CL500 Restoration 7

The CL500 restoration project really is a month-long journey, tough and expensive.


The front upper arms have been replaced. The steering feels wonderful and buttery smooth but still the steering vibration isn't all filtered out. And I wonder if the mysterious steering vibration still exists. I suspect it still does, but at a smaller degree. Anyway I need to plan to have a wheel alignment done.

The crank position sensor (also known as flywheel sensor) has been replaced. The knock sensors were also replaced, which were buried underneath the engine mounts. The engine mounts were also replaced as they sacked and leaked oil. The engine would start very smoothly and willingly now every time. All the engine vibrations have been isolated to a large degree, with or without the a/c compressor on.

Overall the car feels silky smooth and flow through the traffic with grace, and rough roads with aplomb. It irons out all the road impacts and irregularities with the classic Merc signature selected bump-thumps, while keeping the car very quiet and comfortable. The road manner should be over 80% of what it used to be. At least this is what I have hoped for.

The driver side window now goes up and down with some assurance and determination, and not get stuck in the middle occasionally.

I love this project car, but I really spend too much. However, let me borrow from a saying:

‘There are two mistakes one can make along the road to truth…not going all the way, and not starting.’

Oh well....I really go all the way here with CL500. I am slightly upset with the on-going list of parts to change.

Corolla

The idea of giving up the Corolla surfaced my mind yesterday.

Did I have had enough fun with the Corolla? I guess I can say yes.

Is it practical and economic to run and own? However it overlaps with the auto Honda Civic, which receives more use because of its leather seats and auto transmission.

So far I have been the sole user, with a mileage of 4,000kms since end of November - a period of 4 months.

It is the sports car of the pack. At least it is how I use it.

How many cars can I own simultaneously?

Ideally I would like to have 4 to 5 cars, but logistically 3 is the maximum with the current setting. Therefore I must sell the Corolla, to make 'space' for the CL500.

After 2 weeks without touching the SLK350 it feels like a blast to drive. The poor ride quality does not matter, but the responsiveness and agility really impress.

CL500 Restoration 6

OEM Steering Damper
(made in Germany)

Checked with the Tak Po gearbox specialist (where I have the transmission rebuilt) and they suggested I look closely to engine in order to have a better throttle response.

The next easy way out was the spark plugs. I went the factory Bosch spark plugs which were the cheapest I could find. They were actually not bad. The engine now runs quieter and smoother and seems to have a little bit more power and torque across the rev range. The improvement is there, can be felt, but not significantly so. But in the end it is one of the cheapest fixes available.

New and Old Bosch
Spark Plugs

I also had the steering damper (OEM) replaced. The minor and occasional steering vibration still was there but the whole steering action is now better 'oil' damped. It introduces a level of luxury feel to the steering itself. Again it was an inexpensive part replacement.

Members of the Steering Assembly