[MercedsBeans]

Hi everyone! About a month ago, I purchased this 1998 CL500 with 148,000 miles on the clock and drove it home from Augusta, GA. It is a nicely specced car, with black nappa leather, parking sensors, and xenons. The main and only major problem with the car is that the SLS had collapsed in the rear.

This thread is where I'll attempt to document most of my work to the car. I hope you enjoy!

Here are a few pictures of the car after I picked it up:

The car sat under a tree for some time by the looks of the paint, so I will detail it using an orbital buffer. I'll also take out the seats and steam clean the carpets. The interior is in really nice shape though. The only issues are that the headliner is sagging and the seat belt presenters are not working.

 

[MercedsBeans]

First order of business was giving the car a good wash.

Then, I started buffing the hood and passenger's side of the car. I was pressed on time, so I'll have to do the exterior detail in stages.

I didn't take pictures, but I also took the seats out and cleaned up the carpets. It only has one driver's side floor mat in rough shape, so I may order some sisal mats for it in the future.

 

[MercedsBeans]

I still haven't done much to the car at this stage, but I threw on new valve cover gaskets and spark plugs.

Here's what the internals look like:

And the old spark plugs. Definitely due for a change:

This is a pretty easy job on this car. A couple of fuel lines to disconnect on the driver's side and cam breather hoses to take off and the valve covers came off easily with a tiny pry on each.

I did a bit of cleaning and then buttoned everything back up. Can definitely feel the effect of some newer plugs in there!

 

[MercedsBeans]

I discovered pretty quickly that I had a burst or cut hydraulic hose on the left rear, so I ordered a new one from Mercedes for around $100. Had to remove the strut to get half of the old hose off, installed the new hose, and reinstalled the strut.

Also noticed that I need to replace the brake hoses.

After replacing the hose and filling up the reservoir, the suspension pumped up to what looks like the max ride height in the rear. My next order of business will be to get the car on some ramps and mess around with the level adjustment.

At test drive, the car has a harsh, bouncy ride. I'll see if lowering the rear affects it any, but I'm told that more than likely means I need new accumulators. Not a huge deal since they're running about $90 a piece right now and I've changed them before on my wagon.

That's all for right now! Stay tuned for more updates.

 

[burgca]

Looks good so far!! Wonderful car that is worth the effort!!

 

[DEALER.]

Hi!

Nice C140 real beauty! You need buy hood star it missing on pictures. Can You tell if not secret price of car. Thanks!

 

[EKM111]

Awesome! Did you only replace the spark plugs or also the wires?

 

[MercedsBeans]

Hi!

Nice C140 real beauty! You need buy hood star it missing on pictures. Can You tell if not secret price of car. Thanks!

Thanks! The grille star is sitting on the back seat. I want to polish the grille fins before I put it back on.

I paid $2,500 for the car.

 

[MercedsBeans]

Awesome! Did you only replace the spark plugs or also the wires?

Only the spark plugs

 

[MercedsBeans]

Looks good so far!! Wonderful car that is worth the effort!!

Thanks! I'm looking forward to taking it on a road trip or two.

 

[DEALER.]

Thanks! The grille star is sitting on the back seat. I want to polish the grille fins before I put it back on.

I paid $2,500 for the car.

So cheap!!! And in so good shape - in visual. For that money in europe is not possible buy even non runnner parts car c140 (coupe), right hand drive. RHD UK market.
I want one that too for that price

 

[EKM111]

I paid $2,500 for the car.

That's what I paid for my 00 E320! Great buy! Also, in Georgia, yearly inspections are a must. So, I'm sure the seller must have at least taken care of it to meet the state's requirements. I bought mine from a small dealership and after I purchased it, all I paid was $20 for registration. The dealership covered the taxes, and had already passed inspection. Got the title about 4 weeks later.

 

[will_c140]

Been there, on a 97 S600 coupe. Plugs yes, m119 so this is still caps and rotors through it's life I think? If so, I would do those, every single fluid and filter in the car including trans and diff (trans kit with conductor plate online), accumulators (mine had same issue), this is SLS w/ADS suspension? If so, wouldn't hurt to do new fluid on that system. Ride height adjustment is EXTREMELY sensitive (only need to move lever in tiny mm increments to get noticable changes, stock ride height is even front and rear which means rear will look lower visually but is not (like it is sitting on the tires). Again been there, done that ad nauseum. Search my name for posts. You will need to bleed the air after changing fluid, which means driving it for a few hours after changing and then bleeding/checking ride height. If foamy it will ride too high and like crap. Lexol the hell out of those seats, especially the rear upper seatback and arm rests. Have a rear roller blind? Use it. Softclose fully functional? If so, you're lucky. $2800 I paid for mine, it can be done.

 

[MercedsBeans]

That's what I paid for my 00 E320! Great buy! Also, in Georgia, yearly inspections are a must. So, I'm sure the seller must have at least taken care of it to meet the state's requirements. I bought mine from a small dealership and after I purchased it, all I paid was $20 for registration. The dealership covered the taxes, and had already passed inspection. Got the title about 4 weeks later.

Thank you kindly. I'm looking forward to having it on the road soon. I believe this one is emissions exempt this year, so that is a plus, although it has no check engine light at the moment. Are you in MBCA? I also have a 98 W210 E320 wagon, which I love!

 

[MercedsBeans]

Been there, on a 97 S600 coupe. Plugs yes, m119 so this is still caps and rotors through it's life I think? If so, I would do those, every single fluid and filter in the car including trans and diff (trans kit with conductor plate online), accumulators (mine had same issue), this is SLS w/ADS suspension? If so, wouldn't hurt to do new fluid on that system. Ride height adjustment is EXTREMELY sensitive (only need to move lever in tiny mm increments to get noticable changes, stock ride height is even front and rear which means rear will look lower visually but is not (like it is sitting on the tires). Again been there, done that ad nauseum. Search my name for posts. You will need to bleed the air after changing fluid, which means driving it for a few hours after changing and then bleeding/checking ride height. If foamy it will ride too high and like crap. Lexol the hell out of those seats, especially the rear upper seatback and arm rests. Have a rear roller blind? Use it. Softclose fully functional? If so, you're lucky. $2800 I paid for mine, it can be done.

Thank you, I appreciate the guidance. I have ordered new accumulators, so I will put those in one of these coming weekends and try to adjust the ride height while I'm at it. I also have a leak somewhere near the hydraulic reservoir... This car isn't full ADS though, only SLS on the rear.

Sadly I don't have the rear roller blind... I was hoping this was an option the OG owner went for. Soft close will work if I use the fuse pulling trick, so I'm guessing worst case that means a problem with the pump. Seat belt presenters also don't work, and I don't hear anything when I press the button either, so I'm lost on that at the moment.

 

[carguy140]

Just popping in for a possible solution to the seat belt presenters. When I got my '97 S600 coupe they worked intermittently. They eventually stopped, so when I went in to look at the rear shade (worked, but the screen is partially damaged, decided to leave it in for now, but unplugged) I checked where the presenters were plugged in at. Found a little black box on the rear (American driver side) passenger side behind the armrest area. It's a little black box. I opened it up and found a burnt capacitor. I pulled the box out to repair or replace (more than likely repair, the ones I found online were around $400 IIRC). Here's a pic with the circuit board out of the box and I'm pointing at the obvious burnt part.

 

[MercedsBeans]

Well, I got the car on some ramps to see if I could adjust the level and.... it's missing a piece. From what I can tell, there's supposed to be a lever here. I have no idea where it is and if/how I can get just that piece (or pieces?) that I'm missing.

I also noticed that one of the axle boots is torn, and I'll need some new flex discs too.

Does anyone know if it's possible to get just that missing piece from the level control thing?

 

[TimeCapsule]

Does anyone know if it's possible to get just that missing piece from the level control thing?

Sadly, no. And the worst part is that I the adjusting rod is NLA (I hope I am wrong)

 

[daidnik]

EPC data attached.

Internet search shows that 140-320-2489 is still available for ~$37.

 

[MercedsBeans]

Thank you @daidnik ; I have just ordered the part.

Looks like the lever popped off the joints, possibly from me driving it for 100 or so miles with no pressure in the shocks....

Here's what the part is supposed to look like for those who may be curious.