Please provide details of these "basic engineering problems".

I wasn't bashing Honda I like the NSX a lot and probably will buy one someday. They are so cheap now what a bang for the buck!

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2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

You'll have to forgive him...he is a porn star from Ontario

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1995 black pearl/black Mercedes-Benz E420 :

I do think the MB is too much for maintenace compare to honda or Toyota. The only thing I like about MB is its body. it is hard and strong. I'm sure my next car ( that is very soon) will be the H1. Have you guys test try that monster. I don't think the ML550 can beat 'em.

Very True, you said it right!...with stuff like pontiac grand am's its more like 7-10 years before repairing for even passing emissions tests might exceed the value of the car...

In the first year of ownership, I had 32 repairs done. Most were to basic electrical systems like the SRS system. Nothing that was exclusive to my model. The crank pulley turned out to be junk (a recurring problem). I have gone through three MAF sensors so far (stock air filter). Many plastic items are made of crappy, poorly engineered material that just sort of falls apart after a few years. Most of the dash lights have failed at least once (that is a pain to get to and fix). The handles in the trunk that allow the back seat to fold down have both broken at least once. That sort of sloppy, "basic engineering". I hope those are enough details for you to get the basic idea of how poorly this car is made. As if that is not enough, my engine mounts have failed (again) and I need to replace them. I am going to do it myself this time as the dealer charged over $500 the last time they broke.

It has been six years since I have had a factory part fail on my NSX (girlfriend got pissed off and broke the interior door handle). Never had an oem part fail on my RSX or my Civics. Had minor issues with a TSX, but they were nothing compared to the problems with a Mercedes.

just my 2 dollars and 50 cents worth... i don't think it really matters what type of car you have or are planning to buy. there are going to be a fair share of problems and plenty of money to go to waste in them. are the hondas more reliable than the benzes? hard to say, depends on the driver i would guess. but i can guarentee both will run an american p.o.s. deep into the ground. i've had an 83 300sd 500K no major problems just quirks. no a/c, no cruise , door locks, didnt want to shut off till i replaced the shut off valve. had a 78 420sel 248k only problem with that car was too many blind spots and the lake on the rear floor. hated the rear head rests and did you know these cars refuse to run without oil? then I had a 89 nissan something or another which burst into flames going down the road. seems the fuel injectors are made out of plastic with a metal jet in it and these sit on top of the mantelfold "genius" needless to say one day they got too hot, melted and "cool check out the flames" lucky i got it put out b4 any major damage could happen. then two weeks later my rear wheel cylinder popped and i lost all my brake fluid instantly. good thing my 62 220 was inside of my garage to stop me from hitting the concrete wall after i took out the garage door
at least benzes have 2 seperate brake chambers.
Fords "Fix Or Repair Daily"
Cheverolet " Cracked Heads Every Valve Erratically Rattles Oil Leaks Every Time"
had several of them and they live up to the old sayings.
I always say with the benzes if they'll start they will get you to where your going. I've never been left stranded on the road with one (blowing the engine cause my dumba$$ forgot to check the oil don't count), perhaps i was just lucky
boy am I long winded lol
cheers
j

Check out the latest Consumer Reports. Porsche is the least reliable brand. Mercedes and VW (my cars) are on the bottom 5. An 8 year old Toyota is about as reliable as a 3 year old Ford. All 10 of their top 10 picks are Japanese.

Having said that, my VW has never left me stranded (the Mercedes has, once), and I prefer the style and driving dynamics of the German brands to the Japanese. Just don't pretend they're as reliable as Japanese.

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Lenny

There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing and mountaineering; all the rest are merely games. --Ernest Hemingway

'10 GL550/'04 BMW 545/'99 BMW 323/'98 ML320/'87 VW GTI (race)

I'm not sure what to think, but I sure don't see that many 27 year old Japanese cars left on the road. Yes they are extremely reliable for the first 10+ years, but then they rust out and are worthless to look at. Besides that, who would want to spend all their time and money on an old Asian car? I can't think of one I would want. (Well maybe an old Datsun 2000 or early Z car, they were great sports cars for the money) .

The 27 year and older jap car's you talk about were shiiit-baggers with engines built to last forever. They started to rust simply by being transported over the ocean for months before delivery. That salt and rust problem were linked by many jap fans for years. But since then, in the last 10-15 years, almost all jap models are now produced in Canada or the US. With better designs then 27 years ago, and no more overseas transportation, I personally beleive that newer jap designed veichles can out last any domectic. I think their longevity is more comparable to Euro Cars versus domestic products. GM Lacks innovation. Ford overkills it self with platform sharing, to many similar models. Chrysler is the only bright spot left.

So Porsches at the bottom? I can't imagin I'd care, a 911 TT with some Ruf mods is sweet enough, that frankly it wouldn't matter how much it broke.

911 Ruf at redline...

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2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Porshe is in a class of its own....

One more thought. You can tell alot about a person by what kind of car they drive. The old saying "You are what you eat" also applies to cars. I would sure like to see a study on this, very interesting stuff.

Tell that to the people after old 1970's datsun 510 two doors....you will pay Around $5k for a decent shell.

Plus many people who had japanese cars drove them...and drove them...figure 20K plus miles per year over 27 years....heck even a low 12K plus miles per year over 27 years...maybe that will explain why there are so few 27 year old japanese cars on the road...they were worn out. Not parked while daily drivers racked up most the miles.

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Proud owner of ....
1971 280SE W108
1979 300SD W116
1983 300D W123
1975 Ironhead Sportster chopper
1987 GMC 3/4 ton 4X4 Diesel
1989 Honda Civic (Heavily modified)
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Section 609 MVAC Certified
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"He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." - Friedrich Nietzsche

Here is a much more eloquent synopsys of the current state of the Mercedes brand than anything I can add. It's a good read.

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Lenny

There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing and mountaineering; all the rest are merely games. --Ernest Hemingway

'10 GL550/'04 BMW 545/'99 BMW 323/'98 ML320/'87 VW GTI (race)

Why don't all you guys go out and buy Lexus then?

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2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200