C350e owners club

[seekay]

I wouldn’t expect a thorough check of anything unless you explicitly asked them to do it, and even then....

I think we’ve identified the following issues with the cars that are not common as such, but do come up. Starter motor, fuel line across the back of the engine, charge port on early cars (should all have been fixed within warranty), air suspension compressor connector water ingress needing a new compressor and part-loom.

We’ve seen maybe 2 HV battery problems on here?

Other things are common to any car, let alone an MB.

If you have that little confidence in the car then it probably is time to move on and get something else. I do share your nervousness about it though, but I'm not going to spend even more on a warranty.

I’m still trying to hold onto my blue princess and love the car in general even if it doesn’t seem like that based on my last few comments...never had a car with this performance before and still makes me smile every time when I put it in sport+
Do you think guys this is a better car overall than the rival BMW 330e from the F30 generation? That was the other one we looked when we’re shopping around last year.

 

[Deleted member 126969]

I recall seeing 'a number' of problems with control models on the 330e. I never bothered looking int o details but got the impression that quite a few were having some serious issues with the EV drivetrain that took a long time to fix.

Without any actual data, all we can do is guess.

 

[DubMerc]

There were issues with the starter on the 330e and think they did a recall. Looked at a few before buying the 350e and certainly wouldn't swap if offered.
Driving a 5 Series Touring (2011-2017 model) diesel at the moment and while fun in sports mode I am looking forward to having my 350e back!!
If I had to replace the 350e, would consider the BMW 530e and bypass the 330e. They don't come as a Touring unfortunately.

 

[MercPassion]

On a 25-30 miles journey (through villages, countryside, etc) starting with 100% charge, which usage would result better mpg? Just leave it hybrid mode and let the car figure out how to go (I believe it would use up the HV battery quite quickly) or better keep switching manually between E-Save and Hybrid depending the speed and traffic nature?

For me Eco-Hybrid returns the highest Mpg always.

 

[MercPassion]

My 2015 C350e is almost 50k miles/5 years old. Service was overdue for a few months as was MOT.

There were only a few main dealers in London/SE open for servicing and most of them seem to be booked up way in advance. Managed to find a MB dealer further away who could slot me in.

Covid-19 precautions were in effect when dropping off this morning (hand sanitisiser station before walking in, plastic screens in reception, no direct contact with service team, take your key off your keyring and use the provided antibacterial wipe to wipe the key before placing inside the box on reception) - It was drop and go, you are not allowed to wait there, due to covid-19 policy.

I saw one other customer also wearing a mask, and one member of staff wearing a mask, but generally neither customers nor staff were wearing any kind of face covering.

MOT pass with no advisories and;
"A" service
Brake fluid replaced*
Dust filter replaced*
Lubricate panoramic sunroof*

*When booking they told me these 3 extras were recommended due to age/mileage, so I followed their advice. I've never skimped on maintainance on my cars.

In their health check video they sent to my phone, the technician reported that the tyres had 6.5m all round. Weird, because I had 4 brand new Continental Sport Contact 5 tyres fitted in March just before the lockdown, and if they were 8m brand new, how could they have worn 1.5m in just 150 miles, which is how far my car has driven since they were fitted?

£575.81 including MOT and they did an amazing job on cleaning the outside after the service. It was almost like they polished it, it was gleaming!

Direct Line have told me my insurance renewal for the year ahead has gone up to £1,300 for this car. Bonkers.

My C350e 66 plate 48k will be due for A service in a few months and MB have quoted me £299 including vat would you care to share what these 3extras they told you?

 

[CaptainChaos]

I meant another C350e user posted that his car wouldn’t start as it detected the cable was attached to the charging port when actually wasn’t.

@Chris-S
We’ve been doing these trips for more than 8 years now, always had German cars, Audi and BMW, just regular diesels, had a standard European breakdown cover and that’s it, we never had any concerns until we got this car, but here I saw so many stories...
For example is there any sign that the AIRMATIC will go wrong soon or just suddenly happens without any prior warning or symptoms?
Saw in this forum some users had “Car too low, STOP” message on dash... hopefully I never have to read this. When I take the car to an annual service and they do the vehicle health check it would turn out if there will be some problem with the suspension in the near future?

I've just seen that charging port thread. That's a weird one! I had the old charging port on my car but it was swapped for the new improved one under a recall quite early on. The only trouble I have is the charging flap lock freezing, but my car is kept outside and I live somewhere very cold!

The air suspension won't give you any warning I'm afraid. Mine went down in about a mile of the warning light coming on. If you do swap your car, bear in mind air suspension is much more common than you think, especially on larger cars.

 

[Deleted member 126969]

My C350e 66 plate 48k will be due for A service in a few months and MB have quoted me £299 including vat would you care to share what these 3extras they told you?

Just thought, your car should be due for a gearbox oil swap at 5 years, no? There’s been a degree of confusion around this particular service item and the C350e for some reason. It often seems to get missed. I asked about it explicitly when I last renewed the service contract and was assured it would be done (for whatever that’s worth).

 

[MercPassion]

Just thought, your car should be due for a gearbox oil swap at 5 years, no? There’s been a degree of confusion around this particular service item and the C350e for some reason. It often seems to get missed. I asked about it explicitly when I last renewed the service contract and was assured it would be done (for whatever that’s worth).

Thanks for that,I think the reason why the system didn’t pick it up is technically it will only be 5yrs in September and service is due August.Any ball park figure of how much gearbox oil change would cost at A service?

 

[grober]

Thanks for that,I think the reason why the system didn’t pick it up is technically it will only be 5yrs in September and service is due August.Any ball park figure of how much gearbox oil change would cost at A service?

Its costed separately from the A service. Cost depends on how much they charge for the ATF + filter + labour [ the hours should be defined by MB ] ---parts fluid cost down to dealer pricing policy-ask for a quote?

 

[seekay]

Thanks for that,I think the reason why the system didn’t pick it up is technically it will only be 5yrs in September and service is due August.Any ball park figure of how much gearbox oil change would cost at A service?

Its separated from the standard yearly A and B services. I was told the automatic transmission oil change costs around £400-450 all inclusive.

 

[dasachmo]

Just wanted to ask a quick question to everyone who purchased second hand and had to install a charging point at home? who did you go with?
my neighbours mentioned podpoint as the most popular but i've seen project EV which seems cheaper and has more features - any experience or recommendations?

 

[MercPassion]

Just wanted to ask a quick question to everyone who purchased second hand and had to install a charging point at home? who did you go with?
my neighbours mentioned podpoint as the most popular but i've seen project EV which seems cheaper and has more features - any experience or recommendations?

I charge my car direct from house wall plug and a full charge costs me around 70pence. I only use outside one at work.

 

[MercPassion]

As you’ve probably seen on this thread, the common problems so far seem to be starter issues at higher miles, air suspension compressor wiring and a potentially dodgy fuel pipe. TBH, none of these are hugely worrying as such, especially if you have a warranty. Common is maybe a strong word for them but they do seem to pop up. We’ve not seen many battery issues as such, beyond the fact it’s too damned small!

Don’t expect anything like the published battery range, this time of year with heat on, 6 to 8 is about the limit, and that’s taking it easy.

Only you can decide if you should buy, but do make sure to have a good test drive before you decide.

What would be classified as high mileage as my 350e 66 plate is now on 48k,should I be getting worried as I have no warranty,how much would starte replacement cost?

 

[DubMerc]

What would be classified as high mileage as my 350e 66 plate is now on 48k,should I be getting worried as I have no warranty,how much would starte replacement cost?

Does your 2 year extended warranty cover the battery only?

 

[DubMerc]

Just wanted to ask a quick question to everyone who purchased second hand and had to install a charging point at home? who did you go with?
my neighbours mentioned podpoint as the most popular but i've seen project EV which seems cheaper and has more features - any experience or recommendations?

Took the advice from Chris and Mike here and got the type 2 charger installed. I got a Zappi charger installed last month and it is great so far. I would recommend getting a tethered charger as it saves you having to take the lead out of the boot. The more convenient it is the more often you will charge it.

 

[dasachmo]

Took the advice from Chris and Mike here and got the type 2 charger installed. I got a Zappi charger installed last month and it is great so far. I would recommend getting a tethered charger as it saves you having to take the lead out of the boot. The more convenient it is the more often you will charge it.

any idea of costs or how much you paid? so far i was going to go with podpoint at £529 for a 7kw (so its good for a future EV when we get the second car in)

 

[MercPassion]

Does your 2 year extended warranty cover the battery only?

I’m in process of cancelling the warranty as I’m thinking 48k is too low to be worrying on starter motors etc hence my question.

 

[seekay]

I’m in process of cancelling the warranty as I’m thinking 48k is too low to be worrying on starter motors etc hence my question.

I’m on my third starter motor @80kmiles.
The original starter lasted for 2,5 years 60k miles, the second one died only 1,5 year later @ 80k miles.

 

[MercPassion]

I’m on my third starter motor @80kmiles.
The original starter lasted for 2,5 years 60k miles, the second one died only 1,5 year later @ 80k miles.

Wow! Did you have warranty along then, how would that have cost you if you had no warranty?

 

[DubMerc]

any idea of costs or how much you paid? so far i was going to go with podpoint at £529 for a 7kw (so its good for a future EV when we get the second car in)

It cost me 950 euro after a lot of shopping around for the charger and install. There is a 600 euro grant here so effectively it will cost 350. I suspect the grant is responsible for the high cost!
Like yourself, I could have just gotten an outdoor socket for a fraction of the cost but am future proofing.