Gunnar

This has not been a topic in a while. I also would like to know if it has been hell on the pocketbook?

My 2003 E 320 won't win the mileage race at 94,800 but I do have a good repair list.

Here is my full repair and maintenance log:

11/3/04 10,869 Mobil One Synthetic 0w-40
12/24/05 19,660 Merc-Benz Synthetic 5w-40
5/3/06 26,000 Mobil One Synthetic 0w-40 and filter,change brake fluid, replace rear brake pads
Warranty work: SBC wiring harness, Battery control unit, voltage regulator
8/11/06 30,580 Warranty: LFT Strut air suspension assembly replace ,front axle carrier bolt
9/8/06 31,375 Mobil One Synthetic 5w-40 and filter
2/13/07 37,228 Mobil One Synthetic 5w-40 Front Brake Pads and Sensor replaced, air filter
Warranty work: Transmission leak repair, replace guide bushings, perform shift adaptations
Replaced all motor mounts and transmission mounts, electrohydraulic control unit
Replaced transmission gaskets
3/28/07 38,430 Warranty: RT Strut air suspension assembly replace
8/8/07 44,022 Mobil One Synthetic 5w-40
3/5/08 49,764 2 Lower ball joints
6/6/08 53,857 Mobil One Synthetic 5w-40
10/9/08 56,710 2 Front control arms, interior clean, state inspection
10/18/08 56,809 Replaced power steering pump, balance 4 tires and alignment
12/11/08 58,059 Mobil One Synthetic 5w-30
10/20/09 65,351 Mobil One Synthetic 5w-30, replaced front brakes and rotors, check battery charge
10/4/10 73,592 Mobil One Synthetic 5w-30
12/23/10 78,276 Replaced brake accumulator and brake fluid
2/21/11 79,767 Mobil One Synthetic 5w-30
Replaced left lower ball joint and left steeringrod end, repair transmission leak (gasket and plug adaptor)
3/15/11 80,400 Replaced rear air suspension (BIG MONEY)
10/15/11 89,000 Synthetic oil and filter change, cabin and air filters replaced
11/1/11 89,500 New right rear tire due to flat and 4 wheel alignment. Jeffreys got it right, NAPA was way off on alignment
11/15/11 91,000 Brake sensor replacement - Brake warning came on
1/3/12 93,000 Cruise control stalk repaired- trouble shooting difficulty. Throttle body cleaned and replaced intake o-ring
2/4/12 93,890 Replaced RR tire

jcat

Simple. Don't beat the car, get it serviced when you're supposed to, and don't use low quality parts. E cars are renowned for being extremely reliable, particularly the 210 chassis but also many later model 211s, with just regular maintenance. It's not uncommon to see 500 engines go 200k+, or 210 chassis cars with 200k+ miles on them with original everything minus maybe batteries and bulbs.

jbec.keane

I do not have such a detailed maintenance list available although since I have all of my service records, I could put one together.

My 2003 E320 has 285K miles on it. I am the original owner, purchasing the car in February of 2003.

Until very recently, I have had all of my service done by the dealer. The timing of fluid flushes and other maintenance has followed the manufacturer's specifications.

Just recently, I have used an independent for service. He is a former MB service technician and had worked on my car in the past. The only unusual service in the past 285K miles has been two sets of motor mounts and I had to replace one catalytic convertor.

I am very happy with performance and service history of the car. It is not cheap to service, but I have 125K more miles on this car than any other car I've ever owned. I do intend to purchase a new E-class in the next year or two.

John

Gunnar

wow 285,000, that is awesome. From reading through the forum I would believe this is very rare. Searching Auto-trader shows lots of E classes go over 200,000 miles. Of course people usually only post bad stuff.
Any car will go any amount of miles, just depends on the amount of money you want to throw into it.

Have any pictures?

Gunnar

oh, forgot to mention. I take all my maintenance receipts and added them to an excel document for every car I own. Really makes tracking car expenses easy. The only effort is setting it up on an older car. New car is really simple. My columns are date, mileage, service, cost and provider. On another tab I have future repairs and service.

Yep, I'm a nerd that likes financial forecasting.

jbec.keane

It looks like all of my old pictures on the forum have been deleted with the exception of the pictures after I hit a deer. See https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...-goodness.html

I have nothing but good things to say about the car overall. Maintenance is not cheap, but even now it drives and handles great.

John

vettdvr

Yours looks very much like my list at 117,800, and I haven't BEAT if!. I found the 2003 E500 to have what I would call systemic design failures.

SBC brake system..........Total failure and replacement

Airmatic Suspension .......Air Springs, Front Struts, rear shocks

Transmission...................Leaks...(this doesn't include radiator/transmission Failure)

Steering........................Premature ball joint failures

IF the car had conventional springs, vac booster for brakes, and Upgraded ball joints I probably would have been ok with buying another. But to keep my trust you must sell me a reliable car. Many have said 1st yr issue, My answer nuts, ,MB has been around for over 100 yrs and claim to fame is reliability. Given I didn't get the reliability I expected in a $65,000+ car I have a hard time plunking another $65,000 to replace it. I'll fly my plane before I buy another MB with this reliability for X country driving.

No this isn't bashing the car only stating, "just the facts Mam, just the facts".

Efivehundred

Which independent do you use for service?

jbec.keane

Red Line Speed Worx, LLP
176 Jefferson St.
Washington, NJ 07882

Ask for JR. Just a few minutes from my house.

John Keane

Efivehundred

Thanks! I'm in Mt Olive so it's not too far from me.

Gunnar

Any one else in the high mile club?

Dexion

122,800 miles on mine,

I have to do front shocks, voltage regulator, tranny flush, motor mounts, thats pretty much for the out-of-the-norm stuff. SBC Failure/Replacement
Ball joints, arms etc.

Taylor-Made'90

My E5-hunnert's got 178k on it, and it's sitting in my garage.... My rear bags are leaking, making it drive like a low-rider... I'm scratching my head trying to find rear air springs that aren't $800+ apiece.

I've got a local ex-MBenx tech who runs a shop and does great work. I've just gotta figure out how to get the bags.

But I'm like Vettdr, the '03 has some issues. I've had the SBC pump fail. And I'm on my third set of ball joints. I've replaced the cooling-fan assembly (all because a .5 inch metal connection prong broke). I'm still mad about that $600.. I've replaced the heater exchange valve. And I got stuck in Montgomery Alabama for two days (bad engine crank sensor).

I'm not complaining..

saffrontiger

157,000 miles. W211 CDI. Still going strong after two accidents. Regular maintenance at an Indy. Just replaced the transmission/motor mounts as well the injector #1 leak. Some early issues but covered by warranty. Purchased the extended warranty till 100k that came in handy for a few items. I do the diesel fuel filter and transmission service regularly as well as oil changes @ 10K intervals.
Been very happy with the car and still is a joy to drive. Planning to take this to 300k+ miles.

jagata

May I suggest maybe doing a coil spring conversion, some e55 guys have done it successfully. Never worry about leaking airmatic again, plus I hear ride feel is better plus better handling.

oh just hit 145k on mine.

jwxspoon

2005 E-500, 93000 miles. One airbag replacement (front left) and regular service. That's it. Still leaves my son's new Mustang GT in the dust.

jw

MotorforBrains

Love it!

I NEVER take my MB to the dealer, but instead use a shop with certified technicians that has been around for a few decades. They always tell me that some MBs are bulletproof, like the E-Class, while others are just problem vehicles, like any other manufacturer. If you find a good shop, they know what problems to look for and can proactively maintain your car so one problem does not cause a chain-reaction. Just my $0.02.

haris12

I have 68000miles but pretty big repair list

here are just some that comes to my mind

SRS seat sensor $800

rear sub-frame adjustment - 410 with huge discount after arguing with steelar

Water pump- did it my self

Crank shaft sensor- did it my self

Valve cover gaskets- did it my self

tranny oil pan gasket

tranny mounts

thats just some of stuff that comes to my head right now

Gunnar

Have decided to drive this car longer than any car I have ever owned....which would be 3+ years. OK so I like to buy and sell cars. But really I am going to keep this one! This time I am serious.

sub786

I agree, this is very expensive car to maintain. I have E 320 ( 2003) . Bought it at 75K miles now it is 120K miles. I do all maintenance myself so can easily afford it.
Upgrades:
1) Alpine INA-W900BT. DIY http://www.alpine-usa.com/product/ca...its-head-units
2) Rare headrest DVD and games. DIY http://www.ebay.com/itm/HD905-2-X-9-...0c85ad&vxp=mtr


Maintenance:ALL DIY
1) Spark plugs at 80K miles
2) Front and rare break pads
3) Transmission electronic wire connector leak ( Just 15 dollars DIY vs. 150dollars dealer)
4) Transmission oil every 30K miles and motor oil every 3000 miles ( I change early than recommend because of DIY )
In my case I can afford because I do all maintenance and repairs other wise it is not worth to have it. Why I spend 50+ K dollars and then on the top pay again to dealer for repairs.
RETURN: Lot of appreciation. It is a beautiful car

Sukie85

Do you change your transmission oil???? I'm debating on changing minds I have 150,000 and keep up on repairs and oil changes but I never changed my transmission oil and car still runs pretty good.. I only ask cause manitence manual doesn't say.

Bluetec Driver

'07 E320 Bluetec (pre-adblue) 141,000. Always dealer maintained. Aside from normal services I've had to replace (under warranty):
2 Motor Mounts
Drivers side ball joint (x2)
Turbo gasket
Transmission mount
Drivers door handle (x4)

It's been extremely dependable

saffrontiger

Update: W211 CDI 2005 now just passed 220,000 miles. A few items but expected. Diesel injector # 5 and 6 went bad. Consistent with the oil changes a@ 10K miles and 25k for diesel fuel filter and 40K w transmission service. i have much respect for the 5sp inline 6 CDI. A true German work horse. Motor and tranny mounts have not been replaced again ... yet. Still idles well. Bad MAF that needed to be fixed. Coolant leak and crank sensor position needed to be replaced as well. Fit/finish excellent. Rattles minimal. Cup holder broke long time ago.
Pics to come once i figure how to upload.
Cheers!
Jay

Craftysince86

i think there was someone in the how many miles does your car have thread that an e320 with over 300k, the number 350 pops in my head when i try and remember the actual amount.

he gave it to his son and bought a new E

OnlyGerman

2006 e350 with 109k. Along with regular maintenance, these are the major repairs.

-Engine oil cam leak
-Engine & Trans Mounts
-A/C Compressor and Condensor
-Pano Motor
-Battery Control Module
-Transmission
-Hvac Motor
-Control Arms and ball joints
-Intake Manifold
-Both batteries

Hopefully the balance shaft is not next!