Anybody know Mercedes-Benz?

[mscher]

My wife is pining for a 2003 SLK320. We test drove one with 57000 miles. Seemed alright until we returned to the independant used car dealer, ready to deal.

When we asked how to put the hard-top convertible down, the car would not start. After a minute it started but died. then the check engine light came on and the fuel gauge read low and the low fuel light was on, even though the salesman put in 10 gal.

Needless to say, it seemed like a devine intervention, so we walked.

Question is, are MB still rock solid, or was that just just post third reich and that they are tech nightmares?

I see everything from "wonderful cars" to "never again!" for owner opinions.

Any thoughts?

 

[JB]

Re: Anybody know Mercedes-Benz?

MBs have gotten a reputation for being electrically unreliable and are not recommended by Consumer Reports. My family experience contradicts that.

However, I have put about 180,000miles on a pair of MLs ('98 ML320 and '99 ML430) in the last 8 years and have had one electrical glitch. . .a fuel pump failure.

Other than that they are the best two vehicles I have ever owned, including 7 other MBs, going back to my first, a 1964 190 Diesel that I bought new and drove over 400,000 miles.

MBs are still rock solid, very comfortable, great handling and very technically sophisticated. They may have gotten too far ahead with the hi-tech. 2008 Utes are just now catching up to my 1999 ML430. I haven't seen or driven one that I would swap my 9 year old ML430 for. . .even. . . unless it was a 2000-2003 ML55AMG.

My son has a 2005 CL500 that he is very happy with. He has had a couple of problems, but they were of his own making. . .wrong oil, wrong rims, K&N filter each put her in the $hop.

There are several vehicles out there that I think are a better buy than the SLK320 (Porsche Boxter, Honda S2000) but it would still be a great lady's car iff a MB dealer went through it first.

Skinnywater is a MB tech. He will probably have a (biased) word to say on this.

 

[DJ]

Re: Anybody know Mercedes-Benz?

My Brother has an SLK 430 that has had a few gremlins but they were fixed. He thinks. It's not a daily driver, thank goodness.

My SIL's ML320 was bought back by MB for electrical gremlins. It kept shutting off, on the road. She did not go back to MB.

 

[bandit86]

Re: Anybody know Mercedes-Benz?

check here for problems
benzworld.org/forums/

 

[Bigprairie1]

Re: Anybody know Mercedes-Benz?

JB is right on the mark here. They have been prone to electrical problems and are not recommended by consumer reports.
I would strongly recommend buying a consumer report and giving it a quick peruse.
My take on the German stuff is that they are some of the best (if not the best?) road cars there are. Their handling and general roadability are very, very hard to beat. Their esthetics are very nice and the fit and finish again are hard to beat.
However....unfortunately the German cars all suffer from electrical problems. If you read up on almost all the German makes in consumers reports you will see that nearly all of them have poor electrical (almost completely across the board) and are lucky to get a recommended rating. This would include Volkswagen, Audi, Mercedes, BMW. Resolving this shortcoming is one of the reasons Daimler bought Chrysler...ie to absorb some of the better electrical technology (most people aren't aware of this). As a result you will see an improvement in the future Merc's...unfortunately for Chrysler the goose was bled pretty clean after that. The Germans despite the reputation for advanced engineering do not have the same rep in electronics (there are a few exceptions). Unfortunately most cars over the last 15 years have required this element almost moreso than mechanical advancement.
Regardless....if you get a German car with this issue worked out....the car will be hard to beat.
Personally I love the look of the 700 series BMW's...prior to the recent trunk design mistake (pontiac meets honda).
Good Luck.

 

[Skinnywater]

Re: Anybody know Mercedes-Benz?

Mercedes Benz problems?
Yes.
But it needs to be put into perspective.
The German manufactures are the ones doing the most R&D and it's close to being all of it.
It's very similar to our space shuttle, yes it's problematic but it's the best one made.
I honestly believe a better car can be manufactured by copying the R&D of others.

With that said, there are additional facts.
Judgeing a manufacture by comparing used vehicles at a used car dealer can't be done accurately.
The vehicles on his lot are puchased at auction and are wholesale units and are usually problem cars.

The dealership I work for is an 11 car line. BMW and Volvo is in our building.
More BMW's and Volvos need to be pushed in for repairs then does Mercedes.

It's important to note that problems are extremely "model specific". For instance, the ML may have xyz problems, yet the S class is trouble free. The E class might have electrical conditions yet the C class only has an issue with the 4cylinder motor.

BMW and Mercedes are the cutting edge and are the innovators by leaps and bounds. Unfortunately it seems the consumer is the beta tester at times.
The electrical problems noted isn't like the infamous "lucas problems". These problems are more software glitches in nature. They aren't prone to cause any more then inconvienience while under warranty. And are long since rectified before the warrenty expires.

Mercedes and BMW aren't the most troublefree or reliable. However, the're extremely safe, solid, in service for decades and provide the entire automotive industry with top quality (absolutely awesome) innovations.

If I were given a choice which car to be in an accident in, or drive coast to coast in, or beautiful longevity, it would have to be Mercedes or BMW.

 

[bandit86]

Re: Anybody know Mercedes-Benz?

I had a 99 slk230 kmopressor, nice car, the alarm went off a week after i had it. water seeps in the rear pillar by the trunk, all over the electronics. common problem, need to keep the drain free. usually needs to be taken apart, connections greased, then problems go away, mine did. took me 2 hours.

 

[1730V]

Re: Anybody know Mercedes-Benz?

"It's very similar to our space shuttle, yes it's problematic but it's the best one made."

Problematic is putting it lightly. Tell that to the poor souls that flew apart over Texas a few years back.

The Space Shuttle is the ONLY one of its kind. Not a valid comparison.

 

[Skinnywater]

Re: Anybody know Mercedes-Benz?

"It's very similar to our space shuttle, yes it's problematic but it's the best one made."

Problematic is putting it lightly. Tell that to the poor souls that flew apart over Texas a few years back.

The Space Shuttle is the ONLY one of its kind. Not a valid comparison.

Hey, you left out the spelling mistakes, the several fragmented sentences......and the point.

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Anybody know Mercedes-Benz?

Great car and the problem probably was a week battery from setting on the lot! They have quite a parasitic draw and when the battery gets week it causes the computer to go into a fritz!!!! Mess's with the electronic dash and radio!

 

[Hoss the Hermit]

Re: Anybody know Mercedes-Benz?

If you put gas in and don't get the cap on tight you'll get that

 

[mscher]

Re: Anybody know Mercedes-Benz?

Thanks for the input, everyone.

We have decided to pass on Mercedes.

Near bullet-proof reliability, is a basic requirement for all of our automobiles and trucks.

 

[Bigprairie1]

Re: Anybody know Mercedes-Benz?

Hopefully the info wasn't too discouraging. The German products are as the feedback shows here very well developed road cars and very high build quality....not bastions of reliable electronic technology yet though.
For reliability it is nearly impossible to beat the japanese stuff. Maybe look at the high end Lexus/Infiniti stuff? Great car builders.....not innovators like the Germans but great builders of the final thing.
Good luck, keep us posted

 

[mscher]

Re: Anybody know Mercedes-Benz?

Hopefully the info wasn't too discouraging. The German products are as the feedback shows here very well developed road cars and very high build quality....not bastions of reliable electronic technology yet though.
For reliability it is nearly impossible to beat the japanese stuff. Maybe look at the high end Lexus/Infiniti stuff? Great car builders.....not innovators like the Germans but great builders of the final thing.
Good luck, keep us posted

I've been a huge Jap car fan since the 70's, but the better half was looking for something a little different, since it will be, in effect, her car.

We considered the Lexus SC 430, but even the used ones are still a little too rich for our (not blue) blood.

The grind goes on!!!

 

[JB]

Re: Anybody know Mercedes-Benz?

Rock solid reliability? Try the Honda S2000.

 

[mscher]

Re: Anybody know Mercedes-Benz?

Rock solid reliability? Try the Honda S2000.

What's the beef with this model JB? Look's like reviews and ratings (JD Powers, Identifix, etc,) mostly are pretty good? We considered the S2000, but it seemd to be geared towards road racers, since although it is pretty quick, the ride is rough, due to the stiff suspension and the spartan interior lacks simple comfort.

 

[JB]

Re: Anybody know Mercedes-Benz?

Yes, the S2000 is a real sports car. If the better half seeks comfort and a bit of posh that would not be the ticket.

If she wants a convertible I would still recommend the SLK, 320 or 430, but only from a MB dealer and only with warranty. I bought both of my MLs used, from a dealer. It could well be that initial problems are fixed before I get them. An MB that has not been lovingly cared for by a certified tech is likely to be a problem.

Probably the most reliable vehicles in our family are Subarus. . .a Forester and an Outback. . . and Toyotas. . .a Prius, Scion Xb and 4 Runner. All seem bulletproof.

But there is something about German premium cars that is addictive to motorheads. Once you have owned and driven a Mercedes Benz or BMW anything else seems inadequate. Son is only 41 but is already on his 4th (5th, if you include the BMW540i tucked between the E300 and the CL500).

 

[Skinnywater]

Re: Anybody know Mercedes-Benz?

Although I mentioned "model Specific" problems, there are some "model specific" Mercedes that have excellent reliability and are super cars.

The '94 and later SL320 is as solid as they get, very reliable, excellent value and 30+ MPG, most are well taken care of. Super car that does everything well.

The '99-'00 C230 Kompressor is very reliable, can be had for under 10k used, super value. My wife happends to own one of these.
The C280 is a V6 model still a good car but the supercharged 4 will run with it.

My personal favorite and already mentioned here. The CLK430 is an awesome coupe that does everything well. Most issues are confined to inexpensive microswitches in the seats that provide for the easy entry/exit feature to the back seat and window regulator adjustment issues....NO BIG DEAL.
Nice car, mama will be fighting you to keep you out of it. Much better car then a Lexus coupe.
If you can swing an AMG model even better.
The CLK55 AMG (older 208 chassis would be my dream car).

'00 to even present S class is very trouble free. The exception is the V12 models, fast and consuming, not practical and built to stay expensive.
The late '96-'02 model Eclass is a fine car, relatively few problems except for rear window regulators, kinda ugly though.

The SLK you were looking at really wasn't that bad of car mechanically or electronically. The interior materials sure were cheap. Not a car you'd want to buy if it was previously in an accident.
The new SLK's are proving to be much better although having some minor software upgrades.

Almost any model with the true (not just wheels) AMG package is leaps and bounds ahead of the consumer/massed produced models. These are race cars, close to being entirely hand assembled, (all the motors are) and are ultra reliable. The interiors and even the electronics are higher quality throughout.

 

[Caveman Charlie]

Re: Anybody know Mercedes-Benz?

My 81 T-Bird has never let me down. It has about 150000 miles on it now. I'll let you have it for half of what a new bmw costs.

 

[mscher]

Re: Anybody know Mercedes-Benz?

Although I mentioned "model Specific" problems, there are some "model specific" Mercedes that have excellent reliability and are super cars.

The '94 and later SL320 is as solid as they get, very reliable, excellent value and 30+ MPG, most are well taken care of. Super car that does everything well.

The '99-'00 C230 Kompressor is very reliable, can be had for under 10k used, super value. My wife happends to own one of these.
The C280 is a V6 model still a good car but the supercharged 4 will run with it.

My personal favorite and already mentioned here. The CLK430 is an awesome coupe that does everything well. Most issues are confined to inexpensive microswitches in the seats that provide for the easy entry/exit feature to the back seat and window regulator adjustment issues....NO BIG DEAL.
Nice car, mama will be fighting you to keep you out of it. Much better car then a Lexus coupe.
If you can swing an AMG model even better.
The CLK55 AMG (older 208 chassis would be my dream car).

'00 to even present S class is very trouble free. The exception is the V12 models, fast and consuming, not practical and built to stay expensive.
The late '96-'02 model Eclass is a fine car, relatively few problems except for rear window regulators, kinda ugly though.

The SLK you were looking at really wasn't that bad of car mechanically or electronically. The interior materials sure were cheap. Not a car you'd want to buy if it was previously in an accident.
The new SLK's are proving to be much better although having some minor software upgrades.

Almost any model with the true (not just wheels) AMG package is leaps and bounds ahead of the consumer/massed produced models. These are race cars, close to being entirely hand assembled, (all the motors are) and are ultra reliable. The interiors and even the electronics are higher quality throughout.

How about a 2004 SLK230, 40K mi. lease return? We have not looked at it, as it at a MB dealer in Mansfield OH.