Thanks Talbir. I went out today with a couple of litres of water and poured it all over the boot but couldn't detect any leakage. I'll have to try with the hose at the weekend.
Impressions so far: this is actually my first mercedes and the only car I've owned prior to this was a 2000 Honda Integra Type R. Here are my thoughts in no particular order, apologies if I ramble.
Drive: It's difficult to give a full impression of driving the car as all I've been thinking about is the tracking i.e. pulling to the left. Also, I haven't really pushed it because I'm not confident of the condition of the car but from what I tested the acceleration is ridiculous! This car is quick and them some but it feels like it shouldn't be able to travel as fast as it does. Very impressed.
At this stage I'm focusing on the negatives more than the positives and I must say the suspension is slightly crashy - I was expecting as smooth as silk which this car is not. I'm glad it doesn't feel like an
S-Class but I would have expected better composure over bumps. Perhaps bushes/suspension needs seeing to. Another weak area on this car is the brakes. Not sure if this this particular
car but I'm having to get used to braking early to haul it in. Finally although the seats are comfortable, I would have preferred it if they had more lumbar support as I have back issues. Reading the manual last night I understand some cars had orthopaedic seats. I might have to look into getting this retro-fitted if cost is not prohibitive.
Looks: I really like the look of this car. I'm in my mid twenties (sigh) and I felt bad for not going for something that looks sexier and 'younger' but the more I look at it the more I like it. I love how it looks in an underground car park. I'm not sure if it's me but I feel like it looks completely different to anything else around it and definitely looks special. For the first time, I have noticed people looking twice even if 99.9% of people have no idea what it is. I'm constantly checking it out from my window (unfortunately it will be left outside three days a week).
Sound: God I love the engine; it's a proper muscle car. Even when I pull away slowly it feels like something epic is happening under the bonnet. This is not a car for girls. I only wish I didn't have to open the window slightly to take it in.
Design: it took me ages to figure out why one front and rear light stayed on after I locked the car. Then realised it was because headlights were on P - what the hell is this for?
Build quality: They sure don't make them like this anymore. I have to keep reminding myself the car is 16 years old. It's an absolute tank. I know these days the focus is all on weight saving but this thing feels like it was made out of a solid block of metal - truly from another era and another design methodology. I'm not sure if all mercs from this era are like this but for example, I weight about 12st and when I sat on the door sill the car barely moved, like I weighed nothing. Very different to my Type R. It's also the heavy feel to the knobs and switches which I'm sure I couldn't break if I wanted to. Why is one wing mirror larger than the other? I don't think modern Mercs have this. Was it decided that it was not such a good idea? Doors. They don't close with the reasurring thud on the E34 or E39 and you have to really give it some to close the door. I like the handles though.
Regarding the autobox - I find it strange that the lights that tell you which gear you are in do not remain on. Is this right? It's only when I'm changing gear that the lights come on and even then not every time - surely I'm not expected to memorise the layout of the selector?
Then are a series of button between the rear window operators. What are these for? If I remember correctly some of them are labelled K and P. Can't find these in the handbook.
Thoughts on improvements. I need someone to knows these cars to take a look at it. Probably goign to take it to candvcars as recommended by Uberwagon and see what it needs to get it mechanically sound. Definitely going to get the seals changed. I know the aerial needs fixing. After
that I'll look into xenons and an iPod connection in the central glovebox. What are people's thoughts?
Overall I would say I am really warming to this motor and I think this could well be the start of a beautiful relationship.
oh and I love the mats - big and thick with the mercedes plaque in the corner. And the massive rear view mirror. and the little stick you pull out to open the bonnet .and the fire extinguisher and...
Impressions so far: this is actually my first mercedes and the only car I've owned prior to this was a 2000 Honda Integra Type R. Here are my thoughts in no particular order, apologies if I ramble.
Drive: It's difficult to give a full impression of driving the car as all I've been thinking about is the tracking i.e. pulling to the left. Also, I haven't really pushed it because I'm not confident of the condition of the car but from what I tested the acceleration is ridiculous! This car is quick and them some but it feels like it shouldn't be able to travel as fast as it does. Very impressed.
At this stage I'm focusing on the negatives more than the positives and I must say the suspension is slightly crashy - I was expecting as smooth as silk which this car is not. I'm glad it doesn't feel like an
S-Class but I would have expected better composure over bumps. Perhaps bushes/suspension needs seeing to. Another weak area on this car is the brakes. Not sure if this this particular
car but I'm having to get used to braking early to haul it in. Finally although the seats are comfortable, I would have preferred it if they had more lumbar support as I have back issues. Reading the manual last night I understand some cars had orthopaedic seats. I might have to look into getting this retro-fitted if cost is not prohibitive.
Looks: I really like the look of this car. I'm in my mid twenties (sigh) and I felt bad for not going for something that looks sexier and 'younger' but the more I look at it the more I like it. I love how it looks in an underground car park. I'm not sure if it's me but I feel like it looks completely different to anything else around it and definitely looks special. For the first time, I have noticed people looking twice even if 99.9% of people have no idea what it is. I'm constantly checking it out from my window (unfortunately it will be left outside three days a week).
Sound: God I love the engine; it's a proper muscle car. Even when I pull away slowly it feels like something epic is happening under the bonnet. This is not a car for girls. I only wish I didn't have to open the window slightly to take it in.
Design: it took me ages to figure out why one front and rear light stayed on after I locked the car. Then realised it was because headlights were on P - what the hell is this for?
Build quality: They sure don't make them like this anymore. I have to keep reminding myself the car is 16 years old. It's an absolute tank. I know these days the focus is all on weight saving but this thing feels like it was made out of a solid block of metal - truly from another era and another design methodology. I'm not sure if all mercs from this era are like this but for example, I weight about 12st and when I sat on the door sill the car barely moved, like I weighed nothing. Very different to my Type R. It's also the heavy feel to the knobs and switches which I'm sure I couldn't break if I wanted to. Why is one wing mirror larger than the other? I don't think modern Mercs have this. Was it decided that it was not such a good idea? Doors. They don't close with the reasurring thud on the E34 or E39 and you have to really give it some to close the door. I like the handles though.
Regarding the autobox - I find it strange that the lights that tell you which gear you are in do not remain on. Is this right? It's only when I'm changing gear that the lights come on and even then not every time - surely I'm not expected to memorise the layout of the selector?
Then are a series of button between the rear window operators. What are these for? If I remember correctly some of them are labelled K and P. Can't find these in the handbook.
Thoughts on improvements. I need someone to knows these cars to take a look at it. Probably goign to take it to candvcars as recommended by Uberwagon and see what it needs to get it mechanically sound. Definitely going to get the seals changed. I know the aerial needs fixing. After
that I'll look into xenons and an iPod connection in the central glovebox. What are people's thoughts?
Overall I would say I am really warming to this motor and I think this could well be the start of a beautiful relationship.
oh and I love the mats - big and thick with the mercedes plaque in the corner. And the massive rear view mirror. and the little stick you pull out to open the bonnet .and the fire extinguisher and...
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