E320Cdi Q's about Suspension MP3 Keyless Go

[1NDYT]

Hello folks,

Just bought E320CDi Avantgarde Estate Oct 03 Registered. I've owned saloons before but this Estate has some spec i'm not familiar with.

The vehicle has manufacturers AMG kit on along with 18inch Alloys. The steering seems to wander (tramline?) a bit when on slightly bumpy roads. Not sure whether this is because of the 18inch 245width tyres or that there is a problem with the steering/Airmatic-Suspension.

I also have Keyless Go and was wandering whether the car should lock automatically when i walk away as mine doesn't.

I'm also trying to get the Comand DVD unit to play MP3 files. The Unit recognises the MP3 songs title & Artist and it also appears to be playing the songs, but it plays as if its skipping 2-3 secs for every second it plays.confusing to say the least...any clues?

My biggest concern is whether i should worry out about the steering (c above) so if any one can steer me in the right direction (not deliberate pun!) it would be greatly appreciated .

 

[230K]

Hi

Welcome to the Forum. Someone will hopefully be along in a moment to help you out. I am not familiar with any of the things you mention. Just saying Hi Sounds like a nice car though.

Welcome

230K

 

[television]

Re the keyless go, the car does not lock automatically, you push the button on the door handle, to unlock just touch the handle and the same with the boot

 

[1NDYT]

Just tried the button on the door handle and it does as it should and locks. Had the vehicle 2 days and had a quick read through the manual but didn't pick anything up (i know, plonker!).

The steering is my biggest concern though. The vehicle has 6month warranty on it so i'd like any potential issues flagged up before it runs out.

Its a bit juicy but i'll put up with it because its perfect for me.

Melanite Black, Sand Nappa leather, Glass sunroof, Driver/Passenger heated ventilated memory multicontour seats, Heated Back seats, Easypack Option, 4 Zone luxury Climate, AMG Bodykit with AMG alloys, Full Comand, Keyless Go, Tracker,f/b Parking sensors (for when the missus drives it...honest!), SatNav DVD palyer.....although no CD Changer strangely enough Adjustable Airmatic suspension, Integrated phone, Active/Cornering Headlamps, Black tint windows.....and 3 kids under 6 to wreck the whole interior!

Can't have everything perfect hey!

 

[Mactech]

Hi. I have a 06 Avantgarde estate which runs at a similar ride height to the AMG spec. I run both 16" (winter) and 18" (summer) on my car with no ill effects on the steering even though the 18" have a greater offset and 245 tyres.
When I first got the car it did not track quite as true as my prevoius one and was not as good at maintaining a straight and true path come wind, rain or road irregularities. It seemed to need far more input.
I got the tracking checked out, had a very small toe correction on one of the rears and the car now cruises like an ocean liner. (that is only the Captain will make it change course!)
If there is no wear in the suspension joints then get the tracking checked on a 4 wheel laser rig.

 

[crockers]

Hi and welcome -- looking forward to seeing pics of your machine..:bannana:

 

[1NDYT]

Thanks for the input gents. When i test drove the vehicle i didn't notice the steering problem. The dealer (not Merc) stated that the vehicle needs to be thoroughly checked before they issue the warranty on it(6mths). I do recall them replacing something (can't remember what??) while they readied it for pickup.

1 Week later i picked it up and drove back (without test driving it again) and as i was on the motorway straight away i didn't really notice anything out of order (too busy flooring it & looking out for Police to be honest!). I gave the dealer a call today and he will call back tomorrow to tell me exactly work was done. I did think it might be the tracking but i'll wait for the dealer to confirm works done.

I would take some pictures of the car but weather here in Worcester has just been p!55 poor that i haven't really had an opportunity.

I have visited the forum many times as the information is excellent and you guys really are informative. Had a problem on my wifes E280Cdi a couple months ago with kickdown not responding and the Worcester Stealers (lovely term!) garage didn't have a clue (not the first time!). I reset the memory on the gearbox as a forum member suggested and have had no trouble since.

You saved me from a nagging wife and thats reason enough for praising your work in my books!

Just have to find a forum about ironing now!

Will keep u posted. Any thoughts on the MP3 problem? my software says SWVer.HU: 15/2004 generated Mon Apr05 15:35:45....keh?

 

[jeremytaylor]

....although no CD Changer strangely enough

Are you sure? There's a little chrome button centrally under the Comand screen. Try pressing it and seeing what happens!

P.S. Otherwise, that's a very nice spec. you've got there.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Sounds like a nice car.

With low-ish suspension and wide-ish tyres there will inevitabley be a greater inclination to tramline. That said, if it feels too strong then get it checked out.

A proper 4-wheel alignment check is expensive - I think the dealer charged close to £250 including the VAT on our ML last year. I think tyre specialists - with the right equipment - charge closer to £100.

If you're near Worcester, might be worth a trip down the M5 to PowerStation in Cheltenham. Reputation was always high - and my father in law spoke very highly of them. They specialise in Japanese cars, but should have a problem with an MB.

Find out more here: http://www.powerstation.org.uk/alignment.asp

 

[DieselE]

Are you sure? There's a little chrome button centrally under the Comand screen. Try pressing it and seeing what happens!

P.S. Otherwise, that's a very nice spec. you've got there.

The 6 CD Changer is an option, not standard. If it wasn't specified at build it wont be there.

 

[1NDYT]

Thanks for the info gents. Definitely no cd-changer. Also have E280Cdi so am familiar with the gadgets on the cars. Its just as DieselE said.

Getting 4 Wheel Alignment done this Wednesday from company called Ramus Porscha Ltd in West Bromwich (nr to work). They have the Pro-Align machines and have said they have done many Mercs in the past (i'll take their word for it). Charge is £84+VAT. I'm hoping this will sort the steering issue out.

Wait and see.

The lack of CD-Changer is the reason i'm trying to get the MP3 to work. Apparently my SW Version 15/04 should play MP3. The Comand actually recognises the song/artist and folders but plays the song 2-3secs at a time and just sounds like a scratched record! I've tried both cdr's and dvds in both MP3 formats and DataFormats, slow write-speed and normal???

one problem at a time!

p.s. Do u think correctly aligned wheels improves MPG. I'm averaging 31MPG at the moment, mainly motorway miles (including crawling from J4/J3 - J1 M5). If anyone could give me some pointers on the MP3 i'd be a happier :bannana:.
On a lighter note......all xmas shopping has now been done!

 

[glojo]

The lack of CD-Changer is the reason i'm trying to get the MP3 to work. Apparently my SW Version 15/04 should play MP3. The Comand actually recognises the song/artist and folders but plays the song 2-3secs at a time and just sounds like a scratched record! I've tried both cdr's and dvds in both MP3 formats and DataFormats, slow write-speed and normal???

one problem at a time!

I strongly suspect operator error regarding the Mp3's and I say this respectfully and not with any malice. How are you writing the DVD\CD, and where are you putting them (folder\folders?)

Regards
John

 

[television]

Wheel alignment will not affect the MPG, it will be better when the weather warms up.

 

[1NDYT]

No offence taken glojo. I appreciate your help.

I did actually have a read of a thread you wrote some time back.

I first tried a CDR. I recorded 2 folders onto it but they weren't sub-folders as u mentioned in a previous thread that its not the right way. I tried writing at slow speed using Nero. I tried the same on the DVD. But no luck with either one.

I believe you're right and i'm probably doing something wrong...but i haven't got a clue as to waht? . I tried the MP3 disc on my wifes CD-Changer and it ran fine, but it refused to play on her Comand unit aswell. Need to check what software version she has. I'd imagine her Software would be ok as its late 05 and has been serviced by MB.

 

[glojo]

I tried the MP3 disc on my wifes CD-Changer and it ran fine, but it refused to play on her Comand unit aswell. Need to check what software version she has. I'd imagine her Software would be ok as its late 05 and has been serviced by MB.

Any upgrade after May 2004 will\should play Mp3's and I would suggest keeping things simple until your happy the files are playing correctly.

If you want, you could post me a CD and I would test it on my vehicle, if it fails to play and providing the files play on my computer then between me and my son we should get you a CD that works on your COMAND. If the CD plays on my COMAND then you will know that I'm wrong and it's not 'operator error'

Regards
John

 

[1NDYT]

Hello All,

Checked the tyre pressures the night before the alignment and found that my front tyre had what looked like side wall repair by burning an extra rubber patch onto it. I was told i was lucky for not having a motorway blowout!

Had it changed first thing in the morning and then took it for alignment. Alignment was out but not by that much. Vehicle does now drive a lot better. The Alignment chappies at Ramus also jacked the car up and checked to see if the wheels rocked when placing hands at 12:30 position.....and yes they did!. Very little movement but movement nonetheless. Looks like a future cost...and yes, it rocked a small amount on both sides. I've fielded the issue out to the trader i bought off and am waiting for a reply.

Whats worrying is that they kept the vehicle for a week for pre-warranty checks and they missed the tyre!

I also had them confirm that the radiator was a Behr and not the notorious Valeo (Poland made batch i think). They said it was Behr but i'm now beginning to doubt the quality of work thats gone into looking.

....broke down today! pulled off motorway onto exit slip road and car cut out!

First Merc thats ever broken down on me and now i'm beginning to think i bought a lemon (or non Japanese yet decide which is worse)!

Took it to a local specialist Merc garage and Warranty people have agreed to pay. They think its an injector valve. Two codes came up on their little gizmo ..P051 and P052. Which is the Injector Pump and something else. But if injector valve is faulty then it would throw these two out. Pick it up tomorrow, lets wait and see.

Apologies for the long Post but who else can i vent these frustrations out to! Fingers crossed this is the last of my problems.

 

[1NDYT]

Could someone please advise?

Me again, the saga continues.

Mechanic worked on the car today and i was told that it wasn't the injector valve because there is no fuel going to it in the first place. The fuel pump is not operating because there is no power going to it. Mech also mentioned something about a rail???? don't know what that is??

Apparently when the mech took the rear seats off he saw that the two fixing plates under the seats had been removed before because the Screws/Bolts hadn't been put on (potential fire hazard! my 18mth old travels on the motorway with me everyday!). I think there is a fuel pump within the tank that is accessed from there. The second i think is in the front.

When he told me this i remembered that the plastic cap for the front towing eye was missing when i first went to see the car and yesterday when i broke down, the towing eye itself was missing. Luckily my brother turned up and i used his.

This makes me think that the trader had this problem before the vehicle was sold to me and that they new of the issue. Traders 6mth warranty only covers me up to £1k and i think this may end up costing more.

I have to consider all options if the trader refuses to cover costs over and above the warranty cover of £1000.

What legal recourse do i have for getting my money back for the car? Including today i've had the car for 15days.

As much as i love the car i have to be practical about the costs
Please advise??????

 

[glojo]

I cringed when I read your comment about sidewall repair and cringed even harder when you talk about carrying an 18 month old baby in your car on a motorway. There is no way I would personally want a tyre that has a visible 'patch' on the side wall.

I am a great believer in the saying pay peanuts and get monkeys, it looks like your not interested in preserving the mobilio warranty so I would suggest you take your vehicle to someone that knows what they are doing. Is there a Bosche Service Centre near you, these folks are usually very knowledgable regarding modern fuel systems\diesel engines?

Regarding the chances of a refund then once more the pay peanuts adage comes to mind, Mercedes-Benz Main Dealers are not the cheapest places to buy second-hand vehicles BUT....... I think they offer a thirty day returns period?? but more knowledgable folks might have a better knowledge.

Legally is the car of a merchantable quality and has the trader had the oppurtunity to repair the vehicle? Did you have the vehicle inspected prior to purchase? What is the warranty and can you get the vehicle fixed elsewhere?

Good luck with this,
Regards
John

 

[1NDYT]

.......couldn't leave this thread unfinished...

Picked up vehicle yesterday :bannana:.

Fuel Pump Relay was changed along with the Fuel Pressure Rail and a Pressure Valve. Seems to be running fine.

Take me some time before I have full confidence in it again though.

Warranty people worked with the Trader i bought the vehicle from and have covered all costs

.

I'm hoping i'll have no more breakdowns.

Thank you to all for advice.

 

[glojo]

Well done and I just love happy endings,

well done and happy motoring,
regards
John