I have an 05 E320. I don't have the build date handy at the moment, but it has the old style center console, and the rest feature. In any case it either doesn't have the rain sensor, or it isn't working. When the wipers are set to the first setting the just wipe every few seconds, wet or dry. I called the dealer and they said I don't have the rain sensor. Called mbusa and they said rain sensor is standard equipment in all of the 05 E class models. Anyone know what the real deal is ?

 

I'm pretty sure you have the rain sensing wipers but make sure your stalk is in the correct position. I had trouble with my sensor where it would keep wiping after it had cleared the window. They ended up replacing the thing up behind the rear view mirror. Good luck!

Bruce

 

Bmat -

You should be happy if your car doesn't have the sensor. Ours is horrible. Even my wife was commenting on how useless it was - and unlike me it takes a lot for her to complain about car related stuff.

We both use the "rest" feature frequently - nice that you have it!

 

I had it in the 1999 that I traded, and now miss it. Does it not work as well in the newer model as it did in the 1999's ? In any case if it's in my car, it isn't working. I'll have to convice the dealer that I have it in order to get them to fix it.

 

set the stalk to position "1"


rain sensor works fine IMO, its a nice convenient option

 

My 05 has it as standard. Its great and works well. Have yours checked out!!

 

My sensor works flawlessly, even in snow. Once in a while the only thing I have to do is push the button for the washers in very lightly to make the wipers start. After I hit that button, they work perfectly.

I have been driving in the rain where cars next to me have covered my windshield with water and the sensor turned on the wipers sooner than I could even think to turn the wipers manually. This is a great safety feature! If yours are not working correctly, then have them fixed.

On a side note, if your windshield has been changed, there is a chance that the person doing the work did something to it. Either way, the dealer should solve this problem.

Steve

 

We rented an 03 W211 in Germany and the rain sensor was terrible! Our 04 works perfectly. I miss it on any other car that I drive.

Stephen

 

on my '04 E320, the wiper sensor is terrible. so much so that unless it rains hard, I have to turn the wipers off all together and use the manual mode (by pushing the stalk inward). When I first got the car, I complained to the dealer, they said they replaced (or adjusted) something, but it still works like crap. I'll try getting them to do something again next time I'm in for service.

 

Mine works fine, can't live with out it now. I commute 30 miles each way down and up through a river valley so the rain changes throughout the dirve. True sometimes when there is a light drizzle any oil or dirt on the windshield can smear across the sensor and it keeps trying to clear the windshield until I turn it off, but in that case I just push the end of the arm to the first indent to clear the windshield when needed. Once the windshield is clean enough I switch back to the sensor mode. Love it.