Model specific question for the Mercedes guys

lendaddy · 10-07-2010, 04:09 PM

Have a friend looking at two different models for his wife. I told him I'd run it by the brain trust to see if either/both/neither have inherent issues. Thanks in advance.

#1- 2003 C240
#2- 2004 E500

Reliability/cost of ownership being more the concern than performance

racer · 10-07-2010, 05:42 PM

like most things.. 6-7 years old, usually means "out of warranty".. expect, when they happen, large repair bills. Like Porsches and BMW, they are less "bullet proof" than their reputation would make them out to be. Might want to check on "benzworld.com" or some of the real benz boards for big issues.

lendaddy · 10-07-2010, 07:03 PM

Thanks, I know that in general non of these will be "cheap" to own. I was more looking to see if either of these are among the "should avoid" models every automaker puts out a few times a decade.

EarlyPorsche · 10-07-2010, 07:48 PM

Most people on the internet talk about Benz problems. From my own, friend, and family ownership, including some years and models that are allegedly troublesome...the vehicles are really well built.

If you ask me I would get the E500. The 113 V8 engine is INCREDIBLE...you wouldn't believe the pull of the 500 engine. The 722.6 automatic is about as tough as they come...same one used in super heavy duty Mercedes like the AMG's, Sprinters, and V8 or V12 forced induction cars.

Problems will be that the suspension is super nice and smooth and with that comes maintenance. The air suspension may need parts BUT you can get Goodyear or Continental airbags for around $400 or so instead of $3000 from Benz. Further, the earlier years of that E series had electronic brakes, which are weird and require equipment to work on but that is to be accepted.

If you want simpler get the C-class but it won't pull or sound ANYTHING like the M113 V8 in the E500.

Mike C · 10-08-2010, 05:37 AM

A friend of mine bought an 04 500 series 5 mths. ago. So far its had 3 transmissions put in it & a host of smaller problems. Its a beautiful car but I wouldn't take it for free.

I'm not saying they are all bad but I've heard a lot of stories. FWIW.

McLovin · 10-08-2010, 06:32 AM

I had an 05 E500.

If reliability/cost of ownership is the concern, the C240 will be much better. (As long as you don't take 2 parking spots!)

It's still a fairly simple car. By 2003, most of the common problems in that series had been fixed. Like with most cars, the more mechanically straightforward car is going to be the more reliable and lower cost (something that doesn't exist can't break!)

The E500 was a "top of the line" type of model, and had all the bells and whistles. As earlyporsche pointed out, that includes an air suspension, which is ok when it works (actually, it's very nice when it works), but can be expensive when it breaks. It has an air pump, air lines, bladders, etc.

The early adoption of electric brakes on that E series was an acknowledged failure. Mercedes abandoned it for the 07 model year, going back to normal hydraulics.

Also, an '04 is an early generation E500 (for that body style). They def. got better as they worked the bugs out. I'd be way more comfortable with the 07 and up.

I didn't have any major problems with my E500. I didn't like the air suspension air pump running at random times (which is apparently normal). I didn't like the electric brake setup. I did have some minor electrical issues (seats, etc.) Overall, it's one of the few cars I've had that I didn't keep long term.

crustychief · crustychief's Garage

The E's computer is directly below the cup-holder in the center console. If there was ever a drink spilled there, weird stuff will happen at random times. +1 on the engine pulling like a coked out mule!

Stuart993 · 10-08-2010, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McLovin

I had an 05 E500.

If reliability/cost of ownership is the concern, the C240 will be much better. (As long as you don't take 2 parking spots!)

Mc Lame is a very modest man. Indeed he has a lot to be modest about.

silverc4s · silverc4s's Garage

Not sure of the exact years, but I have it on good authority that every year of the Diamler-Chrysler era, the Benz cars got progressively more dodgy, until most Germans refused to buy them....
Great time for BMW & Audi..

McLovin · 10-08-2010, 10:16 AM

Daimler's acquisition of Chrysler had zero effect on the Mercedes cars.

lendaddy · 10-08-2010, 11:40 AM

Excellent info guys, thanks much!

This will certainly help my buddy. A bit of a followup though, if he wanted one of the "Big Benz's" which model (post 2k) would have the best reputation for reliability? Was there a basic no frills V8 model? I know some of the 90's S's had a great rep, but for some reason he wants to stay post 2k. Thanks, again.

McLovin · 10-08-2010, 12:05 PM

If he wants an E, I'd try to get an 07 or newer. I think those are the most reliable, and the best for a variety of reasons (they have a bunch of cosmetic upgrades so they look the best, got rid of the electric brake system, are the last of the model so all bugs worked out, etc.).

If he were to get an 07 V6, that's be an E350. The E350 has a lot more power than the E320 (the E350 replaced the E320 in 2006. The E320 was the old 3 valve engine, the 06 and up E350 is a modern 4 valve with significantly more power).

the E350 has very good power, and in normal driving I bet most people couldn't tell much of a difference between an E350 and an E500.

The good think about the E350 is you can get it without all the bells and whistles, most don't have the airbag suspension (although it was an option), etc. A base E350 is a fairly basic car, that's about as "no frills" as you are going to get on an E or larger MB.

Laneco · 10-08-2010, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike C

A friend of mine bought an 04 500 series 5 mths. ago. So far its had 3 transmissions put in it & a host of smaller problems.

Three transmissions? In 5 months? On a MERCEDES? What the hell? You either have a ham-fisted butt-clown for a mechanic or a top fuel dragster engine shoved between those frame rails.

I cannot even picture an element of driving abuse (except for no fluid) that would lunch three mercedes transmissions in 5 months! I've seen people put a rental car in reverse at 50 miles an hour and the transmisison lasted longer than that!

Curiosity is killing me - what happened?

anglea

Mike C · 10-08-2010, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laneco

Three transmissions? In 5 months? On a MERCEDES? What the hell? You either have a ham-fisted butt-clown for a mechanic or a top fuel dragster engine shoved between those frame rails.

I cannot even picture an element of driving abuse (except for no fluid) that would lunch three mercedes transmissions in 5 months! I've seen people put a rental car in reverse at 50 miles an hour and the transmisison lasted longer than that!

Curiosity is killing me - what happened?

anglea

Its my buddys car not mine. He drives very easy & no way dogs it. The 1st time it would not shift into 2nd,the second time same problem only with a noise,3rd one he's still testing. All work was done at a Mercedes dealership.

Dealer said the 2nd one was defective when installed apparently.