Izzy360

Hi All,

Just looking for some new buyer advice, basically I like the Mercedes e-class 350 Sport which I'm keen to buy, but want to get some advice on common faults and some guidance on what to watch out for.

Any help and advice is greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Izzy

dbldpr

First welcome. I have a 2014 E350. I love the car but here are the faults. The Navigation was changed in 2014. Garmen makes the head units. It is crap. I cannot get my address in the unit. My $30 garmen I can put my address in but not on the $60,000 Mercedes. It will go in on the 2013 model but when the changed the head unit to a cheaper mfg. they put a piece of crap in. I do not like the eco button. There is no shut off. You have to shut it off every time you get in the car. Most people think it is no big deal but you should have an option to not use it. The ride is not as smooth as the luxury model but it is ok. After about a year and a half I have about 4000 miles on the car most of that was from going on vacation. Those are the only 3 complaints I have and they are livable but I did not expect it by being a Mercedes.

channey

I agree with everything stated above and I'll add the following:

The stock sport driver's seat sucks. If possible, get the multicontour seat.

dbldpr

One other thing do not get the seats that have a cooling system in them I do not have it but I have heard that most of the people took it out because it was uncomfortable.

Izzy360

Cheers guys for the info so far..

Any issues mechanically?

Engine etc

rediesel

OP- I like my distronic and lighting packages. The multicontor seat is very nice. Seat ventialtion is weak and is just ventilation no cooling.

dbldpr Here is a way to get the eco-off permanently. http://www.midcityengineering.com/oe...-mercedes-benz


PS- For the a slight premium (on the used market) the 550 gives you a lot of options.

dbldpr

The left front bearing and tie rod went out on my car with about 1,500 miles on it. They kept car for 3 days they did not have part in stock they said it never goes out. The trans jumps sometimes between 2nd and 4 and 5th gears. Brought it in several times MBUSA is aware of problem but there is no fix. Lots of members have complained about this transmission. Some of the cars have no problem others are like mine. I got used to it and do not notice that much anymore.

channey

There's nothing in that link that shows how to order one.

dbldpr

channey Call them at 3124211114 They put you on hold and do not come back. Maybe you will have better luck. I think you bring the car to them and they install something but I could not find out they put me on hold 3 times.

dbldpr

Finally got through to them $174 for the unit and if you want them to install the unit $100 more total cost $274. I set up an appointment for Tuesday. Thanks rediesel for the info. Been looking to have this done for months.

channey

So, it's probably similar to one of those eBay devices that also gives you video-in-motion and automatic window closing.

dbldpr

I will let you know after I get it done on Tuesday. For a year and a half I have wanted to do this. Hopefully it will work out well

channey

Well, if it works I'm definitely down for one. I'm nowhere near Chicago, but I did a "Find Dealer" search and the dealership I leased my car from is listed, so that's a good sign.

pamiboy

Welcome to the forum. The E class is a fine well built car which can get pricey as you add more and more desirable options. I see that you drive an E90 M sport currently (which is also a nice car IMO). What is the reason for the switch if I may ask? The E class is not going to be anywhere near as sporty as an M sport...

rediesel

Glad to help you all out. I've never dealt with Mid-city directly, but have had their smart-key starter in two Benz and a bluetooth/ipod integration in one as well. They make/sell the video in motion as well. The products I've used are well engineered and designed to seamlessly integrate. I used the find a dealer to locate an installer. There are a few MB dealers who are listed as installers and it's nice to have the install on a MB invoice.

El Cid

Go to this site and see what it shows: www.truedelta.com It has a section where people have posted specific issues with the vehicles.
Also, go to the 2nd an 3rd threads on this W212 site. Long lists of recalls, TSB's, etc. going all the way back to 2009. Most resolved by now, but it does show the problems.
Might want to scan the thread topics for 3-4 pages as well to see what people have had concerns/questions about.
The E350 V6 RWD has rated the highest in Consumer Reports ratings of all MB vehicles. But no European company rates very well. CR has its faults, but it does have the most extensive, in-depth, long-term reliability ratings.
It's a good car and IMO better than BMW, but it is far from "The Best or Nothing."

samkimg

Go to the dealers first and spend quality time with each of the features (may take multiple cars, dealers) but try each as compared to not having the feature. Visiting multiple dealers also gives the opportunity to see them in action and avoid the stealerships ... talking to the shop foreman, rather than the service advisor is also a good practice as service happens.

I custom ordered mine with everything I wanted (linked in my Sig below) and it was worth the wait to have ALL of the car exactly as you want it to be. I highly recommend the multi-contour seat, the drivers assist and lighting packages and the 360 camera system.

Don't forget to look at the color combinations and materials, I chose leather because I didn't like the feel of MB Tex, but others are 180 from me on that. I also came close to a dark blue (Indigo), but it looked like a part-time job to keep nice, clean and swirl free.

The ONLY thing I couldn't order that I most dearly miss is folding mirrors, as they weren't available for US until 2015 models.

Finally, I ordered sport for the handling as I drove both Lux and Sport before ordering, but I do miss the bars and hood stars as almost all of MB's are looking too much the same as each other ...

unr1

I thought the 2014 had it too. Check the settings in the dash under convenience.

dbldpr

Nope, no folding mirrors samking is correct. There has been some on this forum that bought them from Germany and then installed them at a very expensive price. Too rich for my blood. It was a nice feature but not an option in USA on 2014 E350

unr1

It's okay, you're not missing out. Unlike the new C-class the mirrors don't fold much. It's kinda a half *** fold

Streamliner

Get yourself a nice, comfy, stately Luxury Version.

unr1

that luxury is beautiful

El Cid

I noted you said E350 Sport. Does that mean you have ruled out the Luxury version? If not, you need to drive both and also take note of different features of both.

channey

I was at my dealership yesterday and asked them about this. They said that they have never heard of Mid-City even though they are listed as a dealer. They also said that the installation of the Eco Off or any of their other devices would void the warranty. Typical dealership BS.

dbldpr

Mid city said it would not void the warranty. How can installing a device to turn a button off void the warranty. That is BS. If that is the case installing a radar detector that is hard wired in would void the warranty and installing a security camera in the front would void the warranty. Oh well