Mercedes-Benz E200 Problems

There are bigger and more expensive Benzes, and there are smaller and cheaper ones, but the mid-sized E-Class is what the star marque is all about. Advanced technology, super build quality, power and performance to spare, elegant styling, and loads of comfort and convenience features.Mercedes-Benz began it all back in the 1880s, and they’re still leading the pack more than 100 years later. If you need proof, drive an E-Class. Even one with more than 200,000 kays on it drives as if it left the factory yesterday.The only marque that comes close to mounting a challenge to the supremacy of the Stuttgart carmaker is Lexus, a still underrated make that will in time be judged the equal of Mercedes.MODEL WATCHMercedes was emerging from a deep slumber when the E-Class was conceived. It was a slumber the company fell into, probably as a result of complacency, believing it was immune to competition as the top carmaker in the world.Then along came Toyota, the biggest carmaker in the business. Toyota built small cars, medium cars, four-wheel drives, vans and utes, but they didn’t build top end luxury cars, until, with an aggressive plan to conquer the world they conceived the Lexus brand.The first Lexus, the LS400, scared the living daylights out of ’Benz. It was well built, some say it had better than ’Benz quality, drove well, and had all the fruit. Overnight it was a hit with Americans, the very market that keeps Mercedes afloat.Under threat for the first time in decades, Mercedes reacted swiftly, with new models built to a much higher level of build quality, packed with up-to-the-minute technology, as well as the usual things Mercedes owners appreciate.The E-Class was one of this new generation of models, and it helped Mercedes regain much of its lost ground.The previous E-Class was a resounding success, so the new W210 model had much to live up to. At first it seemed it might struggle, with traditional Mercedes owners horrified on their first sighting of the ‘bug eyed’ front-end styling.It doesn’t rate a second glance now, but back then it was regarded as radical. Instead of the traditional Mercedes front-end there was a rounded shape with oval headlamps blended into the smooth curves of the guards.Beyond the front end the E-Class styling was smooth, and typical of ’Benz, strong and substantial.There were two models at launch in 1996, the four-cylinder E230 and the six-cylinder E320. Both were available in Classic and the more luxurious Elegance versions, with the E320 also available in a range topping Avante Garde version.All boasted improved crash protection over the preceding model. There were refined crumple zones, stronger passenger cells, new load-sensing seat belts, dual air bags, and optional side airbags for front seat occupants. Active safety systems included ABS and traction control.A double overhead cam 2.3-litre fuel-injected four-cylinder engine pumping out 110 kW and 220 Nm when working at its peak powered the E230. Performance was smooth and steady rather than neck snapping.For performance there was the E320, which had a superb 3.2-litre straight six under its curvaceous bonnet. With double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, and fed by fuel injection, the smooth six boasted 162 kW and 315 Nm.A smooth five-speed auto was the choice when it came to the transmission.The suspension was independent front and rear, steering was power-assisted, brakes were powerful discs all round, with the assistance of ABS.The E230 Classic came with full wheel covers, cloth trim, cruise control, air-conditioning, remote central locking, power windows and mirrors, immobiliser, and radio-cassette sound. Step up to an Elegance and you got alloy wheels, leather steering wheel, CD sound, and auto dipping interior mirror.When you ordered an E320 Classic you got all of that, plus 10-stack CD sound, multifunction instrument display, and an illuminated vanity mirror. In addition, the Elegance had alloy wheels, leather trim, and metallic paint. Move up to the Avante Garde, and you were rewarded with sportier alloy wheels and sports style leather trim.In July 1997 Mercedes moved to a new generation of V6 engines, and a 164 kW 3.2-litre version replaced the 3.2-litre straight six in the E320.The E230 continued until Jan 1998, when it was replaced by the E240 with a 125 kW 2.4-litre double overhead camshaft V6.IN THE SHOPMost Mercedes are well looked after in their first years, usually by people who can not only afford to buy them, but who can also afford the service them.After that they tend to be sold off to people who sometimes struggle to keep up the maintenance, and that’s where they can have trouble. It’s particularly so if they have them serviced by people who aren’t familiar with the car, and if they use generic parts instead of the genuine article.Generic parts might do a reasonable job, but they don’t perform as well as the real thing. If you want all the E-Class can give, look for one with a genuine Mercedes service history. If not by a dealer, then by a recognised specialist with a Mercedes background.The E-Class stands up well to the rigours of daily life on the road, they’re tough and reliable. Go for an E320 if your budget will stand it; otherwise, try a later V6 rather than the small E230 four.Look for evidence of an uncaring owner, scratches down the sides, scarred bumpers, damaged alloy wheels.Also do the usual checks for evidence of a crash, uneven panel gaps, mismatched paint, doors, boot lid or bonnet that don’t open smoothly.OWNER’S SAYBrooklands Motors of Sandringham has a 1998 E240 Elegance that has amassed 208,000 km, but it drives like new. The small V6 powers the big sedan along nicely, the ride is smooth and supple with barely a bump felt in the spacious cabin. Asking price is $36,950, which reflects the higher than average mileage.LOOK FOR• solid build quality• smooth ride and handling• superb brakes• superb comfort• Mercedes prestigeTHE BOTTOM LINEStar quality and the ultimate in luxury at an attainable price if you can afford the on-going service.RATING90/100

NEWThe Mercedes-Benz E-Class one of the business world's favourite cars, it's solid, roomy and the three-pointed star on the bonnet sends the right sort of messages to the rest of the community.Enter the E280 Sports Edition that was designed to add some sporty spice to the luxury express. Basically, 'Benz bundled up a number of its most popular options into a pack and flogged it off at a bargain basement price. The company reckoned you could save $11,000 over the same car with equipped withthe options bought individually.The E280 Sports Edition was offered in sedan and wagon variants, with the choice of petrol and turbo-diesel engines. If you ticked the petrol box you got a 3.0-litre V6 that boasted 170 kW and 300 Nm, had you gone for the diesel you would have got a 3.0- litre V6 turbo-diesel that peaked at 140 kW and 440 Nm.Whichever engine you chose you got a seven-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifting. The Sports Edition also brought lowered sports suspension, perforated front discs and 18-inch alloy wheels. There were some other sporty enhancements, more for looks than function, things like a rear lip spoiler, a sporty gearshift lever, alloy pedals, and chrome exhaust tips.Inside, it had sports seats with power adjustment with memory settings, and they were trimmed in sporty black leather with contrasting stitching. There was plenty of other gear as well, like the multi-function steering wheel with controls for just about everything, as well as Sat-nav, DVD player, and great sound system, and parking assist so you don't bump into anything else.That was on top of cruise control, auto sensing wipers, auto headlights, and a glass sunroof. It was also packed with safety gear, such as ABS, ASR skid control, BAS emergency braking, ESP stability control, and a host of airbags. In short it had the lot.NOWIt was hard to believe that the silver E280 Sports Edition sedan Mercedes diverted from its Approved Pre-Owned program to give us the chance to appraise it was four years old and had done a tick under 40,000 km. It looked, felt and smelled factory fresh. The silver paint was unblemished, the interior pristine, the only thing we could find that hinted at its used past was a few very minor scuffmarks on its 18-inch alloy wheels.Handing over the keys to the car Mercedes-Benz media man David McCarthy told us the car had been subjected to the company's extensive 116-point exterior, interior and mechanical check and would normally have gone straight onto a dealer's lot as an Approved Pre- Owned car with a price tag of $55,000. Instead it was given to us for an extended test drive.The Approved Pre-Owned program is an affordable way to buy into the prestigious brand if, for whatever reason, a new car is out of reach. It allows buyers to confidently purchase used cars with knownhistories, most serviced from new by Mercedes-Benz dealers, with a two-year unlimited kilometre warranty and full roadside assistance, for the price of a new Holden Calais.The E-class is a substantial car, reserved, but elegantly styled and packed with presence. It's also suitably reserved inside with understated black tones and a splash of dark woodgrain to provide an appropriate highlight. The seats, powered at the front, are trimmed in perforated black leather. They've comfortable and supportive, with heaps of adjustment in every direction to find the optimum position for every body, and once found they can be etched in the electronic memory.There was no wear to be seen anywhere, there were no scuffmarks, nothing had worked loose, and there were no rattles or squeaks to be heard anywhere. Our car had the 3.0-litre V6 petrol powerplant. Like the rest of the car it was understated, smooth and quiet. There was a slight lag in response when you hit the go pedal, which meant you needed to anticipate your moves in traffic so you didn't miss the gap, but otherwise it performed well.Once woken up it goes hard. Watching the fuel consumption read-out in the dash hinted at the might of the E-Class, varying as it did from around 9.0 L/100 km on the open highway to as much as 14.5 L/100 km in congested city going. That compares to the company's official claim of 9.7 L/100 km on average.The average over the time we had the car was 11.0 L/100 km. The 7-speeder was also smooth and unfussed, the shifts subtle when left to do it for you. There was also the option of shifting manually, by either using the lever or the paddles behind the steering wheel. A momentary shudder when engaging Drive from Reverse was the only blemish we observed.On the road our E-Class felt solid and substantial, the steering was comfortably weighted with a nice reassuring feel of contact with the road. As part of the Sports pack the E-Class rides on 18-inch wheels, which are wrapped in low-profile run-flat tyres, usually a sure fire recipe for a hard and uncomfortable ride, but in this case the ride is surprisingly comfortable and road irregularities are absorbed without fuss.By the time we handed it back, we'd done a touch more than 2000 km in all sorts of conditions and it was hard not to be impressed with the E-Class. It was as tight as a drum, there were no rattles or squeaks, and the car drove impeccably.SMITHY SAYSIf you want real prestige at an affordable price a 'Benz approved E280 Sports Edition could be the answer.2008 Mercedes-Benz E280 Sports EditionPrice new: $98,000 to $106,000Engine: 3.0-litre V6 petrol, 170 kW/300 Nm; 3.0-litre V6 turbo-  diesel, 140 kW/440 Nm.Economy: 9.7 L/100 km (V6 petrol), 7.5 L/100 km (V6 TD)Transmission: 7-speed automatic, RWD Body; 4-door sedan, 4-door wagonVariants: Sports Edition Safety; 5-star ANCAP

The Mercedes E-Class is a prestigious medium-large car that’s been reinvented in recent years. Once a conservative model, it has become pretty stylish as the Germans aim for a wider range of buyers.

The current Mercedes-Benz E-Class and CLS-Class models are being recalled due to the possibility of an engine bay seal becoming damaged and coming into contact with hot engine bay components. The affected seal is located in the secondary bulkhead in the engine compartment, and could result in fire if it becomes loose.The recall affects just seven vehicles, which were sold in Australia between the start of April and May 2015.Mercedes-Benz will contact the owners of affected vehicles by mail, and the fault will be rectified free of charge.Related: What are car safety recalls all about? 

A number of potentially hazardous faults have been identified in vehicles sold in Australia, prompting a wide range of recalls.