Morning guys,

I have just purchased a Crossfire very rashly, 3.2 Auto, 215 BHP 35k mileage...

I love this car, and want to give it the best start to it's new life with me so I was hoping for some recomendations on what to do asap as to avoid pitfalls etc...

I need asap a boot lid cover, or window blind as the entire boot is viewable from outside, there also seems to be a viewable area at rear of drivers window, do the regular blinds cover this? and where is the best place to source a blind?

I also would like to get a cup holder, I have a centre console behind handbrake, and ideally would like to keep this, has anyone modded anything to encorporate a cup holder anywhere?

Check me out worrying about the big things hahaha

On a more serious note, I'd love to up the performance from 215, but can the auto box handle it? and is there anything I could do without spending a lot right now?

Then are there any 'must do's' to avoid issues in the future, I will be taking it on a 800 mile round trip very soon, it has been serviced 3 months and 1k miles ago, but am always untrusting of these selling points.

Thanks a lot

 

I just got mine 4 weeks ago today. I have learned a TON by reading this site.
1st, read all the stickies, if not enough to find solutions, enough to find what common problems are.
There is a factory cup holder in the center console (unless it has been removed and replaced with a plastic bin)
They are fragile to close, and the trick is to lightly pinch the silver top and black piece together, and there is zero effort to close.
There are several nice ideas about mounting additional cup holders, I like the ones that people put on the bulkhead.
The RCM (Relay control module) is known to fail due to 3 bad solder joints, not just on the Crossfire, but other Mercedes as well.
Other known issues are Crank position sensors, and thoroughly funky security/theft/ignition key systems.

 

Thanks for the info Pioneer, I'm reading through them today, and get the same feeling re the ignition (It does feel flimsy).

I've not come across the cup holder, maybe I havn't looked hard enough?! I have a bin behind my left elbow, but that looks built in.

Where can I find the bulkhead cup holder idea, that soundsgreat!!!

I'm starting to think cargo covers are rare, and sound pretty useless as I'll fill the boot to the brim probably, the blinds are difficult to source too.

Is your back window tinted? if so how much do you see?

 

I drive alot in mine every week 04 ssb 6 speed, I keep xtra sensors in a box in the back, but 98k miles and have not had to change one yet.
Not many options for additional power.
Eurocharged tune.
Cai, cold air induction.
Throttle body.
Exhaust.
Pretty much all that can be done on a mercedes.
I have the 558bt head unit (silver) with the pyle plp 6.5 upgrade behind seat, sounds alot better than stock in my opinion.
I use the cupholder that slides down between the console and passenger seat, works good, and a small bin in passenger seat.
I drive 2-6 hours twice a week.

 

I bought the cup holder that fits next to the passenger seat about $20.00 o E-Bay works great.

 

That bin is probably the cup holder replacement, enjoy it, it is a $45 piece of plastic. Here is the factory original part first, then the replacement.

or

 

It is a matter of preference, but the factory cup holder is not the greatest, when mine broke, I removed it and lined the remains with felt to create a bin. I find the bin to be much more useful.

A replacement cup holder can be had but they are pricey.

 

Thanks for the responses, yes I have the little plastic bin, which in fairness is usefull, and not where i'd want my cup to be anyway!!

I'll source a cup holder somewhere, my lap has already proved unusefull, especially for hot drinks!

 

One bit of advice I can give you is to put on an old rubber glove, then stick your finger into the lips inside both rear wheel arches and drag all the sh*t out of them.


They trap mud, and this causes the paint bubbles, often seen around the rear arches, you'll be amazed how much you will pull out of them, then when you've done that get the hosepipe in and give them a really good wash out until the water runs clean.


Buy an aerosol can of waxoyl or similar, and when the arches have dried off completely, give the insides of the lips a good spray, if you use one of those little extension straws on the end of the aerosol it avoids having to take the wheels off to get in.


Its also worth checking the other place that Crossfires seem to suffer from corrosion, the underside of the rear hatch, around the release latch, which is fairly easy to clean up and treat, its only visible when the lid is up so a clean up, followed by some rust killer and a DIY aerosol paint job is possible with a bit of care and masking off.