Non-Volvo car chat megathread

[BlackBart]

I had to look them up!

The 1960s 4-door was the W110 series - the 190, 190D, 200, 200D, and 230 straight 6. They had fins!

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In 1968, the W114 / W115 series replaced it. Designed by Paul Bracq, they had an all new suspension design and were the first to be extensively crash-tested. The W114s were 230, 250, and 280 straight sixes, while the W115s were 200 straight four gas and 200D diesel, 220, 220D, and 240D.

"The Mercedes-Benz W115 is known to be a very durable car. In 2004 Greek taxi driver Gregorios Sachinidis donated his 1976 Mercedes-Benz 240D to the Mercedes-Benz Museum Collection with 4.6 million kilometres (2.9 million miles) on the odometer."

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The W123 series extended from 1976 to 1986, with a "reputation of being well-built and reliable."
In Mercedes-speak, C means coupe, T means touring or transport for wagons, D of course means diesel, and E means "Einspritzung!" or fuel injection.

Most of the engines carried over from the 114/115 series, except the new overhead cam 2.5 six.
Models based on engine size were -

200 straight four gas
230 same
250 straight six gas
280 same
200D straight 4 diesel
220D same
240D same
300D straight five diesel
300D straight five turbo diesel

These last diesels put out a whopping 123 hp, with 184 lb-ft of torque. You could have gotten a 280E straight six gas with injection and 140 hp. The four-doors weighed about 3600 lbs.

https://classicsworld.co.uk/guides/merc ... ers-guide/

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[volvolugnut]

Mercedes Content Warning:
I have a 2001 Mercedes E320. In the last several months it developed a no start, no crank, even no key turn problem. The internet revealed the problem as the theft prevention system.
Mercedes of this era used a chipped key that communicates with the Electronic Ignition Switch (EIS). If the key is not identified, the ignition switch will not turn. The EIS must also communicate with the Electronic Steering Lock (ESL). The ESL uses an electric solenoid to drive a wedge lock to prevent the steering gear from rotation.
Together the EIS and ESL prevent starting the engine and steering the car. This makes good theft prevention.
My problem was that neither remote key would allow turning the ignition for starting. At first it was intermittent. Last fall i removed the EIS for inspection. It is a fist sized plastic box with a receptacle for the all electronic key. I managed to open the box without damaging it and got it working again for several months. It contains an electronic board, electrical solenoid, and some plastic linkage. I do not really know what I did to repair it. Maybe just exercised the moving parts.
About a month ago it failed completely. Very fortunately it was in my drive. Also the steering lock was not engaged. Without the steering locked, I was able to pull and maneuver the car out of my way to work on it. Also, I learned, with the steering locked, removing the ESL requires cutting a nearly hidden bolt holding the ESL.
I found an instrument repair in the next state that could repair the EIS and I thought this might fix my problem. A couple hundred dollars was much less than the $1000 plus for a new Mercedes part. The EIS was back in about a week, but I still could not turn the key. It appeared the ESL was also damaged.
The ESL is another fist sized part but with an aluminum case. I have not disassembled one, but the internet shows how to replace the lock drive motor. The motor is about $25, but are poor quality and will likely need to be replaced again in a couple years. Removing the ESL required removing the lower dash cover, steering air bag, steering wheel, instrument cluster, and several steering column supports.
A new Mercedes ESL is also $1000 plus and must be dealer installed. My car would have to be towed about 80 miles to the nearest dealer. Another couple hundred dollars could buy a replacement device called an emulator. The emulator replaced the ESL electronic function, but does not lock the steering. Since this car is now 20 plus years old and I do not live in a high crime area, I did not feel the need for steering lock. I ordered the emulator.
Another couple weeks and I had the emulator in hand. It is half the size of a deck of cards. It simply connected to the ESL connector. I put all the parts together and the car starts and runs again.

volvolugnut

[BlackBart]

oof, that's a lot of work.

[volvolugnut]

oof, that's a lot of work.

Not too bad, an hour or two one way. Maybe $500 per hour at full dealer repair cost.

volvolugnut

[matthew1]

Very interesting insight into how MB does anti theft on this model. Thanks VLN. And good work

[scot850]

Eek! What a faff to lock and secure a car. Clearly these worked well by all the Mercedes in the African countries and Albania.

Neil.

[volvolugnut]

I forgot to include:
The EIS (Electronic Ignition Switch) also has a cable to prevent transmission shift until the key is turned. However, there is a hidden bypass for this feature you can activate with a ink pen.
Mercedes did some strangely innovative things.
volvolugnut

[BlackBart]

Hot Pits!

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[volvolugnut]

I just read an article about a lot of Kia and Hyundai cars getting stolen because they do not have an engine immobiliser system.

volvolugnut

[gnalan]

I just read an article about a lot of Kia and Hyundai cars getting stolen because they do not have an engine immobiliser system.

volvolugnut

Yep. A lot of insurance companies are dropping coverage on them, or refusing to insure them, because of it.

I saw a commercial where they left their keys on the moon, but used their cell phone to unlock their Kia. If you can unlock a Kia with your cell phone, and then use your phone charging cable to start it, that doesn't seem too smart on Kia's part.