sklasse

about the 03 e-class benz on this forum.., just out of curiosity ,how many here actually switched from MB to another brand because of the electronic debacle and reliabliity issues..

The reason I ask this just I have been seeing more AUDIs and BMWs lately.

lig

I went from '03 W211 to an Audi S4.

DWP

What electronic debacle? What reliability issues? Is this something I should know about?

MB Fanatic

been a loyal MB driver and will continue to be one. I have not yet had the car breakdown on me like others here and I drive my cars like I just stole them.

All my MBZ's from 2001 to present have been damn reliable.

Brav

This may be my last. Lack of quality and key electronics technology. How is your 750? Been a serious consideration

jposhea3

I have an 03 E500 and most of the electronics items have been from /lack of availability/ as originally planned (the NAV retrofit that wasn't able to be done on US cars - search for the swap-out that MB did for 03 owners who prepaid for NAV as late availability and ended up getting to swap their 03s for 04s in quite a good deal).

You just don't see the sort of fanatic attention to detail for other brands that you see for the European luxury models - I defy anyone to find a Ford forum that delves into the level of obsession with detail that this one does :-)

So what you see here are the experiences of active, interested, involved, and vocal owners.

I had the gateway module replaced early on in my car when it was giving false indications of burnt out lamps in the taillight modules, I've had some software updates on the radio to deal with static, etc.

I tend to think software updates to fix bugs are going to become more and more common as field-reprogrammable electronics using general purpose programming languages become more common in cars. Gone are the days when you had a /mechanical/ system controlling the fuel mixture (carburetor), and gone as well are the days when it was controlled by a simple custom circuit.

With general purpose computing gear inside new cars, expect software updates like you do for your desktop computer.

My 2 cents.
-james

kevinle

hi guys, yes you right about e class 03 models, they have some issues bout electrical, BUT not alot, and everything will be fix by standard warranty b4 50k miles, i had a 04 e500 its almost 30k miles and i dont have any trouble so far, even i was sooo worry about the 1st year of 7 speed trans, well my point is, dont worry if you trying to get the e class because its a really fun included fast and super handling, but dont ever expect it have to be reliable or less mainternance like a lexus or toyota cus you will dissapointed.

Benz-E-r

Yes there have been problems, but honestly I can't say more than I might expect from a new introduction. The problems in general are not electrical, but rather component integration. The fewer electronic "options" on the 2003 the better is my opinon and the car is very good. The important fact is that ALL of my problems have been fixed under warranty.

Of course there are lemons from any manufacturer. As someone pointed out, most of us on this board are just pickier about details :-)

MB Fanatic

Hey Brav, the 750li is a great car but doesnt hold a candle to our S550, except for maybe in the handling department. If I were to spend the same amount of money again I would most surely opt for a fully optioned S550 over the 7.

The 7 still has too much plastic, and has its share of problems here and their but nothing major. Its a great vehicle but its nearing its time IMO.

DesiBaba

Switching over to Beamer. Not so much so becuz of the problems but i just hate loosing money in depreciations so quick...maybe becuz i can't afford to loose such money as alot of other forum members here. I luv the drive, luv the look...but i just need something more .... something else for a change.

konigstiger

Ditto! I looked at the 750 while getting a 330i for my daughter, no comparison to the S550 at least for the luxury I’m looking for in that price range. And if you check out https://mbworld.org/forums/s-class-w221/163014-mbusa-w221-bulletins-date.html there’s nothing to speak of as far as quality concerns!

BudC

Right now a 330i or an X3 is at the top of my list as a replacement for my 300E. If you have any comments about the 330i, please PM me with them.

Thanks,
Bud

BudC

In the US, a BMW motorcycle is called a Beemer and a BMW car is called a Bimmer. I get all uptight about this for some reason just like I get uptight about calling a Porsche a Porsch

BMcD-E500

I had one of the problematic 03 E500's. I bailed and went to Lexus. If it's reliability and electronic gizmos that work all the time, Lexus is the way to go. If you are looking for an engaging driving experience, stay with MB or BMW or Audi. If MB can get on top of the quality issues, I would love to get a hold of a CLS55 or similar. An Audi S8 would be a sweet ride as well. I don't bad mouth MB, I think they just put too many gizmos into the car too soon. (I do miss my pano roof, though!)

Bruce

khaug

Actually, I went in the other direction. Had an '00 BMW 528i I dearly loved. In '04, time to trade and I couldn't stomach the hideous Bangle styling, iDrive or the active steering of the current crop of Bimmers. So here I am, a Benz owner for the first time in my life!

Many others on this forum have expressed similar feelings.