2003 W211 E320 with 65k miles

[pablo2696]

Tomorrow I will check a 2003 MB W211 E320 with the elegance package and the M112 engine. The car looks to be in good condition and the owner has taken really good care of it. It has always been dealer maintained and it just hit the 65,000 miles mark. It has the elegance package with parking sensors, panoramic roof, heated and ventiated seats, leather seats (not MB tex), and many other "quirks and features". However, I know nothing about the w211 and I wanted to know if I can get some feedback about the engine, trans, and other common problems of that model that I should take into consideration.

 

[gsxr]

The M112 is generally considered near bulletproof if maintained well; ditto for the 722.6 five-speed auto transmission. The W211 chassis is fairly easy to work on, but you'll need the WIS. And, for diagnostics you really need a full Star SDS system... generic OBD-2 code readers will only access primary systems, and the 211 is filled with lots of computerized modules.

 

[ace10]

Find out what work has been done on the SBC system, and if there is any extended warranty coverage.
If memory serves me, the Pano roof on W211 can develop some really bad noises as the body of the car flexes.
Look for service records on engine/tranny mounts. And also the soft bits in the drive axle. Boots, etc.

Has the display been changed to an aftermarket one on the COMAND system? I don't remember it being that reflective.

If it has the bi-xenon headlights, that would be a big plus in my book.

 

[gsxr]

Bi-Xenons on the 211 are fantastic if you drive at night.

With SDS Developer mode, you can enable "Euro" light mode called ILS, Intelligent Light System, which turns the volume knob to "eleven" on the lights. Super cool stuff. Real shame this wasn't enabled in USA by default.

 

[pablo2696]

Bi-Xenons on the 211 are fantastic if you drive at night.

With SDS Developer mode, you can enable "Euro" light mode called ILS, Intelligent Light System, which turns the volume knob to "eleven" on the lights. Super cool stuff. Real shame this wasn't enabled in USA by default.

Hi Dave!

I hope all is well. I ended up getting another W211 with 30k miles with the avantgarde package. It does have the factory bi-xenon so I wanted to see if you could elaborate a little bit more on the ILS developer mode please. I also noticed that everytime that I turn on the headlights, the light beam goes up and down automatically like its adjusting itself... do you know what that is? (it only happens when I turn on the headlights).

 

[gsxr]

You would enable ILS using Xentry/DAS Developer Mode. It's just a setting you change in the computer module. However, I'm not positive if the same setting exists on the early 211 (2003-2006).

EDIT 1: Andy says ILS came out for 2007 model year, with the W211 facelift - sorry for getting your hopes up!


The headlight dance is related to the auto-leveling, it is cycling through the adjustment range. But I don't remember it doing this every time the headlights are turned on. Not sure if that is normal or not?

EDIT 2: More from Andy: "They do the dance once per ignition cycle. For example, if you leave the engine on, turn them on for the first time, they will dance. But every subsequent power cycle of the lights, they will not dance. Only once the car is power cycled."

 

[pablo2696]

You would enable ILS using Xentry/DAS Developer Mode. It's just a setting you change in the computer module. However, I'm not positive if the same setting exists on the early 211 (2003-2006).

EDIT 1: Andy says ILS came out for 2007 model year, with the W211 facelift - sorry for getting your hopes up!


The headlight dance is related to the auto-leveling, it is cycling through the adjustment range. But I don't remember it doing this every time the headlights are turned on. Not sure if that is normal or not?

EDIT 2: More from Andy: "They do the dance once per ignition cycle. For example, if you leave the engine on, turn them on for the first time, they will dance. But every subsequent power cycle of the lights, they will not dance. Only once the car is power cycled."

Thanks Dave & Andy! I know the auto-leveling is normal, I was just wondering what is was.

What a shame I cannot adjust my headlights to have ILS.

THanks again!