My new W212 E63 - ex Mercedes press car

[Engadine]

ALCANTARA STEERING WHEEL CLEANING

So, the alcantara sections of my steering wheel didn’t really look right and I actually thought it had been retrimmed in contrast leather such was the finish. A bit of research however and it was clear that it was just likely to never have been cleaned properly and all the fibres had been matted smooth and caked in grime. Beautiful.

Anyway, a solid 20 minutes elbow grease per side with some damp microfibre cloths/cleaning fluid resulted in an absolute transformation and it’s now a joy to (be)hold

Not sure how well this will show up in pictures but you should get the idea. For reference that dirt on the cloth is after one single twist around the thumb grip - yuck:

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Put some genuine rubber mats in to save the carpets and AMG mats. Also got the pano roof guides cleaned and lubricated; the roof was really slow to close and when I looked at the guides they were pretty dirty. Didn’t remember to take any pictures unfortunatel.

Sacrificed another few microfibres to get it all cleaned up and then lubed in the appropriate places with the proper gleitpaste from Mercedes which has transformed it.

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A good few hours work all in all

Useful to know as my new C63 will have dinamica on the steering wheel and it's bound to get grubby..Good work!

 

[John]

I agree. I queried this with a Porsche dealer I know and he said it's because the new water based paints have a slightly different optic on PU parts compared to on metal. I don't know whether this is true.

Yes, it could be worse / more noticeable on the water-based stuff.

Not scientific but I've seen a few older cars but then again, they could have had paint or be water-based before it was mandatory.

So take it as the norm these days and you are "lucky" if they match.

 

[badgx]

Congrats on your new purchase, enjoy the ride

 

[TrueSpirit]

Fantastic car!! You have good taste
same colour as mine but I think I have a 2 inch long black spoiler at the back and maybe more black trim and different calipers. Wet wipes also made that alcantara on steering wheel clean and look as new (almost). I think the guy who specced the vehicle did so with a "slim" steering wheel as the top part is quite slim but maybe they are all like that.

Quick question - does your footbrake get stuck sometimes?

 

[RedSpecial]

Fantastic car!! You have good taste
same colour as mine but I think I have a 2 inch long black spoiler at the back and maybe more black trim and different calipers. Wet wipes also made that alcantara on steering wheel clean and look as new (almost). I think the guy who specced the vehicle did so with a "slim" steering wheel as the top part is quite slim but maybe they are all like that.

Quick question - does your footbrake get stuck sometimes?

Very nice!

No issues with the foot-operated parking brake on mine, however I know that plenty of Mercedes’ suffer this because owners will often not use it and just rely on placing the transmission in ‘park’. Lack of use can cause issues, so may need serviced or may just need some more use!

 

[Spider10]

Lovely looking car, my steering wheel has been retrimed by royals with the alicantara top and bottom which you dont really touch

https://postimg.cc/LJnXfBF6]

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[RedSpecial]

Lovely looking car, my steering wheel has been retrimed by royals with the alicantara top and bottom which you dont really touch

https://postimg.cc/LJnXfBF6]

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That looks like a very high quality job and a great cabin overall.

 

[RedSpecial]

Ref Mercedes paint - I spotted this on Instagram which I think demonstrates the point across all ranges:



No updates on the E63 this week; drinking fuel and making lovely sounds as it does best!

If the weather would improve I’m looking forward to giving it a really good wash.

 

[RedSpecial]

Great run out making the most of some late winter sun. Smouldering in the driveway, ticking contentedly:

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Great run out making the most of some late winter sun. Smouldering in the driveway, ticking contentedly:

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Handsome car

 

[TrueSpirit]

Very nice!

No issues with the foot-operated parking brake on mine, however I know that plenty of Mercedes’ suffer this because owners will often not use it and just rely on placing the transmission in ‘park’. Lack of use can cause issues, so may need serviced or may just need some more use!

I've used it every single time on every auto I've owned but when it gets cold outside , it seems to struggle to release on this one. Indy says its a w212 issue

 

[Steve84N]

It's not specifically a 212 issue and it's not from lack of use either.

The foot brake on my 204 became sticky to release in cold temperatures and I use it all the time. I was fortunate enough to get the pedal replaced under warranty.

I think the issue is that it relies on a clock spring and over time this dries out. With lack of lubrication and shrunken metal when cold it binds together and won't release without some help. All it needs is the clock spring regreasing.

 

[Steve84N]

These may help:

DIY Sticky parking brake pedal

www.benzworld.org

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[RedSpecial]

Another cracking run in some late autumn sunshine. Cold start shattered the peace around the church though…

 

[dbm]

Lovely car! Some people are nervous about buying ex-press cars, but I had two ex-Audi fleet cars with zero problems.

The RS3 in this picture came to me, and I ran it for four years without it missing a beat.

 

[Engadine]

Press cars may get driven hard (although it’s hard to really thrash one of these unless you’re on a track) but they also get pampered. What other car gets mechanics at its HQ instructed to make it be its best every week, regardless of cost, for the first nine to 12 months of its life?

Having said that some companies give cars with delivery miles out for press loans. Ouch.

 

[RedSpecial]

Press cars may get driven hard (although it’s hard to really thrash one of these unless you’re on a track) but they also get pampered. What other car gets mechanics at its HQ instructed to make it be its best every week, regardless of cost, for the first nine to 12 months of its life?

Having said that some companies give cars with delivery miles out for press loans. Ouch.

I‘m certainly inclined to believe that Mercedes took very good care of their flagship high-performance E-class so that it gave the best account of itself during road testing. I’m also encouraged by the well-documented service history.

There is also something satisfying about seeing your own car being driven as it was intended by those with far greater skill!

 

[RedSpecial]

The E63 continues to impress. It’s an astonishing car but remains entirely happy burbling around town when necessary. Stops to take on more V-Power are somewhat regular!

 

[Rich764089]

They really are amazingly well rounded cars!

 

[DriverLDN]

Loving these posts about the E63. It looks absolutely stunning!