W211 Suspension Problems & electric Probs

[northernlad]

I own a W211 E270 Cdi Avantgarde with 63,000 miles on it. I am disappointed in the overall build quality of the car as it constantly has electrical problems with it. To top that I just took it for its MOT (not at Merc) and to my horror was told both rear shockers are leaking, and the front ball joints are worn out. I MOT'd my car early as it is still not 3 years old (for two weeks or so) and am hoping this will be covered by warranty. But for a car of this price I would not expect these faults at even 100K as an Ex Lexus Owner I kick myself for buying a Merc . (even though my previous W140 S Class was an amazing and rewarding car to own and drive). The other problem I have is sudden loss of power, you can be plodding along at 70MPH on the motorway and the car will decelerate and not allow you to accelerate or change down gear (tiptronic). You have to stop , put it in Park, restart and then go again - highly embaressing when you have business clients on board. I drove an S320 CDi (2003) recently which had exactly the same problem. Derwent Merc in Bradford are pathetic (and rude too) - they quote up to 4 weeks just to look at your car! Come on Merc Pull Your Socks up! Your comments or experience would be interesting.

I'm afraid I could not reccomend Merc anymore , I have shown brand loyalty and owned 190e, c class, e class, a class, s class, and Merc Sprinters and feel let down with my latest Merc and local merc Dealer.

 

[nickmann]

Hi. I can agree with you about Derwent. I would not knowingly put money their way again.

I was in a taxi yesterday, same model as yours, and was asking about it. He had 80k miles on it in 18 months, and it had been in 17 times for warranty claims. He was a long-time Merc owner, about 20 years' worth of Mercs. He said his present 211 was the second-worst he'd had (the worst was the 210).

Despite that he reckoned he'd still have the next E-Class as it would be a good car. He reckoned his mates driving other brands had much the same experience with theirs, so he was sticking with Merc.

 

[Satch]

A lesson for all. Get that MoT done at least a month before a three year warranty is up!

If you intend to keep the car may want to explore the possibilty of extending the warranty?

No idea how much it costs but can be worth it. Did that on a Vauxhall Estate that I used to have as a utility vehicle. Cost me about £400 and I groaned at the time, but when the "wet" oil cooler buried in the guts of the V6 engine cooling system blew two months later saved three times that and some more dosh when a new steering rack was needed

 

[ptell]

If only i had read this thread a month ago, i have just had my E240 W211 mot'd for the first time, to find that both front ball joints need replacing and that the three year warrenty has now run out. I guess this will be a costly mistake.

 

[northernlad]

RE : Loss of POWER

I phoned Derwent today to ask why they have had my car for 4 days for the Suspension fix, they advised that they have also found a problem with the Turbo and are having to replace it - this is a bit scary - I think it may be a good idea to get rid of a W211 when it is out of warranty. Hate to think how many parts it will need in another 40000 miles or so.

 

[mcsailing]

loss of power

Did you get the loss of power problem sorted as i have had that on the w211 we have .The garage couldnt find anything wrong but the symptoms where the same as you had .
This one is nearly up to 3yrs old so i will get it checked prior to the MOT
Mike

 

[RichardM]

In 55,000 miles I've had two sets of new fuel injectors, and a new turbo to try and solve this problem of the car going into limp home mode. It seems ok now though!

I think it may be a good idea to get rid of a W211 when it is out of warranty. Hate to think how many parts it will need in another 40000 miles or so.

The other option is to extend the warranty.

 

[Abbs985uk]

someone did post a thread about turbo failures and how they were common with the 270 cdi. Touch wood havent had any problems with mine, though it is only a mere 200cdi.

 

[northernlad]

RE: Loss of Power

yes New Turbo seems to have sorted loss of power problem (apparantley common fault on e270)

 

[RichardM]

It didn't solve for me, it still happened so they changed the fuel injectors again and its been fine since.

 

[marc777]

My turbo was changed under a recall when I took the car in for a service. Didn't have problems before or after.

Marc

 

[JohnM]

Just been told my E320 CDi (Jan '04) needs new ball joints and track control arms. Car has only done 36k miles, 90% motorway. Clearly the parts fitted are not up to the job.

 

[Abbs985uk]

Just been told my 220 cdi needs a rear shock absorber (dealer only replacing one!) amd front suspension bushes are to be replaced. The cars only got 38k miles on it!! Where has the quality control gone??????

 

[hash]

are all the being done under warranty? are shockers not wear and tear?

thanks

kenny

 

[dubs]

211 all have electrical problems especially with recalls on sbc.
Front ball joints are known to go on these and other electrical faults also.
Normally the turbos are done under warranty on a recall dependant on the chassis range and model.
I know at my dealership if a car is just over 3 years old sometimes warranty will cover it under goodwill

 

[Goldfish11]

E220 CDI Shock absorber failer

My 2.5 year (46,000 mile) E22O CDI went for service a month ago and has gone in today for some additional warranty work ( squeaky dynamic seat, nothing serious). Anyway last time they spotted a leak on one of the sensors on the gear box. I got them to check it again as this concerned me and guess what they found an other small leak on an other part of the gear box.

Also they have said the a rear shock is on the way out and leaking! So it now needs to go in again for this to be sorted! It seems they are checking the shocks on the E220 as part of a service recall I think. Because when I mentioned chaps on our forum were experiencing issues, they said they are now checking them.

Hopefully all this will be sorted before the warranty expires!

So when your W211 goes in get them to check the SHOCKS

 

[Brabus-D3]

Warranty check prior to expiry

After reading about all your experiences I decided that as my 220CDI was coming to the end of its warranty I would have a pre warranty check carried out, so I went to Europa in Sheffield and they found that I needed two new ball joints and a couple of other minor elements all which they fitted under warranty.

I also had a conversation regarding turbo faults and other related issues in the forum and it seems that the 270cdi is the one which has most of the trouble, this makes me feel a bit better because inititally when I bought my 220cdi it did not seem to have enough power and I kicked myself for not spending that bit more and buying a 270cdi.

Now that my 220cdi has a Brabus D3 chip, the suspension has been Brabus modified and it sits on 18" monoblock VI wheels the car performs a treat with no serious issues, infact I get a much better fuel consumption with an excellent midrange pickup and it looks good too..

Cheers....