2016 E220d AMG Line buying advice

[MBcruise]

Hey folks,

Hope it’s OK to post here. I’m after some buying advice.

I’m in the process of purchasing a 2016 E-Class 220d AMG Line 4-door 9G Tronic saloon with 58k miles on the clock from a MB main dealer.

When I took the car for a test drive, I noticed a slight judder on the steering wheel when applying the brakes around 30mph. To this end, the dealer mentioned that this was caused by a warped disc. Therefore, the dealer is now in the process of replacing the discs and brake pads on the front and rear wheels in order to correct the problem.

Meanwhile, a quick check online shows that these cars sometimes suffer from recurring brake judder issues leading to owners forking out loads of money in order to resolve.

So, I would like to know if it’s advisable for me to proceed in buying the car or should I steer clear and look for another car? This will be my first MB so I’m after your advice regarding this.

Thanks.

 

[Smiley]

You're correct there have been a few cases where owners have emptied the entire parts bin several times over in search of the elusive brake juddering. I don't remember seeing a definitive answer. Normally I would have suggested letting MB fix it then test it and buy it if fixed. But....there have been several cases where new discs and pads have fixed the problem for a few hundred miles only for it to return. On that basis I'd walk away - unless maybe if MB warranted in writing that the juddering brake problem is permanently fixed and any recurrence within XX months would give you the option for a refund.

 

[BigJase88]

Most likely caused by the e-brake / sitting on the brake when stopped.

I would not be concerned

 

[MBcruise]

You're correct there have been a few cases where owners have emptied the entire parts bin several times over in search of the elusive brake juddering. I don't remember seeing a definitive answer. Normally I would have suggested letting MB fix it then test it and buy it if fixed. But....there have been several cases where new discs and pads have fixed the problem for a few hundred miles only for it to return. On that basis I'd walk away - unless maybe if MB warranted in writing that the juddering brake problem is permanently fixed and any recurrence within XX months would give you the option for a refund.

Hi Smiley,
Thank you for your advice. Really appreciated. Will see if MB is able to give me a warranty for a reasonable period in writing. Otherwise, will most likely walk away.

Meanwhile, do you know if MB has been able to correct the juddering issue on newer versions of E-Class? If so, what year onwards should I be looking at?

Cheers!

 

[MBcruise]

Most likely caused by the e-brake / sitting on the brake when stopped.

I would not be concerned

Hi BigJase88,
Thank you for your advice on this. Hopefully it won’t be a recurring issue. Will test drive the car after the replacements have been carried out and see if MB is able to give a warranty for a reasonable period as Smiley suggested. Cheers!

 

[Smiley]

Most likely caused by the e-brake / sitting on the brake when stopped.

I would not be concerned

The OP is right to be concerned imo. There have been several people on here who, despite spending thousands on new brake discs/pads/wheels/suspension parts, have been unable to cure vibration under braking. You would kick yourself if you got lumbered with one of those cars.

 

[Smiley]

Meanwhile, do you know if MB has been able to correct the juddering issue on newer versions of E-Class? If so, what year onwards should I be looking at?

I do not recall seeing a definitive solution and it may have been different for different cars. It is not a widespread problem like nox sensors but I would still be wary of a car with the problem from the get go.

 

[MBcruise]

I do not recall seeing a definitive solution and it may have been different for different cars. It is not a widespread problem like nox sensors but I would still be wary of a car with the problem from the get go.

Noted. Thank you.

 

[MBcruise]

Just to update that the dealer has informed me that they will refurbish the alloy wheels on the car before replacing the discs and brake pads.

In the meantime, my request for a written warranty has been escalated to the manager.

 

[beaker218]

I had a 2016 (66 plate) E-Class 220d AMG Line 4-door 9G Tronic saloon which I bought at 7k miles from MB dealership. Soon after I noticed a slight judder when braking and when I searched on this forum it seemed that it was a well known issue. So I had the pads and discs replaced under warranty and sold the car on 32k miles whilst never having the judder again

 

[Benz17]

I have been told by Terry at Wayne Gates, that the w213 has floating disks, and if the wheel bolts are tightened more then recommended torque, then the juddering can occur.

 

[BfgSLKMan]

Most likely caused by the e-brake / sitting on the brake when stopped.

I would not be concerned

E brake acts on the rear wheels, not the front discs (which casue the juddering)

 

[BfgSLKMan]

I have been told by Terry at Wayne Gates, that the w213 has floating disks, and if the wheel bolts are tightened more then recommended torque, then the juddering can occur.

Floating disks? AMG Line or AMG cars have fixed caliper front brakes, non AMG line cars have flaoting front calipers - all cars (less AMG) have floating rear calipers.

 

[BfgSLKMan]

Hey folks,

Hope it’s OK to post here. I’m after some buying advice.

I’m in the process of purchasing a 2016 E-Class 220d AMG Line 4-door 9G Tronic saloon with 58k miles on the clock from a MB main dealer.

When I took the car for a test drive, I noticed a slight judder on the steering wheel when applying the brakes around 30mph. To this end, the dealer mentioned that this was caused by a warped disc. Therefore, the dealer is now in the process of replacing the discs and brake pads on the front and rear wheels in order to correct the problem.

Meanwhile, a quick check online shows that these cars sometimes suffer from recurring brake judder issues leading to owners forking out loads of money in order to resolve.

So, I would like to know if it’s advisable for me to proceed in buying the car or should I steer clear and look for another car? This will be my first MB so I’m after your advice regarding this.

Thanks.

Honestly they all do this is aboslutlely applicable to the W213, especailly with AMG Line spec and Brembo Brakes.

It is not known why, and there is much debate accross all of the Mercedes Forums, with some in the US being able to get replacements under warranty. I have just replaced the disks on mine (car just over 60k miles) and about 3k miles later they are starting to wobble. The originals did for a while (between 20 and 30k) and then stopped. What I did do at 30k (ish) was takes the disks off and clean them, including unblocking all of the ventilation holes in the disc and also throuroughly cleaning the inside of the disc where it joins to the hub and the hub itself.

If the history of the car is all good I wouldn't be worried. It also seems that the wobble happens under very light braking, a more hefty prod seems to stop the wobble.

Hopefully this helps/re-assures?

 

[BigJase88]

E brake acts on the rear wheels, not the front discs (which casue the juddering)

Hence the other part about sitting on the brake (foot brake) at junctions etc

 

[BfgSLKMan]

Hence the other part about sitting on the brake (foot brake) at junctions etc

OK , if I read it in the context of keeping the brakes engaged at junctions (auto hold) then I see what you mean. Possibly a build of heat? Agreed that it is nothing to worry about (just a little annoying).

 

[BigJase88]

OK , if I read it in the context of keeping the brakes engaged at junctions (auto hold) then I see what you mean. Possibly a build of heat? Agreed that it is nothing to worry about (just a little annoying).

I think a lot of warped discs is actually brake pad build up with sitting on the brakes at junctions etc. Especially nowadays when a lot of cars are automatics and most just sit on the brake. Especially if you don't have hill hold

 

[MBcruise]

Honestly they all do this is aboslutlely applicable to the W213, especailly with AMG Line spec and Brembo Brakes.

It is not known why, and there is much debate accross all of the Mercedes Forums, with some in the US being able to get replacements under warranty. I have just replaced the disks on mine (car just over 60k miles) and about 3k miles later they are starting to wobble. The originals did for a while (between 20 and 30k) and then stopped. What I did do at 30k (ish) was takes the disks off and clean them, including unblocking all of the ventilation holes in the disc and also throuroughly cleaning the inside of the disc where it joins to the hub and the hub itself.

If the history of the car is all good I wouldn't be worried. It also seems that the wobble happens under very light braking, a more hefty prod seems to stop the wobble.

Hopefully this helps/re-assures?

Hi BfgSLKMan,

Thank you for your contribution. Yes, it does help and reassures. I’ve been given the MB service history of the car yesterday and I could see that the previous keeper was advised during the last service to replace the front discs and pads, as they were 77% worn and the discs were lipped. However, they didn’t. So perhaps this could explain the slight judder I experienced during the test drive.

Meanwhile, the dealership has refurbished the alloy wheels and will complete the replacement of the discs and pads tomorrow, so I will be able to do another test drive. And I have been informed that the manager is happy to give us a written warranty, so fingers crossed.

 

[MBcruise]

I think a lot of warped discs is actually brake pad build up with sitting on the brakes at junctions etc. Especially nowadays when a lot of cars are automatics and most just sit on the brake. Especially if you don't have hill hold

Hi BigJase88,

Just a quick question please. Can the brake HOLD function also cause discs to be warped similar to sitting on the brakes at junctions?

Thanks.

 

[Gazwould]

The 'warping' is actually brake pad deposits transfer .

The worst being after some serious braking HOLD is then used , ripe for depositing .

Are we talking 2143 or 1950cc for this 220d ?