[gr33nmachin3]

Hello! Does anyone have much good to say about the R500 4matic? I have owned numerous older Benzs like the W123, W124, W126, W202 and W210. All diesels.

I love, on paper, the minivan/SUV/wagon/estate ness of the R500 4matic...but most of the reviews are very negative. They include complaints about major repairs needed from the camshaft to the air suspension to various other gremlins.

I am a DIYer and shade tree mechanic with lots of tools and a 2 post lift and am happy to fix most items, aside from major engine repairs.

So, is this the car for me!?

JD

 

[cdcjr63]

I just bought my 2008 R350 2 months ago. I knew it needed some repairs when purchased. Mainly the error codes for the timing cam phasers. There is some posts on here that mention the Balance Shaft issues in which the steel wasn't hardened and shaft wore out prematurely up to a certain engine serial number. I bought a scanner to diagnose my issues. I replaced 1 Camshaft Solenoid , no cam sensors. At first I put the solenoid on rightside exhaust camshaft. Code came back so I put the new one on intake cam and put the original solenoid back on exhaust cam. Code hasn't come back since. Also the intake flaps will throw code due to linkage being cracked. This causes sluggish response from dead stop. I replaced only the linkage and intake manifold gaskets. It is well documented here in the forums. I love the ride of this Beast , to me it rules the road on the highway ! My only issue now is the ac blower intermittently not working.
UPDATE !!!! Blower Fan Motor Fixed : Removed Fan and Inspected. Found Oxidized Connector where the Control Module plugs onto the Fan. Cleaned all connectors with sandpaper , scraped with small file. Cleaned all connectors with Electrical Contact Cleaner. Works Great !

 

[gr33nmachin3]

I just bought my 2008 R350 2 months ago. I knew it needed some repairs when purchased. Mainly the error codes for the timing cam phasers. There is some posts on here that mention the Balance Shaft issues in which the steel wasn't hardened and shaft wore out prematurely up to a certain engine serial number. I bought a scanner to diagnose my issues. I replaced 1 Camshaft Solenoid , no cam sensors. At first I put the solenoid on rightside exhaust camshaft. Code came back so I put the new one on intake cam and put the original solenoid back on exhaust cam. Code hasn't come back since. Also the intake flaps will throw code due to linkage being cracked. This causes sluggish response from dead stop. I replaced only the linkage and intake manifold gaskets. It is well documented here in the forums. I love the ride of this Beast , to me it rules the road on the highway ! My only issue now is the ac blower intermittently not working.
UPDATE !!!! Blower Fan Motor Fixed : Removed Fan and Inspected. Found Oxidized Connector where the Control Module plugs onto the Fan. Cleaned all connectors with sandpaper , scraped with small file. Cleaned all connectors with Electrical Contact Cleaner. Works Great !
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I like the silver w/black wheels! Well done.