I am interested in buying a topsider. Does anyone have one to sell, or where I may find one to buy. No luck in town or on net.

Ernest,

I bought mine for $30 at BoatUS.com last summer, you may find a lower price if you search around.

SHhhhh, I'll give you the link, but you have to promise to not tell Larry about this!

Larry, we all know what you think about this method of Oil Change so go light on Ernest. J/K

Here it is, http://www.boatus-store.com/MC_Online/Browse.asp?showitem=16467

Also found in the JC Whitney catalog. Not sure if Parts Shop may sell them also.

__________________
Palangi

2004 C240 Wagon 203.261 Baby Benz
2008 ML320 CDI Highway Cruiser
2006 Toyota Prius, Saving the Planet @ 48 mpg
2000 F-150, Destroying the Planet @ 20 mpg



TRUMP .......... WHITEHOUSE
HILLARY .........JAILHOUSE
BERNIE .......... NUTHOUSE
0BAMA .......... OUTHOUSE

Thank you for the quick replies - I have put a Larry block on this thread. Larry - if you read this thread, please take solace that I will change it hot!

Ernest,

Change it hot? Not!

If you read the instructions that come with it, they'll tell you to let the engine cool off a little bit, or the suction tube can and will melt.

Boat U.S. actually has a sale on this item right now for $34.99 http://www.boatus.com. They also have several other brands available. The best one is an electric 12v motor that is mounted on top of a black 5 gal. bucket. It hooks up to your car battery with jumper clips, and sells for $150.00

The other outlets like West Marine http://www.westmarine.com, and Overtons http://www.overtons.com charge $45 to $47 for Topsiders! You can also check out Donald Swinford's low cost rig at a website that Alon "ashman" just put up with a link to it in the tech forum.

__________________

Scott Longston
Northern California Wine Country...
"Turbos whistle, grapes wine..."

Longston,

I found what you said about the temp at which to change the oil to be true!

Last week I did the first oil change with the Topsier since getting the 500E, I sort of put the intake line a little to far into the Oil pan.

Result, about 4 inches melted / cracked! Weird to say the least since the oil temp on the instrument gauge was not up to "normal" temperature.

Just put the pickup down until it hits bottom, don't try and jamming it down further or else you may run into the problem I had.

We will be carrying them soon I hope. We are adding some products for MercedesShop merchandise. Our topsider will be an original MercedesShop tool with our logo on it.

__________________
Benzmac:
Donnie Drummonds
ASE CERTIFIED MASTER AUTO TECHNICIAN
MERCEDES SPECIALIST 11 YRS

That is good news! I am bummed that that I have a "plain" Jane" topsider!

Ernest,
Don't be bummed...go to the grand opening of Autowerks and buy one of the decals to put on your Topsider and no one will know!! In fact buy many and put them everywhere possible!! Spread the good WORD

TobiasMB
4MBs

Ernest-o,

Please let us know how well it's working for you, any tips you might have about using it, and if you would recommend it to anyone else (except Larry B...)

Although I had heard somewhere that there is a fitting available that allows you to use a Topsider through the oil pan, but what's the point? Double the speed of the oil change?

__________________

Scott Longston
Northern California Wine Country...
"Turbos whistle, grapes wine..."

I loved the ease of the top-sider! No mess, crawling under the car, positioning the drain pan, trying to move the drain pan plug out of the way fast enough to avoid the oil running down my arm - I am a happy oil changer!

I started when I got home from work - didn't even have to change clothes. I waited for the engine to sit about 1/2 hour and then proceeded to drain (suck) that dirty oil up. I left it over night, and repumped it in the morning to get the last amount. I changed the filter, filled her up and out on the road in the AM.

You will never see me underneath the car changing oil again!

I put the full can in the trunk and emptied the oil in the nearest rain gutter (just kidding!!!) - took it to a Pep Boys. No need to worry about getting oil all over the place.

I highly recommend!

I wish I could make it to the Autowerks grand openning - I would feel a greater ease knowing my ride was thoroughly inspected! The thought of driving West Texas (even in my MB) is a very daunting thought !

Thanks for the update. I'm glad you are so pleased with the Topsider. But tell me, how much more did you get after the second pumping the next morning?

And Ross, did you ever order a replacement tubing for yours after the heat damage?

Ernest don't be afraid of West Texas in a Mercedes. There are a lot of 'em down there, and you can always form a caravan with Larry, Don and Bill...YE-HAW!

Hell, one of my fondest memories was a bright moonlit night when I was haulin' my ass at a ridiculous speed across East Texas, headin' for the Arkansas border!

__________________

Scott Longston
Northern California Wine Country...
"Turbos whistle, grapes wine..."

longston,

No need to reorder small pickup tube (two sizes of tube are actually used), as the length is about 4' so 4" removal adds up to a "Lesson learned".

Ernest,

The best method I have found to date for traveling across West Texas is to plan it as a early a.m. trip. Somewhere around 12 to 4 a.m. give you adequate traffic avoidance (and police avoidance ) and also gives the 500E a chance to stretch its legs like it was designed for.

About 5 years ago I managed to make it from San Diego to Austin in about 16 hours! That included a 1.5 hour nap and I even averaged 27 mpg! The car, a 86' Honda Accord. That is roughly 81 mph, AZ and NM and W. TX was 100-110 mph most of the way! That car sure did hum with 145k on the Odometer already. I still haven't decided if this was a stupid act yet, but it sure was Fun.

Anyway, try and go threw the Texas "Hill Country" (Central TX, just west of Austin) if you can, the drive is wonderful, twisties and long sweepers for many miles, you'll enjoy it.

The second slurping removed about 1/3 quart. Two ways to accomplish it - set the hose pincher and get the vaccum in the tank set, or no hose pinch and just suck it out with each stroke (kind of sounds erotic).

My parents live in souther NM, and the run from Benson AZ to Deming NM is a great place to "burn out the carbon". And, you are right, early AM is the best time to be one with the gods! Whoa Boy!

Donnie,
You might consider getting the Tempo unit. Personally
I feel it works quicker. I got mine at U.S. Marine. Now
using Topsider can for oil storage and disposal.

Gary