Interesting Development
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Member
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 182
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From: Washington, DC
2004 E 4matic StationWagon
Interesting Development
I spoke with my service manager yesterday (the SRS light on my E320 began coming on intermittently), and he encouraged me to bring my car in yesterday so that the "design team" sent out from MB headquarters could look at the car along with other E's in for various service problems. My manager seemed to be hinting that there were some serious concerns that HQ wanted to address.
Now, I read this board and others regularly, and I haven't seen anything horrible yet. Any ideas on what the team could be working on?
Also, not wanting to loose an opportunity to give my 2 cents, I left my manager a list of all the little issues I've seen raised on this board (from loud airconditioning, loud wipers, lack of illuminated headlamp switch, car pulling to the right, etc).
Any thoughts? Anyone else heard of this?
Now, I read this board and others regularly, and I haven't seen anything horrible yet. Any ideas on what the team could be working on?
Also, not wanting to loose an opportunity to give my 2 cents, I left my manager a list of all the little issues I've seen raised on this board (from loud airconditioning, loud wipers, lack of illuminated headlamp switch, car pulling to the right, etc).
Any thoughts? Anyone else heard of this?
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 296
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From: New York
2003 E500
On the other hand it could be thorough post-launch followup. Having design engineers come out into the field and see what issues are occurring in real life helps them make more maintainable products in the future.
Often in complex systems there are maintenance mockups made as the system (car, aircraft, etc) is being developed, both to work out the problems in manufacturing (hey, how do we plug the XYZ into the engine compartment after the hood is attached - there's no room) and in support/maintenance (hey, why do I have to drop the engine out of the vehicle to change the sparkplugs?)
Rather than assume the apocalypse is upon us :-) we should consider that this might just be the sort of routine post-launch field trip that helps MB improve the vehicles in the 2nd year, 3d, and in the W211+X chassis.
On the other hand, maybe it is a crisis and its time to stock up on canned goods and move to the mountains :-)
Often in complex systems there are maintenance mockups made as the system (car, aircraft, etc) is being developed, both to work out the problems in manufacturing (hey, how do we plug the XYZ into the engine compartment after the hood is attached - there's no room) and in support/maintenance (hey, why do I have to drop the engine out of the vehicle to change the sparkplugs?)
Rather than assume the apocalypse is upon us :-) we should consider that this might just be the sort of routine post-launch field trip that helps MB improve the vehicles in the 2nd year, 3d, and in the W211+X chassis.
On the other hand, maybe it is a crisis and its time to stock up on canned goods and move to the mountains :-)
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 454
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From: NC
'03 Mercedes E320
E "Design Team"
I suppose it could be any number of launch team folks, techs, or zone people. It's nice if they do go visit the front line folks after a model launch. Since Washington is a zone office I expect the area dealers are a focus for visiting HQ teams. However, I'll report my "survey of one" of my dealer's MB Master Guild Technician: he told me that the new E's have been arriving with the fewest problems of any model launch he's seen in years. I had an SRS error that was quickly resolved with some manual programming, and I was a rarity in having any repeatable problem. I have a 320, so I can't speculate if he was referring to all E's or just 6 cylinders.
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Joined: Aug 2002
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SRS Light
When I went to take delivery of my E320, the SRS light came on a few times while the sales guy was showing me the features. He wouldn't let me take it home because of the possible saftey concern (so he gave me a E500 for the weekend!!!). Anway, they said the problem was a faulty "Gateway". After replacing it, the car is running fine. Problem was that the gateway is VIN specific so it had to be ordered, they couldn't pull it from another car. Keep this in mind when dealing with the service guys. Mine would have the SRS light come one and the air suspension switch wouldn't do anything. There may have been other symptoms, but those where enough for them to be concerned.
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Washington, DC
2004 E 4matic StationWagon
Curiosity
Out of curiosity, rrubino, what part of the country are you in? Here in Alexandria, VA, USA, the best loaner I have ever gotten is a dirty old Camry that didn't even have a cassette player.
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Almost a Member!
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 53
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From: New Jersey
2003 E320 Obs Black/Ash
Re: Interesting Development
Originally posted by KShortill
I spoke with my service manager yesterday (the SRS light on my E320 began coming on intermittently), and he encouraged me to bring my car in yesterday so that the "design team" sent out from MB headquarters could look at the car along with other E's in for various service problems. My manager seemed to be hinting that there were some serious concerns that HQ wanted to address.
Now, I read this board and others regularly, and I haven't seen anything horrible yet. Any ideas on what the team could be working on?
Also, not wanting to loose an opportunity to give my 2 cents, I left my manager a list of all the little issues I've seen raised on this board (from loud airconditioning, loud wipers, lack of illuminated headlamp switch, car pulling to the right, etc).
Any thoughts? Anyone else heard of this?
I spoke with my service manager yesterday (the SRS light on my E320 began coming on intermittently), and he encouraged me to bring my car in yesterday so that the "design team" sent out from MB headquarters could look at the car along with other E's in for various service problems. My manager seemed to be hinting that there were some serious concerns that HQ wanted to address.
Now, I read this board and others regularly, and I haven't seen anything horrible yet. Any ideas on what the team could be working on?
Also, not wanting to loose an opportunity to give my 2 cents, I left my manager a list of all the little issues I've seen raised on this board (from loud airconditioning, loud wipers, lack of illuminated headlamp switch, car pulling to the right, etc).
Any thoughts? Anyone else heard of this?
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 454
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From: NC
'03 Mercedes E320
Brake sound
I believe the pump-type sound you hear is the Sensotronic brakes maintaining circuit pressure. It was described earlier on one of the forums on the new E Class by a poster who had consulted his dealer. The sound on mine occurs occasionally even when the engine is off, as I'm entering the car.
Almost a Member!
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From: New Jersey
2003 E320 Obs Black/Ash
Originally posted by bmms8
yea we hear the same sound, the dealer said it was the sbc brakes,m and it was normal
yea we hear the same sound, the dealer said it was the sbc brakes,m and it was normal
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Joined: Aug 2002
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From: So. FL
2003 SL Launch Edition, 2003 E500 Pewter/Stone
We have the same sound on both our '03 SL500 and '03 E500 and I have assumed it is the brake system or suspension system because it sounds like an air pump or hydraulic pump. I don't hear it while the car is running. As Jim256 indicates, I hear it after opening the door to enter the car.
Jeff
Jeff
Almost a Member!
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KShortill,
I'm in Northern NJ. I dealt with Prestige Mercedes. They are known for their quality support and sales experience. Although with that comes a minimal amount of negotiation and discounts. Nonetheless, I would definately buy from them again.
Rob
I'm in Northern NJ. I dealt with Prestige Mercedes. They are known for their quality support and sales experience. Although with that comes a minimal amount of negotiation and discounts. Nonetheless, I would definately buy from them again.
Rob
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Washington, DC
2004 E 4matic StationWagon
Thanks
Thanks, rrubino. I'm from North Jersey originally, so I should have thought of them.
The reason I'm leaving my dealer is that when I went to buy the E320 I ordered, they wanted to give me 6 grand less than they had agreed to give me on my trade in. It took almost 3 hours to negotiate back to where our original agreement was. Frankly, I didn't like it one bit. Horse trading is not my style.
The reason I'm leaving my dealer is that when I went to buy the E320 I ordered, they wanted to give me 6 grand less than they had agreed to give me on my trade in. It took almost 3 hours to negotiate back to where our original agreement was. Frankly, I didn't like it one bit. Horse trading is not my style.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 182
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From: Washington, DC
2004 E 4matic StationWagon
Sad News
Well, three days later, I still don't have my car back. Apparently the part needed to fix the SRS problem needs to come from Germany. The dealership "hopes" to have my car fixed by Monday night. Ugh. And no loaner to boot. :-(
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 924
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From: Northern VA
2003 MB E500
Re: Sad News
Originally posted by KShortill
Well, three days later, I still don't have my car back. Apparently the part needed to fix the SRS problem needs to come from Germany. The dealership "hopes" to have my car fixed by Monday night. Ugh. And no loaner to boot. :-(
Well, three days later, I still don't have my car back. Apparently the part needed to fix the SRS problem needs to come from Germany. The dealership "hopes" to have my car fixed by Monday night. Ugh. And no loaner to boot. :-(
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 182
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From: Washington, DC
2004 E 4matic StationWagon
Frankly
Frankly, I'm tired of asking for a loaner and being given a coupon for a Camry from the Enterprise rent-a-car next door to the dealership.
Do you know if any of our local (D.C., Va.) dealerships still give MBs as loaners?
Do you know if any of our local (D.C., Va.) dealerships still give MBs as loaners?
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 524
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From: So. FL
2003 SL Launch Edition, 2003 E500 Pewter/Stone
Actually, having a Camry for a loaner might make the return of your car that much sweeter. Now, if they would provide a new SL55, that would be worth taking the risk of disappointment upon the return of my car!!!! But, not to worry of that.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 182
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From: Washington, DC
2004 E 4matic StationWagon
Still No Car
For those who are following my tale of woe, today is day 6 without my brand new E320 and I still can't pick up my car because there are apparently no replacement SRS parts in the US. Any suggestions from fellow readers?
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Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Oakville, Ont., Canada
2009 ML320 CDi Bluetec
same sound
We have the same sound on both our '03 SL500 and '03 E500 and I have assumed it is the brake system or suspension system because it sounds like an air pump or hydraulic pump. I don't hear it while the car is running. As Jim256 indicates, I hear it after opening the door to enter the car.Jeff
Anyone else confirm that?
Mike
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Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 5,110
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From: SoCal
MB
well if you release the gas, two things happen, you car slws very quickly, and the brakes get close to eachother, so they are vrey rdy to brake, i was driving yesterday, and i was going uphill around 55, and released the gas, and the car went immediatly to 40, we were also going uphill, but you get the point, the car is very fast though
