Poll for reliability issues on the W211 E320...
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2000 Lexus RX300, 2000 BMW 328CI
Poll for reliability issues on the W211 E320...
Hi - I've recently purchased a 2003 E320 Sport from a local auto-broker. The car is a 1-owner, off lease vehicle with only 26K miles on it. After I bought the car, I found this site (http://www.mercedes-benz-usa.com/e_class.php) that documents all kinds of problems with their W211 E320 - especially the 2003 model. Having read all these complaints - i'm kicking myself for not having the done the research before i bought the car as those complaints are scaring me - especially all of the reports of problems with the brakes.
After 1 week of ownership, i've already started to notice that 1) the car pulls to the right, 2) when i'm driving very slow (e.g. in a parking lot) the car seems to make a low grinding sound, and 3) when i release the brakes after the traffic light turns green, the brakes feels like it doesn't fully disengage right away - i can hear and feel this slight vibration....
Poll - are the complaints found over the internet about their W211 aberrations - or are you guys also seeing the same issues? I'm hoping to hear there are people out there who have owned the W211 for a few years now and have not had any problems. My last car was a 2000 BMW 3-series and after 5 1/2 years and over 100K miles on it - i've not had any problems other than regularly scheduled maintenance. Hopefully this will be the case with my "new" W211....
![wall](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/banghead.gif)
After 1 week of ownership, i've already started to notice that 1) the car pulls to the right, 2) when i'm driving very slow (e.g. in a parking lot) the car seems to make a low grinding sound, and 3) when i release the brakes after the traffic light turns green, the brakes feels like it doesn't fully disengage right away - i can hear and feel this slight vibration....
Poll - are the complaints found over the internet about their W211 aberrations - or are you guys also seeing the same issues? I'm hoping to hear there are people out there who have owned the W211 for a few years now and have not had any problems. My last car was a 2000 BMW 3-series and after 5 1/2 years and over 100K miles on it - i've not had any problems other than regularly scheduled maintenance. Hopefully this will be the case with my "new" W211....
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Welcome to the forum.
Yes, MY03 had issues. A good place to start would be right here on this forum. There are a lot of good threads/posts dealing with issues. One way to avoid waiting would be to try the search feature above; try MY03 or something similar for a search term.
Yes, MY03 had issues. A good place to start would be right here on this forum. There are a lot of good threads/posts dealing with issues. One way to avoid waiting would be to try the search feature above; try MY03 or something similar for a search term.
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2004 E320, 2006 Infiniti G35X, Yamaha VMAX 700 (Snowmobile)
I have a 2004 and other than having the engine replacement due to some a-hole dumping his cargo on me and a ignitor put in for the bi-xeons, no problems really to speak of. 2003 I believe was a troubled year for some owners but not all. Plenty of information if you do a search through the threads
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was '03 E320 - now - '04 S4
As a former owner of an early '03 - I wish you luck. Mine seemed like it was a beta-test model. Nothing earthshattering but lots of little annoying stuff. ![Frown](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/frown.gif)
I would not own an '03 without a warranty (and one that covered electronics specifically since I think that electronics are *excluded* from coverage on some policies)
my .02
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I would not own an '03 without a warranty (and one that covered electronics specifically since I think that electronics are *excluded* from coverage on some policies)
my .02
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'71 Pinto
Originally Posted by Tojam
Hi - I've recently purchased a 2003 E320 Sport from a local auto-broker. The car is a 1-owner, off lease vehicle with only 26K miles on it.
Familiarize yourself with relevant recalls:https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w211/145960-w211-recalls.html
W211 issues:
Transmission (7-speed):
Bulletin P-B-27.60/61d JUN06 Rough Shift Quality – addresses any mechanical causes and performs shift adaptations.
Transmission (5-speed):
P-B-27.55/50f MAR06 Harsh engagement possibly followed by droning/buzzing noises during acceleration (1200 – 2500 rpm). This may be caused incomplete adaptation of the torque converter, the transmission EGS ECU software, or glycol contamination of the automatic transmission fluid.
Common Airmatic suspension problems:
(1) P-B-32.22/15 MAR03 Low ride height at one or more suspension points after the vehicle has been parked at cold temperatures – the affected air strut is replaced.
(2) P-B-32.22/32 AUG05 Sporadic knocking / rumbling noise from front left of vehicle when driving over rough roads – the compressor bracket is replaced.
MBUSA modifications:
(1) P-B-42.10/48 JUL04 Increased wear rear brake pads (part # A004420 44 20).
(2) P-B-42.10/51e FEB06 Squealing or grinding noise from the front brakes, even when the brakes are not applied – replace pressure retaining springs, piston damper, pads.
(3) P-B-82.30/366b JAN06 Windshield wipers chattering / noisy – replace wiper blades and wiper arms need to be adjusted to windshield angle (tool W211 589 02 21 00).
(4) P-B-82.62/387 SEPT04 Poor sound quality in Harman/Kardon Logic 7 Surround Sound – replace Audio Gateway and update software.
(5) P-B-33.15/16a JAN06 Steering wheel twitch (side to side during slow speed braking) – replace torque strut bushings (part # A211 333 11 14).
(6) P-B-82.62/499 MAR06 AM Radio interference – remove wiring to left, front brake wear sensor (eliminated).
(7) Drifts right: Install left & right “Camber/Caster Bolt Kits” including new alignment to correct for road crown.
Playing mp3s:
As long as the vehicle has COMAND the dealer simply needs to update the software. That it to say for early production 03 the vehicles were equipped with a cassette player in the head unit and optional CD changer. I believe these vehicles cannot be modified however I’m not certain. For later 03 vehicles equipped with a head unit that has a single CD (COMAND) rather than a cassette player it can be made to play mp3s by updating the head unit software.
Last edited by konigstiger; 08-31-2006 at 08:51 PM.
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sold - w211 e320, f250, rx7 race car
Originally Posted by Tojam
2003 E320 Sport from a local auto-broker. The car is a 1-owner, off lease vehicle with only 26K miles on it.....
So far I've had no major issues. Just a few minor ones that were all resolved under warranty. No regrets from me. I hope your 4yr warranty doesn't expire very soon, if so get it extended. I would never own one of these without warranty. Spend the next few days reading this forum, it's got a lot of good information and some very intelligent people contributing.
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2000 Lexus RX300, 2000 BMW 328CI
Thanks everyone for your input - i've got an appointment scheduled with my local dealer (Smythe European on Stevens Creek - any locals and comments on this dealership?) for next Tues - we'll see how that goes. The car was manufactured in 2/03 - so i'm not too sure how many months of warranty it has left....i guess i'll find out on Tues. Given all the issues - have most of the owners purchased the extended warranty? If so - what should I expect to pay for an extended warranty? Thanks in advance for advice!
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sold - w211 e320, f250, rx7 race car
Originally Posted by Tojam
The car was manufactured in 2/03 - so i'm not too sure how many months of warranty it has left....i guess i'll find out on Tues. !