Mercedes E350 coming off warranty

[HardDrive]

My Merc is coming off warranty next month. My plan was to keep it long term.

But for the second time in a year there is a 'teleaid malfunction' (GPS antenna was replaced last time), there is a malfunctioning door lock, I'm getting an intermittent engine light.....sigh.

I really like the car. Fantastic city car. Plenty of power for my purposes. But is this thing going to end up being a constant hassle?

The car sits outside, and I guess I also worry about the rubber seals on the car. Its only 4 years old, and it looks like some have already shrunk a bit. Seattle is not exactly a sunny place.

I guess every car is going to have its problems, but I'm concerned that this little stuff it going to end up turning into big stuff down the road. The idea of something going south in the 7 speed transmission....eek.

A penny for your thoughts.*








*offer not good on planet earth. Space Station employees must file form 43234-343B in triplicate to redeem offer.

[Langers]

Have you tried gummi phlege on the door seals?

Buy an extended warranty from MB and keep the car for another 3 years.

[adamred]

I've had a string of MBZ these past 5 years:
2006 CLS 500
2xGL 450s (they took one back under the lemon law and gave us a new one)
2009 E-350.

I love the cars but if not for a warrantee I'd never buy one. The little stuff is enough to make you nuts and drain your bank account faster than a crack addiction

[Carrerax]

I had a 2006 MB R500. Worse car I ever over owned......6 times in the shop and only had 14k miles on it. Never ever will I own an MB product out of warranty. Just my .02.

[cairns]

If you can't get it serviced by a friend "off the clock" or do it yourself dump it. Otherwise I would budget at least $3,000 per year. And that might be cutting it too close. A transmission solenoid would suck that up at dealership rates. A brake job at MB dealer rates? AC condenser? Power window switch? That sort of stuff is really gonna hurt.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

You can get an extended warranty plan. They're normally rip-offs but if you need the peace of mind...

My SLK is a 2001 and it's still under warranty. I've not quite broken even on the cost (yet, but I'm trying to break something expensive before this fall...)

[sc_rufctr]

Not that long ago Mercs seemed to run forever with very few issues.
BMWs were the same. What's changed?

Back on topic...

I would sell it now. You really have to ask yourself how much you like that car.
It's just too expensive to keep out of warranty.

[jcommin]

I have 70K on my CLK. I do not have an extended warranty. I just dumped 5K in it.

New tires
Straighten out 3 rims
Replaced (1) cracked rim
Brakes, rotors, ss brake lines
Brake flush
Plugs
air filter
cabin filter
Trans leak
Horns - both
Front end alignment
RH speaker grill
Front license bracket
Rear bumper trim piece
LH tie rod end
oil change/filter
fuel filter
3rd brake light - again.

I cherry picked what I wanted to do. I let the dealer do the rest. The fuel filter: design and location is a joke. The biggest expense I have had on this car is wheels and tires. I live in Chicago; alloy wheels and pot holes don't mix. I don't think an extended warranty would cover my issues. It's also the first time I spent big money on this except for wheels and tires. I also have access to All Data and downloaded repair steps and part numbers for the items I chose to fix myself. I Changing/buying the 16 plugs on this car was over $500 at the dealer. I can do that myself.

I'm going to run this for over 150K miles. Repairs and parts are expensive. I finally got the dealer to give me a discount on retail parts. Getting specific tools, going to web sites like Pelican, Rock Auto, etc. generally will save you money on parts.

It comes down to what you want to do, how much trouble you are having with car and what exactly does an extended warranty cover?


Good Luck.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Too many silly electronics gizmos and other crap. That's what's changed.

Less is more.

I do like the SLK though.

[daepp]

I really hate to say this, but I would not own it without the warranty.

I am dumping ml 2001 ML due to way too many post warranty repairs. The thing runs great, but everything else has taken a dump.

My wife has an 07 GL450 on extended warranty. This is a great vehicle with a fantastic ride and mucho power. But the warranty has been essential, and I am very worried about owning it after it expires.

[McLovin]

I believe 06 was the last year of the unfortunate SBC "brake by wire" electric braking system, which MB abandoned in 07. The system has caused lot of expensive problems for MB, with dying pumps, bleeding air valves, etc.

The 07 was actually a simpler car than the 06, an unusual thing when the later version is actually less complex than the earlier.

[A930Rocket]

My wife has an R350 (don't ask) she bought used 3 years ago with 18k miles. She got the 100k extended warranty. It's been trouble free but she has all the maintenance done on it like clockwork with an Indy wrench. The dealer here is joke.

Anyway, it has about 80k now and I'm thinking we need to sell it before 100k miles, as maintenance plus potential repairs make me nervous.

[mattdavis11]

I've worked on way too many newer BMW's and Mercedes to ever want to own either. I like the SL55, but it can also eat you out of house and home. I'd sell.

[island911]

Your check engine light is likely a coil pack getting flaky. --super easy to replace. ...a couple hundred for all three. ...and replace the plugs while your there.

IMO, Merc's have straight forward, well built hard parts. --I wouldn't worry about the 7-speed.

The things that get you are the soft parts. --example: the rear-view mirror housing, on a W140, cracked. ...can't buy just the plastic housing; have to buy the whole mirror @ >$1200. (help me out, Z-man)

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Having service manuals simplifies a lot of things. I'm a little nervous about going off warranty, but not terribly (I have manuals). I mostly like dropping it off if needed and letting it be someone else's problem. Nice when I don't have to wrench on a daily driver.

[Ray B]

Hey, if owning it is important to you you gotta be prepared to spend to ton of cash to keep it running. My E-series was easily the worst car I've ever owned. It looked great, solid as a bank vault but was always in need of something-$$$. Dump it. You'll feel like you just sold a boat.

[HardDrive]

I have condensed all of you comments above into the following statement"

"Harddrive, it would be a dis-service to your family to keep that car. Get thee to a Ford dealer and get a new Mustang GT."

[island911]

if only PWD had posted . . . could have saved us all some typing.

[EarlyPorsche]

Do a search for "Chrysler Extended Warranty"

I've heard really good things. They require you to get the work done at a Mercedes Dealer though

But the warranty is low priced and also covers you for many many miles past warranty coverage period.

[slow&rusty]

I have owned several E class Benzes from 1994 to present (current is a Kleeman modified E55 AMG)

Firstly the 7 Speed will not eat itself...never heard of that happening

Secondly the 3.5L V6 is a stout motor..it will not eat itself...never heard of that happening either

Thirdly DO NOT cut corners on a thorough service and fresh fluids. Make sure you do tranny flushes..every 50K...not the cheap flush where you drop the pan and filter...but ALSO empty the Torque Converter.

Oil changes religiously!! Don't scrimp.

+1 on the extended warranty for piece of mind.

Every modern car as they age will have minor niggles that make you roll your eyes..does not matter brand.

Keep it. W211 chassis is a beautiful looking car.

Yasin