OWNER DerFuror

[Klink]

Re: City Lights

I do the same with my 036's. It saves my $$$ Osram Hyper H4's as I always run the fogs+city lights during daylight hours. And it looks pretty cool too, IMO.

Isn't it nice to live in a state where you can use the bumper filler panel?

 

[maw1124]

Those lights are looking pretty funky, Fellas. Nice work.

Down here, all I'd accomplish with those panels is sucking in bugs and water...SMH

maw

 

[Klink]

Those lights are looking pretty funky, Fellas. Nice work.

Down here, all I'd accomplish with those panels is sucking in bugs and water...SMH

maw

Amen, Brother! If driven on the highway in Central Florida during one of those summer afternoon squalls, I can almost see those connecting rods hanging out the side of the block from here. Heck, that happened enough down there with the conventional air intakes. They do look bitchin' though.

 

[DerFuror]

Re: City Lights

So the city lights and the fog lights come on together?

Yes.

Are city lights what would be the euro parking lights?

I don't know. I'm not familiar with European lighting standards. Maybe one of our members can answer.

However, the Euro headlights on this car each have a socket for a city light bulb. The original US DOT headlights do not.

Procedure for this job available?

You can piece together the basics of the procedure using this thread. The major decision is the activation method...with parking lights, fog lights, other...

 

[gerryvz]

The 4W "city" lights are used by non-US cars as what we in the US call "parking" lights. Non-US (and Canada?) cars DO NOT have/utilize the US parking lights in the turn indicator lenses. On these "Euro" cars, the turn indicator wired with single-filament bulbs/sockets that are ONLY the flashing turn indicators, whereas US cars use a dual-filament bulb that serves as both turn indicator and parking light.

It's a fair little bit more work to wire the city lights in line with the fog lights in the bumper, as opposed to jumpering them to the US parking lights.

Would be a great HOW-TO. The "normal" city-light connection to the US parking lights has been well covered in this forum, and diagrams/parts lists have been posted for this.

Cheers,
Gerry

 

[gsxr]

Forgot to mention... you can get 5W halogen, or 6W non-halogen, in place of the stock 4W city bulbs. These are rated 80-85 lumens, which is more than double the stock output. From my notes:

4W stock (Osram # 3893, 35 lumens)
5W halogen, for city lights (Osram # 64111, 80 lumens)
6W incandescent, non-halogen (Osram 3886X MiniXen, 85 lumens. May be Xenon…?)​

 

[Hollybrook]

Yeah, Good ol' Turn 2, the Slingshot into the back-straight & chicanes. Good times on it driving & on the periphery of that turn spectating.

PS: While rubber-necking as my sister drove around today, I saw the exact body of your race car under a local roadside lean-to. Seemed in good shape. Primer-gray & looking for a powertrain to rest upon. Drove past it again this evening. Still there.

Interested in any pics?

A photo would be nice, but don't go to any extra effort. While my race car is now being campaigned by a friend in Chicago, I still have an early '74 260Z in the garage waiting on time to restore it. I really need to get around to it because there are a ton of new parts in my shed and my wife is losing her patience with all my car projects. I guess after 30+ years of marriage, she has all my schemes figures out...

I want to second the request for a tutorial or wiring diagram on hooking up the city lights to the fog lights!

 

[DerFuror]

I want to second the request for a tutorial or wiring diagram on hooking up the city lights to the fog lights!

I agree. I'm sure all gsxr has to do is push a button or two for an instant upload from his archives.

 

[Roma_500E]

Re: City Lights

Ok. Later is now. Here they are.

To reiterate: These City lights are 5W bulbs wired into foglight circuit which allows parking lights to still operate as standalones.

5W is better than 65W. No reason to burn the lowbeams during daylight hours. City lights run as daytime running lights; reduces/conserves the hours use of the halogen headlights.

So sharp looking car ! Love it ! Saved pics to my gallery of E500Es !

 

[sheward]

These early models look so good with these lights...I think it should be a crime not to have them. Nice job.

drew

 

[DerFuror]

Watkins Glen Vintage Grand Prix 2014

An awesome start to the 2014 Vintage Grand Prix up in Watkins Glen, NY. Sunny, 90F degrees & lots of vintage cars. MG is the featured marque this year & I'm kinda chewed because its the 60th anniversary of my MGTF & I failed in having it completely prepared for attending this event.

I get there early in the morning with a friend, park the 500E in my usual area & start walking. My friend needed to be back home by 1pm, so after watching the pre-war MGs qualify, we head back to the 500E.

I'm taking pictures of stuff when I hear him say, "Nobody circles the wagons like MG!".

I say, "What the hell you talking about?". He says, "Look!"

No sh*t. My car has been inundated by a hundred MGs. I'm parked perpendicular to their verticality.

My friend says, "Your cars spend a lot of time in the garage next to each other. Looks like your TF knocked up your Benz & it just hatched all its babies!".

I told my friend it's a long walk home.

The car is running superbly. Good times.

 

[DerFuror]

Re: Watkins Glen Vintage Grand Prix 2014

Day3 conditions at Watkins Glen were the best…dry, mostly a brilliantly sunny +70F degrees with a cool breeze appreciated by both fans & vintage motors alike. Lots of Dr. John music for a low-key Sunday ride up to the track after a nice breakfast while watching Mercedes win the F1 Monza race on tv made a great start to the day. No hooning or power-passing on this peaceful morning (unlike the previous afternoon).

Spent most of the day up top in one of my favorite perches; the Ninety/Seneca Grandstands between turns 1 & 2 which give a commanding panoramic view of 1/3 of the track (including start/finish) & 360 degrees of the surrounding countryside.



We utilized our big umbrellas up in the grandstands because of the sun’s intensity. It was a sun-worshipper’s dream day. During the scheduled hour lunch break we hammed it up for “across the track’s” benefit while stripping down for suntan sessions.

(Below left: Here's a telephoto bird's eye view of the 500E from the top of the stands...proudly wearing its previous Saturday night bug guts & water-spots).



(Above right: The window of opportunity to take a good picture of a rare classic can be challenging & fleeting. This person blocked my ability to take pictures of rare cars for a....for a...a long...long time. How inconsiderate!)

The vintage races are my favorite because of so many interesting historical classes of Race Groups competing & exhibiting in one location along with all the bustling activities of participants & spectators. You can free-roam almost anywhere & the race teams are quite approachable.

(Below:A huge turnout for the Thornley Cup / Collier Cup Vintage "B" cars. The Group 2 pre-1973 Open Wheel cars were staples at the Glen thruout the 1960s).



(Below: A 1930 Alpha Romeo leads the pack of pre-war MGTs closely followed by a Lester. The pre-war cars take to the track from pit lane. I have books with very similar black & white pictures of this scene. Etched in time once again).



And before you know, it’s over. You drive home with nice memories & the anticipation for next year’s gathering.



(Above: Once again I believe I was the lone Wolf in Sheep's Clothing at the Glen this year. Parked with the Porsche boys at the McDonalds Grandstand).

The Vintage Races usually mark the end of the Glen race season, but this one gets extended a little longer. The Ferrari Challenge of North America will be here in two weeks.

 

[DerFuror]

A nice morning for picture taking & 130 mph bursts down the motorway...

I'm awake now!

 

[DerFuror]

It just keeps getting better.

The price of gasoline has been slowly dropping & for what's left of this year's driving season, I'll now be filling up the 500e at the gas station providing 93 octane ethanol-free fuel for a discount of 20 cents per gallon!

Just in time for the final grand touring before the weather changes for the worst!



Fill 'er up!

 

[Roma_500E]

What a gorgeous car ! Beautiful pics !
Thanx for sharing ! Love your chrome rims on black color !

 

[DerFuror]

The acceleration of this car is brutal. I feel for those who have not yet dialed theirs in. I recently returned home from a 600+ mile roadtrip. The car was great. I was well behaved on the way up. No “speeding” at all. However, I got pulled over 1 mile from my destination by a State Trooper while doing about 15 mph after making a right turn at a 4 way intersection. When all was said & done, he really just wanted to see what the car was all about. We talked cars, government, eventually shook hands like best friends & went on our way.

On my way back I ran into a roadblock evidently looking for the 3 Afghani “officers” who bailed from Massachusetts on their attempted way to Canada. I was waived thru by a Border Patrol chick with a smile. The car just has a way with folks.

Upon return I immediately started back up restoring the foyer to an old Victorian house. Dirty work, but looking sweeter by the hour. Never did get any groceries upon my return. I’m hungry. Ordered Chinese. Ready in 10 minutes. Took the long way on the local autobahn with the 500E listening to this at full-tilt.

Rocking memories. FGS & WOT. I flogged the car all the way. I drove it like I stole it. It was impossible to stay below 110 mph. I actually used my turn signal to let left lane marks know I was gonna pass them on their right. “Hey, You look comfortable there, so just stay there. Don’t mind me!” They never knew what passed them like they were going backwards.

Got my food & headed back the opposite direction. Seemed like I was moving even faster on the way back. Had to curtail the throttle. The Knight Rider would’ve been envious.

Good times.

PS: Just remember one thing. When you garage your 500E after a good romp, always pop the hood open to let the heat dissipate. Your car will thank you.

 

[Maui]

Please explain "dialed in". What did you do to dial it in?

Beautiful car by the way.

 

[gerryvz]

I was waived thru by a Border Patrol chick with a smile. The car just has a way with folks.

I think it was your authentic "A MERCEDES-BENZ PRODUCT" windshield sticker. I was just getting ready to ask you whether that sticker has had any positive effects for you...guess my question is answered before it was even asked.


Was KITT one of the cars in the left lane that you passed on the right?!?

 

[126v8]

Please explain "dialed in". What did you do to dial it in?

.

Aye pray,tell

 

[DerFuror]

Was KITT one of the cars in the left lane that you passed on the right?!?

KITT woulda been milquetoasting almost each & every decision..."Michael, you do know the speed limit is 65mph? Michael, what are you doing? passing on the right is frowned upon & potentially dangerous...Michael, the way in which you tromp upon my accelerator will cost you in excess petrol consumption...Michael, the risks you are taking with an outdated radar detector...blah, blah, blah."

We do both share a black stealthy exterior with a red electric eye...oh, and Germany loves us! (Him a bit more).


PS: yes, I believe the decal provided the final "click" of the dial!

 

[KarlC]

I always love your long stories, photos and post, keep it up

PS: Just remember one thing. When you garage your 500E after a good romp, always pop the hood open to let the heat dissipate. Your car will thank you.

The owner of my 1st E500 (Fad) always did this after every drive, he handed the tradition down to me I still do it down to this day.

thx

 

[DerFuror]

The owner of my 1st E500 (Fad) always did this after every drive, he handed the tradition down to me I still do it down to this day.

Smart. It makes a difference. Baked goods should only be obtained from the bakery, not from under the hood.

Think of all those problems we continuously read about in the forums caused by baked vacuum hoses, wiring & rubber/plastic components.

The 500E engine compartment is well-contained. The running engine emits a tremendous amount of heat. You gotta let the heat out into the atmosphere by opening the hood after driving, otherwise it is completely absorbed by the underhood components.

Not good in the long run.

 

[gerryvz]

Think of all those problems we continuously read about in the forums caused by baked vacuum hoses

 

[sheward]

I always love your long stories, photos and post, keep it up



The owner of my 1st E500 (Fad) always did this after every drive, he handed the tradition down to me I still do it down to this day.

thx

Me too. Once the car is stopped with no fan running and no airflow things must get hot. I'm addicted to the 3rd - 4th shift. It's the point at which others usually give up the chase and I start thinking about "superspeeder fines"

drew

drew

 

[KarlC]

Me too. Once the car is stopped with no fan running and no airflow things must get hot.

drew

My company repairs high end counter tops, one common issue is cracks around the cooktop from excessive heat. The cracks dont normaly happen durring the cooking stage, they happen after the cooktop and fan has been shut off. Once the fan is off it is no longer pulling the heat out, so the area actually heats up even with the cooktop off. I cant tell you how many people have told me they where enjoying dinner an heard what sounded like a gun go off in the kitchen, went to look and found a cracked counter at the cooktop.

 

[DerFuror]

Please explain "dialed in".

To me, "dialed-in" means all systems are “go”; operating properly in a state of condition perceived as close as possible to that of when the car was new.

What did you do to dial it in?

I reckon I got lucky with the cumulative results of this year’s adjustments/upgrades I made to the transmission & engine management systems. I believe the car is also benefitting from the use of ethanol-free gasoline.

Retrospectively, I purchased what I believed was a good, solid car with minimal deferred maintenance of its critical components. The POs did a pretty good job in keeping/getting the car in this condition for me. I've personally taken it from there with a hands-on approach in making sure transmission, drivetrain, suspension, electrical systems stay fresh & clean. If I discovered something worn, broken or missing, I fixed or replaced it. I mostly go with MB OEM parts when replacements are necessary.

I’ve compiled & categorized the service info from my receipts into a spreadsheet. This action established my 500E’s baseline showing what parts were replaced & when. I now know how many miles and/or years these parts have been in service. I then cross reference this info with the service interval documentation which indicates the parts/systems I should be proactively addressing.

Additionally, I also keep the car garaged & on charger when not in use. It is not a daily driver. It never sees winter & rarely is driven during inclement weather. And, as previously mentioned, the hood goes up once garaged after every drive.

This has all added up into a 500E that is currently running very well & is a blast to drive. Is there more work to do on the car? Sure, but nothing affecting its current state of overall performance.

 

[8899]

The running engine emits a tremendous amount of heat. You gotta let the heat out into the atmosphere by opening the hood after driving, otherwise it is completely absorbed by the underhood components.

Not good in the long run.

I do the same. Frequently the aux fans are running at high speed when I pull into the garage. Shutting the engine and aux fans down at the same time just doesn't seem right, hence my motivation to open the hood. I wonder why MB didn't design the aux fans to run for a couple minutes after engine shut-down.

 

[DerFuror]

It was a perfect autumn morning to open the sunroof & climb the hilltop overlooking the valley to watch the sail planes dance their aerial ballets.

l

 

[Maui]

I love your unbridled enthusiasm for your car. I feel the same way when I drive mine.

Looking at your chrome eight spokes almost make me wish I would have kept mine. It's a good look with black.

 

[DerFuror]

I love your unbridled enthusiasm for your car. I feel the same way when I drive mine.

I just got unbridled with it again doing some more test driving a little while ago. All went well including my evasive tactics in returning safely to the Batcave .

I popped the hood open as usual, then started laughing hard when I noticed my little 11"x18" Rebel flag hanging from the ceiling was flapping as if it was in the wind...

...the motion was caused by the heat pouring out of the engine bay!

The evenings are getting significantly cooler now. I returned to the garage & enjoyed how comfortably warm it was inside thanks to the 500E engine bay.

Looking at your chrome eight spokes almost make me wish I would have kept mine. It's a good look with black.

A lot of people poo-poo chrome, but for me it provides the proper complimentary contrast/balance to a very otherwise black car.

 

[Maui]

I agree that chrome goes well with black.

 

[126v8]

I agree that chrome goes well with black.

Rather very well.In 1994 I bought my first Benz,a 114 230.4 with the chrome 16 in flat face that came with the US 129.I first saw it at night and I had to buy that car.It was a sight to behold.

 

[Klink]

I'll throw in on that one, too. On a black car, they can absolutely rock. One of the best looking MBs that I ever saw was a brand-new V12 140 in late '91. It was ordered black on black. Most of you guys know how I am, so you can imagine how I was pissing and moaning to myself that we were removing the bumpers, the body cladding, and the wheels. All the plastic was redone in 040, and the wheels went to California for chrome. I was gone for a couple weeks after that, so I was not there to see the car get reassembled. When I returned, I found it finished and waiting for the owner that had requested all this to pick it up. Damn if it wasn't drop dead stunning! To this day it remains in my memory as one of the most impressive looking cars I've ever seen. I still hate them on almost any other color, but I've had a soft spot for factory chromies on a black "prestige" Benz since that moment...

 

[DerFuror]

What a great day to be driving fast & living slow!

 

[sheward]

My weekend was good but I would have rather spent it as you did. Thanks for the pictures.

drew

 

[Klink]

Thanks for the pictures.

Indeed! Derf's 500 improves any background. So does his Finnie!

 

[gerryvz]

Wow, thanks for the beautiful photos of your outing, Derf!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[DerFuror]

Re: Aw Crap!!

The first volley has been fired across my bow & I take notice.

It is snowing in the Hinterlands today. The snow won't stick, but this precursor of foreboding Winter signals that this season's 500E time is unfortunately soon drawing to a close.

Every fleeting moment will count before cocoon time.

Drat!!

The 040 is furious & wishes to tear tarmac from Hell to Highwater. I am fortunate in my ability to calm its Furor thru the presentation of tribute & trinkets which will be bestowed upon it during the off season.

It has been an extremely pleasant driving season in so many ways this year. Oh well...

 

[DerFuror]

MB Mileage Award

After an approximate 2 month wait, I recently received my car’s 250,000 km mileage award via Fedex signed home delivery. Upon receipt, I had no idea what was in the box until I opened it. No tell-tale clues that the box was from MB.

The box contains a cover letter, a hard-cover presentation folder, the mileage certificate, & a very attractive, solidly-made, die-cast 2-piece grille badge.

 

[Ntrepid]

Re: MB Mileage Award

Awesome! Congratulations!


Robert

 

[bing]

Congratulations ! Doesn't Glen get these goodies based on his miler too ? [emoji1]

 

[126v8]

Congrats.Meanwhile your car looks like the odometer was rolled 'forward'.And still the wolf in sheeps clothing

 

[DerFuror]

Thanks.

The ice glacier finally receded enough to allow "der Wolf im Schafspelz" out of its lair for the first time this year & stretch its hind legs (I put in some ethanol-free gas & drove @50 miles...just listening to the car. No tunes).

Driving this car never gets stale.

 

[DerFuror]

Got the car inspected this morning. Everything A-Ok. The Inspector is an Indy & a 2[SUP]nd[/SUP] generation mechanic whose Father was a peer of my Father.

I returned to his Shop a few hours later. He showed me how to use his dynamic wheel balancer. I checked all wheels & rebalanced those which were off. A couple were. It was a fun operation to perform.

I hooked him up with a Heineken double-deuce for the privilege of the use. Rotated the wheels & then hit the road to feel the results. The previously existing slight vibration at speed disappeared. The car drives superbly once again.

I took the long way home & hit one of my favorite twisty back roads. All mine. No traffic at all. No music playing...just the sounds of the Car. Effortless acceleration. Ran it between 70 – 100 mph as if I stole It. No critters. Stuck like glue thru the twisties.

Ran like a Champ.

Still feeling the Afterglow.

500E.

 

[DerFuror]

P.S. – I was also able to positively confirm that my 500E's occasional rear end “clunk over the bump” noise had nothing to do with any suspension or sphere components.

It was attributed to the discombobulated spare wheel carrier shell/bucket. No noise at all since making the repair.

 

[sheward]

Makes me wonder if others are mistaking the same thing for the suspension.

drew

 

[nocfn]

When I got mine, it didn't have a spare, so of course I mandated a MB diamond cut wheel at a minimum in 16 inch to be provided and it was. However, the fitment in the trunk area was not as I expected. I too felt that the rattle would be more than I could handle so I used a bit of memory foam that I shrink wrapped in plastic to avoid potential holding of water and that took care of the issue. I suspect a pool noodle (color optional) cut to spec might suffice since it is really out of the way of sight and non-absorbent foam. That might get me a Kent award! And my cover is tight, no issues with broken welds on the plastic.

 

[gerryvz]

Rear-end clunk caused by faulty rear struts (bushings) is only a matter of time for all owners of .036 models. Its not an "if" question .... it's a "when" question.

Always seems that the passenger side is the first to go.

Once the clunk first appears, it rapidly gets worse. One of the more annoying noises that an .036 makes.

Cheers,
Gerry

 

[DerFuror]

The driving season is in full swing & I need to somewhat assuage the growing requests for stories of new 500Escapades. Truthfully, I’ve been mostly calm so far…more of a grand tourer enjoying a non-blurred view of the countryside this year. But, I still have the same gut feelings whenever I strap into my car & when the conditions arise…that pedal is still getting floored.

I’ve been rediscovering awesome driving roads, and the pedal is getting floored when I feel I'm all alone on these roads. The radar detector isn’t rocking off the Richter scale on these roads as the cops choose the more traveled roads to satiate their incessant revenue needs.

Nothing major to report, but here’s a tidbit from this weekend…

I’m driving back home from the Lake district. I don’t want to take the same previous route. I vaguely remember a mountainous backroad & (at the last moment) perform a left-hand 160 degree trooper slide at a reversed fork in the road intersection…and up the steep winding hill I go…a big, bad Dodge Ram pickup truck quickly disappearing from my rear view mirror. No one now appears to be on this road except me. I envision this road as my personal mini Mille Miglia as I run parallel to the Lake. The road sweeps & winds, dips & twists…all while steeply rising in altitude.

I’m now on top. Flying past large farm fields & forest. The views are spectacular. Next time I’ll bring my camera & drive slowly. Maybe even stop for pictures & fresh produce. Not today, though. My adrenaline is cranking. I’m cinched in tight by my seatbelt. My moonroof & front door windows are wide open. The weather is wonderful & the wind is blasting me from the open portals like a boxer’s combination punches. Classic UFO is rocking the sound system. This is a nice long lost road. Decently maintained. This is fun. Just gotta be wary of blind curves with the potential black bear lounging along the tarmac.



Eventually, the equally steep descent back into civilization with its civil driving of the speed limit. I slowly cruise 30mph thru a small town I call “Blink of the Eye”. After making a very slight left bend by the local gas station, the road straightens out. It leaves town & goes straight thru cornfields for about 3 miles. A car. I see a car leaving town way out in front of me. I’ve always felt that “Blink of the Eye” unnecessarily extends its 30mph limit a bit too far from its true end of town, so I gradually increase my speed & begin decreasing the distance between myself and that car in front of me.

Respectfully adhering to that 30mph limit, that driver must be a tourist. I’m getting closer. I’ve got my combo daytime running/fog lights on. The silhouette of my car must have induced a cobra-like trance upon that driver…trying to figure out what the hell I am. The sun is to my back…wasn’t there a memorable Clint Eastwood cowboy movie saying something about keeping the sun to your back?

Nary a cloud in the sky. The driver’s view of my front grille must be quite blazingly bright. I’ve reeled him in.

A perplexing characteristic about the road leaving “Blink of the Eye” is its extraordinarily close placement of a 55mph sign to its last 30mph sign. I mean, I can clearly see the 55mph sign from a distance…so I always act accordingly.

The driver is still mesmerized, scrutinizing the silhouette of my car & doesn’t notice the speed limit sign change. I’m still a little geeked-up from that recent spirited mountain-road ride. Emerging through the sun’s glare I now clearly see his trunk badge. It’s a BMW. Later, pal. WHOOMP! Foot to the floor. BLAST OFF! My shiny grille now takes on the characteristics of a comet as I boldly rocket warp-factor speed past the slack-jawed Bimmer driver and into his Beyond.

No other traffic. I fly to the end of the straightaway. Music cranking. Wind buffeting my head about. I decelerate, turn off to avoid pesky Summer road repairs & become a good boy once again until I get on the highway where I gallop home at 80mph. One of the cars I pass is a nice looking black W124 Estate.

Back home & into the garage. Up goes the hood. All systems were Go. What a fun car. What a great day.

 

[DerFuror]

I recently completed a 700 mile roundtrip which coincided with the beginning of the best time of the driving season.

The car ran superbly...I really didn’t want to stop driving it when I got home.




But when I did choose to temporarily stop, it was for moments like this...