27th Oct 2004, 11:00

I'm sorry to hear about the steering rack problem. I bought my 2002 E320 new and have had only a handful of minor problems and then only after 16K miles. First was an exhaust hanger, that broke. Fixed under warranty. Then I complained about my front brakes making strange noises... I believe around 16K, also. The recommended course of action was replace the pads or, for a more thorough resolution, replace the rotors and pads. I chose the latter, all at my expense. While failed rotors at only 16K miles is premature, I recognize that I drive only in heavy city traffic and, in fact, have had similar wear characteristics from previous BMWs and Porsche. Overall, the car has been nearly flawless and, ironically, quite boring. All previous BMWs have had problems from day one.

9th Dec 2004, 09:35

I come from a family of four generations working on or around Mercedes-Benz vehicles both here in the U.S. and in Germany. I know of the steering problem discussed in this forum. Mercedes-Benz has come out with a service bulletin to solve the steering rack problem. It is a common problem with 210 body E-Class vehicles. The steering boot has been updated by the factory and now the steering rack has an update as well. Your area dealer should know of this update. It is a lengthy procedure so make an appointment in advance with a loaner.

4th Mar 2005, 17:22

Based on reading all of your comments, my 1996 Mercedes-Benz C220 steering squeaks and it does not bother me. It has been squeaking since 2001 and I felt that it was unnecessary for me to take it the dealer and get ripped off. The steering squeaks when I back out of my driveway or in the parking lot. After that, it does not squeak while I am turning at the intersection. I will purchase a new Mercedes-Benz E - or S-Class sedan as soon as the C220 quits which I have a long way to go since my car only has 138,000 miles. You just have to be resourceful in finding and maintaining a good relationship with a private repair place that fixes Mercedes-Benz.

2nd Jul 2006, 20:36

I just previously bought a 2004 Mercedes E500. It had no steering rack problems, handling problems, or squeaky noises of the sort. Also, before that Mercedes, I had a 2000 Mercedes e320 wagon. It performed, handled, and sounded like a sports car. No squeaky steering rack noises, or problems.

7th Apr 2007, 16:17

I just bought a 2001 Mercedes E320 couple of days ago, and the car is in really good condition. I do hear minor squeaks coming out of the steering, but it is not major noise that will bother me. One of these days, I will stop by the dealer and get it checked. But overall I am really satisfied with this car.

Rizwan

11th Apr 2007, 11:50

I Just Purchase 2004 E320, this car has 69,000 miles. When I drive in the Highway at 65 miles my steering wheel vibrate a bit and then when it hits 70 miles it stops. Do I have a steering problem or a a tire problem? The tire seems are pretty new. Please help?

16th Jun 2007, 16:47

I have just purchased a E270cdi (2001 reg) with 83K miles on the clock, Previously owned by a diplomat company with f.s.h. After some 2000 miles since purchase I am having problems with the gears (by the way it is an Automatic with tip functions) problem was first encountered when on a journey. it appeared as if the gear had slipped into the neutral (revs went up, but no power). Since then I get the problem, it works from the cold for first 15 to 20 minuets as if everything is normal then the problem re-appears (i.e no transmission of power).

I have consulted two mechanics and I have been told the bad news that the gear box is in need of repair (sensor and the 3rd gear are in need of repair).I am finding it difficult to understand how the gear can pack up after just 85000 miles and why does it work from the cold? Has any one seen a similar problem?

8th Jul 2007, 18:32

My 2002 E320 has developed a rattle in the exhaust system. Have jacked it up twice and searched for the problem with no results. Using a mechanic's stethoscope I have isolated the rattle to be in the exhaust system but I think it is inside. I suspect it is the catalytic converter or a baffle disassembling inside. The rattle seems to go away at speed, but to be consistent at idle.

10th Jul 2007, 05:09

The cats are a common problem and are expensive to fix. Other problems I see regularly on the mercedes benz forums include rust, MAF sensors and trim problems. This is why I bought a BMW!

11th Jul 2007, 02:33

To the early responder: you cannot compare the build quality of a W124 300E to anything MB made after that series ended. You may as well post that response in relation to another make of car. My family has tried the S430, S500 and a 2000 E280. They are just not the same. All sorts of problems ocurred with them. Yes, under warranty - but what a pain! It should not happen. I still have my 1988 300E and will never sell it - the rest of the family switched to Japanese makes and happily so. It's a shame, but speak to any MB mechanic and he will (quietly) agree. Between W124 and until about 2 years ago MBs were disastrous.

27th Jul 2007, 23:17

We just purchased a 2001 E320 4matic wagon. The steering wheel seems to be not symmetrical, holding it with two hands and straight, the right side of the steering wheel seems to be closer. Is this normal?

21st Aug 2007, 13:30

I have a 2004 E320.

The steering squeaked when I put it on in the morning. I went to the dealer and they put in power steering fluid. It stopped. Otherwise I haven't had any problems and I'm at 44,000 miles.

I do wonder why the power steering fluid was bone dry when he checked it. This seems weird since I'm told that power steering fluid last forever. This is my 4th Mercedes and I have never seen this before.

All my cars were made in Germany; I don't ever want an American made Mercedes.

23rd Oct 2007, 05:47

E320 s/w with heavy power steering problem, changed pump, still heavy at stationery, has sensor on head, computer, checked, OK can anybody help with information.

15th Sep 2008, 08:07

I just bought a 2002 E320 4Matic which had 93,873 on the odometer. It was a one-owner car, and is in pristine condition. It drives as if brand new, and I hope to get many years of service from it. I've had it for a month and the only service I have done to it is replace the wiper blade, oil change, air filter and cabin air filters, which I have done myself.