PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum - View Single Post

davidmash · #4 08-25-2003, 06:00 PM

I'm not sure. I have a 190 16v. We bought it when it was 2 years old. It had 40k on I think. It's a euro model. It did not seem abused and for 10 years it was fine but my folks rarely drove it. I bought it from them 3 years ago and have put nearly $10k into it and I am still not done. It seems to go in for major work 2 times a year. Sitting back and thinking about it, I do not think I am mad at the fact that it goes in 2 times a year. I cannot say I know how it was treated the 1st 2 years. My folks did basic maintenance but they only put 30k or 40k on the odo in 10 years.
I think what irks me the most is that nothing, and I mean nothing is easy on my car. I have to have the valves adjusted on my car tomorrow. It is not a matter of pulling the valve cover and taking a wrench and feeler gauge like it was on my 77 240D. No, they need to pull the cams (double OHC) and remove the buckets, measure the shims and add or subtract shims. That’s 5 or 6 hours of labor at $75 a hour. My steering box when out, My steering box is unique to my car. $1800 for a new one. Thank god they could rebuild it for $700. I know I bought a performance car. But why can’t the engineer talk to the mechanic when he designs my car? Why does everything have to be such a PIA to fix on it?

I have been told that on 190’s there is a gear that runs the distributor. Apparently it is notorious for failure. The part is cheap (by MB standards) at under $200. Thing is I am told you have to nearly rip the engine down to the block to replace it. Why? That is not what I expect from MB. Things break down, SH&T happens. I understand that. But I am disappointed with the design of my car.