El Cid

The W211 was (is) also very reliable. The "E is MB's most reliable vehicle and has been for many years. However, the 2010 did have some new model problems, but all of mine have been corrected, so I am happy. The newer models probably are more reliable, but as cars age their "reliability" tends to go down as parts wear out. People report this on the various surveys as a reliability problem.
The primary reliability problem for all manufacturers is the infotainment systems and associated electronics. People demand more up to date electronic features and manufacturers try to comply. However, it's all new and comes from multiple suppliers. In addition, it is in a vehicle that is exposed to wide temperature changes and tremendous movement flucturations.
And add to this all the features that rely upon a computer or other electronic device to function.

Jason B

So are you saying if someone is looking for a used E, they should stay away from the 2010 and look at 2011? Are most issue fixed on the 2011?

El Cid

Not saying that at all. Just that there were issues with new components, etc. when the 2010's came out. Most of them should have been fixed by now under warranty. However, early surveys were completed as reliability problems.
One school of thought is that sometimes the older vehicles are better because all deficiencies have been discovered and fixed.
Every time they change something, and they do every year, there is potential for problems to surface after thousands of vehicles are driven thousands of miles in many different climates. That's why there are always TSB's for every year.
Also, sometimes the "new improvements" don't work the way the engineers thought they would, even though supposedly tested.
I would check out Consumer Reports and truedelta.com and any other sources for reliability information. Each source has a different perspective and different method in acquiring information.
CR highly rates the "E" Class V6 RWD, even the 2010.
Also, check the second and third threads on this site (not the one with pics).

Arrie

2010 and 2011 are the same other than late 2011 when they started moving to 2012, i.e. some very late 2011 are with some parts from 2012.


I don't see reliability issues. The problem is the cabin rattles.

Jason B

Cool, thanks guys.

Arrie

Dema,
Get your facts together. It is the fact that the wagons are very slim pick here in N.A. market area but if you ever go to Europe, in Germany especially, you might see something different.

If you don't count the taxis that almost all are E-class and a very big number of those also wagons, on the road you see more wagons than sedans. Wagons are very popular I know in Germany but I think in the whole Europe in general.

The very practical reason for this is that usually a family in Europe has only one vehicle. This makes people to lean toward wagons or other vehicles with cargo capacity. Here in N.A, especially in the U.S. side but probably also in Canada there are usually two vehicles in a household. One of them likely a pick-up truck or an SUV. With this the other can be a sedan.

MB wagons are very plentiful on road in Europe and well tested.

BeachBunny

From personal experience, I try to avoid the first year of any new car, or first year of any major change to a car (transmission, etc). Sure, much of it gets fixed under warranty, but there's the hassle of doing so. Some problems are never fixed until the next major update to a car.

On the used market, in theory, someone else has already dealt with these problems and had them fixed. I'd prefer the car have been designed properly to begin with. Engineers can't foresee every possible issue that will crop up, but over-engineering can cover many sins.

El Cid

I have not had any rattles or other noises in over five years.

Wig

Arrie - where in Europe is this true? Every European family I know has two vehicles, same as US and Canada.

Dema

Yes, perhaps my impression was really subjective. I didn't get Europe in consideration. But even if people in Europe prefer wagons. still population of Europe smaller that American continent. Also based my experience when I visited Switzerland, I didn't notice many wagons there. Yes, E class is standard Taxi car, and it is just sedan. So my reliability observation was based just on posts here who complained about E class problems and most of the people owned wagon.
I also believe that production line of Mercedes can look different for cars made for Europe and US. So perhaps quality problem is in some final assembly, at least it is what I can conclude reading reliability issues.

Arrie

Well,
perhaps we are from two totally different demographic areas but for me most European families have only one vehicle. Perhaps, again, in some countries in some better developed areas there are more than one but in majority of the Europe only one.

Arrie

Yes, and you drive a Luxury setup, right?
After I got my luxury side of the Airmatic working I noticed a big improvement on some of the rattles. My rattles got a lot better after I did the center brake light job myself but still there are some left.


The comfort setting on the suspension that I have now working has made a big difference and after I go with 17" wheels I'll be in heaven.

Arrie

Switzerland may be the worst country in the whole Europe to bring in this discussion. Where do you think the money is in Europe? These people may just have that other car with cargo capability.


What comes to the population, I think the European population now is around 450 million...


E and E wagon for technology are identical cars. There is no difference in anything. If the E sedan is reliable so is the E wagon.

Dema

I realized that Switzerland is a bad example, and they are also not big in population, just 9 millions.

El Cid

Have the Luxury, but do not have the airmatic.

Raymond Lee

If you want to keep car more than factory warranty period, go with MBZ. Maintenance is very expensive with BMW and after warranty period things go bad quite frequently.

noka

I think folks on either side can relate similar stories about reliability and cost to repair after warranty, etc.