Now I know why MB always have windows down - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

yosshimura · #1 06-24-2002, 09:42 AM

Since I am always spotting MB's on the road, and after being on here for 6-8 mths, I know realize why these MB drivers/owners drive with their windows down on this very hot and humid weather we have in South Florida..... EXPENSIVE and TROUBLESOME A/C issues

:p

I never really noticed it before, but I realize not everyone has $1K or $1500 to regularly fix their a/c's....... Just an observation I thought I would share to my fellow MB enthusiasts

G-Benz · #2 06-24-2002, 10:53 AM

As opposed to other 300E issues, I was fortunate to have my evaporator go south when I still had the aftermarket warranty in force...that, the belt tensioner, timing cover seal, and some other smaller items came to the tune of $2800!!

My cost...$250!

You can't drive around in Texas without A/C!

BENZ-LGB · #3 06-24-2002, 11:26 AM

Seems to me that yosshimura has deep-seated Benz issues.

Here in hot, but dry, So. California I NEVER see a Benz driver driving around with windows down. But I see plenty of Honda, Toyota and Nissan drivers with their windows rolled down.

Even old Benzes drive around with their windows up. I am on my 4th Benz (see stable "history" below.). From the 1967 250SE to the 1`991 420SEL all of my Benzes have had ice cold A/C.

The only vehicle that I have owned to have a better A/C is my wife's current 2002 YukonXL. (Her 1995 Suburban was OK till the A/C compressor went south, sending shreds of metal coursing through the entire system, requiring a major $$$ overhaul of the A/C system) Even in the sunniest, hottest Palm Spring days, the entire cabin, front to back, can get ice cold in no time flat!

Perhaps yosshimura would be happiest with some other car other than a Benz (but I think somebody else has already remarked about this).

yosshimura · #4 06-24-2002, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by BENZ-LGB
Seems to me that yosshimura has deep-seated Benz issues.

Perhaps yosshimura would be happiest with some other car other than a Benz (but I think somebody else has already remarked about this).

:p

I am actually going to start taking pics of these MB's with a/c problems and post them on my web page......

j/k

You rather brush your car problems under the rug, it sounds like

. I , on the other hand, am aware of the problems these cars have, and continue searching for one to BUY knowing I will have issues that could have been prevented by such a GOOD marque / MB.

JCE · #5 06-24-2002, 12:15 PM

So far, neither MB has cost me on parts/labor, including AC, anywhere near the costs of the two POS Honda products I owned. In fact, my Legend Coupe was sold specifically because I was tired of pumping money into the AC system (along with every other system on the car except the lights and stereo system).

Your personal experience with a car is what you need to use in buying or owning a car. If you have had bad luck with a brand, you will not be very willing to buy another from that company, whether MB or Honda. But if you do, you may be subconsciously expecting the worst from the moment you buy the car, and instead of enjoying the vehicle, wind up spending your time looking for proof that your fears are justified!

Maybe I got 2 lemons (my Japanese tech said none of his customers maintained their cars as well as I did, but that I seemed to have every Honda weakness he had seen rolled up into each of my vehicles). Maybe I have bad Honda Karma. (My Toyota has been trouble free for 290,000 miles, aside from routine wear and tear items, and my 300E seems at least as reliable). Whatever. You should buy/drive what makes you happy. Life is too short to spend it unhappy about something you have the power to change.

jsmith · #6 06-24-2002, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by yosshimura
I never really noticed it before, but I realize not everyone has $1K or $1500 to regularly fix their a/c's.......

i don't think it's something you do over and over. it should be a one time, albeit expensive, repair.

BENZ-LGB · #7 06-24-2002, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by yosshimura

:p I am actually going to start taking pics of these MB's with a/c problems and post them on my web page...... j/k

You rather brush your car problems under the rug, it sounds like . I , on the other hand, am aware of the problems these cars have, and continue searching for one to BUY knowing I will have issues that could have been prevented by such a GOOD marque / MB.

I am not brushing anything under the rug. I've NEVER had a problem with the A/C in any of my Benzes. As previously stated, I have owned 4 used Benzes, ranging from 1967 to 1991 and I've never had a problem with the A/C.

OK, I take that back. Once I had to change the light bulb inside the A/C control panel in my 1984 300SD.

And now that I think about it, I also had to change one of the A/C levers in the A/C control panel in the 1967 250SE.

So there you go...two A/C related problems. I guess if you look long and hard you can find problems.....with ANY car.

I am with JCE on this, life is too short to spend it unhappy with something, such as a choice of cars, that can be easily changed. After all, we are not living in the former Soviet Union where your car choices were dictated by the government.

Yosshimura, if it rocks your boat to nitpick about Benzes, then more power to you bro.

As for me, I am just tickled pink about driving a 12 year old automobile with over 214K on the odometer that can still drive as nice, and as trouble-free, as mine is.

jsmith · #8 06-24-2002, 02:53 PM

Yosshimura,

Sounds like a shift from sitting on the fence to convincing yourself not to do it. Yeah, they did put in bad evaporators in the 90's. I think I probably have one of those but heck, so what if I do? Before I picked up my W124 I was gonna lease either a Beemer 5 series, a Lexus GS or an Acura TL-S. The least expensive of those cars would have cost me about $20k to lease over 3 years. I am nowhere close to that amount with my car almost a year into the game now. The best thing is that after three years, I'll still have a darn good car cuz it's all mine! Well, you already know all of this - so do the right thing. Of course, you can get another car and still hang out here - look at Benzman500. But Dan doesn't post stuff like this - it just doesn't help anyone...

suginami · #9 06-24-2002, 03:08 PM

I never see MB's driving around with their windows down.

Having been on this site for quite a while now, it is obvious that MB has had issues with quality control on evaporators. And it seems that humidity cause then to leak sooner.

It is disappointing that the evaporators leak, but the issue is not really the cost of the evaporator, but the labor involved to replace it.

As others above me have stated, fixing a/c is a one time expense over the life of the vehicle. It's odd, also, how some fail and some don't. Alon's 92 300CE just went out, but Hi-Power's '86 300E still has the original a/c and blows ice cold. Go figure.

Again, you've been posting quite a lot on your various issues with Mercedes while your considering buying one. You say that you'll probably buy one, but them spend all of your time bashing them.

Pointing out all of the flaws with Mercedes for no apparent reason other than to complain about a car you don't own is pretty pointless and not productive.

yosshimura · #10 06-24-2002, 03:22 PM

Guys, don't get all ruffled..... I love the MB's with and without their problems, or issues....... I just honestly realized why I have seen so many Benzes with their windows down in the past....

Not all Benz buyers are like us (including me) that research the heck out of the car and go into MB ownership knowing full well the issues/flaws/expenses involved, together with all the positive aspects of owning/driving a Benz.

My thought when I realized how many

Benzes I have seen with the windows down was that alot of these people weren't aware of the expense of the a/c repair when they bought it. They just saw owning a Benz as an relatively inexpensive used car purchase.

I plan on being here for a while, since eventually I will find a Benz I like, and even when I own it, I will not be hiding its "flaws"; but will love the car..... It is truly unique in the way they are assembled and their finished. Those are my turn ons to the car....

I think my original post was somehow misinterpreted. I wasn't ragging on the car. :p

Ken300D · #11 06-24-2002, 08:56 PM

Well, I think you'd have to admit that when the A/C does fail, its going to cost you a lot more to fix in a MB at the dealer than a Chevy at their dealership. Shop labor rates much higher. Parts markup probably higher too.

When you do your evaluation, are you looking at cars that are equally old? Perhaps you are focusing on early 80's MBs and comparing them with Hondas and Toyotas which are only 10 or less years old?

It's going to be a rare 20-year old car that doesn't need some A/C attention during that span.

Ken300D

jsmith · #12 06-24-2002, 11:03 PM

when i start out these days i roll all windows down and raise the sunroof. then i roll up the front and keep the rears halfway until the airflow has cooled down the inside enough. i don't like to put the A/C on and have the fan blasting on high right away. but i admit that i have been using the A/C pretty much constantly these days...

yosshimura,

there's a couple of nice 92 300E's in the cars forum. do you look there? if it's a member's car, it's probably going to be exactly as advertised. i've been perusing the section looking for a diesel for my kid's first car (maybe)...

#13 06-24-2002, 11:31 PM

Does sound expensive to have it fixed however, one question:

How do you really know they have their windows down for lack of adequate a/c? Answer is: You don't.

Unless you poll each and every driver going down the highway and they say they have bad a/c. Be careful on making assumptions and un-accounted for hypotheses about anything, especially people unless you know the whole story. I have made quick assumptions like this myself only to have my foot crammed back into my mouth. Now that I think about it, I rarely see any Benz's with windows down where I live. I am not nec an evolutionist, however maybe it's a case of monkey see monkey do..No harm intended just hopefully info you can use.

#14 06-25-2002, 04:46 PM

Sometimes, when getting on a high-speed arterial or highway after being parked for a long time, I'll lower the windows for a minute to get hot stuffy air OUT of the car, and make the A/C's work easier.

Early W126 here, no AC problems except the night-lighting in the pushbutton unit is kinda iffy.

However, car is currently in the shop right now, awaiting possible 5.6 liter heart transplant to solve major timing chain break. At least I hope I can convince my dad that 240 hp would be a welcome addition to the car.

-Sam

#15 06-25-2002, 04:51 PM

MBZ380se
I wonder if having a short wheelbase would have any affect on preformance Hope your dad says ok on your 5.6