PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum - View Single Post

edge · #**845** 10-10-2010, 06:53 PM

I have own 10 MB's over the years, some bought as new, some leased, mostly used. I've always liked them but many have been problematic.

86 300E bought new for my wife's birthday. Great driving car, smooth, tracked the road so much better than the 84 Porsche 911 I had at the time. By the time I sold it 6 years and 86K miles later, the head gasket and front seal were leaking like crazy and the front suspension needed an overhaul.

98 C230 leased. Never had a problem but the car was boring.

99 ML320 leased. Had to go to the dealer every month for repairs, rear window, driver's window, sun roof, climate control, wipers wouldn't work, heated seats stopped working. Then the POS drank a quart of oil every 1000 miles at 18K and the POS dealer said it was within spec. Finally at 29K the POS drank a quart every 300 miles and MB warrantied a ring job and gave me a POS Corolla as a loaner. I swore of new MB's after this one.

84 300D, my first diesel w 117K mmiles and drove it to 170K miles. Found out that the PO had rigger the odometer so it had more miles than it showed. Leaked water, rusting everywhere. I must have spent $4500 on the POS over 4 years. Got me thinking that I would like the 300D if I found a better conditioned one.

85 300SD, big and slow, leaked water when it rained, fogged defroster. Bought w 115K for $4200 and sold it w 155K for $5700 three years later at the height of the bio-conversion craze. Water pump, radiator neck broken. Preferred the 300D, kids hated diesel and hated the SD even more, back to gas.

94 E320 w 72K miles. I figured with low mileage I was good to go but the tranny failed a month later for $2500 for a rebuilt. I love the way the W124 drove. Left my son stranded, needed a new starter. Outside Temp gauged failed. Ran rough and I changed the spark plug connectors. Changed engine coils. Water pump, radiator. Sold with 120K. Head gasket always leaked.

95 E320 Wagon w 125K miles. Loved this wagon but head gasket always leaked. Then the dreaded evaporator went so the car had to go.

97 E420 w 122K, now has 170K after 3 years. Damn tranny went after 9 months. Rebuilt cost me freakin' $4000 as it has an electronic controlled tranny. The new one would mess up twice a year and I had my indy drain the tranny oil from control module every 4-5 months. Finally changed the updated part to stop this nonsense. So far changed ignition tumbler, brake stop which affected the ABS and ASR. Front suspension work. Driver's sde and rear view mirrors had to be replaces as the dimmer liquid leaked and made them splotchy.

88 300CE w 115K miles. Loved the Coupe design but this car was flawed so it had to go.

83 300D back to diesel with a one owner car w 111K miles. Great car. This is the diesel I had been looking for and is a marvel. Cruises beautifully at 80mph on the highway and 33mpg on summer diesel. Now has 130k miles after 15 months and I have only changed the oil and the front disc pads. No leaks! But alas, the a/c went after 10 months.

I still like Mercedes but you have to be lucky and look hard to find one in good condition that has been taken care of. I love the W124 but I would never subject myself to their failed head gasket and evaporator. I never had a harness problem but who wants to mess with that? It is probably better to get a W124 8 cylinder. Too many tranny problems and potential for expensive repairs. My 83 300D has brought me make into the fold but it is hard to find a good one at a reasonable price. If I go gas again, I think I would go for a BMW E34. I never had a problem with the 93 525i I had from 132k TO 195K, only had to change the middle muffler and the a/c was ice cold. I just can't think of an E-Class gas model that didn't have a plethora of known defaults.

Peace out.