I agree about Lexus quality. They have regularly put MB to shame.

However, someone posted a link to a Lexus form, much like this one. I went over and read some threads.

It is obvious that the early LS400's had embarrasing quality problems. The electro-luminescent instrument clusters had a high failure rate, and they are very pricey. There were also transmission problems.

1992 and ealier MB's don't have wiring harness problems.

I know that we often complain about leaking evaporator cores on W124's, but my MB mechanic, the famous Enrique at MB Motors, assures me that it is the exception, not the rule, on the later W124's. Only the early W124's ('86-'89-ish) had evap problems, and it was a relatively low failure rate (as a percentage).

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

RE MB reliability. I don't understand all the fuss over MB quality. My 97 C280 with 200K miles on it has never needed any major service or ever let me down. Oil/filter changes and tires along with brake pads and plugs (Champion Platinum) has all I have ever done. I would not let a dealer service my car of course. But the auto seems to me like new. Where am I missing something? My Honda Accord began to rust in just 5 years and I sold it. The MB is all most a maintenace free car as far as I have experienced.

"I would not let a dealer service my car "
Why? Did you have bad experience with dealer?

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1992 300D 2.5 turbo diesel. 319 k miles.
124.128 chassis, 602.962 engine, 722.418 tranny.

I think the 140 cars do have wiring harnesses..as I recalled the local dealer telling me they did one in an early 600SEL to the tune of about $3500

check the record book of the early 140(92-94)...you will find many that had instrument clusters replaced(including mine)

On the Lexus I have heard of that issue...but typically when the car was more than 6-7 years old...not 1-2 years old...big differnece there

Warren
1992 300SD 178K
Columbus Ohio

I have both MB and a Lexus and both experiences have been pretty good for the most part. Both of my cars were purchased new and now have about 150,000 miles on them each. I don't think you can compare the two cars the same. If you just look at reliablity, then the Lexus wins hands down. It has been relatively inexpensive to maintain and drives almost like new. However, if you want to compare them based on driving experience, then the mercedes is much more fun. I have logged all maintenance for both cars and the MB is about twice as expensive to maintain.
If I had to sell one of these cars and keep the other, it would be easy for me to keep the MB, but thats me, for people that only want a reliable car, Lexus is the way to go.

My friend had the following remark "All Mercedes cars are expensive lemons ".

After spending over $7000.00 in repair, upgrade (eg. MP3 disk changer) and maint. on my car in over a year (bought with 58K miles, one owner, like new condition), I had to agree with his assesment. I am including the upgrade because a 1994 Lexus has a whole lot more feature content and electronics than a W124.

Major Ones:
Wiring Harness
Aux Fans
Headgasket (Dealer took care of this)
Engine Control Module
ACC COntrol Module
Antenna
Thermostat
Aspirator Blower
60 K miles service
Tires
Brakes
Tie-Rods
Steering Dampner
Air Mass Sensor (still good but replaced for PM)
OVP
Fuel Pump relay
Coil Boot Connectors
Alignment Twice (Incompetent MB dealer, can never fix anything the first time)
Tire Balancing (Multiple times to get it right due to sensitive suspension)

Car is driving fine but I am getting codes from the ISC/EC/CC module. Probably the wiring harness is bad and will require replacement in the near future. ACC Evaporator is still holding up.


Parts made by MB, like the engine, are still in like new conditon.. Other parts like the Bosch ECU, aux fans or the ACC Control Module which were outsourced are the ones that are the problem. But MB has the ultimate responsibility for approving the design and selecting the supplier.

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Zafar
94 E320 58000 Miles

Well dealers are not cheap.

These are all wear parts that you would have to replace if you bought a Lexus or Honda Civic.
60 K miles service
Tires
Brakes
Thermostat

Please don't tell me you paid a lot for these, tie rods for your car are about $160 for all 3, and the damper is listed for $30 on fastlane.
Tie-Rods
Steering Damper

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Some MB dealers along with all others are "self serving" Just look at my boat service bills, fresh water use only, 3 months a year use. I just think that the "mechanics" have a magical way of "down" servicing the cars that pass through their shops. Thus this possibly leads to more service. At least that is my experience.

Experience show most "mechanics" have to be watched while at work, regardless you know what they are doing there, or not - this way they won't try to deceive you.

Side note: when they see a customer with a luxury car, be it Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Maserati or whatever else, they will think he/she is the kind of person who doesn't soil his/her hands, and therefore is a complete moron regarding the repairs. A moron with a lot of money is a far too attractive target to miss

Solution: study the manuals - even if you don't DIY, at least you will know whom to swear at when it breaks down

~Nautilus

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1990 260E Sportline (that's 300E 2.6 for our American friends) -> sold
2001 E320 4Matic Elegance -> my Dad's daily drive
2005 Seat Leon FR 1.8T

I do not believe that I will have any major expenses in the next few years, since most of the common issues have been addressed.

This forum has helped a lot. This is the first car where I have started to do DIY. MB dealer and a independent repair shop have been disappointing. For alignment/suspension work etc. I'll drive 100 miles to another MB dealer.

Recently I saved $2000.00 by purchasing the ECM from car-part.com for $200.00 and installed it in 10 min, instead of paying $2200.00 at the dealership.

I had considered selling this car several times but now I have decided to keep it. Even after 10 years, interior/exterior design does not look dated and the overall package is better than a majority of 2004 offerings.

My next car thou will be a Lexus LS 400. I may or may not like it but it is the automotive industry benchmark, so I will test it out. According to JD Powers, an 8 year old LS 400 is more reliable than a new BMW.

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Zafar
94 E320 58000 Miles

Such a sad truth. I've driven or otherwise experienced Mercedes cars since I was a kid, and they always had a certain solidity and feeling of purpose. That's no longer true. The ones I have driven (new MLs, Cs, Es) feel strangely Japanese and cheap. My family has 5 in the stable; SLK, CLK, E, C, and CLK - and all have had quality issues except for the SLK. All feel chincy except for the CLK - a 430 with Sport package - and the E (a 2003 320) has had wretched reliability issues.

All of this drove me to purchase a Starmark 97 C230 with 61k, which I have to say feels twice as robust as the 2003 E320.

I just can't drive a Benz that sounds like a Taurus (any new V6 model) or that drives itself (in the case of the E-class), over-engineered with dozens of extra points-of-failure. (Who needs electronic brakes?) My next car will likely be another Starmark model, maybe a late-90s SL or something designed prior to the merge with Daimler.

I wonder, how is the feeling among this group about MB Quality today? Have they come out of the slump? I have a 96 C280 with 244K miles on it and a 02 E55 with just under 60K. I dont think they offer the build of say a 500E (my dream car) but I they are holding up well given the age and miles. Anyone have a thought on quality today?

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1986 190E 186K (For Sale)
(Maroon, Tan leather)
1996 C280 Sport 208K
(Brilliant Silver, Black Leather)
2002 CLK430 Sport 45K
(Brilliant Silver, Gray Leather , Birdseye Maple)

I will want to know in a few years what are the best of the newer MB's

I really don't think in 3-4 years I will be able to find another decent 124....... unless the guy down the street with a 93 with 43k miles sells me his

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1989 300ce 129k
( facelifted front,updated tail lights, lowered suspension,bilstein sports, lorinser front spoiler, MOMO steering wheel, remus exhaust,stainless steel brake lines). (Gone)

1997 s320 154k (what a ride). Sold with 179k miles. Replaced with Hyundai Equus

1994 e320 Cabriolet 108k



1972 280se 4.5 153k Owned for 12 yrs, sorry I sold it


[/SIGPIC]

Anyone know why the seat air switch will run the 3 speed fan but there is absolutly no air movement on the seating surfface? It looks like the seat is not assembled corectly, that there is a sheet of plastic immediately in front of the fans thus blocking any air movement. Is this a "sillent" recall to correct?

Oh, btw, my E550 is perfect in everyway. I think the factory has all the problems fixed. It's a great ride, good gas milage, nothing falling apart. Beautiful in all respects.