Mercedes repair costs

[wiltoncox]

I currently own a Mercedes E240 Elegance saloon, 2001 model (Y reg), and it has started giving me trouble. New steering rack needed (expensive – about £1300 just for parts from a Merc dealer!)
My question is, I need some honest feedback on the reliability of the E240 Model of 2001. If I pay the required costs for a new steering rack, and I throwing away good money on a car that is likely to have more problems soon?
I have some rust (second time of looking, as it has been touched up under warranty about a year ago) which I am told by the dealer will be repaired after September. However, do I sell the car now, or do I stick with it and hope nothing else happens to it to cost money to repair?
I have done 65k miles since new and it was first registered July 2001.
Any advice/experience?

 

[hawk20]

First, some questions. How long have you owned the car and do you know if the mileage is genuine. I think it is very rare to need a new steering rack at the miles you quote.

Has it been used for lots of short journeys?
It really is a baby in terms of quoted miles. My nephew is approaching 200k on his E class and lots of threads have shown miles way over 100k without major problems. Have a look at Blobcats thread on his costs for 100k miles.

What sort of service record does the car have?

 

[television]

What was the problem with the car

 

[BlackC55]

The answer is: Who knows how long it will last?

It is impossible to say.

 

[MIW615]

I currently own a Mercedes E240 Elegance saloon, 2001 model (Y reg), and it has started giving me trouble. New steering rack needed (expensive – about £1300 just for parts from a Merc dealer!)

There are companies who will re-furbish your steering rack at a lot less than £1300.00;-)

 

[philharve]

Repair & maintenance of steering gear

Hi All

My C230K is the first car I've owned in 40 years of driving that has recirculating ball steering gear. I'm very familiar with rack & pinion steering repair & maintenance but know next to nothing wrt recirculating ball, other than how it works.

In terms of repair & maintenance, which steering system is more reliable, cheaper to maintain and repair?

REGARDS

Phil

 

[wiltoncox]

Thanks for the response. I have owned the car from its first birthday, so although it is 6 years old, I have had it for 5. Mileage is genuine, I believe. Main dealer who sold it to me had it from Hertz executive car hire, and it had done 12k miles when I purchased it. Servicing has been done by a local non-franchise german car specialist, who has looked after it and done all servicing and repairs.
I would have liked to keep it for a few more years, but get nervous when things start to go wrong, and rust spots on several body panels will have to be fixed under warranty soon.

 

[hawk20]

Someone more technical will no doubt tell you more, but I have never heard of anyone needing a new steering rack after only 65k miles. Probably a rare failure?

Rust. Well strictly you need a FullMBSH to have the 30 year rust guarantee intact -but Mercedes have been very good at doing some cars that are not strictly covered. So long as that gets done, the miles your car has done make it still a babe in arms by most Merc standards.

 

[television]

You still have not said what is wrong with the steering box

 

[MIW615]

Hi All

My C230K is the first car I've owned in 40 years of driving that has recirculating ball steering gear. I'm very familiar with rack & pinion steering repair & maintenance but know next to nothing wrt recirculating ball, other than how it works.

In terms of repair & maintenance, which steering system is more reliable, cheaper to maintain and repair?

REGARDS

Phil

Both types of steering mechanisms have pros and cons in terms or repairs and associated cost for maintainance. In the past I have overhauled ZF power steering boxes and TRW steering racks, in my opinion it's easier to service the steering boxes and parts seemed to be readily available from ZF. There are a few special tools required for overhauling both types, which can usually be purchased through a decent supplier or made (in my case I am lucky enough to have a lathe and milling machine) so my costs were low. The only big tool you may require is a press for inserting bushing in certain applications.

To summarise depending on skill levels, availability of parts and cost it is worth considering using a specialist repairer opposed to buying from MB.

A couple of examples below........................

http://www.power-steering.co.uk/
http://www.westernpowersteering.co.uk/

 

[hawk20]

Both types of steering mechanisms have pros and cons in terms or repairs and associated cost for maintainance. In the past I have overhauled ZF power steering boxes and TRW steering racks, in my opinion it's easier to service the steering boxes and parts seemed to be readily available from ZF. There are a few special tools required for overhauling both types, which can usually be purchased through a decent supplier or made (in my case I am lucky enough to have a lathe and milling machine) so my costs were low. The only big tool you may require is a press for inserting bushing in certain applications.

To summarise depending on skill levels, availability of parts and cost it is worth considering using a specialist repairer opposed to buying from MB.

A couple of examples below........................

http://www.power-steering.co.uk/
http://www.westernpowersteering.co.uk/

What a forum! What agreat reply.

Wiltoncox we still would like to know what your steering fault was before members can advise you. (BTW worth putting the car and its year in your signature so you needn't repeat it when you need advice).

 

[wiltoncox]

Steering made a slight noise and felt "rough" when turning at very low speeds, i.e. parking or turning into the drive. Couldn't detect anything at speed, because of the rough roads and road noise. Passenger could hear the noise at low speeds. No noticeable play on the wheels. Garage at first replaced bearing on steering column, but after much investigation decided it is the box. Seeking a recon unit, as not prepared to pay Mercedes £1300 plus fitting.

 

[hawk20]

I would wait and see if the technical wizards come in with a solution. I had those problems on a new E class some years back and it wasn't cause for a new rack. Wait and see. Could be lucky?