ViperGTS64

I'm looking to purchase a 2007 E350 4matic. Does anyone own one of these that either loves it or hates it. I'm very much drawn to the looks of the car, but Consumer Reports is rating it as one of those cars to avoid. I don't want to get it if it's going to turn into a money pit.

LaicepsYdobon

I have one. The car is rock solid. Never had an issue with it and the only time it has been to the dealer is for the scheduled maintenance. Highly recommended...

Polar Bear

Consumer Reports only recommends Japanese cars. Car enthusiasts recommend German cars.

sosh

Have had 2 4 Matic E's and 3 ML's (same system) never had an issue nor have I heard of anyone having an issue. They work great and its my contention that the cars ride better with 4 Matic than RWD. Like its on rails!

KL2DC

where did you get that from?

I just bought a 2007 E350 4matic and have been happy with the mechanical aspects of the car. Visits to the dealership have been to address minor items like a blown speaker and the such. The main bits of the car have been rock solid thus far.

E3504matic

Mine has been perfect. Only problems I've had was a cracked driver's side mirror and a broken floor mat clip. Both were fixed under warranty.

RRohrbeck

+1

only a couple of minor problems in a 18 months.

ViperGTS64

I'm glad to hear this. I think i can fetch a great deal to boot. I think the most emphasist of poor reliability was placed on the stereo system and the transmission. The transmission part worried me, but it seems like for the most part you guys are happy with it.

ViperGTS64

Just out of curiousity and piece of mind, what minor problems did you have?

ViperGTS64

Someone else said that to me too, but they did rate BMWs pretty high.

LaicepsYdobon

I'm not trying to start a war here and BMWs are very nice cars too but unfortunately every BMW owner I know complains to me about the more than average number of problems they have with their car. Some are pretty severe but most of them are just annoying little things. I never really understood why consumer reports rates them so high.

rieger

Just don't get anything pre 07. They updated the E-class in 07 and I think/hope they got rid of the problems in the E-class cars that were manufactured in 03-06.
Looks like the only complaints in the 07 cars is the quirky downshift in the 07 cars that people complain about in the forums. I myself have the 5speed so can't speak about it from experience, but have read about it.

steveberde

I've had three E cars and have had few issues with any of them - current car 500 4matic 06 - since you're going to have a car still in warranty I would not give it a second thought - The few issues have all been fixed under warranty or under recall - MB has always stood behind their cars - having owned three BMW's in my earlier life I can only say I would never buy another one or for that matter one of their motorcycles either -

Steve

rieger

Good for you that your E-class runs great but the fact of the matter is that 03-06 E-class cars are one of the most unreliable MB's probably ever created. Take a look at the TSB and recalls on these cars,but warning don't print it out it would take a whole forest of trees!
Almost all of the major components on the E-class either have a recall or a major TSB ( ie. glycol contamination).
I can probably bet you that the 5 series TSB/recall list is shorter. I am not trying to put the E-class down here but I am just trying to be honest that the E-class has it's problems and some are major like the SBC failure that some have complained about here in the forums.
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...e-failure.html

ViperGTS64

The SBC failure sounds like a serious problem. Just by that thread alone it seems like its worse than buying a ford. Surprised that MB would produce a car with this type of problem. Other than it being real dangerous its like driving your car and having the wheels fall off, it just seems cheaply made. So what is the downshift problem? Is it a definite that the '07 is clean of the problems found in the '03-'06?

rieger

My car was a 03 and it basically had all the problems possible like failed radiator, transmission, torque converter, Airmatic shocks (3 of 4), control arms, bushings, AC blower, engine mounts, and a few other things. All this and even though as much as I hate MB and I said I wouldn't buy another one, I would consider the 07 because firstly it is a beautiful design interior and exterior unlike the 5 series, also a used 07 MB E-class run 10k cheaper than a 07 5 series in Canada.
With the 07 upgrades I am sure they have gotten rid of the problems since most are major problems and when they repaired my vehicle they told me that the parts was redesigned . The only one I am not sure they got rid of is the shocks. I think the airmatic shocks are not as reliable as the regular gas shocks but this is a trade off to the luxury ride. In Canada the airmatic is only available on E550 so not sure for the States.
With the downshift stutter /rough this was the complaint by 7 speed automatic transmissions across the whole line and some have indicated it was fixed by a valve body repair/upgrade while others have said it didn't work and the transmission had to be switched out for a new one so you may want to do a google/mbworld search on this topic.

Barry45RPM

I had an '04 and then got an '07 instead. I can tell you... The '07 is NOT the same car. It has been 100% a joy to own and drive.... it is NOT the same car. It IS Rock Solid.

rieger

That is great to hear because I am considering a E550 07 or 08 sometime later this year when the clearout begins for the arrival of the new E. This works perfectly for me since I don't like the 2010 E.
Either that or what for the new 5 depending if BMW wants to put quality back into the interior and getting rid of the Bangle look.

LaicepsYdobon

Supposedly; the new 5 photos will be "leaked" towards the end of this year and officially announced in March of 2010. Make sure you calculate that into your new car purchase plan.

RRohrbeck

Had a sender unit leaking oil and the speaker that sets in the drivers side window came loose.

Also had a couple of items, broken vanity mirror and a problem with speaker vibration, that should have been caught in pre delivery by the dealer but weren't.

This is my wife's car and she was just saying last night she has been very happy with it.

Barry45RPM

...as I said. Rock Solid. You'll love the E550. A perfect blend of style, comfort, and performance.

novae500

well i recently bought an 06 E500 4matic and have a extended warranty thru 2013. Hope i don't run into the major problems that others have run into

sosh

What major problems?? Have had my 05 4M 4 years now and not one issue. I like the SBC braking and was sorry it was discontinued. Re SBC, if the TSB's are complied with there will be no SBC problems. There is also a back up braking system that still allows the car to be brakes if it does fail although lots od pedal pressure is required like having no power brakes.

rieger

The SBC brakes are garbage. The idea was good with independent wheel braking etc. but the execution was just bad. First off the pump creates too much noise. If I was an MB tester this already wouldn't have passed the test. Who wants to drive around friends/customers and have them ask all the time what is that noise in a luxury car.
Second if it was such a good system then why would MB just abandon it if it doesn't have some kind of fault to it, they would just refine it but obviously it is a flawed system or atleast execution.

novae500

from what i have read, the SBC brakes, airmatic leaks. Do i need to take my car in for the TSB on the SBC?