datripsta
Active Member
Hi there,
I'm reasonably new to MB and my w210 but have a lot of DIY experience with SAAB 900T 16, the real SAABs not the GM rubbish. IF you know these cars you know to own one you need to be prepared to get your hand dirty. I've done everything to tans exchange to full engine over hall as well as full bush and suspension overall on these. Very different beat to the E320 CDI but I would say I know my way around them and can carry out most jobs to a good standard.
Anyhow I bought a 2002 W201 E320 CDI Estate Avantgarde with all the trimmings a month or so back. It had a few minor faults; warped discs, UK drivers side roll bar bush on its way out as well as the same side drop link not looking its best. The car sat for a few weeks as work meant I had no time to fix these probs, The car drove perfect with a negligible pull to the left when cruising on the motorway and slight vibration when breaking.his is expected given the above however no noticeable vibration on acceleration, hard or standard or when letting of the pedal. No clonks unless i hit a BI pot hole which I put down to the worn bush and drop link. Nothing to note as just as smooth as it should be. Like being on air, I cant say that about the old bone shaker 900 t16. T but the do go like stink.
This weekend I had to do an emergency 1200 mile trip across Europe to get a stranded friend. Drive over was fine but on the way back vibration started and got progressively worse and worse. The speed of the vibration point decreased from around mph to 80mph and when braking it was dreadful at speeds of 50 or over. Naturally I slowed down and cruised home doing 50 or so. The few occasions I had no choice to over take ( hills etc... ) there were a few clunks on very hard acceleration which weren't present before. this was after about 900 miles. No grinding, no notice of any whining etc..... the few times it happened it was a sweet short clunk. Cars permanence was fine just the vibration at time was so bad it shook the whole car. there was a sweet spot for this to happened, for the better use of a term, which progressively got to slower and slower speeds. If I went over the speed it happened by around 10 mph it stopped but I didn't want to risk it.
I've been all over the forums and I am thinking I have the original problems I bought the car with but these look no worse than before the journey as well as a diff donut gone + wheel bearing.
All vibration feel like its front right but I'm new to these cars so it could be a red herring. the last 200 miles I turned off the stereo so I could listen out for anything nasty and stop.
Only other worthwhile comment is the thermostat is defo shot as the running temp never got above 60 with most of the trip running at 45 to 50.
Gear changes are so smooth I cant really tell its changed gear other than engine tine and seeing revs drop. Self leveling works as it should and shock tests seem good. New shocks were put on the front by last owner 3 yrs ago at 150k
I don't have time to go to where the car is stored again due to work and need to order parts sop I can do the work this coming weekend. The parts to fix the above aren't that expensive and if they are not needed its not a bad thing to replace anyway. I just want to make sure I'm on the right track and haven't missed anything obvious from reading well over 200 posts on vibration and the effect of a defective thermostat on these cars.
Car has done 180k now and been serviced regularly however no paperwork to cover the past 6 months. No rust, body damage, 8 stamps in service book then all MB specialist etc.. and seems well looked after with correct services done and correct interval up to a recent point.
I'm now to MB and this forum so want to say thanks in advance to any helpers and I look forward to contributing where I can.
Cheers,
DT
I'm reasonably new to MB and my w210 but have a lot of DIY experience with SAAB 900T 16, the real SAABs not the GM rubbish. IF you know these cars you know to own one you need to be prepared to get your hand dirty. I've done everything to tans exchange to full engine over hall as well as full bush and suspension overall on these. Very different beat to the E320 CDI but I would say I know my way around them and can carry out most jobs to a good standard.
Anyhow I bought a 2002 W201 E320 CDI Estate Avantgarde with all the trimmings a month or so back. It had a few minor faults; warped discs, UK drivers side roll bar bush on its way out as well as the same side drop link not looking its best. The car sat for a few weeks as work meant I had no time to fix these probs, The car drove perfect with a negligible pull to the left when cruising on the motorway and slight vibration when breaking.his is expected given the above however no noticeable vibration on acceleration, hard or standard or when letting of the pedal. No clonks unless i hit a BI pot hole which I put down to the worn bush and drop link. Nothing to note as just as smooth as it should be. Like being on air, I cant say that about the old bone shaker 900 t16. T but the do go like stink.
This weekend I had to do an emergency 1200 mile trip across Europe to get a stranded friend. Drive over was fine but on the way back vibration started and got progressively worse and worse. The speed of the vibration point decreased from around mph to 80mph and when braking it was dreadful at speeds of 50 or over. Naturally I slowed down and cruised home doing 50 or so. The few occasions I had no choice to over take ( hills etc... ) there were a few clunks on very hard acceleration which weren't present before. this was after about 900 miles. No grinding, no notice of any whining etc..... the few times it happened it was a sweet short clunk. Cars permanence was fine just the vibration at time was so bad it shook the whole car. there was a sweet spot for this to happened, for the better use of a term, which progressively got to slower and slower speeds. If I went over the speed it happened by around 10 mph it stopped but I didn't want to risk it.
I've been all over the forums and I am thinking I have the original problems I bought the car with but these look no worse than before the journey as well as a diff donut gone + wheel bearing.
All vibration feel like its front right but I'm new to these cars so it could be a red herring. the last 200 miles I turned off the stereo so I could listen out for anything nasty and stop.
Only other worthwhile comment is the thermostat is defo shot as the running temp never got above 60 with most of the trip running at 45 to 50.
Gear changes are so smooth I cant really tell its changed gear other than engine tine and seeing revs drop. Self leveling works as it should and shock tests seem good. New shocks were put on the front by last owner 3 yrs ago at 150k
I don't have time to go to where the car is stored again due to work and need to order parts sop I can do the work this coming weekend. The parts to fix the above aren't that expensive and if they are not needed its not a bad thing to replace anyway. I just want to make sure I'm on the right track and haven't missed anything obvious from reading well over 200 posts on vibration and the effect of a defective thermostat on these cars.
Car has done 180k now and been serviced regularly however no paperwork to cover the past 6 months. No rust, body damage, 8 stamps in service book then all MB specialist etc.. and seems well looked after with correct services done and correct interval up to a recent point.
I'm now to MB and this forum so want to say thanks in advance to any helpers and I look forward to contributing where I can.
Cheers,
DT
