Unhappy
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From: Toronto
Unhappy
I just returned from a 5200KM (3200 miles)trip to Florida and back. I was very unhappy with the perfomance of my new $82000 (Can) 03 E320.
Before I left the city I checked tire pressures.
All 4 tires were underinflated. (This was 2 days after I got my car back from problems with the steering wheel being off center.)
On the highway the front tires were vibrating/shimmying and of course the steering wheel was still off center. I found it difficult to keep the car from wandering all over the road.In Ft.Lauderdale I took the car in for wheel balancing and I was told that I needed wheel alignment as well.(This corrected the problem of the steering wheel being off center.)
2 days later the SRS malfunction light came on.
The same dealer checked the car and I was advised not to drive the car untill they got the new part FROM GERMANY !!!!! since nobody had one locally.(2-3 weeks).I managed to get the part by telephoning my dealer in Toronto who FEDExed the part to Florida. This was all during Christmas holidays. All in all, I never had problems like this with my Lexus and Nissan Maxima.
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2003 E320, Parktronic, Harmon Kardon Audio System, , Power Rear Sun Shade
multicontour active ventilated seats 4 zone heating /aircond. (standard)
Xenon/Headlamp Washer. Panoramic Roof
Before I left the city I checked tire pressures.
All 4 tires were underinflated. (This was 2 days after I got my car back from problems with the steering wheel being off center.)
On the highway the front tires were vibrating/shimmying and of course the steering wheel was still off center. I found it difficult to keep the car from wandering all over the road.In Ft.Lauderdale I took the car in for wheel balancing and I was told that I needed wheel alignment as well.(This corrected the problem of the steering wheel being off center.)
2 days later the SRS malfunction light came on.
The same dealer checked the car and I was advised not to drive the car untill they got the new part FROM GERMANY !!!!! since nobody had one locally.(2-3 weeks).I managed to get the part by telephoning my dealer in Toronto who FEDExed the part to Florida. This was all during Christmas holidays. All in all, I never had problems like this with my Lexus and Nissan Maxima.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2003 E320, Parktronic, Harmon Kardon Audio System, , Power Rear Sun Shade
multicontour active ventilated seats 4 zone heating /aircond. (standard)
Xenon/Headlamp Washer. Panoramic Roof
Member
Joined: May 2002
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Japanese cars are most definitely more reliable - without question. Nobody here buys a Benz or any other European car for 'trouble free ownership'. We buy them for technological prowress and innovation, build quality, ride, handling, engine, and feel. Japanese cars are predictable and almost trouble free, but their performance is often also predictable and not inspired...
Everybody has a choice, but going into a European car thinking it will be as reliable as your Japanese cars is just not smart. I've owned both, and once I went European, I never went back...
_________________________________
'01 Porsche Boxster S - seal gray/graphite/graphite, 18" turbo look wheels, CD, comfort package, sport package
'02 Audi A6 Avant - silver/black (wife's car - familymobile), loaded
'03 E500 - brilliant silver/charcoal, sport, drive dynamic, active ventilated, CD changer, split seat, rear power sunshade - IF I EVER GET IT!!!!! (still on the port, supposedly)
Everybody has a choice, but going into a European car thinking it will be as reliable as your Japanese cars is just not smart. I've owned both, and once I went European, I never went back...
_________________________________
'01 Porsche Boxster S - seal gray/graphite/graphite, 18" turbo look wheels, CD, comfort package, sport package
'02 Audi A6 Avant - silver/black (wife's car - familymobile), loaded
'03 E500 - brilliant silver/charcoal, sport, drive dynamic, active ventilated, CD changer, split seat, rear power sunshade - IF I EVER GET IT!!!!! (still on the port, supposedly)
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 2,677
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From: California
i535
I do not think that it's a good excuse for MB doing cars with so ridiculous problems. Wheels balance has no any relation to high technology used in the car. I noticed aprox 50% posts like, I bought Merc and had all time problems, but never with Lexus and another 50% like I bought Lexus and had problems all time, so replaced by Merc and all problems gone. My friend with Nissan Maxima all time complains about different problems with it. Another friend bought Lexus after reading reviews how it's reliable and unhappy now. I owned couple domestic cars and never had a problem. So, I think any car can good or bad regardless a maker. In any case, MB should do something with quality issues, otherwise people will buy M45 or GS430. Actually I'm very interested in not biased comparision E500 and M45 in terms of performance, handling, luxury, and reliability.
Last edited by Dema; Jan 6, 2003 at 04:25 AM.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: Florida
2012 CLS63
I think it is strange for anyone to expect an MB automobile to be not as reliable as a Japanese car. For the cost, an MB should be trouble free. I only took my E 2000 to the dealer for tire changes and scheduled maintance. The new E does seem to be having too many problems.
Member
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 143
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From: Chandler, AZ
Nissan Sentra
I own an ML, Hyundai's got nothing on me. The car is at the dealer, they keep calling me to pick it up but I figure just leave it there, it will break again eventually. Besides, its easier to park my Japanese cars in the garage when the Benz is gone.
Member
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 182
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From: Washington, DC
2004 E 4matic StationWagon
Endless Problems
For those who have been following my tale of woe, today's failure is the now well documented radio/cd failure. It's dead as a doorknob, so my 4 month old car with almost exactly 3000 miles goes back to the shop for the fourth time.
To those who say that new model car buyers should expect some problems, I say it is ridiculous that the radio doesn't work.
To those who say that new model car buyers should expect some problems, I say it is ridiculous that the radio doesn't work.
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Joined: Oct 2002
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From: California
E500
Radio Problem
I had the same radio problem a couple of days ago. Yesterday, I brought my car in for the dealership to install the wood-leather steering wheel and I told them about the radio. Here is the info that my service advisor told me:
1. Mercedes Benz issued a technical bulletin about the radio problem. MB at this time does not have the correct solution for it yet. They are still working on it.
2. I guess about 1 month ago, MB told dealership to replace the radio control unit. But this does not solve the problem. So, MB told the dealers to wait for the solutions.
The radio in my car suddenly blacks out and after about 10 seconds or a little longer, it starts to come back again. So far, today I have not encounter the problem.
1. Mercedes Benz issued a technical bulletin about the radio problem. MB at this time does not have the correct solution for it yet. They are still working on it.
2. I guess about 1 month ago, MB told dealership to replace the radio control unit. But this does not solve the problem. So, MB told the dealers to wait for the solutions.
The radio in my car suddenly blacks out and after about 10 seconds or a little longer, it starts to come back again. So far, today I have not encounter the problem.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Washington State
E-500
I sounds like the best advice would be to let your service advisor know if and when you have the radio problem...probably also have to let him know about the service memo. Then keep on top of it until MB issues a fix.
If you have ordered the Navigation, the Nav module replaces the Radio module and (fingers crossed) the problem should no longer occur.
Ed
If you have ordered the Navigation, the Nav module replaces the Radio module and (fingers crossed) the problem should no longer occur.
Ed
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Joined: May 2002
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From: GA
'06 Lexus GS300 RWD, '07 Camry SE V6 auto, '91 190E 2.6 auto
Once again you early adopter guinea pigs complain. I must laugh 
One day you'll learn to never buy the first year production of a car that is basically a rolling computer. I wouldn't be surprised if the car's computer runs on a Microsoft program!
One day you'll learn to never buy the first year production of a car that is basically a rolling computer. I wouldn't be surprised if the car's computer runs on a Microsoft program!
Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 136
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From: Bal Harbour, FL
E500W '03, Porsche Cayman S '06
Trolling?
If we all waited until the second year of production, there would be no car company left for anyone to complain about.
Hey let's do that, we'll all wait until the second year of production to buy and see what happens.
Hey let's do that, we'll all wait until the second year of production to buy and see what happens.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 3,690
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From: Washington State
E-500
Geez...I guesss I will never understand why someone like Jim Banville would spend so much time on the 2003 E-Series Forum.
He does not own the car. (he says it is because it is not good enough for him yet
)
He says he is not going to buy the car.
He continues to post crap about the car and anyone stupid enougth to buy one.
What pleasure do people like this get from this type of behaviour?
Why would he even bother to open this site? Why not post on a site where he is interested? In short Jim....get a life.
Ed
He does not own the car. (he says it is because it is not good enough for him yet
) He says he is not going to buy the car.
He continues to post crap about the car and anyone stupid enougth to buy one.
What pleasure do people like this get from this type of behaviour?
Why would he even bother to open this site? Why not post on a site where he is interested? In short Jim....get a life.
Ed
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Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,065
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From: Florida
2002 CLK 55 AMG Coupe ;)
Originally posted by Jim Banville
Once again you early adopter guinea pigs complain. I must laugh One day you'll learn to never buy the first year production of a car that is basically a rolling computer. I wouldn't be surprised if the car's computer runs on a Microsoft program!
Once again you early adopter guinea pigs complain. I must laugh
One day you'll learn to never buy the first year production of a car that is basically a rolling computer. I wouldn't be surprised if the car's computer runs on a Microsoft program!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 2,677
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From: California
i535
Re: Trolling?
Originally posted by jabo
If we all waited until the second year of production, there would be no car company left for anyone to complain about.
Hey let's do that, we'll all wait until the second year of production to buy and see what happens.
If we all waited until the second year of production, there would be no car company left for anyone to complain about.
Hey let's do that, we'll all wait until the second year of production to buy and see what happens.
Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 136
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From: Bal Harbour, FL
E500W '03, Porsche Cayman S '06
Dema is right
You may have noticed that my earlier post was a bit sarcastic.
I was trying to ridicule the poster who keeps bashing those who are buying first year autos.
The same one who doesn't even own an E.
I believe that all the problems mentioned by everyone on the forums for the new E W211 are solvable, it is only a question of getting to know your service manager and giving them an opportunity to become more familiar with this new model year.
Granted, some have what appear to be more serious problems.
Regardless, this forum allows many to become aware of problems, perceived or real, and allows a potential buyer to be better informed prior to purchase.
Complaints heard here aren't whining.
Frankly if there were no complaints, there would be no service bulletins, and no one would know if they were the only one to face a problem, and have to argue with service/MB/anyone.
Thankfully, people are vocal about their problems and we can all use what we discover here to more easily talk to those who can solve the problems.
I was trying to ridicule the poster who keeps bashing those who are buying first year autos.
The same one who doesn't even own an E.
I believe that all the problems mentioned by everyone on the forums for the new E W211 are solvable, it is only a question of getting to know your service manager and giving them an opportunity to become more familiar with this new model year.
Granted, some have what appear to be more serious problems.
Regardless, this forum allows many to become aware of problems, perceived or real, and allows a potential buyer to be better informed prior to purchase.
Complaints heard here aren't whining.
Frankly if there were no complaints, there would be no service bulletins, and no one would know if they were the only one to face a problem, and have to argue with service/MB/anyone.
Thankfully, people are vocal about their problems and we can all use what we discover here to more easily talk to those who can solve the problems.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 454
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From: NC
'03 Mercedes E320
jabo--good post.
Some of the posters here were the folks with the earliest US production cars, and it seems there were one or two early common problems posted by several that have mostly been resolved. Problems like air pressure in the tires and the dealer (and VPC) failing to notice an alignment problem/pull are delivery issues that should not happen but, unfortunately, do. That's the dealer dropping the ball.
I'd gladly trade a few extra miles on the car when I get it to know that my tech and salesman really checked the car, and noticed those things that I'd see or feel on the ride home--in my book, the worst time to find a problem.
I have had nothing but the best experience with my dealer on 3 cars and when you feel like your dealer and that service team leader care about your problem, your whole perspective changes.
Some of the posters here were the folks with the earliest US production cars, and it seems there were one or two early common problems posted by several that have mostly been resolved. Problems like air pressure in the tires and the dealer (and VPC) failing to notice an alignment problem/pull are delivery issues that should not happen but, unfortunately, do. That's the dealer dropping the ball.
I'd gladly trade a few extra miles on the car when I get it to know that my tech and salesman really checked the car, and noticed those things that I'd see or feel on the ride home--in my book, the worst time to find a problem.
I have had nothing but the best experience with my dealer on 3 cars and when you feel like your dealer and that service team leader care about your problem, your whole perspective changes.
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,823
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From: GA
'06 Lexus GS300 RWD, '07 Camry SE V6 auto, '91 190E 2.6 auto
I was trying to ridicule the poster who keeps bashing those who are buying first year autos.
And let's get something straight- I certainly hope you don't confine your opinions and ideas to those things you actually have personal ownership of or experience with. I'm not a Family & Child Service worker in NJ, but I can see that their policies that allow children to be killed are NEGLIGENT! I don't work for NASA, but I could see they were NEGLIGENT in addressing known problems with the O-rings in the SRB's on the Space Shuttle. I don't work for the FBI or CIA, but I can see they were NEGLIGENT in sharing info on known terrorists and terrorist plots prior to 9/11. I'm guessing you are not affiliated with any of the above mentioned organizations so you should therefore not have any opinions in these matters, correct?
Last edited by Jim Banville; Jan 10, 2003 at 10:37 AM.
Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 136
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From: Bal Harbour, FL
E500W '03, Porsche Cayman S '06
OK Jim
Jim,
Didn't want to start a rant here, but:
When was the last time you were at Quantico or visited at Langley.
Did you tell them what you thought?
The folks at JPL and Huntsville are waiting for your $.02 so they can get on with the program.
What I'm saying here is this, your post seems a little trite considering you're only using it to ridicule people who have issues with their cars.
This is a forum for people to with an interest in the E and seeing it fixed.
I believe it serves no one to have others with no actual interest in an E mocking those who do.
It's more than likely to irritate those who are already very frustrated.
There is another word for that kind of behavior in a forum.
Didn't want to start a rant here, but:
When was the last time you were at Quantico or visited at Langley.
Did you tell them what you thought?
The folks at JPL and Huntsville are waiting for your $.02 so they can get on with the program.
What I'm saying here is this, your post seems a little trite considering you're only using it to ridicule people who have issues with their cars.
This is a forum for people to with an interest in the E and seeing it fixed.
I believe it serves no one to have others with no actual interest in an E mocking those who do.
It's more than likely to irritate those who are already very frustrated.
There is another word for that kind of behavior in a forum.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 3,690
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From: Washington State
E-500
Jim Banville...
I still fail to understand your motives. If anyone seaches back thru all of your posts on this forum they will see that the constant theme is bashing the W211 and the morons who buy them. The quote below is just the latest in this thread...
".....Once again you early adopter guinea pigs complain. I must laugh One day you'll learn to never buy the first year production of a car that is basically a rolling computer. I wouldn't be surprised if the car's computer runs on a Microsoft program!...."
Quote from Jim Banville
There are very few people on this forum who would not buy the car again. What you are hearing here are people telling about problems they have encountered and giving other people an opportunity to watch for them and get them corrected. It is not complaining or whining.
Many of the issues here have to do with Dealers, salesmen, and service departments. Wouldn't make any difference if you had a "Wonderful C-240" or an 2003 E-series.
If you truly believe that the C-240 is a better car than the E-320 or E-500 then you should go to the C-class forum and extoll the virtues of your perfect car.
A short time ago you were on this board trying to convince us that the G-35 was a comparable car to the E-Series.
I still fail to understand your motives. If anyone seaches back thru all of your posts on this forum they will see that the constant theme is bashing the W211 and the morons who buy them. The quote below is just the latest in this thread...
".....Once again you early adopter guinea pigs complain. I must laugh One day you'll learn to never buy the first year production of a car that is basically a rolling computer. I wouldn't be surprised if the car's computer runs on a Microsoft program!...."
Quote from Jim Banville
There are very few people on this forum who would not buy the car again. What you are hearing here are people telling about problems they have encountered and giving other people an opportunity to watch for them and get them corrected. It is not complaining or whining.
Many of the issues here have to do with Dealers, salesmen, and service departments. Wouldn't make any difference if you had a "Wonderful C-240" or an 2003 E-series.
If you truly believe that the C-240 is a better car than the E-320 or E-500 then you should go to the C-class forum and extoll the virtues of your perfect car.
A short time ago you were on this board trying to convince us that the G-35 was a comparable car to the E-Series.
Last edited by etenn; Jan 10, 2003 at 11:01 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 6,753
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From: South Orange Co., CA
'03 W211 aka E-500
Ahhh
Ahhh, I wish that I too had the luxury and the audacity to sit back in my easy chair and play a nice game of Monday morning quarterback.
Anyone wanna flip for sides?
EDJ
Anyone wanna flip for sides?
EDJ
