Uh Oh, how bad is this one going to hurt? (E500 issue) - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

TylerH860 · #1 09-08-2009, 04:04 PM

For all of you naysayers to this car, this may affirm your beliefs. My first unscheduled repair for the E500 is tomorrow regarding the heater, or lack there of. I was drenched enough from the rain to feel cold, hopped in the wagon, turned the heat on for the first time ever, and felt nothing but cold air. I doubt its operator error, since its doing it on both automatic and manual settings. My guess is either CCU or heater valve issues.

I had been thinking the last few weeks whether I should keep the car or not. Riding the depreciation was the scariest thought I had, and I really miss having a W124. There are a few 400E/E420s that are really tempting in my area. At least this is the first problem in 8000 miles and 5 months of driving.

My appointment at the stealership is tomorrow.

If its anything too involved, I will find someone with a more reasonable labor rate to perform the repair. If they say its a faulty CCU, I'll just have Bob track down a used one to pop in.

May the typical OD pompous lecturing begin, or you can wish me luck if you'd like.

pawoSD · #2 09-08-2009, 04:21 PM

How much does a "used" CCU for a car like that cost?

I'm guessing not cheap....

I thought you had a warranty on the car?

Long live the W124! Mine has been driven over 9,000 miles since purchase, and has only had some small repairs, and no major failures....and that is on a 19 year old 140k+ car. It is looking like the W124 gasser is going to be cheaper to own/drive than my W126 diesel, which is rather depressing.

IMHO if I were you I'd sell the Star Ship Enterwagon and get a W124.

Also, have you tried the heater on different occassions since? After turning the car on and off a few times?

TylerH860 · #3 09-08-2009, 04:24 PM

There were no reasonable warranty offerings for the car for obvious reasons, and I'm hoping this is going to be a "small repair" as well.

Used units range from $150-$250. I don't dare look at how much a new one is.

TylerH860 · #4 09-08-2009, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawoSD

IMHO if I were you I'd sell the Star Ship Enterwagon and get a W124.

Also, have you tried the heater on different occassions since? After turning the car on and off a few times?

Its looking attractive, since I'm almost certain I can sell the car for what I have into it right now.

Yes, tried it all. Methinks its a sticky heater valve.

PaulC · #5 09-08-2009, 04:28 PM

This is a classic example of why America is going to Hell. You never should have bought this car; you are living beyond your means and it is catching up with you. This was a totally irresponsible purchase and furthermore you are too young for such a car. Why are you subsidizing our national trade imbalance and buying a foreign vehicle? You should sell this moneypit immediately and buy a nice used Chevy Cobalt for cash. My God, man, you are going to have to sell the 6.9 just to pay for this repair. I never liked the color of your E500 anyway.

pawoSD · #6 09-08-2009, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaulC

This is a classic example example of why America is going to Hell. You never should have bought this car; you are living beyond your means and it is catching up with you. This was a totally irresponsible purchase and furthermore you are too young for such a car. Why are you subsidizing our national trade imbalance and buying a foreign vehicle? You should sell this moneypit immediately and buy a nice used Chevy Cobalt for cash. My God, man, you are going to have to sell the 6.9 just to pay for this repair. I never liked the color of your E500 anyway.

He sold his 6.9 a rather long while ago.

PaulC · #7 09-08-2009, 04:30 PM

Omigod, it's worse than I thought.

TylerH860 · #8 09-08-2009, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaulC

This is a classic example example of why America is going to Hell. You never should have bought this car; you are living beyond your means and it is catching up with you. This was a totally irresponsible purchase and furthermore you are too young for such a car. Why are you subsidizing our national trade imbalance and buying a foreign vehicle? You should sell this moneypit immediately and buy a nice used Chevy Cobalt for cash. My God, man, you are going to have to sell the 6.9 just to pay for this repair. I never liked the color of your E500 anyway.

Ara T. · #9 09-08-2009, 04:58 PM

If you have to ask..

TylerH860 · #10 09-08-2009, 05:08 PM

Yes, I just thought folks would enjoy this and feel better about themselves at my expense.

It really is a fine car, and a blast to drive. I just can't justify all the negatives vs a just as capable W124.

Johnhef · #11 09-08-2009, 09:10 PM

Tyler, its a common failure, it is the heater shutoff valve, which you can replace yourself if you wish.

TylerH860 · #12 09-08-2009, 09:16 PM

Work on a W211 myself? Won't alarms go off or some anti-shade tree tampering device kill or maim me?

TylerH860 · #13 09-08-2009, 09:18 PM

Is it this dohickey?

http://catalog.peachparts.com/ShopByVehicle.epc?q=2004-Mercedes--Benz-E500--4matic--Wagon-Climate--Control&yearid=2004%40%402004&makeid=63%40%40MERCEDES+BENZ%40%40X&modelid=17970%3ABT|6%3AMBC|2206%3AED|732%3ASM|850%40%40E500+4Matic+Wagon&catid=242213%40%40Climate+Control&subcatid=242435@@ACC+Dual+Valve&mode=PA

KarTek · #14 09-08-2009, 09:34 PM

Wow, that's cheap! The equivalent valve on my car is over $200!

Hatterasguy · #15 09-08-2009, 10:05 PM

Bah whats a G note to a Mercedes owner, pocket change.

Their is not a single problem on a MB that a check book cannot fix.

My friend is going to yank the head on his E300D soon to do GP's. I'm sitting back in my problem free Silverado, oh wait I need a new steering shaft, $53.