VDO gauges........

[RG5384]

Sorry, I need to vent again. I am extremely unhappy with the performance of my VDO gauges in my 83 300SD. We have owned a 1980 accord, which didn’t have ANY of these gauge problems. Just to go into a few of my problems with VDO, my cruise control required work, my fuel gauge is unreliable, as is my temp gauge. The speedometer has stopped working, the odometer(well everyone knows about those problems, what a cheap POS), and my clock only works half the time. I find it ridiculous that when contracted to make gauges for as high of a caliber car as a Mercedes is, they couldn’t use better parts to make the gauges last longer. This is absolutely ridiculous, I cringe when I see their logo on my dad’s BMW 528i…..

Ryan

[loubapache]

Calm down, RG5384. Not many have said a Mercedes is more reliable than a Honda, a Toyoya, a ...

The fact of matter is that a Mercedes is NOT as reliable as a Honda, a Toyota, a ...

[RG5384]

yes, i suppose you are correct, although i still dont understand why they can't make gauges that will actually work instead of just "dance". I know what your saying about the honda comment, but i'm almost at the point that i WISH I HAD A HONDA, notice i said almost, but that is a point i never want to be at....
R

[loubapache]

RG5384:

<<
i still dont understand why they can't make gauges that will actually work
>>

Unlike Honda or Toyota, Mercedes can't make a lot of things that actually work. They will introduce something new (to show off their advanced technology) they think it works regardless if it really works or can be easily repaired. Then they will deny any responsibility if it does not really work.

I can give you a few examples:

1. The early 1990 4-matic (aka $-matic) does not work. The transfer case requires frequent replacement and it costs big bucks. One of these transfer case will buy you 20 VDO gauges. LOL.

2. The Trap-oxidizer on the 1987 diesel does not work. It takes 10 years for MB to recall.

3. The engines used in the 1990's S class do not work. One of these engine repair can buy 100 of your VDO gauges.

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That's pretty funny. I have the same VDO gauge cluster in my '85 380SE (ok, I have a 160 mph speedometer and a higher redline on a 7000 rpm tachometer and an Economy gauge) and I have never EVER had any kind of gauge problems in my car, except for when the fuse for the cluster blew (and fuses blow whenever they wear out). I also had VDO gauges in the previous '83 Saab 900S. Speedometer would be slightly jumpy around 15 mph in temps of below 20 degrees, but that was it. Fuel, temp, and tach gauges were always golden.

Maybe you need a gauge cluster with a higher speedo and redline. like in a gas 126.

-Sam

[mikemover]

Every car, and every manufacturer has it's quirks and screw-ups...that is unavoidable with anything mechanical, especially if the company is constantly striving to push the envelope and constantly improve and innovate.

Any car that's 20-ish years old is going to develop little annoyances, regardless of how well cared for it is.

I beg to differ with the Honda/Toyota vs. MB comment...I have seen MANY MBs, especially diesels, with 300k, 500k, 750k, even a couple with a million miles! How many Civics or FourRunners have you seen still rolling, with the original engine, after that many miles?

I don't mean to sound like an MB snob, but let's give credit where it's due here...not many auto builders have engineered such durable cars and components. My SD is 23 years old with 243k miles, but still starts and runs like new, almost no rattles or squeaks, doors shut solid, etc, etc... A Honda, Toyota, or most any American or British car from the same era, IF it's still on the road, is a rattle-trap. I used to have a GM car about the same age as my current MB, with far less miles on it, and I had to replace 2 engines, one transmission, a starter every 6-8 months, alternators, water pump, and countless other nickel-and-dime repairs! And the doors sounded like an old metal screen door when they shut! Admittedly, it was fun to drive and I drove it pretty hard, but the same goes for my MB, and it is so solid and gives me FAR less problems than any car I or my family has owned. I thought that was why we're all here, anyway...our mutual appreciation of MB's usually superior, always ahead of the pack engineering.

Just my 2 cents, as usual.

Mike

[loubapache]

Mike:

Now you are talking about durability, not reliability. Two very different things.

A car can be unreliable but durable if the owner keeps fixing it.

Due to the difference in initial value, MB owners fix their cars with lots $$$ and Honda and Toyota owners get new ones.

The pre-1990 diesel models you mentioned are exceptions. They are not only durable but also reliable.

[Cap'n Carageous]

Hey, don't complain too much, after all, they COULD have Lucas electronics and Smith's guages:p

[Ali Al-Chalabi]

My bimmer's VDO gauges have problems too. The tach is dead and the speedo was starting to work intermittently, but I fixed the speedo. You can't have both the tach and the speedo out, then you have no idea how fast you are going.