[tom_boy]

Hi folks-

Haven't been on here since about 2015.... Life issues... But, just bought a W215. Need to swap out the pedal sets for the sport pedals. Being an 03, it's got the old man rubber pedals. Waiting on the accelerator pedal now... others are on...

Want to replace all the old incandescent bulbs with LED, at least on the front end... Can I do this without a "resistance nightmare" and the system telling me I have a bulb out? I hear the rears are a real pain... flashers don't work, etc... Any suggested vendors? Would like to just order a kit, vs. 1 by 1...

Also want to see what I can find for an updated wheel with paddles, not buttons. Anyone aware of one that works for the OEM airbag in US cars? Lots of options if I want to go to Germany/Latvia. Below is the link... Picture attached....

https://www.ebay.com/itm/26543914806...xoC1cUQAvD_BwE

Anything else I should consider? It just turned 40K miles... Has had regular dealer service,,, Headlight switch looks 'gummy'. Sure it's a fortune to replace. The dash cluster has a small display issue, think I found a good source to repair that. Glove box 'button' is worn... Need to replace that, but it's NLA for the assembly... and when it was available, was $700! YIKES... A bit different that my E55 parts prices... but ya wanna play, ya gotta pay!

Any easy way to tell if it has the 'updated' radiator? The early ones had a poor design tranny cooler in them. They blew and leaked anti-freeze into the ATF, and ruined the tranny...Want to ensure that won't be an issue for me...

Thank you in advance...

 

[tim687]

Can I do this without a "resistance nightmare" and the system telling me I have a bulb out?

No. Tried it, didn't work, the LED lights didn't even turn on.

Anyone aware of one that works for the OEM airbag in US cars?

It probably comes without an airbag, so you'll need to swap the airbag from your current steering wheel into your new one.

Anything else I should consider?

ABC, make sure that you read up on everything of the system. You should know the failure modes and how to prevent even more damage in case of a hose failure.

The early ones had a poor design tranny cooler in them

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I read somewhere that this only applied to the W140's

 

[tom_boy]

Tim687! Thank you for the courtesy of a reply... I sure hope you are right on the radiator... I understood it to affect the W211 ^ W215's, I could be mistaken though. I am checking with my local dealer.. As for the ABC, yes! Great advice. I spent days researching that,,, I hope I get lucky... I really don't want springs. ABC seems to really compliment the car. Bummer on the LED's! Thank you so much for the detailed reply...

 

[tim687]

I am checking with my local dealer.

Could you ask for a detailed report on this? Preferably including affected VIN ranges for each model that is affected?

I hope I get lucky

You will, ABC is a fragile and beautiful piece of German engineering, which if taken care properly, should last another lifetime.
The reason it will fail on most cars is that there is no direct reason to start working on it, as the car still drives, until it doesn't all of a sudden

Thank you so much for the detailed reply...

No worries! Glad I could help

 

[RichDiesel]

Headlight switch looks 'gummy'. Sure it's a fortune to replace.

Look on AliExpress, they have all kinds of interior bits for cheap, a W220 part should be the same I presume. Might take 3 weeks on a slow boat from China but I have had good luck with stuff I have ordered off that site.

 

[tim687]

I would most certainly be very cautious on what AliExpress parts you fit onto your car.
They do not like AliExpress electronics and they can cause all kind of different issues.

The only AliExpress item that I have on my car is the dust boot for the RR shock.

 

[RichDiesel]

I would most certainly be very cautious on what AliExpress parts you fit onto your car.
They do not like AliExpress electronics and they can cause all kind of different issues.

The only AliExpress item that I have on my car is the dust boot for the RR shock.

Trim bits is what I was thinking about. I’ve seen headlight switch surrounds for my 211 and steering wheel buttons for the 221. These either get sticky or the lettering wears off. Electronics I would be wary of but sometimes it’s ok. I got some hood vents for my S550 and they look good, fit well.

 

[tim687]

Try using generic all surfaces cleaner or alcohol (this might wipe away any lettering) with a microfiber cloth.

Be careful around the headlight switch, those symbols will fade when you get alcohol on them.

 

[H20ham]

Have you @tim687 found AliExpress good since 2022. China cut them in pieces, tail end of 2021