Is merecedes too troublesome ? - Page 49 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Ocean View · #**721** 12-20-2006, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BenzBob

Very often, when the CPS (Crankshaft Position Sensor) is failing, the car will not operate when the CPS gets hot but will restart once it cools down. Although this is troublesome, had you known, you may have been able to avoid the tow.

In reality, how many people know about such things?
Most people just want to drive from point A to B without any troubles.
I actually dont want to know so much about every peoblem my car has.

Benz300 · #**722** 12-20-2006, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BenzBob

Very often, when the CPS (Crankshaft Position Sensor) is failing, the car will not operate when the CPS gets hot but will restart once it cools down. Although this is troublesome, had you known, you may have been able to avoid the tow.

I kind of knew that was probably the issue as the same happened on the w124 as well. The car starts when cold but then just stops in the middle of nowhere. Unless one drives with a spare CPS at all times, how would one avoid the tow on a weekend when the shops are even closed. But I suggest that owners just change it every 60K miles or so to prevent this as CPS seems to be such a known issue on the w124 and w210s. Not sure how the other models are when it comes to this.

ROGER E. · #**723** 12-22-2006, 12:51 AM

We hear a lot about Honda reliability because the majority of owners wouldn't know a defect if it leaped up and bit them in the.......

Ooo, I can't say that here.

flixbiz · #**724** 12-22-2006, 11:00 AM

Here's my Andy Rooney segment:
I've been reading this thread for awhile and I feel the need to insert my $.02. If I get the gist of it, the Benz is expensive to maintain and sometimes tempermental, but those who love them (brand loyalists) would take no other car in its place. Many who want dependable transportation keep a "justincase" vehicle, and the older Benzes, in general, are simpler, more dependable and more suitable for DIY's. Some have said that Benzes are higher quality automobiles that hold value longer and that somehow justifies paying higher maintenance costs than Honda-Acura, Toyota-Lexus, or Jag (2000-later) owners pay. Here's a philosophical question. What is the definition of a high quality car? Isn't this subjective? Is there no automobile costing less than a Benz, that, while generally out performing a Benz on the road, can faithfully and consistently out perform Benzes mechanically? I've heard that Japanese cars, while dependable, have no soul or personality. How do you quantify that? Acceleration? Exhaust note? Interior appointments? Most Benzes have pretty spartan interiors. Shouldn't the ultimate purpose of any car be to go from A to B, and isn't the purpose of a performance to get there ASAP and as safely as possible? Who's to say that a Lex, Acura or late model Jag can't do that as well or better than a Benz can? Isn't this simply a case of stubborn brand loyalty? How do you quantify the mental wellbeing that is derived from knowing that you're probably not about to be handed a catastrophic repair invoice?

BTW, I've had four 126's over the past 15 years. They drive and handle nicely and feel like thay are carved from a solid granite!! The downside -vacuum issues, brake issues and electrical issues. I just got a quote $2K to replace an intake manifold gasket on my 1991 560SEL. This is the second 560SEL that I've had that has needed this.

On the other hand, my 1989 Towncar, while not as stable handling nor as fast nor as prestigious, has 181K miles on its original engine (no smoking), while still idling baby butt smooth, has never had caliper issues nor any electrical issues. Clearly the Benz has kept more of its value, but objectively speaking, which should be considered the better car?

I still love my Benz, but I also love the piece of mind that my old Towncar gives. That's worth more to me than the difference in value.

I love this thread - keep it going!

Diesel Fan · #**725** 12-22-2006, 11:18 AM

"Yes, ignorance is bliss"

So you know the inner workings of your computer? Or your vacuum, doorbell, microwave, cell phone, food processor, coffee maker, television, radio, dvd or ANY of the other appliances in your life? Maybe it's not to much to ask for something to work reliably. Nothing more, nothing less.

"We hear a lot about Honda reliability because the majority of owners wouldn't know a defect if it leaped up and bit them in the......."

As compared to the average MB owner who is all to familiar with a lot of defects? I assume 99.9% of ALL Honda owners would know if their car stranded them along the road. Of course that might happen once in 200K miles. Oh! Curse that car which has no soul!

sdanville · #**726** 12-22-2006, 11:36 AM

I know this....

I keep a log on stat sheets...about 40 lines per page....

I bought my daughter a civic with 105,000 miles in it in 2002
and I bought me a 99 ML320 with 80,000 miles on it in 2002.

my ML320 is now on page 2 with notes on my repairs. Too long to type or remember.

the Civic 1/4 of page one has oil, brakes tires written on it.

Hatterasguy · #**727** 12-22-2006, 02:11 PM

flixbiz you bring up some good points, I'd like to respond to a few.

Quality. Quality is subjective but you have to feel it. Take a Jag, they are cheap sorry. They look great, drive great but when you get up close and personal they do things in a cheaper manner.

Just because something is made well doesn't mean it woun't need its fair share of work. In the marine world really high end boats actually need a lot more work then cheaper boats. A Sea Ray has no wood outside, a Hinkley does for example. A new Hinkley cost 4 times what a similer size Sea Ray does, and cost twice as much to maintain. But the Hinkley is hands down a better boat.

Same with a Rolex, Rolex's cost a lot of fix. Certianly a $50 Fossil can keep the time just as good if not better. But a Rolex is a better watch hands down.

Quality and reliablilty are two different things, not to be confused. Just because a car doesn't need many parts, that doesn't mean that its made well. Take Ferrari for example, they are super expensive to fix but they are some of the best made cars out there. Also one needs to take into account what a vehical was built for. Most of us buy these cars used for cheap, and we expect them to run like other cheap cars. Well a new S550 costs about $100k, and is not ment to be a cheap car to run. Its built to be the most advanced thing on four wheels MB can create. An S2000 certainly cost less to run then a Ferrari 308, both can be bought for about the same price now. But in its day the 308 was a screamer and a super advanced road car.

#**728** 12-22-2006, 03:22 PM

After purchasing my E300 I don't see me ever buying another Mercedes sedan built after the W124's, W126's, and W201's. Anyone can poke about GM quality, but my worst GM product shines bright compared to my E300.

Benz300 · #**729** 12-22-2006, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ncof300d

After purchasing my E300 I don't see me ever buying another Mercedes sedan built after the W124's, W126's, and W201's. Anyone can poke about GM quality, but my worst GM product shines bright compared to my E300.

what type of issues/problems with the e300 made u type such a statmeent ?

flixbiz · #**730** 12-22-2006, 03:50 PM

"Quality and reliablilty are two different things, not to be confused. Just because a car doesn't need many parts, that doesn't mean that its made well. "

Hatterasguy, quality and reliability need not be mutually exclusive. Shouldn't someone expect reliability in a high quality and high priced product? Why. other than status, would someone wear a Rolex when a Fossil does the same job? The boat analogy is different since you may notice performance differences in favor of the more expensive boat. I loved my Triumph TR6 back in the day, but it was just for fun. I knew its spotty reputation going into the deal. Shouldn't someone who pays $100K for a car demand reliability? After all, what good is a high quality car that spends 20% of its time in a shop? When I'm really honest with myself I realize that I, like many Benz owners, am status conscious. I like the status the mystique and traditional styling of this car and the looks that it gets - looks that my Lincoln does not get. In exchange, I tolerate the fact that it is somewhat sensitive and high maintenance- somewhat like a trophy wife. In Germany, these are taxicabs and police cars, but here in the States, we place these babies on pedestals. I'm not judging - I do the same thing!

engatwork · #**731** 12-22-2006, 04:18 PM

Quote:

would someone wear a Rolex when a Fossil does the same job

women recognize a Rolex

.

Anyway, if I were to spend the $$ necessary to purchase a brand new car today I have to admit it would not have the three pointed star but the H symbol representing the Honda brand. I'm actually kinda sitting here waiting for their diesel

. Anyway, the reason being is that the Honda beats the MB hands down in regards to the maintenance cost but I will say that some of the same stuff that goes wrong with a 200k+ miles MB is going wrong with our 200k+ Honda CRV. Namely, window regulators and door check straps. These parts are cheaper for the Honda than the MB too.

Don't get me wrong - I will drive a 123 as long as I can do the maintenance myself

. Honda did their homework with the design/engineering of their vehicles.

Hatterasguy · #**732** 12-23-2006, 12:22 AM

Because it makes a statement. A Rolex makes a statement about ones success, it says I can afford a $10k watch. A Fossil while rather nice, can be had for $50. On a side not if you just like watch's they are pretty neat, Rolex does build them to a higher standard as one expects.

Most people buy Mercedes to make a statement, look at me my bank account is quite healthy. But that is not exclusive to MB, Lexus, Jag and the ultimate Rolls Royce fall into that category.

Then you have the enthusiasts, those sick people like most of us that just like these cars for various reasons. Be it the way they drive, engineering, everyone’s reasons are different.

But in owning any high end good one must remember, the entry fee is higher, and the cost of staying in that league are also higher. Lets take Toyota, we just got my mom an 07 Rav4. Its the latest and greatest from Toyota all new, you get the idea. Well it is most certainly not much different then my 13 year old Camry. All the controls are similar, the engine puts out a bit more power but is essentially the same ect. In 13 years they introduced no new technology, oh no they added rear disc brakes and traction control, wow advanced stuff. Now since all this stuff on this SUV is tried and true been sorted out ages ago one would expect it to not cause issues. So far this has proven correct.

Now lets compare say a 1993 300E, to a 2007 E350. Anything similar? Well they are 4 door sedans with 6 cylinder engines, that’s about it!

MB introduced a ton of new and more advanced technology. Stuff that has not been proven, but its new and pretty cool. So of course its going to cause issues, its new the bugs are still getting worked out.

That’s not even getting into the difference in materials, but thats to be expected at twice the price.

flixbiz · #**733** 12-23-2006, 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

Most people buy Mercedes to make a statement, look at me my bank account is quite healthy. But that is not exclusive to MB, Lexus, Jag and the ultimate Rolls Royce fall into that category.

Then you have the enthusiasts, those sick people like most of us that just like these cars for various reasons. Be it the way they drive, engineering, everyone’s reasons are different.

And I guess that pretty well sums it up doesn't it?. It's the styling, technology and mystique that attracts many Benz enthusiasts, despite the fact that Benz has been living largely on its mystique, alone, for over a decade. There are some who would not touch a post-126 Benz even though (or perhaps because) the 126 has few bells or whistles when compared to modern Benzes, yet some like to "be the first on the block" to have the latest bells and whistles even though those B's and W's often land the car in the shop. I'll also admit that I get a feeling of pride when I walk into the Benz dealership to pay for the latest repair. You receive a knowing nod from the other club members in the waiting area as they sip their designer coffee while watching the plasma TV. We like to be able to display our accomplishments (impress the women), while showing that we can also handle the high cost of continued membership in this club. The fact that we willingly keep a "justincase" car evens adds to that aura. I must admit, while I complain about a $2K invoice, my 126 has never stranded me and has cost me relatively little over the past 5 years. It's quite dependable as a daily driver if you stay ahead of the preventive maintenance curve. I had a Benz salesman once tell me that I should do whatever I can to keep my 126- this from a guy who makes his living selling new ones! Go figure!

I am curious about whether there are discussion boards for Bentley's or Maserati's in which so many owners have as much ongoing maintenance drama as what I read on this board. I will do some research on the Bentley and Maserati boards and report back.

Merry XMAS to all!

#**734** 12-23-2006, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Benz300

what type of issues/problems with the e300 made u type such a statmeent ?

Do a search on my name and see what all has happend before 68,000 miles.

flixbiz · #**735** 12-23-2006, 10:38 AM

http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=4507

http://www.bmwboard.com/forum/index.php?

I may have overlooked them, but I could not find the

"Is BMW too troublesome?" or the "Is Lexus too troublesome?" threads!