Will you buy a Mercedes Again?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,764
Likes: 9
From: Blasting off!
CLS63 Designo Edition, Hyundai Genesis 3.8 , Veloster Turbo, CLS500(Sold), E320 (SMOKED) R500 (Sold)
Yup they wanna setup that whole "luxury experience" for people 
when my warranties run out, I never step foot into the dealer for service or repairs, but then again we are lucky here in a LA as there are many indy shops. I know it's not the same everywhere.
Been thinking about one of those 2013 V6 genesis coupe's actually.
I think all the valve bodies are bad on the 7gtronic cars. I had an uncle that had to have his changed on his S550 at 15K miles. Ridiculous. Oh and the transmission on my car, horrible. Thing has a brand new transmission since 55K miles and it still never drives right. Have it looked at, had the torque converter readapted, but nope, the same problems keep coming up: delay shifting from 2 > 3, jerking at low speeds in parking lots, now slight jerking after the car shifts to 3 and the rpms are around 1800-2000. When I do the computer reset thing for the adaptive driving it kind of helps, but they just come back. Maybe the whole computer is just shot
when my warranties run out, I never step foot into the dealer for service or repairs, but then again we are lucky here in a LA as there are many indy shops. I know it's not the same everywhere.Been thinking about one of those 2013 V6 genesis coupe's actually.
I think all the valve bodies are bad on the 7gtronic cars. I had an uncle that had to have his changed on his S550 at 15K miles. Ridiculous. Oh and the transmission on my car, horrible. Thing has a brand new transmission since 55K miles and it still never drives right. Have it looked at, had the torque converter readapted, but nope, the same problems keep coming up: delay shifting from 2 > 3, jerking at low speeds in parking lots, now slight jerking after the car shifts to 3 and the rpms are around 1800-2000. When I do the computer reset thing for the adaptive driving it kind of helps, but they just come back. Maybe the whole computer is just shot
Good grief on the trans..sounds like a nightmare.
When I was poor, I admire all those people who can afford to drive such expensive cars. Then when I can afford one myself, I realize what I really admire is those people who can afford to keep these cars running.
Nice driving machines, they are. Reliable and economical, far from it.
But we are still suckered into it. Wife just picked up a 2012 E, even after all the horrors we had with the 2005 E. But this time, we bought extended warranty. Like that's going to save us. LOL
Nice driving machines, they are. Reliable and economical, far from it.
But we are still suckered into it. Wife just picked up a 2012 E, even after all the horrors we had with the 2005 E. But this time, we bought extended warranty. Like that's going to save us. LOL
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,085
Likes: 59
From: Los Angeles
2009 SL550 Roadster Diamond White, 2008 CLK550 Coupe Obsidian Black
Ya, the damn thing is haunted lol. Had my cousin and his friend in the car the other day and was taking them back to their work after lunch, the damn thing did the "low speed shudder" 3 times in the restaurant parking lot it's pretty embarrassing at this point. idk at this point, maybe the whole torque converter and tcu need to be changed out
it's pretty embarrassing at this point. idk at this point, maybe the whole torque converter and tcu need to be changed out
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,139
Likes: 41
Tesla Model S P100D
I was planning to keep the car longer than 10 years when I purchased the car in 11/2002. But after the terrible experience with the W211 reliability issues,and with the coming gas odor and Airmatic issues, I am going to trade it for a 2012 MDX this weekend. I live in NJ and a big Acura dealer in Northern VA offered me a deal I just can't refuse, like almost 8K off sticker! Going to make the deal this weekend.
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
2008 E350 Sedan
I've had an 01 E and now I have an 08 E. I won't be buying another because of the design change. The new E looks just like every other mid sized sedan out there. I'll keep the 08 for as long as I can, but probably move to Cadillac in the future for their distinctive styling.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 723
Likes: 32
From: Central Jersey
2003 E500, 2004 G35X
Can't wait another year. My car may need the Airmatic replacement anytime soon and the gas odor problem can cost me a bunch also. The reason I buying it it's because my son got a great deal at a big northern Virginia dealer. They gave him 7.5K off the list. That with the potential repair bills I mentioned earlier prompted me to buy the car this past weekend. Traded mine for 9.7K. The MDX drives like a car and it's rated at the top for luxury SUVs with the reliability to match!
Last edited by Flash Gordon; Jul 3, 2012 at 04:33 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,085
Likes: 59
From: Los Angeles
2009 SL550 Roadster Diamond White, 2008 CLK550 Coupe Obsidian Black
Can't wait another year. My car may need the Airmatic replacement anytime soon and the gas odor problem can cost me a bunch also. The reason I buying it it's because my son got a great deal at a big northern Virginia dealer. They gave him 7.5K off the list. That with the potential repair bills I mentioned earlier prompted me to buy the car this past weekend. Traded mine for 9.7K. The MDX drives like a car and it's rated at the top for luxury SUVs with the reliability to match!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 4,975
Likes: 1,343
From: Cincinnati
2010 E350 4Matic
When I was poor, I admire all those people who can afford to drive such expensive cars. Then when I can afford one myself, I realize what I really admire is those people who can afford to keep these cars running.
Nice driving machines, they are. Reliable and economical, far from it.
But we are still suckered into it. Wife just picked up a 2012 E, even after all the horrors we had with the 2005 E. But this time, we bought extended warranty. Like that's going to save us. LOL
Nice driving machines, they are. Reliable and economical, far from it.
But we are still suckered into it. Wife just picked up a 2012 E, even after all the horrors we had with the 2005 E. But this time, we bought extended warranty. Like that's going to save us. LOL
Despite my disappointment with my E350 I will buy another Benz. This one will be a new C. I think that they are better built than my E was.
Last edited by MBNUT1; Jul 3, 2012 at 06:54 PM.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 341
Likes: 4
From: Columbia, MO
E320 & X166
I will try to always have a Merc. As reliable as mine has been, I plan on keeping it for quite some time. I may buy another car but always keep this one. I can never live with how cheap other cars' materials feel next to the Germans'. The Acura has always been at the top of my favorite cars; after experiencing the driving dynamics (especially the brakes!!!) of my X5 the MDX just doesn't feel right. I would move to one just due to the maintenance/hassle free ownership though.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,319
Likes: 251
From: Virginia
W212 M276 DELA 30 ; W211 M113k, W126 M117, W126 OM617, W211 OM642 ; R107 M117 X2, Sierra 1500 LZ0
In the next five years I'm going to try and get one of the last model years of the current CL, S or CLS classes. The one with the new twin turbo 4.7 liter. I like the diesel, but the fuel economy hasn't been that great compared to even some of the new gassers.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 405
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles, CA
07' IS 350, 08' E550
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
2008 E320
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
2008 E320
fuel eco
They say the 12 will get 32 mpg. I constantly get 37 in ohio and have averaged 28 in the city since I got it. buy the diesel
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 603
Likes: 2
From: Asheville, Atlanta
SL 65 AMG, Porsche 911 (993), 2014 Cayenne GTS, 2013 Toyota Highlander Limited
No.......after owning Porsches, Lexus, Audi, BMW and Mercedes.....
if I want a super reliable car = Lexus
if I want a car that is in the shop all the time with $ = maybe another Mercedes ( experience with over a dozen over engineered Benzes - even the old tanks)
if I want a car I look forward to driving all the time = Porsche
if I want a car with poor quality build, but fun = BMW
Therefore, would buy another Porsche.....
if I want a super reliable car = Lexus
if I want a car that is in the shop all the time with $ = maybe another Mercedes ( experience with over a dozen over engineered Benzes - even the old tanks)
if I want a car I look forward to driving all the time = Porsche
if I want a car with poor quality build, but fun = BMW
Therefore, would buy another Porsche.....
Last edited by abiazis; Jul 19, 2012 at 06:44 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 4,173
Likes: 7
From: Puerto Rico
2005 E55 AMG
The more luxuries the car has, the more likely something will go wrong. Unfortunately for some, the dealer will always try to rape you. I do my own work 100% of the time so it makes my car cheap to maintain. If I didn't, I could never afford a benz.
With that said, I would absolutely buy another benz. I would just not buy a V12 AMG benz nor one that has ABC. I'm afraid of them...lol.
With that said, I would absolutely buy another benz. I would just not buy a V12 AMG benz nor one that has ABC. I'm afraid of them...lol.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 308
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
03 Eclass, 03 BMW 06 Porsche Cayman S, 03 Harley Davidson "bored & stroked"
03 92K miles, bought new, has been very reliable and low maintenance so far. came with the pre-paid service to 50K, so only paid for the service on the last 40K miles. Service by the book/computer with oil changes once a year. Tranny mount, 6 CD player, heater control valve, ball joint, thats about all i can think of, covered by warranty. Its been a very good vehicle, plan to drive another 5 years/50k miles and buy another new one....
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,764
Likes: 9
From: Blasting off!
CLS63 Designo Edition, Hyundai Genesis 3.8 , Veloster Turbo, CLS500(Sold), E320 (SMOKED) R500 (Sold)
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 10,557
Likes: 24
From: Earth
Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
Your experiences with modern Merc's will come down to what models and years you drove. Unfortunately with the W211 and the cars of its era, many owners will have experiences that don't add up to M-B's before and after them (soft, flimsy, problematic).
Fortunately, the newer M-B's have improved quality so dramatically, that they're back at the top of not only the Luxury Car quality/reliability rankings, but almost at the top of all car makers period. Once they shake out the remaining "old guard" models from the 00's, they should do even better.
I understand if someone writes the brand off completely after unacceptable quality control for too long a period, but compared to their closest competitors especially, who are having large scale problems (BMW for instance with their latest cars), M-B's today are launching without a hitch, and have that "Iron-Bull" feeling of M-B's of yonder, IMO.
Fortunately, the newer M-B's have improved quality so dramatically, that they're back at the top of not only the Luxury Car quality/reliability rankings, but almost at the top of all car makers period. Once they shake out the remaining "old guard" models from the 00's, they should do even better.
I understand if someone writes the brand off completely after unacceptable quality control for too long a period, but compared to their closest competitors especially, who are having large scale problems (BMW for instance with their latest cars), M-B's today are launching without a hitch, and have that "Iron-Bull" feeling of M-B's of yonder, IMO.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 603
Likes: 2
From: Asheville, Atlanta
SL 65 AMG, Porsche 911 (993), 2014 Cayenne GTS, 2013 Toyota Highlander Limited
After experience with about a dozen MB models as a restorer, it is highly unlikely that I will not buy another MB......newer ones are just that, new with limited time or miles to really analyze....they may be better than 00's and earlier models but not some of the other brands out there......despite the quality ratings....which are focused on new car delivery issues per 100 cars and hyped to death in the media, not use after 3 years- 5 year ratings, which are not as hyped.....
EX. Porsche was on top of the quality ratings for several years when they had their Intermediate Shaft issue which was due to poor design on their main model 911 - 1999-2008.....they took care of that with new design, but took too long, but it was ridiculous that they were getting those high ratings during that period of time, again hype of new car delivery ratings report......conversely when Mercedes was grading very poorly, their cars were not that bad relatively speaking...
Last edited by abiazis; Jul 19, 2012 at 06:58 AM.
