Older Mercedes Issues to look out for?
Discussion
Hi Guys,
Been scrolling through the forums for years and always see the Mercedes diesels recommended for their bulletproof nature. Mainly from Z10!
What are the issues to look out for on these as a car? 2006-2012 age.
Ive a few e350 CDI, 320CDI and 280 on the radar and wondered what things are the weakpoints? Ive seen a rear diff leak on a few, with seals/vents being a ‘common’ issue.
Let me know if you’ve any experience both positive and negative.
Ste
Been scrolling through the forums for years and always see the Mercedes diesels recommended for their bulletproof nature. Mainly from Z10!
What are the issues to look out for on these as a car? 2006-2012 age.
Ive a few e350 CDI, 320CDI and 280 on the radar and wondered what things are the weakpoints? Ive seen a rear diff leak on a few, with seals/vents being a ‘common’ issue.
Let me know if you’ve any experience both positive and negative.
Ste
The 2006 facelift was when the limited-life SBC brakes were phased out of the E-class, so that's one less worry.
Air suspension was an option on the E-class, and standard on the rear of the estates I think; I understand it's good when it works but can become a bit of an expensive nightmare to fix when it doesn't.
I had a 2012 C220 coupe (W204) for a few months. Got bored, and sold it. Not too much actually wrong with it mechanically, but the interior was a bit ropey. Seat material (Artico fake leather) was splitting, rubberised coating peeling on many of the switches, a few squeaks and rattles, etc. Certainly not as durable as a BMW, and no better than a Panda with similar mileage.
It did have a few intermittent electrical issues though. Intelligent headlight failure if the sun was shining on the windscreen sensor, and the electronic steering wheel lock not disengaging (which immobilises the engine) were the worst. Fortunately these faults would clear eventually, as they are very expensive to fix.
The worst thing about the car was it was just so bland and boring to drive. I've also got a 1.6 diesel Citroen C3 Picasso, and I preferred driving that!
I traded it in against a 2019 Abarth 595. A flawed car, but immense fun.
It did have a few intermittent electrical issues though. Intelligent headlight failure if the sun was shining on the windscreen sensor, and the electronic steering wheel lock not disengaging (which immobilises the engine) were the worst. Fortunately these faults would clear eventually, as they are very expensive to fix.
The worst thing about the car was it was just so bland and boring to drive. I've also got a 1.6 diesel Citroen C3 Picasso, and I preferred driving that!
I traded it in against a 2019 Abarth 595. A flawed car, but immense fun.
clockworks said:
I had a 2012 C220 coupe (W204) for a few months. Got bored, and sold it. Not too much actually wrong with it mechanically, but the interior was a bit ropey. Seat material (Artico fake leather) was splitting, rubberised coating peeling on many of the switches, a few squeaks and rattles, etc. Certainly not as durable as a BMW, and no better than a Panda with similar mileage.
It did have a few intermittent electrical issues though. Intelligent headlight failure if the sun was shining on the windscreen sensor, and the electronic steering wheel lock not disengaging (which immobilises the engine) were the worst. Fortunately these faults would clear eventually, as they are very expensive to fix.
The worst thing about the car was it was just so bland and boring to drive. I've also got a 1.6 diesel Citroen C3 Picasso, and I preferred driving that!
I traded it in against a 2019 Abarth 595. A flawed car, but immense fun.
Its by no means the main car, just something to do the miles in! Ive other toys but really never bought a sensible comfy car. It did have a few intermittent electrical issues though. Intelligent headlight failure if the sun was shining on the windscreen sensor, and the electronic steering wheel lock not disengaging (which immobilises the engine) were the worst. Fortunately these faults would clear eventually, as they are very expensive to fix.
The worst thing about the car was it was just so bland and boring to drive. I've also got a 1.6 diesel Citroen C3 Picasso, and I preferred driving that!
I traded it in against a 2019 Abarth 595. A flawed car, but immense fun.
nobrakes said:
I’ve a 2008 320cdi estate.
It’s pretty robust. Brake pipes done recently.
Is the E350 petrol? An early 212 or late 211?
I always felt the 320cdi was worth it for the extra ponies compared to the 280.
It's the CDI diesel, It’s pretty robust. Brake pipes done recently.
Is the E350 petrol? An early 212 or late 211?
I always felt the 320cdi was worth it for the extra ponies compared to the 280.
Yer that's what I'm thinking, it'll be doing longer journeys
lord trumpton said:
The red ones of that vintage had a major paint issue where many were completely resprayed under warranty due to paint blistering
Fire Opel Red- MB are not supporting some claims on this now. I work with them day in day out. The diesel V6 leaks from the oil cooler seals- four figure repair cost due to labour involved. Injector issues are not too uncommon. Subframes rot through completely on any Mercedes’ of that vintage. Nox sensors fail and they’re on global back order. Air suspension failures, mega money.
They are not particularly well made cars- but they are lovely to drive. I guess you can forgive the flaws for that reason, to a point.
W201_190e said:
lord trumpton said:
The red ones of that vintage had a major paint issue where many were completely resprayed under warranty due to paint blistering
Fire Opel Red- MB are not supporting some claims on this now. I work with them day in day out. The diesel V6 leaks from the oil cooler seals- four figure repair cost due to labour involved. Injector issues are not too uncommon. Subframes rot through completely on any Mercedes’ of that vintage. Nox sensors fail and they’re on global back order. Air suspension failures, mega money.
They are not particularly well made cars- but they are lovely to drive. I guess you can forgive the flaws for that reason, to a point.
W201_190e said:
Fire Opel Red- MB are not supporting some claims on this now.
I work with them day in day out. The diesel V6 leaks from the oil cooler seals- four figure repair cost due to labour involved. Injector issues are not too uncommon. Subframes rot through completely on any Mercedes’ of that vintage. Nox sensors fail and they’re on global back order. Air suspension failures, mega money.
They are not particularly well made cars- but they are lovely to drive. I guess you can forgive the flaws for that reason, to a point.
My brother has recently got a CLS350 CDI Grand Edition and it’s suffering the oil cooler problem and when the mechanic at the garage tried to sort it first of all he hadn’t put the oil filter on properly somehow and nearly all the oil leaked out of the car.I work with them day in day out. The diesel V6 leaks from the oil cooler seals- four figure repair cost due to labour involved. Injector issues are not too uncommon. Subframes rot through completely on any Mercedes’ of that vintage. Nox sensors fail and they’re on global back order. Air suspension failures, mega money.
They are not particularly well made cars- but they are lovely to drive. I guess you can forgive the flaws for that reason, to a point.
Was meant to be getting sorted again the other day and cut out and was smoking, I said he should reject the car!, always thought these engines were pretty robust but it seems they’re an expensive nightmare!, put me right off getting one, my old CLK 320 petrol hasn’t skipped a beat, but in true early 00s Merc fashion it’s getting a bit of rust in the front wing and bottom of the passenger door which I need to sort out, rear arches and boot lid are good though!.
W201_190e said:
lord trumpton said:
The red ones of that vintage had a major paint issue where many were completely resprayed under warranty due to paint blistering
Fire Opel Red- MB are not supporting some claims on this now. I work with them day in day out. The diesel V6 leaks from the oil cooler seals- four figure repair cost due to labour involved. Injector issues are not too uncommon. Subframes rot through completely on any Mercedes’ of that vintage. Nox sensors fail and they’re on global back order. Air suspension failures, mega money.
They are not particularly well made cars- but they are lovely to drive. I guess you can forgive the flaws for that reason, to a point.
I'd say it's condition dependent as on all used cars, the sub frame issue seems to be a random one as it really does vary as an example the SIL has a 2007 CLK 320cdi with 120k no issues my old 2005 CLK270 with over 190k now no issues, my 2009 CLK63 garage queen needs it's rear brake lines sorting, the subframe is fine.
With the sub frames some of the dealers are replacing them FOC but some need more convincing than others.
With the sub frames some of the dealers are replacing them FOC but some need more convincing than others.
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