I stumbled across this web site a few days ago. The site creator has some
great information there, but the section that lists "common problems" IMO
make the W210 sound like junk. It almost sounds as if all of the cars will
have these issues and you can expect to fix them during your ownership of
the car. The one in particular is the one about the head gasket on the
1996-1997 E320 with the inline 6 engine. It says you can pretty much expect
to change the head gasket every 70,000-100,000 miles. Does anyone find this
to be true?

I have a 2001 W210 V-8 and haven't expereinced any of those issues (yet),
except the sunroof rattle.

http://www.eclassbenz.com/node/17

Jeff

Jeff wrote:

The first paragraph on the site reads:
"The vast majority of W210 owners have very few or
only minor problems with their Benzes.
Most of the issues these cars have are minor and
are better described as irritations.
Some the issues are far more serious, but are
relatively rare.
Here’s a list of some of the common and
not-so-common problems with the W210 E-class."

I find that pretty clear.


Juergen

"Jeff" <user (AT) localhost (DOT) localdomain> wrote

I understand an improved head gasket is available. Plus Benz recommends to
fill the oil 1 qt less to reduce the oil leaking headgasket problem. This I
find unbelievable. My own E320 w/104 engine has a small head gasket leak
with 65K mi on the car.
The rusting spring perch is a genuine problem and safety issue that Benz so
far has ignored. Same with the wire harness problems of the early 90's 124s.

That, itself would be clear, if this wasn't written below it:

The head gasket is the Achilles' Heel of the otherwise superb M104 3.2L engine in the 1996 & 1997 E320. The head gasket tends to develop a leak every 70,000 to 100,000 miles. Usually the leak is visible on the outside of the motor. It's important to fix this to avoid mixing coolant & oil. Plan to spend about $1100-$2000 to have this replaced, depending on the shop.

Jeff

"Juergen ." <jaguare (AT) bigfoot (DOT) com> wrote

That's common to all the inline gas engine MB produced and same deal with BMW inline... But doesn't happen to all engine.... only some.

On May 16, 11:56 am, "Jeff" <u... (AT) localhost (DOT) localdomain> wrote:

Actually, his site listings are quite accurate. If you collate
comments from 210
owners, you get an idea the potential for problems in the areas
cited. If you
browse MBWorld, Benzworld, MercedesForums, as well as UK forum(s), you
see a pattern. Most of those listed on eclassbenz are supported by
TSBs
issued by MB.

So....in the end, you reference the fact that you have an 01 w210 and
you've
not experienced *any* of the problems listed. That's great. But
that, by no
means, invalidates those who have.

Jeff wrote:

Ummmm... SOUND like junk? If it walks like a duck ...

Thanks for the reply. I guess I should state the reason I ask is that I am
possibly in the market for an E320 for my girlfriend to drive and really
like the smoothness of the inline 6. When I read that I was a little
shocked.


"raymond" <avi8tor01 (AT) yahoo (DOT) com> wrote

Jeff wrote:
Well, from looking at the comments I'd say it's not very well maintained
(the site).

Ximinez
--
Our three weapons are fear, surprise, and ruthless efficiency...
and an almost fanatical devotion to the Pope....
http://www.ai.mit.edu/people/paulfitz/spanish/t1.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gldlyTjXk9A

"It says you can pretty much expect to change the head gasket every
70,000-100,000 miles."

Perhaps it's more like 150K miles before the aluminum head and the iron
block's differing coefficients of expansion kill the head gasket.
Remember, an in line six is a relatively long motor so a small
difference in expansion gets compounded.

Nice, smooth engine.

The site is pretty balanced in its discussion, no car is perfect - some
are just better than others.
--
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permission.