I'm disenheartened. Every 10 years or so I break down and buy at least one nice luxo-box to have for pure comfort and reliability. I always have at least three cars, been as high as seven and have 5 now. My last 13 year run of lux was 88 and 89 Mazda 929's (hey, I'm a fake luxo but....) Anyway, I had been thinking of an MB since I now have three of them but after reading some stories here and in other groups I'm finding the the MB ain't quite up to it anymore. What happened? I don't want to go the rice-burner route, Lex, Q45, etc but MB doesn't seem to have anything worth checking out that can be thought of as truly reliable. I am tempted to look around for an 86/87 SDL in primo condition but they are rare in that kind of shape. Rear Wheel drive is manditory because I plain like it. I want the star on the hood, but I also want that hood to stay down except for oil changes and "PLANNED" maintenance - BY ME not some $95 an hour white-coated "service advisor". Is there any hope for a good MB machine? Gas or Diesel doesn't matter much as the diesel is my regular back and forth car and will be for as long as I have to work. The new CDI coming out will cost a fortune and I am betting it will be a POS as far as reliability. This really kills me talking like this. I have a beautiful 58 220s, a couple of 300D's and I love the feel of them. I need/want a luxo-barge for occasional use and want an MB but am deeply afraid I'm going to end up with a Q-ship or a Lexobox. Can somebody talk me out of it or has MB gone the way of the Rolls, a sad commentary I guess. Sure wish I could find a nice 280Seb !

Personally, I would stay away from anything '92 or newer in an S-Class. If I were looking for a full size luxury sedan, I would seriously consider a Lexus LS 430.

I currently own a 96 E300D and am very pleased. It offers all the luxury amenities I desire (heated seats, dual zone CC, CD player, traction control, acceptable leather, etc...) without the stuff I just do not need (I can close my own doors, am still willing to put a key into an ingition, and can manage to apply the brakes while on cruize control, thank you). At the same time the mid-size allows a more responsive behavior and less of the "big boat" feel. Reliability for this model, as far as I can gather, has been impressive.

If you can imagine yourself in a smaller, albeit "less luxurious" model, the E Series is worthy of further consideration.

__________________
1996 (W210) E300D 86K - Traded in for a Lexus
1992 (W124) 300D 2.5 Turbo 202K - Sold
1983 (W123) 300D, 146K - Sold
1970 280S, 263K - Sold - Beginning of addiction

Hi rmmagow.

Unfortunately the perfect car has not been invented
yet.
Wether you buy a new or a used car,you'll always
have something or another that fails.
With a new car it will take longer,depending on
how you maintain the car but you can be sure that
it will require major work sometime in its life,just the
nature of the beast.
With a used car it all depends on how the PO
maintained the car.
But then again nothing lasts forever and mecanical
parts do wear out.
If it has full records then that helps,but if not then
you might be looking a the biggest POS on this planet.

Just look at the bottom of this post.
Owner bought brand new.
It is a '00 430ML.
Owner say it has been in for repairs a total
of 60 days in 4 years.

Then you have the other side of the coin.
There are people here on the forum that have
had their cars for many years and never had any
real major repairs.

Louis.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
"50 Mercedes Problems in 4 Years
1. Brake system defect (pump leak)
2. Wiper motor defect
3. Door problems (latch noises)
4. Door problems (maladjusted door)
5. Command center malfunction (dead navigation system)
6. Door lock malfunction (right rear door actuator)
7. Washer reservoir leaking
8. Lamp switch defect (stop lamp)
9. Fuel filter problem
10. Door lock malfunction (gas door actuator)
11. AC problem. (AC fan speed switch knob malfunction)
12. Door lock malfunction (gas door actuator)
13. Trim problem (sunroof seal fell off)
14. Door problem (Rattle from inside left rear door - loose metal washer)
15. Trim problem (3rd brake lamp cover pops off even when re-secured
16. Trim problem (rear inside trim panel defective)
17. Window washer nozzle defective on right side
18. Command center malfunction (dead navigation system)
19. Door lock problem
20. Lamp problem (defective check engine light - right rear 02 sensor)
21. Rotor in rear changed at only 27500 miles
22. Sunroof shade problems
23. Sunroof guide clip missing
24. Sunroof shade problems
25. Trim problem (left outer seat trim cracked)
26. Sun roof frame defect
27. Seatbelt jammed (left rear)
28. Brake system defect (pad wear sensor defect)
29. Defect fuel door lock actuator
30. Rear door latch replacement
31. AC problem (system not cooling properly)
32. Sunroof motor connectors rattling
33. AC problem (blower motor rattle)
34. Window problem (switch bad)
35. Command center problem (CD changer error)
36. Window problem (clicking front left window)
37. Door lock problem (rear right/left door actuator defect)
38. Door problem (insulation inside right door damaged due to melting glue)
39. Command center problem (CD changer error)
40. Trim crack (leather on steering wheel cracked)
41. Door problem (rear right/left door actuator defect)
42. AC problems (blower rattle)
43. AC problems (clicking sounds)
44. Trim crack (cracks in duct tape on door)
45. Door problem (rear left door actuator defect)
46. Washer reservoir crack
47. Right window washer nozzle defect
48. Lock problem (front left door actuator defect)
49. Car manuals taken from my car during service
50. Power steering problem (replacement of clamp for power steering hose due to possible fluid loss at radiator)"