W210 E320 4Matic - our next Benz - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Nautilus · #16 01-15-2008, 02:29 PM

Just as well didn't found any sort of console-mounted cupholders - there is a small compartment closed by a spring-loaded wood-veneer lid, but it's empty inside (no screw holes, to suspect they had been removed by a previous owner).

Inside the central armrest there is a small storage space which has A/C vents - supposedly a refrigerated box for some cool drinks during scorching Romanian summers

Note: it's blown by A/C but not thermally insulated, just some carpeting

~Nautilus

suginami · #17 01-15-2008, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nautilus

Just as well didn't found any sort of console-mounted cupholders - there is a small compartment closed by a spring-loaded wood-veneer lid, but it's empty inside (no screw holes, to suspect they had been removed by a previous owner).

The cupholder goes inside of that small compartment. They just snap right in.

They break frequently.

In the U.S., dealers sell them for about $20.00.

Zeus · #18 01-16-2008, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nautilus

This is how the interior looks, there are 5 buttons on the top row, the one with a seat on it drops the rear headrests (they drop mechanically but are raised by hand)

~Nautilus

I stand corrected, they apparently aren't standard. Your car does not have them. They would be on the outside edges of that panel.

Zeus · #19 01-16-2008, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by suginami

They didn't come standard in the U.S. Mine doesn't have them.

Probably just standard in Canada then? They are a godsend here. The tough leather on the W210 seats can be a tad rigid and chilly at -30C!

Southern · #20 01-17-2008, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeus

Probably just standard in Canada then? They are a godsend here. The tough leather on the W210 seats can be a tad rigid and chilly at -30C!

I believe that it depends on where you live. My Benz originally came from San Diego and doesn't have heated seats. I suspect in the colder climates you will rarely see non-heated seats.

I recall that when the W210 first came out leather seats and the sunroof were considered options but you had to special order one if you didn't want them. I think they used this as a marketing tool so that the MSRP appeared lower.

suginami · #21 01-17-2008, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeus

Probably just standard in Canada then? They are a godsend here. The tough leather on the W210 seats can be a tad rigid and chilly at -30C!

I think that nearly all W210's sold in Canada came with heated seats because the dealers ordered them that way. The climate is cold and people that buy Mercedes are willing to pay for heated seats.

My previous 2000 E430 had heated seats, and it was originally delivered to a dealer in New Jersey, a cold climate.

My currrent 2001 E430 was delivered to the Mercedes dealer in Santa Monica....not a place where the winters are cold.

blackmercedes · #22 01-17-2008, 11:17 PM

All W210's in Canada came with heated seats. It is one way they justified the $20+K premium charged to Canadians...

Nautilus · #23 01-18-2008, 05:17 PM

We can live without seat heating... it's a bit warmer in Romania compared to Canada or Northern US, and hopefully the climate control would do its job

~Nautilus

Nautilus · #24 01-20-2008, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by suginami

The cupholder goes inside of that small compartment. They just snap right in.

They break frequently.

In the U.S., dealers sell them for about $20.00.

This time they weren't - the former owner provided the object which had been fitted to the compartment, a small, removable, square storage bin, a bit like an large ashtray. Whatever

The car has been delivered last Saturday.

First impressions compared to W124:

- runs (or floats) like a magic carpet, totally detached from the road
- engine practically inaudible at slow rpm. One has to open the hood to hear it
- brakes are very strong, much unlike the W124, push a bit harder and one can crush his nose on the dashboard

must be the Brake Assist
- two things don't work, the rear rightside window and the front right headrest don't respond at all. Other controls of the right seat do work
- factory sound system is superb (or the soundproofing is perfect), like in a theater or concert hall
- materials are roughly the same quality as in our W124, with a great plus for the leather, plastics are cheap looking only in a few places like interior lights. I fail to see why people claim interior quality had decreased
- when parking there is the same sensation of docking a battleship, just this time parking sensors do their job and minor collisions are easier to avoid
- 16" wheels had been replaced by the previous owner with 17" light alloy wheels with Toyo Proxes S/T 225/55/17 tires

The car will be mostly the everyday drive of my Dad from now, I have to cope with my Seat Leon, which is harsher but a bit quicker

~Nautilus

Nautilus · #25 01-22-2008, 03:42 AM

It may be a stupid question but still... what does the button next to the gearstick do, the one marked W and S? (my first automatic gearbox ever, sorry). W stands for "winter" and S for "summer", or for "sport"? Is there an in-between third position? From what I've found on the web, the "winter" mode meant starting in 2nd gear for M-Bs with 5-gear automatic

~Nautilus

bluestripe67 · #26 01-22-2008, 08:12 AM

Your right on the W for winter, and S for summer. Pushing W allows the trans to start in 2nd gear for a smoother start, i.e., less torque, less wheel spin on slippery roads. S lets the trans start in 1st gear for better acceleration. Dennis

Nautilus · #27 01-22-2008, 09:56 AM

Thank you. Then it will be S forever unless it's deep snow

~Nautilus

Zeus · #28 01-22-2008, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nautilus

First impressions compared to W124:

- runs (or floats) like a magic carpet, totally detached from the road
- engine practically inaudible at slow rpm. One has to open the hood to hear it
- brakes are very strong, much unlike the W124, push a bit harder and one can crush his nose on the dashboard

must be the Brake Assist
- two things don't work, the rear rightside window and the front right headrest don't respond at all. Other controls of the right seat do work
- factory sound system is superb (or the soundproofing is perfect), like in a theater or concert hall
- materials are roughly the same quality as in our W124, with a great plus for the leather, plastics are cheap looking only in a few places like interior lights. I fail to see why people claim interior quality had decreased
- when parking there is the same sensation of docking a battleship, just this time parking sensors do their job and minor collisions are easier to avoid
- 16" wheels had been replaced by the previous owner with 17" light alloy wheels with Toyo Proxes S/T 225/55/17 tires

~Nautilus

I agree with most of this, the Bose system is actually pretty good and the stock ride of the E430 is...well as suginami put it so aptly, 'wallows like a whale'.

A lot of body roll.

A common E430/W210 owner modification is to lower the car and stiffen the suspension using springs, pads and stiffer shocks. The previous owner of mine had the E55 suspension installed and that has made a huge difference in the ride. Night and day. If you are an 'enthusiastic' driver, the suspension modification is a must, IMO. I fully enjoy driving my car the way it is now. I also find the chassis looks better when lowered slightly (tastefully).

Good call on the 17" rims, although the stock tire size for these is 235/45R17.

Nautilus · #29 01-22-2008, 11:48 AM

Does the sport suspension fit the 4Matic?

Now as you say it, it didn't seem to roll or tilt much more than the W124 (and it's an Elegance version compared to a Sportline), but I should test it to progressively higher speeds to see how it runs

~Nautilus

Nautilus · #30 01-25-2008, 10:10 AM

Just tested it today in some city and suburban driving.

Suspension does a perfect job of filtering road irregularities, I can't even feel the tram lines and small potholes. Curves are not a problem either, at least not at speeds below 100km/h(60mph), the only time it felt "slightly wobbly" has been a double curve ("S"-like) around 50km/h - despite claims to a "softer and innacurate" handling.

Steering extremely light at moderate speeds, makes any other car to feel heavy as a truck

Automatic transmission is a pretty useful feature when stuck in a traffic jam and does not harm acceleration.

V6 engine is very balanced and pleasant to drive.

However, it's obviously not a sports car - its rather heavy weight and comfort-driven setup do not encourage anyone to drive like some Vin Diesel-character

if only the E55 AMG was more affordable....

~Nautilus