special edition model. it seemed like the perfect and best W211 to have. However, this car too seemed fine but when I sent it for inspection, they found it to be in poor condition.

Then I found another example in Mumbai which seemed to be in good condition. My dad too came up with a lead that he had a colleague who owned a W211 and was ready to part with. On hearing the name of the owner I realised that both of us had found the same person. Maybe it was sign. We saw the car, went through service records, checked it and sealed the deal. We had agreed on some work that needed to be carried out before handing over the car to us to which he obliged. We closed the deal for 4.25. We also had a thumb rule that we would need 10-20 percent of the original cost of the car saved for immediate maintenance and upkeep. For the W211 this amounted to 5-10 lakhs.

Bringing home the best star for Christmas

Continue reading BHPian cefil_joseph's review on his used Mercedes E-Class for more insights and information.

One thing was sure. I wanted to trust the job with someone who was a transmission specialist. Not a general workshop.

BHPian BowMan recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

My 722.9 rebuild journey starts about two years back when I got myself an W211. The car ran beautifully for a year and then suddenly one day my dad was driving it and I thought I heard the first signs of transmission slippage. Initially I wanted to wish away my worst fears but after about 20-25 Km of driving back home all doubts were laid to rest and sure enough the transmission was slipping, and the car limped back home.

Once home I called my friendly mechanic and discussed the symptoms. Now as it was, the car was at 65K Kms, so the 722.9 tranny fluid change was due. We decided to do a fluid change and see if it helps the situation. Few things about this procedure. I had specifically instructed my FNG to call me up when he drops the pan as I personally wanted to inspect it. However, for some reason he failed to do this. He even did not manage to take any pictures of the transmission pan which could be inspected later. I was a little bit annoyed at this, but the fluid change did seem to cure the issue at least for some time.
However, the good news did not last long. Within a few weeks after returning from Ahmedabad I again had the same symptoms. The car had to be transported on flatbed to the mechanic. It was obvious that the fluid flush had not solved the issue, so we agreed to take out the tranny and do a service. This would include cleaning and checking the valve body, solenoid flush, and the likes. We would then drive the car for a few odd hundred KMs and open the pan to see if things were holding up or not. Now again the tranny service was done by my mechanic in a bit of hurry so I could not personally inspect my transmission when it was out of the car. However, my mechanic did confirm a lot of debris and some wear on the front planet carrier.

I was staring at a tranny rebuild now. However as planned I did drive the car for 700 Km after the flush and then we opened the pan. The sight was not good, and I found my magnets covered with debris. By this time, I had also invested in a Xentry system. I took readings of my clutch fill times and I could see that some of the important clutches were near the end of their adjustment spec range.

So, I started to gather information about possible transmission rebuild specialists. One thing was sure. I wanted to trust the job with someone who was a transmission specialist. Not a general workshop that can also do transmission rebuilds. The 722.9 trannies are relatively very simple to open and reassemble and no special tools are required. However, to do a rebuild that lasts is something that is complicated with a lot of specifications that need to be checked every step of the rebuild. Most workshops that claim to do transmission rebuilds do not have a complete idea of what they are undertaking. What they are doing is opening up the transmission, plonking in new parts, and hoping the things lasts at least till sometime.

However, it was getting difficult to locate a transmission specialist. In most of the workshops I inquired around the country the scene there was general workshops were also doing transmission jobs. I called a few such workshops and put a probing question to them. None of them gave me a satisfactory reply. I had also put up a few inquiries on WhatsApp groups. I got a response from one of the Groups with a lot of esteemed Mercedes enthusiasts in and around Mumbai area and one of the more promising lead was Sehmbi Transmission in Madh. The rest were again mostly general workshops, some of which were very reputed, but not transmission specialists. I was told by the person that though he had not used their services but knew they have been in business for a very long time. All this made Sehmbi look very promising to me as a partner to take care of my transmission rebuild project. After a few more days of exhausting other leads, I finally decided to call Harjeet and asked him a few probing questions. He came across to me as someone who is very technically very sound. As it happened a few other incidents reaffirmed my assessment that Sehmbi was the best option. I was suspecting that given the number of debris on my magnets not just the bell housing end but the Torque Converter also needs to be replaced or rebuilt. I had asked Harjeet and Imran on phone if he can get my Torque Converter rebuilt as well. He had said that he does in fact rebuild TCs right here in Mumbai. Now Torque Converter rebuild is not an easy job and there are just a handful of places in the world that have a success with this operation. So I was not very sure of Harjeet’s claims. Maybe he was bluffing? So I kept on an independent search of Torque Converters on eBay and Facebook etc. Now it happened that one very large firm in China is manufacturing and rebuilding TCs and I happened to contact them. The owner of the firm asked me if I have a workshop? I Told him ‘no’, but I am searching a Torque Converter for my own car. The guy asked me ‘But who is doing your rebuild’? I told him one Sehmbi transmissions in Mumbai. The guy immediately pinged me back ‘Is it Harjeet? This was now all the confirmation I ever needed.

So with the serviced but limping transmission I planned a 500Km Trip to Madh. Before I started, I took my Xentry readings. The K3 clutch which is a common clutch in the 722.9 transmission was showing very little adjustment spec left. However, the car did manage the drive all the way to Madh. I reached Madh and again took Xenty readings before I handed the car keys to Harjeet. I had lost 17% clutch fill time spec on the B1 clutch and about 5-6% spec range was remaining before the TCU would have reached its limit to adjust for the wearing clutches and the transmission would have slipped once again. I had reached Sehmbi just in the nick of time.

I was given a quote over email for the transmission rebuild which would cover everything from new clutches and brakes, solenoids, valve body, conductor plate etc. I insisted on the Torque Converter to be checked as well and if any doubts it should be addressed as well as part of the rebuild. I was told that that would be extra. And if I can arrange the Torque Converter then they would be happy to use my arranged TC or they can do it for me.

The clock started ticking, and the anticipation grew as I awaited the completion of the transmission rebuild. The time span was set at 15 days, with a few extra days allocated should the Torque Converter join the rejuvenation process. Throughout this transformative period, Imran became a reassuring presence, keeping me well-informed with weekly updates.

Finally, the moment of truth arrived, and my car was returned to me within the promised timeline. A sense of suspense filled the air as I prepared for the ultimate test: the Mumbai to Ahmedabad drive back home. Each shift was scrutinized with eagerness, and the transmission's performance left me impressed. Smooth and seamless, it exhibited a gracefulness that is characteristic of these Transmissions from Mercedes Benz.

Months have passed since that exhilarating drive, and I find myself enjoying a successful rebuild. The transmission continues to shift flawlessly, infusing my drives with joy and confidence. Regular check-ups with Xentry confirm the stability of clutch fill times, further reinforcing the sense of reassurance.

As I cruise along the open roads, I can't help but think of sharing my experience with others. The challenges faced, the planning, and the seamless collaboration with the service team have culminated in a positive ending. My car is back to its former glory, and every drive is a reminder of this long but satisfying journey.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information

Once you get used to these, it’ll be very hard to justify a new car purchase at any price point.

BHPian GT3 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

I would like to share my experience of owning 4 decade old Germans in this thread. I am not well versed in writing an expert review on cars. I will just share my genuine thoughts on the ownership experience of these cars. My dream was to own an E60 530D, but before I could do that I bought 3 other Germans.

Purchase 1: 2006 Skoda Octavia 1.9 TDI

Our first German car was the Skoda Octavia TDI, which we got from a Dealer. We purchased it in 2013 and sold it in 2015, only because of boredom. It had run 1,10,000 kms when we got it and had it till 1,50,000 kms. It was a 3rd owner's car and was not company maintained, so there was no guarantee regarding the genuinity of the odometer. We took a leap of faith and purchased it. Thankfully it was a fruitful ownership experience and we got to experience first hand the depth of engineering these cars had to offer. Sadly I don’t have any pictures of the car now. Will share in the future if I retrieve any photos.

Pros:

• It is the Innova of the German cars. It will run 5,00,000 kms trouble free even if abused.
• The 1.9 TDI had linear acceleration without any turbo lag. I also like the gruff and crude noise of this engine.
• Fuel efficiency of 18-20 kmpl.
• It just demolishes bad roads with ease and I never slowed down for bad roads like I did with the other cars mentioned below.
• Stable handling with a feelsome steering.
• Built like a tank.
• Excellent VFM as a used buy at that time.
• Cheap maintenance.

Cons:

• The car was too low to the ground, elderly people might have trouble getting in and out. The ground clearance was also an issue.
• Honestly couldn’t think of any other con. I feel the car was way ahead of it’s time when it was launched in India.

Purchase 2: 2011 Jetta DSG

Towards the end of 2019, while still searching for that elusive E60 530D, I also started searching for a well maintained Jetta, Laura, Passat. While browsing through the OLX app(which is my favorite social media and time pass) I came across a doctor owned New Shape 2011 Jetta DSG which was with the 3rd owner. It had run 1,00,000 kms and was fully company maintained. Even though a 3rd owner car might ring alarm bells, it was in an excellent condition and a major service was done. The tyres and battery were replaced recently. I bought the car after getting it inspected at the service center.

I used the car for close to 1.5 years and 20,000 kms and sold it.

Pros:

• Extreme value for money. I bought it at a price less than that of the base model Renault Kwid.
• Excellent engine with a good balance of performance and efficiency. I got an average of 15-16 kmpl.
• Balanced ride and handling.
• Very reasonable maintenance costs.
• Average Reliability.
• Compact size and reasonable ground clearance for a D Segment sedan.

Cons:

• Missing Bluetooth and Reverse Camera in my Model Year.
• Body parts are hard to source.
• The 2011 model, didn't have LED headlights, so it might look like a Vento to some.

Purchase 3: 2010 MB E350 CDI

Towards the end of 2020, since no well maintained E60 530d was available, I also started searching for other 3.0 diesels. Saw a few X5's but did not like them. Then again a doctor owned 2010 MB E350 CDI came up on the radar. It was with the second owner and had run 85,000. Just like the Jetta, the MB was also recently serviced and had its tyres and battery replaced. It was not fully company maintained but the service history was available.

It has run 1,30,000 currently. I might replace it with a L322 Range Rover, W221 S350 CDI, Facelift W212 E350 CDI or the Endeavour 3.2.

Pros:

• Excellent comfort, it feels like you are floating on the road.
• The performance is good, if not excellent for a 3.0 diesel.
• The prestige associated with the 3 pointed star.
• Solid build quality and the car feels like a tank.
• Reasonable VFM. Got it for the price of a mid-variant Ciaz.
• The interiors still look brand new considering it is a 13 year old car.
• It is more suited to our road conditions than the E60.
• Good reliability.

Cons:

• Not a fun to drive car. The engine, gearbox and suspension are suited towards comfort. It might not be a con for the target audience.
• Spares are eye wateringly expensive.
• It is not fuel efficient like the new age 3.0 diesels, I get an average of 8-10 kmpl.
• Body parts are hard to source.

Purchase 4: 2008 BMW 530D

As usual, I was still scanning through OLX and other classifieds, for an E60 530d. Then one fine day, towards the end of 2022 my known contact in KUN BMW, informed me of an E60 530D that had come in for exchange during a used car festival at KUN BMW, Chennai. I immediately went to Chennai the next day from Coimbatore. Saw it, drove it, checked the service history and bought it immediately. It had done 90,000 kms when I saw it. Like my previous purchases, a major service, tyres and insurance were done recently by the previous owner.

It has run 1,00,000 kms currently. I might sell the car, since it is too stiff for the most of our roads, but it is a dream on smooth tarmac. I might replace it with the F10 530D or Panamera or a Cayenne.

Pros:

• A dream to drive on perfect tarmac. No other car comes even close to this at this budget.
• Still looks stylish and contemporary after close to 20 years since it was designed.
• Bomb of an engine and handles like it’s on rails.
• Extreme VFM. Got it for the price of a Middle Variant Swift.
• Average reliability.

Cons:

• Extremely stiff ride which is not suitable for most of our Indian roads. I thought it’ll be manageable, but it’s not, even after replacing the struts.
• Rubber parts are showing signs of ageing, since it’s 15 years old.
• It is not fuel efficient like the new age 3.0 diesels, I get an average of 8-10 kmpl.
• Interiors don’t have the same quality as the Mercs of similar vintage (Though newer BMW's have improved vastly nowadays). There is a huge difference.
• Body parts are hard to source.

My general thoughts after owning 3 old Germans

• These cars are excellent VFM as used buys. Once you get used to these, it’ll be very hard to justify a new car purchase at any price point.

• If you want peace of mind I would suggest getting a car 5 year old German. Even though 10-15 year old cars are reasonably reliable it will not be a rosy path as there will be constant minor niggles. God forbid, there is a fair chance you might end up with a white elephant.

• But if you are someone like me who wants to experience different flavours of cars without hurting the wallet much and you are someone who changes cars frequently and you don’t mind the small niggles and is willing to take the risk, I would suggest getting 10 year old Germans.

• A competent FNG is a must. Otherwise don’t even think about owning a 10 year old German.

• Go for a model that is generally reliable. For example, avoid brands like Land Rover, Jaguar, etc. Also avoid cars with air suspension, as they will entail huge replacement costs. But it is altogether a different story that I am dreaming of owning a L322 Range Rover or the W221 S Class.

• If you are someone who doesn't need the badge value or a 3.0 diesel, I would suggest getting a VW or a Skoda, as they offer 90% of what a BMW or a Mercedes offers, including the Fun To Drive part(but a 3 Litre is a 3 Litre and there is no replacement for displacement).

Read BHPian comments for more insights and information.

My dad first bought a new Merc C Class in 2013 and he has completely fallen in love with the car and the brand.

BHPian Ashar recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Dear all. I am requesting your opinion on this doubt that I have with regards to an upcoming car purchase for my dad. You all are the experts when it comes to cars and I am sure I won't get a better answer from anywhere else. Your humble opinion on this please!!

My dad first bought a new Merc C Class in 2013 and he has been driving/riding in it ever since and he has completely fallen in love with the car and the brand. Now almost 10 years have passed and now he feels it's time to upgrade. We test drove a Merc E Class (E 220 d) recently and he came out really pleased with the car and almost decided to go ahead with the purchase when his friend proposed to him the idea of getting a 3-4-5 year old S Class for the same amount of money. His friend told him that a 4 year old S Class (the older generation one) was a much better car than even the new E class. FYI, the on road price for a new E class is Rs. 95.75 lacs (on road - Trivandrum, Kerala).

Since then, we have been really confused about this with opinions supporting either side. Please help us arrive at the best decision.

PS: Since, we have been using a C Class for the past 10 years, we have already found out an independent garage for its maintenance works and we found it to be even better (and undoubtedly more cost effective) than Merc Authorized service center. So, the question of service is not a big issue.

Here's what GTO had to say on the matter:

You can't go wrong with either car, and both are the best-in-class in terms of comfort.

Between the two, I would strongly recommend the S-Class:

It's the best sedan in the world. Period.

Think of the E-Class LWB as a 5-star hotel room. Think of the S-Class as a suite at Taj or Oberoi.

Within your budget, you will easily get a late model W222 still within its warranty period. Take the extended warranty package, and follow our used car checklist (including service history, checking past insurance claims etc.) to the T. Your risk is effectively zero.

The S-Class air suspension is magic. E-Class cannot come close to it.

The opulence, luxury & quality of the S-Class is two levels above the E-Class. The E-Class is closer to the C-Class in terms of part quality than the S-Class.

Here's what BHPian androdev had to say on the matter:

Just my personal opinion.

The best/flagship car in the family garage is worth buying as new. It's a bit of celebration and there is a sense of rewarding yourself and the family for the hard work, etc. Even after 10-15 years, I get warm and fuzzy when I look at my family pictures during the new car delivery and early days after the arrival of the new car. The older I grow, the more value these things seem to acquire.

S-Class in particular is a status symbol and everyone in your circles would talk about it. How you bought it matters. You might want to explore the option of waiting for a discounted new S Class during a model change period and stretch your budget.

If new S Class is not an option in near future, go for the new E Class - but pay attention to any upcoming model changes. Unlike in the past, E class LWB has significantly reduced the gap between E and S Class sedans making such a decision a lot to do with "image" than "value".

If it's not for your dad/family but for a young solo driver, I would say a used car from a higher segment is usually a better choice.

Here's what BHPian lamborghini had to say on the matter:

Get the S Class - for the same budget you'd get a within warranty W222 S Class easily - extend the warranty and enjoy the superior car.

Compared to the E Class - you will get much better rear seat comfort, effortless performance, superlative ride, and superior interior fit and finish.

Plus both the current E & outgoing S are of the same generation, so it's not like you would be getting a newer generation car except some changes like UI, etc.

Of course maintenance would be higher and maybe finding a competent workshop would help - but if you can digest the maintenance cost, it's well worth it!

In case you still decide to go for the E Class, do keep in mind that an all new model is literally around the corner and would be worth waiting for (esp given the scarce discounts).

If your father drives then also look at the BMW 7 series pre-owned, 6GT new.

Here's what BHPian NazgulLOTR had to say on the matter:

There is definitely a sentiment attached to the Pointed star in your household. If you are convinced it's the Merc which has to be the next car, i'd recommend jumping to the S Class. The comfort and pampering which it will offer will not be comparable to even the latest E class.

This also gives an opportunity to be chauffeured around while being seated in business class like seats - the way one should travel (unless you are an enthusiast)

I am personally not a big fan of the styling of the new E but the S class in every generation has always been a looker. It's worth it's price even while standing still in my opinion.

Here's what BHPian Akshay1234 had to say on the matter:

Going against the tide, but I would suggest a used S. Its a far superior machine to the E class, and while the spec sheets may not show a large difference, one drive in the S will seal the deal. It is far better built, more comfortable, really seals you from the outside world. A 3 year old low run S class would fit right into your budget, and considering you have a good independent shop wont break the bank either.

Here's what BHPian ajmat had to say on the matter:

My recommendation is the S. It might be dated but feel the trim, touch the vents and feel the quality. The E is full of metal coated plastics.

Unless the car has workhorse duties, go for the S, keep 3 Lakhs aside for the air suspension overhaul and identify a good FNG.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

I am also looking for springs for my W212 that can help level the rear out. Right now, the back sits about an inch higher than the front.

BHPian Tassem recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

After a short wait, some of the goodies have arrived!

The beautiful and period-correct AMG steering wheel. Installation will be done later this week.

DIYed Black sun visors. The original beige ones were dirty and the mirror covers had broke off. This meant that the vanity lights wouldn’t work either. Went with black for two reasons - They don’t soil as easily, and the seats will be reupholstered in black soon.

And finally, the audio part of the audio system is now complete. It sounds absolutely blissful. Full active setup with all-round components and a lovely 10” active sub in the boot. I’m still mulling over the floating Android unit. Not a priority as I’m bypassing the head unit via a Bluetooth DSP for now. Will evaluate all options and decide on one.

Placed a discrete logo. Matches the color and style of the Avantgarde logo. Nothing else hints at the audio upgrade. Polk may be blasphemy in German but she sings heavenly.

Help!

Looking for springs that can help level the rear out. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Right now the back sits about an inch higher than the front and looks ungainly.

In the coming weeks, the steering pump and rack will be changed. Along with a full transmission service. Updates to follow. Once the mechanicals are fully sorted, we’ll move to aesthetics. An AMG kit is keeping me up at night. Those bumpers, wheels and a discrete lip spoiler. Fizzzz!

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