I may give up my 1995 E320 - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

lanierboy · #31 02-28-2006, 08:00 PM

You guys sound soft. Compared to my old Jeep Grand Wagoneer, my '95 e320 is virtually maintenance free. I've only replaced the evaporator, pods, cooling fan and little overflow fitting on the radiator since I bought it about a year ago for $6k. Nothing compared to my GW

However, doing it all myself definitely helped keep my costs below $800.

anthonyb · #32 02-28-2006, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 400E

There is a difference between durability and reliability. MBs are not necessarily the most reliable vehicles on the planet, but they have proven to be among the most durable.

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.

Hatterasguy · #33 03-01-2006, 11:58 AM

ksing44 don't assume Acura's are trouble free either. In this months issue of Car and Driver they just did their 40k mile report for their 05 Acura RL. It was at the dealer 8 times!

You should read the article, the sunroof and window switches broke left and right.

Still it is a fine car and cheaper then an E350. Although at the rate Acura is going in 2007 the E350 may be more reliable...

ksing44 · #34 03-02-2006, 06:41 AM

Quote:

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.

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.

Bruno_300TE · #35 03-02-2006, 07:34 AM

In my case I think I am doing well with my Mercedes (1992 300TE).
Bought it for 5300$ and 120kmiles with all the records (were about 25k of bills since new, was a Starmark warranty car before).
Completely renewed the whole suspension, drivetrain, exhaust system.
Had minor rust repair done. Did some engine work (tensioner, waterpump, CPS, tune-up). Some interior stuff like new speakers, radio, seat cushion, saftey belt. All fluids, tires etc. Spent about 6000$ (This includes all tools that I own now and all mistakes I did as a complete novice). Drove 35000 miles in 2 years. The car is in better shape now compared to when I bought it and I intend to keep as long as possible.
Friends of mine bought a Honda minivan that has comparable interior space for about 25000$ two years ago (they paid cash). They drove about 5000 miles in these two years. Their insurance is higher than mine (2000 versus 1300 per year). They had no problems except that some anonymous a*** put a big dent while the car was in the parking lot. Would need 2000$ for proper fix. How much would they get if they sell? 10000 or 15000?

Bruno

ksing44 · #36 03-02-2006, 08:39 AM

Considering the very fine reputation of the Hondas, my wife’s very own personal experience, and now Consumer Reports naming Civic, Accord, and Acura TL as 3 of the best cars, I am definitely going think hard about just ditching my vehicle immediately to get into one of those fine automobiles. The report about the recent Consumer Reports information even noted that simplicity was a key to the success of the vehicles. Simplicity is certainly one of the things that the Mercedes lacks. I think “POS Mercedes”, is what I will be saying from now on.

tvpierce · #37 03-02-2006, 11:41 AM

Ksing44,

You are absolutely correct! To hold on to that piece of crap for one more day would be nothing short of an insult to you vast intelligence.

I for one cannot sit back idly as another human being suffers... so I must come to the aid of my fellow man. Please allow me to help you by taking that horrendous engineering abomination off your hands so you will no longer have to trouble yourself with it. And to further demonstrate that this is an unadulterated act of utter selflessness, I'll even give you $1000 for it.
That should cover the first couple of payments of your new Accord.

Just let me know where I can pick up the keys.

Jeff Pierce

benzsu · #38 03-02-2006, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tvpierce

Ksing44,

You are absolutely correct! To hold on to that piece of crap for one more day would be nothing short of an insult to you vast intelligence.

I for one cannot sit back idly as another human being suffers... so I must come to the aid of my fellow man. Please allow me to help you by taking that horrendous engineering abomination off your hands so you will no longer have to trouble yourself with it. And to further demonstrate that this is an unadulterated act of utter selflessness, I'll even give you $1000 for it.
That should cover the first couple of payments of your new Accord.

Just let me know where I can pick up the keys.

Jeff Pierce

I will better his offer of $1001 USD

deanyel · #39 03-02-2006, 04:08 PM

ksing44 - keep in mind that a lot of your problems are 104 motor problems - you've got the wrong 124 body - the V8 is considerably less trouble and more drivable to boot. Having said that noone should own a 124 that does not do their own work. Clearly you should dump it as soon as possible.

ksing44 · #40 03-03-2006, 04:36 AM

Everyone has helped me as I deal with my emotions with regard to my car. Even the people who simply say they don’t want to hear me complain have provided some guidance. The simple fact is that I am very attached to the car and I really planned to keep forever. I am just disappointed, so I am blowing off some steam to people I think understand what is like to really love to drive a car.

I really think it might end up OK, if I listen to one very friendly guy’s advice and just take a breath and work my way through it. As I said above in another post, the plan is to wait for a while and then ultimately do the head gasket, timing cover, and wiring harness. My plan is to have that work done at an independent mechanic and give up on the dealer. As I know I said somewhere in all of my posts, I can endure paying a couple of thousand per year. I just wasn’t prepared to pay 5, 6, or 7K this year. I am not saying I can’t afford to pay. I just don’t want to be a knucklehead and spend my money foolishly. The transmission thing really is very minor. In fact it might not be noticeable to anyone that simply took it for a spin or even a very hard ride. Even the shop foreman had to drive it a second time and pay very close attention, just to recognize that there was a small issue. Hopefully the AC will be fine, with the maximum being only a simple recharge for this summer. It was OK last summer after the charge and no leaks have yet been detected.

I am still a bit concerned about the engine cooling system, however, since I don’t know what happened there. The dealer replaced the water pump, thermostat, all of the hoses, along with flushing the system and replacing the serpentine belt. Everything seemed fine, but then I noticed coolant all over my garage floor. The little plastic nub on the radiator, where the breather tube connects, had just popped out. I saw that it was just a simple snap in piece and I just snapped it back on. It is still attached a week later, so I don’t know if that will reoccur. It was just one more thing. It was kind of the straw that broke this camel’s back, in terms of my emotional stability and faith in my car’s reliability. I was afraid the dealer had messed up the plastic radiator neck, which from what I have read on these forums is another poorly engineered weakness of my W124.

So anyway, thank you to everyone that listened and gave supporting advice as I blew off some steam about my car. If I didn’t love it, I wouldn’t car so much about it being broken or about possibly having to give it up. I think I am gradually getting to a better place, where I can accept the flaws in my car, but still appreciate its beauty. Although I may again feel the love for the car, I doubt that I will ever brag about the greatness of German engineering.

wbain5280 · #41 03-03-2006, 05:51 AM

I know exactly how you feel. I keep repairing my 300SE and I still find more to do. I've overhauled the front suspension, new master cylinder and hoses. Last night in my automotive class, I wanted to change my fuel filter and the hoses. My teacher told me not to since the pump and filter holder/mount was badly rusted. I need more parts. I also found my windshield washer hose is cracked at the hood and I need a new trans shifter bushing.

I also found lots of oil under the engine and it probably needs a head gasket and valve seals.

In my case, I can do the work. I've bought many tool sets over the years.

Replacing the coolant hoses is fairly easy and you can learn a lot on these forums.

Hirnbeiss · #42 03-03-2006, 05:57 AM

The 210's are now coming into the good deal range. I think it's easier to justify keeping my 210, since it compares a little better than the 124 did against the new cars )e.g. airbags everywhere, actually having a glovebox, 5 speed tranny). It doesn't look as nice, and nothing will ever match the smoothness of the 104 6-cylinder, but hey, a 430 V8 ain't bad either.

Regarding the engineering-bashing, feel free. Mercedes needs more of that. They should probably only give their employees cars with 100K+ miles on them so they can feel the results of their own complacency, instead they only get brand new ones that they trade in after a year.

I did like the looks of the 124 more, though.

deanyel · #43 03-03-2006, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hirnbeiss

The 210's are now coming into the good deal range. I think it's easier to justify keeping my 210, since it compares a little better than the 124 did against the new cars )e.g. airbags everywhere, actually having a glovebox, 5 speed tranny).

The idea that there is a benefit to a 722.6 seems to me a deeply troubled argument.

Zoonhollis · #44 03-03-2006, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tvpierce

Ksing44,

You are absolutely correct! To hold on to that piece of crap for one more day would be nothing short of an insult to you vast intelligence.

I for one cannot sit back idly as another human being suffers... so I must come to the aid of my fellow man. Please allow me to help you by taking that horrendous engineering abomination off your hands so you will no longer have to trouble yourself with it. And to further demonstrate that this is an unadulterated act of utter selflessness, I'll even give you $1000 for it.
That should cover the first couple of payments of your new Accord.

Just let me know where I can pick up the keys.

Jeff Pierce

Touché

89-300ce · #45 03-03-2006, 11:56 AM

Well, I certainly wouldn't own my car if I couldn't do my own repairs. The german engineering stuff is just bunk. If I compare the engineering in my wifes Lumina to that in the Benz I have to give the nod to GM. An example would be the belt tensioner which I have just completed on both. The Benz was a royal pain while the GM was all of 10 minutes. Lots of other examples available. In quality of materials and machining there is no comparison however. Also the near 20 year old Benz at double the years and miles is far tighter and rattle free. The Japanese cars appear to have good quality of engineering,materials, and machining which doesn't explain why there are few 80's japanese cars on the road. Maybe the owners have no attachment to these cars and dispose of them in a timely manner.

I like my 124 and am in the market for another. I must be nuts.

Jorg