Hi, perhaps someone else has experienced this and can help me out.

The car rattles someone up front when idling or at very low revs. Have changed the shock absorber in the front belt tensioner arrangement which immediately rectified the problem. However, 50 miles on and its doing it again (most of the time).
The fact that the problem was solved by changing this part makes me think it is somehow related even though it has started doing it again. Is there something else related to the belt tensioner that might wear and makes this vibration occur?
Any other suggestions?

Many thanks for any advice or comments

 

I have the same car. When starting and at low idle the exhaust header was vibrating against the heat shield. It just had to be slightly bent out of the way.
I also hadthe same rattle with the belt tensioner and it initially it went away with the same fix. Now I only get it intermittently when it runs rough and cold.
Good luck.
Jon

 

Cheers Jon I'll check it out. Tell me ....

are you pleased with your car?
Have you encountered any problems?
whats the mileage?

I only ask because I use mine as a taxi and although i treat it with the utmost respect, service it regularly etc etc, I have had no end of problems with it and have all but decided to get rid of it, maybe you can reassure me its a good car! The last 12 months (Mileage 94,000 - 146,000 miles) has seen me replace ...

Gearbox
Rear brake light internals (melted contacts)
Water Pump (impellor)
Xenon headlight ignitor unit
Viscous Fan (leaking oil)
Heater Blower Unit
Front anti roll bar bushes (twice)
Offside lower ball joint
Engine Mount x 2
Random parts to fix a fuel leak

Oh yeah .... and the frame of the sunroof apparantly broke when i opened it in (not very)cold weather. Its now shut and watertight but you can imagine what a job that is to fix.

Am i the unluckiest guy out there or is this car simply cra*? I bought it because I though the badge stood for quality, longivity, reliability, etc yet it has been nothing short of a complete dissapointment. To say that I am disgusted with it is an understatement. People tell me Mercedes just dont make them like they used to, cut build quality and costs etc, is this the case? I jave heard many other stories about these cars and much newer ones being inundated with reliability issues.

Sad as it is such a great car to drive! I love every second driving it because it does everything so effortlessly and yet so well. Its the biggest and yet the easiest thing I have ever driven. So tell me.... having spent a small fortune keeping it running perfectly, do I now get rid of it or assume there is more of the same to follow?

 

Very pleased with my 1997 E class 300 TD Avantgarde. Only 6000 MILES FROM NEW, ALWAYS GARAGED IMMACULATE CONDITION LAST YEAR AGENT HAVE CHANGED UNDER QUARANTTE TWO FRONT MUDGUARDS AND BONNET BECAUSE OF SMALL BUBBLE UNDER PAINT, I LOVE IT BETTER THAN MY ROLLS