Is merecedes too troublesome ? - Page 32 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Hatterasguy · #**466** 10-25-2004, 09:09 PM

You should start by seeing if you can get lighter wheels. I didn't think their was such as thing as "light" tires?

dolebludger · #**467** 10-25-2004, 11:27 PM

Lighter tires are possible, as are lighter wheels. Check out tirerack.com for specs on tires and wheels, including weights. But what does this have to do with the reliability of MB cars?

Thanks,
Richard

#**468** 10-26-2004, 05:05 AM

My opinion on part of quality is dependent on part suppliers, engineering, assembly, and organization. Consumer Reports have reported that the avg. car maintainence problems is with the Japanese cars arcing above this avg. car problem line and Germans and US cars arcing below this same line.

Being a DIY and buying parts and repairing all the above. I find that parts play a pretty heavy role with superceding parts and various parts. I do not know if it is the sourcing of the parts, but Japanese cars are being outsourced just like the German and American cars. Does it contribute to the quality of the cars? Probably. My Lexus oil filter is no longer being made in Japan, but in Thailand. It is not just where it is made. Though, quality control does play a major role,but the design even something simple as a oil filter. If you look at the bottom of the oil filter and the construction even of the outside. You can see a major difference between the one that is made in Japan vs made in Thailand. The one made in Thailand looks like worse than a AC Delco filter and being charged around $10. No thanks.

I just think in the age of hybrid and maybe even nitrogen cars soon. Mercedes cars in the luxury market may still be a good bang-for-the-buck against Supercars such, as Ferrari, Bugatti, Porsche, but against cars that cost less and more practical. It may not be worth it. BTW, has anyone driven the new 507hp, V-10 BMW M5? Whatever happened to the gentleman's agreement between Mercedes and BMW? Has it flew out the door?

#**469** 10-26-2004, 10:44 AM

with each model change the mandatory diagnostics and other electronic "aids" needed to service any car multiply. This shuts out many independent shops that can't afford (or maybe can't even get) the needed gizmos. The revenue stream from service is now a very important part of every dealer's economics. I have a very good friend, an ace mechanic who had put in 15 years at a Cadillac dealer, who at a mandatory training session learned that "...there is no more room for craftsmanship in auto repair" and that henceforth he would be a "technician". He quit the next day and now has a new career in construction.

The whole "new" car process...selling...servicing...owning...has become a shameless drama of exploitation and mendacity.

awarne · #**470** 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 · #**471** 11-10-2004, 08:20 PM

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

Benz300 · #**472** 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 · #**473** 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.

#**474** 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 · #**475** 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 · #**476** 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 · #**477** 11-11-2004, 08:49 PM

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

plink49 · #**478** 11-11-2004, 08:59 PM

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

BAd124 · #**479** 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)

dolebludger · #**480** 11-12-2004, 07:55 PM

Amen!

And there are some of us who own those so-called "troublesome" newer models who have had PERFRECT experiences with them. J.D. Powers reports on first year experience. Ours, with our MB has indeed been perfect. I can only hope that all our future cars pose so few problems.

As to older models, nobody should buy an older model of ANYTHING unless he or she is mechanically inclined. And at least older MBs are WORTH fixing!

Thanks,
Richard