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Originally Posted by anthonyb
This statement, here, I believe sums up everything there is to say about these cars. They are NOT the most reliable cars, but man do they last a long time.
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I just learned that they only last a long time if you are willing and able to spend quite a bit of money to keep fixing them. I am driving mine until it blows up and then never again own one of these cars. I think it is simply ridiculous how much goes wrong on the W124 at about 100K. Even the shop foreman just told me they are not worth repairing, since it will just be another problem after you fix the current problem.
I am so sorry I paid for the last transmission service. I needed the throttle actuator, so the code implied, although there were no symptoms. Since I got the car back, there is a slight flair from 3rd to 4th gear. They just told me it was probably the clutches and that the best solution was to get a rebuilt transmission. The flair is very small and only happens when cold, so no repair for me, but I can’t believe there is actually something wrong with my transmission at only 93K miles. They also confirmed the front timing cover leak and said that the head gasket was also leaking at the rear, as predicted by everyone on these forums. Sure enough, I can see cracked wire insulation on some of the exposed areas of the harness, so I am sure I should get the new harness if I do the gasket and timing cover.
So here I am, I just replaced the water pump, thermostat, all hoses, and flushed the cooling system. Replaced the throttle actuator and did all the seals on the transmission along with the transmission flush and refill. Completed the 90K service with all the trimmings. I am out about $2000.00 already and now I need head gasket, wiring harness, and a new transmission. Sure it is a magnificent automobile, when it isn’t broken, but this just seems ridiculous for a car that everyone seems to brag about how incredibly well engineered it is or was. I mean I never missed a scheduled service during 8 years and about 80K miles of the current 93K and I have pampered this car every step of the way. When they pulled the car out at the dealer, I actually heard two guys gasp and say wow, look at that guys Benz. The kid that drove the car to me, said he loved my car and kept kind of gushing about gee gosh golly gee my car was awesome and he couldn’t believe how great my car was. Then the shop foreman came to talk to me. He told me he could tell how well I took care of my car, which was nice coming from their best mechanic, but then went on to tell me that he would basically just drive the car until it dies. He said that is what he did with his 1991 diesel. He told me his car would have required an entire week of his own work, along with about $3000.00 just in parts, so just gave up on it.
I do love the thing, but holly cow, what the heck were people thinking when they said these were well-engineered automobiles. A well-engineered machine does not have to be completely rebuilt, because of defective wiring harnesses and head gaskets, along with simply wearing out other overly complicated components. What were they thinking when they decided to use a complicated vacuum system for the locks and air vents. I think Mercedes should have stopped with very simple mechanical devices, push down locks and simple cables to open and close the vents, since they certainly didn’t think about the long-term consequences for people that would have to pay to repair the cars. Can you imagine what the drive by wire stuff will be like in a few years?
I thought I got a pretty good deal on the car. 8 years ago, it was $32,000.00 and had less than 20K miles. It is worth about $7000.00 as a private seller, based on KBB. I don’t know if anyone would really pay that much, if they know about all of the issues. I spent about $4000.00 on special repairs, in addition to the typical inflated costs of simple normal maintenance, like brakes, fluids, and mileage checks.
My 1995 E320 (very nice looking, but needs thousands in repirs)
$32K + $4K – $7K? = $29K for 8 years and about 80K miles
$3625.00/year/10K miles = $302.00/month for 8 years
My wife’s Accord (very nice car – still like new with no issues)
$22K + $0K - $13K = $9K for 5 years and about 50K miles
$1800.00/year/10K miles = $150.00/month
Now remember that my wife’s car may last quite a while longer with absolutely no issues, so expect her average annual cost of ownership to drop significantly.
Before anyone goes bashing my wife’s Honda, I can tell you the thing is actually quite amazing. It is an absolute beast in the snow, with front wheel drive, traction control, and ABS brakes. It is also darn fast, with that V6 engine. It is very well appointed, with leather, nice looking aluminum wheels, CD, electric everything, moon roof, and even a stainless exhaust. Of course it also has air bags all over the place, so it is very safe. It does not have the wow factor of my gorgeous car, but guess what, I am cool no matter what car I drive.
So go ahead and say, give me a break and just go buy a Honda. Don’t worry, I definitely will. Well maybe an Acura, but certainly not a Mercedes.