felixopp

I just put money down ($25k) on a used E53 with 13,000 miles on it for $67,000 from an official dealership in Santa Monica. Totally fell in love with the car.

I'm now reading up on all of the 48v battery problems. Looking at the Carfax, it recently got put in for a service for (Battery charged, computer reprogrammed) - presumably referring to this exact issue. It then had the title transferred to a Benz dealership about a month later. The warranty lasts for about another year.

Have I gotten screwed here? I feel like the person probably got a buy back from the dealership and wanted to get rid of it right before the warranty expires. I can get extended but not sure it covers the battery and concerned with having to deal with all this madness. I'm also concerned it'll be unsellable in X amount of years once the warranty is done for.

Total elation at having a new vehicle turned into total despair. Any thoughts? Do we know if this issue has been fixed?

ocdbroker

IDK but I would get out of the deal. If it's a MB dealership they should give you a refund because you didn't have all the information that should've been disclosed.

chassis

I would walk from any MB with a 48V system.

joeshannon095

PM me the VIN if you're not comfortable posting it publicly.

taphil

That's easy to say. Except it includes so many models, it's mind bending.

https://www.mercedesbenzofakron.com/...brid-overview/

chassis

I see no exception. Walk from any MB that uses a 48V system. To do otherwise would be to embark upon a trail of tears.

Dicky D

There are thousands of MB owners with 48v systems that have had zero problems with them. Almost all new MB’s have it. Don’t freak out. What year is your E53? Mine is a 2021 and has had no issues at all.

felixopp

Thanks for the responses so far, folks.

VIN is W1K1J6BB2MF150767

Carfax is here.

You can see that it got hit with the 48v error at 13k miles (service says 'battery charged and computer reprogrammed'). Then got transferred to the dealership a month later. Dealership said he traded it in. Sounds like original owner got spooked and sold it back, and now feels like they're trying to offload it to some sucker who is not familiar with the issue. They are one of the big official dealers in LA (SaMo), so they're taking the stance that they wouldn't put that type of stock up if they weren't confident it was permanently fixed, and would otherwise auction it. But it's a car dealership at the end of the day.

It still has 1 year official warranty and I would extend it by 3-5 years, but my worst case scenario that I'm dreading is that it keeps failing, failing, failing, and I'm stuck with a very expensive lemon that I can't even sell or trade in in 3-5 years, and can't rely on to go on long road trips with.

Problem is I absolutely adore the car. I looked at a bunch of C63s, but something about this one just clicked when I got in there and said - this is YOURS.

Am I being overly paranoid? I do wonder how much bias goes into the fact that you're only going to hear from people who are having issues with them. Also wonder if the fact that the problem has already been serviced is actually a good thing, rather than an indicator that it's more likely to reoccur.

I might not be able to back out of the deal so it might be all academic at this point.

Sunbeltgolfer11

Tough call. If it were I'd likely back out of the deal and keep looking. My experiences with a local dealer and MBUSA have been less that palatable, so I would never be comfortable knowing if the car would be satisfactorily repaired should future issues arise with the 48v system. Now you may have better success with a dealer than I've had, but getting parts and having repairs done correctly the first time haven't been what I've experienced. Having a warranty is nice to cover issues. However, if it is continually in the shop and they can't get parts, or give the usual excuse that they can't replicate the problem, you wind up with an expensive car that you aren't able to drive.

felixopp

​​​​​​​It's a 21 too. How many miles you put on it? How you feeling it?

chassis

Sounds like you are emotionally committed and unsure if the deal can be contractually unwound. Do the due diligence on the contract question. Then make the decision to stick with it or bail if you can, and want to.

If you end up with the car, protect yourself with extra warranty coverage if you like, enjoy the car, and brace yourself for an uncertain future.

joeshannon095

"RECALL#2021060009 UPDATE 48V BATTERY SOFTWARE;PERFORMED CAMPAIGN#2021060009;12896 RECALL COMPLETE. SYSTEM UPDATED ON LINE E." Straight from the VMI. Performed at 12,896 miles. No indication of failure.

felixopp

Appreciate this Joe. Could you please help me understand what this means? Just a system update while it went in for a service rather than a response to an actual failure?

Seems like he might have sold it to the dealership and they then updated the software to prep it for resale, rather than him bringing it in because it failed?

Does this mean there is a recall on the battery that hasn't been published?

joeshannon095

Here you go. Probably was traded in to the dealer and they completed the recall before putting it up for sale, but I can't be certain.

felixopp

You absolute legend. Thank you. I think this may have restored my faith.

Very interesting that there is an official and silent recall, but makes sense. I haven't seen this anywhere and I've been searching obsessively. Also very subtly worded.

joeshannon095

No worries. I can't promise you won't have issues with the 48v system, just figured I'd clear the air. It's a fantastic car otherwise, you'll love it.

skim7x

You can get an equally low mile E63s these days for high $70k... Just throwing that out there. I know E63s doesn't fit everyone's lifestyle but wanted to make sure you knew that was an option for you.

ChrisHimself

learn to moonwalk, out of this deal

get an E63 of any vintage

mischief

My parents had a ‘19 E53 sedan and now have a ‘22. Not once have they ever had an issue with the EQ boost battery.

I think you’re reading too much into the Carfax. There is really only 1 service record on it. Ask the stealership to provide you with the service records for the MBUSA system. There would definitely be more one service record if there was a battery issue.

ktw13

Greeting,

I have recently purchased a pre loved E53, where can I find if 48v system had software update done or not?
the VIN is W1K1K6BB2MF160163

Thanks!

joeshannon095

Recall is still open on that VIN. You should be able to give the VIN to a Mercedes dealer, they'll see the open recall, and you can schedule to have it done.

ktw13

Thank you for the speedy assistance.

Since this is a parallel import from USA to UAE, I will see if the dealer here is willing to update it.

felixopp

Update:

Went through with it all and couldn't be happier. Actually a very good thing I scrutinized the Carfax in front of them as they offered CPO on it which gave me an additional year of warranty. Showed me a 78 point check on it, or whatever it is. With extended warranty that gives me 4 good years.

I think the recall will likely have fixed the issue and feel like it's generally overhyped online.

I was looking at an E63 but didn't want a sedan. This engine purrs with it's own charm and it drives magnificently. It's already quicker than I should be driving in LA. Absolutely love it.

E53Amg19

Can you check mine too?