OWNER Glen (199)

[TerryA]

Wow 180K!! That’s amazing Glen,

In regards to what DrP used for trans fluid. I would expect just a typical spec’d fluid.
No syn stuff, whatever they used where he got it serviced.

Your car is becoming a ‘LEGEND’. Maybe it should be going to Monterey in August w/ Jeff.

 

[Trae]

Everyone wants to see a car that has that many miles on it, yet still runs and looks great.

Gives us confidence to forge ahead with these cars knowing that they are so well built.

So, I guess I won't stress about the 93' that needs tranny fluid and filter @ 30k mi. since I used Redline D4. Probably let it run to 60k, but don't think I could let it run 180k!

 

[Glen]

Wow 180K!! That’s amazing Glen,

In regards to what DrP used for trans fluid. I would expect just a typical spec’d fluid.
No syn stuff, whatever they used where he got it serviced.

Your car is becoming a ‘LEGEND’. Maybe it should be going to Monterey in August w/ Jeff.

Thanks Terry. You are right re: fluid type, the invoice just said trans fluid.

 

[Glen]

Once again, it's time for California's biennial emissions test. Here are the numbers from this morning. Mileage is 629249 with original catalytic converters. Love this car!

 

[Glen]

We've been experiencing a heat wave here in southern California. Even on the coast we've had near 90F temps and high humidity giving the cooling and a/c systems a good workout. Being summer and my son home from college, we play musical cars; my son using my wife's car and the high miler going to my wife. So the other day, she calls to tell me the coolant light has come on. Car is not overheating so I tell her not to worry and just get home as soon as possible while keeping an eye on the temp gauge. Thankfully, she made it home without issue.

After getting home from work, I verified that coolant was definitely low so I top it off and took it for a short drive. Turns out the left side heater hose has failed, there's a fine split in the hose right behind the head. I'm relieved it's a relatively easy fix and I even have both right and left hoses in inventory...well, almost. I had hoses for my silver car which is also a '94 but was made a few months later and the driver side hose is a little different and not interchangeable. So, I had to order the correct hose which should be here tomorrow. The right side hose fit fine. I'll post a picture of the failed hose later as well as the difference in the hose designs.

 

[a777fan]

here's the real question Glen.... was the split hose original???

 

[Glen]

Here’s some pix if the hoses.

Left = new

Close-up of the split in the hose:

Comparison of the two styles:

 

[Glen]

Ugh, more water issues...

 

[a777fan]

Bummer! Where from this time? Did the other side get jealous??


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Stevester 500E]

Glen,
Hopefully the water issue is just a clamp that you forgot to tighten up.

 

[Glen]

Leak was coming from the headlight washer motor. I replaced the grommets for both washer motors but the leak persisted so it looks like the motor itself is leaking.



Until I can source a replacement motor I just removed it and plugged the hole.



I also replaced the cover and lid as the old ones were falling apart.





Anyone have a known good washer motor?

 

[gsxr]

Glen, I've had more than one washer pump fail that worked fine, but leaked. Used ones are a gamble for the same reason. New ones aren't cheap, but should be a long-term fix. On the bright side, it wasn't anything more serious!

EDIT: I've also found the OE/dealer rubber grommets seem to be a different material compared to aftermarket. The OE grommets have the Star logo. They're relatively inexpensive, at least compared to the pumps.

 

[nocfn]

Just did this myself, grommets are different style but holding. I bought new pump grommets and one nozzle.

 

[Kyiv]

Hi Glen,

Two questions:

1. what motor oil/s do you use and frequency of change
2. DrP is another member here, but you mention digging through his records for your car...? Just basic curiosity

Thanks

 

[Glen]

Hi Glen,

Two questions:

1. what motor oil/s do you use and frequency of change
2. DrP is another member here, but you mention digging through his records for your car...? Just basic curiosity

Thanks

I use Mobil 1, 0W-40 changed at 5000 mile intervals.

DrP used 7500 mile OCI’s...he was the previous owner who put 500,000 miles on the car. I’ve only put 50,000 miles on it over the last 6 years. He would do that in a year!

 

[Kyiv]

I use Mobil 1, 0W-40 changed at 5000 mile intervals.

DrP used 7500 mile OCI’s...he was the previous owner who put 500,000 miles on the car. I’ve only put 50,000 miles on it over the last 6 years. He would do that in a year!

If you remember of the top of your head, what oil weight/s did he use? Thanks again!

 

[Glen]

I don't recall seeing specific weights listed in his records but since he always had it done at shops, I'm sure they used the recommended weights, ie xW-40.

 

[Glen]

Side note: it's pretty clear to me that what's important re: oil is that you change it regularly. The exact brand is not that critical as long as you follow an OCI that's appropriate for the type (conventional, semi-synthetic, full-synthetic) of oil you are using.

 

[Glen]

Spring 2019 update:
I continue to daily drive the high miler and enjoy it every day. The only unexpected repair this year has been the battery. The standard flooded cell Bosch battery I installed shortly after acquiring the car basically lost a cell over night. One day it cranked and started fine, the next it was slow and barely started. I tried charging it with no effect. Anyway, it lasted just over six years so I'm not really surprised especially since it went completely flat at least two times, once while the car was being painted and once at home when I left the dome light on over a weekend. Anyway, battery has been replaced with a Bosch AGM which I now use in most of my cars. Really like them and they can usually be purchased from Pep Boys (online) for about $160.

Here's a shot of the odo taken this morning in the parking structure at work... 635,003:

 

[Glen]

It must be the weather here in SoCal...this is the third mirror that’s exploded on me. Two in the silver car and now this one in the high miler.

Anyone have one available, I’m out of spares.

 

[MB V8]

I've got one Glen that was from a Captruff part out, so you know it's in good condition. In fact it's still in the bubble wrap. It is yours gratis. Consider it a contribution to the greatest 500E on the road. I will PM you for your address.

 

[Glen]

Address PM’d, thanks MB V8!

 

[MB V8]

You are welcome.

When you get to 1 million miles I want to be invited to the party! Haha. ..........well maybe you should have a 750,000 mile party first.......and invite all 500eB members???

 

[Dunnik]

This car continues to be a legend

 

[gsxr]

This car continues to be a legend

Yes. It is LEGENDARY!!

 

[Glen]

I finally had a moment to install the mirror that MB V8 sent me. It's cosmetically very, very nice and I really appreciate his generosity in sending it to me gratis. This forum is a wonderful community. Thanks again Dave!

It was late yesterday when I installed it so too dark for pix but I think you all know what it looks like

 

[Glen]

640k...

 

[Stevester 500E]

It must be the weather here in SoCal...this is the third mirror that’s exploded on me. Two in the silver car and now this one in the high miler.

Anyone have one available, I’m out of spares.

I had one explode on me this summer too, what the heck !

 

[TimL]

640k...
View attachment 89223

Congratulations Glen on passing the 1,000,000 KM mark- your car should feature in the Corporate MB USA communication for the 30 year anniversary next year!! Keep going, she can do it!

 

[nocfn]

Not that it prevents all of the mirror issues, but I wipe the mirror plastic with Aerospace303 every time I wipe down the interior. Anything to help 30 year plastic sitting in the sun.

 

[DrP]

640k...
View attachment 89223

As I am part time living in Europe now here is numerics for the enthusiasts: 640k miles = 1 029 760 km. Plus minus errors (remember Glen's repair of the odometer unit) of course
My other cars have the following mileage: US: 450SL=236,200m, E55=301.687km, Deutschland: E500 Kombi=311.500km. My wife tells me that I show severe nervosity when driving a car with a first figure less than three on the odometer. So the sum of all three is 617,300m, still less than the old Lady.......
Thanks Glen for taking such good care of her!

 

[195910]

As I am part time living in Europe now here is numerics for the enthusiasts: 640k miles = 1 029 760 km. Plus minus errors (remember Glen's repair of the odometer unit) of course
My other cars have the following mileage: US: 450SL=236,200m, E55=301.687km, Deutschland: E500 Kombi=311.500km. My wife tells me that I show severe nervosity when driving a car with a first figure less than three on the odometer. So the sum of all three is 617,300m, still less than the old Lady.......
Thanks Glen for taking such good care of her!

Hi Dr.

Nice to see you are still on the forum, what state in D are you in? Some great event and shows here

 

[gerryvz]

A @DrP sighting !!!

So happy that you are still logging in and participating here !!

 

[DrP]

I am dividing my (semi) retired life between Munich (during summer months, meaning the beer gardens are open) and Escondido (fall/winter). I have 8 cyl in Germany and 16 on two cars in California...... the 450 I will sell as I have no chance to drive it often. The remaining 8 on the E55 are enough as you all know
I still need to check in for Glen and the old Lady from time to time... so happy to see her active and well taken care of in her own retirement.... I would not have had the energy or time to maintain her as Glen did, so Dankeschoen!!!
Waiting for the "7" number for the first digit....

 

[Kyiv]

Just finished reading through original Dr P owner thread and Glenn's. Took me several hours on two different nights to travel through 8.5 years. Excellent, fun read. Aside from the car attaining >1,000,000 km, the most remarkable part is that Glenn's wife accompanied him to a junk yard to give a helping hand (when you needed to score a missing bolt). A woman more rare than a 500E with million kilometer odometer.

@Glen, how's the driver seat? Is it sagging much?

 

[Glen]

The driver seat is still serviceable. DrP had the seat bottom reupholstered in vinyl under his ownership so it still looks pretty good, except for a tear that recently appeared. The front passenger seat also has a tear/crack in the original somewhat dry leather but is mostly intact. If you or anyone has a line on a nice original black leather set, let me know!

 

[Glen]

Well...I think it's finally time to rebuild the transmission. Over the last few months, reverse engagement has progressively gotten slower to the point that even at 5 seconds or so, it will move the car but doesn't fully engage. I am scheduling to take the car to Sun Valley to have them rebuild it. While I would love to do it myself, I just don't have the bandwidth and honestly, I don't really want to do it. I'll update with more info later.

 

[195910]

I mentioned the car today in a live video on our instagram!
Is this the third rebuild ?

 

[Glen]

I mentioned the car today in a live video on our instagram!
Is this the third rebuild ?

This would be the 1st rebuild.
DrP bought the car at about 80K miles and put 500,000 on it. He did not have the trans rebuilt during his ownership. I bought it 8 years ago with 580K and it's just shy of 650K now.

 

[gerryvz]

Well...I think it's finally time to rebuild the transmission. Over the last few months, reverse engagement has progressively gotten slower to the point that even at 5 seconds or so, it will move the car but doesn't fully engage. I am scheduling to take the car to Sun Valley to have them rebuild it. While I would love to do it myself, I just don't have the bandwidth and honestly, I don't really want to do it. I'll update with more info later.

Wow !!

Are you going to have them pull the transmission, for a JC-style reverse fix and an external re-seal? Or have them do a complete re-do?

Will you leave the car with them, or do a "while you wait" type of deal? When you do go to SV, be sure to give Marc a big "Hello!" from the 500Eboard. He is actually a member here.

Not surprising that this would be the first rebuild, as @DrP I believe mostly did freeway miles on the car whilst he had it, which is much less stressful on a transmission than city driving.

 

[Glen]

They will do a complete re-do. With 650K miles, it doesn't make sense to just do reverse. May as well get it ready for it's next 1 million KM's.

 

[195910]

It deserves the full rebuilt, really happy to see it still going strong.

 

[Trae]

Order kevlar bands for your 722.3 tranny.
Bought mine from Jono.

 

[JC220]

They will do a complete re-do. With 650K miles, it doesn't make sense to just do reverse. May as well get it ready for it's next 1 million KM's.

Exactly! My transmissions I worked on had 43k - 73k miles on em (barely broken in)

Yours did very well indeed!!

 

[Glen]

So I drove the 118 miles to Sun Valley Mercedes Transmission yesterday and dropped off the high miler. Marc, the owner is a great guy, very personable and of course, knowledgeable. I was only able to spend a few minutes with him and then was on my way to visit my nephew who lives in the area.

I’ll post updates as I receive them during the week. I expect to pick up the car next Saturday as that is most convenient for me and Marc was happy to accommodate.

 

[JC220]

So I drove the 118 miles to Sun Valley Mercedes Transmission yesterday and dropped off the high miler. Marc, the owner is a great guy, very personable and of course, knowledgeable. I was only able to spend a few minutes with him and then was on my way to visit my nephew who lives in the area.

I’ll post updates as I receive them during the week. I expect to pick up the car next Saturday as that is most convenient for me and Marc was happy to accommodate.

You are keeping the original numbers trans? Aka rebuilding the original unit VS throwing another core in?

In the high miler 500E would be sweet to keep it all original

 

[Kyiv]

They will do a complete re-do. With 650K miles, it doesn't make sense to just do reverse. May as well get it ready for it's next 1 million KM's.

Glen, it would be very [VERY] interesting to see pictures of your transmission innards. If you can, ask Mark to save them. After all, it's 650k miles...

 

[gsxr]

Glen, it would be very [VERY] interesting to see pictures of your transmission innards. If you can, ask Mark to save them. After all, it's 650k miles...

I love that idea. Wonder if they could snap photos, or let Glen stop by and shoot some pics.

 

[Glen]

You are keeping the original numbers trans? Aka rebuilding the original unit VS throwing another core in?

In the high miler 500E would be sweet to keep it all original

Yes, rebuilding the original.

 

[Glen]

Glen, it would be very [VERY] interesting to see pictures of your transmission innards. If you can, ask Mark to save them. After all, it's 650k miles...

I’ll ask.