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Mercedes-Benz E-Class Maintenance and Repair

1173 messages,  Last post on Dec 25, 2012 at 12:19 PM

You are in the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Forum.

What is this discussion about? Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Sedan, Wagon

Messages Page 26 of 118

#249 of 1173 Need Answers: 2004 E-320 No Brakes!!!!!! by 320jeff

Nov 27, 2003 (10:32 am)

I recently had an overnight test drive for a 2004 E-320 sport. I loved everything about the car and was looking forward to purchasing it. On the way back to the dealership the next day I had a total brake failure. Cruising down the highway at 60 MPH all of a sudden alarms started to go off "Stop vehicle, Brake Malfunction" was displayed in the speedometer dial. When I pushed on the brakes, the pedal did not move. There was no braking power. Slowly I coasted to a stop on the shoulder of the highway. After turning the car off and waiting 5 minutes the alarms went off. The speedometer dial now displayed "2 malfunctions". After another 5 Min, I scrolled through the computer menu on the steering wheel and it displayed "ABS Malfunction and ESP Malfunction". As I continued to scroll, the display returned to normal. It seemed the computer had reset itself. I started the car and the brakes were working again. I tested it on the shoulder and it seemed okay. I decided to cautiously continue to drive the car back to the dealership, since I was stuck in the middle of nowhere on the shoulder. Not a safe place to be. But 20 mins later while on the freeway the same malfunction happened again, NO Brakes once more. I took the exit off the freeway and coasted to a stop. Luckily the exit was an incline and so I was able to stop safely. The car had to be towed to the dealership.
 
The service manager at the dealership said it was a bad sensor. But I can not find out why this would cause a total brake failure. Apparently, the car is designed to have a back-up brake system, but they don't know how the system works or is designed and why the back-up system did not work. I'm wondering if this problem is a design flaw or just a fluke? If anyone has any ideas, I would be extremely thankful. So far I have not been successful getting any information from Mercedes on why the back-up brake system failed, or why in the first place a bad sensor shut down the brakes. It is a serious safety issue to not have any brakes, and to be told that it is not supposed to happen or it has not been designed that way just does not cut it. Thanks for any help.

#250 of 1173 320jeff - name of the dealership by w210

Nov 27, 2003 (11:46 pm)

And the service manager you talked to?

#251 of 1173 Steering/ Stability by tedsmith2

Dec 05, 2003 (1:54 pm)

I've had my '01 E for about a month now;I bought it out of state and did a rather cursory test drive, also have an '01 Ml, and have driven E class cars before; with that said. The 250m drive back home was a nightmare!
 
The problem was not evident until I got up to 65-70mph. The car can be sent from side to side with the littlest bump or gust of wind and the steering does not seem to give warning or movement. I have had the car thoroughly tested by independent shop they say it is fine, but I think the car is dangerous. I have owned a lot of cars in a lot of price ranges and NONE have been this unstable at speed.
 
Love the ride around town, as this was pretty much the test drive with quick highway ride.
 
I can not believe that this is normal I have driven too many cars to accept that. Any suggestions of what to look for or tell the shop to look for?

#252 of 1173 ENGINE NOISE 2003 E320 by pissed1

Dec 20, 2003 (5:49 pm)

I HAVE A LOUD TICKING IN MY ENGINE BETWEEN 1000&2500 RPM IT SOUNDS LIKE A DIESEL. THE DEALER SAID IT COULD BE AN EGR VALVE,THEN A MOTOR MOUNT. NOW THEY TELL ME IT IS NORMAL. NO ONE CAN TELL ME WHAT IT IS MAKING THE NOISE.IF YOU HAVE HAD OR HAVE THIS NOISE PLEASE POST WHAT SUCCESS YOU HAV HAD SOLVING THIS PROBLEM

#253 of 1173 e-class 2.8 problems by eclass28

Dec 22, 2003 (11:31 am)

Hopefully somebody can help me shed some light on this problem. I have a 1993 E300 2.8, I have had the car at the dealer, had 2 Mercedes mechanics look at it outside of the dealer and no one knows what the problem is.
 
The car runs extremely rich and cannot find the idle. To try to remedy this, we have tried a new mass air flow sensor, throttle body, new coils, new spark plugs, a brand new wiring harness for the computer. The cars runs fine when it is cold, but when it warms up the engine cannot find the idle, and when you push the accelerator the car seems like it is going to stall. Once the cars gets past 2000rpm it runs fine.
 
Does anybody have any suggestions on what the problem(s) might be? Thank you.

#254 of 1173 RE: message 251 - Steering/Stability by cloto1

Dec 23, 2003 (10:52 am)

I have the same problem with a '97 E320. Bought out of town and on the way home wound it up a bit. Very little tracking control. Brought back to dealer and they said all was okay. I am sure they did not test drive it. I took car up to 100 and then released gas - all over the place when the power came off. Shocks are good, alignment is good, tire pressure is good. Anyone else have any ideas?

#255 of 1173 Rust warning by glennd1

Dec 31, 2003 (5:01 pm)

Own a '97 E with 118K miles. The front spring perches have just collapsed due to excessive rust. There is also excessive rust to the frame rails which are also being replace. We are lucky the car did not collapse while underway or in an accident. MB is going to repair the car at their cost ($7,500 retailk - I'm told) - I guess that is preferable to the lawsuit that would come from the survivor of the inevitable total suspension collapse . I sincerely doubt my E is the only one afflicated with this problem - so BEWARE. So much for MBZ. It's my last one. That's a pitty, cuz the car was wonderful to drive. I would have expected more from a YUGO!

#256 of 1173 RE: 251, 254 - Steering/Stability by chensel2

Jan 02, 2004 (9:56 am)

I also own a 1997 E320 and have experienced similar steering and stability problems. The car's drive line was easily put off course by lumps and bumps in the road. Changing lanes quickly caused the car to oscillate back and forth a bit. However, after replacing my Michelin Energy MXV4 Plus tires with a set of Michelin Pilot Alpin tires the problems disappeared. The Pilot Alpin tires probably have more rigid sidewalls. Tire pressure is set to the "heavy load" pressure. Sitting too far back from the steering wheel with arms completely stretched did not work well for me either. Sitting a little closer gives better control.

#257 of 1173 Engine Noise 2003 E320 by mzak

Jan 06, 2004 (8:03 am)

Pissed1, I too have noticed the "diesel sound" of my wife's new E320. However, the sound lessens considerably once the car has run about 20 minutes. My dealer says it sounds like a normal V-6 to them. Not buying it. This car should not be making this much engine noise. Does anyone else think their engine is noisey?

#258 of 1173 re: Engine Noise 2003 E320 by rashidi

Jan 06, 2004 (3:31 pm)

we have a e500 and i find a similar anoyance with the "diesel sound" coming from the engine. the capable mechanic fixed all 8 of my service problems listed, however, said that the car runs "lean" and the noise and idle was normal.

Messages Page 26 of 118

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