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06 350 4M with 105K and no major issues to date. Just replaced both batteries, flushed radiator, tranny and transfer case, new tires and rear brakes, all elective preventative so I can keep the car for another few years. Still get 24-27 mpg on highway, and the best car I've ever owned. Also, have a great relationship with my dealer service manager and that makes a big difference to my ability to understand what to expect in the future. I've budgeted 10 K for scheduled maintenance and repairs for the next 100K miles. Try buying a new car for that.
The balance shaft problems some are so worried about are no different than any other internal wear concerns and much dependent on proper lubrication intervals and staying with the
Mercedes prescribed service program. It's amazing how much money some people spend on having a new car every 3 years.
Sorry but your gibberish about the balance shaft is BULLSH$T. My 06 E350 had the issue at 44700 miles, oil changed at least at 10k miles with Mobile1 0-40 and fleece filter.
I was a year out of the Tired LAWSUIT settlement but MBUSA did cover 15% of the $6400 repair.
Your post indicates rage so my regrets for provoking you, but thanks for first apologizing.
It would be useful for others following this to know more details, such as whether you are the original owner and any notable circumstances that preceded the failure. Realizing early on that my car is within the affected range, I’ve done a lot of research on this topic and have studied correspondence from the claimants as well as the legal filings and court documents. Also have gotten into the weeds with three different service reps and two certified MB technicians who are very familiar with the balance shaft premature wear who all agree that the gear was prone to failure but rare to happen when scheduled lubrication intervals are followed.
I like the car and, although financially able to deal with the costs of trading it for a new , or newer model, I just don’t care for the way MB has succumbed to the latest exterior and interior design trends. Why does one of the best engineered automobiles in the world now look like it was designed by the same teams that seem to make every other import look pretty much the same? Again, sorry for your bad experience and good for you to deal with the failure while keeping the car. Mine is now at 132K and getting an A service that is costing about half price with the MB winter service discount promotion. I handle all basic maintenance items myself or with a trusted indie but like to have the car inspected yearly at a competent dealer.
Your post indicates rage so my regrets for provoking you, but thanks for first apologizing.
It would be useful for others following this to know more details, such as whether you are the original owner and any notable circumstances that preceded the failure. Realizing early on that my car is within the affected range, I’ve done a lot of research on this topic and have studied correspondence from the claimants as well as the legal filings and court documents. Also have gotten into the weeds with three different service reps and two certified MB technicians who are very familiar with the balance shaft premature wear who all agree that the gear was prone to failure but rare to happen when scheduled lubrication intervals are followed.
I like the car and, although financially able to deal with the costs of trading it for a new , or newer model, I just don’t care for the way MB has succumbed to the latest exterior and interior design trends. Why does one of the best engineered automobiles in the world now look like it was designed by the same teams that seem to make every other import look pretty much the same? Again, sorry for your bad experience and good for you to deal with the failure while keeping the car. Mine is now at 132K and getting an A service that is costing about half price with the MB winter service discount promotion. I handle all basic maintenance items myself or with a trusted indie but like to have the car inspected yearly at a competent dealer.
Ok I am the second owner, bought it with 22k in 2009, three years old! Took it to dealer for B service and a belt pulley recall. Since then I have changed the oil four times at 10k intervals with 0-40 M1. The car had 44700 when the check engine light came on.
If you have STUDIED this issue you would know they were sued twice and the settled the second one with a tiered reimbursement to replace the DEFECTIVE balance shaft.
Even if I had only changed the oil every 20k this part should not have failed so soon. I am lucky MBUSA covered 15% but imo they should have covered it ALL!
I get very upset when someone states that lack of maintenance in the reason for a documented inferior made part, albeit NOT a part made by Mercedes, its still their responsibility.
Don't even get me started on the SBC unit, I guess at some point that is going to rear its ugly head.
It is what it is. Pick a manufacturer, any manufacturer, and there are models and model years to stay away from. You got burned on a low mileage failure - not sure if you should be so angry at someone who hasn't experienced the problem at much higher mileage and isn't caught up in the hype. I change my oil every 5k miles - and the dealer was convinced I never would have experienced the problem. It still didn't sit well with me - so I changed it. The W211 is a great car - period. The balance shaft gear is an unfortunate instance in a very successful model run, and far from a high percentage failure rate. The SBC technology is exceptional for it's time. By 2006 it's very robust and extremely reliable - with replacement items way down in price and enough information to service it.
It can always be worse with bad rod bearings in Lexus and BMW models, IMS bearings in Porsches, valve guides in Ferraris, crappy trans in Honda / Acura models, head gasket issues galore in Toyota's. Just think how boring the forums would be without all this fun to be had fixing the OEM problems!
It is what it is. Pick a manufacturer, any manufacturer, and there are models and model years to stay away from. You got burned on a low mileage failure - not sure if you should be so angry at someone who hasn't experienced the problem at much higher mileage and isn't caught up in the hype. I change my oil every 5k miles - and the dealer was convinced I never would have experienced the problem. It still didn't sit well with me - so I changed it. The W211 is a great car - period. The balance shaft gear is an unfortunate instance in a very successful model run, and far from a high percentage failure rate. The SBC technology is exceptional for it's time. By 2006 it's very robust and extremely reliable - with replacement items way down in price and enough information to service it.
It can always be worse with bad rod bearings in Lexus and BMW models, IMS bearings in Porsches, valve guides in Ferraris, crappy trans in Honda / Acura models, head gasket issues galore in Toyota's. Just think how boring the forums would be without all this fun to be had fixing the OEM problems!
Thanks for pointing out those other car's issues, forgot about Toyota head gasket debacle.
Glad I spent the money on my car, im sure engine wise I should have at least 50k without a mechanical issue, but Im worried about the SBC system.
The car is now 11 years old even though I only have 45k miles.
I have not had the brake fluid changed once. I should probably have my local euro indy shop do that.
My car is in a desert location and always garaged.
I had a 2003 e500 I sold with around 210k miles. It need both of the rear air struts replaced which is why I sold it. Only thing I did to it was replace the rear control arms and tires.
I since bought a w211 e63 with 94k miles that now has 101k miles. At 75k the previous owner replaced:
- all 4 air struts
- motor mounts
- a/c compressor
- power steering pump
- water pump
And he had all of that done at a MB dealership so he dished out a pretty penny. All I had to do to it so far was an oil change and some tires 😎. It should be good to go for another 100k.
134,000 miles on wife's '07 E350 Sport (non-SBC). I replaced the manifold earlier this year. Otherwise ... no repairs other than usual maintenance items.
147,500 on a 2005 e500 Wagon. I've had it about a year, changed the front struts and axles, crankshaft position sensor, transmission filter/pilot bushing, a few oil changes, transmission fluid, sprayed the bushings on the swaybar with silicone spray because of all the cold weather squeaking. I'll be honest, I regret buying this car but now I'm stuck with it. I'm waiting for the rear bags to go out, going to buy remanned OEM axles because the FEQ ones I put in are terrible, and always wondering about the SBC.
2007 E550 4matic, just hit 101K, runs fine now
Motor Mount
Transmission Mount
Electrical fan (front part of car)
Oil changes
Brakes & rotors
Recall fuel tank replacement
Front air pump module
No problems yet but received the Service D sign...TBC
2005 e320 wagon, 2WD
189k miles
4th owner
the 3rd owner didn’t do much if any repairs so we got it cheap knowing it needed some work.
Since we bought it 2 years ago I have replaced:
Voltage regulator (2x, first cheap one died in 6 months, OEM Bosch going strong)
Motor mounts
Spark plugs, air filter, cabin filter (maintenance)
Front control arms and ball joints
Water pump, upper radiator hose, serpentine belt
Fuel pump (MB issued a warranty extension a few months later, argh)
SBC Pump ($1800, ouch)
2 new Arnott rear airbags (easy job)
New tires
Passenger seat control switch (used)
Driver sunvisor (used)
Console levers
I did everything myself except the SBC motor. That was a fun surprise, but my wife and I both love the car, it runs great, is fun to drive and is super comfy on the freeway. It has a great sound system and when we need more space we throw a box on top. With snow tires I don’t need awd to go skiing.
We have spent a lot on it but still love it and plan to keep it for years.
I have a 2008 E350 4matic. champaigne, sport package, loaded with options, P2 pkge, Nav, sunroof, fold down rear seats for trunk access, with 210k miles. Bought it with 21k miles on it. Very few problems. Redone brakes 4 times, last time new rotors and new front calipers. Keyless Go/Entry driver's side doors work with FOB, not handle buttons. Replaced idler pulley, and front dampener, and have done most work myself after warranty. Dampener was the toughest job only due to the torque required and the special tools. Had windshield replaced once, and it is due again. I love this car it. For about 6 years I drove it over the Cascades Snoqualmie pass every day, a 100 mile round trip as daily commute with lots os winter snow and ice. Never a problem with it no matter how bad the conditions, and with Blizzack WS80's on all 4 wheels it is a virtual snow cat..... Just replaced both windshield washer nozzels, and one headlight washer nozzle, and will replace thermostat tomorrow. I also put a trailer hitch on it and haul our 5x10 aluminum utility trailer with it, which gets some interesting looks and comments.
Just crossed over 111k miles on my 09 e550 4matic. I've done all front end components minus struts and lower control arms. Transmission service, transfer case service, front and rear diff service. Thermostat, keyless entry door handles on the driver side (front and rear, rear is out again) heater control valve, idler pulley, brakes all the way around (rotors and pads) airmatic pump and just did the rear bags this past weekend.
I've got a 2007 E550 4Matic with 145k miles on it. The front differential failed and broke a front axle while we were out of town over the new year. Oh yeah, and on the way out of town, a coil failed, which isn't really a big deal, but I knew that I'd be replacing all of them soon. I got this car form the original owner with over 30 pages of service records from the dealer.
I love driving it, but I've only owned it a couple of months now and its kind of been a pain. Hopefully I've got all the issues lined out and it will be reliable for me.
First post! I've got a 2004 E320 Wagon (yeah, I know I'm in the sedan forum). It has been in the family (2nd owners) since 2006, when it had 36K miles on it. It is currently operating on the original engine and transmission at 346K miles. Yes, 346K miles (used to drive from North Carolina to Florida at least once a month since 2006). I haven't been through the file (it's a big file...) that came with it of service records to confirm, but apparently the engine and transmission (except for fluid changes) have never been opened up.
Now, I inherited this car after it was replaced with a new VW SUV recently. The car runs and drives great, although there is some slight hesitation from the transmission around 2500 RPM. That, and I am getting a rhythmic sound when driving, which makes me think a wheel bearing is on the way out.
05 E500 Wagon 4Matic 161,300 miles. All original. I have had this car for 4 years. The two biggest expenses thus far were my initial A service with my local dealer so I could develop a relationship with them.....then $500 for MBstar set up so I would never have to deal with them again. (I got charged $35 for resetting the TPMS...which this VIN is not optioned with. There was a short argument)
To date - This is the best "all around" car I have ever owned. I'm a single dad so when I had to put away the toys...I got the wagon which is peppy enough and holds seven. I'm looking for another very soon to build my fleet of estates.
12-03-2017, 09:25 PM
Adabuf
