2003 E class
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Joined: Mar 2006
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2003 E class
put money down on one and I am picking it up tomorrow. I can still not go through with it. My question is after reading the whole SBC problems and looking over all the recalls, am I buying a car just full of problems?
It seems like they are a ton of recalls on it? The FSS whatever that is?
When I went to buy the car I brought in a print out from this forum of all the recalls and I told them I wanted the car at MB to make sure there are no open recalls on the car. What else can I do?
If I do go through with it I am going to call MB and give them the vin just to make sure also.
what do you guys think?
It seems like they are a ton of recalls on it? The FSS whatever that is?
When I went to buy the car I brought in a print out from this forum of all the recalls and I told them I wanted the car at MB to make sure there are no open recalls on the car. What else can I do?
If I do go through with it I am going to call MB and give them the vin just to make sure also.
what do you guys think?
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Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Sacramento
'08 AM Vantage V8 - '03 E500
I think that you should go ahead and buy the car, if that's your question. To paraphrase Margaret Thatcher, "Don't go wobbly on us, Dan." Some people here think that the '03 W211 is the Spawn of Satan and should be avoided at all costs, but that's not been my experience with my '03. The FSS is the Flexible Service System and it just tells you when service is due. It's not a source of recalls or trouble, so far as I know.
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From: Louisiana
03 E500 and Corvette
I think that you should go ahead and buy the car, if that's your question. To paraphrase Margaret Thatcher, "Don't go wobbly on us, Dan." Some people here think that the '03 W211 is the Spawn of Satan and should be avoided at all costs, but that's not been my experience with my '03. The FSS is the Flexible Service System and it just tells you when service is due. It's not a source of recalls or trouble, so far as I know.
So since the Corvette is such a low price special my next new one won't get so much 
Jim
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Joined: Apr 2005
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From: Boston, MA USA
03 E320 -wife's car now; 07 Porsche Boxster S - my toy
But,..........., there are some people on these forums who did get the "w211 from Hell".
Regards,
Paul...
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I will just pray this car will not have problems, I will bring it in to make sure its 100% and nothing left to do on the car. I do want to give this car to my wife so I am worried about the whole SBC thing...
Dan
Dan
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From: Maryland
Eurocharged 2004 E500, Eurocharged ECU/TCU 2005 SL600, 2010 Caddy SwaggerWagon
The W211 is great. Having said that, the 2003 has been the most problematic, historically. I'm sure you'll love the car but under no circumstances should you own this car without an extended warranty. These cars are just way too expensive to fix outside of warranty coverage. Every W211 owner who plans on owning outside of the manufacturer's warrany should get an extended one. This goes double for the 2003.
My $.02
My $.02
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From: Sacramento
'08 AM Vantage V8 - '03 E500
Not to hijack this thread to a discussion of extended warranties, but some of the text on the MBUSA extended warranty web page has me stumped.
http://www.mbusa.com/care/warranty/extended-limited.do
The page says:
http://www.mbusa.com/care/warranty/extended-limited.do
The page says:
Original owners may purchase extended coverage at any time during the first four years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first. A surcharge applies for vehicles having accrued more than either 12,000 total miles or 12 months from vehicle's delivery date.1
The footnote then says:1. Option to purchase coverage after 12 months from the new vehicle delivery date available for Model Year 2005 and newer vehicles. A surcharge will be added to the Suggested Retail Price if purchased after 12 months from the new vehicle delivery date as follows. 13 - 24 months: 10 percent surcharge. 25 - 36 months: 15 percent surcharge. 37 - 48 months: 20 percent surcharge.
So, the main text says that original owners can purchase extended warranty coverage "at any time" during the original warranty period, but the footnote seems to say that the option of purchasing an extended warranty beyond the first 12 months of ownership is available only with MY 2005 and later cars. I've got a MY 2003 car and have had it for three years. Can I purchase an extended warranty before the original warranty period runs out or not? If I can, what is Footnote 1 really trying to say, not very successfully?
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Member
Joined: May 2003
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From: Southern California
2007 E350 Sport Package
My old '03 E320..... where do I begin.....
The multiple recalls?
The ENTIRE ENGINE NEEDING TO BE REPLACED AT 9,000 miles!!!
My service rep. looking me square in the eye and telling me not to buy it.
They have an incredible lease special on the '07 E350's much smarter to go for that. It's a 27 month term and rolls you right into the '09's which will be a complete redo
The multiple recalls?
The ENTIRE ENGINE NEEDING TO BE REPLACED AT 9,000 miles!!!
My service rep. looking me square in the eye and telling me not to buy it.
They have an incredible lease special on the '07 E350's much smarter to go for that. It's a 27 month term and rolls you right into the '09's which will be a complete redo
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Sacramento
'08 AM Vantage V8 - '03 E500
You should ask the dealer or MBUSA if it's even possible to buy an extended warranty for an '03. It doesn't seem like we're going to find out here. That's what I plan to do when my '03 gets a little closer to the expiration of the warranty next year.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 666
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From: Boston, MA USA
03 E320 -wife's car now; 07 Porsche Boxster S - my toy
Extended Warranty companies
When my 03 was getting close to the warranty running out, I started receiving post cards in the mail from a couple of companies offering extended warranties -- I'm still receiving them on the average of one mailing every 2 months.
Regards,
Paul...
Regards,
Paul...
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 666
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From: Boston, MA USA
03 E320 -wife's car now; 07 Porsche Boxster S - my toy
BTW, the TSB list is on:
http://www.alldata.com/tsb/Mercedes-...sue-index.html
Good luck on your pursuit of an E500.
Regards,
paul...
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From: Oregon
Harley-Davidson
Originally Posted by Godfather
. . . Are these recall issues and problems mostly on 2003 model year?
Member
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From: Chicago Suburbs, USA
2014 E350 4Matic, 2012 Kia Soul+
Just remember people with problems are more likely to post their experience to a forum than people with no problems. Your post resulted in a lot of happy 03 owners saying their car is ok. Go with the silent majority, buy the car.
I was a little nervous when I ordered my 06 about several things I read in this forum. But I'm very glad they didn't change my mind. I haven't had any complaints.
I was a little nervous when I ordered my 06 about several things I read in this forum. But I'm very glad they didn't change my mind. I haven't had any complaints.
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 14
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From: KY
2003 E500
I have a 2003 E500, 28K, Obisidian Black, fairly standard. I'm very happy with the car.
However, I have had issues:
1. Rear defroster not working (never worked I think, just noticed the top part of the window staying frozen a bit too far up one day). Replaced the glass under warranty and got a loaner for the week it took.
2. Broken latch in the bin under the driver's seat, probably my fault (I'm over 260)...replaced under warranty.
3. Numerous TSB's completed when the car is in the shop, received my loaner and let them keep the car for 2 days when required, no problem there for me.
My .02; get the car, just check everything up front and be sure any issues are fixed before you have the car for a long time. Oh, and I do recommend an extended warranty when your original comes up (my dealer offered one last year...about 3,600-3,800 I think (4 more years or 100,000 miles), but it went into effect at the day of warranty purchase...so I'm waiting until the last month of the factory warranty).
However, I have had issues:
1. Rear defroster not working (never worked I think, just noticed the top part of the window staying frozen a bit too far up one day). Replaced the glass under warranty and got a loaner for the week it took.
2. Broken latch in the bin under the driver's seat, probably my fault (I'm over 260)...replaced under warranty.
3. Numerous TSB's completed when the car is in the shop, received my loaner and let them keep the car for 2 days when required, no problem there for me.
My .02; get the car, just check everything up front and be sure any issues are fixed before you have the car for a long time. Oh, and I do recommend an extended warranty when your original comes up (my dealer offered one last year...about 3,600-3,800 I think (4 more years or 100,000 miles), but it went into effect at the day of warranty purchase...so I'm waiting until the last month of the factory warranty).
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Joined: Mar 2003
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was '03 E320 - now - '04 S4
As a former '03 owner - I would stongly suggest saving a few more $$$ and getting an '04. Mine wasn't totally loaded - sunroof, HK, leather, heated seats and a couple other little things. Total PITA. 
I won't be buying an M-B in the near future - I can guarantee you that.
I won't be buying an M-B in the near future - I can guarantee you that.
