Please do yourself a favor. You should have not bought a first model year car. Doesn't matter if its Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Lexus, Toyota or a Ford. You will always have more problems with a first model year than anything. My heart goes out to you and your wife - hopefully there is a lemon law where you live. Don't fret and just take advantage of it.

 

You are exactly right about first model year cars. I should have know better.

I got a service printout from my dealership. I have had this car almost 18 months. It has been in for service 6 times. But for 4 of those services they didn't have the correct part or they couldn't make a software link with Germany so had to make another trip the next day. So I have actually driven to the dealership 10 times. (60 miles round trip each time/600 miles for repairs) Basically I am making trips to the dealership every two or three months. I'm glad that I am retired with nothing else to do. Yea, right.

When the car is running correctly it is a GREAT car. It is comfortable. It gets good fuel milage. Acceleration isn't bad. I just wish it would run correctly all the time.

 

 

You have more faith in Lexus/Toyota than one of the local Lexus dealership mechanics I know. He also advised to avoid first-year cars, including theirs. My ~20 year experience driving Infiniti (Nissan) cars also shows the 'avoid first year' axiom to be correct as well.

 

 

I've had 4 lemon law buy backs - Toyota, Lexus, Jeep and GMC. None of them were first or second year models. I've owned at least one Mercedes E, S or SL since the mid 1960's and have not had a major issue with any of them.

 

We currently own a 2014 wagon and a 2017 wagon. Previous we owned a 2008 wagon and a 2013 ML. We have driven the 4 cars over 250,000 miles.
all 4 cars were special orders to our specifications.
We have never had a problem with any of the cars.
Is it possible that the factory is more careful with a special order?

 

two months ago I bought a 2017 E300, my sixth Mercedes. I love to drive the car, but even though it only had 7 k miles when I bought it I have had several major issues:
1) Center Console metal was flaking off when I bought it, and that was replaced. The dealer had several in stock waiting for complaints.
2) There was a rattle over my steering wheel on the dash. Dealer replaced it and once again had several in stock waiting for complaints. There was a part bruising against the metal girl on the dash. The fix was a piece of foam to stop the rubbing.
3) The microphone for the phone was very muffled. Nobody could hear me. Since I do a lot of business in my car, this was a huge issue. after several visits, the dealer found out there was a service bulletin that some insulation cover the mic up after shifting. They cut the insulation out and all was well.
4) Dealer is still trying to stop the sunroof from whistling.....

I hate the run flats, as you feel every bump. I can't waiting until they wear down so I can replace them with a conscience that I tried to be OK with them.
I wish I had the 400 engine in it, as I test drove an E400 for a few days and loved the sound and performance of that engine. Almost made me get a 2018 E400 sedan. But they were out of them and don't discount them when they are in stock.

It reminds me a few issues I had when I first got my 2003 ML 350, brand new. After the first wave of issues, I have not thought about any quality issues for the past 15 years and 215k miles. Still runs well,though it is starting to show its age.

With all of that I still love driving the car.

 

For all the advance CAD, thousands of prototype design, years of real world testing, high tech manufacturing, not to mention 100 plus years of experience, MB still can't get it right? Hardware issues like rattles, metal flaking off, parts rubbing against each other, really shouldn't happen.

 

I have had my 2017 E300 for just over 4 years (yep, just past the manufacturer's warranty) and the check engine light lit up solid (and flashed for about a mile) on the way home last Sunday. I had the car towed to the dealership 2 days ago. My service advisor called today to tell me that the car needs a new engine. Something bad (he didn't share details) happened with one of the pistons. That explains how a gasoline engine can sound like a diesel engine I suppose. Lots of angry knocking whenever I pushed down (even lightly) on the accelerator. That was major problem #3 with the car.

Problem #2: It had rained pretty hard one day (not torrential by any means!) which is still rare for Northern California, and shortly after that day, I was alerted about an "AUX Battery Malfunction". I discussed this with the dealership, and it didn't seem like a major issue until the fobs stopped being able to lock and unlock the car. After that, the car wouldn't recognize the fob to start the car. I discovered a work-around and got the car started. The dealership said that there were some tubes that were supposed to channel the water from the roof to the ground, but instead, they sent the water into a compartment under the floorboard, which is apparently where electronics are that control things like detecting the fob, starting the car, lock/unlock, and the brake hold feature (which also became disabled). After 3 weeks in the shop, they fixed all of the issues and had new carpets sent from Germany to avoid any future mold/mildew issues.

Problem #1: The sunroof somehow grabbed part of the rubber seal and kind of mangled it, causing the sunroof to no longer function normally. The dealership was able to resolve this after a few days. At the time it was resolved, I could not hear any wind noises from the sunroof when closed, but now it seems that the noises have returned. Ugh!

 

@greg_e350 sorry to hear about the engine. It’s a growing problem for Mercedes and affects owners unfortunately. What is your next step? Will you have the engine replaced or move on to the next vehicle?

 

Hello, I have a 2017 E300. I was driving to work on Monday and all of a sudden the alerts in the car went crazy it said - do not change gears, go to dealership, no blinkers working, power stearing wasn't working. The windshield wipers were turned off but running. The dash said no blind spot, no air bags, etc.
I pulled into a parking lot and was able to turn the car off but unable to start it again. Has anyone experienced these issues before? It was if the car was possessed. Currenlty it is at the dealership, they said that first they had to put a new battery in the car for $440 and then needed to run a diagnostic which costs $570. Any feedback is appreciated.

 

Tell them to stop spending your money and tell you what they have found. Did they replace the battery and do the $570 diagnostic with or without your advanced permission? A basic XENTRY scan takes 15 minutes. The car is in the service bay so it really is 15 minutes. Sounds like they billed you separately and in full for each job which is rubbish.

I would have said battery based on the symptoms you described.

 

Wife’s 2017 E300 door swings right back as well. I also have a 2009 E350, the door never swings back. It’s actually ridiculous. It’s always been about the comfort and convenience that MB’s are known for that makes people buy Mercedes again, amongst other things of course. But just the little details that provide convenience and comfort which no one would really understand if they’ve never driven a Mercedes before has been taken away. But it’s not “The Best or Nothing” with MB anymore. That’s for sure. We bought ours as a CPO with remaining factory warranty on it, It has been to the dealership SO Many times. It’s ridiculous. I guess that’s Also a result of these Benz now being assembled in ALABAMA for the U.S. Consumers.

 

The Alabama plant is a SUV plant. The 205 C-class was made there for US customers for a while but that has ceased. E-class always made in Germany.

 

I might have found my answer.

 

comment on 2/2/25 ....I have a 2017 E300 now for 2 years and have had no problems..just did rear brakes ($700) ...and oil changes twice a year ....60K miles on it now...got it at 40K ...purchase the car from Car Max.

 

Did you have to replace Rotors Too?

Was that covered by the $700?

Thanks

 

I bought a 2018 E300 4Matic Sport from a MB dealer -- CPO, with an extended warranty -- and I've had the car for 2 1/2 years with no major problems at all. The car has been great. I've had it properly maintained at a MB dealer, with a few simple maintenance items done at an indy shop (brakes, spark plugs, which were not covered by warranty of course). I had a radiator leak, brought it in, MB replaced it, and covered by warranty. I had another problem, brought it in, MB replaced it, and covered by warranty. All very good. Great car for my likes and needs. Found the car on cargurus, contacted the dealer, drove out there and bought the car. Simple, easy, and have been enjoying the car since day one.

The only problem I have is with the service department(s) at the local MB dealers. Constant upsell, quick replies that something is probably not covered under warranty, and the like. Part of what the current landscape of the industry is like.

 

My dealer offers fancy ice cream, chocolate chip cookies and snack sandwiches from a deli. I always look forward to going there for annual service.

 

My dealer picks up my car and leaves a loaner. When the car is ready, I return the loaner, pay and leave with my car. Optionally, they'll deliver my car and take the loaner back. No extra cost.