E 500 Problems(2003)love/hate
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Joined: Jan 2003
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From: OCEANSIDE, CA
08 CLS 550
E 500 Problems(2003)love/hate
In the last 6 months since I purchased my 2003 E 500 I have had to bring the car back to the dealer 7 times. The latest was I could not start the car, lock the doors or open the trunk. I was on my way to an important meeting. It turned out to be the EIS computer had to be replaced. To date the driver rear door handle didn't work/R/R, Transmission Torque had to have a lock up adaptation, CD changer died twice,R/R both times,, radio died once R/R, front grill molding fell off while drivingR/R. creaking front seat, three keys, first two did not work with keyless go. I love this car but I am begining to hate it. I bought a MB for reliabilty. I could of bought a chevy if I wanted to go the dealer this often. I was told by some people that the 2003 E 500 has a lot of bugs. Don't get me wrong, this is the greatest car I have ever owned. I love it but I am spending more time driving the C-240 loaner car than the one I purchased. Advice, comments. Thanks
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Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Palm Beach, FL
'03 Yukon XL Denali, '06 Eclipse GS
If these symptoms popped up simultaneously you probably could have traded your lemon-nized car in for a replacement E500. I am sorry to hear about the bad experience with your car. Should not be happening in such a well-priced car.
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Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Bloomfield .CT
2000 528BMW 5sp
consider lemon law case
if out of service 30 days or 4 attemps at repair (lump together as electrical glitches, you might be eligible for lemon law. I just suggested to a friend to go back with her very unrelable c class car and list comlaints and say lemon law and she reported MB bought car back, MB &BMW do not like cars branded lemons, there is enough of bad reliabilty rep. out there that these brands to not want cars label lemon, BTW most states require title
to have inscription " lemon law buy back" put on title of cars that are formally declared lemons in lemon law proceedings
to have inscription " lemon law buy back" put on title of cars that are formally declared lemons in lemon law proceedings
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Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Bloomfield .CT
2000 528BMW 5sp
yes, then make appt with MB
district service person, or field advisor what ever person is called through your service manager. have him drive car and discuss with him the problems,
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From: houston
03 e500 sport
dont feel so bad about your problems. I'm in the same boat as you are. I can write you a book with all the problems i have. I have to bring my car into the dealer 2-3 time a month for problems. The dealer isnt being so helpful cause i didnt buy the car from them. So i have to read up on some lemon law and maybe get a lawyer to fight it. I'm getting tired of this crap. Making me feel like i bought a 60k Kia.
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Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: OCEANSIDE, CA
08 CLS 550
I love it, a 60k Kia. Actually many years ago I owned a kia and in 50k miles the only thing that went wrong was a piece of molding fell off. What happened to the MB days of building a rock solid car. It has become a trade off, on one hand you get a great ride, look and performance but on the other hand you have to put up with constant problems. For this kind of money I expect quality along with everything else. I don't pay 900 a month to drive a C 240 loaner car. I imagine budget cuts, trying to cut back here and there to make a few extra bucks has led to this problem. It is apparent thru out the high end vechicles. My wifes BMW has had a load of problems and very poor service at three differant dealers. At least at MB the service has been great. I should know I have been there enough. However those budget cuts will come back to bite them on the rear end. I am looking at right now an article in the wall street journal, wed July 9 2003 that talks about low marks in reliabilty has serious financial consequences for manufactuers. That also includes MB owners when the resale values drop. The article showed a JD Power list of cars you can depend on and MB was ranked 29th out of 37 manufactuers Good luck on your car. I talked with my service manager yesterday and he is looking into a buy back. It will probably never happen but I thought it was worth a shot.
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From: CT and FL
SL500 E320 ML350
Seems like the luck (or bad luck) of the draw. I have an '03 E500 since May of 2003 and have had no problems at all. I love the car and the $0 routine service. Not my first MB - had E class cars in '01, '99, '97, '95 and '93. All excellent performers. The distressing part of what I read in these forums is the inconsistency of quality that seems to plague all the MB class threads. Some rave and some rant (justified I'm sure). Sorry for your troubles but hang in there! 
