Quadcammer

there are some DAMN annoying issues with these things. Most notably the noises.

My rear window sunshade rattles (although its real cold out so I don't think that helps), the steering squeeked (did the tsb, not sure if its fixed), the seak creaks/clicks and it sounds like something is sliding around in the trunk.

Great driving cars, but sheesh!!!!

And all these noises are $$$$$ to fix.

RickyE430

Sorry to hear about your issues, I have a few also. Do you have the tsb for the steering noise?

Quadcammer

I don't remember it off hand, but I believe it was P46-20-12 Jul 03.

Consists of a new boot, sealing ring, and some grease.

E420SportGT

my only noises are the seats...but what bothers me is the steering shaft, it doesn't stay put on warm days...so everytime I use the turn signal, the entire column turns like 1/2"...so annoying!

lkchris

https://www.mbwholesaleparts.com/Sta...FactSept04.pdf

Quadcammer

there was a diy with pictures on how to fix that around here somewhere.

E420SportGT

really??? oh man I need to find that, it's driving me crazy!
wonder what words should I use for search.

oh look I found it! I even posted in it a while back but I guess no one really answered my question. Does the radio need to be recoded after battery negative terminal is disconnected?

https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...teering+column

Thanks!

raymond g-

most of the time, yes. depends on duration of power out. but yes, nearly always, so have the code on-hand

Quadcammer

http://www.mercedesshop.com/Wikka/W210LooseTurnSignal

thats actually the link I meant. fixes your exact problem.

E420SportGT

oh great. Thanks. I have a question, I bought the car used..and never really saw a booklet with the radio code. Can the dealer use my VIN # to find the code?

raymond g-

yes

E420SportGT

thanks! You guys rock!

HighRoller

I know !!! what the hell is that sliding in the trunk, I have that to..???

Quadcammer

Ugh, now I got a rattle in the headliner back there somewhere, the headrests flop around, and THE GOD DAMN STEERING WHEEL STILL SQUEEKS!!!!!!!!!

Im about [-] close to selling this pos.

owned it for all of a month

fju2112

I notice you're in Jersey, where it must be almost as cold as Boston..I notice these rattles much more in colder weather..maybe in the spring it'll be fine again?? :\

Quadcammer

that definitely possible, but you'd think mb would do some cold weather testing.

$64,000 car that rattles like a childs toy. unreal.

Not to mention the steering wheel.

what would a fair price be for a fully loaded 2000 e430 4matic with 48k miles? 19k?

i'll probably get an A8, A6 or lexus es300

lexrex

Did the car rattle and squeak when you bought it a month ago? It sounds like you a bought a car that had pre-existing issues and are now regretting it.

One month is too short a time to come to a conclusion about the car. Once you get these things sorted out, you should have a relatively trouble free car. I've had basically zero problems for the past 2 years.

I like the A8, but I'd be shocked if an Audi is more reliable than the W210. The GS300, not the ES300, is the comparable Lexus to the W210. ES300 is a rebadged Camry.

Quadcammer

Nope the car was quiet when I drove it. It was also about 50 degrees that day, and its 20 now.

one month is more than long enough to realize that this car was poorly engineered. Maybe not the engine/tranny/drivetrain, but the way the interior is assembled, insulated (or rather not insulated) and designed is tragic for its price.

Im not saying its not reliable, but what good is reliable when the car annoys the hell out of you every time you drive it with squeeks and rattles.

My a4 was pretty much dead nuts reliable.

The es300 is nicer than the gs to me. I hate those electroluminescent gauges and timex like crap.

slk55lvr

I'm really sorry to hear about all your troubles with this car. I have the exact same model + year and even at almost 80,000 miles it drives like new with no rattles. I have two friends with a8's that have had 7-9,000 in repair bills each over the past three years, go japanese if you must sell it.

Richard / E320

If you happen to have a repair or service order from an authorized M-B dealer, the radio code is listed on the RO.

ReZzZ320

boy you really ARE impatient maybe you should HAVE bought a W124 instead tho if you thought the price was too high for you or if the reliability wasn't good enough

trust me for all these negative opinions about the W210 there are ALWAYS a group of happy owners here (don't believe me then ask anyone else whose not complaining)

now time to sell that E430 of yours and get yourself a 97 E320

Quadcammer

what makes me impatient? The squeeks and rattles aren't gonna get better. I have to actively fix them. The price wasn't too high, and the reliability is fine. the car isn't unreliable, its annoying.


as for buying the wrong car, it was a non wrecked, 1 owner, service history, middle age woman owned, fully loaded, with only 48k miles. I figured a low mileage fully serviced car would be fine. I didn't exactly steal it either.

If the 124 had a decent awd system, i would have considered it.

im sure there are a ton of happy people, but I have a feeling they are in areas where it doesn't get that cold.

I mean the steering squeak is pretty well known, and yet some people just shrug it off. I can't do that. Thats just sloppy to me. millions of other cars have no problems with the wheel squeaking.

ReZzZ320

I don't think the squeaky steering problem is really well-known with the W210, when I first bought it I was told to check the suspensions (spring perches and rear carrier bushes) of the W210s but nothing was mentioned about head gasket failures or any of the problems, so basically you have purchased a car that has aged waay too fast. I got a car which is gonna turn 10 in a week's time and the thing

and about those people who are happy with their W210s, well they might live in even worse climates than where you are like for instance 50 degrees celsius on a regular summer day or freezing temperatures.

All I'm saying is that don't blame yourself for it. I bet that you can get over these problems without any heartache. But if you still feel that it aint getting better then I hope you find the perfect replacement

good luck and happy riding

Quadcammer

I don't mind stuffing foam into the headliner or fixing stuff, but I usually do that with my cobra, not my daily car. I figured 20k would buy a fairly quiet used mb in good shape. I don't think the car is in bad shape, and im just a little miffed as to the quality of such things.

It seems to me like mb likes complexity for complexity's sake (ie center vents not working unless the ac is on)

E55 KEV

My 2002 E55 had a squeaky steering column also. Last year after a couple of lubes and fixes that did not work they replaced the whole steering column under warranty.

I have had 2 W210's and both had the rattling in the sunroof/headliner issues. The problem I had with my rear window sunshade is the cloth screen would not fully retract and be bunched up in the the rear hat shelf. Replace under warranty.