I love my mercedes, but....

[rascalmaster]

Aloha folks.

Here's a list of stuff so far, on my W211 E280 Cdi ( bought approved used 10 months ago, now 3.5 years old...)

1. New turbo under warranty 1 month after I got it.
2. 3X software updates to gearbox... Under warranty.
3. 2 rear suspension coil springs as both broken. MB paid half under warranty.
4. Driver Wing mirror no longer folding/ unfolding.
5. Auto box oil/ filter not changed at 37,000 miles. Picked up and challenged by me... done under warranty.
6. Command- DVD slot not playing audio CDs.

Please, someone tell me it's gonna get better!!!! :-(
I LOVE MY MERCEDES MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE!
I had a pasaat for 10 years and not one thing went wrong with it! :-(

And the funny thing is I bought an E280 CDI before this approved used which I had for a month as it turned out to be accidented and botch repaired and whole thing covered up by the dealer.... But more on that one another time!

 

[Dand]

Im sorry to hear that you haven't had much luck with MB's so far. I hope that is something that changes for you. Have you considered visiting another MB Main dealer? We have had a fair few issues with one or two MB's in the past but our local main dealer was very apologetic and helpful and once the problems had been fixed the cars more than made up for it in the enjoyment they gave us.

 

[rascalmaster]

Hey thanks Dand. Actually I have used MB at Ipswich to carry out the work under warranty stated above, and to be fair; they actually seem to be pretty good.
(I got the car and the one before from outside London...)
Hopefully my luck's changing!

 

[st4]

They are excellent cars. I had a 220cdi which gave NO trouble at all. Eerily reliable.

The 320cdi has not had quite the issues you have had

1. new turbo, probably your inlet shut off port motor siezed due to oil leaking. They may well have changed the whole unit. There is a modified seal they use so its doubtful it will happen again

Turbos can be killed by not letting them cool down after a run, its important to let the turbo cool, leave her idle for 30-60secs after driving. Dont drive hard right up to your drive and turn off. You'll kill your motor.

2. The 7g box is crap. 5g is a lot better. They've blighted their car with this. Mine has issues, wait till 50k, valve bodies can fail. Mine in this regard has been ok. The 5g cars just work right.

3. All modern cars have springs that are under specified for the job. They are made of allumimium to keep weight down and are more flimsy as a consquence. Common fault, especially on 211s and easy to fix. At 37k I wager its been a car thats seen a lot of speed bumps, pot holes or driven badly.

4. Never use that cannot comment but its a cheap mechanism

5. Thats the dealers fault not the cars.

6. Hate COMAND with a vengance. Something else to go wrong. However, its a niggle, not a major fault detracting for the driving pleasure you will get from a nice car like a E280cdi.

I have had issues with dealers, gearbox clunks (only when cold), a ball joint and wheel bearing.

Every time I drive the car it makes me smile. A pleasure to drive and why I still have it.

 

[rascalmaster]

Thanks ***.
I guess this is just what I needed; a little reassurance!
That and a good indie close to me lol.
I love my car!!!!!!
The Mrs saw my post earlier and was in a huff; eyes glowing red in the dark...." so, u love your stupid car more than anything?" she snarled. Good thing I was thinking on my feet! " for than any thing, darling! Not anyone. You and the kids are the most precious things in my life."
Phew!
Good thing the room was dark; she didn't see my nose grow longer lol.
Cheers mate!

 

[st4]

Thanks ***.
I guess this is just what I needed; a little reassurance!
That and a good indie close to me lol.
I love my car!!!!!!!

Nice one, an Indie is the best way to go, more competent and cheaper. By and large they are reliable cars. Mine at 70k felt the same as it did with under 30k on it.

This one I have I have done 16k in 7 months. Bar the issues, its a reliable car to take 2x the average annual milliage of most folk, in half the time

The Mrs saw my post earlier and was in a huff; eyes glowing red in the dark...." so, u love your stupid car more than anything?" she snarled. Good thing I was thinking on my feet! " for than any thing, darling! Not anyone. You and the kids are the most precious things in my life."
Phew!
Good thing the room was dark; she didn't see my nose grow longer lol.
Cheers mate!

Quick thinking,

Read post 2 and recite it if you feel brave

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f11/96-jeep-cherokee-need-opinions-1149721/


Remember, those 211s are very safe in a crash. Nice for you to drive, safe for them. Perfect.

 

[rascalmaster]

I got mine at 50000 miles, done 65000 now... so totally know what you mean about the mileage; they certainly seem like they could go forever.
Shame about the gearboxes then...
Would you extend the tier 1 warranty by another year? About a grand I think...
Do you know what a new gearbox might cost if it did go over the nex year?

 

[rascalmaster]

Read post 2 and recite it if you feel brave

'96 Jeep Cherokee: Need Opinions - JeepForum.com

Lol that's hillarious!

Nope, I think I might need a new gear box and a new gear stick, if I pulled that on her lol!

 

[Londonscottish]

Sound like you are having all the bad luck.....

I've had a 211 for 9 months. It's on 96,000 now and no serious problems.

It's a petrol so no turbos to go wrong and has air suspension so no metal springs. The box is fine and it generally drives perfectly.

The only problem is that my drivers mirror occasionally refuses to fold out fully but I just override it with the switch.

Good luck sorting out your issues.

 

[davidjpowell]

Folding mirror faults are usually due to a break in the wiring on the fold.

When I took ours apart about 6 wires had broken.

 

[rascalmaster]

Cheers davidjpowell...
With mine it started as an intermittent fault. I could hear the motor whirring away... ( gears gone?)
It's booked in with MB Ipswich and should get done under warranty...

 

[fuzzer]

Ive had 3 W211's and all of them were in and out the garage like you wouldnt believe.

W204 has been fairly reliable tho. Still The W210's and the W202's were flawless.

 

[st4]

I got mine at 50000 miles, done 65000 now... so totally know what you mean about the mileage; they certainly seem like they could go forever.
Shame about the gearboxes then...
Would you extend the tier 1 warranty by another year? About a grand I think...
Do you know what a new gearbox might cost if it did go over the nex year?

Depends on the cost. I have never extended a warranty in my life, although with this car giving it serious thought. The issue is if the car is beyond a certain miliage, mine will be, they give it tier 2 cover which is not as good.

The cost of a warranty may well be nearly £1000 from MB and ties you to dealer servicing as well. It may well be that if something majot fails, its worth every penny, or the cost of the warranty might be so high, that you could have covered all maintainece costs of the car over a year

Ive had 3 W211's and all of them were in and out the garage like you wouldnt believe.

W204 has been fairly reliable tho. Still The W210's and the W202's were flawless.

What went wrong on the 204? I would expect perfection from a brand new car and an engine/box combo that makes up a massive chunk of sales and has been around a bit.

IIRC you had an E320cdi that gave you grief, several £k's worth under warranty.

 

[rascalmaster]

Hmm

I think I need to find a good indie, and then take a punt without the extra warranty...
I'm in harwich, so closest places are Colchester and Ipswich, in case any one knows someone GOOD...
cheers

 

[st4]

Head down to Horndean to Olly at PCS, he'll look after you well.

 

[rascalmaster]

Head down to Horndean to Olly at PCS, he'll look after you well.

:-(

thats 150 miles away!

 

[st4]

Nice run and far enough off to deter her indoors from coming.

Olly does know his stuff, good prices for members, nice fella and would recommend, I don't know of any places personally in London area

 

[rascalmaster]

Nice run and far enough off to deter her indoors from coming.

Olly does know his stuff, good prices for members, nice fella and would recommend, I don't know of any places personally in London area

lol

 

[rascalmaster]

They are excellent cars. I had a 220cdi which gave NO trouble at all. Eerily reliable.

The 320cdi has not had quite the issues you have had

1. new turbo, probably your inlet shut off port motor siezed due to oil leaking. They may well have changed the whole unit. There is a modified seal they use so its doubtful it will happen again

Turbos can be killed by not letting them cool down after a run, its important to let the turbo cool, leave her idle for 30-60secs after driving. Dont drive hard right up to your drive and turn off. You'll kill your motor.

2. The 7g box is crap. 5g is a lot better. They've blighted their car with this. Mine has issues, wait till 50k, valve bodies can fail. Mine in this regard has been ok. The 5g cars just work right.

3. All modern cars have springs that are under specified for the job. They are made of allumimium to keep weight down and are more flimsy as a consquence. Common fault, especially on 211s and easy to fix. At 37k I wager its been a car thats seen a lot of speed bumps, pot holes or driven badly.

4. Never use that cannot comment but its a cheap mechanism

5. Thats the dealers fault not the cars.

6. Hate COMAND with a vengance. Something else to go wrong. However, its a niggle, not a major fault detracting for the driving pleasure you will get from a nice car like a E280cdi.

I have had issues with dealers, gearbox clunks (only when cold), a ball joint and wheel bearing.

Every time I drive the car it makes me smile. A pleasure to drive and why I still have it.

Just had the car back...

1. Driver side mirror has been replaced under warranty.

2. Command- needs replacing; dealer is in communication with insurers as still under tier 1 cover...

3. have noticed a ''bupp'' sound when i just start moving the car- after its been parked up for a while. it's an electrical sound and just happens the once. a bit like messing around with an audio jack can cause an electrical sound over the speakers... but its not too loud.
not sure what this is but hoping that replacing the command will take care of this...