novae500

konigstiger,

thanks for your feedback. Also, is the valve cover gasket a problem area on the E500s?? I have oil seepage/leak on the DS valve cover. I'm taking it in tomorrow to have it looked at as well as doing the pilot bushings.

Jen_Kenne

Fantastic information. Thanks for sharing.

gail15

Thanks for sharing your information connections.

brown1959

Do you know if there were any front suspension ball joint recalls on the W211's

vettdvr

The bad part about this is that my car went in service for the 2003 year in Oct 02 so in 2012 this warranty will be out. Note that is about 2 1/2 years not that far out.

The real question, I had the SBC unit replaced about 8,000 miles ago and total system flush. Is this an upgraded "better" that installed unit or is it an identical replacement and I can expect failure in another 70,000 miles which will be out of the 10 year extended warranty.

That would be great to know it is a better unit, but what I am afraid of is since MB pulled the unit developements stopped and the unit installed is the same as installed in 2003.

vettdvr

No recalls but IMO there should have been. My front ball joints went out at 67,000 miles and were replaced under the CPO extended warranty.

Never owned a car that had ball joints fail this early. Sold my 84 lincoln with 175,000 miles and origional joints and all front end parts. So don't understand why MB joints are failing so early.

Same question here,, were the new ones upgraded and will they last longer or were they just identical replacements and 67000 miles on them they fail again.

konigstiger

EPC shows both SBC hydraulic unit and ball joint part #s installed at production have been replaced indicating modification.

pntballpunk

you are correct about not reciving a printed copy of the vmi. the only way a dealer is supposed to give them out(key supposed to) is if mercedes benz gives the dealership ok. the only way to do that is to contact mb yourself and ask. if you ask most dealerships will show you a copy but will not allow you to leave with the copy due to the information on the vmi is internaly private to mb. its required by law that if a vehicle applies to a service recall the dealer must perform the recall unless customer declines(touchy legal part). at a mb dealer we can get in trouble(big) with factory if not performing the recall.

hawk25

Very Common issue only DS far as I know. Mine was leaky and I kept wondering why the car's miles to service were going so quickly...and the message OIL LOW ADD 1.5QRTS NEXT REFUELING.... After fixing that everything is fine now.

Diesel Benz

My first W211 had and issue with the lower front ball joint, both were changed on a recall. My second W211 also had both lower front joints replaced from a recall, it did not have any issues at that time.

But the later on the second one had a worn out anti-roll bar joint.

NLRL

Hi,
Did you find out anything on the issue? I own a 2003 ,W203(C230K) purchased new, Now I have 20,000 miles and I have the same issue.
Valeo transmission radiator failure, contaminated oil and marginal transmission.
The dealer priced it at $7900 to change everything and told me that even MB knew about the issue they never generated a recall or any other service bulletin .
I will be very interested if you found a solution or the group with a legal action against MB
Thank you.
My e mail is Nikirodi@aol.com if you need it.

konigstiger

Check your email.

golfcat

Mine is an early CDI---8/04 production. Have just had to replace infrared reader in drivers door. Also alarm system failed. Sounded as if it was under water but dealer said that there was no water present. Approx $600 to repair. Did not see any bulletins on these problems. Are there any? Thanks.
thegolfcat@earthlink.net

golfcat

Have done some more research since my previous post. (this is a great site). Have found campaign 2003020003 June 03 which covers the door infrared problem.
Also very recently had to replace glowplugs. Found campaign 200607003 Oct 06. But it is selective to vin #. How do I enter my vin # to see if my CDI is covered?
Have not located a campaign for the alarm system tho it seems from talking to the service advisor that this is not a rare occurance. Have owned over 20 MB's and have never had an alarm repair. Thanks again.
thegolfcat@earthlink.net

konigstiger

Have dealer check VMI to confirm all recalls and service campaigns are completed. I am not aware of any bulletins for alarm component replacement.

https://mbworld.org/forums/3134322-post148.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/1832967-post28.html

odessit

do you know if there are any recalls for 2009 E350?

konigstiger

No MY09 recalls that I am aware of to date however, several Service Campaigns were released (read through thread) have your dealer check VMI to see if any apply to your VIN.

mr2turbo004

Can I get a copy of the P-B-46.40/53 thanks. mr2turbo004@hotmail.com

suhsalman

Hi, I recently purchased a 2003 200k avangard.
I purchased my car from Germany, and shipped it back to the Middle East. The customs here charged me $25K to allow the car to enter the country J. This is the way it works in here..
I cant verify if all the calls had been serviced proparly there. As I don’t have the dealer or maintaince center contact details.
Cant I verify this my self, arent the replaced SBC pump different than the older/defect one. A friend of mine told me that the local dealer for MB here will charge me 500$ for inspecting if the recalls had been addressed properly.

konigstiger

Not certain how it works in your market but with MBUSA one requests a VMI (Vehicle Master Inquiry) from any dealer for any given VIN and the report shows if there is outstanding “recall” and/or “service campaign” work covered by MB without expiration and no out of pocket cost to owner even out of warranty. Have the dealer run your VIN, as I cannot believe they will charge for this since safety is a factor.

zergcerebrates

Mine failed too, good thing I got extended warranty or that would cost a fortune

spoke

I have a 2004 E500 and the valve covers are leaking since the car was new the dealer said they were not leaking enough to be covered by warranty. They are now leaking a lot and I want to replace them my self. Do you know of any pictures or instructions on how this is done?

VladW211

Took my 04' E320 4Matic wagon in for a 4 wheel alignment. MB dealer found two campaigns (wheel well and front axle bolts). This was done. The problem was that they could not align my car indicating bent KNUCKLE and DRIVE SHAFT (driver side, front). The wheel is 1/2" from knuckle, while on the other side it is 1"+. It is assumed I hit something. No other damage, either to rims, tires or anything. $3,300 estimate ($2100 parts).
Where can I find pictures of actual parts so I know exactly what this is? Also, they see that the knuckle is bent, why is the shaft also being replaced? Without a 100% explanation, they said they are replaced together?
Any help would be appreciated. Car has only 45k miles.

mariow211

does anyone has a prblem with a front end? like control arm's ball joints and more ??????????????????? i do on my 2003 E320

Mackhack

Had to replace my driver side thrust arm bushing on my 2004 E320. Extended warranty paid it.