OWNER - need2speed

[need2speed]

1994 Mercedes-Benz E500 W124.036 (Canadian Model)
Mods:
-K&N air filters 33-2678
-Timevalve Y-pipe
-Euro-model OE cat-delete straight pipe 1244901920 and fittings
-1992 LH-Jetronic module with WOT enrichment 0125456232
-EVO II 17x8.25 aluminum rims B66470084
-Goodyear F1 all season 245/45-17 tires
-Garmin III+ GPS w/windshield-mount antenna
-H&R lowering springs 29855
-Bilstein Sport front struts V36-0365
-MB Silver Arrow 334x32 front brake calipers 0014209983, and 300x22 rear brake calipers 1294230398
-Cryo-treated cross-drilled front rotors P30 1294212312, and rear rotors P30 1294230512
-Axxis Ultimate Ceramic brake pads, front 109.08470 and rear 109.06030
-WRXtra stainless brake lines
-Renntech 32mm front swaybar
-AMG aluminum pedals HWA1243000001
-Aussie Max-Plus keyless remote
-Cool Harness radiator fan relay
-Osram Hyper halogen 70/65w bulbs
-RDM Tech 5mm shortened rear lower control arm
-RDM Tech front adjustable camber plates
-Euro-model OE oil cooler 1405000000 plus hoses, fittings

My wife and I enjoy Open Road Rallying (ORR) and have competed in the Silver State Classic, Nevada Open Road Challenge, and Pony Express 130. Why? Because we have the need2speed!

Race equipment:
-Roll bar, Guyon Racing custom 4-point bolt-in
-Halon 3lb fire extinguisher
-IO/Port camera mount and helmet hooks
-Recaro SRD racing seats
-Wedge Engineering seat adapters
-G-Force open-face helmet
-G-Force 5-point harness with cam release
-Speed Sport nomex 1-piece racing suit and gloves
-Simpson nomex racing shoes and socks
-Dana Design CarbonX underwear
-245/45-17 tires on OZ Racing Futura 17x8.5 ET20 3-pc forged rims (stolen)
-275/40-17 rear tires on OZ Racing Futura 17x10 ET19 forged rims (stolen)

 

[szvook]

 

[need2speed]

Okay, here are a few pics

 

[Glen]

Lookin' great, Dean!

 

[szvook]

Very stunning car. Love that color.

 

[500AMM]

Dean,

Your car is awesome with its colour combo. Is it Beryllium, and what code?

-arnt-

 

[need2speed]

Thanks for your nice comments! We are heading the Silver State Classic next September...anyone else going?

Arnt, the color is 888 Beryll Metallic over 6250 Lago Green lower cladding, and interior is 275 Champignon (mushroom).

 

[gerryvz]

12-02-2008 04:30 PM #1
need2speed

Join DateDec 2008Posts7

Our purchase of this 1994 E500 came as a result of great disappointment with a W210 E320 sedan. After a summer of driving that car, I wondered what all the hype on Mercedes ownership was about. Performance was anemic, handling was jello-like, and the doors sounded like tin. I sold the it off quickly. Then driving by our local dealer one day I saw a teal sedan that was a little different than a standard W124. It reminded me of pictures I'd seen in the magazines with those aggressive flared front fenders and lowered stance. A quick U-turn and a test drive later and it was mine! WOW this was a car. Eight years later and it still looks and drives great. Imagine, a coach-built (by Porsche, no less) timeless Bruno Sacco design available to the general public for just a fraction of it's real value.

We regularly drive the car thousands of miles on vacations and participate in high-speed open road rallys. Always dependable and rock-solid, but perhaps our meticulous attention to maintenance and condition has helped! IMHO, these are still the best built production cars this side of Maybach and very stealthy too! Details of our modifications are listed in the High-Performance page. FYI, the moniker need2speed was developed for a website I created at a time when the 036 wasn't too well known on the 'net (shamelessly adapted from the newly-released video game Need4Speed). It was pretty rough and quality sites soon replaced my efforts...sites like this one!​

http://500eboard.com/forums2/editpost.php?p=63&do=editpost


12-02-2008 10:08 PM #2
szvook

Join DateDec 2008LocationLos AngelesPosts6

Very clean ride, great color as well for the car.
​

 

[500AMM]

What?!? - are you selling Dean?

Well, there is this one: http://edmonton.kijiji.ca/c-cars-ve...Benz-500-Series-E500-Sedan-W0QQAdIdZ455213477

 

[need2speed]

Arnt: I have to choose a path for ORR rallys...either continue developing the 036 or acquire another ride with more horsepower! If I get a reasonable price, then I can go with another vehicle like the unrestricted C63 (I'm not prepared to abandon M-B). OTOH, if interest stays soft I am prepared to go ahead with a rear-mount turbo on need2speed. The reason why this second plan isn't already in play is just based on past experience. Having done my fair share of performance projects over the years, I've learned there is more reliability, and in the long run less cost, working with manufacture's horsepower than tuner's hp, if you know what I mean ;-)

 

[195910]

Dean, Then you need a 6L in that Brylle Benz, or a Supercharger like the one discussed on the forum before.

 

[500AMM]

Arnt: I have to choose a path for ORR rallys...either continue developing the 036 or acquire another ride with more horsepower! If I get a reasonable price, then I can go with another vehicle like the unrestricted C63 (I'm not prepared to abandon M-B). OTOH, if interest stays soft I am prepared to go ahead with a rear-mount turbo on need2speed. The reason why this second plan isn't already in play is just based on past experience. Having done my fair share of performance projects over the years, I've learned there is more reliability, and in the long run less cost, working with manufacture's horsepower than tuner's hp, if you know what I mean

OK, I got the point. Tuning of the 036 has been discussed for years here, but it is challenging due to the engine management system and the complex electronic system affecting and depending on too many functions in the car. It is a pure saloon car with no options available except from the displacement increase from AMG, Brabus, RENNtech – but where all of them has let go the W124 concept now! Then you have the outdated gearbox for racing purposes, and the rest of the driveline durability is also questionable if the power becomes high enough. So the first takes the next, and you risk to end in a never ending story creating “a Castle of a Cottage”. The supercharging does work, but it is costly and the only vendors are Albrex and König Specials – as long as they keep going. The remote turbo is interesting, but it will be a development project for the 036.

However, and just to throw in some thoughts on my supercharged 6.0 as a parallel. I don’t race it, I have in fact driven only 5000 km since I acquired it in 2007 and I don’t drive so hard, but I’ve no idea how long that engine set-up will last. But the gut feeling is good due to a proper maintenance done by the PO. It is tempting to replace the Bosch LH with a standalone engine management system bringing a new life to the engine. I’ve discussed it with a reliable tuner here and by keeping the existing supercharger, the first step would be – ignition system, fuel system, camshaft control, and maintaining the ABS, ASR and CC. The second step is – water cooled intercooling, and the third step is – complete exhaust system. On top of that it would be great with a 5-speed conversion along with a Quaife diff. The total cost will be really high, probably USD 17.000, but I get a very potent and healthy engine and driveline. This is Norwegian prices so I guess it would be at least 30% less abroad.

I guess the above mods would be a about what you would be ending up with too. In addition you need the supercharging or remote turbocharging, which both would have an equal cost I guess. Putting that on top of the above you should end up about USD 20.000(??) and you get a car where you KNOW what's inside it. Those USD 20.000+19.500 selling your E500, is close to USD 40.000, which is approx. the asking price for a ‘09 C63 AMG! The C63 is a modern and great car, but I'm not sure about the reliability and maintanance cost on it. So, the question is which path you choose.

 

[need2speed]

So the first takes the next, and you risk to end in a never ending story creating “a Castle of a Cottage”.

Putting that on top of the above you should end up about USD 20.000(??) and you get a car where you KNOW what's inside it.

So, the question is which path you choose.

Arnt, you've summed everything up very well!

 

[need2speed]

Meaty!

Threw the 10" rears back on recently and just wanted to share a pic. Cheers!

 

[gerryvz]

Re: Meaty!

Cool beans!

I'm sure our "stance" experts here will be groovin hard on your picture-porn.... X

 

[Hi-Power]

Re: Meaty!

Nothing but fondness, it looks delightful...

 

[JordiC]

Re: Meaty!

Meaty indeed, thanks for the photo. I never get tired of looking at that rare colored .036 of yours Dean.

:razz:

 

[szvook]

Re: Meaty!

A meaty 036 always has a certain look to it, never get tired of drooling over a nice slab of meat.

 

[need2speed]

Re: Meaty!

Argentine BBQ and Michelin rubber...tasty!

 

[Roma_500E]

Re: Meaty!

Threw the 10" rears back on recently and just wanted to share a pic. Cheers!

Looks sharp . Indeed color is rare, I guess this is the second one I see in my life .

 

[need2speed]

Made the decision to move forward on the 6.0 path by placing a deposit on SilverStar's 1997 W210 E60, which by serendipity is located in my very own city! As we are knee-deep in snow right now, concluding the deal will have to wait until dry roads allow me to take the vehicle out for mechanical and body inspections.

My test drive a couple of summers ago was a real pleasure and everything seemed tight. As anyone who has seen SilverStar's listing pics will know, the car is uber-clean, but rust can hide out-of-sight on the W210.

Now the hunt begins for W210 E60 technical and sales literature, any help is appreciated.

I was still contemplating the sale of need2speed but my wife surprised me by claiming it, offering to sacrifice her ML for parking space instead. Appealing solution, I think the old gal would appreciate being driven more often...the car that is :-0
Argh, but shopping for suitable winter tires and rims is a PITA I'm not looking forward to.

 

[Ron500E]

Dean:

Do you have factory M119 6.0 Book?

http://www.ebay.de/itm/Mercedes-W12...07?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_77&hash=item35e4b40ae7

I may have an extra one laying around if you don't.

Ron

 

[gsxr]

The book listed above is for the LH E60... nice reference material. Dean's E60 purchase is different though, he's getting a W210 E60 with ME injection, and I've never seen an ME E60 book. I'd love a copy (or PDF) if such a beast exists.

 

[need2speed]

Thanks for the offer, though One can also download a PDF copy from here: http://www.w124performance.com/docs/mb/M119/M119_E60_LH.pdf

 

[need2speed]

The book listed above is for the LH E60... nice reference material. Dean's E60 purchase is different though, he's getting a W210 E60 with ME injection, and I've never seen an ME E60 book. I'd love a copy (or PDF) if such a beast exists.

Dave, when you say ME, would that be the LH Motronic system with EZL integrated into the ECU? I've found some references to the M119 LH Motronic as following the LH Jetronic of the 036.

 

[gsxr]

Dean, sort of... but not quite. The 400E/500E use LH-Jetronic SFI (M119.97x). AFAIK, Mercedes never used LH-Motronic. The only cars I could find which use LH-Motronic are some late 1980's models... Porsch 928 S4 and BMW 750.

ME (Motronic) injection eliminates the EZL and the engine management computer controls both fuel and coil-pack ignition. This is indicated by the .98x suffix for Mercedes M119's (example, M119.982 is the 96-98 SL500 motor). The Mercedes version of ME / Motronic is far more advanced than the 1980's stuff.


Bottom line, for the M119, I don't believe there is any such thing as "LH-Motronic". The Bosch systems MB used are:

119.960 = KE Jetronic v5.1
119.97x = LH Jetronic SFI v4.1 (note that most other LH systems were batch-fire, not SFI)
119.98x = Motronic v1.0

 

[need2speed]

I get it, thanks for going over this stuff

 

[Maui]

Okay, here are a few pics

Beautiful car!

 

[need2speed]

Almost forgot about the dealer experience

As you all know, need2speed has gone to a new home a few hours south of me. Long live need2speed2 With Open Road Rallying in mind, I've been on the look-out for a biturbo for their tremendous tuning potential and spotted one last week on M-B Canada's website which lists all pre-owned and Star Certified dealer inventory. Thus began a most interesting and as yet unfinished journey back into the dealership experience.

Step 1: filled out the online inquiry form to the selling dealer located out-of-province.

Step 2: scouted out a similar vehicle at a local dealer, but without the required options. Filled in their online inquiry form requesting a test drive. Call received that evening from Sales Guy #1 for appt next day.

Step 3: arrive at local dealership to be diverted to Sales Guy #2 who informed me the car was sold but they have a couple of new models. The financing is most favorable, would I be interested?

Step 4: inform them I'm really interested in the out-of-province car, and could they transfer it here? Sales Guy #2 gets Sales Guy #3 (manager, apparently in charge of making long distance phone calls) who says he will get right on it, and will probably get me a deal even lower than the advertised price. Meanwhile, Sales Guy #2 emails copies of sales brochures and warranty policy wording (which came stripped of any M-B identifiers for some reason ).

Step 5: wait a few days and receive email quote from Sales Guy #1 for the out-of-province car. Base price is several grand above the advertised list, plus several grand more of add-ons; wheel insurance, admin fee, nitrogen fee, window etching, and of course shipping. Return email to Sales Guy #1 asking what's up with this quote and what happened to Sales Guy #2 and #3, who I actually met.

Step 6: and so begins the dance. Sales Guy #1 says the car isn't Star Certified and the extra cost will go towards all that. Back online to confirm the car is listed as Certified. Email back to Sales Guy #1 with an attached screen shot of the listing, and request that I only deal with Sales Guy #3. Telephone message left for Sales Guy #3 to call and explain.

Step 7: the phone rings, its Sales Guy #4! The out-of-province dealer finally gets around to returning my inquiry a week late. Actually it was a valley girl chewing gum who greets me with "Hey Dean this is Cassandra" like we are long lost friends. One question; is the car Star Certified? Hmmm "smack" "smack" let me check "smack" yes it is. OK, two questions; why is the local dealer trying to upcharge me? Oh you don't need them "smack" you can buy right from us "smack" "smack" and we'll take care of everything but I have this guy coming to look at it tonight so we need a deposit if you want to hold the car. Cassandra, I didn't just fall out of a tree. Send me an quote and I'll look it over first.

Stay tuned for Step 8

 

[gsxr]

Awesome. Keep the updates coming, Dean!

 

[Peterwissner]

Good luck Dean! I am a believer in Karmann, I mean Karma. The guy who bought my Adenauer is happy he traded up, I am elated with my trade up to my (your) E500, here's hoping you can continue and get the car you want!

 

[Melville]

Since we're on the topic of dealer experiences, I'll share a story about my E500E hunt. I reached out to a dealership in MA about a car and they swore up and down that the AC worked and there wasn't a speck of rust. It turns out a member here already looked into the car and was kind enough to share a picture of a rusty fender and notes from a PPI which said AC wasn't working. And they wanted a $500 deposit for the car to go for a PPI. They knew I was not local so they must have figured they might as well lie to me. Nothing to lose.

It goes without saying not all dealers are like this. I've met some really passionate and honest car people at dealerships. Too bad they can't all be like that.

 

[Glen]

Since Dean sold need2speed, I'm closing this thread and creating a new one entitled "Almost forgot about the dealer experience" starting with post 29 above.

 

[Glen]

Re-opened per Dean's request.

 

[need2speed]

need2speed II

2015 C63 Edition 507 Coupe "Grand Edition" (final W204 production). Local car, purchased from original owner with 7500 km.
Polar White with Designo black/anthracite leather & dinamica interior.

Awaiting installation:
AMG Cooling Package 44O for C63
AMG finned differential rectifier and cover

Under consideration:
RacingBrake Black Series front/rear brake upgrade
AMG Black Series W204 Coupe rear seat delete
Mode Carbon W204 Coupe rear wing
Recaro Pole Position seats
4-pt roll bar

 

[need2speed]

Mercedes-AMG C63 Edition 507: Last of the Best V8's?

I'm a lover of brawny V-8 engines and solid German cars, so it was natural to be attracted to Mercedes-Benz. But after fifteen years enjoying a cultish W124 sedan discretely named 500E, it came time to part ways. Separation was made easier knowing my liebling was going to the home of another enthusiast, while I was now flush and free to seek out a replacement with even better road and track potential. That opportunity came most serendipitously with a local For Sale ad. "C63 Edition 507" was a brief enough title but to the cognoscenti it was quite sufficient; this may be the last of the best Mercedes V-8 cars! Let me explain...

The numerals “63” refers to AMG’s M156 V-8, the first production engine developed by this in-house tuner from scratch rather than an adaptation of an existing Mercedes-Benz power plant. Introduced in the famous DTM German road racing series, this motor went on to motivate a great many AMG factory hot-rods from 2008 onwards.

<img src="http://www.watchprosite.com/img/watchprosite/home/94/scaled/home_image.4518343.jpg">

But this engine “only” measures out to a hair over 6.2 liters, so what gives? Perhaps an industry-tolerated rounding-up factor? Not really, the stretch was made in homage to a legendary Mercedes motor car; the 300SEL 6.3 sedan of 1968. With that beast, affectionately known simply as the “6 point 3”, M-B took their biggest M100 engine from the 600-series Grosser limousine and dropped it into a sedan normally powered by a six cylinder. The result was highly entertaining and surprised more than a few Mercedes-Benz traditionalists. The model soldiered on until replaced by the “6 point 9” in 1975, but that’s another story.

<img src="http://www.watchprosite.com/img/watchprosite/home/438/scaled/home_image.4518348.jpg">

Up to now it had been strictly a Mercedes-Benz story, but AMG was to get involved in up-gunning M-B cars in a similar fashion with a creation we’ve come to know as “the Hammer”. Founded in 1967, AMG was an independent tuner company run by a couple of ex-factory geniuses; Hans Werner Aufrecht and Erhard Melcher. In 1986 they stuffed a tuned version of the factory’s M117 V-8 engine, upon which they had grafted their own quad-valve twin-cam cylinder heads, into the mid-sized E Class sedan and stood back while the automobile press discovered it could out-accelerate most exotic cars of the day.

<img src="http://www.watchprosite.com/img/watchprosite/home/38/scaled/home_image.4518358.jpg">

AMG also gained an appreciation for the M100 by racing a 300SEL 6.3 in the Europe. It was through racing that stronger bonds were forged when the factory turned to the nimble and creative AMG team to help with their own racing efforts.

<img src="http://www.watchprosite.com/img/watchprosite/home/150/scaled/home_image.4518363.jpg">

Competition for sales was another matter so, not to be upstaged, Mercedes-Benz released their own V-8 powered E Class sedan in 1990 with the redoubtable M119 5.0 liter engine borrowed from the SL roadster. Discretely offered in the catalog at an eye-watering price, they went on to sell 10,000 examples of the 500E worldwide until the final E500 Limited model of 1995. Still independent, AMG bumped up their game by boring out the engine and offering an AMG E60. The grail version was appropriately titled AMG E60 Limited.

<img src="http://www.watchprosite.com/img/watchprosite/home/180/scaled/home_image.4518368.jpg">

Mercedes-Benz and AMG began as competitors but evolved into collaborators with the C36 sports sedan in 1993, then cohabitants when Mercedes-Benz acquired controlling interest of AMG in 1999.

This brings us back to discussion of the “6 point 3”. While they started the marriage by massaging existing Mercedes-Benz power plants with forced-air superchargers and turbochargers, AMG was also working away on its very own creation. When it was revealed in 2006, the naturally-aspirated 6208 cc M156 V-8 engine could only be called one thing; the 6.3 AMG. This modern “6 point 3” was to reach its apogee with the M159 version dedicated to the SLS AMG supercar.

<img src="http://www.watchprosite.com/img/watchprosite/home/245/scaled/home_image.4518373.jpg">

The new 6.3 engine was featured in no less than ten different AMG models, generating from 451 hp up to 622 hp in SLS trim. As a free-revving naturally-aspirated engine of large displacement, it exhibited the favorable characteristics of instant throttle response, waves of torque, and glorious sound. These features combined to have the “6 point 3” christened by the motoring press as the best engine ever offered by Mercedes-Benz and perhaps the finest V-8 ever made. More importantly, it attracted the attention of a significant number of buyers, young and old.

On the down-side, the engine also had a prodigious thirst for fuel and passed far too many noxious hydrocarbons. These limitations were to cause Mercedes-Benz to abandon the big V-8 and relegate AMG back to the practice of adapting existing engines. Going forward, their prime motivator will be the M157 5.5 liter bi-turbo motor based on their regular production M278. Proving the relationship between marketing and myth-making, this power plant will also be called “63”.

The King is dead, long live the King! For most AMG models, availability of the naturally aspirated “6 point 3” ended with the 2014 model year. The huge popularity of the C63 and its fame on the track in the hands of weekend warriors surely justified one last hurrah and this came with the C63 Edition 507. Offered for sedan or coupe, the Edition 507 presented a hybrid of M156 motor upgraded with M159 internals to kick the power up to, you guessed it, 507 hp. With this and other tweaks, the Edition 507 offered a practical alternative to AMG’s boutique Black Series iteration.

<img src="http://www.watchprosite.com/img/watchprosite/home/113/scaled/home_image.4518383.jpg">

For 2015, the new 63 bi-turbo AMG swept the board except for a couple of lonely hold-outs; the C63 Edition 507 Coupe and SLS. Alas, by November even these were gone and the connection with the original “6 point 3” was extinguished. My original statement; “Last of the best?” still remains to be adjudicated. Perhaps it is not for us to determine but rather, like the Hammer and E60 Limited, for posterity to declare if this is truth or boast.



(I originally published this story in the Automotive forum of Watchprosite in Dec. 2015)

 

[500AMM]

Great coverage, Dean!

The background on the 6.3 engine was quite unknown to me, really interesting reading.

FYI – that black E60 AMG in your coverage has Norwegian plates and it is probably a Norwegian car. The reg.number is incorrect, it is for a '07 Toyota Hiace and I guess the owner has photoshop'ed the plates for security reasons. However, this car is very special, it is a '92 500E with an 100% upgrade to E60 AMG specs, and 100% in this case includes entirely genuine OE parts from MB and AMG. The upgrade was done some years ago and cost a fortune of course, but compared to the elevated prices we see on the E60 AMGs today, I think the owners budget has evolved pretty well. I haven't met the owner for a couple of years, but the car was very well kept at that point and that photo proves justice. The owner signed up here on the board some years ago, but I don't recall his username and he hasn't been an active member so far.


Keep posting about your C63 AMG and coming updates, great stuff for us petrolheads.

 

[need2speed]

South African Edition 507s

South African Edition 507 Coupe "Legacy Edition". I believe eight of the Coupes came with Black Series rear wing and two with the lip spoiler. Don't hate me but I like it!

 

[need2speed]

Australian Edition 507s

Australian special Edition 507s. Perhaps a bit OTT :-0

 

[need2speed]

Re: Australian Edition 507s

Another special Edition 507 from the 2013 model year show circuit. The "Performance Studio" graphic is noteworthy.

 

[gsxr]

Dean, what is the curb weight on these puppies? And also approximate market value for used ones?

 

[M104-AMG]

Dean - is there any truth to the premature wear listed on Wikipedia:

"In 2011, a class action lawsuit was filed in United States District Court in New Jersey against Daimler AG, Mercedes-Benz, Mercedes-AMG for alleged defects in the M156 engine contained in AMG vehicles built in 2007-2011 model years leading to premature wear. The plaintiff claimed the combination of cast nodular iron camshafts and 9310 grade steel valve lifters contributed to the premature wear, but the defendants had known about the defect since 2007.

The lawsuit lasted approximately 14-months. In November, 2012, litigation came to a halt when the New Jersey District Court dismissed the plaintiffs’ first amended complaint for lack of standing. The plaintiffs were given the opportunity to further amend their complaint to show that they had standing to sue, but plaintiffs made no further filings with the Court. On January 7, 2013, the Court signed an order closing the case."

My local tech says he's seen the issue. Is there some preventative maintenance or other "update" to do ?

TIA,
neil

 

[gsxr]

Neil, yes this is a known issue. It's a shame the lawsuit was dropped because it's an expensive fix on early M156's. From roughly 2010-up they should be fine. Details here:

http://www.w124performance.com/docs/mb/M156/

 

[need2speed]

Dean, what is the curb weight on these puppies? And also approximate market value for used ones?

Curb weight with full tank was 1756 kg or 3871 lb according to a sportauto.de road test of a 507 Sedan back in 2013. When Car & Driver tested a 507 Coupe in 2014 they published a curb weight of 3963 lb.

New pricing was heavily market-dependent. The list on my vehicle was CDN $80.5k with taxes whereas in the US, optioned the same as mine, it came to just under USD $85k incl. gas guzzler tax but not state taxes if applicable. That's over CDN $100k! I have read on forums that Australians were paying AUD $150k. I assume that used values would reflect these market differences. Up here the stealerships are generally pricing low-mileage 507 trade-ins near to list and playing up the "special edition" status, but private sellers are often $10k less (or more, in my case ;-).

 

[need2speed]

Dean - is there any truth to the premature wear listed on Wikipedia:

"In 2011, a class action lawsuit was filed in United States District Court in New Jersey against Daimler AG, Mercedes-Benz, Mercedes-AMG for alleged defects in the M156 engine contained in AMG vehicles built in 2007-2011 model years leading to premature wear. The plaintiff claimed the combination of cast nodular iron camshafts and 9310 grade steel valve lifters contributed to the premature wear, but the defendants had known about the defect since 2007.

The lawsuit lasted approximately 14-months. In November, 2012, litigation came to a halt when the New Jersey District Court dismissed the plaintiffs’ first amended complaint for lack of standing. The plaintiffs were given the opportunity to further amend their complaint to show that they had standing to sue, but plaintiffs made no further filings with the Court. On January 7, 2013, the Court signed an order closing the case."

My local tech says he's seen the issue. Is there some preventative maintenance or other "update" to do ?

TIA,
neil

There were head bolt failures reported with the 2010-11 M156 engines and if someone was looking at a car in that age range they should insist on proof the update was done, which involved replacing the original head bolts with new strengthened ones. Apparently the dealers were replacing them on cars with persistent coolant leaks.

 

[M104-AMG]

There were head bolt failures reported with the 2010-11 M156 engines and if someone was looking at a car in that age range they should insist on proof the update was done, which involved replacing the original head bolts with new strengthened ones. Apparently the dealers were replacing them on cars with persistent coolant leaks.

Yep, my tech friend just did recently TWICE to a S63.

So if I wanted an E63 wagon, is MY 2012-2014 the best bet, since I don't want the complexity of the twin-turbo ? . . .

neil

 

[need2speed]

So if I wanted an E63 wagon, is MY 2012-2014 the best bet, since I don't want the complexity of the twin-turbo ? . . .

neil

Absolutely!

 

[need2speed]

Oh, fickle me...the C63 is gone! Having made the decision to go down to a one-car family, the difficulties of living with this beast as a daily driver were too obvious to wish away.

Welcome MsNeed2Speed; our 2016 E400 4Matic S212 Estate in Tenorite Gray with black/anthracite leather interior and black ash wood trim. A nice combination of pace and luxury, its maxim shall be "floats like a butterfly, stings like a bee". This isn't a forever car, in truth I'm holding out for the day when E63 Wagon's depreciate down to realistic prices, but fits our needs for the present.

The S212 Canadian E400 is motivated by M-B's M276 3.0 liter biturbo engine which provides 329 hp and 354 lb-ft. According to several tuners (Kleemann, RennTech, Carlsson) another 50-60 hp is available through ECU mods. If you activate the Sport setting and deactivate the ECO system (one button push for each, every time you start out), the car scoots pretty good as is.

Immediately after taking delivery we launched on a 1,000 km tour through British Columbia's wine region and I must admit it was nice to be pampered by a car to this extent. MBCanada chose an interesting mix of sport and luxury specs for their S212 run-out model. Sport with 18" AMG wheels and 245/40-18 tires, AMG front fascia and side sills, sport brake system, and active LED headlamps. Luxury with Airmatic suspension, 14-speaker stereo, double-stitched leather seats and dashboard, and gorgeous lacquered black ash wood trim.

A full suite of passive and active safety features still has me frequently consulting the Owner's Manual to figure what to keep on or switch off. Parktronic, collision prevention, adaptive braking, steering correction, radar-assisted cruise control, blind spot monitoring, yada yada. Are we not expected to drive any longer?

Speaking of Owner's Manuals, many features are not in the printed copy but instead you are referred to the Digital Operator's Manual accessible through the car's COMAND system...but only when the vehicle is parked. My work-around was to download the PDF version from Daimler's website to our iPad. Apparently as of MY2016 most M-B manuals and even brochures are online only!

 

[Maui]

Sweet. I love wagons.

 

[need2speed]

I must give a shout-out to the M-B dealer in Kelowna, BC, for handling our transaction flawlessly. The experience started with our search for a scarce E400 wagon. Three new units were located in Western Canada in dealer stock, and each was sent an email.

Kelowna responded first, within a day, and in a most novel fashion. They sent a link to a YouTube video with the salesman conducting a walk-around of the car and describing the condition. It was personalized, with the salesman using my name and talking to the camera as if I was there.

In contrast, the other two dealers took three days or longer and first vetted the inquiry through some web manager who only promised more delay as they forwarded my contact to the sales department, which may favor me with a reply.

The discussions with Kelowna M-B proceeded to the trade-in, and here again I was both surprised and impressed. Another YouTube link was received where the sales manager went over their offer, presenting the deal in full transparency including how much they intended to sell the C63 for and therefore what they could offer. Their numbers were entirely realistic, even generous. That combined with an aggressive price on the wagon in anticipation of the new W213 this fall, was very compelling.

Back to the standard sales experience, I eventually heard from a sales person from one of the other dealers. They offered substantially less on the trade and pumped up the price of the new unit with thousands in dealer add-ons, most of which I didn't want. When I declined, they indicated there might be room to wiggle their price down. Not worth the hassle methinks. The third dealer, five days after my submission, was simply told "you're too late".