From Lexus dealer in Atlanta - we live in Northern Virginia. Ebay reference following failure to meet reserve. Very nice folks, perfect feedback, picked me up at airport, did inspection, no pressure, very professional folks.
74,000 miles, no written records, dealer visits every few thousand miles for and "service" is in each Carfax record - lease car in Ohio that went through an auction in Missoui, then new owner moved to Atlanta - only oddness are tires being replaced several times (looked like until some "suspension" work was performed - perhaps had the camber bolts replaced - about the only thing I can find mention of in posts here and at mercedesshop). No dents, very few dings (I think dealers with competent dent removal artists can do amazing things now), very nice interior, bad a/c/heat and radio LCDs still useable - dash LCDs are fine (for now).
So, as a continuing old diesel owner (1991 350 SDL with 194K which I am keeping!), what should I do to the W210 to "restart" its maintenance now that it is back at the homestead? Have always done engine, trans and diff fluid changes, and most repairs and replacement processes (except suspension!) - have a garage lift so can get to everything pretty easily.
I am just now beginning to look for CD for this model - any shortcuts to sites with the info on line?
What would you all do to restart?
Sensitivities to anything in particular?
Recommendations on fluids?
Recommendations on plugs - do I even need to change them this soon?
Any power steering or suspension issues I should pre-empt?
Very comprehensive service DVD available from dealer or 1-800-for-merc.
Even includes the TSBs and recalls.
Join "Owners Online" at mbusa.com and you can see pdf version of owners manual and perhap maintenance schedule booklet. These can be obtained in paper form from same sources as the service DVD and you should have them.
The dashboard will tell you when you need service.
Most important thing is to verify ASAP that motor has synthetic oil meeting Mercedes requirements, i.e. Mobil 1 0W-40 or 5W-40. Use ONLY oil filters from dealer.
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Kent Christensen
Albuquerque
'07 GL320CDI, '06 E320CDI
Was a bit over 16K ... wouldn't have gone that high, but body and interior are very, very nice - and, photos of undetailed car as well as the dealer servicing under lease convinced me.
BTW, lkchris, I have always used Mobil 1 (since around 1976) in everything - have been a big proponent, however, my understanding of why MB began specifying it was related the service system which was allowing the cars to run too long between changes - consequently, they started getting sludging (just like Toyota did when owners didn't change their oil often enough) - their solution was simply to increase the quality of the oil they specified - i.e. rather than decreasing the time between changes to match the relatively low qualities of dino oil, they specificed improved oil.
So, given that I always use M1, even in my diesel, I would think MB engines would do just fine on dino oil if changed often enough - although, longevity would be affected somewhat (I would guess well after 150k miles) and certainly cold start would be affected - perhaps mileage, even. Most dino oils now have some pretty impressive additive packages, so differences evident 20 years ago are somewhat less evident.
All this said, I will be using the 0-40 version if I can find it ... if not, I'll probably default to 0-30. Will be changing at 5-6k intervals in any case.
Thanks for the great advice - I look forward to learning about the many electronic solutions used in this complex car (I don't know much so will be a great challenge!)
I think you are looking for time to spend?
I picked up my 99 model about 3 years ago with similar mileage.
On the 3000 miles trip home I picked up 800 bottles of Polish beer in Chicago, what delivered to local delicatessen paid for the gasoline.
Now the only thing I did in last 30,000 miles was oil change, plugs, MAF and front CV joint.
Pure enjoyment otherwise.
Linear Mode
