W210 queries

[Guest bringit]

Hello everyone! This is my first post here!

Let me introduce myself first.

My name is Raymond and I am currently waiting for university to start in August. Passed my driving test last year and will be free of the P plate this month. My family currently has a E240 Elegance that was purchased in 2001. It has those signal indicators on the side mirrors and there is no circular design at the tail lights.

Judging from the Forum name, I assume that this model should be known as W210.

Recently, I have noticed that the headlamps plastic covers are scratched and look blurry. I look with envy whenever I see a newer E class that has headlamps that allows you to see the lamps inside the plastic enclosure.

The link http://sgmerc.com/forum/index.php?topic=1145.0 shows the newer headlamps that I am referring to.

I hope you guys know what I mean by that. ;D

I was wondering the price range and where we could have our stock headlamp covers changed? I want to make it look newer than it is. Is it possible to install stock W211 headlamp covers into a W210? How about a newer model of W210 to our current model? Pardon me as I am very new to this!

At the same time, parts of the leather on our leather steering wheel has turned black for some reason. Maybe I could post a pic here in a few days to illustrate my point. Where can we purchase and install a new one? Price range?

Somehow, I think I won't be able to afford this but still, its good to have a goal so we can work towards it right?

Thank you all for your time!

[g8crasher]

'ello Raymond! Welcome to the club.

One way to get the W211 look is to install a set of aftermarket projector style headlights which you can purchase off eBay. There are quite a few models available and they should cost you in the region of $500 for a pair. Your W210 should fall under the facelifted category being a '01 car it will already have the latest look.

You can also try Propel Auto Parts at Kranji Rd. They specialize in spares and half cuts. I would suggest giving them a call to enquire about the availability of projector style headlights. The last time a few of us visited Propel, they did have some new steering wheels for sale. You'd have to trade in your old one though.

Join us for our monthly meetup at Kallang Carpark F (behind Leisure Ctr). We would certainly welcome additional W210 company!!

[Guest bringit]

Can I just ask, are these aftermarket projector style headlights from Mercedes? Would I have any problems with LTA? Also, would the brightness be better or the same as my stock headlights?

I think I saw those blue lights as well and they do look cool! Not sure if they are LTA compliant or not though.

Sorry but what do you mean by half cuts? Very new to this term.

What would be the price range of the new steering wheels?

Lastly, what time is Propel open? Maybe I'll get my dad to pop down one day and we'll see how it goes from there. ;D

[g8crasher]

No the aftermarket ones are mostly Made in Taiwan by mfrs like Depo. LTA compliance wise, technically not legal but depending on your luck, you might actually have it passed. Blue bulbs are illegal.

US W210 owners swear by Depo. Some have had problems with water getting into these headlights so you might have to add a thin layer of sealant around the headlight before installation.

http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?from=R40&_trksid=m37&satitle=w210+projector&category0=

Half cuts are literally cars which have been salvaged from accidents and have most of the major bits intact ie, engine, headlights, body panels. Salvage dealers normally cut these cars in half hence the term half cuts.

I believe the price of a steering wheel will range from about $550 upwards (price inclusive of trading in your existing steering wheel) depending on whether you need steering wheel function buttons etc.

Propel opens from 9 or 930am till 6pm I believe. Better to give them a call to double confirm. A word of warning - Kranji Road can get a little congested as it has a railway track intersecting it, is rather narrow and plenty of heavy vehicles travel through.

[Guest bringit]

That's a shame. My dad refuses to get non LTA compliant items as it would be a troublesome issue come inspection time.

Are there any projector headlamps out there that are LTA compliant in the market?

I'm not sure if the latest W210 has projector headlamps as stock.

Thanks for your help!

[Guest fruitcakepablohoney]

These are the projector lights i got in my W210 Kompressor. It was a gift from my bro. Not very happy with it cos the lights not bright enough!

[Guest bringit]

These are the projector lights i got in my W210 Kompressor. It was a gift from my bro. Not very happy with it cos the lights not bright enough!

But it looks very nice! How much did it cost your brother? Are they LTA compliant? Lastly, are they from Mercedes?

[Guest fruitcakepablohoney]

As what HomeRipper mention. Think cos about 1K? These were many years ago.

[Guest bringit]

Something that I have been wondering, if we trade in the steering wheel, what happens to the airbag?

[g8crasher]

Something that I have been wondering, if we trade in the steering wheel, what happens to the airbag?

Airbag will be transferred to the new wheel. ;D

[Guest bringit]

Just to enquire as well, those electronic display that shows the time and the outside temperature, what are they called? LED displays? Mine no longer shows the temperature and time completely. Its as if some of the lights have "burned out".

I believe my dad mentioned that C&C quoted around 1k to replace it.

What is the rough price range of getting it outside?

Been telling my dad so much about Propel that he told me he might go down with me one day when he's free to see what they offer. ;D

Can I just check again if there are LTA compliant projector headlamps for the W210? If there are, are any one of them manufactured by Mercedes? I've seen the light output of the lamps in other forums and they don't look as good as the original. That won't be good for driving at night in Malaysia in my opinion.

[Guest bringit]

Here are some images as promised. Taken on my handphone however so the image won't be clear. I think you might not be able to see the headlights scratched in the photo provided. Will try to take another one soon with a better camera.

Steering wheel with blacken leather.

Incomplete display of Temperature.

Scratched headlights.

[g8crasher]

Hmm let's see now. The digital display below the gauges didn't cost that much to fix the last time I did it - certainly not $1,000. That price is probably worth the entire instrument cluster. Let me ask my mech what the repair is worth.

Scratched, dulled headlights are fairly common on the W210. I can probably suggest giving it a clean by disassembling the headlight and giving the glass lens a good clean inside out with some Zippo lighter fluid.

As for the steering wheel, a cheap and quick fix would be to buy a snap on cap for it so you don't see the blackened areas. I'm not sure how effective a cleanup using some leather/vinyl cream/solution will work out to be. Mine is grey so it's not as obvious as the beige.

[Guest bringit]

I actually bought this plastic headlamp cover cleaner previously and I must say the results were quite promising. However, after awhile, the dulled headlights returned a few days later.

Why zippo lighter fluid may I ask? Where can I get those? Also, how do you disassemle the headlights?

I've tried leather cleaner/shine on the steering wheel and other parts of the car before creating this thread and not only does it NOT work, it made the leather on the seats wrinkle.

Very disappointed.

The digital display for the time also has the same problem. Did you manage to ask your mech?

[g8crasher]

Lighter fluid is kinda like turpentine I guess as it gets rid of dust/dirt but in your case the scratches have already done their damage.

As yours is an E200K facelifted model, the bumper has to come off before you can remove your headlights so better to get a new set.

Hmm. I'll respond to you by Friday evening as I'm sending the car in for servicing. I've tried to txt him but there wasn't any response so I'll try to have an answer for you soon.

[Guest bringit]

Thanks a lot for your help! How often do you send your car for servicing?

[g8crasher]

Pleasure is mine Ray. My usual service intervals are every 3mths or about 8,000 - 10,000kms whichever comes first. Cars run like clockwork thanks to regular servicing!

[Guest bringit]

Wow! How much do they set you back by each time?

My dad only sends the car for servicing whenever there is a problem. Right now we're having this irritating problem with the tailights. While braking we will see the "Lamp Defective" light pop up and upon inspection, there tail light isn't working. Changed the bulbs and we're still having this problem. I'm quite sure its a contact problem as before we leave, the light will work but once the car is in motion and it brakes, the message appears and we're back to the same problem again.

Where do you send your car for servicing?

[Guest fruitcakepablohoney]

Wow! How much do they set you back by each time?

My dad only sends the car for servicing whenever there is a problem. Right now we're having this irritating problem with the tailights. While braking we will see the "Lamp Defective" light pop up and upon inspection, there tail light isn't working. Changed the bulbs and we're still having this problem. I'm quite sure its a contact problem as before we leave, the light will work but once the car is in motion and it brakes, the message appears and we're back to the same problem again.

Where do you send your car for servicing?

Quite a common problem, it's the contact problem. My "lamp defective" pops out once in a while. I just take the bulb out & refix it!

[Guest bringit]

I did try that and it was resolved for awhile but afterwards it happens again when I brake, mostly due to bumpy roads I think.

[g8crasher]

Mate bringit,

Pulled up a thread from mbworld.org on defective headlights for the W210.

http://mbworld.org/forums/showthread.php?p=2660847

To summarize, it could be one of the following..

-bulb with loose contact point

-reverse lamp bulb (gotta get someone to check it for you while you step on the brakes in reverse gear)

-fog lamp bulb (if any)

-headlight switch

Regarding your LEDs not showing up, my mech has asked you to check for signs of a blown fuse in your fusebox.

[Guest bringit]

Hi Homer,

Sorry to bother you again but may I ask where is the fusebox located? How does it look like? If the fuse is blown the entire LED display would be totally be not working right? Mine is only partially displayed for Temperature and Time.

If its a blown fuse it should be easy to fix right?

[g8crasher]

Heya, blown fuse is easy to fix. Just have to pop it out and pop a new one in. Please pop a similarly coloured one in as the amperage is specific for different fuses.

If I remember correctly, W210 fuse box is located in the engine bay on the drivers side under a black cover. I cannot recall if you may need a magnetized crosshead screwdriver to remove 3 or 4 screws before the fuse box can be opened. Last time I looked under the bonnet was last year :tongue1:

[Guest bringit]

Thanks Homer! Will take a look when I get ahold of the car!

Any news about the cost if its not the fuse?

[g8crasher]

Am still waiting on a quote. Hang in there. 8)