View Poll Results: Has your E63 ever broken down or suffered a serious brake/safety failure?
I drive a 2007 E63 and have had no breakdowns nor serious brake/safety failures
18
50.00%
I drive a 2007 E63 and HAVE had a breakdown
2
5.56%
I drive a 2007 E63 and HAVE suffered serious brake or safety failures
1
2.78%
I drive a 2007 E63 and have had BOTH a breakdown and serious brake/safety failures
0
0%
I drive a 2008 E63 and have had no breakdowns nor serious brake/safety failures
8
22.22%
I drive a 2008 E63 and HAVE had a breakdown
0
0%
I drive a 2008 E63 and HAVE suffered serious brake or safety failures
1
2.78%
I drive a 2008 E63 and have had BOTH a breakdown and serious brake/safety failures
0
0%
I drive a 2009 E63 and have had no breakdowns nor serious brake/safety failures
5
13.89%
I drive a 2009 E63 and HAVE had a breakdown
0
0%
I drive a 2009 E63 and HAVE suffered serious brake or safety failures
1
2.78%
I drive a 2009 E63 and have had BOTH a breakdown and serious brake/safety failures
0
0%
Voters: 36. You may not vote on this poll
Has your E63 broken down or suffered serious brake failure?
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: California
Boxster, W211... Searching For and WTB: E63 Wagon with Distronic
Has your E63 broken down or suffered serious brake failure?
Hey E63 drivers,
I know forums are a frequent place to vent and find help for problems. On the other hand, it's rare that someone will say "no problems here!" since it's not the most interesting post for stirring up conversations.
Obviously, the E63 is loaded with technology, and things can sometimes go wrong (or right). Hopefully this will give an idea of what everyone has experienced.
The poll is anonymous; if you suffered multiple breakdowns, please choose the most appropriate choice for your situation.
Thanks for your vote!
If you did have a problem with your E63 and don't mind sharing, please post a few details and the fix.
Some background info (at 220S's suggestion: my cousin wanted a W211 which was a CPO 2008 car. I ended up driving first since I knew what to expect from a W211. During the test drive (after a mellow highway stint), the brake pedal lost nearly all resistance, sank to the floor, and provided minimal braking force. ABS activated and the car was still rolling forward unabated. Some minutes afterward, a brake fluid level warning appeared on the central LCD screen (not the nav screen). I was concerned about this failure and wanted to see if it has happened to anyone else. Figured we might as well exchange notes on our experiences and maybe prevent a crash or two. Plus, since many E63 drivers track their cars or take them at high speeds, data on breakdowns or other failures would be good to know.
I know forums are a frequent place to vent and find help for problems. On the other hand, it's rare that someone will say "no problems here!" since it's not the most interesting post for stirring up conversations.
Obviously, the E63 is loaded with technology, and things can sometimes go wrong (or right). Hopefully this will give an idea of what everyone has experienced.
The poll is anonymous; if you suffered multiple breakdowns, please choose the most appropriate choice for your situation.
Thanks for your vote!
If you did have a problem with your E63 and don't mind sharing, please post a few details and the fix.Some background info (at 220S's suggestion
: my cousin wanted a W211 which was a CPO 2008 car. I ended up driving first since I knew what to expect from a W211. During the test drive (after a mellow highway stint), the brake pedal lost nearly all resistance, sank to the floor, and provided minimal braking force. ABS activated and the car was still rolling forward unabated. Some minutes afterward, a brake fluid level warning appeared on the central LCD screen (not the nav screen). I was concerned about this failure and wanted to see if it has happened to anyone else. Figured we might as well exchange notes on our experiences and maybe prevent a crash or two. Plus, since many E63 drivers track their cars or take them at high speeds, data on breakdowns or other failures would be good to know.
Last edited by theclifbar; Jul 23, 2010 at 01:55 AM. Reason: added background info
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,293
Likes: 3
From: So Cal
2018 E63S Wagon
Where is the voting option for "This gives me a headache"?
I think you're "Harry Madan" from all of the other polls posted recently. If there's another poll posted in the CLS forum we'll know it's you.
I think you're "Harry Madan" from all of the other polls posted recently. If there's another poll posted in the CLS forum we'll know it's you.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,336
Likes: 8
Porsche 991S, Cayenne S, 1972 BMW 3.0CS E9 Coupe
Serious brake or safety failures? What, you're an ambulance chaser? Let me guess, your client failed to stop in time and ran into a school bus? The expert forensic mechanic you've hired is attempting to unearth some unknown brake design failure in the E63?
The E63 brakes aren't some esoteric German high tech futurama brake design that nobody's ever used before. It's a basic performance brake system. And they got rid of SBC a while ago.
Oddly worded poll.
The E63 brakes aren't some esoteric German high tech futurama brake design that nobody's ever used before. It's a basic performance brake system. And they got rid of SBC a while ago.
Oddly worded poll.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: California
Boxster, W211... Searching For and WTB: E63 Wagon with Distronic
Sorry to disappoint, but I have no idea who the heck Harry Madan is. Suspicious much, Mugatu22?
As for the poll, I recently drove a 2008 W211 which suffered complete brake failure and nearly caused me to crash into a car in front of me (fortunately, I didn't own it, but still not a good thing). The pedal went completely to the floor and there was minimal braking force. It was barely made it to a garage. I'm curious if it has happened to anyone else.
I didn't feel like ranting and raving about brake failure; if no one else reported it in the poll, I was just going to assume it was a random occurrence.
Maybe it could help prevent a future accident. Hopefully, there's nothing wrong with asking.
As for the poll, I recently drove a 2008 W211 which suffered complete brake failure and nearly caused me to crash into a car in front of me (fortunately, I didn't own it, but still not a good thing). The pedal went completely to the floor and there was minimal braking force. It was barely made it to a garage. I'm curious if it has happened to anyone else.
I didn't feel like ranting and raving about brake failure; if no one else reported it in the poll, I was just going to assume it was a random occurrence.
Maybe it could help prevent a future accident. Hopefully, there's nothing wrong with asking.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,336
Likes: 8
Porsche 991S, Cayenne S, 1972 BMW 3.0CS E9 Coupe
Sorry to disappoint, but I have no idea who the heck Harry Madan is. Suspicious much, Mugatu22?
As for the poll, I recently drove a 2008 W211 which suffered complete brake failure and nearly caused me to crash into a car in front of me (fortunately, I didn't own it, but still not a good thing). The pedal went completely to the floor and there was minimal braking force. It was barely made it to a garage. I'm curious if it has happened to anyone else.
I didn't feel like ranting and raving about brake failure; if no one else reported it in the poll, I was just going to assume it was a random occurrence.
Maybe it could help prevent a future accident. Hopefully, there's nothing wrong with asking.
As for the poll, I recently drove a 2008 W211 which suffered complete brake failure and nearly caused me to crash into a car in front of me (fortunately, I didn't own it, but still not a good thing). The pedal went completely to the floor and there was minimal braking force. It was barely made it to a garage. I'm curious if it has happened to anyone else.
I didn't feel like ranting and raving about brake failure; if no one else reported it in the poll, I was just going to assume it was a random occurrence.
Maybe it could help prevent a future accident. Hopefully, there's nothing wrong with asking.
And what's with your avatar? First it was you drive a Boxster and a W211. Now you changed it specifically to a W211 E63 wagon with some mumbo jumbo about distronic. But oh, wait, you were driving a 2008 W211 E63 and experienced a brake failure, but it wasn't your W211. But you really just want to save us all by "helping prevent a future accident." Say what?
Trying to fire up a lawsuit, eh? Um, it's a fail, sorry.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,540
Likes: 5
From: Arizona
2004 E55, 1997 E320 "Sold"
Serious brake or safety failures? What, you're an ambulance chaser? Let me guess, your client failed to stop in time and ran into a school bus? The expert forensic mechanic you've hired is attempting to unearth some unknown brake design failure in the E63?
The E63 brakes aren't some esoteric German high tech futurama brake design that nobody's ever used before. It's a basic performance brake system. And they got rid of SBC a while ago.
Oddly worded poll.
The E63 brakes aren't some esoteric German high tech futurama brake design that nobody's ever used before. It's a basic performance brake system. And they got rid of SBC a while ago.
Oddly worded poll.
Haha. You were almost spot on except he did not get in the accident. This poll made me go limp roflmao.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: California
Boxster, W211... Searching For and WTB: E63 Wagon with Distronic
220S and mugatu22, you guys crack me up. You're so far off, it's hilarious. I didn't start off the poll with my brake failure experience because that might color the results of the poll, and I wasn't going to blow it up into a huge deal if it has never happened to anyone else. I imagine you would have responded in a similar way, anyways.
As for the 14 people who actually drive E63 W211s and voted, thanks for your vote (and not joining in their witchhunt).
My cousin was shopping for that W211 and we went along for their test drive. The scary part was that it was a MB certified 2008 from a prominent dealership. The failure happened after a few minutes of driving. They figured I should drive it first since I knew what it should drive like. AFTER the failure first happened (following a highway speed stint), the central LCD brought up a red warning saying that the brake fluid was low. Low brake fluid isn't a huge deal, but when was the last time a car had that happen to you? I imagine there was a leak and using the brake was causing fluid to drain out of the system (hence the warning after the failure).
We had the salesperson drive back, and he agreed it was totally malfunctioning. I have the VIN, but I'm guessing it has been fixed by now. The rear power sunshade also wasn't working, but I wouldn't count that as a big deal.
The good news is that the poll results look pretty good, and it's probably an isolated incident. See, isn't it good to know what others have experienced, especially when hauling your loved ones around?
Cheers.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: California
Boxster, W211... Searching For and WTB: E63 Wagon with Distronic
Yeah, hence the poll. I wanted to make sure it was just a random incident. From the poll results, it looks like it is very rare.
You're also right in that I imagine there would be a recall if it happened frequently.
You're also right in that I imagine there would be a recall if it happened frequently.
Last edited by theclifbar; Jul 22, 2010 at 04:29 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,336
Likes: 8
Porsche 991S, Cayenne S, 1972 BMW 3.0CS E9 Coupe
220S and mugatu22, you guys crack me up. You're so far off, it's hilarious. I didn't start off the poll with my brake failure experience because that might color the results of the poll, and I wasn't going to blow it up into a huge deal if it has never happened to anyone else. I imagine you would have responded in a similar way, anyways.
As for the 14 people who actually drive E63 W211s and voted, thanks for your vote (and not joining in their witchhunt).
My cousin was shopping for that W211 and we went along for their test drive. The scary part was that it was a MB certified 2008 from a prominent dealership. The failure happened after a few minutes of driving. They figured I should drive it first since I knew what it should drive like. AFTER the failure first happened (following a highway speed stint), the central LCD brought up a red warning saying that the brake fluid was low. Low brake fluid isn't a huge deal, but when was the last time a car had that happen to you? I imagine there was a leak and using the brake was causing fluid to drain out of the system (hence the warning after the failure).
We had the salesperson drive back, and he agreed it was totally malfunctioning. I have the VIN, but I'm guessing it has been fixed by now. The rear power sunshade also wasn't working, but I wouldn't count that as a big deal.
The good news is that the poll results look pretty good, and it's probably an isolated incident. See, isn't it good to know what others have experienced, especially when hauling your loved ones around?
Cheers.
Now that we have facts, we can actually understand WTF you are saying. Do you get it, Chumley?
The fact is (now that you've decided to actually say something) the car was CPO'd from the dealer, as in a used car that the dealer was working on. They are required to make sure brakes are in order before certifying the car. In this case, the dealer did a poor repair or fix-it job on the car trying to get it ready to sell as a CPO. fwiw, a year or so ago there was a post from somebody who bought a E63 at auction that some dealer had swapped out E350 brakes and replaced them on the E63. Dealers screw up both unintentionally or intentionally.
Don't come on to a forum for the very first time without introducing yourself and telling your story/concerns straight up. Otherwise you look suspect. Members here have had to deal with a lot of bs and poser crap. As a newbie you don't realize it, and that's why we say just post to be TRULY helpful and not sound so tricky-Dicky like....
Some people have been on these boards for a long time through various models of the E Class AMG. They know what the score is in respect to issues and design faults on these cars. And even if it were a brand new W212 we'd have heard about it.
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Joined: Nov 2006
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From: California, USA
E63 P30, CL500 Sport
Except for the occasional brake squeal, I've had no issues with my car as of yet and I put it to the test vigorously 
I am pretty sure what you experienced was either a random incident or as stated by 220S, a faulty repair or we would've seen the problem at least once in the past 4 years
I am pretty sure what you experienced was either a random incident or as stated by 220S, a faulty repair or we would've seen the problem at least once in the past 4 years
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,167
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From: ny
2019 s560 sedan
Except for the occasional brake squeal, I've had no issues with my car as of yet and I put it to the test vigorously
I am pretty sure what you experienced was either a random incident or as stated by 220S, a faulty repair or we would've seen the problem at least once in the past 4 years
I am pretty sure what you experienced was either a random incident or as stated by 220S, a faulty repair or we would've seen the problem at least once in the past 4 years
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: California
Boxster, W211... Searching For and WTB: E63 Wagon with Distronic
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: California
Boxster, W211... Searching For and WTB: E63 Wagon with Distronic
I think I see your point, 220S... I've edited OP as such. (I think coming on with my first post as "W211 utter brake failure!!!" would also incite a strong reaction, but I guess there's no perfect way.)
Happy motoring.
Happy motoring.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 450
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From: el clinico magnifico
E63, S550
I've never heard of brake failure with the E63.
However, I remember several months ago seeing a thread with an E63 for sale which had the stock E550 brakes put on it (it was a legit E63). Maybe you drove that car
However, I remember several months ago seeing a thread with an E63 for sale which had the stock E550 brakes put on it (it was a legit E63). Maybe you drove that car
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: California
Boxster, W211... Searching For and WTB: E63 Wagon with Distronic
So to wrap up the original brake failure I experienced, on the post mortem it appears that there was massive brake fluid loss several minutes after engine startup. I'll update if I get more info, but that could be any number of causes (loose hoses, rodent damage, etc.)
