E550 slammed! (NOT on purpose!)
I like the new 5, I hated the last melted block of cheese one. I don't know about the hood, looks like a bit wavy- but I will reserve judgement until I see it in person. They also fixed the other thing I could not stand about BMW's- the drab 80's interiors. Just judging from the pictures MB is going to get pounded. hard.
But the Airmatic in the rear is basically the same as the W211. And also the 7-GTronic tranny. And the motor. The rest is new. Maybe the old parts don't fit into the new chassis quite right... LOL j/k....
Despite what people think, Airmatic was not a "known issue" with the W211. MB has been using Airmatic for a while now and not just on the E Class. The problem is that if a strut fails, it can leave you on the side of the road unlike a standard strut suspension (and they fail, too.) Plus MB isn't the only mfg to use air suspension (think Range Rover, as an example.)
The big issue is that when if it does leak, that it gets attended to since the pump can burn out (trying to fill the shocks.) Just keep an eye on the system. Plus most failures are connected to hit big potholes (streets suk here compared to Germany.)
I was hesitant about Airmatic at first but I asked several MB indie mechanics and owners of MB airmatic and realized the ratio of failure to cars sold and on the road is very small. Plus the system has been improved upon with current versions.
Anyway, I hope the car starts acting like expected. It's a drag to buy new and have this happen. But I agree that the BMW F10 has just set the new standard. And I'm not talking so much in appearance as I am in performance.
. Good luck
Last edited by C280 Sport; Dec 1, 2009 at 07:47 PM.
Fact is all the soccer moms who buy M-B's need it to be supremely light so it doesn't strain their arms when maneuvering around grocery store parking lots, so many of us have to suffer.
I like the new 5, I hated the last melted block of cheese one. I don't know about the hood, looks like a bit wavy- but I will reserve judgement until I see it in person. They also fixed the other thing I could not stand about BMW's- the drab 80's interiors. Just judging from the pictures MB is going to get pounded. hard.
As everyone gushes about new models, be it the 5 or the 212 it's always a good idea to not buy a first year. Having been thrilled and bought several first model year BMW's I learned the hardway about how unstable they are. The first year of the 211, current SL500 and a few other MB's had a lot more issues than later ones.
I hope your car stabilizes.
Now my garage door openers are no longer holding memory overnight. Yesterday they lost memory for the second time, I reprogrammed them and they worked for a few hours. This morning they are a no go, they are not working again!!
This to me is VERY frustrating!! These transmitters have been in the last 15 or so vehicles I have owned and I have never had nor HEARD of a problem with them!!
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
As far as the complicated machine argument goes, as far as I'm concerned Mercedes shouldn't overextend their capability to put together a flawless product in favor of uncontrolled complications.
Last edited by MBNUT1; Dec 2, 2009 at 09:23 PM.
As far as the complicated machine argument goes, as far as I'm concerned Mercedes shouldn't overextend their capability to put together a flawless product in favor of uncontrolled complications.
I think the 2010 E350 is a better car than the 550 due to no airmatic. Granted I like the power but I just won't buy another with that system onboard. SBC brakes well that's another horror story I won't go into here.
I am considering buying the E350 but the 550 is out of the question due to reliability concerns.

"Probably an impossible task" Not so my friend!
If he were here in our state, I could tell him exactly what to do.
Here in Kallieforneia, there is what is know by Lemon-Law lawyers as the Song-Beverly Act.
I'm sure that NY probably has one also. Do a search under New York lemon laws.
In some cases, and agreement may be reached without having to go to court.
It does take a while to get into court if that becomes necessary, but it is well worth the wait
because when you do prevail, the manufacture is 'forced' to buy it back and you get almost
all the monies you have spent from the first time you compained about the problem(s).
You are charged only for the earliest mileages before you first complained.
The manufacture is forced by law to pay most all if not all the attornies fees.
How do I know all this? I am presently involved in such a case with my Hyundai Azera.

We do know that MBZ has been forced to do this. Here are some examples:
http://www.autotrader.com/dealers/dd...arch_type=both
You will note that there is an older E-55 that had suspension issues also.
As you can see, this dealer seems to specialize in 'buy-back' vehicles,
so we do know it is done by many manufactures.
Life is too short to fool around with this lemon.
The sooner you consult a firm that specializes in lemon-law vehicles, the sooner
you will be able to get something else that will not drive you to the funny farm.
Get on with it now. Good luck!
Last edited by Green E-300 DT; Dec 8, 2009 at 12:56 PM.
Back to the dealer we go...

This is why I will not have anything to do with any vehicle that has this type of suspension.
Especially if it is no longer covered by a full factory warranty.
But you have a newer supposedly covered S class and the dealer cannot seem to fix it properly.

It is indeed too bad. What a shame!
MBZ needs to address these types of problems that are occuring at the dealer level.
Good luck to you.
I trust you like lemon pie. Here, have some more! (Sorry, kidding of course!)







