Is merecedes too troublesome ? - Page 12 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

manny · #**166** 09-23-2003, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Peter Fearing
What is all the fuss about?

In case you joined late.
The fuss is about a couple of people here that should be driving rice burners, because they NEVER have any problems.

placo1 · #**167** 09-24-2003, 05:21 PM

For those of you who think Mercedes is too troublesome, listen to this.

My parents own a 2000 Toyota Camry with approximatel 78K miles. The tranny has recently started giving them trouble and the dealership is saying that it may need a replacement soon! Oh yeah they don't do rebuilds and it's not under warranty!

My boss had a 97 Camry with 150K miles and he had to junk it because it's tranny died and replacement cost was higher than the value of the car. Recently his wifes 96 Toyota RAV4 with only 41K miles died.........AGAIN A BAD TRANNY! Guess how much they wanted to replace it????? $5000.00!!!!!!!!

Needless to say he's trading it in and might be looking elsewhere.

Peter Fearing · #**168** 09-24-2003, 06:31 PM

Can anyone explain where MB got the reputation for requiring a lot of maintence other than service charges can be rather high compared to a Chevy or Ford? My C280 has never had a visit to the dealer (or anyone else) and at 180,000 miles I would be reluctant to trade as this vehicle runs like new and has never needed anything. This is a good thing. Right?

haasman · #**169** 09-24-2003, 09:05 PM

Here in California I believe there are more Mercedes independent shops per capita than anywhere else. Why? Because a lot of Mercedes were sold in California, often 1/4 of all Mercedes sold per year were sold in this state.

Unfortunately because of all the Mercedes in operation, a lot of shall I say, not well qualified service facilities sprang up. These shops are now starting to fall by the wayside. Some were and still are passionate about their work and are really excellent repair facilities, independent and franchised.

In order to repair problems that were actually relatively simple and straightforward in nature, due to lack of training and knowledge, these repair places would throw parts at the problems.

This resulted in expensive and over-kill repairs- for an example, replacing a fuel distributor when actually the problem was an OVP relay, replacing brake rotors when all that was needed was pads, transmission jobs when it was a vacuum modulator or just needed a trans service and doing head jobs when the valves simply needed to be adjusted. The list goes on and on. But also added to the misperception of overly high frequency of repairs and costly repairs.

Pick any car; say a Toyota, Honda or Lexus. Check what a headlight assembly costs or a windshield, starter or an alternator. Mercedes does have some expensive parts, but a lot are a lot less than most people think.

I think one of the great values of this site is the ability to check out with many experienced and professional people the symptoms that your car is having.

It is my experience that often, even with very high mileage cars, that the correct repair isn't always tons of money. But it takes knowledge and experience to determine accurately was is wrong and how to fix it.

When I do take my car to a repair facility because I cannot do the repair myself, I look for experience, knowledge AND a relationship with that facility. I consider myself fortunate that I know of such places and people. I enjoy doing business with them.

Hawk180 · #**170** 09-26-2003, 04:30 PM

I have a 1976, Thats right I said '76 300D with well over 200K on it and an 89 190E with 115K on it. Neither one has ever failed to start and get my wife or myself to work. I bought the '76 from a young couple who had driven it to college and generally neglected the car for years. It looks a little rough right now, but starts every time and runs like a watch. They thought it was going to need serious electrical system work and was told so by their "mechanic". It was not charging and they had to put the battery on the charger every three days or so to get it started. The first day I had it home, I noticed that the bottom pivot bolt was missing from the alternator. I replaced that, tightened the belt and have had no electrical problems since. I guess my point is that yes, MB's do need some maintenance occasionally, but when you do fix something and USE THE RIGHT PARTS, it usually stays fixed. The only problem I have had with the '89 was replacing the water pump at 110K.

Benz300 · #**171** 09-29-2003, 10:47 PM

I was just searching the lexus forum to find out what type of problems their GS400 series comes up with. and I was a little jealous to see that all their forum postings were mostly about upgrades, new kits, wheels, speed etc. And I had to think about our W124 forum in comparison. Almost all the posts are mostly about troubleshooting and rarely any happy posts trying to 'upgrade' their car rather than trying to 'fix' what's broken...
here's an example..
http://www.clublexus.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=4

manny · #**172** 09-29-2003, 11:11 PM

Hmmmm, most Lexus owners I know would have trouble checking their own windshield washer fluid, because the don't know how to open the " bonnet ".

Peter Fearing · #**173** 09-30-2003, 01:05 AM

With over 180,000 miles on my C 280 I am beginning to feel that MB really makes a maintenance free auto. I have to date bought tires, changed the coolant, and oil/filter. Nothing, nada, no break downs or suprises. Maybe I'll buy a battery, but the originall still works perfectly. The car is flawless. Comments?

dtkw · #**174** 09-30-2003, 03:40 AM

My 18 years old 560SEL has been doing well after I spent 1.7K to fixed up what had gone bad 4 years ago. My family bought the car in 1986 and I inherited it since my mother cannot drive anymore. So far, other than the normal wear and tear, the big sedan still runs smoothly and still can feel the power of the engine.

And my 8 years old S500 coupe had gone through 7K or repairs and thankfully, all before the extended warrantee expired.

The driver seat control $1200 part.
Air con pressure line
steering pump
master cylinder
rear sunshade switch

But both are still a pleasure to drive.

RMF · #**175** 10-07-2003, 03:31 PM

300D - I am afraid I will have to side with you. I have an 87 300D I purchased used. I have never had to replace so many items as I have had on this car.

I have an 88 Camry and a 75 300D. What I have had to replace on those 2 cars does not even come close to the cost of what I have had to replace on the 87. The 75 is a most superb car and I am the 3rd owner. That is why I bought the 87.

It appears that we are in the minority as others seem to have good luck with their vehicles. BUT if anyone will check Consumer report, MB is 3rd from the bottom of the list for cars with problems after 2 years. Top 3 vehicles with least problems - Japanese. The last issue of consumer tests a new S430. To quote "Reliability also has been poor".

Ron

zafarhayatkhan · #**176** 10-07-2003, 04:46 PM

There is no doubt that MB's require more maint.

I drove a 89 Mitsubishi Galant from 86K to 156K with virtually no major breakdowns. I was the 2nd owner. It was still in excellent conditon at 156K.

My 94 E320 has required excessive unscheduled maint. going from 58K to 68K miles. I am the 2nd owner and I bought it in "factory new" condition", ironically it is now in better conditon, since I have taken care of some of the design and manufacturing flaws.

An Infinity G35 would be a very good alternative except for the 100 years of MB automotive history, comfortable ride, inline 6 engine and the solid body structure.

blackmercedes · #**177** 10-07-2003, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by zafarhayatkhan
...An Infinity G35 would be a very good alternative except for the 100 years of MB automotive history, comfortable ride, inline 6 engine and the solid body structure.

I'm not sure what the 100 years of history has to do with anything, but I do know today I would spend my $42Kcdn on the G35 ahead of the C-Class.

Compare?

C240 steel wheels with covers : G35 alloy wheels
C240 some leather panels on the seats : G35 leather seats
C240 sunroof extra $2K: G35 glass roof included at $42K
C240 heated seats extra $800 : G35 heated seats included
C240 base sound system NO CD : G35 Bose standard WITH CD
C240 168 hp : G35 260hp
C240 halogen lamps $1500 for HID: G35 HID lamps standard
C240 alarm system optional : G35 standard

The C240 is no match for the G35 on the road. The G35 is a great looking car, and it's roomy inside and very comfy. It's rear wheel drive and comes with all the gadgets the MB does, and then some. No CD player on the Mercedes? Even a Corolla comes with a CD player standard now. And I don't imagine the Infiniti dealer could be any ruder than our local MB dealers, so that's a wash.

I see the G35 constantly, and I know why. It's a true sports-luxury car, and it's well equuipped out the door for $42,000. The Mercedes is a "base" car at the same price and offers less performance, no better (maybe worse) build quality and reliability, and no better dealer sales/service.

Benzwood · #**178** 10-07-2003, 06:38 PM

Yeah, but...

vs.

And you don't even wanna see the rear shot of the Infiniti. Eeew.

PS... Drop the extra $3-$4K and get the C320 sport, ya cheapskate!

blackmercedes · #**179** 10-07-2003, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Benzwood
PS... Drop the extra $3-$4K and get the C320 sport, ya cheapskate!

In Canada, the C320 BASE is $52,000, and that has no sunroof, no CD player, etc. A nicely equipped C320 is $57,000. That's $15,000 more than the G35 which still has nearly 40 extra ponies.

zero4588 · #**180** 10-08-2003, 01:51 AM

"An Infinity G35 would be a very good alternative except for the 100 years of MB automotive history, comfortable ride, inline 6 engine and the solid body structure."

Isn't this ironic.

Now that Mercedes is running out things to say but its hundred year of puppy pedigree to compare with the rival BMW and the rest of Japnese cars. It doesn't even take one hundred year for my grandma to fit the window regulator properly. Perhaps, Mercedes needs another century to master even what considered as the most trivial skill in the car industry.