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I'm looking to buy a larger car for my wife. Stumbled upon the R series. We have always wanted a Mercedes but figured it wouldn't have happened until the kids were out of the house. We have 2 boys and 1 baby on the way. After doing some research on the early R350's, I'm a bit scared re: reliability but I have reached out to 2 Mercedes Dealerships as well as multiple Mercedes Mechanics and I feel a bit more reassured. The particular one we are looking at is a 2 owner, 2007 R350 4Matic AWD w/ 62,000 miles on it. AutoCheck report and Mercedes Dealer history check came back clean and well maintained.
I did read about 2 major issues with these that can cost quite a bit. 1 being the airbag suspension (about $1k per wheel) and an issue with the Camshaft Adjuster Solenoid Failure ($4k - $6k repair) One very knowledgeable mechanic did confirm the Camshaft Adjuster issue but said that Mercedes finally released a campaign (type of recall?) on this and is currently covering it but he warned of it ending.
I would love to get any feedback from owners with experience here. Everything seems right about this deal and the seller is also coming down by $2k from their asking price which absorbs some of the potential maintenance risk. Thanks in advance for your thoughts!
Last edited by Tim Monson; 06-30-2016 at 04:10 PM.
Regarding the balance shaft class action, you may want to read the detail of the settlement and make sure your car is covered.
R-class has other issues especially the pre-2008. They can all add up very quickly. As long as you are setting aside $5k for all other (beside balance shaft) repair works for the next 3 years, I think you are good.
Regarding the balance shaft class action, you may want to read the detail of the settlement and make sure your car is covered.
R-class has other issues especially the pre-2008. They can all add up very quickly. As long as you are setting aside $5k for all other (beside balance shaft) repair works for the next 3 years, I think you are good.
Bought a 2006 R 350 in November, put another $3000 in since (fuel pump, water pump, oil change, camshaft sensor and diagnostics costs) still have an undriveable car as now I am told I need a new ECM ($~2500).
Well, even if you're a do-it-yourselfer like me and you know/learn all of the weak points, I still lean towards not recommending. I have 2 young kids and even though I have the capability to rebuild the engine, I don't have the time.
I've driven mine for 60K kilometers (37k miles) and I now have a blown engine. I bought the car @ 74K miles without check engine light or codes, maybe drove it 10k miles until issues began.
-At about 84k miles started misfiring one cylinder, replaced all cam magnets and all new plugs - codes went away
-95k miles one side of rear suspension failed, converted rear to coils springs, beat mercedes again
-115k miles misfiring codes returned, noticed intake manifold lever arm busted, ordered parts.
-117k miles - should have parked it, but instead engine popped leaving me stranded. Took off intake manifold found broken flaps, tonnes of oil and piece of piston ring spring. Engine is now scrap, unless I have the block sleeved and get new head, and do a full rebuild.. or possibly source a used engine, but that will still have the same weaknesses.
Honestly, for Mercedes to go to the trouble to make an intake manifold out of magnesium, then fill it with sub fisher-price quality plastic is such a waste. I'm sure the team of people at Mercedes responsible for engineered obsolescence is extremely pleased with themselves, but this is likely my last Mercedes ever. I took in my super reliable BMW X5 for this because it had a bigger middle row. You don't know how much I regret this. Both my previous Audi's were more reliable, where I had to do the timing belts. I have never seen this on any other car I've owned.
Then you have to factor in the balance shaft with a sprocket made of play-dough.
Oh and it's 500 bucks to change the transmission fluid because Mercedes "designed" them as sealed for life.
Even if you can do the work yourself, it's going to cost you. If you need to pay shop rate for work, you are going to get mercedes-raped to the tune of $5-10K easy. Do not do it!!!
Thank you guys for the responses. I did a lot of research and was mainly concerned about the known Balance Shaft issue (with the class action lawsuit) and the airride suspension. Found out that this one was clear of the effected serial numbers by about 150,000. Also, it is the rear only suspension. Car had 60,000 miles and all MB maintenance records. We picked it up last Friday.
I was also told that there is a common issue with the cabin filter airbox getting clogged and flooding...easy fix is to remove the rubber plug check valve. I'm guessing that this has already been taken care of here in this photo? I couldn't find any specific instructions or photos describing where it is located.
Thank you guys for the responses. I did a lot of research and was mainly concerned about the known Balance Shaft issue (with the class action lawsuit) and the airride suspension. Found out that this one was clear of the effected serial numbers by about 150,000. Also, it is the rear only suspension. Car had 60,000 miles and all MB maintenance records. We picked it up last Friday.
Hello, are you still happy with your purchase? I bought one recently really cheap with good maintenance records. Not even a week after purchasing it died on my husband. Although I am upset, we are not going to give up because this car is amazing in regards to size and comfort.
I'm considering a 2012 with 50k miles for the exact reason in I just need the extra seats with the growing family. I notice a lot of the complaints where for older cars from 08 and previous. Did they manage to work out all the main issues in the 2012 models or should I still be just as concerned??
I just bought my 2006/7 R350 4matic v6 petrol 3.5 LWB for the size, and because I liked the style.
However although I like the car I am paranoid about reliability. I would like to keep the car long term, stick some 20" wheels on it, and otherwise not much.
BUT it keeps getting the cam CEL, and now has developed a knocking sound coming from the front driver side (LHD) wheel. Its consistently knocking on drive, louder when OFF throttle, and louder when turning left.
I'm gonna take it to Merc to have a look as my local garage said they couldn't see anything obvious loose, so Im already worried about brutal analysis from them.....
Regarding the balance shaft class action, you may want to read the detail of the settlement and make sure your car is covered.
R-class has other issues especially the pre-2008. They can all add up very quickly. As long as you are setting aside $5k for all other (beside balance shaft) repair works for the next 3 years, I think you are good.
What about the 2008 models....do they have these issues as well ?
I have a 2012 and $24k in repairs now for the last 2 years. Total mileage is 100k. Totally agree terrible car.
You and the previous poster have unbelievably bad luck or someone is really ripping you off. With normal use and mileage, you shouldn't spend more than $2,000 (on average) per year or 10k miles.
You and the previous poster have unbelievably bad luck or someone is really ripping you off. With normal use and mileage, you shouldn't spend more than $2,000 (on average) per year or 10k miles.
Intake Manifold
Something else beside the manifold
Leak in the Suspension so kept lowering everynight
2x Adblue Heater
Adblue Injector
Oil Leak (Head Gasket)
Radiator Leak
Front Suspension (I forget the wording)
Intake Manifold
Something else beside the manifold
Leak in the Suspension so kept lowering everynight
2x Adblue Heater
Adblue Injector
Oil Leak (Head Gasket)
Radiator Leak
Front Suspension (I forget the wording)
Very sure I am not getting ripped off
AdBlue and suspension problems are common, but everything else is unusual. Terrible luck, unfortunately.
AdBlue and suspension problems are common, but everything else is unusual. Terrible luck, unfortunately.
True forgot one other issue. My particular filter was clogged. Drove like garbage. They said I need a new Catalytic Convertor ($4k). Tried this new thing they had to clean it out. It worked and only cost me $600. Felt like I won the lottery on that one.
You and the previous poster have unbelievably bad luck or someone is really ripping you off. With normal use and mileage, you shouldn't spend more than $2,000 (on average) per year or 10k miles.
$2000 a year on repairs and maintenance? Hello??? That is way abnormal for any modern car.
I had a 2008 CDI and had lots of problemes... oil cooler, particulate filter, glow plug relay... rear air bags. luckily all fixed under warranty.. I owned it for 4 years... Those repairs would have been $15k or more.
I got a 2011 Gas in fall 2015. So far bad alternator (replaced battery too) rear AC leak ($2000 but warranty) Now the radar blind spot detectors are bad... probably $1000 to fix I probably wont. Now if I leave it parked for over a week it has to pump up the rear. So airbags are next before the pump wears out. Too much goes bad on these cars.. but damit, I love my R.
2015 Audi S4, 1982 Fiat Spyder, 2010 R350, 2013 E550 Cabriolet
2010 gas version here. I have driven over 130k miles and only have had between $2000 and $3000 in repairs. I find this quite acceptable. Of course, service is way more than that and I include expected items such as tires and brakes to be service. I love the car.
I think people are starting to realize that the modern German diesel engine is very complicated and costs much more in service and repair.
I think people are starting to realize that the modern German diesel engine is very complicated and costs much more in service and repair.
Europeans seem to be better at maintaining these things, which leaves me wondering what exactly we are doing wrong in North America. At least one study says they are more prone to mechanical problems in Europe than petrol engines, but still. The frequency of these problems with AdBlue systems, timing chains, and oil leaks seems to be more prevalent here.
My 2006 R350 exhibited all the ‘known’ issues within weeks of buying it (now that I am over it I won’t rant about my experience with used car salesmen in NJ).
In order:
- Gearbox control unit
- Pneumatic suspension compressor
- Battery
- Hifi head unit.
Repairs (other than head unit) were carried out by independent in my area - circa $5500 in total (although not all at once).
Would I buy it again? Absolutely, I would just negotiate harder. How else do you get to drive a $80k car for less than $15k.
Since then - no issues, and I love the level of comfort, versatility.
I expect i will repace it when it gets north of 200k miles (on 118k now).
2015 Audi S4, 1982 Fiat Spyder, 2010 R350, 2013 E550 Cabriolet
I also am planning to keep it beyond 200k miles.
I would classify the battery as a consumable rather than a problem. Similar to tires or timing belt.
Originally Posted by ekstepj
My 2006 R350 exhibited all the ‘known’ issues within weeks of buying it (now that I am over it I won’t rant about my experience with used car salesmen in NJ).
In order:
- Gearbox control unit
- Pneumatic suspension compressor
- Battery
- Hifi head unit.
Repairs (other than head unit) were carried out by independent in my area - circa $5500 in total (although not all at once).
Would I buy it again? Absolutely, I would just negotiate harder. How else do you get to drive a $80k car for less than $15k.
Since then - no issues, and I love the level of comfort, versatility.
I expect i will repace it when it gets north of 200k miles (on 118k now).
06-30-2016, 12:52 PM
