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Re: Urgent:2004 E320 CDI Estate buying advice! [Re: ] #1511982
17/10/2014 11:59
17/10/2014 11:59
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"... has been to the edge of the galaxy and back."

Probably because it is how the designers wanted it to be. Increase the load on components and they last less long. I'm a pessimist and so leave things standard. Also why I did not buy the 20VT all those years ago. The 20V has been pretty reliable and cost very little along the way. Hopefully the Merc will get to another edge of the galaxy and back too smile


1997 20V
2000 V6 manual S-Type and 2011 5.0 XKR
2016 Tucson 1.6T AWD
2018 Mazda2 GT
Re: Urgent:2004 E320 CDI Estate buying advice! [Re: Jim_Clennell] #1512418
21/10/2014 09:37
21/10/2014 09:37
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Jim_Clennell Offline OP
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I completely agree with you, neil, it would be a ludicrous thing to do; I was just observing in myself the urge for MORE POWER - because I could, not because I should!

Re: Urgent:2004 E320 CDI Estate buying advice! [Re: Jim_Clennell] #1513222
27/10/2014 12:51
27/10/2014 12:51
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Hopefully getting the car this afternoon. Assuming all is in order, I'll then have to insure it and tax it.
There's a couple of things I want to check and I wondered exactly what information the VIN can give me (apart from when/where it was built, etc. will it tell me the original spec or is that only decided post manufacture?

Re: Urgent:2004 E320 CDI Estate buying advice! [Re: Jim_Clennell] #1513227
27/10/2014 13:02
27/10/2014 13:02
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You should be able to get the full spec from the VIN. The specifications will be nailed down before it goes on track to be built. And regardless the manufacturer will keep a record of the car which can be cross checked.

Re: Urgent:2004 E320 CDI Estate buying advice! [Re: Jim_Clennell] #1513228
27/10/2014 13:10
27/10/2014 13:10
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That's good news. Thanks szkom!

Re: Urgent:2004 E320 CDI Estate buying advice! [Re: Jim_Clennell] #1513335
28/10/2014 07:54
28/10/2014 07:54
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Originally Posted By: Jim_Clennell
Hopefully getting the car this afternoon.


Well, did you get it??



......My Boy...... (PB #7)
Re: Urgent:2004 E320 CDI Estate buying advice! [Re: Jim_Clennell] #1513341
28/10/2014 08:08
28/10/2014 08:08
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Did I bo££ox! Waited all day yesterday, getting increasingly frustrated! The garage fitting the tyres took longer than expected, which meant the seller ran out of time as he had to pick up his wife, so I'm sat here waiting again this morning! Should be here within the hour...

Re: Urgent:2004 E320 CDI Estate buying advice! [Re: Jim_Clennell] #1513399
28/10/2014 14:51
28/10/2014 14:51
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It's now parked outside - taxed and insured...!


I've had a quick look round and although it's obviously a vehicle with a LOT of miles on it (shiny surfaces, worn buttons on the steering wheel and vent thumbwheels), it seems to go, stop and steer as you'd hope.

I still haven't been able to ascertain (even with a full VIN look-up) whether or not it has the dodgy Valeo radiator that is prone to leak coolant into the automatic transmission fluid. Part of me says that as it's done so many miles, if it was going to leak it would have done by now; the other part doesn't want the transmission to eat itself on a foggy sub-zero autoroute on New Year's Eve.
The problem is that with this mileage, there are potentially dozens of (fairly costly) ways our journey could end, so why spend £300 trying to prevent just one of them?

The phone adapter is the Viseeo MB-1000 as neil_r suspected. I'm going to try it out and see if I can pair my phone with it. I'm also wondering if it can be used to pair with an ipad and play music or possibly do so from the phone itself. This is because the stereo is the basic Audio 20, with no CD changer, no MP3 capability and no Aux. input. I have a Belkin tunecast, which could be pressed into service, but would prefer a solution that doesn't hog the charger socket (needed for the SatNav).

It seems to have the heated/ventilated dynamic seats, but in my brief drive so far, I couldn't feel any refreshing cool air coming through the driver's seat or feel any relaxing massage!

I don't think the parking sensors are worth a damn, but when were they ever on cars of this vintage? Our 530d had them, but they were hopeless.


The not-so-good bits I've noticed so far in no particular order (and I appreciate that these are not deal-breakers!):

  • Driver's mirror does not fold without a helping hand to engage the gear at first
  • Catch to open armrest storage compartment is broken and comes off
  • Rear wiper blade knackered
  • Aircon not very cool (bit of a problem here!)
  • Headlights almost opaque
  • Warning triangle and fire extinguisher missing
  • Driver's seat bolster ripped


I would be out sitting in it playing with the various toys, but our house is south-facing and it's about 30 degrees out there.

I'm off to try and find a Spanish version of Halfords in a minute for all the usual stuff. It seems that the Sylvania headlight restoration kit is the one to go for. Or does someone know better?

I'll post a few pics eventually, but it's really not that exciting to anyone else I wouldn't think!

Re: Urgent:2004 E320 CDI Estate buying advice! [Re: Jim_Clennell] #1513430
28/10/2014 18:00
28/10/2014 18:00

P
patch234
Unregistered
patch234
Unregistered
P



Over here in Azerbaijan, there are Mercs with 350,000 and more miles on them. Still going! These guys don't worry about mileage at all......

Pics please smile

Re: Urgent:2004 E320 CDI Estate buying advice! [Re: Jim_Clennell] #1513439
28/10/2014 18:57
28/10/2014 18:57
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It seems that Merc is the high-mileage king, but it's not in my nature to be overly optimistic!

Does anyone have any headlight restoration recommendations? My search was fruitless...

Pics will follow, but I'd really like to wash it first and I won't have time for a while...

Last edited by Jim_Clennell; 28/10/2014 19:00. Reason: Added a bit
Re: Urgent:2004 E320 CDI Estate buying advice! [Re: Jim_Clennell] #1513443
28/10/2014 19:18
28/10/2014 19:18
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Jimbo Offline
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What are the headlights made from Jim? I'm guessing plastic if they have gone as cloudy as an old dogs eyes?

Some ultra fine wet and dry works well before using the polishing kits, I think around 3000 would be ok.

Re: Urgent:2004 E320 CDI Estate buying advice! [Re: Jim_Clennell] #1513448
28/10/2014 19:26
28/10/2014 19:26
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Jim_Clennell Offline OP
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They are plastic, Jim; I'd guess polycarbonate? A trawl around the internet reveals that increasingly fine wet and dry is what the kits do, but with a product to strip off the original lacquer (hard to remove evenly just using abrasives) and a finishing sealant.
I'd imagine it's an issue in your neck of the woods too?

Re: Urgent:2004 E320 CDI Estate buying advice! [Re: Jim_Clennell] #1513451
28/10/2014 19:33
28/10/2014 19:33
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The next thing I need to sort is the Viseeo MB-1000 Bluetooth adapter. In the car, fitted into the cradle, the unit is dead as a dodo. Following advice from a Merc forum, I plugged it in to an old Nokia charger (the unit mimics a Nokia 6310i) and - LO! it is alive. Apparently, the connectors in the cradle are notoriously dodgy, so what is the best way to clean them and/or ensure good connections? I don't have any acetone, but would something like nail varnish remover do a job?

Thanks, as ever!

Re: Urgent:2004 E320 CDI Estate buying advice! [Re: Jim_Clennell] #1513496
29/10/2014 00:24
29/10/2014 00:24
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PeteP Offline
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Originally Posted By: Jim_Clennell
They are plastic, Jim; I'd guess polycarbonate? A trawl around the internet reveals that increasingly fine wet and dry is what the kits do, but with a product to strip off the original lacquer (hard to remove evenly just using abrasives) and a finishing sealant.
I'd imagine it's an issue in your neck of the woods too?


Try meths to strip off the original coating. I've used it on 2 sets of coupe lights.

Have a read of this thread too.


16VT and X1/9 1500

We must all do our part for the planet.
I unplugged a row of electric cars that nobody was using.
Re: Urgent:2004 E320 CDI Estate buying advice! [Re: Jim_Clennell] #1513509
29/10/2014 06:34
29/10/2014 06:34
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Jim_Clennell Offline OP
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Thanks Pete - fine advice. I'll see if Caroline has any meths lying around...

Re: Urgent:2004 E320 CDI Estate buying advice! [Re: Jim_Clennell] #1513512
29/10/2014 07:32
29/10/2014 07:32
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bezzer Offline
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Ohhhhh goodie. A Jim Clennell restoration project laugh

Should keep us entertained over the winter months.

And I noticed you slipped a bit in about the temperature again!



......My Boy...... (PB #7)
Re: Urgent:2004 E320 CDI Estate buying advice! [Re: Jim_Clennell] #1513516
29/10/2014 08:16
29/10/2014 08:16
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Jim_Clennell Offline OP
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Bezzer, I'm shortly going to be shivering along with the rest of you, so give me my (literal) moment in the sun! (About 22 degrees right now, looking like another scorcher!)

To be honest, I'm not going to do very much at all to the car, especially if it involves spending money (which I don't have!)

The headlights are hilariously hazy and with xenons, it must be infuriating for oncoming drivers, let alone hopeless for seeing where you're going! As I have some autosol, I think that's worth a shout.
The phone gadget is annoying, but really not a problem in the grand scheme of things. I tried to find the fuse box this morning, but if it really is on the driver's side dash end, it's very securely locked in!
I tried cleaning the contacts, but no dice. If the power supply is functioning then I'll leave it (for now).

I'll do my best to keep you entertained, of course!

Re: Urgent:2004 E320 CDI Estate buying advice! [Re: Jim_Clennell] #1513526
29/10/2014 09:13
29/10/2014 09:13
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Originally Posted By: Jim_Clennell
I have a Belkin tunecast, which could be pressed into service, but would prefer a solution that doesn't hog the charger socket (needed for the SatNav).


One of these may overcome your power socket hogging problem.



......My Boy...... (PB #7)
Re: Urgent:2004 E320 CDI Estate buying advice! [Re: Jim_Clennell] #1513528
29/10/2014 09:25
29/10/2014 09:25
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Jim_Clennell Offline OP
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Thanks Bezzer; like the classy use of "fag lighter"!

Re: Urgent:2004 E320 CDI Estate buying advice! [Re: Jim_Clennell] #1513530
29/10/2014 09:30
29/10/2014 09:30
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Yes it's rather common isn't it.

How about this one instead. It does have the Merc 'look'



......My Boy...... (PB #7)
Re: Urgent:2004 E320 CDI Estate buying advice! [Re: Jim_Clennell] #1513531
29/10/2014 09:40
29/10/2014 09:40
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Jim_Clennell Offline OP
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Does it come with its own trailer?!

Re: Urgent:2004 E320 CDI Estate buying advice! [Re: Jim_Clennell] #1513556
29/10/2014 13:28
29/10/2014 13:28
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Bugger!

There's an error code on the OBC that the seller assured me was due to his changing the brake wear sensor. The disks were skimmed and the pads changed about 20k ago and still show well over 50% wear and the sensor wires looked dodgy, so he swapped them before bringing the car to me. Only it hasn't gone away after being hooked up to the latest Merc OBD. The bloke at the garage said it's an error connected to the Mercedes Sensotronic Brake Control. According to Wikipedia, this complex and somewhat troublesome system caused a huge recall in 2004/5 and was discontinued on the E-Class after 2006 as it proved too expensive to re-engineer for high-volume models.
Whatever the background, this one has flagged an error. The seller has been keen to emphasize that he will get it fixed at his expense, which is good, but it's a bit of a pain.

My understanding is that the system fails safe and can be operated perfectly well when not functioning, but I'd much rather get it sorted ASAP. If it affected the courtesy lights or the heating I'd be more laid back about it, but you don't f**k with the brakes!

Re: Urgent:2004 E320 CDI Estate buying advice! [Re: Jim_Clennell] #1513564
29/10/2014 14:45
29/10/2014 14:45
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A bit more research reveals that there was a 10-year FOC replacement of the SBC pump (which it seems is the part that is giving rise to the warning). Is there any way I can tell if the pump has already been changed? The car has a very extensive service history, lots of it MB, but nothing I can see. I ask because as the car was first registered in May 2004, it is now 5 months outside that 10-year period.
However, if the pump has already been replaced, I'd have thought the replacement would still fall within the timescale. Probably. If they are still doing it. Either way, it's not going to be me that pays, but it would be good to know. What about if I phone a UK Benz main dealer? Will they be able to tell from the VIN?

Re: Urgent:2004 E320 CDI Estate buying advice! [Re: Jim_Clennell] #1513570
29/10/2014 15:20
29/10/2014 15:20
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I'm guessing it was a UK supplied car. MB UK should know which recalls were done on every car. I would contact them directly.


1997 20V
2000 V6 manual S-Type and 2011 5.0 XKR
2016 Tucson 1.6T AWD
2018 Mazda2 GT
Re: Urgent:2004 E320 CDI Estate buying advice! [Re: Jim_Clennell] #1513571
29/10/2014 15:25
29/10/2014 15:25
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That is my feeling... I wonder whether there is a specific number for Mercedes UK. I'll go and look!

Re: Urgent:2004 E320 CDI Estate buying advice! [Re: Jim_Clennell] #1513584
29/10/2014 16:06
29/10/2014 16:06
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Very helpful chap at MBUK confirmed that the original SBC unit was changed under the recall. The bad news is that no further replacement or remedial work will be entertained after the issue has been fixed.

Which may be good news, as it may indicate a more trivial problem...

Re: Urgent:2004 E320 CDI Estate buying advice! [Re: Jim_Clennell] #1513699
30/10/2014 15:12
30/10/2014 15:12
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Had a go at the headlights today, with mixed success. Despite Petep's tip about meths, it didn't seem to soften the yellowed lacquer layer, so I went for the emery paper.
I used 180 followed by 280, then 600, before several applications of Autosol, buffed with a lambswool wheel on my drill.

They are still slightly hazy, at least partly due to my sanding. I can see it will be necessary to revisit this, but at least they are better than before.

Re: Urgent:2004 E320 CDI Estate buying advice! [Re: Jim_Clennell] #1513705
30/10/2014 15:57
30/10/2014 15:57
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You might need to sand them with 800 or even 1000 before polishing them up Jim.

Re: Urgent:2004 E320 CDI Estate buying advice! [Re: Jim_Clennell] #1513706
30/10/2014 15:59
30/10/2014 15:59
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Yup, I can see that now. The one that I did just with autosol came up better than the ones I gave too much of a scratching too!
You live and learn, I'll have another go with some finer paper.

Re: Urgent:2004 E320 CDI Estate buying advice! [Re: Jim_Clennell] #1513796
31/10/2014 07:21
31/10/2014 07:21
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Lazy folding mirror was something I had on my 2008 model. Frankly I've never bothered about them and I've noticed that Merc has switched off the folding as the car is locked as the default in my current 13-model.

It's a shame it doesn't have full MB service history as it would still be covered by their free recovery service. It's worth checking Merc for any parts you need as they discount them for cars over a certain age. My experience is that I'm nearly always astonished by Merc prices: either because they're so high or so low. It's ALWAYS worth checking: I nearly pulled the trigger on a part (rear wiper motor) from a breaker but thought I'd check with Merc and found it it was actual cheaper to buy the part new from them.

Reminds me, Jim: before you get back to the salty roads of Blighty, put a big splodge of grease or Vaseline around the rear wiper shaft where it enters the housing. That should stop salty water running down there. The irony is that the Merc wiper is so well made that, if that shaft corrodes, it's impossible to get out. The exact issue occurred on my Alfa 156 and the cheap motor on there was easy to pull apart.

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