PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum - W140, how good? how bad are they really?

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Gilly

The speaker discussion, I don't know everything, but I don't remember tweeters on the inside mirror, I thought they were on top of the dash on the sides, don't remember a center one, BUT make sure you're not looking at the hands-free microphone (cell phone). Remember these were built when cell phone technology was just barely chugging along (ANALOG! all we had was analog!) and MB really was trying to stay ahead. But it was hard to keep up with the changes back then when you wanted to just do the one major model change a year.
Gilly

The center tweeter for the W140 Bose Soundsystem is not inside the rearview mirror, but behind it. Only Soundsystem equipped cars had it (I believe this extra cost option was standard issue in the U.S.).

The speakers at the dash (at the base of each A-pillar) were only used for the telephone. Even if the car was not equipped with a car phone, it will have the dash speaker grills (and empty holes under them).

Quote:

Originally Posted by softconsult

Question for Robert. My '97 S320 has the 1999 style 6 Spoke alloy wheels. Tires are all 225/60 HR 16's.

So I am trying to decide whether to send the existing wheels out to Metro Wheels in Atlanta for re-furbishment at $150 per wheel + two way freight or simply buy a set of wheels that are already re-furbished for around the same price and one way freight. Here is the question. Maybe Robert will know the answer.

These rims are listed for the 1999 S Class as 16 x 7.5 Front and 16 x 8 Rear.
Is that what your owners manual lists? If yes, then what are the tire sizes front and back. I see in my manual that the 420's and 500's take
a 235 versus 225 in the 320.

Tks in advance

Steve White
Johnson City, TN

Heh heh,

Personally I would just wait a little and pull a nice used set of an S500 thats been parted out. Ok that was a joke! Just kidding!

But actually you might find a used set or a set from a car thats now rolling around on 20 inch spinners. :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by A. Rosich

How sure of that are you? My car has no phone in it at all and has speakers behind the dash mounted grilles. Not to mention sound from the radio comes out of them. I thought the phone worked "with" the speaker system rather than having dedicated speakers. Additionally why are their two speakers? Stereo phone calls? If anything I could see the rear view mirror speaker being a dedicated phone speaker but sound comes out of it as well.

:)

Quote:

Originally Posted by rchase

Are the shocks not replaced in pairs? For such a nice car to lean on one corner would be quite embarrasing. The Part alone is $1000 not to mention what it would cost to have someone replace it. Not to mention the computer module which is not very compatible with many of the code reading systems on the market. Realisticly I bet your at least $3000+ for just two of them from a reasonable independant. How many people have replaced these themselves? Anyone?

The self-levelling struts are far from $1000. $562 from ***************, and I haven't shopped around yet. They may be cheaper somewhere else.

https://www.***************/search/productx.aspx?sid=t3uesjzixt5yk0ajyv5kpw55&makeid=800016@MERCEDES&modelid=1195848@S600%20140.0XX&yea r=1997&cid=27@Suspension%20System&gid=7556@Shock%20Absorber

It's not a difficult DIY job:
http://v12uberalles.com/Rear_Struts.htm

Brett

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brett San Diego

Ok, $600. I can still get a set of 4 struts for my car for the price of ONE self-leveling strut. And they contribute nothing to the ride quality! Since I don't carry a trunk full of bricks around I have no need for the self leveling system.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rchase

I am 100% sure! ! ! When I got my S 500 L, one of first issues I addressed with the Dealer's Shop Manager (which happens to be also a good friend) was this matter about the dash speakers being silent with the radio/CD and the fact that they only worked with the phone (fitted at the factory). At first I thought they were not working properly.

He kindly showed me the factory's technical diagrams for the Bose SoundSystem and the factory phone. Everything in there confirmed what I stated above. Also, this issue has been addressed several times at the Car Audio Forum, you may ask there.

Now, it could be that the Bose SoundSystem did have the dash speakers work with music ONLY for the American market. That could be the reason yours work with music. Or, maybe someone wired the speakers to the sound system (which I have heard many owners have done).

Finally, I am sure you that several other W140s I have driven with factory fitted phones and Bose SoundSystems do also work like my car: the dash speakers only work for the phone.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rchase

Yes, true. I'm just making sure people aren't misinformed about costs.

Brett