xr650rguy

I just had the left front hydraulic strut, lower control arm (left), passenger window regulator and both front side thrust bushings replaced on a W215 with 62,000 miles. I think the bill was about $2700.

Last month, I got new engine mounts, flex couplings on the drive shaft, a new windshield washer pump and had the valve cover gaskets replaced and re-sealed. No clue on that cost.

Oh yeah, I have a warranty to 100,000 miles. So, Mercedes picked up that tab. Get the extended warranty.

My 06 W211 is a 03/06 build. I can't say that it's been flawless, either. Air pump for emissions died and a wheel weight fell off. I have a door ding, too.

K-A

Honestly, as much as I love the W211, 220's & 215's, can you imagine these cars in like 15 years from now? Especially the S-Classes, CL's and E's (especially with Airmatic), with all the gadgetry, and cost to keep on the road, I see most of them going to the junk pile....So sad because I think this era of M-B (the 2000+ years up until the new boxier designs have surfaced now) are the nicest they've ever made, and considering you can already find some W140's for like $2-$4K with high mileage (not joking), and W220's easily in the teens....I dunno, they'll be practically free, offer amazing timeless designs, comfort and performance when working....Along with probably holding up aesthetically well, but no one will want to touch 'em. This isn't even getting into the early W220's and their insane RUST problems.

Barry45RPM

None of these 211's are going to be on the road in 20 years! Thats not the style of use nowadays. Its 39 months of lease payments & on to the next one. Thats part of the Paradox. These MB cars are overbuilt for their anticipated mass use lifespan.

Back in the day some people kept them because they would last AND people of that generation knew what it was like not to have. They were depression kids and were much more carefull of how money was spent. That Generation NEVER spoke the words "I'm getting one... I work hard... I deserve it" about anything. My Dad had his 1984 S 500 Diesel for 16 years, then went into a W210 when the oil pan leaked & the engine siezed up.

Of course, we are at the beginning of a new world order and things are changing so its hard to tell where we'll be in 5 years... but its beginning to look like the party may be winding down some.

nantucketsleigh

Subsidized leases have protected many frequent new car buyers from the enormous depreciation hits common on luxury cars over the past several years. Buyers have caught on and manufacturers have had to book big losses to adjust residual values to market. There is a good chance than flipping cars every 2 or 3 years will become even more expensive. My guess is that attractive lease deals will likely disappear for all but the least desirable models. I wonder what the reaction will be to leases that reflect depreciation well in excess 50% in 3 years and the reaction of owners of $65K E550's who may confront trade-in values in the low $30's after 2 1/2 - 3 years of ownership. Your dad's approach may be coming back.

K-A

Agreed. A friend of mine even "heard" that American car companies are going to cut leases completely, now it sounds like it's total BS, but just the fact that the rumour is flying around means something.

As far as depreciation goes, my car cost $64K when it was bought LESS than 2 years ago (almost 2 years exactly), I got it for $28K w/ 30K Miles....Now THAT'S depreciation.

55fanatic

its not a rumor, it was announced last week

K-A

Hahh, holy crap. Wow, as if American car companies haven't done enough to lose support.

God'sVoice

It is a strange occurence that so many MB owners are experiencing this same problem. And I to will be spending my hard earned money this week to correct this problem on my S500, it will truly be the last MB that I will own, and I have owned three of them. I will return to my original love, the BMW 7 series that I have owned for quite sometime ,and she still treats me well without taking me to the bank.

SZMB

An old thread. I didn't read thru all the posts. To the original poster, I totally agree that MB should recall or try to fix all airmatics. One of my front air shock failed at ~65k mi, and now the other front one is leaking oil all over. I don't expect that one will last very long. It's true that all mechanical parts wear out. But each of the air shocks costs $1000 and there are four of them, including the airsprings in the rear. You're talking about a potential of spending $8000 (parts & labor) in replacing all the air shocks before reaching the 100k mi mark. If this car costs $150k originally, I don't mind spending $8k for new shocks before 100k mi. But it's a $60k car, an everyday car, dudes, make it last MB! Not to mention there are a bunch of other stuff failing before 100k mi.
A failing front air shock is indeed a safety issue, in my opinion. Imagine you're going 75MPH and the air shock blows out, you could lose control of the air. If MB has sold as many cars with airmatic as those Toyotas with sticky gas padels, I can assure you that some people could have gotten hurt seriously. I would have no doubt that a safety recall could have taken place. So far, no one has gotten hurt because of airmatic failures, so no recalls.
No wonder the resale value of any MB goes down the drain once it rolls out of the dealer show room. A 12-yr old Honda Civic has higher resale value than a 12-yr old MB C-class if both cars have over 150k mi. It's a love-hate relationship w/ MB, I'll see how long this relationship will last. I won't buy another airmatic, that's for sure. As long as there are enough rich people on this planet, MB will definitely survive since most of them don't keep their MBs beyond the 70k mi mark or the lease terms.

lkchris

USA Gov't recalls are issued ONLY for emissions or safety issues.

Good luck convincing anybody this is either.

Doc111

$ your ox just hasn't been gored yet-my 550SL suspension failed at 5,000 mi--is that "wore out to you ?" Warrenty only covered part leaving me with $1500 bill & I've run 2 MBs every few years since 1984--NO MORE, I can't afford the grief !

Doc111

My 2007 550 SL is in shop with ABS/SAM failure with 7000 miles on it-no one will drive it as unilateral suspension went out on trip & then brakes, etc. Would like another MB, but again, can not take the down time & risks. My 2008 550S has been in shop about 8 times with 48K mi on it-several not under warrenty.