E500 - Back from France

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SBC pump isn't noisy in mine.

Interesting - mine always made a bit of a din. It sounds like a generator kicking in on the other side of the bulkhead. As I said in the other reply I asked BSG Mercedes to have a look when I first bought it and got a "they all do that sir" answer.


You can store things like phones and long life shopping bags under the 7th seat squab. I used to keep some tools, bulbs, etc in the spare wheel well.

In the car I used to end up using the door bins on journeys which isn't ideal for someone with minor OCD.
 
Ok so SBC now on the to do list.

The storage issue is for hi vis vests, de-icers, torch etc. This is because the underfloor area has the 7 seats in mine. Also big subwoofer type thing for the HK system in boot. I just need a bit of side netting or similar to stop things rolling around.

So the storage behind the seats. How do I know if I have this and if so how do I get to it??
 
So far I like:
Effortless torque

Really adds to the luxury feel.

build quality

Well screwed together - amazingly squeak and rattle free.

Seats. In fact I really like the seats. I wasn't sure about the dynamic seats at first but I now have them on as a default.

I miss those seats :-(

SBC braking and hold function are very impressive.

The Hold is great once you get the hang of it.

The tech is surprisingly good despite its age. COMAND nav works well when you understand how to use it. HK is very good, probably the best I have had in a car.

The HK is great in that car. I think that will be my peak in terms of clarity and power.

Hands free phone is a real bonus which I have never had before. I like the clever way it sends my iPhone a notification as to where I have parked the car. Not very useful but clever nonetheless!

Another feature of which I had no knowledge.

Less pleased with:
Limited storage in cabin and boot for niknaks

Have you found the drop down cubbys under the front of the front seats? The RH one has a fire extinguisher, the LH should be empty.

SBC pump is noisy. Is this normal?

I asked BSG (indy) about this when I bought it and they told me it was the normal noise. It's a bit disconcerting at first.

Not much else really. Very pleased and definitely a keeper for a few years!

Happy that you like it.

Forgot to mention that I used to touch in marks on the seats with leather dye to keep them looking smart. £5's worth lasts for years if you're just touching up small areas and scuffs

Black Leather Colour Dye Restorer Balm Cream Classic Cars Interiors Seats Repair | eBay
 
Storage behind the seats

mikeinwimbledon-albums-s211-e500-2004-picture10395-img-0001-1024.jpg



I mean the storage in the "cushion" which sits behind the seats, making the boot space more square. See the thing in the upper right hand fifth of the photo above.
 
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It's used for storing gold ingots.

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The Easy-Pack storage box is a toblerone (triangular) box that sits in that awkward angular space behind the rear seats of the estate, and provides a storage space for small items: cameras, jacket, tools, whatever, while squaring off the boot space. It was standard on the E500.

(The photo is from Google, it's not mine. The box is only the thing in the top of the photo)
 
Ok so SBC now on the to do list.

They all do it, I've owned eight W211s with SBC and they've all done it to varying degrees ranging from 99% silent to holy feck what's that noise.
 
Mine didn't have one of them. What's it for?

Very handy to have for the smaller items you normally keep in a boot like umbrella etc, access is from the back seats (release the catch as though you're going to lower the seats)
 
And easier to access if the boot is fully loaded

Very handy to have for the smaller items you normally keep in a boot like umbrella etc, access is from the back seats (release the catch as though you're going to lower the seats)

When we tour with the boot fully loaded, I keep the high viz jacket and torch in it, so that you can get to it without unloading the boot.
 
These E500 threads are causing havoc.....

Unless I sell my E500 estate by the end of April, I can see that I will end up selling my SL350 in May and carry on with the Estate as the family Stationwagon...
 
Fire extinguisher

Have you found the drop down cubbys under the front of the front seats? The RH one has a fire extinguisher, the LH should be empty.



I don't have a fire extinguisher in any of my three cars. What type do you have fitted to the S211 ? An MB branded version, or something generic?

BTW - You are legally required to have a first aid kit when touring France - it goes in the other under seat storage compartment
 
I don't have a fire extinguisher in any of my three cars. What type do you have fitted to the S211 ? An MB branded version, or something generic?

Biglips? Can you have a look?

BTW - You are legally required to have a first aid kit when touring France - it goes in the other under seat storage compartment

Oh yeah - I think you're right and there was a first aid kit in that one.
 
I don't have a fire extinguisher in any of my three cars. What type do you have fitted to the S211 ? An MB branded version, or something generic?

BTW - You are legally required to have a first aid kit when touring France - it goes in the other under seat storage compartment

It is a generic fire extinguisher and yes the first aid kit is in the passenger seat cubby hole.

Thanks all for the useful info Especially regarding the SBC which is reassuring
 
0000000778_001.jpg


The Easy-Pack storage box is a toblerone (triangular) box that sits in that awkward angular space behind the rear seats of the estate, and provides a storage space for small items: cameras, jacket, tools, whatever, while squaring off the boot space. It was standard on the E500.

(The photo is from Google, it's not mine. The box is only the thing in the top of the photo)

You know what? I think the 7 seat option rules this out.

R0331**Mercedes-Benz E-Class

EDIT; PS I recognise the tube thingy as I've got that set up + a folding storage box in the 212.
 
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You know what? I think the 7 seat option rules this out.

My seven seat E55K had it, I think Mercedes brought this out with the seven seater in mind actually, makes the part behind the seats more useable.
 
My seven seat E55K had it, I think Mercedes brought this out with the seven seater in mind actually, makes the part behind the seats more useable.

I might look for a used one then. This would be very useful for me. In fact From memory I think it is on the data sheet from the VIN but must have been removed at some point
 
I might look for a used one then. This would be very useful for me. In fact From memory I think it is on the data sheet from the VIN but must have been removed at some point

Well there you go - I had no idea and it wasn't handed over when I got it.

(want one for the 212 now)
 
Here is the data card for my car looks like U16 is the option code and it has it from new

1:
Fuel cell 1:
Electric motor 1:
SA code
205B - OWNERS MANUAL AND SERVICE RECORD - ENGLISH
213 - SPEED-SENSITIVE POWER STEERING/VARIO STEERING
220 - PARKTRONIC SYSTEM (PTS)
221B - SIGN COOLANT/REFUELING - ENGLISH
241 - FRONT SEAT LH ELECTRIC ADJUSTABLE WITH MEMORY
248 - REAR SEAT WITH INTEGRATED CHILD SEAT
249 - INSIDE AND OUTSIDE MIRROR AUTOMATIC DIMMING
250B - MOBILO LIFE/EUROPE SERVICE PACKAGE
275 - MEMORY PACKAGE (DRIVER SEAT, STRG. COL., MIRROR)
280 - LEATHER STEERING WHEEL AND LEATHER GEAR SHIFT KNOB
283B - AIRBAGLABLE - ENGLISH
287 - THROUGH-LOADING FEATURE
293 - SIDEBAG IN REAR LEFT AND RIGHT
297 - SUN BLIND IN REAR DOORS LH AND RH
354 - ANTENNA FOR TELEPHONE D/E-NET
388 - PHONE MOBILE, MTUS-SYSTEM
414 - ELECTRIC TILT/SLIDE SUNROOF IN GLASS VERSION
427 - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION 7-SPEED
433 - LEFT DRIVING DYNAMICS SEAT
434 - RIGHT DRIVING DYNAMICS SEAT
461 - INSTRUMENT WITH MILES IND. AND ENGLISH LEGEND
489 - AIRMATIC DUAL CONTROL / AIR SUSPENSION SEMI-ACTIVE
500 - OUTSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR LH AND RH FOLDING
527 - COMAND DVD APS WITH NAVIGATION
537L - GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND
543 - SUN VISOR WITH MAKE-UP MIRROR L. AND R., BE-
551 - ANTI-THEFT/ANTI-BREAK-IN WARNING SYSTEM
581 - AUTOMATIC CLIMATE CONTROL
5XXL - EUROPE
600 - HEADLAMPS - CLEANING EQUIPMENT
618 - BI-XENON HEADLAMPS FOR LEFT-HAND TRAFFIC
666 - PRODUCT PROT.F.TRANSPORT VEH. W/O TIE-DOWN HOOKS
673 - HIGH-CAPACITY BATTERY
674 - 17" LT-ALLOY 5 DBL-SPOKE DESIGN W/ WIDE BASE TIRES
690 - EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE (MINI SPARE)
744U - BRILLIANT SILVER METALLIC
805 - YEAR OF MODIFICATION
810 - SOUND SYSTEM
819 - CD CHANGER
830A - AMARETTA/LEATHER/NAPPA/SEMI-ANILINE
831A - AMARETTA/LEATHER/NAPPA/SEMI-ANILINE - BLACK/ANTH.
844 - FOLDING BENCH SEAT IN CARGO AREA INCL. 2 AUTO -
860 - TV-TUNER ANALOG
873 - SEAT HEATER FOR LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT SEATS
875 - HEATED SCREEN WASH SYSTEM
882 - INTERIOR SAFEGUARD
890 - AUTOMATIC REAR-END DOOR
910 - DYNAMO WITH HIGHER CAPACITY (FFO)
915 - FUEL TANK WITH LARGER CAPACITY
926 - EXHAUST GAS CLEANING WITH EURO 4 TECHNOLOGY
954 - EQUIPMENT PACKAGE FOR AVANTGARDE VEHICLES
983 - COC PAPER EURO 4 TECHNOLOGY W/O REG. CERT. PART II
989 - IDENTIFICATION LABEL UNDER WINDSHIELD
M113 - V8-GASOLINE ENGINE M113
M50 - DISPLACEMENT 5.0 LITER
U16 - STOWAGE TANK BEHIND REAR SEAT BACKREST
744U - BRILLIANT SILVER METALLIC
831A - AMARETTA/LEATHER/NAPPA/SEMI-ANILINE - BLACK/ANTH.
M113 - V8-GASOLINE ENGINE M113
 
Here is the data card for my car looks like U16 is the option code and it has it from new

1:
Fuel cell 1:
Electric motor 1:
SA code
205B - OWNERS MANUAL AND SERVICE RECORD - ENGLISH
213 - SPEED-SENSITIVE POWER STEERING/VARIO STEERING
220 - PARKTRONIC SYSTEM (PTS)
221B - SIGN COOLANT/REFUELING - ENGLISH
241 - FRONT SEAT LH ELECTRIC ADJUSTABLE WITH MEMORY
248 - REAR SEAT WITH INTEGRATED CHILD SEAT
249 - INSIDE AND OUTSIDE MIRROR AUTOMATIC DIMMING
250B - MOBILO LIFE/EUROPE SERVICE PACKAGE
275 - MEMORY PACKAGE (DRIVER SEAT, STRG. COL., MIRROR)
280 - LEATHER STEERING WHEEL AND LEATHER GEAR SHIFT KNOB
283B - AIRBAGLABLE - ENGLISH
287 - THROUGH-LOADING FEATURE
293 - SIDEBAG IN REAR LEFT AND RIGHT
297 - SUN BLIND IN REAR DOORS LH AND RH
354 - ANTENNA FOR TELEPHONE D/E-NET
388 - PHONE MOBILE, MTUS-SYSTEM
414 - ELECTRIC TILT/SLIDE SUNROOF IN GLASS VERSION
427 - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION 7-SPEED
433 - LEFT DRIVING DYNAMICS SEAT
434 - RIGHT DRIVING DYNAMICS SEAT
461 - INSTRUMENT WITH MILES IND. AND ENGLISH LEGEND
489 - AIRMATIC DUAL CONTROL / AIR SUSPENSION SEMI-ACTIVE
500 - OUTSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR LH AND RH FOLDING
527 - COMAND DVD APS WITH NAVIGATION
537L - GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND
543 - SUN VISOR WITH MAKE-UP MIRROR L. AND R., BE-
551 - ANTI-THEFT/ANTI-BREAK-IN WARNING SYSTEM
581 - AUTOMATIC CLIMATE CONTROL
5XXL - EUROPE
600 - HEADLAMPS - CLEANING EQUIPMENT
618 - BI-XENON HEADLAMPS FOR LEFT-HAND TRAFFIC
666 - PRODUCT PROT.F.TRANSPORT VEH. W/O TIE-DOWN HOOKS
673 - HIGH-CAPACITY BATTERY
674 - 17" LT-ALLOY 5 DBL-SPOKE DESIGN W/ WIDE BASE TIRES
690 - EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE (MINI SPARE)
744U - BRILLIANT SILVER METALLIC
805 - YEAR OF MODIFICATION
810 - SOUND SYSTEM
819 - CD CHANGER
830A - AMARETTA/LEATHER/NAPPA/SEMI-ANILINE
831A - AMARETTA/LEATHER/NAPPA/SEMI-ANILINE - BLACK/ANTH.
844 - FOLDING BENCH SEAT IN CARGO AREA INCL. 2 AUTO -
860 - TV-TUNER ANALOG
873 - SEAT HEATER FOR LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT SEATS
875 - HEATED SCREEN WASH SYSTEM
882 - INTERIOR SAFEGUARD
890 - AUTOMATIC REAR-END DOOR
910 - DYNAMO WITH HIGHER CAPACITY (FFO)
915 - FUEL TANK WITH LARGER CAPACITY
926 - EXHAUST GAS CLEANING WITH EURO 4 TECHNOLOGY
954 - EQUIPMENT PACKAGE FOR AVANTGARDE VEHICLES
983 - COC PAPER EURO 4 TECHNOLOGY W/O REG. CERT. PART II
989 - IDENTIFICATION LABEL UNDER WINDSHIELD
M113 - V8-GASOLINE ENGINE M113
M50 - DISPLACEMENT 5.0 LITER
U16 - STOWAGE TANK BEHIND REAR SEAT BACKREST
744U - BRILLIANT SILVER METALLIC
831A - AMARETTA/LEATHER/NAPPA/SEMI-ANILINE - BLACK/ANTH.
M113 - V8-GASOLINE ENGINE M113

U16 - STOWAGE TANK BEHIND REAR SEAT BACKREST

Spot on. Wish I'd had it. V handy. Oh well.
 

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