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Mercedes-Benz E-Class E 200 Cabriolet Ambition common faults.

2013–2017, convertible, petrol, 184 HP.

The fault list covers: M274DE20AL engine, MB6MT transmission.

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3 fault write-ups. All are important. No recall on the list.

If you know the year, pick it. Faults for other years drop out of the list.

Before you buy

Known faults

3 important faults

critical1

Faulty weld seam on the camshaft: a recall, free replacement

critical

On engines built between July and September 2015 the supplier made a mistake in the welding process, so the weld seam on the camshaft is not as it should be. According to the authority's notice the fault affects individual M270 and M274 four-cylinder petrol engines.

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On the affected cars the camshaft can break, and in doing so it damages the engine and shuts it off. The engine cannot then be restarted, the car comes to a halt, and in the words of the notice this increases the accident hazard.

As a precaution the maker prescribed replacement of the camshafts. The campaign started in November 2015, the target date for completion was the end of 2016, and the replacement is free for the owner.

At a purchase two things have to be cleared up: does the car fall into the production window, and if so, has the recall been carried out on it. The franchised dealer can answer that from the chassis number.

What to check

  • Check the production date of the engine: the examples from between July and September 2015 are affected
  • Ask whether the recall has been carried out, and ask for proof of it
  • If there is no proof, ask the franchised dealer with the chassis number: they can tell you
2 more steps in the write-up

expensive2

M274 2.0 turbo: crankcase ventilation (PCV) control valve failure

expensive

On the 2.0 turbo four cylinder (M274, and the transverse M270) the control valve of the crankcase ventilation system fails early. The official database holds 259 reports on it, almost exclusively on the 2015 to 2019 C 300 and GLC 300 versions.

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The symptom: the engine warning light comes on, and diagnostics returns a fault code complaining about crankcase ventilation valve performance. Alongside it you get a fluctuating idle, a whistling or sucking noise from the engine bay, and sometimes harder starting.

The valve is part of the intake system, and if it sticks open or closed the engine either draws false air or the pressure in the crankcase rises. The latter pushes the crankshaft seals out, and from then on you have an oil leak. The valve itself is a cheap part, but getting to it is not always cheap.

On the same engine generation the complaints also include 27 reports of a cracked piston (weighted to the C 300 in 2015 and 2017). That is much rarer. If the engine burns oil or knocks, do not think only of the ventilation valve.

The official data is American, and the 2.0 petrol is far more common there than in Europe.

between 64,000 and 145,000 kmreported complaints only

What to check

  • Ask for a fault code read and look for the code on crankcase ventilation valve performance: that is the characteristic entry
  • Listen to the engine bay at idle: a whistling, sucking noise points to a torn valve diaphragm
  • Look around the valve cover and the crankshaft seals for oil leaks: the consequence of raised crankcase pressure
2 more steps in the write-up

Airmatic air suspension: leaking air spring, overworked compressor

expensive

The Mercedes Airmatic system holds the ride height with air springs and electronically controlled dampers. The most common faults over time are the relay, the compressor and a leaking air spring or air line.

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The rear air springs of the 2003 to 2009 E-Class (W211) are particularly prone to leaking along the clamps. If the system leaks, the compressor runs continuously, overheats and fails, so an unrepaired leak takes the compressor with it.

Symptoms: one corner of the car sinks by morning, an "Air Suspension" or level control fault message, and compressor noise while standing. It was an option (or standard) across several generations from the W220 S-Class onwards; the estate E-Class often has air springs with level control on the rear axle as standard.

between 100,000 and 220,000 km

What to check

  • In the morning, before setting off, look at all four corners: an uneven stance means a suspected leak
  • With the car standing, listen to the compressor: continuous running indicates it is overworked
  • Ask for a fault code read on the suspension controller (level and pressure sensor codes of the C1132 / C1144 kind)
3 more steps in the write-up

Checklist

Mercedes-Benz E-Class E 200 Cabriolet Ambition

First what you would check on any car. Then the faults of this model.

Before you buy

Checklist

The printed sheet starts with what you would check on any car. What you tick stays on this device only.

On every car

Ask the owner

Faults of this model

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Engine and transmission

M274DE20AL

155 kW (211 HP) · petrol

MB6MT · 6-speed manual, longitudinal (Mercedes-Benz)

manual · 6 speed

Torque limit450 Nm
MakerMercedes-Benz

We built the code from the model and the gear count. The factory sheet does not state it.

Variant data

What is in this version

Factory data

Trim
E 200 Cabriolet Ambition
Body
convertible
Fuel
petrol
Transmission
manual
Engine size
1991 cc
Power
135 kW (184 HP)
Drive
RWD
Production
2013–2017

Factory service interval

The manufacturer specifies this for this version. Of the mileage and the time, the one that comes first is the one that counts.

  • Air filter

    • 60,000 km or 4 years

  • Cabin (pollen) filter

    • 30,000 km or 2 years

  • Brake fluid change

    • first: 3 years, then 2 years(first change at 3 years, then every two years)

  • Spark plugs, petrol

    • 60,000 km or 6 years
All W212 versions

Information, not an expert opinion

We write the descriptions, and we put the source next to them. A person reviews them before they go out. They are still information, not a technical expert opinion.

  • A fault on the list does not mean the car you are looking at has it.
  • A fault missing from the list does not mean the model is fault-free. Write-ups are made model by model. Not all of them are done.
  • You decide whether to buy. This is no substitute for an inspection. That needs a workshop and a history check.
Details in the terms