RJC

1) Clock looses 2 -3 minutes each 7 days (non command car) Friend had his dash cluster replaced for this problem and his clock still loosing time.

2) AM radio reception sounds like speakers are slightly blown (girl friend's Honda is perfect as was my 99 00 & 01 clk 430)

3) Drivers window getting loose

4) AC smell when first turned on...wrote post on possible cure

5) Engine cooling fan vibrates car when going into super high speed...90 plus degree days stop and go traffic

6) Beginning to notice slight shimmy in steering wheel at 40 when braking from higher speeds. Warped rotors already??? I never even allow cold water from the hose when washing the car to touch to brakes until they are cool.

Problems already fixed:

1) Wipers

2) Alignment

3) Motor mounts

I realize that these are all fixable things to repair but I dread the collateral damage that happens when going into service. I'm hoping that after the 6 new problems are fixed that will be it for a long time.

The JD power ratings don't lie...Mercedes quality is suffering.

500AMG

I've got 7100 on my car and the only real problems to date have been the mounts, wipers, and a slightly misaligned sunroof (from factory). Your problems for the most part have been very minor for a 1st year car IMO. Nothing is perfect, although I know all of us want it to be.

RJC

500AMG You're right I/we do strive so very hard for perfection! Do you live in a warm climate as I'm curious if your engine fan has ever kicked into super high speed yet? The problems are minor indeed, just kind of a let down though even for a first year car. I mean the radio should be perfected by now as well as the clock!LOL. I bought a new 2003 Honda Accord V6 (total redesign in and out and powertrain too) for my Dad and he has had 0 problems in over 3000 miles, I'm very impressed with his car, a lot of car for the $$. I still really enjoy my car, I just dread the service dept. screwing something else up i.e. stripped screws, damaged trim pieces, improper installation of parts, scratches, grease marks and the valet turning the bass up to the max

vodc4

here are my problems :


1. when i depress the brake to a stop, my steering wheel
always move to either left or right.

2. when i hit a bump, my steering wheel also move to left or right.

3. noisy brake, when i release my brake slowly from a full stop
i can hear cranking noise...very noisy

4. i have got 3 types of smell from my car :
a. AC odor when i first turn it on
b. burning metal smell....like some metal/electronci is
burning
c. sulfur smell....this one is new....

5. transmission is jumpy. when i accelerate from 1st gfear to 2nd
or from 2nd to 3rd, i can feel my body pushed forward...its just
not smooth

6. my steering wheel also got heavier.i dont know why..but
the steering used to be very nice and light on low speed when
i first got the car.

oh i forgot to mention the wiper problem...my wipers are noisy and there is quite a big long pot in the middle of the windshiled that is not wiped by the wiper

pocholin

wow, all those problems don't speak good of MB quality!

500AMG

I live in Southern VA, so it's getting much warmer now. Last August and now I've had no problems with the fan/vibrations. My clock and radio work perfectly as well. I definatley understand your qualms about servicing...they often screw things up that were fine before or not do a proper test drive. After I had my mounts replaced, my steering wheel was off center . A 30 second test drive would have detected this.

jmg

7200 miles on my 9 month old 320 - trunk lid sometimes sticks but they ain't getting their hands on it to 'fix' that. Seriously though, I have had a number of new cars in recent years, Audi, Rover and Saab, the 320s quality beats the lot. Just had Brabus coils fitted and I love it even more.

Harris

Can you tell me how does cold water affect the brakes when the brakes are hot?

RJC

Cold water from either a deep puddle or a garden hose applied to hot rotors may cause warping. The hotter the rotors the worse it can be when they come in contact with a fair amount of cold water.