Dav Jaxx

Hello all, new to the group as well as the world of Mercedes owners. I've been looking for a very particular car for months now and it just isn't coming up. I want a 2016 E400 or E550 Cabrio with all the driving/parking features, 360 camera, and cooled seats, preferrably in white with a solid color interior (leather and panel colors matching). I've been told I'm looking for a Unicorn. When I look at the reliability ratings in Consumer Reports, it says the 2016s are recommended and the reliablility and owner satisfaction drop with the 2017 even though they look identical. What I don't know if the reviews/ratings are with the Sedans which were a model change or did something substantial change with the 2017 Cabrios as well. I have found a car with everything I want in it, perfect color and everything, but its a 2017. So, what I need to know is are they really problematic?? As you all know, owning and maintaining a Mercedes isn't cheap, so I don't want to bleed money with this mid-life crisis purchase, but I want to know from actual owners if you'd buy the same car again or go for the 2016. Your reviews and experiences would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you

Mr. Toad

The problem with Consumer Reports is their reliability ratings usually do not take into account that some models in a vehicle series are based on differing platforms. The E-Class sedan got a complete makeover for 2017, but the coupe/cabrio were still w207s; the 2-door cars didn't change to the new platform until 2018. So, the reliability ratings that you're seeing for the 2017 coupe/cabrio reflect the issues with the brand new sedan platform rather than the final year of the w207 platform. In general, cars are much more reliable near the end of the platform life than first and second year cars from a new platform.

As for the reliability of the w207 in the later years, mine has not been without its issues. It hasn't really been mechanically problematic, but it has had numerous nuisance issues (e.g., squeaks/rattles/vibrations, defective trim, etc.).

Djaxx

Thank you for insight. I'm excited about the car, but need to do my due diligence of course. Your issues don't seem to be unusual for a car that's possibly 3 years old now. Given the option, would you buy it again?

Mr. Toad

Good question. I have a love/hate relationship with this particular car. You have to understand that I bought it with just 12,000 miles on the odometer, so it was almost brand new, which makes the issues even more frustrating. When everything's working and the weather is warm enough to minimize the roof vibration/noise, I love it; at other times, I hate it. If I had known that the car would be constantly in and out of the service department for 2+ years trying to get the roof fixed, I would not have bought it. If not for the roof problem, I probably would buy it again.