I wonder whether the mechanical lifters they might still put in euro models fail like the power lifters.

Back when the cars had both the mechanical ones never failed while the power ones failed at rates that have stayed the same for different reasons. Since the actual lift mechanism was similar there was only one logical answer....maintenance.

The mechanical lifters go lubed when they go so stiff they couldn't move freely. With the electric,the worse that such lack of lube created was a slightly slower window and bent linkages.

It used to be part of yearly service to lube the window channels. It should probably be done as part of detailing as yearly is too little in hot weather, maybe even cold weather.

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Steve Brotherton
Continental Imports
Gainesville FL
Bosch Master, ASE Master, L1
33 years MB technician

Steve: The only reason I purchased a Mercedes is its low maintenace requierments. I think there are a lot of owners with a lot of time on their hands. My car has required no adjustments whatsoever. This is a good thing. Pete

I was told the right-rear on the 201 and 124 cars most frequently fail. It is guessed that is due to a car most likely being parked where rain would drain into the cable-regulator setup and corrode the motor and its worm gear.

This is the only one I have replace.

Haasman

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'03 E320 Wagon-Sold
'95 E320 Wagon-Went to Ex
'93 190E 2.6-Wrecked
'91 300E-Went to Ex
'65 911 Coupe (#302580)

different badges, grillwork, and price tags.

Believe all Mercedes-Benz built post '85 are just "ordinary" cars riding on the MB reputation, polluted with too much electronics and other stuff analygous to the human appendix which you never miss until it goes wrong.

I had to replace BOTH within a year of the other's demise. And the left one went out first. And rain in Texas is infrequent anyway.

Also, there was nothing wrong with the cable assembly or motor...the little $2 plastic track slider self-destructed in both units!

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2009 ML350 (106K) - Family vehicle
2001 CLK430 Cabriolet (80K) - Wife's car
2005 BMW 645CI (138K) - My daily driver
2016 Mustang (32K) - Daughter's car

My right rear on my 124 didn't work when I got the car. The switch was bad so I replaced it. Still didn't work. Took the regulator out with normal blood loss for a Mercedes job(:p ). Worm gear was corroded to the cheap plastic gear and had stripped it out. I swear that thing looked like something from a sunken ship!! IMHO it's a pretty cheezy design for a $45,000 car.

The early rear window regulators on W201's went through at least two redesigns. We had to have ours replaced (under warranty) twice. Eventually the problem was fixed and we had no further trouble until we sold our 18 year old 190D.

The only window problem I've had with my '91 300E is that the switches need to be worked occasionally.

I believe that Mercedes began to fall off after 1992 when the company was no longer controlled by engineers. Up until that time, the engineers designed the car BEFORE it was priced.

Keep in mind that muffler bearings on the 303 @411 tend to completely lock up and the car can only be driven in reverse for no more than 10 miles. If you don't do this exactly the engine will blow up and the entire car will have to be repaired at a cost of over $100,000.

Just developed bad vacuum lock on one of the doors in the 190E. Noticed that a recent thread has been developed regarding the same exact issue.
Yet another expense that I've never had to bother with my corolla !
I wonder why mercedes used the vacuum locks to begin with. could someone elaborate on that.. ?

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Whether you think you can or cannot, Either way you're right!. by Henry Ford.

Hmm... maybe part of the reason you haven't had that expense with your 1987 Corolla is that (if I'm not mistaken) your Corolla has manual door locks?

So, the good news is your MB is working just as well as your Corolla that you like to compare it to... just reach over and pull that lock up by hand!


I don't know why MB uses vacuum door locks. I had a VW Jetta that also did if I remember correctly. Maybe in theory it is more reliable than an electromechanical system, though I don't know if that's proven true in practice. Or maybe they just do it to be different... nice smooth movement instead of the nasty inelegant electromechanical clunk. I'd be curious to know the reason too.

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1992 300E Sedan (Sold)
1999 E320 Wagon (Sold)
1995 E320 Sedan
1995 E320 Wagon

According to M.B., they use vacuum door locks as they operate smoothly and noiseless (as you have guessed).

Although, in my opinion, Mercedes-Benz uses them because they are just plainly more complicated and difficult to repair (if they fail). As a general rule, this is their motto for all operating systems and electronics.

By the way, the only models available in Europe with mechanical lifters today are: A-class, G-class (standard version), and the V-class (Viano).

The C/E/S-classes all come standard with power windows now.

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A. Rosich
CL 500, 1998
S 500 L, 1998
E 320 T, 1995 [Sadly sold ]

Cap'n I ordered a window regulator for my Euro 500SE as bottom 10 or so teeth were stripped was very suprised it was only 34 dollars. When I got it is was Euro wind up type as I forgot to tell Phil the car had power windows,the joke was the the metal was about twice as thick as the power regulator witch was well over a hundred dollars . I ended up welding metal in where the stripped teeth were and cutting new teeth with a thin cut off wheel on a die grinder works like new. I made a copper patern from the good teeth to work from.My guess is that they used vacum for locks as there are so many ele.item already on an MB.......
William Rogers.......

You guys make me feel like the luckiest person in the world. I've had a '80 300SD since '90 and have driven it 130,000+ miles. I have spent ~$3000 in repairs which I have done most of myself. Most expensive repair was the transmission but that was my fault for putting the vacuum hoses back on incorrectly.

So then this guy comes along with a '79 300SD for $1200. It ran good and I thought it would be worth it for a parts car. Then, since it ran so well but was somewhat rusty, I decided to use it for a wintercar as I always put the '80 away for the winter. So that was 5 years ago and it still going after 54,000 miles I put on for a total of 214,000 miles.

How much have I apent on it: ~$250. It hasn't needed any repairs to engine or drive train. Only thing done to engine was valve adjustments and the second one after 25,000 miles, all the valve clearances were in spec and none needed adjustment. It needed a new exhaust system so instead of buying new, I had 2 pipes custom bent and welded on the old muffler. Cost, ~$30 instead of the ~$300 it would have cost by buying new parts. My cost per mile so far comes out to about 1/2 cent for repairs. and its still going strong and never left me down.

So an older MB can be the lowest cost car to drive. You just have to get the right one which is an all iron engine Diesel.

P E H

MB has used other locking systems in the past -- just ask any 600 Grand owner. If you think vac systems are a pain, try hydraulic!

MB has used vac locks for a VERY long time, just how long I dont' know, but early 60's anyway. They are usually less trouble than electric, and cannot stick and run the battery down. Just an engineering decision. I like them better than electric, that CLONK of the locks operating annoys me.

Peter

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1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!

I asked an MB engineer about those vacuum locks. He looked at me like I was nuts to dare to question the engineering prowess of the mighty Mercedes-Benz. His explanation was that the vacuum door locks operate even if the battery was disconnected or the electrical system was disabled. This was safer in the event that you had to be rescued from a wreck.

I also asked about the lack of variable intermittent settings on the wiper. This was before the rain sensor was introduced. He again raised his brow at me, and replied "the five second interval is the correct one."

I wish I had his name and phone number so that I could ask about all the new cars with electrical door locks.

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John Shellenberg
1998 C230 "Black Betty" 240K

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