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Mercedes-Benz E-Class Sedans

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Comments

  • tomotomotomotomo Member Posts: 57
    To footie:

    I must say that what you wrote is just your opinion. I have owned many vehicles in my 55 years of driving, American, Japanese, Italian, and German made. I don't feel like "top dog" and I didn't buy them for "status" but rather because I wanted to, after all it was my money! My last 4 autos have been Mercedes Benz and all have performed as well as any of my past vehicles! None of the Mercedes have been "flakey"!
  • mark156mark156 Member Posts: 1,915
    Footie, my E430 has been much more reliable than my friends 2003 Honda Accord V-6. My friend had to have the trunk mechanism replaced, transmission repaired, radio went zonko, dash lights went out.... so, it's not the Mercedes product that's been flaky.

     

    The only out of pocket expenses that I have incurred has been for a new set of tires/alignment and a rear window regulator. Other than that, it's been smooth sailing during the 62 months that I've owned my car.

     

    Mark
    2010 Land Rover LR4, 2013 Honda CR-V, 2009 Bentley GTC, 1990 MB 500SL, 2001 MB S500, 2007 Lincoln TC, 1964 RR Silver Cloud III, 1995 MB E320 Cab., 2015 Prevost Liberty Coach
  • sean3sean3 Member Posts: 158
    and comparing it to a corolla? it is the size of a 3series Bimmer. Flakey? how is a Baby-Benz flakey? Sean
  • sapparosapparo Member Posts: 68
    What he meant was probably they have flakey electrical systems. No question about that.
  • microrepairmicrorepair Member Posts: 508
    Well, since we're naming names, my current Benz and my prior one (140K miles) have both been FAR better than the two previous Buicks I owned. Both of them had to be traded by 50K miles because of all the things that went wrong with them. That is one car company I will never do business with again.

    I went with Toyota for the first time 2 years ago and bought a Matrix. It has been flawless so far with 30K miles, but will it last as long as the 96 E320? Time will tell. Then again, my 01 E320 only has 49K on it so far, but it too has been flawless. I definitely expect it to get to 100K without any problems. Time will tell.

    On average, I will agree that Honda/Toyota/Mazda put out high reliablity autos and that MB/BMW/Audi are a step (or 2) behind. I've owned Toyota and Mazda and test driven a couple of Hondas. After getting out of one of those and then getting into a MB/BMW/Audi is like stepping into another world in terms of ride quality, handling, quietness, etc. No one makes a "perfect" car so you have to decide which issues are most important to you and your psyche..
  • greasykid1greasykid1 Member Posts: 336
    Have been driving MB's since 1971 so have a little experience.

    About a yr ago bought a 2001 E320 Sport w/ 14K miles. Car was 2 1/2 yrs old so still had 1 1/2 OEM warrenty plus 1 yr Starmark. Bought SM extended warranty for 3 more yrs for $1400. Total 5 1/2 yrs warranty w/ no deduct.

    How can you beat that? An a/c or other serious repair will pay for the warranty plus it is good for 100K miles. Better than new.

    IMPORTANT!!!! Extended SM warranty can only be purchased at the time that the car is bought from the dealer---not later.

     

    Wheels/tires. Have the Sport pkg. w/includes 17" 235/45/17 tires ( Michelin HGT4 Pilots). That is the way to go for better handling w/ min ride degradation. Suspension is the same as reg E320.

    Only expect about 30K mi from these tires.

     

    Long story short. Saved about 40% on purchase & still got 100K warranty.

     

    PS Dealer put on new Michelins n/c. Continentals not very good.
  • mark156mark156 Member Posts: 1,915
    Mircrorepair.... I named my friends Honda because he has had trouble with it but I think Honda's, Toyota's, Nissan's, Lexus's are wonderful cars with great reliability. But, like every car manufacturer, they have a pomegranate (not as bad as a lemon) LOL!

     

    But even with a glitch here or there, I would continue buying Mercedes because I like the look, handling, etc. As a Mercedes ages, they seem to get classier and distinctive looking. For instance, a '90 LS400 Lexus is ok but a 1990 Mercedes 560 SEL is sharp looking if taken care of. That true German engineering/design is hard to beat.

     

    Mark
    2010 Land Rover LR4, 2013 Honda CR-V, 2009 Bentley GTC, 1990 MB 500SL, 2001 MB S500, 2007 Lincoln TC, 1964 RR Silver Cloud III, 1995 MB E320 Cab., 2015 Prevost Liberty Coach
  • tomotomotomotomo Member Posts: 57
    I for one question your comment that "What he meant was probably they have flakey electrical systems". None of my past or present Mercedes have "flakey" electrical systems!
  • microrepairmicrorepair Member Posts: 508
    mark,

     

    "On average, I will agree that Honda/Toyota/Mazda put out high reliablity autos"

     

    I should have emphasized the "On average" and stated that any manufacturer can and does produce cars at BOTH ends of the reliability spectrum. Maybe the Buicks I owned were both at the bad end and my Benzes have been at the good end. My experiences with other manufacturers has been more "average" in that I've had some really good examples and some not so good examples, but never two in a row as bad as the Buicks.

     

    And I agree with you on the long term looks of the Benzes. Whenever I see an older one coming down the road, I think, gawd, they look so good for being 15-20 years old. No other marque holds up as well as MB. The only problem with keeping a Benz into the 300-400K mile range is the question of how much time do you want to spend taking it to the garage and how much money are you willing to pay in maintenance? In my case, I try to take at one or two long range trips every year around some part of the US and I could not in good conscience drive any car with 250K miles on it up to 2500 miles from home and back. I just don't want to get stranded in a strange town and have to spend up to a couple thousand dollars with some mechanic I don't know.

     

    The bigger issue today is, can we expect the current models to last as well as the ones from the 80's and early 90's? I suspect 20 years from now we will see as many of the 80's models on the roads as the early 20's models. But that's just my opinion.. All 2 cents worth..
  • footiefootie Member Posts: 636
    "No other marque holds up as well as MB."

     

    And where are the stats to support that?

     

     

    The JDPowers 3 year study says just the opposite. Many marques are better.

     

     

    Sure you can put the price of the car into it all over again and guess what, you have a brand new 20 year old car. How dumb can that be in today's changing technology environment.

     

    There isn't a Mercedes available today with an AWD system that is good and capable as the one in the Infiniti G35x or new Acura RL.

     

    So spending money on a museum piece from Germany doesn't make any sense to me. Just like 8 track tape. Nice, sturdy but technically irrelevant. Where is 8 track in an MP3 world, eh?

     

    Just my opinion as pointed out.
  • mark156mark156 Member Posts: 1,915
    Footie, keeping an old Mercedes up with dated technology is not a bad thing. It might be crazy to take a high mileage Mercedes and try and bring it back to new but finding a lower mileage older unit may not break the bank.

     

    In my car club, it's nice to see the effort and expense members have put into their old cars from every domestic to European cars. Some of the older 220SL's from the early 70's are super sharp looking without a lot of gadgetry. Mercedes SL's didn't have power seats or tilt steering wheel until 1990.

     

    Mark
    2010 Land Rover LR4, 2013 Honda CR-V, 2009 Bentley GTC, 1990 MB 500SL, 2001 MB S500, 2007 Lincoln TC, 1964 RR Silver Cloud III, 1995 MB E320 Cab., 2015 Prevost Liberty Coach
  • sean3sean3 Member Posts: 158
    JD power and accociates may hold MB to twice the standard to other makes, so something perceived as a "quality issue" may be something that is quite normal, but not for a MB, making it look problematic,Camry and accord have good rating but they have had some problems lately. 97-2001 Toyota and LEXUS had a majority if there cars with an engine Flaw for 4 years with engine seizing, but Look at consumer reports and there engine still gets a Full or half red circle, Even though Alot of failures occured. I wonder how much cash they pay to Consumer reports to keep them elevated? same for JD. It seems the Consumer report and JD is thrown around, but in my personal experience, the cars rated "great" in reliability havent always been, and ones rated "Not so hot" have been least trouble. my friends '03 accord is already on a new tranny and all disc brakes before 30k miles. And it gets CR's Highest rating. so who knows..IMHO Sean
  • footiefootie Member Posts: 636
    Sean

     

    1) I think it would be informative for you if you actually read the JDPowers site about how they do their studies. They ask questions of several hundred thousand vehicle owners. The answers are reported as problems per hundred cars. If Mercedes, or any other car company, was being unfairly rated, their lawyers would have JDP in court in a blink. They aren't, so the results you see are very indicative of likely experience over a large number of owners. So, IMHO, your individual experience or even your friend's Honda is statistically insignificant.

     

    2) I missed that problem with engines seizing in the "majority" of the Toyota and Lexus vehicles from 1997 to 2001. Perhaps you can provide a link to let us read up on it?

     

    3) Probably the best indicator of the reliability difference is Toyota's and Lexus's market share growth, quarter over quarter, year over year. If people didn't love em they wouldn't keep buying them. And the vast majority of Toyotas are made right here in North America, imagine that. The red hot Lexus RX330 is made in Canada too!

     

    Merry Christmas
  • sapparosapparo Member Posts: 68
    Mybe yours didn't but that doesn't mean anything in the bigger scheme when thousands of cars are sampled statisticly. One positive owner experience doesn't quite make the brand just like one bad 1st year all new Honda model or that rare Lexus lemon model does either.

     

    No way do the germans or any other european brands build electrical systems as good or sound & stable in cars or other products like the Japanese do, I'll put money on that anyday of week on that. When they do finally do I'll be the first to note that. The E class made the least reliable list go figure.

     

     http://www.embedded.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=18401442
  • tomotomotomotomo Member Posts: 57
    Before I purchased each of my automobiles I went and "figured", then I purchased what I wanted. I guess I don't care about the "bigger scheme" and I doubt that I am the only MB owner with a "positive experience". I may be wrong, but I believe most people buy what they like rather than what some organization thinks/reports based on their so called "statistical sample". I don't care what someone thinks/reports about the Japanese auto electrical systems since I don't care for their automobiles. I have owned a few different Japanese autos in the past and I still like the MB best.
  • weldone99weldone99 Member Posts: 26
    Just bought my second E Class in 2004, I reported to JD Power that I was not satisfied with the performance of the transmission.(Nothing wrong mechanically) I believe it rev's too high prior to shifting, But I doubt very much I would have said the same thing had I bought a Honda.

    We pay more & expect more out of a Mercedes. So these JD Power Report are well intention, but they do not give you the full story. If you look at some of these letters coming in,it will tell you that Mercedes owners are very picky, from car wax the car wax they use etc. The styling and handling cannot be match by any Honda or Lexus, this does not come into play in JD Power.
  • w210w210 Member Posts: 188
    I have been driving both Mercedes and a Hondas in the past 4 years, the Honda has lots of rattling and body panels squeaking issues which the dealer cannot fix. There is also a nasty brake clunk which my Honda dealers (yes I tried more than one) claim it's normal.

     

    It is true that my Mercedes also have their fair share of problems but the dealer managed to correct all problems.

     

    The same cannot be said about our Odyssey.

     

    Apparently, even the new 2005 Odyssey also has squeaking side doors, wind noise from bad window seals (check out odyclub.com) which keeps me away from trading in our 2002 for now. I hope the 2005 model will have a more durable transmission, our 2002 Odyssey went through a transmission recall and it never shifted the same after the service.

     

    I always drive the E for long distance as I can't stand the squeaks and rattles in the Honda. I wanted to like the Honda as they're so much cheaper than Mercedes, but I can't due to their many problems and inferior (as expected) driving dynamics.
  • mezecamezeca Member Posts: 66
    Actually it is not service department gouging. The spark plugs on these engines are to replaced every 30k per service lit. It does not mean they won't last longer, it's just what MB recommends. Other manufacturers such as Honda are the same way on their older engines.

    Also, the newer V-6 & V8 have 100k plug change intervals.
  • mezecamezeca Member Posts: 66
    The all weather mats are the way to got. Your dealer is right about the beige showing more dirt. They do look a little weird in black, but do save some clean up.

    I know that Terk makes a very small magnetic antenna that might integrate with the stock system.

    Aftermarket phones are okay, but I'm not sure about integrating one into the Comand system.
  • bobcatmanbobcatman Member Posts: 51
    Wow Mercedes has quality problems you don't say? Should I trade in my rattlebox $45K when new 1995 Honda built Legend which should self-destruct anytime now with 110K miles. Or should I get an E class with purdy looks but an inside made of low rent materials or get the all new RL. Do I want the image queen or do I want a more advanced, better built car made by a little known company called Honda Motors. Or do I wait and get the all new GS Lexus in black with a red blow tie of course and 350 hp V-8. Or maybe wait till Mercedes starts using Japanese built parts so they will fail earlier than expected and make the service guys happy and busy.. My new unique Mercedes will have the new easy access integrated front towing hooks the Japanese brands might someday copy on theirs.
  • bobcatmanbobcatman Member Posts: 51
    Call me when Mercedes has "figured" out the quality from surveys you care little about. I wanna be first to read about it. Maybe I can sway these owners that don't care about quality so they don't make a mistake and rush over and trade in their S class for the far less advanced LS430.
  • tomotomotomotomo Member Posts: 57
    Hey bobcatman since you wanted to be called, you failed to include your phone number? By the way, since you apparently defer to others (surveys, etc) to make your decisions, I am curious; in order that you never make a purchasing mistake, do you always refer to a "survey" and insist that the subject item be rated "high quality" before you purchase the item? I suppose that the Dealers that sell Japanese autos don't even have service departments since by definition (or surveys) their autos never need maintenance.
  • microrepairmicrorepair Member Posts: 508
    " "No other marque holds up as well as MB."

      

    And where are the stats to support that? "

     

    My point here is not specifically with "reliability", but rather with durability, particularly the body integrity as noted in the last paragraph of the report linked in a prior response from "sapporo". MB's built 20 and 30 years ago had little for electronics and as a result have been durable and reliable. I personally am not convinced that the MB's built since the late 90's will last nearly as long as the older ones, and I think I made such a statement in my earlier post. Most of the old MB's still look good because their sheet metal and paint have held up well. In my area, New England, it is rare to see any Japanese car that looks good after 20 years. But there are many MB's and BMW's that do look good after that length of time. From my own experience I can tell you that the paint on my 1988 Mazda after 9 years did not hold up nearly as well as the paint on my 1996 E320 after 8 years. No contest..! On the other hand, the Mazda cost me next to nothing, in repairs, to own for 99K miles and 9 years. The E320 did cost me $3K at 115K miles. And that's when I decided to start thinking about selling it.

     

    And I think it's foolish to spend as much in repairs as the original cost of the car, which I also suggested in my prior message. Unless of course it's a Buggatti.. And worth 100 times more than it's orginal purchase price..

     

    "There isn't a Mercedes available today with an AWD system that is good and capable as the one in the Infiniti G35x or new Acura RL."

     

    I would disagree with you on this. The M-class has a superlative AWD system. And I think it is now being used on a few other models as well.

     

    <soapbox on>

    I personally liked autos a lot more 30-40 years ago when I could do most of the work on them myself. Now, the home mechanic doesn't stand a chance of doing anything other than changing the plugs or the tires due to the plethora of electronic controls on virtually every functional element of the car. That's one reason I don't have or want a NAV system with all the problems that it seems to cause. The other is I belong to AAA and prefer to do my navigation by paper map and not be watching an electronic screen while driving. For the same reason I do not use a cell phone while driving; I would rather pay attention to the roadway and the other drivers, since most of them AREN'T paying attention.

     

    <soapbox off>
  • hollandholland Member Posts: 4
    I have a 1997 E300 D and have problems with the car surging/sputtering at 40 to 60 miles an hour, do you have any idea what may cause that?

     

    Ron

    rgatling@digitelsales.com
  • hollandholland Member Posts: 4
    Where is Don Pool, I go to Euro Imorts for service. American Service and HBL go there sometimes too ") I have one problem he hasn't solved yet and that is surging/Sputtering at 40 to 60 miles an hour when I go over that it stops. it also seems I have pressure build up in the gas tank and gas comes drips out. Wonder if that has some thing to do with it???

     

    Ron

     

    rgatling@digitelsales.com
  • pearlpearl Member Posts: 336
    in the E class this coming March as an '06 model. First I have heard of that (had thought we would not see that change until the Fall).
  • golfgti4789golfgti4789 Member Posts: 20
    ive heard rumors that in march there going to release a E350 version around march, but placed as a 06, which is to take place of the E320. Is this true? if they do, i assume it is the same 3.5 as the ml class. any info would be great, and info on where i can read up on it. i hear it is also already being sold in the European market, btw.
  • retnavretnav Member Posts: 25
    To post 6061 by Holland from retnav.

     

             Don Pool MB Specialist is at 6917 Lee Highway in Arlington. That address is essentially the intersection of route 66 and route 29. It must be inches from being in Falls Church. If you try him please post if you liked his work and prices. My MB is still under warranty with HBL and thus far I have had no reason not to continue with them. I pass the Don Pool business often and he has a multitude of MB's he is working on. Business looks to be very squared away. I am interested in knowing if people appreciate his work. Regards
  • lamboolamboo Member Posts: 4
    Yes, my dealer, MB of Chicago, confirmed (a few weeks ago) that they are taking orders for the 2006 E350 (no pricing) for Feb/March Production. In the meantime, they are really pushing the 2004's and 2005's. If you buy the E320 '04 or '05, make sure you strike a real bargain - they are over-inventoried for sure.Anyone contemplating an E-sedan should also look at the new CLS at slightly higher price points - as the German's say "the E-classs is for taxis, the CLS will be an owners car"
  • footiefootie Member Posts: 636
    Herb Chambers Boston is showing 98 E's in stock on their web site. All but 6 are 2005's. 28 of the 05's are under 60K, the rest over.

     

    I would guess one could shop a great deal there, especially this time of year.
  • microrepairmicrorepair Member Posts: 508
    The 350 models, in reality, have 3.7 liter engines. This is a break from traditionally specifying the engine size as the model #..

     

    I'm glad to hear they are coming; I meant to ask my salesman about them last week when I was at the dealership.
  • cmwjrxcmwjrx Member Posts: 1
    This guy must be paid extra for that statement or he doesn't have a LS430. My first Lexus, a 2002 with the ultra-luxury package, is a real benz-eater. I have a lot of company, including Consumers Reports, J. D. Powers and others. They are all correct. All it has needed is the periodic oil change. (I am NOT paid for any Lexus hype. Just the facts.)
  • tomotomotomotomo Member Posts: 57
    Which guy are you referring to? If you are referring to me then I must inform you that I am not paid by anyone! So far I have not been "eaten" by a Lexus or any other automobile. I am glade that you have so much company. It sounds like you are paid for your comments.
  • hms3hms3 Member Posts: 4
    Wow! Where did you find that deal? I am waiting to see what the new W164 class will look like. I will lease a new E320 AWD sedan or spring for the newly design ML
  • sacguysacguy Member Posts: 27
    Benz-eater?? How about a nomination for the worlds most reliably boring and bland "couch" mobile?
  • lovemyclklovemyclk Member Posts: 351
    "A real benz-eater"... really?? How so?
  • sapparosapparo Member Posts: 68
    It's a Benz chomper all right. World's better built than any Benz of today. Even Honda builds better cars then these overpriced german built junk of today. The C class interior looks like it was sourced to Walmart suppliers. They can't touch Japanese quality, maybe sometime in the next decade they'll discover that concept. This message paid for by G.W. Busch.
  • tomotomotomotomo Member Posts: 57
    My wife has an '02 C320 and I own an '05 E320 CDI and both have been trouble free and a pleasure to drive. We love the looks of both and would not think about any other auto for our use. We bought them based on what we wanted and not what someone else thought, be it either individuals or so called surveys. We do not ingage in racing so we are not concerned with being "eaten" by others, Lexus, BMW, etc. Previously I had a '95 C280 and an '01 E320 which were both excellent, trouble free autos and a pleasure to drive. In the past 55 years I have owned many vehicles, American, Japanese, Italian and German made. Some were good and some were not so good. Since 1977 I have purchased 17 new autos, 3 Japanese, 10 American and 4 MB. All but one have been pretty much trouble free. The problem one was a '96 Seville which had many electronic and air conditioner problems. For what its worth, I am NOT paid to say anything regarding this posting! I am a retired electronics engineer and am not on anyone's payroll.
  • w210w210 Member Posts: 188
    My E-class even with low profile and sport suspension does not rattle like our Honda mini-van. Our 2002 and 2005 both rattle over rough roads like mad.

     

    The Hondas definitely are not what I consider of high quality.
  • hjbornhjborn Member Posts: 20
    I too have had lots of cars in the past 60 years. I'm 82 but am driving my first MB, a 2000 E320 which I bought new. As we don't take driving vacations any more, it has only 35000 miles. It has been almost flawless. I did have an annoying squeek in the steering which took four trips to the dealership, but it was eventually fixed under warranty by a new rack and pinion. The MB is by far the best car to drive of any car I have owned. Something happened recently which I find interesting. I started having a "kick" when the gears shifted; seemed to happen once or twice a day for a week or so. Then I recalled reading that the transmission adjusts automatically to one's driving habits. So I changed to starting out more aggressively. Within two days, the transmission settled down, and it has been perfect for the past two or three weeks. Has anyone else ever had this experience?
  • greasykid1greasykid1 Member Posts: 336
    Also have 2001 E320 Sport. Is this only a cosmetic exercise or is the suspension also changed? Dealer says no.
  • wbreaux1wbreaux1 Member Posts: 55
    Here's my 2 cents worth (actually $50k plus tax). I have a 2000 E320 with 101k miles. I didn't get an extended warranty, and it has had some problems. A couple of window regulators and several other items, a headlight that melted into the assembly (I think that's what he said, still confused by that one). Including scheduled maintenance and the fixups, I'd say I've spent around $3,500 on it since the warranty ran out. I think overall the quality was good, and the car is rock solid and a pleasure to drive and own. This is my 8th car (including for my wife) and I've been impressed with the quality compared to others. I've only had one other car to 100k (a Saturn).

     

    One impression I get, and this is not based on scientific evidence, but is that the overall quality of all cars has gone up in the past 10-15 years. So when the ratings come out, sure it would be better all things equal to have the best quality vehicle, but I think the ones down the list really aren't that bad. I guess it all depends on what someone wants. If you want the most trouble free car, I'm sure MB is not the one to go for.

     

    I'm looking for another car. I'm leaning away from MB just because I don't want another E (want something new), can't afford an S, but might consider the CLS.
  • lastbenzlastbenz Member Posts: 1
    '03 E320, my first Benz. Beyond the shadow of a doubt the worst automotive experience of my life. You'd think they could make doors that fit the car, but no. Took it to dealer in San Diego, they tried to adjust the doors and only made it worse. 2 other dealers wouldn't touch the car after the "repair" of SDMB. Finally got an independant MBZ Authorized Repair shop to fix the badly aligned doors and they told me the wind noise was never going to go away, the doors don't fit the holes. Can't use the phone over 40mph. The car has been in the shop for over 70 days in 19 mos. of ownership. Squeeks, rattles poorly aligned interior, door trim at different levels than dash, headlights come out of adjustment every couple of weeks, sunroof sometimes closes completely and sometimes not, unfixable rattle from cup holder.. etc etc etc.... Leased this new and have been through a slow and agonizing rebuild of my new car. Tried to sell it to a dealer after 2 mo's and he offered 38K for a car with 2200 miles on it and having spent one of those two months in the shop. I guess he didn't want the thing either. Waited till my 40's to get a Benz and have never been so disappointed in a car or a car maker. Can't wait to get out of this thing and into something that is of real quality. All door/window rubber replaced, stereo twice, instrument cluster, trunk springs, seatbelt adjusters, seat motor, Arm rest, Tele Aid module, door handles, Grinding when steering wheel is adjusted/can't be fixed and on and on and on. I will say it's a pretty car but other than that, I don't have one darn good thing to say about it. Sorry for the down message but that's my experience with MBZ. It will be my last.

    Glad some of you got a good one and I hope you all continue to get good ones. This was just to much money for such low quality.
  • w210w210 Member Posts: 188
    It has to be pretty bad for the other two dealers not wanting to touch it.

     

    They must be taking you for a ride brushing you off saying things like this can never be fixed, etc.

     

    My E55 with much stiffer suspension is perfect, no squeaks, no rattles, no wind noise.

     

    I wonder if your car had been in an accident before you took delivery?

     

    Anyway, good luck you should write to MB USA.
  • merc1merc1 Member Posts: 6,081
    "I wonder if your car had been in an accident before you took delivery?"

     

    That is what I was thinking too. Sounds like a Ford I had once.

     

    M
  • bigrobnhbigrobnh Member Posts: 114
    Afternoon folks,

     

    I used to contribute occasionally to this forum but have taken a year or so off. I have to say I have a love/hate relationship with my car. I have a 2001 E320 4matic that I picked up brand new in March of 01. When the vehicle is working it is the most amazing car I can imagine owning. Ride is impeccible, good power, great features, size is perfect and it looks amazing. However, the car has been far from trouble free. Here is a summary off the top of my head of the issues I've had (there are probably more). They are in no particular order:

     

    - 3 times for a transmission leak. Claimed to be 3 different problems (xfer case, differential, transmission). This got me a 1 yr/100K mile extended warranty comp'd by the dealer.

    - 3 times for two different fan speed regulators that disabled the climate control system. First time they didn't fix it and, instead lectured me on my understanding of the "automatic" cc system.

    - failed drivers headrest motor

    - broken cover on sun-visor mirror

    - broken wood trim on dash, actually split in 2 due to the cold. This took two trips as they "ordered the wrong part" the first time.

    - rubber on rubber "groan" from steering column. "fixed" but back again...living with it as it only happens in the warm weather.

    - ABS/BAS failure, replaced a shorted out module.

    - Fog light out, turned out to be corroded connector and wiring harness

    - failed fuel gauge.

    - rattling sunroof shade

     

    Then, in mid December, I put the car in for mount/balance 4 snows, 4 wheel alignment and a state inspection. got the car back 450 bucks poorer and 4 days later (and that's with the warranty).

    - worn control arm - part not in stock add a day.

    - failed coolant hose - dumped in parking lot when bringing in to do control arm work. attributed to cold weather. part not in stock, add another day.

    - wobble in belt pulley system bound by tech - had part!

     

    Loaners, when I can beg one out of them, have ranged from a Lesabre that smelled like an ash tray, to a corolla (also ash tray like), to an ML to a brand new C240 4matic w/dealer logos on the side. There have been other forgettable ones.

     

    Cars are mechanical beasts and will have problems. It is my opinion, however, that the number of problems I've had with this car is a little higher than one might expect. My biggest issues are, however, the dealers inablity to correctly service the vehicle and the fact that they NEVER have parts in stock. I also hate how they pretend to have never seen issues before when, by following forums such as this, you can see that they are actually common.

     

    Mercedes could read this and contact me and say, BigRob, we'll pick up all future costs on this vehicle, you'll never have to spend a dime. That doesn't solve the fact that it's a 60 mile round trip + multiple days without my car every time I have an issue.

     

    Love/Hate. I come back from a service appointment and I'm enraged. Then the car slowly works its way back into my heart again to where I don't know how I can get rid of it. Man, this thing is a piece of work.

     

    Regards,

    BigRob.
  • shiposhipo Member Posts: 9,148
    Sorry about your problems BigRob. If I still worked for the MB-North America-CAC (Customer Assurance Center), which I left at the end of 1996, I would be able to walk over and give your message to someone that could do something about it. Unfortunately, the cast of characters there has changed so much that I don't know anybody who still works there.

     

    Having said all of that, I doubt that it would have done any good anyway. I have periodically ranted about the attitude of upper management at MB-USA, whereby they believe that they know better than their customers what those customers need, want and desire. I find that just a tad arrogant. The best story surrounds the launch of the SLK; MB-USA wanted to make damn sure that it went off well, so they did all of their customer research and came to the conclusion (among many others) that the car should only be offered with an automatic transmission only (as usual).

     

    At that point I was doing the alternating month thing, working one month in Montvale, and the next in Stuttgart, so I had a chance to drive a pre-production SLK with a 5-Speed transmission while in Germany. I liked it. When I got back to Montvale, I was looking over one of the cars that was to be used for the PR launch (more on that in a moment), and happened to comment, out loud to no one in particular, "Gee, it's too bad us Americans can't get a 5-Speed." I didn't realize the VP of the CAC was standing behind me apparently quite smug in his belief that I would be drooling all over "his" car. When he heard my comment he got quite angry and started shouting at me, "What the hell are you talking about? We spent millions to determine what options to offer on this car (I suspect that was an exaggeration, then again, maybe not), and the fact of the matter is, Mercedes customers don't drive sticks. Period. Besides, only an idiot would want to drive a car like this with a manual."

     

    Being a bit of a hot head myself, my response was kind of predictable, "Well then I guess I'm and idiot." He gave me a very nasty look and stormed off. I found out later that he had put the word out that my contract was not to be renewed at the end of the year. Oh well.

     

    Anyway, the designated Saturday for the big PR event for the SLK was a couple of days after our little exchange. The intention was to hold it outside so that there would be lots of photo-ops of the old SLs, their owners, and of course their big smiles when being shown the new SLK. Best laid plans of mice and men and all of that, it rained, big time. So, since all of the participants (both people and cars) were already there (some from great distance), the event was held inside the shop at the CAC. My in-town "office" was a loft above the main shop floor (where I got to see lots of cool stuff) and that gave me a birds-eye view of the proceedings. Long story short, almost every one of the old SLs were equipped with three pedals (all of them?), and to put it mildly, the owner group was less than enthused about the new automatic only SLK. During the Q&A, the previously mentioned VP was asked repeatedly about the "research" that led MB to think that the manual transmission was not desirable in the SLK. Sitting in my perch watching him grow more and more uncomfortable, all I could do was bite my lower lip to keep from laughing out loud. I lasted just the remainder of the year there, rumor has it that he didn't last much longer. Oh, and the SLK is now offered with a manual transmission. ;-)

     

    Best Regards,

    Shipo
  • zauberbergzauberberg Member Posts: 1
    my '98 e320 4matic has 218k miles. Typical maintenance issues, mostly minor. Larger ones were catalytic converter and ball joint. The car is still as solid as day one and I wouldn't hesitate to take it cross country. I expect to have it another 200k miles.

     

    I recently needed to replace my wife's car (A totaled x-type). Lots of options, but she chose the e500 4matic. The worst thing about it was we already had one - no fun without some diversity. (Although I did try to talk her into a used Porsche. No deal.)

     

    Her e500 was cheaper than two G35x's, which I would have needed by the time she has the mileage I have. If you can afford the price and the boredom of driving a car for 250k+ miles, the german taxi is actually an inexpensive car.
  • merc1merc1 Member Posts: 6,081
    That is one of the more interesting stories I've ever read on Edmunds. I wonder if the managment at these German companies will ever realize that if they were a little more open minded about things they'd really sell a lot of cars.

     

    From the reviews I've read about the SLK there must be a different team in place because not only does it have a manual trans, its a very good one at that. Even the fickle as hell British press loves the new SLK and its manual transmission. Now if MBUSA could just hit similar home runs with the products devoted to this market like the new ML and soon-to-be R-Class, they'd be on to something. Pre-1990 this arrogance tolerable and even arguably great for the company because they produced cars that matched the arrogance, unrivaled by anyone. There is no way they'll make it with such arrogance now because they cars don't and won't support it. Even Ferrari has had to come down off its perch and actually compete with former market losers like Aston-Martin and Lamborghini.

     

    It seems Mercedes in general has learned their lessons about incorrect specifications and shoddy build quality if the new SLK and CLS are any indication. I still don't think that MBUSA and VWoA espcially has the full attention of their top management back in Germany

     

    M
  • shiposhipo Member Posts: 9,148
    Thanks. ;-)

     

    I have a few other juicy ones that I've posted here from time to time. My stint with Mercedes was both a lot of fun and very frustrating. I am a systems developer by trade and a car nut by hobby, as such I was really into the car aspect of working at MBNA (as they called it back then, prior to a little spat with the bank of the same initials). The wierd thing (for me anyway) was the number of people who worked there who could care less about cars in general and Mercedes-Benz cars in particular, they were only there for the job. Grrrr! I am happy to report that the folks I worked with in Stuttgart were quite the opposite, they LOVED their cars.

     

    Best Regards,

    Shipo
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