New Member, New Car - E280

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Mercrosoft

New Member
Joined
Dec 14, 2020
Messages
19
Location
Lincolnshire
Car
2008 E280
Hi Guys
Just popping in to say hello AND being the new guy who also has a few questions..

Just purchased an 2007 E280 CDI Estate - SPORT. it was priced very well as it needed a few things but the fundamentals were well looked after so I've sorted the niggles and I'm very happy with the purchase. My previous car history in this order was 95 Mitsubishi shogun, Lexus RX300, Audi A6 Avant now the Mercedes - My A6 got written off so I wanted to try something different but not too different.

Questions:
  • I'm 6ft 3 and struggling to find a comfortable seating position. I hate to compare but the Audi seat seemed to have a tall seat back to it which I fit very well in. Im struggling to find a comfortable position this one, seat wise as the back feels too short and/or the seat squab you sit on doesn't go as low as I'd like. In the Audi it the bum seat would go really low, tall back support and the dash and car feels like it surrounded me, very at one with the car feeling. The Merc feels a bit more like the Lexus, almost perched up a bit more.
    • Any tall E Class owners have any tips on their seating set up?
  • I'd like to remap it - I'm in the southwest of the UK - Any companies/individuals recommended or comments on this?
  • Spares / Parts - Any dealers particularly good for parts I can approach, ideally via phone or email. I'd like new mats, service items and some other genuine bits.
  • I see talk of 5g tronic and 7g tronic autos in the Eclass - silly question but how do I know which one I have? As when using the flappy paddles to change gear I see 6th Gear when changing manually - which is more than 5 but less than 7...
  • Can I upgrade the software in the command or is it better to upgrade to a double din after market unit to bring it up to modern standards? I'm missing Bluetooth phone functionality most.
  • I get about 32/34mpg - Is that normal?
Overall I like the build quality, all the neat little areas which you can see thought has gone into, and the general cosseting feel of the drive, it feels like a really comfy long distance cruiser, especially at night.

Thanks for reading and hopefully hear from you back.
 
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Hi Guys
Just popping in to say hello AND being the new guy who also has a few questions..

Just purchased an 2007 E280 CDI Estate - SPORT. it was priced very well as it needed a few things but the fundamentals were well looked after so I've sorted the niggles and I'm very happy with the purchase. My previous car history in this order was 95 Mitsubishi shogun, Lexus RX300, Audi A6 Avant now the Mercedes - My A6 got written off so I wanted to try something different but not too different.

Questions:
  • I'm 6ft 3 and struggling to find a comfortable seating position. I hate to compare but the Audi seat seemed to have a tall seat back to it which I fit very well in. Im struggling to find a comfortable position this one, seat wise as the back feels too short and/or the seat squab you sit on doesn't go as low as I'd like. In the Audi it the bum seat would go really low, tall back support and the dash and car feels like it surrounded me, very at one with the car feeling. The Merc feels a bit more like the Lexus, almost perched up a bit more.
    • Any tall E Class owners have any tips on their seating set up?
Welcome to the forum:thumb:

I am 6 1 and found the seat adjustment controls on the door lowered the seat base sufficient to feel comfortable. Have you lowered yours to the limit?
  • I'd like to remap it - I'm in the southwest of the UK - Any companies/individuals recommended or comments on this?
Celtic Tuning are in the South West, but I'd take any remap claims with a pinch of salt, especially on the 280CDi. If there is no dyno for a before and after printout, don't go there. Get in touch with Steve at Avantgarde Autos in Clevedon nr Bristol. He may be able to remap for you or suggest somewhere more local to you.
  • Spares / Parts - Any dealers particularly good for parts I can approach, ideally via phone or email. I'd like new mats, service items and some other genuine bits.
MB Edinburgh and MB Newcastle are both very good for discounted parts, especially Edinburgh if you mention you are a forum member.
  • I see talk of 5g tronic and 7g tronic autos in the Eclass - silly question but how do I know which one I have? As when using the flappy paddles to change gear I see 6th Gear when changing manually - which is more than 5 but less than 7...
You have a 7g gearbox with 7 gears. After 8th, you should see a D in the cluster IIRC. (Its a while since I had my W211)
  • Can I upgrade the software in the command or is it better to upgrade to a double din after market unit to bring it up to modern standards? I'm missing Bluetooth phone functionality most.
Get in touch with forum sponsors Comand Online with your Vin# handy. They can advise what you need to enable blueteeth connectivity in your car.
  • I get about 32/34mpg - Is that normal?
Overall I like the build quality, all the neat little areas which you can see thought has gone into, and the general cosseting feel of the drive, it feels like a really comfy long distance cruiser, especially at night.

Thanks for reading and hopefully hear from you back.
Sorry, never had a diesel so the mpg figures are an unknown for me.
 
I just noticed I typed 8th gear above when I meant 6th.
I'm sure you knew what I meant:D
 
Welcome buddy , I pretty much have the same car as you for the last 9 years , I’m at 108k miles now .

MB Grangemouth parts dept , they give a forum discount and deliver for £5 ish .

MPG at 32 ish is low unless it’s all in town short distance/time driving ? Does the thermostat sit at 90 degrees with 10 mins driving and stay there ?

As far as the seat , I had endless problems as a 5.11 (ish) . When I finally sorted it , mine was a lower back comfort issue with the seat base , I had to have the seat base tipped up to the highest at the front and lowest at the back to support the thighs . I think you may have a slightly different seat with the sport version , I have the Avantgarde model , maybe you have more seat side bolster ?

Yes you have the 7g fill from below gearbox . You need the ATF/filter changed every 40k miles .

What mileage and service history does yours have ?
 
You have Steve at Avantgarde Mercedes , Clevedon , near Bristol as a specialist independent
 
For bluetooth phone connectivity , do you have a connector in the drivers armrest box ? You may need something like a Viseoo MB2 module (MB also do their own one)
 
Welcome buddy , I pretty much have the same car as you for the last 9 years , I’m at 108k miles now .

MB Grangemouth parts dept , they give a forum discount and deliver for £5 ish .

MPG at 32 ish is low unless it’s all in town short distance/time driving ? Does the thermostat sit at 90 degrees with 10 mins driving and stay there ?

As far as the seat , I had endless problems as a 5.11 (ish) . When I finally sorted it , mine was a lower back comfort issue with the seat base , I had to have the seat base tipped up to the highest at the front and lowest at the back to support the thighs . I think you may have a slightly different seat with the sport version , I have the Avantgarde model , maybe you have more seat side bolster ?

Yes you have the 7g fill from below gearbox . You need the ATF/filter changed every 40k miles .

What mileage and service history does yours have ?
Hi W1ghty,

Thanks for your input, sorry I'm late to reply.

32 is the commute to and from work, very little start stop but windey country lanes - 18 minutes. Thermo reaches temp well and holds steady exactly at the area I would expect (1 bar above 80) - thinking if MPG is lower than expected might look at an air filter change. I suspect the car has not been ragged due to previous owner and the meticulous condition overall so I've done a tank of BP ultimate with a splash of millers just to help loosen any build up in the system.

Finally found seat nirvana and had to do pretty much as you did, with front seat pushed up to max amongst some other settings. Very comfortable now.

ATF has been changed (red cap) but not recently by the looks, service book indicates just before 40k - main oil/filter due in March so I'll have it done along with that.

Car overall is on 124k - MB history up till about 60k, specialist till about 100k and independent at last 20ish

Yeah it's got the phone socket (and Nokia cradle) in arm rest, and also has a built in DVD player on the command screen.

Actually really into the car now and really enjoy it. More sedate than my A6 but not sluggish. Would like a remap at some point though.
Love all the little quality of life features you find in and around the the car. MB engineers it seems think like I think - or vice versa.

Look forward to hearing back

Cheers for now
 
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Hi W1ghty,

Thanks for your input, sorry I'm late to reply.

32 is the commute to and from work, very little start stop but windey country lanes - 18 minutes. Thermo reaches temp well and holds steady exactly at the area I would expect (1 bar above 80) - thinking if MPG is lower than expected might look at an air filter change. I suspect the car has not been ragged due to previous owner and the meticulous condition overall so I've done a tank of BP ultimate with a splash of millers just to help loosen any build up in the system.

Finally found seat nirvana and had to do pretty much as you did, with front seat pushed up to max amongst some other settings. Very comfortable now.

ATF has been changed (red cap) but not recently by the looks, service book indicates just before 40k - main oil/filter due in March so I'll have it done along with that.

Car overall is on 124k - MB history up till about 60k, specialist till about 100k and independent at last 20ish

Yeah it's got the phone socket (and Nokia cradle) in arm rest, and also has a built in DVD player on the command screen.

Actually really into the car now and really enjoy it. More sedate than my A6 but not sluggish. Would like a remap at some point though.
Love all the little quality of life features you find in and around the the car. MB engineers it seems think like I think - or vice versa.

Look forward to hearing back

Cheers for now
I’ll check my thermostat when I go out in a minute , but one bar above 80 sounds low to me , I’ll try and take a pic of my dash reading .
The red cap in the engine bay is engine oil , the 7g box is fill via the sump with no engine bay dipstick tube .
Air filters i would check ASAP and change (£35 ish ) , they REALLY clog up a lot up on the om642 engine .
Glad the seat is sorted and that you are enjoying the car
 
I’ll check my thermostat when I go out in a minute , but one bar above 80 sounds low to me , I’ll try and take a pic of my dash reading .
The red cap in the engine bay is engine oil , the 7g box is fill via the sump with no engine bay dipstick tube .
Air filters i would check ASAP and change (£35 ish ) , they REALLY clog up a lot up on the om642 engine .
Glad the seat is sorted and that you are enjoying the car
Morning. Thank you!

Just done 30 mins on motorway after warm up, about 36/37mpg was best I could achieve, cruise at 75mph
Must note, I keep AC permanently on.

Will change filters soon.

ETA looks like it might be bang on where it's meant to be according to realmpg https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/realmpg/mercedes-benz/e-class-2002/e280
I need to stop comparing to my prev A6 which bought 44/46mpg on the motorway but was 2.7V6 TDI with manual gearbox.
 
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Morning. Thank you!

Just done 30 mins on motorway after warm up, about 36/37mpg was best I could achieve, cruise at 75mph
Must note, I keep AC permanently on.

Will change filters soon.

ETA looks like it might be bang on where it's meant to be according to realmpg https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/realmpg/mercedes-benz/e-class-2002/e280
I need to stop comparing to my prev A6 which bought 44/46mpg on the motorway but was 2.7V6 TDI with manual gearbox.
Yes , your thermostat is the same as mine , looks like one clear bar above the 80 degrees .
Leaving aircon on is cheaper than dealing with the consequences of not using it .
When I do motorway journeys I check the cars mpg by being on cruise at 70 ish , I then reset the mpg trip when the engine is hot and I would then get early to mid 40’s . If I was on one of those massive 50mph roadwork jobs on the M1/M6 the car would show an mpg in the 50’s .
I use 16” winter wheel set , 17” summer set .
 
Yes , your thermostat is the same as mine , looks like one clear bar above the 80 degrees .
Leaving aircon on is cheaper than dealing with the consequences of not using it .
When I do motorway journeys I check the cars mpg by being on cruise at 70 ish , I then reset the mpg trip when the engine is hot and I would then get early to mid 40’s . If I was on one of those massive 50mph roadwork jobs on the M1/M6 the car would show an mpg in the 50’s .
I use 16” winter wheel set , 17” summer set .

Hi W1ghty,

Thanks for reporting back.
My Thermo does not move when up to temp (good)
Tyre pressures confirmed good,
No wheels getting hot (eg no brakes seem to be sticking)
Airfilters next.

Is yours the Wagon? People suggest 3-4 mpg lower on the wagons.
Separate note - Gotta say this gearbox is smooth as silk, don't feel any changes up or down!
 
Hi W1ghty,

Thanks for reporting back.
My Thermo does not move when up to temp (good)
Tyre pressures confirmed good,
No wheels getting hot (eg no brakes seem to be sticking)
Airfilters next.

Is yours the Wagon? People suggest 3-4 mpg lower on the wagons.
Separate note - Gotta say this gearbox is smooth as silk, don't feel any changes up or down!
Saloon for me buddy 08C3B6BD-E3E1-4D78-9AB4-CEA717BF806A.jpeg
 

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