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Goodbye to Merc

Iben

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Joined
Mar 29, 2009
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Two years ago I brought a 2003 W211 Estate 3.2 Diesel. Firstly, what an engine the Straight 6 is, smooth, powerful and reliable. I have enjoyed the performance within the restrictions of the UK motoring laws - acceleration and pick up has been wonderful, as was the fuel consumption for such a car. Now the bad - the cars electrics, the central locking, SBC Breaking System and the general build quality is, in my opinion, awful. With a list of faults and an approximate repair bill of £3000+ to put right all the things that are wrong with it makes the car beyond economical repair. I know the car is old and high mileage, and that maybe I was unlucky, I brought a one-off dog of a car, one of the rogue ones one hears about, but it does seem ridiculous that a premium quality car by a premium quality manufacturer is being scrapped. I will not be purchasing another Mercedes, old or new, again:fail
 
You aren't alone. I was rather disappointed with the quality of both of my W211 E Class (E220 CDI and E280 CDI) to the extent that I'd need an awful lot of persuading to buy another Mercedes. There are several tales of woe from ex-MB owners on the Jaguar forums I now frequent, so it is apparently not that unusual.

I know some people have had marvelous service from their MB's, but I'm certainly not one of them.

The best part of Mercedes ownership for me has been this forum and some of the great people I've met in person via this medium.
 
Whilst there is quite probably an element of that, one cannot escape the fact that premium cars have premium maintenance costs. Those costs don't change when the car gets cheaper, and they only come more frequently as it gets older.

Add that up, and it can quickly become uneconomical.
 
Two years ago I brought a 2003 W211 Estate 3.2 Diesel. Firstly, what an engine the Straight 6 is, smooth, powerful and reliable. I have enjoyed the performance within the restrictions of the UK motoring laws - acceleration and pick up has been wonderful, as was the fuel consumption for such a car. Now the bad - the cars electrics, the central locking, SBC Breaking System and the general build quality is, in my opinion, awful. With a list of faults and an approximate repair bill of £3000+ to put right all the things that are wrong with it makes the car beyond economical repair. I know the car is old and high mileage, and that maybe I was unlucky, I brought a one-off dog of a car, one of the rogue ones one hears about, but it does seem ridiculous that a premium quality car by a premium quality manufacturer is being scrapped. I will not be purchasing another Mercedes, old or new, again:fail

What will you bruy to replace it?
 
It must sting and will only get worse as cars become more sophisticated.
Who'd want to maintain a 20yr old mild-hybrid car with HID bulbs, park assist and coffee making facilities?
 
Whilst there is quite probably an element of that, one cannot escape the fact that premium cars have premium maintenance costs. Those costs don't change when the car gets cheaper, and they only come more frequently as it gets older.

Add that up, and it can quickly become uneconomical.

This^
 
And just to Add i have been extremely happy with both of my 211's, I haven't had any issues with my Sbc's on either car, BUT i do realise this is a serviceable unit, I knew the cost when i bought the cars and am well prepared to replace the unit as the braking system is far superior imho to Volvo, Bmw, Audi and the "rest" of the same ilk.

I had one electric fault with the e55k which was the powered centre console £140, And despite it being a 2002 i haven't had any other electrical issues.

Both my Cars have had FSH and been kept reasonably well before my ownership, The good thing about leaving MB is when you do come back you realise just how poor and boring the "rest" have been after the initial "change of mark" has worn off.
 
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Sorry to hear of your issues with your car. This is my first w211 and being the monster which is the e55 I can only give the car the highest amount of credit I think it's a phenomenal car. The drive quality is best I have ever experienced. Having owned numerous BMW's and always having troubles I personally put Mercedes in a different leauge. Maybe I have been lucky maybe unlucky with the BMW's and alpinas I have owned. Build quality doesn't come close to the w211 in my opinion.
 
Having had 2 w211's over a period of 6 years I can only say good things about them. I think you are one of the few that have had a bad experience.

Smooth to drive and a lovely cabin to be in. Much rather the interior of an E-class than the (in my opinion) awful interior of the XF (80's wood grain, shiny leather etc)
 
Surely there is a lot of luck involved.

I frequent the Jaguar forum and some of the S Type posts are horrendous yet our 2002 80,000 miler has been perfect apart from wear and tear.

We had our 1998 W202 out in Skiathos and treated it like a rally car. It would not die. We couldn't kill it.
 
Hi,
As above ^ and some judgement involved, when studying the service history and what has been replaced and not been replaced. Also when you cost up repairs as per Ibens £3K, are these dealer prices or at an Independent.
A 2003 car is now / will be 14 years old and many manufacturers vehicles will be in the scrappies already at 14 years old. My own 320 is a high miler 236,000 which I have had now for 2 1/2 years. Some servicing and a tailgate lock that cost me £20 off of Fleabay a couple of weeks ago is all I have spent repairs wise. When I take off the winter wheels and tyres, it needs a new set of tyres on the other wheels.
I bought the car from Fleabay, thats already a gamble,it was immaculate and there was lots of service history and major parts had been replaced. It has already had a new SBC pump a long time ago and I bought an actuations reset tool in case it is needed and will happily pay up for a new pump if needed. If the Air suspension needs doing then it will get sorted out of the slush fund I keep for repairs.
The car has surpassed my expectations as regards power and economy, 47 mpg on a long run, and for me has been the best car I have ever owned, and at the time I thought my E300td held that crown.
It sad news when you get landed with a big bill, but owning an old car does mean avoiding main dealers for repairs. These days there are plenty of bits on Fleabay to keep the parts costs down.
It is a double thumbs up for me for my 2003 320cdi. ( and the dog likes it also !)

Steve
 
Totally agree with Toolman, my CDI was a awesome bit of kit, Did everything well, it would be no hardship if i had to sell the 55 and get another 211 cdi.
 
Two years ago I brought a 2003 W211 Estate 3.2 Diesel. Firstly, what an engine the Straight 6 is, smooth, powerful and reliable. I have enjoyed the performance within the restrictions of the UK motoring laws - acceleration and pick up has been wonderful, as was the fuel consumption for such a car. Now the bad - the cars electrics, the central locking, SBC Breaking System and the general build quality is, in my opinion, awful. With a list of faults and an approximate repair bill of £3000+ to put right all the things that are wrong with it makes the car beyond economical repair. I know the car is old and high mileage, and that maybe I was unlucky, I brought a one-off dog of a car, one of the rogue ones one hears about, but it does seem ridiculous that a premium quality car by a premium quality manufacturer is being scrapped. I will not be purchasing another Mercedes, old or new, again:fail

Guess you have just been unlucky I have had bmw Audi jags
The jags were nothing but trouble my last seven cars have been
Mercs and I can honestly say they that I have had no trouble with
Any of them they have been the best cars I have owned
 
Sounds like you've been very unlucky.

My pre-facelift 211 is supposed to suffer from electrical gremlins but had actually been extremely reliable.

It's on 146k now I've had it for seven years.

In terms of non-service items it's needed there's not much really - it needed a compressor for the air suspension three years ago, a crank pulley two years ago and a lock for the hatch and a parking sensor this year

I've had the wiring fixed in one of the mirrors and IIRC that's it apart from the usual oil, filters, pads, plugs.

Am hoping to swap it for a 212 CGI but can't find one so happily planning another jaunt to France in the 211.

Best all rounder I've ever had.
 
I disagree completely with the comment that premium cars should require premium money spent on them. Like for like, the whole reason that they are seen as premium is that they are more reliable, and overall will require less spending on them.

The era of the car that the OP has is hopefully around the worst. Certainly I've not gone past a 2006 car as I simply don't have the balls (and I say that as a Range Rover owner!).

Mercedes for a period lived on a reputation that was simply no longer deserved. The newer ones may have improved.. I'll be thinking about that next year when my work car is due a change...
 
I disagree completely with the comment that premium cars should require premium money spent on them. Like for like, the whole reason that they are seen as premium is that they are more reliable, and overall will require less spending on them.

But being a premium vehicle when it does go wrong it "as all things do" Expect to pay more for that "Better quality part"

Tbh I find parts for Mercedes parts generally quite abit less than say the Volvo, Ford or Jap equivalent.

The Main dealer labour rates are at best extortionate agreed.
 
Volvo parts are clearly handmade out of free trade organic 24 carat gold by blonde Swedish virgins at their sale price. The dealer near me is the model of greedy recommending unnecessary work and screwing you.

Apart from the odd bit of insane pricing Mercedes parts are generally good quality, reasonable and available, if less so than they used to be. How many other manufacturers would still be carrying stock for a 50 year old model? The problem with high dealer pricing here (not the case on the continent) is too many people skimp or use non-specialists. For cars from the Benz badly bodged period that equals bad news.
 
Shame to read that OP but there's no arguing the issues you've experienced and it seems that others have shared similar problems with the W211.

I've owned mine (03 E320) for nearly 12 months now and I can only sing it's praises. Drives nicely, comfortable, economical and so far reliable. That said I bought it with 104k on the clock so perhaps some niggles already ironed out, some yet to raise their head! Hopefully not the latter.

Good luck with whatever car you buy next though OP. :)
 
Volvo parts are clearly handmade out of free trade organic 24 carat gold by blonde Swedish virgins at their sale price. The dealer near me is the model of greedy recommending unnecessary work and screwing you.

Apart from the odd bit of insane pricing Mercedes parts are generally good quality, reasonable and available, if less so than they used to be. How many other manufacturers would still be carrying stock for a 50 year old model? The problem with high dealer pricing here (not the case on the continent) is too many people skimp or use non-specialists. For cars from the Benz badly bodged period that equals bad news.

You need to bring it up north Charles. I'm no fan of main dealers, but our local Volvo dealer is the very opposite. At the service before last I completely set myself up to be sold new pads.... They refused and said that would last another 12k, and I should pop in and get them checked then. (in the event they lasted another 20k...).
 

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