2003 211 or other?
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5
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From: Lexington, MA USA
2003 211 or other?
Still looking to purchase my 1st E-Class Benz later this year. My max price point puts me where a 2003 E320 / 211 will be.
My remaining concern is reliability/quality, since a competent shop is located some distance from me and I do not have gearhead inclinations.
Bottom line question: It appears that these problems have been flushed out and resolved on later year 211s; What about 2003 211 quality issues? Will they dog this model year for its days?
I hear the most yak about defective sensors and software upgrades. Do problems persist, or were they "infant mortality issues"? (Resolvable design issues or component failure.) - If these issues were already addressed by the original owner & shop, does the 2003 211 take on more "ordinary" reliability characteristics?
I would rather have a 211 for all the new features and styling it brings. I am not however in a position to bring it to the shop every couple of months except for routine maintenance. I like to keep my cars for about 10 years and 200K miles.
Thank you.
My remaining concern is reliability/quality, since a competent shop is located some distance from me and I do not have gearhead inclinations.
Bottom line question: It appears that these problems have been flushed out and resolved on later year 211s; What about 2003 211 quality issues? Will they dog this model year for its days?
I hear the most yak about defective sensors and software upgrades. Do problems persist, or were they "infant mortality issues"? (Resolvable design issues or component failure.) - If these issues were already addressed by the original owner & shop, does the 2003 211 take on more "ordinary" reliability characteristics?
I would rather have a 211 for all the new features and styling it brings. I am not however in a position to bring it to the shop every couple of months except for routine maintenance. I like to keep my cars for about 10 years and 200K miles.
Thank you.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,586
Likes: 1
From: Sacramento
'08 AM Vantage V8 - '03 E500
I have an early-production (9/02) W211. I just don't get the alleged reputation of the W211 for unreliability. That's in part because my own car has been almost entirely trouble-free so far, and in part because I haven't seen objective evidence that establishes, for me, that the W211s are unreliable as a group. For an example of the latter, pick up the April Consumer Reports and compare (page 89) the ratings for the 14 specific reliability areas on the '03 and '04 E-Class with the overall reliability ratings. I have no idea how the magazine got from all those good ratings in specific areas to the bad overall rating.
There have been people who have complained mightily in this forum about the reliability of their W211, citing a long list of problems. There have been many others, like me, who have cheerfully reported having few or no problems. Since you mentioned software upgrades, my '03 did have a very common problem with the audio system involving shutdowns and "rebooting." We took it to a dealer, they applied a software patch, and that fixed the problem. End of story.
I suppose it all comes down to luck of the draw with the car you happen to get. Chances are, though, that if you research the service history of a car that you're thinking of buying and it comes up reasonably clean, it will continue that way for you.
There have been people who have complained mightily in this forum about the reliability of their W211, citing a long list of problems. There have been many others, like me, who have cheerfully reported having few or no problems. Since you mentioned software upgrades, my '03 did have a very common problem with the audio system involving shutdowns and "rebooting." We took it to a dealer, they applied a software patch, and that fixed the problem. End of story.
I suppose it all comes down to luck of the draw with the car you happen to get. Chances are, though, that if you research the service history of a car that you're thinking of buying and it comes up reasonably clean, it will continue that way for you.
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 957
Likes: 1
was '03 E320 - now - '04 S4
I am one of the mighty complainers. 
I rarely use absolutes - but I would *never* recommend that anyone buy an '03 W211 based upon my own experiences.
Now that I've learned that the extended warranty doesn't cover electronics or you would have to pay a ridiculous amount of money for a warranty that does - there is zero chance I am keeping this car outside of the normal warranty period.
I rarely use absolutes - but I would *never* recommend that anyone buy an '03 W211 based upon my own experiences.
Now that I've learned that the extended warranty doesn't cover electronics or you would have to pay a ridiculous amount of money for a warranty that does - there is zero chance I am keeping this car outside of the normal warranty period.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 14,362
Likes: 1
From: Staples Center
w211 & w124
For someone who keeps their cars so long I would spend the little extra money on getting a brand new one. Plus you'll get the newer 7g transmission on the E350's. To me it would be worth it. Otherwise I would at least opt for a 2004 model or a late MY2003 build.
Almost a Member!
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Tiburon, California
03,E500,jade black\charcoal,Sport,Folding Seat,Sunshade,Heated Seats,E2\E3
I have a 2003 E500...purchased in April 2003 and built a few months earlier...I have had no problems...I took it in for a few items that others on this forum listed as being "problems" and they were minor and were fixed by the dealer...the motor mounts were replaced and the SBC still groans; they replaced the wipers (noisy) and did the brake recall service. This car is more luxury than performance and some prefer the road feel and control of the BMW or Porsche...but if you are looking for a fast, smooth, quiet and beautiful car, then I would have no problem recommending the 03 E500...by the way, I just test drove a Boxster and am going to order one and keep my E500...Porsche builds an incredible machine!
