It makes me wonder why the Germans have so much trouble with mechanical odometers.

I have three 201 odometers, all failed long before 200k.
One quattro, odometer stopped (2nd one), bought new, Brother's quattro odo also died, 198,000miles.
Cabrolet, odometer stopped.
Vanagon Syncro VR6, odometer dead.
My 4matic odometer kept going, but I sold it at 126k miles so today?

Fortunately it is an easy fix, but you'd think they'd be better at building them. The funny thing is, on this list chassis mileage is bragging rights, and I wonder how many are off, and how do you guys figure maintenance and oil changes anyway? I have to record miles for my taxes so I'm constantly fixing them, but does anyone else find this strange? Does it make you wonder about all of the mid-'80s cars on fleabay with only around 100k miles?

Anyone want to guess at the percentage of failures before 200k miles?

- Jeff
190DT

my odometer is on 260k and according to the recipts was never in for any kind of odometer repair. .carfax reports i got from carson can also shore that claim up.. oil changes in the book are also consistent..

Not too many other vehicle go 200k miles without major overhauls. So in that respect the Mercedes ones probably do just as good as any other odometer. But on the other hand these cars often go more than that, so you would think that Mercedes would have designed something that would last a little better.
My odometer stop functioning properly at 144k, but it has been fixed and works perfectly now.
I would venture a guess at close to 50%.

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are made by vdo. same as in bout all german cars. one of several things that benz doesnt make and is ordinary quality. maybe less than ordinary. course in a benz it stands out like a sore thumb.

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.