OT: Mercedes

I guess I could go find a Mercedes forum somewhere and ask, but I figured that I'd get a more, uh, unbiased opinion here. My daily ride, Infiniti M35 is a lease, and although it's not up yet, I am already starting to consider what I'll get next. I've never had a Mercedes; I test drove the E320 (now E350) a while back and really liked it except for the stupid electromechanical brakes. Well, they've fixed that now (back to normal hydraulic brakes) and there are some tempting lease offers. But I have heard bad things about contemporary Mercedes. Lots of electrical problems, mostly. Anyone here have first-hand experience owning a recent model, good or bad, that they'd like to share? Should I stick with Japanese cars? I'd prefer a BMW, but they are just a little bit too ugly for me right now. Thanks, Michael

My understanding is that the electrical issues are on early versions of each model, when built in the US. The German cars don't have the same QC issues. My last Mercedes, German built CLK, was excellent - ran that thing hard and it just kept coming back for more. Apart from warping the rotors I never had a problem with the car.

It's true that many of the earlier models (i.e., '99-'03) had electrical issues; however, I hear that recent models seem to be doing much better. I had an '01 S430 for a year and have had my '01 CL600 for several years and both had a few issues. The CL now has 81,000 on it and still provides lots of comfort and driving satisfaction. As of now, I'll get another MB when it comes time to replace it.

I drive a '05 E55. I bought it one year old (after my 911, I couldn't again tolerate the initial loss on a new car). It had some issues initially with the brakes (recall only, no functional failure), a few switches and the tire pressure sensors but since I had those sorted out (knock on wood), it's been bullet proof. Can't say I don't like the fact that it's faster (in a straight line) than my 911... I would have been very happy with a nicely featured E500 I saw on the same lot as the E55 I eventually bought. It was my wife that didn't like the look of the particular E500 we were looking at and suggested the E55 we saw earlier on the lot. Hey, gotta love that woman! As for the "total experience", my nod definitely goes to Mercedes over Porsche. The way I get treated at each dealership is amazingly different. At the MB dealership where I get the car serviced (AND IT'S NOT EVEN WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR!), I get royal treatment, coffee poured for me, bennies (calendars, key fobs, license plate frames, etc) and each time I bring the car in, I get a nice MB to drive in the meantime. At the Porsche dealership (WHERE I DID BUY THE CAR!), I did get a calender. But, that's it! As for a loaner, the last time I went in I was offered a choice between a Kia Something-or-another or, gack!, a mini-van! I kid you not, a mini-van! ("Hi, here's the keys to my 911 - let me jump in this hot minivan and be on my way!"). In their defense, I will say that if I payed the guy $10, he would have "upgraded" me to a Blazer. That's MB vs P-car. If you really want da bomb, go with Lexus. But, you'll need to be a bit thick skinned to put up with all the Japanese car haters out there though. But, $ for $, Lexus kicks a$$. I had a manual transmission SC300 for almost a decade of no-problem ownership. Wait, take that back, I did have two problems. The radio antenna bent (replaced for $250) and one of the liquid shocks leaked (replaced for FREE out of warranty because "that should never break"). My $0.02 FWIW.

Of all the recalls and poor quality that I've read about, my sister's C240 with 90,000 miles continues to run strong. She had to replace all 4 brakes & rotors, which is normal, and the alternator shortly after buying it from a dealer. So far, the cars runs well, but not a reliable as BMW or Porsche. Great cars, in general, and nobody does luxury better than MB, but problems can be model-specific, so ask around and check Consumer Reports & mechanics.

For what it's worth, and it may not be much, I had the steering rack fail on my '06 E55 wagon. Not the pump, not a line failure, but the rack itself. It took 3 weeks to locate, ship and install the new rack. I consider this a freak failure, but the fact that MB USA did not have the part in stock was a bit alarming. I will give them the benefit of the doubt, considering that not too many E55 wagons are in the US. Also, a pump for the active seats failed, but this was replaced in a day and half. My dad has a CLS 55, one of the first in our area. He has had very little issues to date. My experience with BMW service (in California) was much worse. So much so that I would have a very difficult time buying another. The funny thing is that the dealer (Knauz Continental Motors, Lake Bluff, IL.) who sold me the MB also sells BMW. They were very good during the issues with E55, so you never know... I am happy to share my BMW story, but I've hijacked this thread long enough.

I believe you will be at the dealership more often with a German car, if that is not an inconvenience for you go for the Benz. How did/do you enjoy the M35?

Yes, more than a Japanese car, I agree.

i owned a 95 e320, bought new... rock solid, not one issue over the entire 4yrs i owned it. have heard about lotsa electrical problems with the latest iteration but no first hand knowledge. have a friend who bought a new 04 e500 4matic and he's had to take it in more than 10x in the first 18mos. just asked him about it and he says it's all fine now. he would probably not buy again and stated that he would look at lexus when it's time for a new one. the current e's do look nice tho.... much nicer lines than the 5's and the interior is very sumptuous compared to the 5, imho. if you're leasing, i'd say go for it.

Have had many MB's over the years (since a pickup truck drove thru stop sign into our Cadillac 20 years ago). Good overall experience with all of them. Currently daughter drives a ML with 78,000 miles on it. Just had a crankshaft sensor replaced, other than that-no problems. Had two SLK's and enjoyed both of them. However, don't think the quality factor is as high as years ago. Good luck with your purchase.

My wife drives an 06 R350. There was a software problem that caused bad shifting. Took it to the shop, they updated the software and all is well. We have put about 15,000 miles on it and no other problems. Mercedes service is the best I have experienced. We have been to 2 dealers for the software issue and maintenance and both are outstanding.

I bought an '01 S500 from my father in law (for $27,000!) and it's mint. I bought it with 39,000 miles and now have 46,000 miles. It is an amazing car. He had a couple electrical glitches fixed in the first few months of ownership (under warranty) and they never returned. I own the car outright, so if there are some maintenance costs, it won't kill me. I put over 200 miles on it in the last two days for work and I really love driving the car (not as much as the Porsche on open roads, but more than the Porsche when in gridlock). I also subscribe to benzworld.org where people are pretty forthright about maintenance and problems. Everyone there seems to passionately love their cars.

Now that you mention it, the MB dealership is much more convenient to me than the BMW (or Infiniti) locations. As for the M35, I like the car. They did a lot of things right, and it has some really neat features (like the keyless start) that cost a lot extra on the German cars. I do not care for the transmission, it's way too aggressive on downshifts and pops into first far too often, the throttle is way too sensitive, the steering is too light and the brakes are very touchy. But the ride and handling are great, the engine performs wonderfully, the seats are awesome (for stock seats) and the build quality is excellent. I've had zero problems with the car so far. If I was financially responsible, I'd just buy the car at the end of the lease, but I like to change rides fairly often. Hell, if I was financially responsible, I wouldn't own a Porsche, right? Thanks everyone for the great feedback! It seems, so far, that M-B isn't nearly as bad as I was led to believe. That's good to hear! Michael

One MB and never again. Broken, no parts available, bad techs....... First Lexus....the best

Sorta like Porsche..

Yes, but I decided only one brand of crappy German car at a time

I hear that!

I love my CLK (bags of low end grunt). Interesting feature is no B-pillar ... with the roof open and all 4 windows down, gives a real open air experience. Also had and '01ML430 and despite the bad reputation I had no problems with mine. My father-in-law has an older CLK cabrio (his summer toy), E320 wagon and one of the new ML350 - no problems. He has driven Mercedes for years and won't buy anything else. Various friends have an E320 wagon, SLK350 and CLS500 - all love them, no real problems. Before the XC90, my wife drove a Lexus RX300 - loved it, no problems, great service experience. Cheaper to service than Mercedes.

I think Japanese cars like lexus will be more trouble free like others mentioned, however German cars like Mercedes gives you more dirving pleasure handling and performance especially AMG models. Go to your local dealers and compare what you like

Have owned several BMWs and Porsches. The one Mercedes I owned was a 2003 SLK230. Never had a problem with it, but then again, it never "stirred the soul" when I was driving it. I always considered it to be an old man's car. After only one year, I traded it in on a Boxster.

I've owned 7 different MB's and only had a few minor issue's (electrical) they never left me stranded and always started. I test drove a few Lexi and as smooth and quiet as they were I felt like I was living in Palm Springs and a avid bingo player! Reliable yes, exciting no....... they really don't have any soul IMO, if you like driving your refrigerator around they are great.

I have an 01 E430 that I've owned for 3 years now, and this assesment is spot on. I've owned japanese cars in the past, and none of them has given me the driving enjoyment I get from the Benz. I've averaged about 1000 in repairs and maintenance a year, which has been a decent bit more than the Japanese cars, but i still think the benz has been the better value.

It's been said that nobody does luxury better than MB, but I think Lexus comes close these days. That said, I'll still rather have a MB because a sporty MB will outperform the Lexus and still retains all that luxury.

A few years ago I test drove the 2003 SLK320 and it bored me. So I bought the SLK32 AMG for my wife. Not that is a fun car! Reliable too. Nothing has needed attention besides an oil change.

FYI My Lexus is the LX470 Race Car tow vehicle.....for the wife to drive during the week Something for everyone in the family!

That, Allan, is the AMG portion of the equation. An AMG MB is really the way to go, IMO.

Our ML430 is a 1999 model. It has 120k miles and still running strong! I take that thing to Big Bear and I still leave the other cars behind in my dust. I've had an 00 SLK230, 02 CLK430, 03 E55 AMG (Supercharged), and 04 E320. The 02+ cars that I've had were virtually problem-free. I don't have anything more to say...just use it, drive it, and don't worry about it ('cept for maintenance stuff, of course). Good luck with your decision.

i've had 3 mb's over last 5-6 years, very few probs. i did however not like the current E-class i had due to various irritating design issues.. (brakes, throttle lag, steering, nav) buy a model thats been thru at least 2 years of its life cycle to ensure bugs are out. love my A8 btw.. j.

I have a 99 ML320 2003 E500 and 2007 GL450 I'm satisfied with all three.

I have 2002 S430 & 2007 ML350... MB is overpriced, but is a good car. Don't compare it to a Lexus - just different. The only thing I can tell you is that MB has really overdone their sub-models. The average person has no idea the difference from the SLK, CLK, SL, CL, etc. etc.

I spoke too soon. The radio and Nav system went out today on the 06 R Class. Maybe there are some electrical gremlins. I need to find a virtual piece of wood to knock on after I post.

Was looking at 986 Boxster S. But nothing solid locally. Now ended up with a W210 E55 AMG.

Michael, I have a 1999 SL600 and a 2001 SL600. I bought the 99 as a project car, It had a salvage title due to flood damage. My wife always wanted a convertible. We liked the 99 so much that we bought a 2001 with 32,000 miles and a clean title. I was going to sell the 99, but I couldn't bear to part with it. I'm going to give it to my dad so it stays in the family. I drove several different convertibles prior to buying the 2001 SL. The Jaguar XKR was a close second, the BMW M3 was more of a sports car (we have a Porsche for that role). Anything with an AMG badge was a rocketship. We were torn between the CLK55 and the 600SL. The torque (420ft/lbs) and looks of the SL won out. I love the quality, looks, and performance of the Mercedes. My experiences with two different dealerships were absolutely terrible. MBUSA wasn't any better. On the other hand, my experiences with my local Porsche dealership have been absolutely fantastic (Niello Porsche). Good luck with your purchase. I hope you enjoy your Mercedes as much as my wife and I do.

I have an '04 E500 and it has been trouble free. Effortless power - 0-60 in 5.9sec, smooth ride (a bit too smooth compared to a BMW though), and great looks. I am looking to get rid of it though because I need more versatility and want to get another wagon or SUV. I have it listed on swapalease if you're interested (lease runs until 6/08)...

Benz quality is on the floor.