New E200K owner with some questions

[Devonian]

Hi,

I'm a first time MB owner and have recently purchased an E200K Est. with around 50K miles and have had it converted to run on LPG.So far I am delighted with the car but since buying I have heard some rather unsettling things for which I would be grateful for members comments.
1) I have heard these model suffer from auto gearbox failure at around 100K miles
2) they also suffer from bodywork rusting

Is this true or just scaremongering?

Any comments would be gratefully received

 

[jberks]

Hi and welcome.
In answer to your questions ...
the auto gearboxes were regarded as sealed for life by MB. This meant that the oil changes normally done around 40-60k were ommitted from the service schedule. The result of this stupidity was that gearboxes did fail prematurely. MB now state that oil changes should be done at 60k and this is retrospective. So, plan to have it done in the near future and you should be fine.
On the rust, cars between 1998 and 2002 did have issues due to change in manufacturing techniques. I assume the 200k was an 01 S210? If it has FMBSH and sometime even if it doesn't, it should be repaired under warranty. The areas that go are around the boot lock, under the door seals, wheelarches, spring mounts and front crossmember. If in doubt, have it inspected by the dealer. There shouldn't be a charge and if he finds anything he can submit a claim and handle the repair for you. A few are disasterous but most are ok if monitored.

The post 02 models are mostly ok and 04 on are fine as far as we know.

 

[type49]

Also open the doors & peel back the very top outer rubber. Check for rust here.

 

[Devonian]

Thanks for the info. I will take your advice and continue to enjoy my MB

 

[hawk20]

If you have FullMBSH you have a thirty rust guarantee and many threads show Mercedes have been as good as you'd expect from the tin.

Even more, there are numerous cases where Mercedes have put matters right even on cars well out of the normal 3 year guarantee and despite not having FMBSH.

 

[benzo]

Hi and welcome.
In answer to your questions ...
the auto gearboxes were regarded as sealed for life by MB. This meant that the oil changes normally done around 40-60k were ommitted from the service schedule. The result of this stupidity was that gearboxes did fail prematurely. MB now state that oil changes should be done at 60k and this is retrospective. .

I Have a Yr2000 W202 C180 now on 75K miles. Has FSH; MB Dealer up to 2004 and Indy Specialist for las two. No one has mentioned getting a gearbox service to me. Shouldn't this be part of the service schedule or something?

 

[OlafMaxwell]

The requirement for the fluid change at 60k was not identified in most dealers in 2004.

 

[Blobcat]

The requirement for the fluid change at 60k was not identified in most dealers in 2004.

Not identified at my dealer in 2006. I haven't been in 2007 as yet to ask.