G-Wagen #4
Common technical attention of 280GE on 80,000 km mileage, ....
The 280GE had typically a boring spartan interior Benz of the era, though its four wheel transmission was already a shift on the fly, meaning you need not to stop to engage nor disengage. On the contrary most of the time disengaging did need to stop as it required several attempt to do that. But unlike other jeep engaging the 4x4 at high speed might ruin the transfer case not this beast.

Jammed hand brake. You need to reverse or forward the car a few times until you hear a loud bang as differential brake disengaging !

Poor steering damper life on using wide tyre;

On early model you need to modify its exhaust plumbing further away from the driving shaft, many has suffer slight misalignment due to heat.

Replace the clutch master before you are stuck on the highway road side. It happened to us then, it was a headache to get the appropriate towing truck for such a 2.5 tonnes beast.

As I said earlier the engine was robust, we had not touch any of its mechanical parts. One thing though the fuel pump emitted humming noise after a long journey which then immediately subsided to whispering hum on the next engine start.

Thursday, 29 April 2010

Mercedes Benz C Class a Forgone Over Engineered Era

After the production of the much praised and legendary W201 and W124, Benz decided to follow the then cost cutting measures trend widely adapted by most car makers in early 1990s: Leaving behind the famous “Over Engineered” marketing term and thus its heritage traditional production method. Certainly with the exception of Its bigger brother the G Class, for obvious reason look for past article on Mercedes Benz G Class Accessories.

Mercedes Benz C Class
almost revolutionized Benz character to follow its rivalry’s dynamic driving machinery, the BMW. It helps the marketing sales target at the cost of Benz purist who puts reliability traits above all. The evidence is quite bewildering, a large number of newer Benz taxi has spent more time in the workshop than the W124 counterparts, it is a harsh reality that most German taxi drivers facing then.

When the heavy seasonal flood hampers most of Jakarta and into a parked W124 in a private garage, it only requires wiping off the excess water and moisture. As the ECU is kept in a water tight compartment the car starts off immediately with no problem at all.

It’s the classic consumer behavior dictated by Manufacturer in the long run strategy! Technology-wise the computer is now in charge for the most parts of driving functions; combustion process, the controlled stability and other enhanced driving comforts and conveniences. Including individual driving style, motorized trunk access and lastly perhaps rendering careful battery replacement; the buffer memory stored for ignition mapping. Replacing battery without caution may result the car to refuse to operate.

clip_image002 Imagine turning the ignition key with the new battery, but the car could not run whatsoever unless the “engineer” not the mechanic puts the memory back on! The automotive wiring now boasts a system called Bus system allowing digital signal and DC current flows in an efficient manner unlike the system it has replaced. Less wiring length is required as it used to be, but analyzing electrical glitches requires specialized know how and dedicated training for each model and car brand. You should literary never allow a monkey attitude mechanic to browse your engine bay, unless you have expected for the worst.
And here is one good example of allowing a monkey tinkering your car electrical, the whole wiring gets a remarkable burning state. Now this Mercedes Benz C Class is in comatose albeit worthless vegetable car; Mercedes Benz C Class a Forgone Over Engineered Era
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The good news is other C Class owner gets excellent donor car for affordable cannibal part resources!

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