W210 E430 (aka "Big Bertha") has arrived

[BScottB]

After having posted several notes and received lots of good comments, and having spent way too much time reading other threads, I finally made my purchase. Thanks to all who made comment.

It is a MY 2000 E430 Black (040) on black with 34,000 Km (21, 250 miles) on the clock. I took it for a 400 Km run the day I got it and found when I put my foot down I felt like a shot out of a cannon - hence "Big Bertha". Compared to my 1987 190E 2.6, this thing just flies.

If I can move my photography skills past using an instamatic, I will post pics. Don't hold your breath on this.

Question:

If you had just got a stock W210 and wanted to pep it up a little without spending a pile of cash ('cause you don't have any left now), what would you do? K&N filter? Wheels? Stereo? ????

I know it depends on what I want out of the car but I am just looking for ideas and throwing out a blank sheet to stimulate discussion.

Again thanks to all who indirectly assisted in making this purchase.

Regards,
Scott.

[Lebenz]

Welcome to the 400 club! And what a nice pick you’ve grabbed. The 400s are often the unsung hero of the MB linage. If you don’t know why, in time you will find out,..

Were it mine, I’d do the following:

1) new sneakers now or soon depending on their condition

2) new brake pads – newer MBs are hard on them and they tend to be short lived (so are older ones)

3) a 4 wheel alignment

4) a bigger front and rear sway bar and bushings – perhaps for an E55 of the same MY

5) put a bottle of redline “complete fuel system cleaner” along with a full tank of gas, go for a spirited 100 mile ride, with as much up hill travels as possible. Don’t be shocked when a HUGE white cloud comes out the tail pipe. That’s just the build up of crap from the PO.

6) after the redline, and tank of gas, change the oil & filter

7) depending on your climate throw away the floor mats and get the MB all weather mats instead.

Mostly: Enjoy!!!

[renyf1]

first off...congrats on the car ! ! !

I was just reading a website of now IRL driver Helio Castro Neves (won the Indy 500 last year)...and guess what his personal car is?

So you are in very good company!

-Ren

[royaiii]

snag the fuel system cleaner. it is a perfect way to destroy cats, o2 sensor and muffler. Unless you have been driving with 87 octane it doesnt need fuel system cleaners. C'mon people, be a good little boy and read the Mercedes manual prohibiting the use of fuel cleaners/additives.