Problems with 1999 E-320 - Please Advise - Any such Experiences - Benzworld.org

saad12 · 01-26-2005, 12:20 PM

Hello Folks,

I am just begining to wonder if the reliability of Mercedes is going down hill - I bought my 99 model E-320 in OCT, 2002 and since the last 2 years and 3 months that I have owned this vehicle I have had the following problems - CD changer started to skip (replaced under factory warranty) , Fuel gauge didn't read full even when tank was full ( replaced fuel sensor under warranty), O2 sensor - check engine light (replaced under Star Mark warnty), sterring rack & pinion - noise (replaced the complete rack + pinion under start mark warranty) - rear window regulator (left side ) replaced and yesterday the right side rear window regulator. Parking Lamp bulb + side marker bulb have also fused.
I am a little disappointed - I thought being a Mercedes it will have top quality parts - appraently not. What problems am I going to face next - FYI on my Maxima the window regulator broke after 12 years vs 6 years on the Mercedes.
Please advise - I rally love the car and wanted to keep for a long time - it only has 48000 miles - should I be thinking of selling it or what.

E Wagon · 01-26-2005, 03:13 PM

The only thing you have missed is the Harmonic ballancer. Get yours replaced, it is being recalled. Also Change the transmission fluid (your 99 probably has a drain on the torque converter as well as the pan). But be happy that you have replaced almost everything, that are common problems, under warranty. Others arn't so lucky.

The 210 is still the most comfortable car I have ever owned or driven and would need extreme reasons to get rid of it.

saad12 · 01-26-2005, 04:53 PM

Thanks for the response.
Regarding the transmission fluid drain I haven't been informed of it yet and the car was in for it's scheduled maintenance 4-5 months ago.
What do I need to do regarding the harmonic balancer that you have mentioned - I haven't been notified regarding that either would the dealer know about the recall.
Do the front regulators also go bad.

ELITE_Tech0327 · 01-26-2005, 06:03 PM

If the harmonic balancer is under a recall, all Mercedes Benz dealers should know about it

olivengco · 01-26-2005, 06:24 PM

Quote:

saad12 - 1/26/2005 11:20 AM

Hello Folks,

I am just begining to wonder if the reliability of Mercedes is going down hill - I bought my 99 model E-320 in OCT, 2002 and since the last 2 years and 3 months that I have owned this vehicle I have had the following problems - CD changer started to skip (replaced under factory warranty) , Fuel gauge didn't read full even when tank was full ( replaced fuel sensor under warranty), O2 sensor - check engine light (replaced under Star Mark warnty), sterring rack & pinion - noise (replaced the complete rack + pinion under start mark warranty) - rear window regulator (left side ) replaced and yesterday the right side rear window regulator. Parking Lamp bulb + side marker bulb have also fused.
I am a little disappointed - I thought being a Mercedes it will have top quality parts - appraently not. What problems am I going to face next - FYI on my Maxima the window regulator broke after 12 years vs 6 years on the Mercedes.
Please advise - I rally love the car and wanted to keep for a long time - it only has 48000 miles - should I be thinking of selling it or what.

Hi Saad12, I have a 2000 E320 with only 42,000 miles and everything you mentioned above is exactly what I had to go through, so you are not alone. In addition, my engine mounts and rear differential plates were also replaced due to some leakage. I haven't had the rack & pinions replaced yet, my dealer thinks it's just a dry boot so they just lubricated it, but the steering nosie is still there, i will take it back next week. My Starmark warranty is really paying off. Ever since I bought my car (last year 2004) I've spent more time at the dealer than actually driving it. I was also thinking about selling and buying another car, but I am so attached to the car I just can't. [V]

Ninenoter · 01-26-2005, 07:14 PM

If MB dealers are recalling cars due to bad harmonic balancers, it would appear to be a dealer by dealer decision only. NHTSA looked into the problem from a safety defect standpoint and ruled that there is no need for a recall. Interesting info I gleaned from the NHTSA website shows that the bad balancers are from one particular supplier and that 100% of the 1998 E320s use the balancer from this supplier. Yeah, mine is a 98. Great, huh?
From NHTSA's website:

THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY HARMONIC BALANCER FAILURE THAT COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF POWER-STEERING ASSIST. ODI HAS RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 546 NON-DUPLICATIVE REPORTS THAT ALLEGE ENGINE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY HARMONIC BALANCER FAILURE ON ALL MERCEDES-BENZ VEHICLES USING THE SUBJECT COMPONENT. THE SUBJECT COMPONENT FAILURES ARE PROGRESSIVE IN NATURE AND ONLY A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE COMPLAINTS AND WARRANT CLAIMS INVOLVED A FAILURE THAT HAD PROGRESSED FAR ENOUGH TO EFFECT POWER STEERING PERFORMANCE (6 OF 55 ODI COMPLAINTS REFERENCE INCREASED STEERING EFFORT). THERE HAVE BEEN NO CRASHES OR INJURIES RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT. A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED. ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED. THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST. THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

srijey · 01-26-2005, 08:13 PM

I own a 2001 E430 4M bought in 2003 and me too had similar replacements much more than my lexus or other GM cars. List goes like this: radiator, rear joints, throttle valve, tail light bulbs, day light bulbs, seat belts, few more valves â€“ I donâ€™t remember what are they, few axle seals, well, some the dealer tells me as recalls; but overall these replacements makes me think in various directions- could be a deliberate amount to make money out of parts or labour through the warranty scheme, could be inferior parts, their inspection is stringent, or simply they are rotten. What I wonder is: What the MB research and marketing guys are doing to reduce these premature failures? Are the customers being informed on the developments? Quite frankly, Iâ€™m unable to identify any reliable component in my E430 â€“ Iâ€™m surethe number of replacement would be far less had I bought an equally old Sunfire or Neon. Then where is that so called superior quality and reliability? Can anyone tell me about BMW or Jag â€“ do they have similar issues? For sure, Lexus donâ€™t have as my other old car 1998 ES300 is still running fine with very less maintenance. OK Power is there with those V8 and 4 matic but at what cost and trustworthy? In short, Iâ€™m scared to take this one for long drive. Iâ€™m eagerly looking for positive comments on MB at this forum......

olivengco · 01-26-2005, 11:13 PM

I haven't been driving my E320 because I'm afraid something else might go bad. I don't want to sell it I love this car. It just sits in my garage and the wife is already complaining, she said either I start using it or it goes bye bye[V].

mgyl · 01-27-2005, 02:52 AM

You are probably going to experience rust on the doors under the rubber sealing on the upper part between the doors and roof.
It's also very common with rust at the licens plate lights on wagon cars.

Do a search for rust, this is a serious problem!

Morgan

raymond- · 01-27-2005, 08:22 AM

Don't freak out too much reading the following. But you may be able to get an idea what other MB owners have gone through...

http://www.mercedes-benz-usa.com/index.php

p.s. I have a 99 E320 rwd and have had no problems to-date, during the past year of ownership. 52,700 miles and ticking.