W211 E-class electrics 2002 onwards

[pint6x]

Hi boys & girls

I know that when the W211 E class was introduced, it had a whole list of electrical gremlins which made themselves known from time to time.

I know the "new" version (from mid 2006 onwards) claims to have been sorted in this respect, but they're still a bit too much money for me.

If I was buying a W211, it'll be a diesel, but did they "sort" them between 2002 and 2006 or were the entire run problematic?

thanks in advance

Philip

 

[Mr E]

My W211 is a mid-April 2004 build - it's had no electrical gremlins in the last 3 and bit years (well - Comand turned itself off once, but that was it). It's had all the updates, fixes, recalls, etc, done during the service cycle.

It's a 220 CDI.

 

[television]

One problem was water in the electrics via the boot floor and the high mounted stop light, they are easy to fix

Dont forget the Valeo problem as well, OK you could allow for a modified rad

 

[pint6x]

Dont forget the Valeo problem as well, OK you could allow for a modified rad

what's the Valeo problem?

 

[television]

what's the Valeo problem?

Cars built up to the 30-09-03 have a radiator where the glycol can get into the gear box, an expensive fix, or fit a modified rad from the time you buy it.

 

[BonzoDog]

Mine is early 2005 and has given no problems.

 

[DieselE]

If I was buying a W211, it'll be a diesel, but did they "sort" them between 2002 and 2006 or were the entire run problematic?

The early problems with the W211 did a lot of damage to Mercedes Benz's reputation and they spent a lot of money sorting them.

The most "famous" of the reported problems was with the brake system which is fully powered. If you search this forum for SBC (sensotronic brake control) and read all the threads you should come to the conclusion that these cars have a really great braking system.

My car is three years old in December and I've owned it from new. Nothing has happened to stop me saying it's the greatest car I've ever owned.

 

[splang]

Agreed, my 2003 (sept 03) car is brilliant. No problems and really wonderful to drive - although I do have service plus on it as I would be worried about owning one without such protection - just incase!!

ps. Did I mention it is for sale (downsizing to a cheap estate for little one)

 

[Diesel Benz]

Cars built up to the 30-09-03 have a radiator where the glycol can get into the gear box, an expensive fix, or fit a modified rad from the time you buy it.

To be accurate, models up to that date that had a Valeo radiator, had this issue (or at least could have had). Valeo was not the only brand used, so not all cars were affected.

 

[pint6x]

ps. Did I mention it is for sale (downsizing to a cheap estate for little one)

I would lurve to buy your E500, but I regret my finances won't stretch to it.

 

[SL300-24]

My 2003 E320 CDI has had the odd electrical glitch, but nothing that needed any money spending, merely warnings on the dash which disappear after a few hours driving or standing overnight.
Nothing for quite a while now....great car 320 diesel is a fantastic engine.

 

[prprandall51]

There was a big re-engineering effort around Sept / October 2004 where they shut the line down for a couple of weeks and changed the way the car was built in order to iron out gremlins (I *think* they stopped using a robot to insert the wiring loom, for example - read that here on some thread). In the process, they also introduced some visible changes to the car interior, which you can use as a guide to which car you are getting.
There was also a point in the manufacturing history where they upgraded the level of body galvanisation. I am not sure when that was but it was definitely in place by late 2004.
Look out for the fine mesh cover on the dash top centre vents, which replaced the plastic louvred item; that indicates a later car.
Philip

 

[television]

Most of the water getting in was due to burr's on the stampings around the holes where the lights go and other mountings in the boot

 

[glojo]

February 2004 E-class with most electronic options. Yes it had a few teething problems but it is an excellent vehicle that is now proofing to be extremely reliable.

Hawk20 supplied excellent information about galvanising and it is in direct conflict to what prprandall51 has said. The SBC brake system is in our opinion brilliant, but journalists have done 'a number' on it and it is the media reputation that is the only problem with this excellent system. All E-class built AFTER the summer of 2004 suffered from the accountants pen and have had a number of standard features removed. Were they important? No. Are they missed? I doubt it, but early cars have more standard features than later ones.

You will usually find that owners of this model USUALLY like them (there will always be the odd complaint) Most criticism comes from non owners and that is simply down to media manipulation.

Regards
John

 

[GreetMe]

There was a big re-engineering effort around Sept / October 2004 where they shut the line down for a couple of weeks and changed the way the car was built in order to iron out gremlins (I *think* they stopped using a robot to insert the wiring loom, for example - read that here on some thread). In the process, they also introduced some visible changes to the car interior, which you can use as a guide to which car you are getting.
There was also a point in the manufacturing history where they upgraded the level of body galvanisation. I am not sure when that was but it was definitely in place by late 2004.
Look out for the fine mesh cover on the dash top centre vents, which replaced the plastic louvred item; that indicates a later car.
Philip

Apologies for bringing this thread back from the dead but I thought it would be better than starting a new one.

I'm currently in the market for a W211 E55. I've never owned a Merc before so I'm very wary of ending up with an early version and all the associated potential electrical problems.

Can anyone tell me if the following three cars are pre- or post-facelift?

Thank you.

2004 MERCEDES-BENZ E55K Tip
2004 Mercedes-Benz E Class E55K 4dr Tip Auto Amg Saloon 5.4
2004 MERCEDES-BENZ E55K Tip

 

[Deleted member 37751]

There is no 'facelift' W211 E55k.

When they did the facelift, they changed the engine to a 63.

If you are referring to the galvanising and radiator change, you'd need the VIN to check the actual build date.

 

[GreetMe]

Thanks.

I couldn't think of a better word for it. I meant ones that were built after the 2004 re-engineering that prprandall51 mentioned.

So if I got the VIN is there a web site that I could use to check the actual build date?
http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/members/prprandall51.html

 

[prprandall51]

The first car is pre-factory shutdown (plastic louvres on dash).
The second car is post-shutdown (fine mesh on dash).
The third car is pre-shutdown (plastic louvres again).

Naturally, the factory shutdown and associated engineering changes may only constitute a minor consideration in the matter of which is the best one to buy.

Whichever you go for, I hope you enjoy it.

 

[GreetMe]

Thanks very much.

The first one is looking most likely at the moment but it depends on the service history.

 

[Troon]

(ignore)