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Mercedes-Benz E220 Problems

Are you having problems with your Mercedes-Benz E220? Let our team of motoring experts keep you up to date with all of the latest Mercedes-Benz E220 issues & faults. We have gathered all of the most frequently asked questions and problems relating to the Mercedes-Benz E220 in one spot to help you decide if it's a smart buy.

How much oil should a 2015 E400 use?

If you aren't doing it already keep a record of the oil you put in, recording the date, the odometer, and the amount of oil added. That would give you some evidence to present to the dealer and MB. As you haven't had any satisfaction from the dealer go directly to Mercedes-Benz (Ph: 1300 730 200). There shouldn't be any reason to be scared on driving the car, all cars use oil, it's the amount of oil used that it the question that needs to be answered in your case. In the meantime check the oil level weekly.

E220 Mercedes-Benz electronics issue

There is a problem with the electronics of the car, it could be the ECU or a sensor, and it's causing the car to go into "limp home" mode. By turning the engine off and restarting you are rebooting the computer. Take it to a mechanic and have them hook it up to their diagnostic equipment and they should be able to identify the cause of your problem.

Merecedes-Benz service overseas

You might have to reconsider. Mercedes-Benz spokesman David McCarthy replies: "Even rental Mercedes-Benz cars have roadside and servicing assistance in Australia."

Mercedes-Benz E-Class and CLS recalled over fire risk
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Used Mercedes-Benz E-Class review: 2004-2013

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.

Body choices in the E-Class are many and varied: four-door sedan, five-door estate wagon, two-door convertible and two-door coupe. Sedans are still in the majority but coupes and convertibles are becoming increasingly popular. The Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class is a close relation to the convertible and coupe models so is also worth a consideration.

Wagons have a good load area and feature numerous safety features, such as tie-down hooks and cargo barriers to make life reassuring. Sedans and wagons have good passenger space, though legroom in the rear seat can be on the tight side if the front seats are set well back. The sleek bodies of the coupe and convertible can carry four but you need a fair bit of compromising on space, even more so in the convertible.

These Benzes have a reassuringly solid feel due to their strongly engineered bodies. Noise, vibration and harshness suppression are very good as a result. Mercedes E-Class is better than average in its class on rough Australian bush roads. Of course they make excellent motorway cruisers as they are designed for high-speed transport in their fatherland.

Engine choices are numerous: four, six or eight cylinders fuelled by petrol or diesel, with the latter rising in popularity in recent years. However, Mercedes-Benz has consistently imported diesels for many years so even old used cars can be found with the economy powerplants. Turbo-petrol engines have become increasingly the norm over the past few years.

Older Mercedes E-Class models can be quite slow off the line although this has changed in the later cars. Once up to cruising speed, they lope along easily. The vast majority of Australian E-Class models use an automatic transmission. Sequential manual overrides are fitted in later generation automatics. Full-manual gearboxes in Mercedes are a rarity these days. Some have been brought in as private imports and can be difficult to resell.

Many E-Class cars are serviced by authorised Mercedes dealers for their entire lives. If the logbook isn’t bang up to date, be wary of the car. Non-authorised dealers usually come in two classes: those operated by qualified Mercedes mechanics who have set up their own business, and general repairers who may, or may not, be able to do the work to factory standards.

The non-authorised mechanics probably don’t have the same access to the latest updates on the cars from Mercedes’ head office. Insurance is generally moderately priced because the E-Class - despite going almost ultra-modern in recent times - still appeals mostly to relatively conservative buyers.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

Do your own initial checks to find any obvious mistakes but don’t be tempted to do it all yourself; complex expensive cars can seriously damage your bank account. Look over the interior for signs of rough usage; kids can sometimes do terrible things to cars and show no respect for upmarket ones.

Check for indications of previous crash repairs. If these appear to have been extensive, have a full inspection done by a panel shop that specialises in upmarket cars, or by your motoring association. Arrange to start the engine when it’s stone cold, ideally after an overnight stop. It should kick over almost instantly and immediately settle into a smooth idle.

Check the automatic transmission engages gear promptly from Neutral or Park and that it changes gears virtually imperceptibly. Some harshness is permissible in full-throttle changes but not at other times.

CAR BUYING TIP

Beware the upmarket car that has stretched the budget of a previous owner to the extent that it hasn’t been serviced for years.

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Used Mercedes-Benz E-Class review: 1996-2002

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 WATCH

Mercedes 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 SHOP

Most 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 SAY

Brooklands 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 prestige

THE BOTTOM LINE

Star quality and the ultimate in luxury at an attainable price if you can afford the on-going service.

RATING

90/100

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Used Mercedes E-Class review: 1996-1998

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.

MODEL WATCH

The E-Class was one of the new generation of models that helped Mercedes regain much of the ground it lost to the first Lexus.  The previous W124 E-Class was a resounding success so the new W210 had much to live up to.

At first it seemed it might struggle, with traditional Mercedes owners horrified at 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.  Beyond the front end the styling was smooth and typical of Benz: strong and substantial.

There were two models launched in 1996 – the four-cylinder E230 and six-cylinder E320. Both were available in Classic and the more luxurious Elegance versions.  All had better crash protection than the previous model.

There were refined crumple zones, stronger passenger cells, new load-sensing seat belts, dual airbags and optional side airbags for front-seat occupants.  Active safety systems included ABS and traction control.

The E230 was powered by a double overhead cam 2.3-litre fuel-injected four-cylinder engine, pumping out 110kW when working at its peak, and 220Nm. For performance there was the E320, which had a 3.2-litre straight six. With double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder and fed by fuel-injection, the smooth six boasted 162kW and 315Nm.

A smooth five-speed auto was the choice when it came to 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, airconditioning, 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, 10-stack 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 July 1997 Mercedes moved to a new generation of V6 engines and a 164kW 3.2-litre version replaced the 3.2-litre straight six in the E320. The E230 continued until January 1998, when it was replaced by the E240 with a 125kW 2.4-litre double overhead camshaft V6.

IN THE SHOP

Most 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 to service them.  After that they tend to be sold off to people who sometimes struggle to keep up the maintenance. That's where they can have trouble, particularly if service is done by people who aren't familiar with the car and generic parts are used.

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 are tough and reliable. Go for a 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 and doors, or a boot lid or bonnet that doesn't open smoothly.

Read the article
Disclaimer: You acknowledge and agree that all answers are provided as a general guide only and should not be relied upon as bespoke advice. Carsguide is not liable for the accuracy of any information provided in the answers.
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