E 270 cdi Power Loss

[Sanny]

I have a 2003 E270 cdi which has a problem which is foxing my MB dealership.

I first noticed a loss of power when accelerating at low speed. There was a definite delay in acceleration and the auto box changing up. The car also sounds rough and rattly even for a diesel (my 5yr old VW van sounds smoother). This was pointed out to my local dealer who said there was nothing wrong with the car. I took my car to another dealer who sent out a technician to listen and drive the car, and who confirmed there was a problem.

They replaced the Air Mass Sensor and the car was returned to me driving like a brand new car. Two days later, the problem returned and my car was returned to the dealer. They were very apologetic and checked the car again. They pinpointed the problem to a faulty catalytic converter which they hadn't spotted on the original visit, as they blew out the cat when they replaced the Air Mass, thereby cleaning it out. Again the car was returned driving like the new car I had bought.

This week, four weeks after getting the car back, the problem has returned!

Car is now returning to dealer next week where I hope they can finally resolve the problem.

Does anyone have any experience of this problem or have any suggestions

 

[jberks]

Sanny,
Can't help much - sounds like the computer has picked up something and gone into default mode. The dealer should be able to get to the bottom of it - could even be a faulty replacement sensor or the cat is damaged and needs replacing due to the original air sensor (they can kill cats).

As an aside - I am toying with swapping my 2000 E240 for an 02/03 E270CDI.
I have a loan 54 reg 320CDI beastie at the moment and its very impressive, though not as quiet as I would have hoped. Also the economy is only about 5mpg better than my gas guzzling 240. - 37mpg combined as against 32-33.
How do you find the 270 - when she's running properly?

 

[Sanny]

Thanks for the response.

In answer to your question about the E270 - when it is running properly it is a fantastic car with a great engine. However, in the almost 2 years I have owned it since new, I cannot recall any period that it has been trouble free. Quite simply, the E class is the worst car I have ever owned in terms of reliability.

Part of the problem is that the quality of service is so poor, it would disgrace a back street second hand car dealer. I have tried the London based Mercedes dealers and they are quite simply not interested in looking after customers.

The final strw was when the branch manager said "when a car comes back in this often it is either the car or the customer who is a problem. We can't find anything wrong with the car"! I took the car to a non-MB owned MB dealer who found a fault within 30 seconds and to their credit are trying to resolve the many problems with my car.

However, after 30 years of MB ownership in my family, we have decided never to buy another MB vehicle as the build quality and service now falls so far behind any other marque.

We bought a BMW 7 series recently and the difference in service just has to be seen to be believed!

Good luck.

 

[Lgw]

See previous thread

http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/showthread.php?t=61153&highlight=e270+power+loss