Is merecedes too troublesome ? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

stevebfl · #1 08-26-2003, 12:15 PM

And just where would you put a timing belt on a MB.

For twenty five years I have kept care of hundreds of Mercedes for which the owners felt they were efficient cars.

Me thinks, cars with repeat mechanical problems aren't seeing the right technician.

awarne · #2 10-28-2004, 11:46 AM

ive been around all types of cars and had alot of experience w/ them. it all comes down to this: every car manufacturer has its good models and bad models, good years and bad years, look @ ford i worked at a reputable ford dealership and i swear they design theyr transmissions to go out at low mileage, its a big joke @ work but ford sells more cars than any other brand because its a ford. so they keep coming in with there bad trannies with $$$$ hanging outta theyr pockets to fix with a smile, even 4 or five times lol. but if u cant understand the quality in mercedes benz, go buy a ford then talk to me. good example was the escort the 190e competitor both low end models and both junk in my eyes but ill take a 190 any day. but would never buy one and or spend 10,000$ fixing one. once again its not the car its the owner. so u chose to buy your parents 190e <----was your first mistake shoulda bought a S class ok then if u had to put ten grand into it it would last another 300,000 miles. ok "ignorance is bliss isnt it" i wouldnt know though so tell me more about it.

ktlimq · #3 11-10-2004, 08:20 PM

http://money.cnn.com/2004/11/08/pf/autos/cr_auto_reliability/
2004 CR

Benz300 · #4 11-10-2004, 11:04 PM

I just read the link and in the list of 'most reliable cars', corolla at the top! need I say more ?

sdanville · #5 11-11-2004, 07:33 AM

yeah, you selling your mercedes for a more reliable car ?

I bought my daughter a Civic. I thought they were the most reliable.

I did less to my acura in 150,000 miles than Ive done to my ML320 in 18 months of ownership.

I drive by an MDX or Pilot and wonder why the Germans cant build them that reliable.

#6 11-11-2004, 08:05 AM

Color me optomistic >> but my [relatively new] experience with my C230 has been one of JOY. I mean the car is fun to drive...

As far as Mercedes engineering >> from what I've seen >> Mercedes engineering is top notch...

I bought my 97 C230 from an auction > so I was unsure of the cars previous maintenence history > so the first hting I did was to pull a major service on it

Front brake pads > easiest brake job I've ever done
Fuel filter > superb engineering mounting it on the rubber shock isolation..
pollen filter > piece of cake
oil change > once I had the correct tool > piece of cake
air filter > couldn't be easier
coolant flush > very clean... nice touch with the spigot where you can add a piece of hose to direct the coolant into a container
brake bleed > no problem

From the looks of alternator and water pump > both are accessible >> unlike some cars...

Just note the fact that the hood can be raised to a 90 degree up position>>> you know how much more room that give you to the engine compartment ??

Note that jack points / jackstand points are so straightforward...

I've done my fair share of "brain surgery inside a phone booth" with my BMW 2002, Porshe 911, 87 Toyota Corolla beater, Dodge Durango.... and the Benz has been the easiest vehicle to work on..

nah>> from my crawling around my benz >> things are laid out pretty good...

My only criticism is lack of tech manuals... the best I have is a haynes... wish Bentleys had a C230 manual..

nachi11744 · #7 11-11-2004, 08:50 AM

that's the reason my dad's 1954 170DS was driven everyday until 1980, and I have had assortment of *troublesome* Mercedes, upto and including a 2000 ML320 that did not visit the dealer once for any unscheduled work after the 4,000 mile work that I insisted to have done, car came with a host of niggling problems that should have been corrected at PDI(pre delivery inspection)but wait a minute, the ML is made in the USA

Please ship all your troublesome Mercedes to Port Klang, Malaysia FOB

Thank you.

plink49 · #8 11-11-2004, 08:46 PM

This thread has been going for far too long, and here is my reasoning: If you own a Mercedes Benz and are unhappy with it then why are you here at a site for enthusiasts for the marque? If you think your car is a POS and the company who made it is equally a POS, then I would suggest that you sell your Benz, go buy the utopian vehicle you think is made from...whomever... and live life without what obviously upsets you so much! I am SO tired of whiners! If you don't like your situation in life then change it....the same goes for the automobile you own!! This SHOULD be the last post in this thread. Bottom line is: You do not have to own a Benz....if you choose to, then love it or leave it, but please stop whining!

sdanville · #9 11-11-2004, 08:49 PM

let me get this straight. You are whining about whiners.

plink49 · #10 11-11-2004, 08:59 PM

Wrong Steve D....I'm simply stating the facts of (automobile ownership) life!

BAd124 · #11 11-12-2004, 07:40 PM

Well said Plink49, I agree completely. I am sure there are plenty of Lexus forums for dedicated follwers of a brand with few issues (or soul)

yosshimura · #12 11-14-2004, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by plink49

This thread has been going for far too long, and here is my reasoning: If you own a Mercedes Benz and are unhappy with it then why are you here at a site for enthusiasts for the marque? ........................... You do not have to own a Benz....if you choose to, then love it or leave it, but please stop whining!

Because, enthsusiasts, like you, and me, and everyone on one of these forums, are blind and overlook problems as "just maintainance" or "just upkeep" or "repair $ or $ for new car payment".... you know we twist problems to not seem so bad and come back for more potential problems down the line... Me, for example, on my third ovp.... after the first and/or second I was like "no prblem, just an ovp", then after the last one, I was like "f this POS, my former 74 pontiac was more reliable", now on my last ovp (I thiink, not sure, the car left me stranded), yesterday I was like "that's it, don't let me NOT sell the car, I have to sell it...." TOday, I am like, well, it ain't so bad , LOL.... and am accepting it

... and not calling it junk .,...

BUT when you look at it as a third person... they are not that reliable.... put it this way, I ran out of Tows on my aaa membership... and my g/f's FOCUS hasn't broken down one time, where my pristine, fully doc'ed 95 has let me down 4 times in 6-8 months..... Which I could just lease a new one or BMW

yosshimura · #13 12-07-2004, 09:23 PM

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?p=763478&posted=1#post763478post763478

That's my last problem.... WHen I bought the car (2nd Mercedes) I knew I needed to budget for "maintainance" ... no problem, but when the car starts leaving you stranded, no matter how simple the fix is, that is UNRELIABLE

. I am going out with some freinds this wknd, and even my g/f said "we can go in their car" ....

since my car left us stranded at the last concert we went to in the bad part of town where the parking was at!

SO how much do you say its OK on all these breakdowns for you guys? I am talking about items that break, don't just call it "maiintainance" type of things

Each time I fix something, I figure this is it... bam... another ovp, another relay

... fortunately its just been "inexpensive" type stuff

sdanville · #14 12-07-2004, 09:28 PM

I feel silly asking, like I should know this, bit what is an OVP that keeps breaking and stranding you ?
thanks

blackmercedes · #15 12-07-2004, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yosshimura

SO how much do you say its OK on all these breakdowns for you guys?

In about 800,000km's of MB driving, I have been left on the roadside once. My Dad also has been left once. In an 87 190E of mine, it was -42C and I had not used fuel line anti-freeze. The fuel filter is in a bad spot for freezing, and I ended up on the roadside at -42C. Not happy, but I didn't let it happen again. Dad had the alternator on his 190E fail and had to have a tow. My wife had the voltage regualtor fail while driving one of 190's and had to be towed. That's it. Our Mazda 626 has been towed four times in it's life, which is pretty good for 17 years. Every car might break down as it ages. Even the best Japanese cars have things that make them stop.

I understand having a car you won't trust. That sucks. And it happens, and it happens with all makes. The least reliable car I ever owned was an Acura.

If you really have to have a car that has the least chance of breaking down, a Corolla is probably the best bet.