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Mercedes-Benz E-Class Maintenance and Repair

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#51 of 1094 Zues by hicaira Nov 13, 2002 (9:31 am)
Also, read the article(s) in the Wall Street Journal (Section D)of yesterday. They mention the increasing problems in the MB as well as the narrowing gap between luxury cars and your basic "bread & butter" types. They imply the blame lies in the electrical complexities that are now common features in the luxury laden autos. There may be some merit to that argument (Volvo has something like 16 different system warnings - ranging from "Check at next Service" to "STOP! Get Out!! Run for your Life!"), but, if true, Lexus seems to have found a way to avoid them, for the most part.   Elestrics aside, anyone seeing more general mechanical problems on the E series?   The other article in the WSJ was about longer warranties and owners who are now being labled "Warranty Hypochondriacs". Good reading for someone in your field.   HiC
#52 of 1094 I disagree with the electrical complexity theory - by zueslewis Nov 13, 2002 (9:50 am)
the majority of the issues I'm seeing on the M and E Class are normal engine management issues, normal electrical issues and brake problems.   I see continual problems with EGR Valves, 02 sensors, throttle position sensors (TPS) and fuel system-related problems.   On the electrical side, it's simple stuff like power window switches, sunroof motors and stereos zapping themselves.   On the brake side, it's warped rotors, premature pad wear and failing ABS sensors.   The point is, I see the same things on a Pontiac Grand Am or Ford Taurus - it's not just a Mercedes thing. Mercedes has repetitive issues in these areas, and just like other manufacturers, aren't stepping up, in accordance with Federal law, to take care of consumers.
#53 of 1094 Zueslewis by rubicon52 Nov 15, 2002 (3:56 am)
You have a unique perspective. Most of us have access to only limited anecdotal data from our experience or friend's experience. The sources with large amounts of data (Consumer Reports, JD Powers) show the data only in summary form. And the manufacturers with the most data seldom share it at all.   I would be interested in a long post from you based on the data you have access to, addressing some of the quality/reliability issues that have been raised here on Edmunds such as current German luxury cars vs. Japanese luxury cars, has quality at Honda/Toyota slipped recently, have the Korean makes improved, etc.? Perhaps, you could even get into some specific problem areas. I know this is a lot to cover, but I think lots of us would find it informative. How about it?
#54 of 1094 In a day or two - my brain hurts from doing reports. by zueslewis Nov 15, 2002 (5:31 am)
No problem, though.
#55 of 1094 In general summmation, by zueslewis Nov 15, 2002 (6:24 am)
I am shocked at the quality of Mercedes, BMW, Volvo, Audi and Volkswagen vehicles. This misconstrued understanding we all have that if you pay more, you get more, is ridiculous. In Germany, car owners worship their vehicles, shop guys wear white coats and have 14 diplomas - a far cry from the "gas it and go" mentality of today's consumer with little or no attention, ever, to preventive maintenance. Most people don't realize their fuel injected car has a fuel filter. Here, all a "technician" has to do is fog a mirror and hold a wrench to get a job, and all he has to do to keep the job is to not make stuff blow up. With all this in mind, European cars don't last very well here in the states - they never have, with the exception of those with owners predetermined to maintain their vehicles.   I don't believe Honda and Toyota quality is slipping - I think people have assumed these vehicle are totally perfect, and that simply is not the case. I've done lemon law cases on Hondas with blown motors, bad tranmsissions (one Accord had 3 transmissions before 20K) and I've seen my share of Toyota engine management problems. They aren't perfect, but these two manufacturers are a darn sight better than anything else out there.   The Koreans, Lord knows I respect them, have always built "average" cars. My opinion, and I get paid for my opinion, is that Kia and Hyundai service departments compound the relaibility issues 10 times over by doing shoddy diagnostic work, poor repairs and poor follow-up. Most Kia and Hyundai techs simply don't care and are pissed that they couldn't get a job in a high-line dealership. The Korean manufacturers, and their legal representatives here in the states don't trult understand how someone could be dissatisfied with a product and want to sue them. In America, we have laws in place just for this action. In Korea, people are happy just to have a car, for those of them who own cars.   General attitudes and opinions - I'll do my best with any specific questions you have.
#56 of 1094 One more thing - by zueslewis Nov 15, 2002 (6:31 am)
the manufacturers are responsible for training and certifiying technicians. If your car is misdiagnosed or repaired incorrectly, it's still the responsibility of the manufacturer. Manufacturer's attorneys, in every arb I've gone to, try to blame the dealer - hang them out to dry - what we bring up is that the dealer is the manufacturer's authorized service facility - you can't drive up to the front doors of the Ford plant and say "Fix my car" - you have to go to a dealer.
#57 of 1094 E500 with 4,000 Miles by glamourlife Nov 15, 2002 (8:25 am)
Absolutely no problems. Solid as a vault without a shake or rattle. Was a little leery about buying another 1st year MB, but to date I am completely satisfied.   My previous 96 E-Class had lots of minor issues with the light bulbs repeatedly blowing out. The build quality and durability however were bulletproof. Took a couple years and several dealerships before the faulty relays, bulbs, and assembly on the lights were completely worked out. The car had over 120K miles, and aside from the annoyance of blowing light bulbs, was bulletproof.
#58 of 1094 96 E320 by haspelbein Nov 15, 2002 (11:54 am)
Glamourlife - Your experience matches mine exactly. I finally took care of the bulbs myself. Other than that, I had the usual rear window regulator. These two issues aside, the car is still nice and quiet after all this time.
#59 of 1094 by q45man Nov 16, 2002 (11:39 am)
94-96 were probably the peak of quality and reliability of all brands as the late 95/96 conversion to OBD2 caused many teething problems. But it made diagnosis easier and cheaper as everyone can afford $200 worth of software.Understanding what the codes actually mean FULLY is quite another thing!
#60 of 1094 by Mr_Shiftright HOST Nov 16, 2002 (6:54 pm)
I think people lump EVERYTHING into the word "quality".   If the dealer flubs the diagnosis, it's the car's fault.   If the technician does a bad job, it's the car's fault   If one part on a car containing 15,000 parts fails, or worse yet, fails twice, the entire car, from tip to stern, is a "lemon"   If indeed the car does break down a couple times but is built well and saves your life in an accident, the 'quality' is still "no good".   And last of all, if car A with an MSRP of $20,000 has only two warranty claims, and car B with an MSRP of $40,000 has 5 claims, then car A is better than car B and buyer B was a damn fool.   This is not to say it isn't annoying when an expensive car has faults, nor is it excusable since some cars seem to be somewhat more reliable than others, but generally between dealer's mistakes and incompetence and buyer's nit-picking, the quality of modern cars is being mis-judged badly IMO.   There is a hyperbole and hysteria about it that is simply not justified.

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