Jun 10, 2015, 12:40 PM
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Summary of W211 problems and fixes
Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 87
Likes: 2
From: East Lakeview, Chicago
560SL, E500
By the way, BEAUTIFUL color on your Benz; must look really nice in person.
Is it rare, maybe custom order? Don't remember seeing any around Chicago in that color.
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 566
Likes: 0
1
I got the door lock failure and had a similar issue on my previous car so I had an idea of what the cause was..cheap plastic door pins 
losing grip(unscrewing) on the locking mechanism. You can go around each door and try to tighten each one with your hand but if you feel a door pin that just keeps spinning and spinning it will have to be replaced. I bought some metal ones for about $15 and that solved the issue.
losing grip(unscrewing) on the locking mechanism. You can go around each door and try to tighten each one with your hand but if you feel a door pin that just keeps spinning and spinning it will have to be replaced. I bought some metal ones for about $15 and that solved the issue.
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
e200
Can I add
1. Mix of gear oil with water, had to replace the whole radiator
2. sudden error in steering pump, replaced it
3. Now my DVD Command unit (euro) and the CD changer unit do not work at all, so basically as if there is no electricity pumping into it...!
dont know why this is happening, anybody has a clue..?
1. Mix of gear oil with water, had to replace the whole radiator
2. sudden error in steering pump, replaced it
3. Now my DVD Command unit (euro) and the CD changer unit do not work at all, so basically as if there is no electricity pumping into it...!
dont know why this is happening, anybody has a clue..?
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 13
Likes: 1
2003 e320
Issues with w211,
geez, I thought I was the only one that had the 2003 w211 lemon....I have just made it to my 1 year anniversary with this car. I bought the car with a clean carfax and only 45k miles, had a little warranty left when purchased, never in a million years would i have anticipated the surprise that I was in for....$3400.00 in repair cost, and roughly $300.00 yearly maintenance cost...
list to date, and I am stuck with this lemon as it is out of warranty and still costing me...
1. Front airmatic spring replacement ($1700.00) dealer only part and labor
2. Crank position sensor ($380.00)
3. Trunk auto close module (not replaced as this is costly, just have to use key to open trunk)
4. rack and pinion rebuilt ($1300.00)
In shop as we speak for the following.
1. Motor mounts
2. Transmission mounts
3. Oil Change and filter service change
4. Suspension light back on indicating another air suspension leak.
I guess if you get a good one, you get a good one, if you get a bad one you get a bad one....
Good luck anyone with their w211's, beautiful car but issues galore.....
list to date, and I am stuck with this lemon as it is out of warranty and still costing me...
1. Front airmatic spring replacement ($1700.00) dealer only part and labor
2. Crank position sensor ($380.00)
3. Trunk auto close module (not replaced as this is costly, just have to use key to open trunk)
4. rack and pinion rebuilt ($1300.00)
In shop as we speak for the following.
1. Motor mounts
2. Transmission mounts
3. Oil Change and filter service change
4. Suspension light back on indicating another air suspension leak.
I guess if you get a good one, you get a good one, if you get a bad one you get a bad one....
Good luck anyone with their w211's, beautiful car but issues galore.....
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 398
Likes: 0
Ok Boys get ready for this list!
1. Engine Mounts
2. Transmission
3. Torque Converter
4. All The SBC stuff
5. bushings/links
6. Control arm
7. Airmatic shocks (3 of the 4) failed
8. Tie rods
9. Rocker Arms and Camshaft (failure due to metal fatigue)
10 and some computers were changed out
The rocker arms and camshaft was really suprising since I haven't really heard of this problem before but when the card was making a weird noise and I insisted that they take the engine apart since they said it sounded normal until they really listened more, and when they took it apart the camshaft was all scored and they said the failure was due to metal fatigue.
1. Engine Mounts
2. Transmission
3. Torque Converter
4. All The SBC stuff
5. bushings/links
6. Control arm
7. Airmatic shocks (3 of the 4) failed
8. Tie rods
9. Rocker Arms and Camshaft (failure due to metal fatigue)
10 and some computers were changed out
The rocker arms and camshaft was really suprising since I haven't really heard of this problem before but when the card was making a weird noise and I insisted that they take the engine apart since they said it sounded normal until they really listened more, and when they took it apart the camshaft was all scored and they said the failure was due to metal fatigue.
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Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 398
Likes: 0
Most of the items on the list are noticeable with a little noise then within 6 months of the noise goes belly up and the problem will be apparent. But it is not something they can check for unless you hear the noise and it has to be consistent. If your warranty is not over and you can buy ext. warranty than I would do so if you are a car enthusiast. If not then some of the problems you won't even notice. I have been in many MB and the owners don't even know there is a problem until I tell them.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,254
Likes: 15
From: Louisiana
03 E500 and Corvette
Air springs replaced
Belt Idle pulley bearings failed.
More to come.
Please someone convince me to buy another MB for Quality and Reliability after owning a 03 E500.
Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
From: Ellicott City, MD
I Drive whichever has gas
I only have 1 recurring issue with mine...
There is a pulley somewhere under the hood, when started in the morning, it squeaks for a moment. No, not a belt, but a pulley sounding like it needs to be lubed. Replaced 2 or 3x when at dealer under warranty but still not fixed.
Beyond that -
My windshield is a rock magnet.
There is a pulley somewhere under the hood, when started in the morning, it squeaks for a moment. No, not a belt, but a pulley sounding like it needs to be lubed. Replaced 2 or 3x when at dealer under warranty but still not fixed.
Beyond that -
My windshield is a rock magnet.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,254
Likes: 15
From: Louisiana
03 E500 and Corvette
I only have 1 recurring issue with mine...
There is a pulley somewhere under the hood, when started in the morning, it squeaks for a moment. No, not a belt, but a pulley sounding like it needs to be lubed. Replaced 2 or 3x when at dealer under warranty but still not fixed.
Beyond that -
My windshield is a rock magnet.
There is a pulley somewhere under the hood, when started in the morning, it squeaks for a moment. No, not a belt, but a pulley sounding like it needs to be lubed. Replaced 2 or 3x when at dealer under warranty but still not fixed.
Beyond that -
My windshield is a rock magnet.
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Cape Town, South Africa
2003 Mercedes Benz e270 CDi Avantgarde
I do hope this type of thread only attracts the bad news...
Have a 2003 with 52,000 miles to date...no problems so far (except for changing of some valve when back vents blew only warm air). Front suspension a bit clunky, but nothing major and surely things cannot be expected to be as tight as when it was new?
Have a 2003 with 52,000 miles to date...no problems so far (except for changing of some valve when back vents blew only warm air). Front suspension a bit clunky, but nothing major and surely things cannot be expected to be as tight as when it was new?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,254
Likes: 15
From: Louisiana
03 E500 and Corvette
I do hope this type of thread only attracts the bad news...
Have a 2003 with 52,000 miles to date...no problems so far (except for changing of some valve when back vents blew only warm air). Front suspension a bit clunky, but nothing major and surely things cannot be expected to be as tight as when it was new?
Have a 2003 with 52,000 miles to date...no problems so far (except for changing of some valve when back vents blew only warm air). Front suspension a bit clunky, but nothing major and surely things cannot be expected to be as tight as when it was new?
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 440
Likes: 1
From: Exit 16E
07 E350 4Matic / Sport with P1
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
04 e55 amg
hey just a quick qestion for u can u explain to me wat happen to your battery because i have the same car and im gettin a code sayin battery and altnator if u could explain your issue u had it would help me out alot thanx
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,254
Likes: 15
From: Louisiana
03 E500 and Corvette
At 101,000 miles and list of failed parts I can't imagine ME buying another MB. I bought this one as my first foreign car with "a reputation of reliability" expecting a very reliable car. What I got was a very expensive car that had $1000 bills stuffed into the parts counter to keep it running. After pulling the belt idle pulley and replacing it I noticed the bearing in the OEM part had Made in China on it not Made in Germany. If MB is outsourcing to world suppliers it isn't surprising they don't have control on quality. After all the sum of the parts equal the total vehicle.
If I buy American cars and they fail at the same rate I will only save about $30,000 and have enough to buy 2 so when one fails I won't need a loaner.
These are my individual results and opinions, of course your results may vary and this vehicle may or may not be reflective of the quality MB produces but only reflects my individual car.
If I buy American cars and they fail at the same rate I will only save about $30,000 and have enough to buy 2 so when one fails I won't need a loaner.
These are my individual results and opinions, of course your results may vary and this vehicle may or may not be reflective of the quality MB produces but only reflects my individual car.
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 9
Likes: 1
2005 E320
Hi everyone, newbie here, we have purchased a used 05 E320, currently has 62K, bought with 52K. once I got the wheels and new tires to balance went to work on the brakes. new rotors and pds installed and 4 wheel align. checked air pressure and still slightly pulls to right.
Ive worked on brakes and cars, motorcycles for over 30 years.
when I installed my new brake pads the right front outside pad was worn farther down than the left side.
my theory, the SBC keeps a constant slight pressure on this pad from the caliper piston on the disc, hence the slight pulling to right and more wear on the pads... no other issues with car. very well built car.
Ive worked on brakes and cars, motorcycles for over 30 years.
when I installed my new brake pads the right front outside pad was worn farther down than the left side.
my theory, the SBC keeps a constant slight pressure on this pad from the caliper piston on the disc, hence the slight pulling to right and more wear on the pads... no other issues with car. very well built car.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,254
Likes: 15
From: Louisiana
03 E500 and Corvette
Hi everyone, newbie here, we have purchased a used 05 E320, currently has 62K, bought with 52K. once I got the wheels and new tires to balance went to work on the brakes. new rotors and pds installed and 4 wheel align. checked air pressure and still slightly pulls to right.
Ive worked on brakes and cars, motorcycles for over 30 years.
when I installed my new brake pads the right front outside pad was worn farther down than the left side.
my theory, the SBC keeps a constant slight pressure on this pad from the caliper piston on the disc, hence the slight pulling to right and more wear on the pads... no other issues with car. very well built car.
Ive worked on brakes and cars, motorcycles for over 30 years.
when I installed my new brake pads the right front outside pad was worn farther down than the left side.
my theory, the SBC keeps a constant slight pressure on this pad from the caliper piston on the disc, hence the slight pulling to right and more wear on the pads... no other issues with car. very well built car.
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 9
Likes: 1
2005 E320
Vettdvr, you probably right about that. possibly the piston is sticking in the caliper, another day to work on that project. right now on the board is tearing my dirtbike forks down to rebuild with new springs.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,254
Likes: 15
From: Louisiana
03 E500 and Corvette
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 341
Likes: 4
From: Columbia, MO
E320 & X166
When the night weather dropped 32* below:
Esp malfunction
Headlights unavailable
No horn
No FSS function buttons
No Volume control
Now my car is in the shop and the dealer is working on my whole electronic problem my car is having. Thank God it is still under factory warranty.
Like I have said before, and I am saying it again. I wish the German make the car and the Japanese make the electronic. Now that's an ultimate car.
Esp malfunction
Headlights unavailable
No horn
No FSS function buttons
No Volume control
Now my car is in the shop and the dealer is working on my whole electronic problem my car is having. Thank God it is still under factory warranty.
Like I have said before, and I am saying it again. I wish the German make the car and the Japanese make the electronic. Now that's an ultimate car.
Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 93
Likes: 4
From: Toronto, Canada
87 420sel, 91 560sec, 02 S55 AMG, 09 A4 3.2, 14 Outback, 12 Focus SE
-motor mounts (i hope)
pulls to the right even with brand new tires and balanced and aligned.
can anyone give me an average cost for replacing the mounts via dealership? and can the job be done privately or does it require some special tools only mb has? im in canada.
pulls to the right even with brand new tires and balanced and aligned.
can anyone give me an average cost for replacing the mounts via dealership? and can the job be done privately or does it require some special tools only mb has? im in canada.
