Faults:

Too many to mention. Lots of switches and sensors that have never been problematic with other cars.

My biggest concern is the head gasket. Has anyone else had problems? First one blew at 68,000, second one at 149,000, third one at 250,000, and at 286,000 it's leaking again. Also, seems like the valve covergasket can't make it past 50,000 miles. I am eager to create a class action if there is interest. When I called Mercedes, the manager was - to be very polite - in denial.

Thank you!!!

General Comments:

It handles very well. I inherited this car... next time, I will make sure to inherit with a mechanic. I am emotionally attached to it.

Some of the 2011 cars I have driven, have greater hesitation than my fuel injected car with issues and 286,000. Too bad Mercedes is so arrogant and does not value their customers.

Faults:

Due to age, have replaced three light bulbs and driver side headlight plastic frame.

General Comments:

I never dreamed the delight of owning a Mercedes. It is more than prestige, it is the driving experience with overall quality. I purchased for the diesel performance & this is becoming my favorite car since being to drive. Every conceivable detailed was engineered into the vehicle for reliability & performance. The MPG is more than reported. Accessories/parts seemed to easily accessible on-line & cost effective. If the experience continues, a new model will certainly be in the future.

Faults:

Air Conditioned began making sounds one day when the gas was pushed and had to be replaced...PRICEY!!!

Serp-belt was replaced.

Inner tie rod end had to be replaced.

Idler arm had to be repaired.

One day the 4-matic light just went ON. I brought the car to my mechanic and he drained the fluid from the transfer case, and told me that it was a usual problem for those cars. The replacement cost of the transfer case with the labor is $4500. Unless the transmission fluid was replaced regularly, chances are that you might run into some costly repairs. The car can run without repair for about 2 years.

General Comments:

It is not Toyota in which you turn the key, shift the tranmission from P to D and it rolls. It takes some time to get used to the car. It is heavy, and extremely stable on the road especially with a 4-matic.

Maintenance costs are high and mileage is not great.

Faults:

*Ignition coil failed and car died on me 75 miles from home. Occurred shortly after car passed 200.000 miles.

*Stalled while returning home from work on a cold night and almost caught on fire (exhaust was red hot and glowing, with whitish smoke rising into the car). Ignition system needed a tune-up. (New plugs and cables, distributor and rotor).

*Was overheating when I bought it.

*Loses coolant from the water pump area once the AC is turned on, leading to engine overheat. I don't use the AC anymore.

*Wooden trim on right passenger door coming off.

*Plastic hose at base of antenna worn and torn, and intermittent antenna function.

General Comments:

When I was younger and growing up in Cameroon, Africa, I always admired the Mercedes Benz E class. It was the ride of the government ministers and businessmen who had made it. So when my trusty Camry started making noises during driving, I knew it was time for a change.

Late one night, I typed in "Benz" on craigslist and saw an ad for a 1991 Benz that "may need a new engine" listed for $1,800. Went to check it out the next day and it was love at first sight. It was very clean, with new tires and obviously had been very well maintained. The paint was still shiny, the leather seats had no rips, the dash no cracks, the alloy wheels no curb rashes. Everything worked. It started on the first try. I listened hard for any funny noises. There was none, but however, I noticed it was loosing coolant. So I took it home for $1500, with a big smile on my face.

After topping the coolant level completely (takes about 5 minutes of a slow flow of water with engine running to purge air bubbles), the coolant leak stopped.

Didn't do any oil change or tune up, hence the problems I had which were quickly resolved.

Since then, car has proven to be extremely reliable, quiet, smooth, and safe. It has an unrivaled presence, and conveys an air of old money if you always keep it clean inside and out.

I plan on keeping this car for a very very long time, and made a resolution to religiously do all preventive maintenance on schedule. Still looking for an experience more painful than getting to the end of a trip, and having to leave my tightly engineered and exceedingly luxurious Mercedes Benz 300 E.