Mercedes-Benz E-Class reliability - how does it truly compare?
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From: The Golden State
2008 Dodge Charger R/T
The reliability kerfuffle is stupid.
If you've been installing the same lump of an engine for 50 years, it could possibly be "reliable" but it won't be interesting.
If your car has an engine that gets 0.5 horsepower per cubic inch, it may prove more "reliable" than one that gets 1.0 or greater hp/cu inch, the latter describing most Mercedes engines.
If your car has no electronic features, none will break down.
If your car company seldom tries anything new but instead just copies rather than leads, your car (?) may prove more reliable.
Is your car ever used as a Taxi?
If you can find a car that compares to a Mercedes, then you can compare "reliability."
For sure, BMWs are less "reliable." (Proactively replace your radiator, water pump and thermostat every 60K miles or risk your engine.)
Porsches may be a bit better than Mercedes.
Nothing much else really compares, does it?
If you've been installing the same lump of an engine for 50 years, it could possibly be "reliable" but it won't be interesting.
If your car has an engine that gets 0.5 horsepower per cubic inch, it may prove more "reliable" than one that gets 1.0 or greater hp/cu inch, the latter describing most Mercedes engines.
If your car has no electronic features, none will break down.
If your car company seldom tries anything new but instead just copies rather than leads, your car (?) may prove more reliable.
Is your car ever used as a Taxi?
If you can find a car that compares to a Mercedes, then you can compare "reliability."
For sure, BMWs are less "reliable." (Proactively replace your radiator, water pump and thermostat every 60K miles or risk your engine.)
Porsches may be a bit better than Mercedes.
Nothing much else really compares, does it?
Thread Starter
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I don't make recommendations based on reliability unless someone says it's very important to them. My general philosophy with this research is that the key thing is to provide actual repair rates, and not just red and black dots.
With actual repair rates, people can decide if a car's advantages outweigh whatever its repair rate might be, or vice-versa. Often the differences between cars are much smaller than people think they are.
The key thing is that each car buyer should be able to make this decision on their own, not have it made for them by someone who decides that any car with a below average repair rate (whatever the average might be) ought to be avoided.
TrueDelta's November results will finally include a Mercedes model, the 2007 GL-Class.
Vehicle reliability research
With actual repair rates, people can decide if a car's advantages outweigh whatever its repair rate might be, or vice-versa. Often the differences between cars are much smaller than people think they are.
The key thing is that each car buyer should be able to make this decision on their own, not have it made for them by someone who decides that any car with a below average repair rate (whatever the average might be) ought to be avoided.
TrueDelta's November results will finally include a Mercedes model, the 2007 GL-Class.
Vehicle reliability research
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Joined: Aug 2004
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From: USA
Multiple
I don't know where you get your data from. I've owned an E-Class Mercedes, a Lexus LS430 (still do) and a BMW 328i (still do) and I can tell you the Lexus and the BMW exceed the reliablility and dependibility of the Mercedes by a wide margin. My Mercedes spent more time in the garage being fixed than on the road.
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The purpose of this research is to help provide some readily comparable repair rates for these cars. Where I do have numbers, the differences tend to be what people expect them to be, but not as large as people expect them to be.
2003, 2005, 2006, and 2007 are now all over half way to the minimum number of enrolled cars needed to get started.
Auto reliability research -- need more E's!
2003, 2005, 2006, and 2007 are now all over half way to the minimum number of enrolled cars needed to get started.
Auto reliability research -- need more E's!
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Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Canyon Country, CA
08' E350 with P2 & AMG sports package, 03' BMW 325i
Have you owned a BMW?? I'm not sure where did you get that info. about replacing radiator, water pump and thermostat every 60K miles. I've never had that issue on mine nor past cars.
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I think some clear numbers will help take some of the emotion out of the subject. In general, repair rates are lower than most people expect.
Still not to the minimum with the E-Class, but getting closer.
Still not to the minimum with the E-Class, but getting closer.
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2003, 2005, 2006, and 2007 are now all over half way to the minimum. Definitely getting there, but not there yet.
Vehicle reliability research
Vehicle reliability research
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Youngtimer
Go to the MB Service department On a Monday around 3 PM & ask the service advisor how many E class cars are in the shop. There are virtually no '07s, a couple of '06s, some '05s, & a bunch of '03s & '04s. Ask how many of each have been there for a few days or more.
He will be most proud to tell you that there are virtually no '07s in the shop for anything other than a Lube Oil & Filter.
Hit a couple of dealers & do the same thing. (I did). Tell them you have an '08 on order & you want to see how well they have fixed the 211's problems. I t really appears to me that they have finally fixed the W211 E Class.
He will be most proud to tell you that there are virtually no '07s in the shop for anything other than a Lube Oil & Filter.
Hit a couple of dealers & do the same thing. (I did). Tell them you have an '08 on order & you want to see how well they have fixed the 211's problems. I t really appears to me that they have finally fixed the W211 E Class.
it could also mean that after about three years, they start becoming quite unreliable...
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Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Chicago Illinois
05 E500
I have had an 05 E500 for a year and only had an issue with alarm going off on its own. So far it has been a very reliable vehicle. I bought it with 22,000 and now it has 43,000 miles. I could not be more happy with the way this vehicle has performed. I hope it stays this way.
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Thanks for the responses, guys.
If we can get enough owners involved in the survey, TrueDelta can provide some actual numbers on repair rates for the E-Class. Closer, but not there yet.
Vehicle reliability research
If we can get enough owners involved in the survey, TrueDelta can provide some actual numbers on repair rates for the E-Class. Closer, but not there yet.
Vehicle reliability research
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Joined: Feb 2008
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E430 4Matic
For me, reliability goes beyond full-out breakdowns. It's the rattles that pop up out of nowhere, the way rubber trim pieces come loose and plastic frames discolor. It's the way climate control vents get stuck in place or the rear window drops all of a sudden when you're driving on the highway (extremely dangerous) or your radio turns itself on and off and fails to work after one hour. As for quality, it's how trim pieces don't align perfectly or the sunroof shade is not tight enough in its track so that it bounces and rattles when you hit bumps, it's how the paint is just a bit too thin and swirls much to easily. Or how the foglights are never out, but don't always work, especially in wet weather. Or how the shift lever becomes loose in its track. It's the ease with which the factory wheels dent over potholes, which by the way are transmitted far too easily. It's the rain sensing wipers that disagree with the rain, and then swing nonstop in a drizzle. It's the way the xenon lights just don't illuminate well, and allow the car behind you to cast shadows over your path. It's the rust that grows prematurely, and the windshield wiper that just isn't tight enough for the entire blade to fit the contour of the glass. It's the way the rubber radio knob falls apart (essentially melting) and the rubber coating rubs off the steering wheel buttons. It's how the seats are not in sync with the car and "float" separately. It's the fact that you have had to have your car fixed three times for the same problem-refusing to start (not turning over).
That is what quality and reliability are?
That is what quality and reliability are?
Thread Starter
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Good question. Does anyone even have a problem with rust?
Generally rust warranties only cover rust that's all the way through the panel, not just surface rust. This is very rare these days. So you'd think Mercedes could extend the warranty at very little cost to them.
Generally rust warranties only cover rust that's all the way through the panel, not just surface rust. This is very rare these days. So you'd think Mercedes could extend the warranty at very little cost to them.
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Joined: Nov 2007
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From: NY
'12 Mustang 5.0, '89 Supra Turbo, C55,
Go to Europe - plenty of MB taxis there:
In fact one noted he's seeing less and less MB taxis nowadays due to higher reliability issues of said car....
That statement says it all
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I've owned BMWs (including M's) and MBs. Frankly, all of them have been quite reliable for me - however comparing the two the BMWs have been slightly more reliable. I have had virtually zero issues with my M-Roadster and M3 except for replacing tires too often.
My W208 has had fuel gauge sensors go bad and MAF sensor go bad. Also, front steering shock absorber. In 86K miles that isn't bad -but is certainly no better than the BMW.
Though I'm not afraid of MB reliability (I'm about to take delivery of an '08 E350 next week) in no way do I believe that MB is superior to BMW, Lexus or Infinity in terms of quality and reliability. I'm buying the '08 E because I got a great deal and like driving the E.
My W208 has had fuel gauge sensors go bad and MAF sensor go bad. Also, front steering shock absorber. In 86K miles that isn't bad -but is certainly no better than the BMW.
Though I'm not afraid of MB reliability (I'm about to take delivery of an '08 E350 next week) in no way do I believe that MB is superior to BMW, Lexus or Infinity in terms of quality and reliability. I'm buying the '08 E because I got a great deal and like driving the E.
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It all depends on whether you focus on relative or absolute numbers.
Other sources only give you relative ratings. As a percentage of the average, many German cars continue to appear unreliable.
Even with my site, some people fixate on the relative difference between models. But I provide the actual repair rates for a reason: they make it clear that no cars these days are "in the shop all the time." Your experience sounds about average for a German car.
Unfortunately, still no result for the E-Class, as too few owners have signed up. But whenever E-Class owners decide they're ready for better reliability info on the car, I'll be here.
Maybe not too much longer. A few years are now within ten cars of the minimum sample size.
Vehicle reliability research
Other sources only give you relative ratings. As a percentage of the average, many German cars continue to appear unreliable.
Even with my site, some people fixate on the relative difference between models. But I provide the actual repair rates for a reason: they make it clear that no cars these days are "in the shop all the time." Your experience sounds about average for a German car.
Unfortunately, still no result for the E-Class, as too few owners have signed up. But whenever E-Class owners decide they're ready for better reliability info on the car, I'll be here.
Maybe not too much longer. A few years are now within ten cars of the minimum sample size.
Vehicle reliability research
Thread Starter
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We're now just a couple owners short with the 2008, and many other model years are about 2/3 of the way to the minimum. Getting there.
Results for about 120 other model/model year combinations in May.
To help get your model year included:
Vehicle reliability research
Results for about 120 other model/model year combinations in May.
To help get your model year included:
Vehicle reliability research
Thread Starter
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I've added the 2008 to the main survey.
The 2003, 2005, 2006, and 2007 are all about 2/3 of the way to the minimum. Getting close.
Help get your year included:
Vehicle reliability research
The 2003, 2005, 2006, and 2007 are all about 2/3 of the way to the minimum. Getting close.
Help get your year included:
Vehicle reliability research
Thread Starter
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Closer, but not there yet. Up to 160 for all years, compared to 218 for the 5-series and 225 for the A6.
Vehicle reliability research
Vehicle reliability research
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Now 177 for all years (compared to 233 for the 5 and 236 for the A6).
The 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008 are now all close to the minimum sample size.
Help get your year over the top:
Vehicle reliability research
The 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008 are now all close to the minimum sample size.
Help get your year over the top:
Vehicle reliability research
Thread Starter
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And now 192. The 2005 is now a single owner short of the minimum, and the 2003, 2006 and 2007 are all within five.
The 2008 is already in the survey, but more participants are needed for it as well.
To get your year into the results:
Vehicle reliability research
The 2008 is already in the survey, but more participants are needed for it as well.
To get your year into the results:
Vehicle reliability research
Thread Starter
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The 2005 has been added to the survey--but it's right at the minimum--while the 2003 is only three owners short and the 2007 is just four.
The latest results were recently posted for many other models--would like to get the E in future sets.
Those results:
Vehicle reliability survey results
The latest results were recently posted for many other models--would like to get the E in future sets.
Those results:
Vehicle reliability survey results
Thread Starter
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The next set of results will be in November. It's not clear if any model year of the E-Class will be included--it's going to be close, and a few more participants could make the difference. Some years of the 5-Series and A6 will be in this set.
To help get your year included:
Vehicle reliability research
To help get your year included:
Vehicle reliability research
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Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Chicago, Illinois
2006 E55 - obsidian black, all options except pano roof - gone but not forgotten
My 06 E55:
At 10k - new steering rack
At 12k - new battery
At 40k - left valve cover gasket leaked, needed replacement; trans bushing replaced at the same time
Lighter does not work
Thank god for warranty!!!
For comparo: My previous car, 1993 Mitsu diamante station wagon at 258k had only a problem with a drivers window switch
At 10k - new steering rack
At 12k - new battery
At 40k - left valve cover gasket leaked, needed replacement; trans bushing replaced at the same time
Lighter does not work
Thank god for warranty!!!
For comparo: My previous car, 1993 Mitsu diamante station wagon at 258k had only a problem with a drivers window switch
