Mercedes Benz E Class 240 Classic Review

Good Points
Rides well. Even with a full load, i.e. with 6 adults, the car still feels agile and keen to go.

Bad Points
Breakdowns quite frequent.

General Comments
In terms of ride, this Mercedes Benz E Class 240 Classic executive car does well and within expectations. However, in the 2 years of ownership, it requires visits to the workshops that I never had with Japanese cars.

Firstly, I rear-ended another car in what I felt was a braking malfunction. A check with the mechanic revealed that the braking system was in the process of being recalled. Sent that in and got the Borsch braking system replaced. Would have cost me about $7,000 if not being recalled. The driver's seat's convenience function needs occassional calibration to get it to work. The fuel pump and filter broke down and left me stranded and had to call in towing service and 3 days of loss of use. Cost $950 to fix. The door-lock mechanism on one door does jitter-bugging and has to be replaced. Cost $250 for that. The aircon fancoil unit leaked and has to be replaced with 3 days loss of use. Cost $1500 to fix. Minor problems include buttons falling off, plastic latches breaking, inner door trim not seating well and hence bulging at one area. The sound system that at times would go down steadily in volume; you turn it up, it fades off. To fix that, you rap the steering well sharply near the volume control buttons and if you are lucky, the problem goes away. I have already been told that some part linking the engine to the wheel may require replacement and that cost will surpass all the above. Well, I haven't changed that yet as the car still runs.

Always believed Mercedes to be great but not anymore. Feel rather stupid having to keep sending the car in to get it to work.