My new 500E is sitting in Memphis, Tn, and I'm in San Francisco! I'm thinking about driving it back myself. However, it has a few problems which have been partially addressed. First, it needed a PS pump, so I'm having it rebuilt, on the logic that if it goes out in the next two years, the Heritage extended warranty will pay for it; they can't call it a pre-existing condition.
Second, the PPI said that it needed a nitro cell. If that is true, will I do any damage to the struts on the way home? I'd rather wait a few months, then bill the warrany.
Third, the A/C. Not sure what's wrong, but I'm using the same logic. Top it off with freon and see how it does for the rest of the summer. Hopefully, it will holde a charge for the trip (it will be HOT on I-40!).
What do you think, guys? Foolish to take a 100,000 mile, untested 500E accross country?
Tom

PS, I am no mechanic.

My opinion, it is not foolish to take the car X-country.

1. The P/S is a known issue with the 500E, usually it is a hose leaking at a mating surface. This leak is more of an annoyance to your garage floor, just check the fluid level weekly to see how much is leaking and then R/R.

2. The nitro cells will eventually fail causing a "truck like" ride and a bit of kluncking over med. to large bumps from the rear of the car. Will damage occur to the struts? In the short run I am inclined to think not, maybe a Tech can chime in.

3. The A/C? Get that fixed ASAP!!! That repair usually involves a core replacement, check and read this thread and check half way down for a ugly picture of a what must occur in order to make that happen. As far as for a road trip, with a recharge you should be fine depending on the leak.

Good Luck and Congrat's again on your new addiction!

Hi Tom-

>the flooded nitro cell would most likely not cause a critical roadtrip breakdown requiring immed repair

>re-pressurizing the a/c system will probably be OK for your trip if the ill is due to a leak outside the cabin...if the a/c compressor (or something like the clutch) is frozen - though- - I understand that re-pressurizing will not yield cold air

from the PPI, you may determine that its in driveable condition to SF (w/ out damaging other components)....but may choose to forego the road heat (if the a/c won't work) and have it flat-bedded to SF for a few hundred bucks out of your pocket..

let us know what turns out,good luck , and congrats again
-fad

Nothing like getting to know the ol' gal out there on the open road. You may even be able to sort out a few more issues while you're out there enjoying the serenity of the open road.
Get the A/C charged, get a quart of the PS Fluid from the local MB shop there in Memphis(Don King I think) and ease 'er on back. I bought mine w/ 60K sight unseen and sans PPI from a guy in Alabama. I flew out on a Thurs.5:30AM, did the deal and was on the Hwy by 11am. Drove pretty much non-stop Birmingham to Houston. What a Rush! Just me, the 500e, Aretha Franklin and the open road. Was able to sort out that it had some harmonic vibration at speed(later defined as shot engine/tranny mounts) and that the A/C wasn't cooling properly(later determined to be faulty evaporator). For me it really worked out. That was 700 + miles and I'm getting all misty eyed just thinking about it again:p

__________________
Regards,

Albert
aldedmon@yahoo.com

Hi Tom,

Glad to see your close to seeing your baby. I think you should drive here cross country, you'll love how this car performs over the long haul. Should take about three days from Tennessee.

I too picked mine up from Seattle and drove it to San Diego. The drive was unbelievalbe through the mountains of Oregon and the straights of NorCal. 1300 miles total. My wife was so comfortable she slept the whole way!

My suggestions would be to have all the fluids changed and topped off. Monitor the fluids throughout the drive to insure that levels remain correct. As far as the A/C get it charged and if it doesn't hold just open the windows.

One thing I will warn you about that I didn't even think about is the lighting on this car. If your lights are original I'm sure you'll have difficulty seeing during the night on any roads without lights. Be ready for this, it will fatigue your eyes beyond belief.

Other than that enjoy the drive!

__________________
Afshin

Current:
02 C32 AMG

Previous:
92 500E
84 190E 2.3 5 Spd

Well< I booked the flight to Memphis. After getting blown of by the car shipper for literally weeks, My friend and I are meeting up on the 21st, and we're off. I will appreciate any advice i can get between now and then.
I'm totally excited!
My understanding is that there has been some sort of headlight upgrade, although I thinks its just higher wattage bulbs
Tom

Tom, I think you'll be glad to have made the decision to take the trip. I did it when I acquired my 500E, from Austin to Scottsdale.
It's mandatory to carry a Valentine One, however, as I found out and later noted in this thread:

Road Trip!

__________________
'92 500E Black Pearl
'86 Porsche 911 Track Car

Car Pics

http://www.dzn.com/jammers/index.htm

You will be "invisible"

Tom

Tom, another vote for a Valentine One.

Driving above the posted speed limit is very easy to do if you are not careful, this car loves cruising at speed and gobbling up the miles. My recommendation is to plan for West Texas / NM / and AZ to be driven mostly at night (not sure if you are going to push the pace?) , you will encounter far less traffic (i.e. paint chips), and more importantly less Highway Patrol. After midnight on the open road is very good time to make up time when going cross country if you know what I mean.

This wait has to be killing you, so close yet so far away.

This could be another thread. What do all of you think about rader jammers and radar detectors? Are they good science?

Tom

Since I am getting into Memphis on Friday night, then leeaving Saturday mornign, pretty much any work that I'm going to have done needs to be done before I get there. I am going to have the nitogen cells replaced, rather than risk a terribly harsh ride home. If the car were being shipped, I would have waited until it got here, then assessed it with my tech. But 2100 miles could be hard on one's butt if they do need replacing.

Besides the cells, I am having all the fluids changed, and all the belts inspected. The brakes all have at least 50% left, and the tires are brand new. Besides a serpantine belt, what spares to you recommend?

Tom

Hi Tom,

I think you have everything covered. By changing all the fluids your pretty much covering everything. You might also want to change all the filters while your at it and get that maintenance out of the way.

Other than that, enjoy the drive, and if you go through Texas watch out for the Staties at the highway intersections!

__________________
Afshin

Current:
02 C32 AMG

Previous:
92 500E
84 190E 2.3 5 Spd

Perhaps have someone take a picture of the belt tensioner-they do go, and if it's out of adjustment likely you need a new one. Common failure point, and could be an issue during a long-distance romp like you plan.

FWIW, I just "romped" up to upstate NY and back for a funeral-figuring my good aunt was looking out for me, I managed the 248 mile trip there in under 2 1/2 hours

Ever done sweeping turns with the cruise set at 110? 120? Did you know the cruise control works at 150? Just had to know...

You're gonna enjoy the ride-set aside money now for tickets

__________________
"If God had meant for us to walk, why did he give us feet that fit car pedals?" Sir Sterling Moss

Michael
2014 E63S Estate
2006 SLK55
1995 E500
1986 Porsche 944 turbo

...gosh, come to think of it- -

I also too flew to pick up and drive home my E500...landed in Los Angeles, CA on the first flight Saturday morning and and drove back to SF, CA early the next day

...it logged a scant 32,800 one-owner miles upon delivery to me/ now has 39,300

too much fun!
-fad

Well, I am flying out on friday to pick my 500e up. I had the PS pump replaced, replaced the nitro cells and flush, and all fluids changed. I will have 2000 miles to see what else, if anything, needs to be done. And, have a great time!
I will be checking in on the road.
Tom