When will it be “safe” to buy an E350?
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2007 GL320 CDI; 2005 E320; 2004 911 Cab
When will it be “safe” to buy an E350?
Even though the 350 engine has been used in other MB cars, I still don’t trust MB to put it into a new chassis without “incident.” How long do you think it will take MB to figure out what is wrong and correct it? My estimate is that it could take most of a year for them to figure it out. My estimate goes something like this:
1) 3 months for MB to collect data from the first E350’s that customers use
2) 3 months for MB to root cause the issues and figure out how to change their manufacturing process to fix the issue
3) 3 months for the new E350’s to get to the US
So, that would mean it is not safe to buy an E350 until the end of the year.
Do you agree or disagree? What is your estimate?
Thanks. NWmb
1) 3 months for MB to collect data from the first E350’s that customers use
2) 3 months for MB to root cause the issues and figure out how to change their manufacturing process to fix the issue
3) 3 months for the new E350’s to get to the US
So, that would mean it is not safe to buy an E350 until the end of the year.
Do you agree or disagree? What is your estimate?
Thanks. NWmb
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From: Sacramento
'08 AM Vantage V8 - '03 E500
The problems people have reported with early W211s have not, with very few exceptions, involved the engines themselves, and on top of that, the 3.5 is not a new engine, even if it is new to the W211. I have to disagree with your premise that the 3.5 will require a sorting-out period before it is "safe" to buy. If I were shopping for a new W211, I would not hesitate to buy the 3.5 right now (even instead of the long-in-the-tooth 5.0 V8 that I do have).
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From: Irvine, CA, USA
Tesla
I intentionally waited 18 months after initial introduction of the C-class before buying one back in 1995, yet it has been nothing but headache. A buddy has the first year model and he didn't have nearly as much problems as mine did.
Therefore it all depends on your luck.
Therefore it all depends on your luck.
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Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Philadelphia area
2010 ML550, 2010 E350 4M, 1966 Corvette Convt C2
The E350 is essentially the same as the E320. The engine is a proven entidy. Why wait and why would you be hesitent to purchase at this time. Go ahead and do it!!
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Joined: May 2002
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[QUOTE=sosh]The E350 is essentially the same as the E320. The engine is a proven entidy. [QUOTE]
This is not true. The M112 E320 engine is a 3-valve per cylinder 18 Valve V6 that had its debut back in 1997. The new M272 E350 engine has 4-valves per cylinder and is a completely new development. It has little to nothing to do with the previuos engine. I would still not hesistate to buy it immediately though. In this day and age, I would be more worried about electronic glitches than engine trouble.
This is not true. The M112 E320 engine is a 3-valve per cylinder 18 Valve V6 that had its debut back in 1997. The new M272 E350 engine has 4-valves per cylinder and is a completely new development. It has little to nothing to do with the previuos engine. I would still not hesistate to buy it immediately though. In this day and age, I would be more worried about electronic glitches than engine trouble.
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From: Valley of the Sun, Arizona
2011 E550, 2013 GLK
I think the bottom end and block are essentially the same as the E320. However, sometimes it takes years for problems to show up (head gaskets on the M103's and M104's or the problems with the wiring harness).
The major problem with the M112 engine was a series of bad harmonic balancers. Mercedes stonewalled this problem for years and eventually began to pay for some things even though they still don't publicly admit there was a problem. When there was a threat of a class action law suit and the Feds got involved, MBUSA began to reemburse people.
The current harmonic balancers appear to be OK and are probably used on the new 350.
The major problem with the M112 engine was a series of bad harmonic balancers. Mercedes stonewalled this problem for years and eventually began to pay for some things even though they still don't publicly admit there was a problem. When there was a threat of a class action law suit and the Feds got involved, MBUSA began to reemburse people.
The current harmonic balancers appear to be OK and are probably used on the new 350.
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From: Philadelphia area
2010 ML550, 2010 E350 4M, 1966 Corvette Convt C2
[QUOTE=Frank Wiesmann][QUOTE=sosh]The E350 is essentially the same as the E320. The engine is a proven entidy.
This is not true. The M112 E320 engine is a 3-valve per cylinder 18 Valve V6 that had its debut back in 1997. The new M272 E350 engine has 4-valves per cylinder and is a completely new development. It has little to nothing to do with the previuos engine. I would still not hesistate to buy it immediately though. In this day and age, I would be more worried about electronic glitches than engine trouble.
What I said was the vehicle is essentially the same as the 320. The engine is a proven entidy. I did not say the engines were essentially the same. It has some commonality but it is still a proven engine in other models.
This is not true. The M112 E320 engine is a 3-valve per cylinder 18 Valve V6 that had its debut back in 1997. The new M272 E350 engine has 4-valves per cylinder and is a completely new development. It has little to nothing to do with the previuos engine. I would still not hesistate to buy it immediately though. In this day and age, I would be more worried about electronic glitches than engine trouble.
