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Mercedes-Benz E-Class Sedans
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Comments
R
Not happy with how BMW is dealing with this major problem at all.
However, notwithstanding W210's concern about the fan/overheating problem, my research and anectodal evidence from friends and business associates seems to indicate a higher level of satisfaction and fewer problems with BMW 5-series than Mercedes E's. Early (1997/8) E's seemed to have a lot of electrical problems and I have one friend who is quite unhappy with his 1997 E420 with only 45k miles. He is a longtime Mercedes loyalist and claims that this car has been a rather dissapointing experience. Granted, very limited database, but those that I've talked to about their similar age 528 and 540's seem relatively satisfied.
Can anyone point me to a good comparison of long term reliability between E's and 5's??
What a 1997 E-class owner experiences may not be that relevant compared to what a 2001/2002 owner tells you. For example, I have friends complaining how unreliable BMW engines are, but then, he had a 1994 first generation V8 with a known problem which BMW had already rectified.
As I said, I worry about the the current fire recall than anything.. I'm curious how many BMWs actually caught on fire like the one I saw on the news.
Does anyone know where I can get a nice CD changer, other than the MB? How difficult is it to install? It's for 98'CLK.
Thanks.
Who is your dealer in NH? Is it Holloway in Manchester, or Dreher-Holloway in Portsmouth?
I bought my car from Manchester, there have been numerous electronic problems that they try to fix by swapping parts, and there are still problems.
Interestingly, they have been doing the repsirs "under the radar screen" in an attempt to get good feedback for the JDPowers surveys. Seems that JDPowers results affect the dealers ability to get priority on scarce-car deliveries from the factory.
I'd like to know more about who is working on your car and compare notes.
Thanks in advance.
My experience was in Manchester as well...
I contacted MB customer care via e-mail and they pointed out to me that each dealership is independantly owned and operated and I need to take it up with them. If it's they who have the problem I don't see a resolution.
As another poster pointed out I'll attribute it to lack of competition. Up here it's much easer to get my tractor serviced than it is my MB.
I'll contact you via e-mail off line.
Thanks,
BigRob.
If I were you, I would get the name of that person's supervisor or ask the email address of a more senior customer service representative.
WHY ONLY BUILD A FEW THOUSAND A YEAR...
GREAT RESALE VALUE
oil changes every 10-15k
great bose sound system with 6 cd changer
etc
http://www.bmwm5.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?s=&threadid=9647
Assuming you actually own an E, you are fortunate to have a great car. Not, however, quite as well put together as a 5, IMHO. I have been back to the Mercedes dealer a few more times for stupid fixes than I have to the BMW dealership. And, by the way, our Wagon even overheated once whereas my 540i has never had any such problem! Does this compel me to rag on Mercedes over at the BMW forums? Not at all. The E320 Wagon is still head and shoulders the best wagon out there for our needs (5-series wagons are "wannabes" as far as people and cargo capacity) and I am highly comforted that my kids are being hauled around in one of the safest vehicles available at any price.
To each their own and enjoy your E for what it is, not for what it isn't.
Thanks
I find blind criticism to be unconstructive too.
What I put down are precise and specific feedback from BMW users. The overheating fire recall is very real (and so is the recall on the recall), and there seems to an ongoing issue with weather strip squeaking on 5 series which requires too frequent maitenance just like the weak windshield wiper blade on the current E-class that doesn't last long enough.
Endless praise or general criticism on either car don't help new users. Any idiot will know that both are fine cars but would appreciate more detailed and specific observations and feedback.
Generalizing which brand is better or worse is silly, it all depends on the specific model and personal preference. I would pick the E320 over the 530i, the 540i over the E430, the E320 wagon over a 530i wagon, and the E55 over the M5, and probably the E430 4matic over the 540i.
Looking at the history or reputation of past BMWs or MBs in the 80s or 90s is not really that relevant to the current car buyer. One needs to look at the current pros and cons affecting both cars. For additional recalls and technical service bulletins on either car, see www.alldata.com
One area people often forget is the quality of the local BMW or MB dealership. It makes a big difference on the level of ownership satisfaction.
"I find the 540i to be "tighter" handling and steering than the Wagon and therefore seems a little more "solid""
I rest my case with you and will not comment on your observation.
Having said that I much prefer the styling of the E320.
SERVICE DEPT BMW= A MB B-
HANDLING BMW= B+ MB C+
POWER BMW C+ MB B+ 320 VS 528I
WIND NOISE BMW C+ MB A+
Body RIGIDITY BMW B+ MB A
FUEL ECON BMW B-(23)MB B+ (27hwy)
VALUE BMW B- MB B-
PROBLEMS BMW A MB B (minor, none major)
NEXT CAR? EITHER WAY
re-sale. It comes down to personal preference.
I like the current 5 series (540 IA) and of course, I like my '00 E430 Sport. The Bimmer is more pure sports car than the M-B. The interior and drive of the M-B is a bit more luxury oriented.
I enjoy the extra room the E Class affords over the BMW.
As for reliability over 7-8 years I still believe my M-B will hold up better than the Bimmer. But, I purchased the extended warranty anyway for peace of mind.
Finally, I like the next generation 5 series more than the next generation E class. So, if interior room improves and quality remains solid I may trade my '00 E430 for a 540IA or M-5 with 500HP.
If you don't like having bugs, I wouldn't recommend getting any first year model...it'll have cool new features, along w/ cool new bugs :-P
BTW: if you have time, can you compare the ergonomics of the current E with the C and S. You said the new E will be more like these models.
Thanks!
You've heard of the new C's squeaks, keys, trunk, etc.
I'm sure Hondas and Toyotas have problems in the first year:
The MDX had suspension pieces making weird noises, interior pieces falling off, noise sloshing, etc.
The RX300 had stuff like the sunroof cover sliding by itself when you're on a hill, etc.
Just read the forums of *any* car in the first year of production and you'll see...
Minors bugs don't bother me as long as the manufacturer knows how to solve the problems and the issues can be quickly addresses at the dealer level. What I dislike is having to go back and forth dealing with the same bugs over and over again..
And don't you think that people that purchase this calibre car have higher expectations? I now I personally have lived with things w/my CRX, 626 and Camry that I would have "gone off" on the MB dealer for. My wifes Subaru rides like a shopping cart but, you know, it's just a Subaru...
Later,
BigRob.
I think that BMW got the message that they needed to cut costs long before Mercedes did and, as a result, has had more time to understand how to produce better products for less money. I think Mercedes is still experimenting (what else could explain their baffling inability to design a proper cupholder or the incredibly cheap plastic bins in the front of the seats of their flagship car the CL?) but will eventually get there.
Life is good that we get to choose between these two fantastic auto makers
I do think that Lexus has taught the Germans to give the customer what he wants,right or wrong.That is an economic reality,but professional designers do have a clear vision of what a model should be.
If you listen too muich to a customer's whims,you get things like too outside thermometers in the interior of the Lexus LS430.
The only thing that took me by surprise was the lack of rear reading lamps. My old s class had them and my kids love to read by them. We were driving along and my son asked me where they where! It got by me when buying the car. I think in o1' you had to get the "parktronic" option to recieve them.
Like walto, I used the "heavy duty" Bilsteins, rather than the "sports," which are even stiffer.
Thanks for the suggestion, walto!
how much do they cost fully installed?. Also do the MB dealers do this or you have to get this done at an outside shop..
Thanks
I could have purchased the shocks from AutoZone, probably for a few dollars less, but figured that if a problem arose with the shocks (e.g., wrong ones, defects), it would be much simpler if had purchased the shocks through the same outfit that installed them.
Incidentally, the tire shop said it checked with three wholesalers and found a wide disparity in prices and availability.
On the other hand, my Toyota Sienna has great cup holders. I have put all sorts of cups and glasses in it (even kitchen glasses and coffee mugs) and have never had a problem or a spill.
I did not buy the mercedes for its cup holders and I would buy it again. I do think the engineers at MB could try harder to design a cup holder that would be functional as well as slick looking.
I scuffed the bottom of the front bumper.
Thanks.
PROS
*Power seems more than adequate.
*Service at the dealer was the BEST I received for any car I purchased or leased.
*Traction control and ABS work great for a northeast based car and all the snow we get. Keep in mind I did have to get 4 more wheels mounted with a set of Blizzaks to feel safe though. No complaints - great solution from tirerack.
*Great stereo with cdjukebox. Generally I have always preferred after market units with separate amps etc so I can relive my teenage past but overall the systems is pretty good (ovrpriced though). A direct optical link fromt he cd to the head is a great feature to reduce noise.
*For the many messages on cupholders (why?) They are just fine in front and back.
CONS
*The car has had a few too many issues requiring service (although the service dept was great)
*Tapping rubbing noise the the roof area by the sunroof never fixed.
*Tempermental window height problem with rear window that would often not close all the way.
*Electronic key that requires a laser pointer and guidance system to get it to work at more than 24 inches to open the trunk or unlock doors.
*Somewhat sloppy handling on turns although on strait roads is much nicer than BMW. Guess I need non-MB Shocks (recommendations welcome.
*Sqweaky steering wheel (fixed after two tries).
Would I buy again over the BMW? Yes, but I would prefer a better perfoirmance package for suspension.
On a separate note, I used the Zaino products (Z1, Z2, Z6 (detail spray?), tire care and wash)on my car 6 days after I bought the car. I have a Black car and it looks outstanding. I put 3 coats of Z2 on the car and it looks even better than the day I picked it up from the dealer.
This is my first Mercedes-Benz and I am looking forward to joining the MB family....
As far as polishes, there are many good alternatives like "Z" - some are not even too expensive. Much depends on the climate. In the northeast an annual paint cleaning for oxidation in the spring with clearcoat safe polish is just about he only way to keep a durable shine before waxing. I prefer spending the time to do it by hand since machines tend to rub edges too much if you move too slow.
I would jump on a sport model as long as well maintained. Let me know if you want to trade wheels . . . :-)
Perhaps some whom have these on 17' rims could lend comment on their experiece so far.
Adjustable volume: Dealer can change the level of adjustment. I find that some cds react differently to adjustment. It mostly becomes an issue at lower volumn when I have a passanger. Since I had it adjusted I have not noticed it too much. So perhaps not a problem anymore.
I have a 2000 E320 4MATIC purchased new in 5/00 with 11,000 miles. Periodically, I have heard noises (light whine) from my steering column. The dealer replaced the steering rack twice and then made a adjustment to the heat shield. The noise usually occurs after about 30 minutes of city driving especially in warmer weather.
The service advisor now tells me that he believes that this problem results from a design defect with the 4MATIC vehicles. Apparently, the exhaust system is routed differently on 4MATICs and the heat shield is also different (shorter I think). There is a rubber mount (it is lubricated) on the firewall that the steering column passes through. The steering column has a nylon bushing on it and the nylon bushing contacts the rubber mount. My dealer feels that the heat shield design is defective. The heat shield is to short and does not provide adequate protection. As a result, the grease between the rubber mount and nylon bushing is eventually cooked away. Then the whine occurs. My rubber mount is now chewed up and the dealer will be replacing it. Problem is that this doesn't cure the design defect.
The dealer has seen this issue in three other cars and has worked with the local Mercedes rep to develop a plan to TRY to correct. The dealer is ordering a heat shield for a normal E320 and then custom cutting is so that is longer that the 4MATIC heat shield, but still fits. The dealer has completed this fix on three cars but doesn't know if it will work.
Needless to say, the dealer cannot guarantee that this will fix the problem. He thinks it may, since the "retrofitted" cars haven't developed the whine in the few months since they were worked on. This process is a major job as it involves taking out the steering rack, column, heat shield, rubber mount, etc..
Anyone else having this issue or had it fixed?