With 3 MB vehicles and numerous loaners I cannot help but notice some common problems across different models:

1. Vibration at highway speeds that doesn't get resolved with regular balancing.
Bent wheels or try road force balance

2. Grinding noise/feeling from the drivetrain during city driving.
Faulty engine mounts

3. Snapping sound from panorama sunroof.
Remove paneling, tighten chassis screws and apply loctite type of compound.

4. Gas cap cover doesn't fully close.
Pull plastic gas cap string down

 

I think #1 needs to be inept service departments / crappy dealers. From my experiences with Infiniti, it's far more important to have a good dealership/mechanic than a good car. A good mechanic can make even a poor car enjoyable.

 

Now driving my 7th Mercedes since 1984. None of my cars have had any of the problems that you claim to be 'common'.

 

I have none of the listed problems and never did on my previous 2000 C230

 

Perhaps these issues do not pertain to older models… I am talking 09-13 range. I have had slightly bent AMG wheels on two models. The panorama sunroof seems to be a very common problem, and both my R- Class and E- Class had to have engine mounts replaced.

 

I have never suffered any of those maladies either on any of my past MB's with the exception of the bent wheels. I live in Chicago and every single car I have owned has bent a wheel. It's a game we play here with the tire shops and the city.

 

Haven't had any of these problems on my 2010.

 

Owned a 2011 E350 and now own 2010 E550.


1. Vibration most likely caused by banged up wheels. I had this and mine got fixed almost completely by re-balancing the tires/wheels.


This is not a "common Mercedes problem". This is a problem with all cars running too little rubber between the road and the wheel.


2. I have not experienced this problem with either car.


3. Snapping or popping noise from the panorama roof. Actually I think the problem is not with the panorama roof but with some roof support beam that has loose or inadequately torqued bolts. I had this with my current E550 and had it fixed. Problem occurred almost every time when I put one of the front wheels on a curb or drove the car on an incline so that it put torque to the car body. Have not heard it again since the fix that was done perhaps two years ago now.


I think this issue probably is with a tool at assembly that left the bolts too loose. MB has fixed this and I think they have a TSB for it. My 2011 did not have this problem.


4. Gas filler door closes just fine if you keep that stupid plastic string from pressing against the door. If that bothers too much cut it off. There is a nice holder for the gas cap to place it in while filling up. No need for the string. Really don't even understand why the string exist as the holder works well (I use it every time) and the string is not needed.

 

1. can be a bad flex joint or center driveshaft support/bearing.