Mercedes E220 Cdi - How reliable?
Discussion
I've got an 08 plate and have done 31k happy and relatively trouble free miles in it.
Only problems have been a nearside front electric window with a mind of it's own, Glasgow's 3 main dealers have failed to diagnose the problem so I've decided to live with it (when putting the window up sometimes it reaches halfway up then goes back down without asking!), and a squeak from the engine which was cured when they replaced the poly v-belt, however again it took 3 visits to the different dealers before any suggested doing anything.
I love the car and would wholeheartedly recommend it, as I don't believe any car is 100% reliable through it's lifetime and the issues I've had aren't the end of the world. BUT, ensure you've a good main dealer near you if you want to keep up the FSH, for some reason MB have climbed the satisfaction charts, so some dealers must be good, sadly mine aren't!
Only problems have been a nearside front electric window with a mind of it's own, Glasgow's 3 main dealers have failed to diagnose the problem so I've decided to live with it (when putting the window up sometimes it reaches halfway up then goes back down without asking!), and a squeak from the engine which was cured when they replaced the poly v-belt, however again it took 3 visits to the different dealers before any suggested doing anything.
I love the car and would wholeheartedly recommend it, as I don't believe any car is 100% reliable through it's lifetime and the issues I've had aren't the end of the world. BUT, ensure you've a good main dealer near you if you want to keep up the FSH, for some reason MB have climbed the satisfaction charts, so some dealers must be good, sadly mine aren't!
My 2002 E class has been fairly reliable since I've had it, 3 years now, but has suffered from corner cutting at the manufacturing stage. This includes plastic fuel lines in the engine bay that are perfectly placed to become embrittled by engine heat, all failing within a few weeks of each other. The injector seals can be a nightmare as well although I've only had to replace one so far. The biggest problem is rust as a quick read on here http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/ will show you. My car has a few little spots here and there,it had all 4 arches repaired under warranty by Mercedes when I first got it which are still looking ok, but overall it still looks presentable. The paint shop guy told me that there's some cars out there with no rust but most will have some and a few will be completely buggered. If your in the market for one then a good look in daylight will show everything up, it's easy enough to spot.
CHIEF said:
As above really. How reliable are these cars, Any major problems to be aware of?
Can they take high mileages?
I hear that the post 04 are a lot better car with many niggles ironed out.
Thanks in advance.
Cheers.
As already mentioned, post facelift cars from the end of 2006 are definitely a better option. Early ones usually suffer with electrical niggles such as Central Gateway and Audio problems, as well as no doubt the odd SBC fault thrown in to the mix. Can they take high mileages?
I hear that the post 04 are a lot better car with many niggles ironed out.
Thanks in advance.
Cheers.
The only things I'd say keep an eye out for if you look at a car from circa 2004 are that the SBC hydraulic unit has been replaced (sits front left of the engine bay as you look at it and will be tagged if replaced), and have a good look at the front of the engine because the high pressure fuel pumps have been known to leak.
Other than that the only common issues really are the front bottom ball joints becoming worn and excess play in the thrust arm bushes but they're hard to check for without a ramp! If there's any receipts or documentation with the car those items having been replaced are worth keeping an eye out for. As for mileage, providing they've been serviced regularly and ran on the right oil (cars with diesel particulate filters came out around that age and require low ash oil) then they're pretty bullet proof mechanically. It's worth having a look in the service book to see if the transmission oil and filter has been changed if it's a 5 speed auto too, this should be done once at 40,000 miles but often gets overlooked.
Rat_Fink_67 said:
It's worth having a look in the service book to see if the transmission oil and filter has been changed if it's a 5 speed auto too, this should be done once at 40,000 miles but often gets overlooked.
MB only brought in the requirement to do that in late 2004 (until then the boxes were regarded as "sealed for life" so if looking at an earlier car it's unlikely to have been done.Deva Link said:
Rat_Fink_67 said:
It's worth having a look in the service book to see if the transmission oil and filter has been changed if it's a 5 speed auto too, this should be done once at 40,000 miles but often gets overlooked.
MB only brought in the requirement to do that in late 2004 (until then the boxes were regarded as "sealed for life" so if looking at an earlier car it's unlikely to have been done.Rat_Fink_67 said:
Deva Link said:
Rat_Fink_67 said:
It's worth having a look in the service book to see if the transmission oil and filter has been changed if it's a 5 speed auto too, this should be done once at 40,000 miles but often gets overlooked.
MB only brought in the requirement to do that in late 2004 (until then the boxes were regarded as "sealed for life" so if looking at an earlier car it's unlikely to have been done.Deva Link said:
Rat_Fink_67 said:
Deva Link said:
Rat_Fink_67 said:
It's worth having a look in the service book to see if the transmission oil and filter has been changed if it's a 5 speed auto too, this should be done once at 40,000 miles but often gets overlooked.
MB only brought in the requirement to do that in late 2004 (until then the boxes were regarded as "sealed for life" so if looking at an earlier car it's unlikely to have been done.
Hi there, I've had quite a few Mercedes with electrical gremlins and the best I've had at sorting them and I've tried both main dealer and independants is Alan at Carluke MOT Centre, they are Mercedes Specialists and have been excellent with all my cars, I stay in Bearsden and go all the way to Carluke because these guys are so good. 01555 751050
http://www.carlukemotcentre.co.uk/
A.
http://www.carlukemotcentre.co.uk/
A.
yellowbentines said:
I've got an 08 plate and have done 31k happy and relatively trouble free miles in it.
Only problems have been a nearside front electric window with a mind of it's own, Glasgow's 3 main dealers have failed to diagnose the problem so I've decided to live with it (when putting the window up sometimes it reaches halfway up then goes back down without asking!), and a squeak from the engine which was cured when they replaced the poly v-belt, however again it took 3 visits to the different dealers before any suggested doing anything.
I love the car and would wholeheartedly recommend it, as I don't believe any car is 100% reliable through it's lifetime and the issues I've had aren't the end of the world. BUT, ensure you've a good main dealer near you if you want to keep up the FSH, for some reason MB have climbed the satisfaction charts, so some dealers must be good, sadly mine aren't!
Only problems have been a nearside front electric window with a mind of it's own, Glasgow's 3 main dealers have failed to diagnose the problem so I've decided to live with it (when putting the window up sometimes it reaches halfway up then goes back down without asking!), and a squeak from the engine which was cured when they replaced the poly v-belt, however again it took 3 visits to the different dealers before any suggested doing anything.
I love the car and would wholeheartedly recommend it, as I don't believe any car is 100% reliable through it's lifetime and the issues I've had aren't the end of the world. BUT, ensure you've a good main dealer near you if you want to keep up the FSH, for some reason MB have climbed the satisfaction charts, so some dealers must be good, sadly mine aren't!
Aidayboy said:
Hi there, I've had quite a few Mercedes with electrical gremlins and the best I've had at sorting them and I've tried both main dealer and independants is Alan at Carluke MOT Centre, they are Mercedes Specialists and have been excellent with all my cars, I stay in Bearsden and go all the way to Carluke because these guys are so good. 01555 751050
http://www.carlukemotcentre.co.uk/
A.
Cheers, I only tried all of the main dealers as the car is still in warranty so I shouldn't have to pay for the repair! I've heard good things about Carluke MOT and I've got relatives in Lanark so may use them in the future and combine the trip with a family catchup.http://www.carlukemotcentre.co.uk/
A.
P.S. sorry for the thread hijack!
My '07 plate has now done 243,000 miles with a full Mercedes service history.Outside of servicing it has had one ball joint replaced and a fuel sensor. No other problems whatsoever. You do need to change the gearbox oil on a regular basis, approx 60k miles. Most of those miles are obviously motorway miles and overall it averages about 48 mpg and so far has not needed any oil between services. It has got more economical as the miles pile on.
Drive them sensibly, service them as per manufacturers schedules and they are very reliable. This is my second E class, the first on an '03 plate did 320,000 miles again with very few issues.
Drive them sensibly, service them as per manufacturers schedules and they are very reliable. This is my second E class, the first on an '03 plate did 320,000 miles again with very few issues.
Monkeylegend said:
My '07 plate has now done 243,000 miles with a full Mercedes service history.Outside of servicing it has had one ball joint replaced and a fuel sensor. No other problems whatsoever. You do need to change the gearbox oil on a regular basis, approx 60k miles. Most of those miles are obviously motorway miles and overall it averages about 48 mpg and so far has not needed any oil between services. It has got more economical as the miles pile on.
Drive them sensibly, service them as per manufacturers schedules and they are very reliable. This is my second E class, the first on an '03 plate did 320,000 miles again with very few issues.
Bloody hell what the hell do you do to rack up those mileages????Drive them sensibly, service them as per manufacturers schedules and they are very reliable. This is my second E class, the first on an '03 plate did 320,000 miles again with very few issues.
CHIEF said:
Monkeylegend said:
My '07 plate has now done 243,000 miles with a full Mercedes service history.Outside of servicing it has had one ball joint replaced and a fuel sensor. No other problems whatsoever. You do need to change the gearbox oil on a regular basis, approx 60k miles. Most of those miles are obviously motorway miles and overall it averages about 48 mpg and so far has not needed any oil between services. It has got more economical as the miles pile on.
Drive them sensibly, service them as per manufacturers schedules and they are very reliable. This is my second E class, the first on an '03 plate did 320,000 miles again with very few issues.
Bloody hell what the hell do you do to rack up those mileages????Drive them sensibly, service them as per manufacturers schedules and they are very reliable. This is my second E class, the first on an '03 plate did 320,000 miles again with very few issues.
yellowbentines:it is on variable service intervals but I get approx 18k between services, and surprisingly is not that expensive even at a main dealer.
Main things (to echo others):
SBC Brake unit can "run out of cycles". Costs about £1300.
Ball joints wear and knock (not major)
Check all the electrics
Check autogearbox, in particular for any judder (like going over cattle grid). Google "W211 Glycol" to find out. Affects all cars up to about 2005 - ignore anyone who says they cured the problem in late 03. Gearbox rebuild, torque convertor and radiator usual cure. MB dealer prices write off car but real world cost is about £2k.
All in all they have issues but not disasterous. Main question is whether you really want one. I'm afraid I find them really rather shoddy cars, very average to drive with competent but very dull handling, average ride, muddled gearboxes (Comfort mode too slow, Sport often unpredictable), poor build and cheap materials (creaking seats, flexing plastics - push on the door trim), lifeless "Parameter" steering with no feel and very artificial weight.
They're comfortable, make very good motorway cruisers and are generally nice to while away the hours in and can take high miles. All in all, a good taxi, which is what many of them seem to be, but not remotely special or premium to drive.
SBC Brake unit can "run out of cycles". Costs about £1300.
Ball joints wear and knock (not major)
Check all the electrics
Check autogearbox, in particular for any judder (like going over cattle grid). Google "W211 Glycol" to find out. Affects all cars up to about 2005 - ignore anyone who says they cured the problem in late 03. Gearbox rebuild, torque convertor and radiator usual cure. MB dealer prices write off car but real world cost is about £2k.
All in all they have issues but not disasterous. Main question is whether you really want one. I'm afraid I find them really rather shoddy cars, very average to drive with competent but very dull handling, average ride, muddled gearboxes (Comfort mode too slow, Sport often unpredictable), poor build and cheap materials (creaking seats, flexing plastics - push on the door trim), lifeless "Parameter" steering with no feel and very artificial weight.
They're comfortable, make very good motorway cruisers and are generally nice to while away the hours in and can take high miles. All in all, a good taxi, which is what many of them seem to be, but not remotely special or premium to drive.
confused_buyer said:
not remotely special or premium to drive.
Everyone's entitled to their opinion but can I genuinely ask if you were looking for a 'premium' diesel saloon what would you recommend as an alternative at the same or less price as a used buy?I was in that situation (and ultimately ended up with the E220cdi) and looked at various alternatives. The A6 and 5 series at similar prices were very spartan inside, with few luxuries/extras and most had cloth seats, no premium feel there, the 5 series interior was very bland and reminded me of my Father's admittedly good Skoda Superb in that it's well put together and functional but ultimately dull. Most also had manual gearboxes, and I found the Audi diesel engines to be harsh and unrefined. The plus sides of the alternatives were that the 5 series diesel engines were wonderful, and the Audi interiors very well screwed together, but both felt like compromises, I felt that the E Class was the best all rounder.
In terms of driving, it's not sporty, but it's not meant to be (the gearbox 'S' setting stands for Standard, not Sport as many seem to think), I think it fits it brief as a premium/luxury saloon very well, most chaffeur drive firms would agree. My driving is mostly through town and with the heated leather seats and excellent climate control on, great stereo and COMAND satnav, and smooth auto diesel gliding me through the streets, it's a joy to own, I really don't know what I'd replace it with.
Reliability wise, mine has been acceptable, my driver's seat does creak, drives me crazy, but the stereo is good enough to drown out the noise
sorry for the long winded post, got carried away a bit!
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