Weekend Journal of Introspective Day Trips - Post your drives here

[Jlaa]

Once a year, my family leaves me and visits the in-laws on the other side of the country, leaving me to my own devices for two weeks.

It is during those weekends that I find myself wrapped in my own thoughts --- solitude, introspection, and reflection. Nothing is more satisfying to me (okay I can think of a few things that are perhaps more satisfying but this is a 'G' rated forum) than pointing the car towards a cardinal direction and seeing where the day takes me.

I took two drives this past weekend. A couple of thoughts ---

• The seats could use a little more lower back / lumbar support. I feel a little lower back pain after a few hours.
• The 500E really eats the miles.
• The warmness of the Becker 1432 audio system is really nice --- so warm, so ----- vinyl-like? Streaming my entire library of flac Diana Krall albums through it via my phone is so very cathartic.
• 3/4 throttle 4th gear acceleration from 80 mph -> 1xx mph is fantastic ---- the gear is so short (by modern standards) that acceleration at extra-legal speeds is wonderful without having the drama of downshifting 3 gears from what might be today's 9-speed auto transmissions.
• I love the gunsight at the very end of the hood.
• This is not a sports-sedan in the modern sense. This is a rolling dreadnought with ample high speed power.
• Why in God's name is there not more cubby/storage space in the interior????
• I got friendly waves from a bunch of hipster-esque BMW e30 driving millenials
• I didn't know that there is a ginormous Buddhist compound in northern California - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/City_of_Ten_Thousand_Buddhas
• I remember all the wine tastings in Sonoma were free. Nothing is free anymore. :-(
• How do you get outside ambient temp air moving into the cabin without turning on the HVAC fan? Is there such a setting?
• If the car is parked at a gas station and the ground is ever so slightly not level --- meaning the right side of the car is slightly lower than the left side of the car, then I cannot fill the tank full enough such that the fuel gauge shows full.
• I really enjoy having the economy gauge in the car ---- more things to look at --- more gauge needles moving!
• I have the first gear shift valve body and it seems only to shift from 1st to 2nd at two rpms --- either super low (at like 1600 rpm) under light throttle, or super high rpm under full throttle blasts. It is not like a modern trans where if you can play with the throttle to get it to shift from 1st to 2nd at a moderate 3000 rpm. You have to row the gear lever to make that happen.
• I waved at all manners of my fellow drivers who were in w124s. No-one waved back. Very disappointing.
• What a fantastic car - it is so very special to drive.

 

[RicardoD]

Wow, your car looks great. Love the special color.

• 3/4 throttle 4th gear acceleration from 80 mph -> 1xx mph is fantastic ---- the gear is so short (by modern standards) that acceleration at extra-legal speeds is wonderful without having the drama of downshifting 3 gears from what might be today's 9-speed auto transmissions.

Yes, this, my favorite thing to do in the car, the engine just keeps pulling and pulling.

 

[TerryA]

Jlaa,

Nice, something I would like to cross off my bucket list someday. A nice long drive by myself. I've had a few jaunts down to San Diego from the OC but most of my drives are back thru the Irvine Lake area down to El Toro on a Saturday or Sunday morning.

It's one of the rare pleasant drives thru the rolling SoCal hills that still exists today. Kinda like the country in the city. There are some cross roads leading to little communities that have been there forever it seams.

One particular area from Cooks Corner to O'Neil Park is a twisty drive thru natural tunnel made buy old Oak Trees lining the road but it's to short no more than 2 miles so I go both ways on it. Carefully romping thru different spots when the opportunity presents itself. Weekends brings out lots of biker clubs both peddle and motor so careful is the key to preventing disaster.

The light at the end of the proverbial tunnel is to check out Captruff's cars and "Part Depot" when he's around. Always interesting to see what he's up to.

Lately though with travel and other priorities sadly I haven't had the time. Hopefully that will change soon.

Anyway, enough about me.

Take Care

 

[nocfn]

This^^^^^^

Reminds me of my time in Socal 87-89. Lived on Berkely Dr, then for the last 10 months on new housing built for NonCom families. I ran into a high school buddy from Ohio at the grocery store, he was USMC heading out to Okinawa. I got his never lived in 2 bed/bath townhome for 300/mo. My one bedroom apartment was 1050/mo. ETMCAS is gone, the swamp is now a toll road behind UCI going to Laguna....but I agree heading to see Jeff was quite fun! (I did have a semi-chopped Honda at my disposal which made the curved drive you speak of pretty fun as a 22 year old non-marine in the area) whoohoo!!

 

[gsxr]

• How do you get outside ambient temp air moving into the cabin without turning on the HVAC fan? Is there such a setting?

Not possible with the USA-mandated automatic climate control. The only way to turn the fan off is the "O" setting, which also closes the main air flap. The idea is, this setting blocks all airflow to reduce unpleasant odors (i.e., skunk). If you want airflow, you need to select EC (assuming you don't want AC) and pick one of the three available fan speeds.

• If the car is parked at a gas station and the ground is ever so slightly not level --- meaning the right side of the car is slightly lower than the left side of the car, then I cannot fill the tank full enough such that the fuel gauge shows full.

A slight angle shouldn't cause this. My guess is something up with your modified fuel gauge, or sender, or both. When it happens you could try measuring the resistance at the sender terminals and compare to factory specs; and also compare to filling when level.

• I have the first gear shift valve body and it seems only to shift from 1st to 2nd at two rpms --- either super low (at like 1600 rpm) under light throttle, or super high rpm under full throttle blasts. It is not like a modern trans where if you can play with the throttle to get it to shift from 1st to 2nd at a moderate 3000 rpm. You have to row the gear lever to make that happen.

That doesn't sound right. The upshift RPM should be linear based on throttle travel. Do you know the origin of the FGS VB, and/or the part number? Any chance your transmission is a 722.365 (early) instead of 722.370 (late)? You'd need to check the serial number stamped on the trans itself.

• I waved at all manners of my fellow drivers who were in w124s. No-one waved back. Very disappointing.

I think most 124 owners today consider them appliances. Now, I'd be disappointed if an E500E driver didn't wave back...

 

[Jlaa]

A slight angle shouldn't cause this. My guess is something up with your modified fuel gauge, or sender, or both. When it happens you could try measuring the resistance at the sender terminals and compare to factory specs; and also compare to filling when level.

I just find it a curious observation that the car is sensitive to grades on fillup. The gauge I found now is very accurate --- If I fill up on level ground or ground where the passenger side is higher than the drivers side, then the gauge registers full and all is right with the world. If I fill up where the passenger side is lower than the drivers side then the pump shuts off early and the gauge does not show full. I know the pump shuts off early because Ill drive gently for fifty miles and then have to add five gallons back in the tank at a level gas station! It gets bad mileage but not that bad!

Maybe its the vapor recovery nozzles we have here in SF or maybe its just that there is no flat land here ...

That doesn't sound right. The upshift RPM should be linear based on throttle travel. Do you know the origin of the FGS VB, and/or the part number? Any chance your transmission is a 722.365 (early) instead of 722.370 (late)? You'd need to check the serial number stamped on the trans itself.

Ill check the trans / VB next time the car is in the air, thanks. It could be that I am not used to the old school looooooooooooooong MB throttle travel and therefore what I think is substantial throttle travel is still light throttle. My reference daily driver is whatever 2017 car hertz is renting that week ... so my perceptions are a bit skewed.

 

[8899]

If I fill up on level ground or ground where the passenger side is higher than the drivers side, then the gauge registers full and all is right with the world. If I fill up where the passenger side is lower than the drivers side then the pump shuts off early and the gauge does not show full. I know the pump shuts off early because Ill drive gently for fifty miles and then have to add five gallons back in the tank at a level gas station! It gets bad mileage but not that bad!

I experience exactly the same thing.

 

[8899]

I took two drives this past weekend. A couple of thoughts ---

These two threads are always an interesting read:

http://www.500eboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1036&highlight=Dislikes
http://www.500eboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3405&highlight=factory mods

 

[Jlaa]

That doesn't sound right. The upshift RPM should be linear based on throttle travel. Do you know the origin of the FGS VB, and/or the part number? Any chance your transmission is a 722.365 (early) instead of 722.370 (late)? You'd need to check the serial number stamped on the trans itself.

I took a looooong drive yesterday eve to go from Hopland CA (it was once a big center for hops (for beer) production to Clear Lake via CA-175. I find these rural state roads to be so bucolic and so very free of traffic ---- what a pleasant drive through the hills.

Experimenting w the trans, I realized that you are right - it does upshift from 1-2 linearly based on throttle travel. I am just (1) not used to the loooong pedal travel of "vintage" MBs and (2) I am too used to modern electronic automatic transmissions that will hold the lower gear for you even after you've lifted your foot off the throttle. Transmissions sure have undergone lots of development in the past few years. I learned to drive on a 3-speed automatic Datsun of late 70s vintage .... and that trans was not as different to the 500E trans 15 years later than the 500E trans is to circa-2008 cars another 15 years on. (I am comparing to a Volvo V70R of 2006 vintage with a 6 speed automatic with lots of electronic controls).


Here are some pictures along CA-175. Btw the 57F temp is in SF where it is cool and foggy in June.

 

[036]

I dont like to write... i just post some videos

[youtube]NoZ6e2qzIeY[/youtube]

[youtube]D9rqUBoPigs[/youtube]

 

[RicardoD]

I have a great photo I took called the road to Flensburg. I used to work for Motorola and we had a mobile phone factory in Flensburg. It was my first time in Germany and on the autobahn. great memories Thanks for sharing your videos

 

[Jlaa]

It was good to stretch the car's legs today. Given that we are still under a SIP (shelter in place) and the fact that that mayor just announced that the SIP directive would extend another month (aarrrrgggghhhh) --- well --- might as well deliver groceries to my well-aged folks that live across the bay up in the hills..

The car hadn't been driven in at least 2 months. After some initial lumpiness in the tires worked out after a few miles (sitting on the same spot on the tire too long?), I pumped them up to 32/34 F/R.

This car was made for cruising fast. C19 means little traffic and clear freeways, clear approaches to the bay bridge, clear exits onto I-580/I-80E, and a clear maze. Extra Legal Speeds are not a problem, if you dare tempting the Califonia Highway Patrol! What unbridled joy it was to pilot this car on clear roads at, ahem, very effektiv speeds today!

I love the steering on this car. I'm not sure I know how to describe it other than "perfect for going very fast and feeling very solid." It is not hyper sensitive like a sports car. It is not ultra communicative like a sports car ---- but it DOES talk to you, a lot --- in hushed, well measured tones. Constantly. It is not so boorish as sport-car-steering to tell you about every pebble on the road. It is not so rude so as to offer you a helping of kickback. It is a smooth, measured cadence and conveys fluidity, security, and regality.

The steering in this car feels nothing like the steering in modern electric steering boxes. It is much more ALIVE (but I would not call it lively.) Anti-recirculating ball types be damned, increasing I am realizing that the steering feel in this car is completely critical to its character! I love the qualities that it conveys to the driver - solidity, indefatigability, and poise. It has poise in spades.

Delivering umpteen pounds of frozen chicken, salmon, ground pork, dumplings, vegetables, flour, yeast, and a bottle Cabernet Sauvignon never felt more like a GRAND EVENT than it did today.

 

[TerryA]

It was good to stretch the car's legs today. >>> On that great set of Neez wheels

SIP (shelter in place) SIP directive would extend another month (aarrrrgggghhhh) >>>SIP? Come-On

I pumped them up to 32/34 F/R. >>> Funny, I run mine just the opposite (34/32 F/R) You should try it!

This car was made for cruising fast. >>> Now, Where is that Autobahn?

I love the steering on this car. The steering in this car feels nothing like the steering in modern electric steering boxes. >>> Not as sharp as the Prius?

Delivering umpteen pounds of frozen chicken, salmon, ground pork, dumplings, vegetables, flour, yeast, and a bottle Cabernet Sauvignon never felt more like a GRAND EVENT than it did today. >>> Your a worthwhile Son I'm Proud of You. I'll bet they are to!

BTW, Your Arrest me Red car looks outstanding!!

lol

 

[LWB250]

These drives bring back memories of when I was living in San Bruno and Montara. On weekends I wasn't commuting back home to Florida I would be bored out of my mind, so I would fire up the 1970 250C and head out into the boonies. Your trip to the north looks like one of my day drives from that time frame. Brings back a lot of good memories. Thanks!

Dan

 

[sheward]

You nailed the description of the steering. I think it's perfect. Funny, one of the original magazine reviews complained about the steering. Probably expected something on the order of the M5s R&P of the times. It promotes absolute confidence and relaxation at speed.

drew

 

[Jlaa]

SIP (shelter in place) SIP directive would extend another month (aarrrrgggghhhh) >>>SIP? Come-On

To overly nerdy types like myself or amber/green-screen master @gsxr, SIP means "Session Initiation Protocol." To the rest of the country, SIP means

I pumped them up to 32/34 F/R. >>> Funny, I run mine just the opposite (34/32 F/R) You should try it!

Hmmmmm..... perhaps I shall. What is the primary benefit of pumping the fronts higher than the rears? Are you promoting less stick in the rear to neutralize the effect of staggered tire sizes? I just went by the fuel filler door suggestions and upped the pressure a little bit because 18"s and potholes.

 

[Glen]

You nailed the description of the steering. I think it's perfect. Funny, one of the original magazine reviews complained about the steering. Probably expected something on the order of the M5s R&P of the times. It promotes absolute confidence and relaxation at speed.

drew

Most reviews from the 80's and 90's of Mercedes in general complained about the steering. Numb on center which is partially true but once you're used it, it's actually comforting and more relaxing. Incidentally, all M5's had recirculating ball steering until the E60 [chassis] came out in 2005.

 

[gsxr]

Neez... Check.
Proper Euro lights... Check.
Correct headlight wipers... Check.
Trunk badge... Check.

 

[msq]

..... It could be that I am not used to the old school looooooooooooooong MB throttle travel and therefore what I think is substantial throttle travel is still light throttle....

When I got my car this took some getting used to.
It was so different than my C43 which was quite "jumpy" in a good way (which was only 4+ years newer model year). If I had to change anything about these cars it would be 5 gears vs. 4; first gear start (simple switch like maybe the "w" "s" one, so you could still have 2nd gear start if you wanted); some kind of electronics/transmission design that had a bit more modern response like the C43 had - which came only a few years later. (I know some of this has been discussed in other threads).
I don't think I would change anything else.

 

[Jlaa]

Neez... Check.
Proper Euro lights... Check.
Correct headlight wipers... Check.
Trunk badge... Check.

Also the black filler strip for the missing front license plate. ;-)

When I got my car this took some getting used to.
It was so different than my C43 which was quite "jumpy" in a good way (which was only 4+ years newer model year). If I had to change anything about these cars it would be 5 gears vs. 4; first gear start (simple switch like maybe the "w" "s" one, so you could still have 2nd gear start if you wanted); some kind of electronics/transmission design that had a bit more modern response like the C43 had - which came only a few years later. (I know some of this has been discussed in other threads).
I don't think I would change anything else.

Do you not have the first gear valve body? It makes things very nice.

I had a W202 C280 as well as a W210 E320 with the 5 speed automatic .... those were very nice automatic gearboxes with perfect spark retard during shifting / intelligent down shifting / etc ...

However I think one thing that truly makes the character of the E500E is the fact that the old 722.3 4 speed transmission has no lockup for its torque converter (as everything after it did). The lack of the lockup torque converter makes for instantaneous response in 4th gear at speed, and I love it. I think the car's character would be altered if one added a lockup mode to the torque converter. I arrived at this conclusion some time in 2018 (After the original passel of postings in this thread).

 

[gsxr]

Also the black filler strip for the missing front license plate. ;-)

It looked so clean I totally missed that!

 

[msq]

Also the black filler strip for the missing front license plate. ;-)



Do you not have the first gear valve body? It makes things very nice.

I had a W202 C280 as well as a W210 E320 with the 5 speed automatic .... those were very nice automatic gearboxes with perfect spark retard during shifting / intelligent down shifting / etc ...

However I think one thing that truly makes the character of the E500E is the fact that the old 722.3 4 speed transmission has no lockup for its torque converter (as everything after it did). The lack of the lockup torque converter makes for instantaneous response in 4th gear at speed, and I love it. I think the car's character would be altered if one added a lockup mode to the torque converter. I arrived at this conclusion some time in 2018 (After the original passel of postings in this thread).

So when I got my car I was thinking about making a few changes:
- First Gear start
- Avant Garde Grille
- Steering wheel from C43
- AMG Aero multi-piece wheels (my car was originally ordered with and one of the few that came with 17" monoblocks just when there were coming out on C36's)

I decided to keep the car stock, originally as it was ordered when it came from MB/AMG (well, not quite, I currently have OZ Opera II 18" wheels, but may switch back to the original 17" AMG Monoblocks that I have in my basement). I am glad I kept the car stock. I have a brand new set of COCO mats that I customer ordered (vs. standard size for E500E) that are in the trunk that I have never used...I may try them this summer.
As you know I can get the first gear start by stomping on the gas or doing the thing with the shifter, and later I realized what I really wanted was exactly what you were talking about above - just far less pedal travel - which is not really possible with the transmission/electronics that came on these cars.
I do really like instantaneous response in 4th gear and I really like that to get the wheels to spin I can just stomp on the gas (no foot on brake and revving engine) and even get it to chirp in 2nd gear.
Separately, agreed on the 5 speed W202 transmission.

 

[TerryA]

To overly nerdy types like myself or amber/green-screen master @gsxr, SIP means "Session Initiation Protocol." To the rest of the country, SIP means



Hmmmmm..... perhaps I shall. What is the primary benefit of pumping the fronts higher than the rears? Are you promoting less stick in the rear to neutralize the effect of staggered tire sizes? I just went by the fuel filler door suggestions and upped the pressure a little bit because 18"s and potholes.

View attachment 102103

For me, I think it rides better and I like the stick. IMOP, the fronts take more punishment than the rears hence the higher pressure. Plus the 275 rears wear better. The 285s I replaced at 25K miles still had tread on the inside.

I also vary the pressure dependent on the temperature. Hotter drop a lb - Colder raise a lb.

 

[gerryvz]

Neez... Check.
Proper Euro lights... Check.
Correct headlight wipers... Check.
Trunk badge... Check.

Spare battery trunk sheet metal ... Check

When I hear someone bag on recirculating ball steering and compare it to rack-n-whateva ... I just tune them out. Blah blah blah.

 

[TimL]

Having a severe case of cabin fever today, so I decided to take the 500E for a spin in the in the mountains with a little coffee break in between. Just thrilled with the car every time I drive it. Love the understated visual menace and the torque floods in when you accelerate from 80 mph.....so glad to have one of these cars

 

[Jlaa]

Having a severe case of cabin fever today, so I decided to take the 500E for a spin in the in the mountains with a little coffee break in between. Just thrilled with the car every time I drive it. Love the understated visual menace and the torque floods in when you accelerate from 80 mph.....so glad to have one of these cars

Love the Rial M800s. Do you run a square tire setup?

 

[TimL]

Thank you- conversely I really like the NEEZ wheels on your car! Yes, I run the RIALS with 245/45/R18 Bridgestone RE71-R all around

 

[sheward]

Yes, i cannot decide which of those wheels are better. Better get a set of both! That center picture should have been in the photo contest, Tim.

drew