The E63 I now own.

[Skd884]

Failed mot ?

 

[Dammit]

Both rear shocks (at 52,000 miles, full MBSH etc etc) are blown - one is covered in oil. The tyre on that side has also worn down to the reinforcement layer on the inner face, so a couple of serious MOT failure issues there.

So! MB Guildford have ordered one shock for tomorrow (the one that has thrown it's oil everywhere) but apparently the merely (!) badly corroded one is on back order with MB Germany, so no real idea of when that will be in stock.

I'll also need 4 19" winter tyres that will fit the stock wheels - all suggestions very welcome for those.

Should I have expected to have to replace the rear shocks at 52,000 miles? I asked the service chap and he didn't want to answer the question - which was fair enough as he would be answering "for" Mercedes in a way.

 

[Dammit]

Black Circles seem to be keen for me to buy 4 Hankook Winter I'cept Evo 3 W330 (I'm assuming I want four 255/35/19) which would be ~£630 delivered, plus whatever the local place wants for fitting.

 

[TrueSpirit]

It’s not unusual for a car to produce more power in reality than is published by the manufacturer and Mercedes/AMG are particularly generous in this respect.

They need to make sure that their cars are capable of producing their published power output regardless of fuel quality, octane rating, altitude, ambient temperature, etc.

That means that in the UK where those things are all favourable, engines tend to produce more power than is published, in some cases significantly more.

Of course when tested on a dyno the operator applies a correction factor which adjusts the output to standardise conditions and allow comparison.

Thats correct. The e63 produced 540hp to the wheels in the video in the US, but it is the AWD version and depending on whether you go with the correction factor of 20% in AWD or more prudent 15%, thsts a lot of HP not brought into account 60 to 100hp is a lot. I wonder if there was a more expensive AMG out at the time that would have been left looking a bit ordinary by the tune on the w212 63 s.

As for CLS , yep the w212 6.2 is stunning, no doubt an overall fantastic car in every department except maybe the tech is a bit old but most won't care. The w211 doesn't handle amazingly well but more than makes up for it with the best ride quality.

@Dammit is that a gla ?

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

I wonder if there was a more expensive AMG out at the time that would have been left looking a bit ordinary by the tune on the w212 63 s.

Mercedes do engineer power outputs for different models using the same engine, for a variety of reasons, including creating performance and/or model distinctions and hierarchies, however they wouldn’t “understate” one model but leave the engine identical - instead they limit performance using hardware and/or software differences between models.

For example the power output of the M156 6.2 litre engine in the W204 C 63 AMG was held back by limiting throttle opening, which meant that it was typically 50 PS down on power relative to other models using the same engine.

Similarly another example being the M157 which was offered in standard and Performance Pack versions (which later became known as the S models). The PP/S version allowed slightly higher boost, giving an extra 30 PS, and controlled through software.

So if Mercedes were worried that a model would tread on the toes of a more expensive model, then they would use hardware and/or software to make sure there was a difference in power output and therefore performance.

 

[Dammit]

@TrueSpirit Yeah, GLA 200d "Sport". The infotainment is very good in comparison to my E63, but the rest of it is not quite there.

People pull out/into your lane on the motorway when I'm in the GLA in a way that the never did to the E63.

 

[350cls]

Had to replace a rear shock on my w212 67k. Been on back order for some time now it seems. Had to wait 4 months+ before I could collect and have replaced.

 

[Dammit]

You replaced a single shock? Or both?

 

[350cls]

You replaced a single shock? Or both?

Yup, nsr, osr in good order on inspection. £650 a pop for the air shocks.

If the osr was shot, I would have replaced, but was informed no need to replace. MB advice


Thinking back now, I seem to remember, one of the shocks wasn't available throughout Europe let alone the UK. That was the information I received. Can't recall if this was the os or ns shock.

 

[Dammit]

Fair enough. I guess if it was tested and was nominal then it'd be a fair partner for the new one.

I know 67 is fairly close to 52, but I still feel a bit annoyed at the shocks dying at what strikes me as a young age.

 

[350cls]

I thought exactly the same, seems little mileage to replace shocks. With yours being less than mine. Could you notice the difference in ride quality.

I could with mine, especially on any poor road surfaces that the nsr travelled across. The osr was silent. Which makes MB observations of the one failed shock to prove correct.

I would of replaced had I needed. I was quite happy I didn't need to at the prices they are sold at.

 

[Dammit]

It's been making a noise for some time, so I knew something was up. Didn't particularly notice a difference across the axle in terms of suspension performance but there you go. I'm probably too unobservant.

Any chance that MB would take into consideration the low mileage and age of the vehicle and reduce the cost a little, or is that fantasy land stuff?

 

[350cls]

Would be no harm in trying.

Do you haul heavy loads about in your car. Or is the car often loaded with stuff.

The noise on my car was evident, I knew it wasn't right. When I did eventually have the shock replaced the difference was night and day. I didn't use the car when I had the failed shock diagnosed, didn't want to cause further trouble.

 

[Dammit]

The car commonly had two mountain bikes on the roof rack, but they're maybe 30kg for both including the rack. I'd not say it was (in my ownership) ever troubled by a heavy load. And it passed it's Service B inspection without comment from the dealer I bought it from last October, and indeed has been inspected twice (battery changes) by my local MB place who never spotted the shocks being under the weather - but that's not (in some ways) a surprise.

 

[Dammit]

Had an email from MB Guildford, they say that the current winter tyres are 235/35/19 on the front and 285/30/19 on the back.

Am I correct in thinking that the fronts are too narrow?

The other thing that's a little puzzling is that the rears always looked a bit stretched - going to 255's would be interesting I think.

 

[st13phil]

Had an email from MB Guildford, they say that the current winter tyres are 235/35/19 on the front and 285/30/19 on the back.

Am I correct in thinking that the fronts are too narrow?

Yes, they're wrong. If you're running a square setup for winter the approved fitment is 255/35/19 all round. And yes, they do look a bit stretched on the rear.

FWIW, I ran Michelin PA4's on my E63 in that size and they worked fine.

 

[Dammit]

Yes, they're wrong. If you're running a square setup for winter the approved fitment is 255/35/19 all round. And yes, they do look a bit stretched on the rear.

FWIW, I ran Michelin PA4's on my E63 in that size and they worked fine.

At the moment the 285 on the rear looks stretched. I’m not sure a 255 would actually fit, is it possible I’ve got some rims from a different model that are wider? They look identical to the stock rims.

 

[st13phil]

is it possible I’ve got some rims from a different model that are wider? They look identical to the stock rims.

Possible, but doubtful.

The standard rear rims are 19 x 9.5 ET52 and it will have that nomenclature on the rear of one of the spokes.

 

[Skd884]

285 is oem fitment for your car on the rear, same as my c63.

 

[st13phil]

285 is oem fitment for your car on the rear, same as my c63.

For summer tyres, yes. But @Dammit is asking about winter tyre sizes.

BTW: If you run 285/30/19 rear winter fitment on the E63 you cannot use snow chains; if you run 255/35/19 you can run "fine link" snow chains, which could be important depending upon where you drive in Europe.