lots of MBs with dead AC sys on hwy - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#1 07-11-2003, 07:16 PM

for the 1st time in a long time, i sat in atlanta rush hour traffic twice today. one thing i noticed:

in an approx 1 mile stretch of 90+ deg muggy a$$ bumper to bumper, i saw three 85-95 vintage MBs with the windows down. 2x 300e and 1x 190 with the AC off and the windows down. all 3 drivers "appeared" smart enough to know that their MBs had an AC system.fortunately i did spot another 95 e320 with the windows up just after. i felt their pain, as my prior 300e had an AC prob, that probably would have been a min of a $1250+ repair at the dealer. my issue was the famous 3-piece hose that the dealer wanted $800 for the hose alone. i drove the 535 bimmer when the heat was above 80. lucky for me that i was hit and totaled last summer, and got a W202 to replace the 300.

it seems to me that as a group, MB owners are willing to forgive AC probs that we wouldnt even stand for if riding in a hundai. lets see, does that hundai 10 year warranty cover AC systems? :p

i also saw a small car stuffed under a 18-wheeler up to the trunk lid. lucky for them that they were only 5 minutes away from what is probably THE best trama center in the south, grady hospital. i wouldnt drive within 10 miles of the place if i needed elective surgery, but its THE place to go if you get shot or get your head cut off!

jsmith · #2 07-11-2003, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ThrillBilly
lets see, does that hundai 10 year warranty cover AC systems? :p

don't know of any car make that includes AC in its powertrain warranty (that's what the 10 yrs for hyundai is). you can get an extended warranty to cover the AC beyond the standard BTB new car warranty on most cars...

mike690003 · #3 07-11-2003, 10:23 PM

My A/C works perfectly fine, but I rarely use it. I live in Miami,FL and even in stop and go traffic (87-90 degrees outside) I do not drive with my A/C. I dont know, I guess that people assume that just because it is hot outside people MUST turn on their A/C. Am I the only one that does this???

#4 07-12-2003, 02:04 AM

The AC in both my cars work fine, though the AC in my 190 has been completely replaced in the past couple years.

If it's not too hot/muggy outside, I'm one to go with outside air and windows all the way. I LOVE the huge sunroofs in our cars and use it daily!

DuckMuck · #5 07-12-2003, 03:38 AM

I run the A/C pretty regularly in my car...I think using it normally is good for the system...leaving it off seems to invite trouble...that is one lesson I learned with cars...

Holson Adi · #6 07-12-2003, 01:13 PM

I tend to run the A/C on the E420 unless it's a really nice night or nice morning/early evening. Not because I hate it but just because I try to run the A/C on most of the time like DuckMuck said. Especially since it's still under warranty. I'd rather it break now...

I do like windows down driving and for that I have my 300CD!

No A/C and with all four windows down it looks kinda cool too

I've seen people drive their brand new cars w/ windows down. I guess a lot of 'em just like fresh air more than anything else. Some people are also much more tolerant to heat...

suginami · #7 07-12-2003, 01:50 PM

I use the a/c 100% of the time.

Even with the heat on, the a/c compressor is still running to remove humidity from the air (by design).

Crowe · #8 07-12-2003, 05:07 PM

It is very common to see very good looking MBs in Atlanta traffic with the windows down in 90+ degree weather. As good as these cars are the AC systems are poor.

I have three Mercedes-Benz cars ('87 300D, '88 300E, & '80 300SD) and only one has a working AC system. You can bet if it worked my windows would be all the way up with the AC on high.

#9 07-12-2003, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mike690003
My A/C works perfectly fine, but I rarely use it. I live in Miami,FL and even in stop and go traffic (87-90 degrees outside) I do not drive with my A/C. I dont know, I guess that people assume that just because it is hot outside people MUST turn on their A/C. Am I the only one that does this???

You know whats sad? I've been w/o ac for a few months in 95+ degree weather and now I am a little used to it..eheheh..

I can't actually believe that I would get used to something like this..when we got ac back working.. I still like the windows down + a little a/c running.. has a unique feeling.. don't know if its just me.

anyways I am so happy that A/C is back

DuckMuck · #10 07-12-2003, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by s500
I still like the windows down + a little a/c running.. has a unique feeling.. don't know if its just me.

A guy I knew in university use to love having the windows open, running the A/C, and having the heater on at the same time...let's just say he wasn't too popular with his apartment mates when the electricity/gas bill came every month...

suginami · #11 07-12-2003, 09:48 PM

I have read posts of owners complaining of an inadequate a/c system in their Mercedes, but the a/c in my car is R134a from the factory. Some models got R134a in 1992, the rest got it in 1993.

The a/c in my car is the coldest a/c I have ever had in any car I have ever owned. It is almost too cold. Even in Las Vegas in 110 degree heat, I had to turn it down.

I hope this post doesn't jinx my car, so I want everyone to know that I am knocking on wood as I post this....

#12 07-12-2003, 11:38 PM

yeah..my lexus from 92 was like a freezer compared to the benz

hehe.

Larry Delor · #13 07-12-2003, 11:51 PM

Living in the humid state that I do, I couldn't stand for the A/C not to work. It is just too sticky...heck, its 11:45 at night right now, the temp is an unually cool 70, but the humidity is 93%. Most people would open their windows at 70 degrees...try that here, and you end up sticking to your sheets in the morning (Yuck!) (not to mention you have mold growing everywhere)
The A/C's work in all of mine, wouldn't want it any other way. Especially if I would try to sell one of them down here. On almost any used car, if the Air works, it's worth a grand right there.
The '71 has an old fashioned system in it - no recirculating air feature. If it would have that, Iwould probably drive it in the summer more often.