E320 quality and reliability already sunk and sinking? - Benzworld.org

Raylee177 · 06-23-2005, 07:56 PM

More and more people seem to have common problems with E320 and they will drop MBZ from their future choice. What do you think? I am not happy at all with quality and reliability. I have 2001 E320. I only have 25,300 miles on it but I am not sure whether I should keep it or not.
I do like features and performance of the car though.

satxmerc01 · 06-23-2005, 09:17 PM

I too have a 2001 E320 and so far it has been alright. I have had a few issues such as a strange rattle coming from the gear shifter and a creaking sound coming from the steering column. The rattle was fixed under warranty but the creaking from the steering column is going to cost about $700 since my car is now out of warranty. My car has 20,200 miles on it and I was suprised to see the car have probelms like this so early on. I like the car a lot and I am currently thinking about getting an extended warranty for the car. I would recommend that you hang on to the car for a while longer and do your best to keep up its regular maintinance.

spine911 · 06-23-2005, 09:17 PM

Quality and Reliability are two things you have to consider when you decide on keeping a car for several years...There are several problems that can be avoided by maintenance and just plain common sense...I would say my W210 is reliable but requires some regular TLC... But hey, you got to love those features-- Full Power Options(Power Window Regulators) and of course those finely placed/state of the art Cup Holders!(Tranny Sensors)..lol..[:D]

mjhawkins2346 · 06-24-2005, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Raylee177 - 6/23/2005 9:56 PM

More and more people seem to have common problems with E320 and they will drop MBZ from their future choice. What do you think? I am not happy at all with quality and reliability. I have 2001 E320. I only have 25,300 miles on it but I am not sure whether I should keep it or not.
I do like features and performance of the car though.

You can buy an awful lot of extended warranty contracts for the cost of swapping out the car. If you like driving it you very well may end up regretting the sale anyway.

Buy the extended warranty, keep up on the TLC and revisit the issue in a couple years.

Many of the 210's are very troublefree. It's the high number of problematic units out there that keep us all worried and looking over our shoulders.

You have low, low miles and a fairly decent unit. You should be OK.

rob_fed · 06-24-2005, 11:40 AM

For the little things, plastic creaking, window regulators, outside black trim turning purple, and the cracking of the dash.

I think it is the dash that really is the most puzzling. Other cars, even really inexpensive ones, do not suffer from this problem.

The second it the window regulator design. Seems like the replacement should be revised to fix the weak nylon parts.

I have about 75K miles now, these issues are a lot less than the mechanical problems that I had with an E34 BMW.

Duffy1 · 06-24-2005, 03:54 PM

I bought a 2001 E320 4Matic back in march with only 12,600 miles on it. I had heard some of the very same things in this thread - some cars are rock solid some are nothing but a pain. Who's to know what you are buying. The folks at Mercedes offered a 2 year 100,000 mile extended warranty for $2500. The Automobile Association of America (AAA) offered a 4 year 100,000 mile warranty for $1,000 more but the difference goes beyond the additional 2 years. AAA lets you get the car repaired wherever you want -Mercedes or Joe's garage down the street. And, they warranty far more parts than Merceedes. Ask Mercedes for a copy of their extended warranty (which you wouldn't be able to get if the car is out of warranty) and then get a copy of the AAA program (which you can get as long as the car is under 100,000 miles). When you bring the car in for repair the mechanic calls AAA and they discuss the repair using Chilton's for the estimated time and parts. If they agree AAA gives them a credit card # and you don't pull a dollar out of your pocket. If you get the premium road service for $100 ($25 more than the basic) you get towed 100 miles Vs 5 miles with the basic and their program gives you a food and lodging allowance if you're stranded and if a tire gets shredded on the road they will give you up to $100 for a replacement.... It really is a decent program. And, given the thread here and the cost of repairs why would anyone want a MB unless someone else was paying the potential hefty repair bills.

gregs210 · 06-24-2005, 07:18 PM

Quote:

satxmerc01 - 6/23/2005 8:17 PM

I too have a 2001 E320 and so far it has been alright. I have had a few issues such as a strange rattle coming from the gear shifter and a creaking sound coming from the steering column. The rattle was fixed under warranty but the creaking from the steering column is going to cost about $700 since my car is now out of warranty.

Hey, Texas. I would definitely be a squeaky wheel (no pun intended) to your dealer and the regional rep. That squeaking/creaking is a KNOWN problem, MBZ knowns what it is (a defect!) and issued a technical service bulletin on it. If you complain enough they should take care of you. It's a defect, plain and simple and the fact that you didn't drive enough miles to reveal it (makes me glad I got mine used with 46K) shouldn't save them.

Okay, I'll step down off my soap box now. [;)]

No matter what, these are nice rides. And they are very safe cars as well.

Take care, folks.
Greg

1985 300CD · 06-25-2005, 10:50 AM

I have a 2001 E320 4Matic Wagon. My mom spilt coffee on the center consol. Coffee spillage = $4,500 bill from Mercedes. They said they had to replace a bunch of wires and crap. But several mechanics told me that the 2000 = 2002 is the best 210 made. Next problem though, if there is a problem, Im getting rid of it.

spine911 · 06-25-2005, 02:51 PM

Quote:

1985 300CD - 6/25/2005 12:50 PM

I have a 2001 E320 4Matic Wagon. My mom spilt coffee on the center consol. Coffee spillage = $4,500 bill from Mercedes. They said they had to replace a bunch of wires and crap. But several mechanics told me that the 2000 = 2002 is the best 210 made. Next problem though, if there is a problem, Im getting rid of it.

WOW $4,500 for the whole repair bill?( and i thought it is only $1100). $tealers definitely made a killing that day- They got to be thanking the Engineering/Design geniuses who thought of placing the cup holders within the vicinity of the Tranny Sensors[:D]...Another great example of owner preventable problems.

thumper786 · 05-07-2007, 06:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guest

More and more people seem to have common problems with E320 and they will drop MBZ from their future choice. What do you think? I am not happy at all with quality and reliability. I have 2001 E320. I only have 25,300 miles on it but I am not sure whether I should keep it or not.
I do like features and performance of the car though.

Hi , I have a E320 CDI year 2005 , I have done nearly 100,000 miles it drives like a dream no diffrence sine I had it from new , maybe the older model had some problems or you just got un lucky with the one off with the problem , I'm sure if you buy the after 2005 model you should be ok good luck .