I DID IT!!! Bought new 2000 E320 Designo (PICS)
 

Hello Everybody,
Just to let you guys know that I am a new member and after doing a lot of research and asking lots of questions from you folks I finally bought a cream puff. It is a very light green 2000 E320 DESIGNO with only 57K miles! The interior is awesome and it is 2-tone Black/Green leather "nappa" (designo colors). I don't know what "NAPPA" means? Even the wood is a different color! It is curled maple, designo-natural. The steering wheel is in leather-/designo-wood. It also came ith the star-tec integrated phone but I think that's a dinosaur now. It's got the heated seats. The paint is just totally awesome with no blemishes. The interior is just as sexy.
Now, I would like to thank EVERYONE who helped me out with my pretty stupid questions and all who put up with me. I thank all the moderators and especially "TECH HELP". This is a great forum. I will post pics soon.

has the trNS EVER BEEN SERVICED? HOW ABOUT SPARKPLUGS? SOORY FOR CAP LOCK LOL

It has had all of the services done on time. The 60K service was done at 55K. I don't know if the 60K service would include the spark plus and tranny:confused: . It has has all of the service A's and service B's on time. I was thinking about changing the oil myself. What synthetic oil should I use for this? I will go ahead and do the tranny service anywaysin about a month and have the sparkplugs changed if they need changing. How much does it usually cost to have the tranny serviced?
Thanks

The transmission service is best done at a dealer, in my opinion. It takes a special MB certified fluid that is outrageously expensive. The service on my 1998 E300 TurboDiesel cost me about $260, and most of the price was the fluid. So because of the fluid being unique and the fill process reqiring the fluid level be checked hot, and the fact that the car doesn't come with a dipstick for the transmission fluid level, it becomes a dealer job. The dealer will tell you the transmission is "sealed for life and never needs a fluid change" and then you have to ask him what "life" is, and then direct him to change the fluid. I think today MB will voluntarily change the fluid, but three or four years ago they put up a fight. They now know better, I believe. I change it every 60,000 miles. It is coming up on time for another transmission oil change. Jim

MOBIL 1, 0-W40. ;)

More DESIGNO interior pics!
 

Enjoy.......

That interior is fantastic! I have three green Mercedes but none have an interior like that! I won't rest until I find one! Great ride!

Thanks! This comes with the DESIGNO package which is a $5900 option and lets you choose the colors or colors of the interior and exterior. They are very rare and I DO hope you find one or holler or look out for it in the "Cars for sale" section on this forum because these forum members will get first dibs on this car WHEN I get bored and want to get into something. I think it may be a year or so, maybe even 2 but then who knows? I might never get tired of it. It IS indeed a sweet and smooth ride and is flawless.

enjoy your car. how much did you pay? btw it's great that you like that color combo, but it might be tough to sell..

Hi and thanks! I am a fan of anything that is "different". So far I have gotten nothing but praise from people who have seen it. I get comments in the parking lots, etc. I will sell it when I get bored with it and won't be in a hurry to sell it so I can take all the time in the world to get the right price for it. I am not planning on selling it anytime soon.;)

Not really, you buy the special dipstick and your are good to go. I bought an infra red thermometer just to be sure on the temperature. Other than that it's just like transmission service on other trannies. The new MB fluid for the 722.9 is backward compatible to the the 722.6 and cheaper. Manual says to buy a new lockable red cap each time, but I was able to unlock mine and re-use it. The pan bolts on the 722.6 now eliminate the requirement for just right torquing of the bolts. The bolts go through cast pieces that apply the correct pressure.

The qualifier for me would be if there were no torque converter drain. Then dealer service would be the best approach. Note, my idiot dealer quoted me $450.00 to service the transmission, which was my motivation to do it myself.

Steve

I think I will need all of these types of services to the dealer because I don't think I would want to tackle something this important. I think I'd rather dish out a little more money and have it done professionally then doing it myself trying to save money and end up causing more damage and ultimately paying 10X more. With the kind of luck I usually have, I think I would probably mess up big time, LOL

I took the car to work today and EVERYBODY fell in love with it. Also EVERYBODY loved the interior. I had an ear-to-ear smile all day and felt so proud.:) :D

I'm really sorry but I wounder how can you stand such a disgusting interior color!!! If someone offered me to use a car with such colors I would refuse. Different people different gustos... No hard feelings :)

That's an awesome interior. Never seen something like that.. like the combination a lot. You should take a picture in the daytime with good lighting, I want to see what it would like then.