Munich77

Nope 2008 535 xi - but I think they are on like round 3 or 4 of revisions for the fuel injectors on the BMW V8.

K-A

I'm guessing it's a pre-2013 model 5er? Night and day difference from the 2013+ models (the 2011's were especially technological and packaging disasters, his car sounds like one).

Tell him to check out Bimmerfest forums, lots of helpful people on there. 550's have tons more issues than the 535i's (such as injectors and such), as well, I'd tell him to not give up on BMW just yet since he does like how the car drives, as the F10 5ers after 2013 model year are exactly how the car should have been packaged and tested from the beginning (namely RWD M Sport models). You'll notice about all the complaints about those cars came from the first 2 years of model years.

If it's a new model, I'd say his options are much better to get out of that car. I have seen a person or two on the boards with 550's that are still a little more fickle than the other 5er models. If it's an older model, I'd recommend selling it and getting another one, or if he's too bitter about the brand, another car. I can't stress enough how much I'd recommend sticking with a 2013+ 5 Series, when it comes to the current generation. In fact, if it's a 550i, then stick to just 2014+ models as they come with the 445 HP new V8 engine which are said to be more reliable as well.

Sorry for the

Yes, exactly, the injector issue on BMW V8's are too common. Though, the new N63tu on the 2014+ 5ers appear to have mostly resolved the issue (BMW claims it's fixed, it seems fixed, though I have seen only one poster with a 2014 550 say his injectors had issues). The 4 (blech) and 6 cylinder 5 Series don't have any injector issues of the like, however.

drsaab

Yeah but the 2013 and 2014 BMW are so new how can you tell the reliability accurately. I am sure if you look at 7 series and 5 series posts from 2011 and 2012 they were all raving they car is so reliable yet they all have like 7k miles on the cars etc. Long term still mb is much more reliable in my opinion. I had a 2010 with 80k and no issues and a 2006 with 130k and solid. Never had a Bmw I trusted with those miles. I guess if your comparing to a lemon like the 2002-2004 7 series sure the new BMW are reliable. Couldn't get worse than that for sure.

And yes KA you don't need to repeat to us the W212 sucked for you both times and you love BMW. I'm just talking general long term reliability.

2006_C350

interested to see what MBUSA offers you Peter. Good luck and I hope everything works out!

K-A

The 2011 and 2012 F10's were immediately riddled with problems. This is why they separate "initial quality" with long term. Initial quality on the especially 6 cylinder F10's have been pretty flawless, at least relative to the class, from 2013 on (2013 models have been on the roads for almost 2 years now).

Long term, it's all still in question between all these cars. Mercedes has always been known for their long term lasting ability, though not as much in modern times (i.e since 2000-ish). The most recent generations are of course more in question since they've improved things since 10 years ago. I can go by my own basis' and my M-B's were dependable, but all had quality quirks which I had to take in immediately for.

I think in this segment, all models will be "hit or miss". What isn't up for debate, are certain trends, such as M-B's 7G which has gone 10 years as the same POS it was when it launched (and believe me, people were calling it a POS back then as well). Or the 550i's annoying injector issue which may or may not have been mended in recent years (seems slightly so, but jury still out).

As for 10-20 years from now, it's kind of scary to think how these cars technology bits will last. The new S Class looks like in 10 years from now it'll be worth $10K as I don't know who in their right minds would drive something with so many "gadgets" and reliance on electronics, down to the suspension of course, out of warranty.

drsaab

Wow. We can totally agree on your last post! Amazing.

instantfob

... Most S Class buyers will simply write them off on their taxes and get a new one whenever the warranty is up.

C280 Sport

10 Year old S Classes are going for more then 10k. Unless you have 200,000 miles on it or it is a poor example it will sell for under. So by your statement you are only half correct...
I don't know why people worry so damn much when the car gets old? Why is everyone crying and worrying over a repair bill but has no problem shelling out thousands for a brand new one. I buy used. I drive them for a long long time and enjoy them. If you have to worry about a part here and there and worry about this or that you are in the wrong car. Buy a bus pass!! or a simple car.

PeterUbers

thanks!

PeterUbers

Just got the call, I am getting all of my money refunded including all of the money for extended contracts such as service and extended warranty, hallelujah this madness is over never looking back

hyperion667

congrats man!


so what's the next car???

instantfob

what new car? I was busy looking at hyper's new signature block

Arrie

Good for you man. It surely is not right to have problems like this on a car that cost nearly $80000.

I would like to see what this problem feels like. I have an older E550 and every now and then I feel a little "jolt" at gear shift but this is not a brand new car either as it has 65000+ miles on the ODO. Also I don't have a gear display so I don't know between what gears it happens.
I don't know what MB problem is and why it seems it happens on just one guy on this forum. Could easily be wrong transmission fluid. Yes, MB should know what they put in every car but do they really...?

K-A

And the deity's of car-forum land have smiled upon us.

That's what I mean.... I can't imagine the nightmare a used, high mileage W222 will be. To me, it does matter, being that as an enthusiast, the long term picture of car brands means a lot to me. As a consumer, of course not so much. Mercedes became the infamous Mercedes BECAUSE of how well their cars aged and lasted, not because they were the best performing or spec'd cars when new.

I'm not saying that the W222 will or will not be a reliable car, I'm just saying that, considering it's the most technologically advanced S Class during its respective time since the W220 was (and we saw how that turned out), logically, it'll be un-buyable in due time. Just think about all the cameras, sensors, etc. well-optioned ones have to come with, for one.

SolidGranite

Hasn't the same thing already happened to the 7 series? Those cars can be had for a song when used either lightly or excessively.

K-A

Indeed, all Large Car Luxury Cars in that segment go dirt cheap after some time. The W221 is sort of an outlier because it was Mercedes' return to more fundamental engineering quality rather than electronic-innovation and "gizmos" like the W220 was during its time (W220 introduced many high-tech features at its time, which turned into disasters as the car aged).

The W222 brings back Mercedes wanting to showcase technological innovations, which makes it a risky bet as time goes on. Of course, things are all relative, as the next 7 Series may very well have more high-tech stuff prevalent over the S Class, which would make it just as if not more of a long-term potential disaster story, etc.

Point being, you look at a car like the new S Class, and all the non-mechanical things that can go wrong when the car is old, and wonder how it'll ever retain value in the future as the various little things that would need fixing here and there would be extremely expensive.

stale-bread

Please stop feeding the troll..

PeterUbers

I give benz a lot of credit here, they made this last round short and sweet and gave me what I asked for right away. They took a hit on two cars in a row, the first one even with the fender bender that they had nothing to do with. Trust me when I say I do not weep for this billion dollar company that couldn't deliver two cars back to back that worked appropriately, but kudos for doing the most appropriate thing for their customer.

I hope one day I find myself in a more reliable, better driving Mercedes Benz. The E550 for 2014, other than the trans, was something out of this world -- what a beautiful car!!

Kudos to Mr. Steve Cannon for giving me what I thought was a fair outcome.

But 100% props to my wife for putting up with this, and my boy SolidGranite for being my lifeline!!

THE BEST OR NOTHING!!!!

Arrie

Would you give me the next line for the POWER BALL, please!!!!

K-A

For all the faults and grief I give them on how they handle the long term vision and cachet of the Mercedes-Benz brand, MBUSA proves to be pretty damn good when it comes to getting unhappy customers out of their cars, or working with people on issues like this, gotta give them that.

Munich77

Totally agree on that one KA. Other manufacturers are not so great. It speaks volumes about MB that a disappointed customer like Peter would still consider buying one. I had a pseudo-lemon from another manufacturer and the way the company handled the problems ensured that I will never buy one from that brand.

K-A

Yeah, MBUSA seems to take care of their customers when it comes down to it. Props to them on that! My brief experiences in dealing with them were also good. It goes a long way in terms of retaining customers.

chrisvr6

Yeah, my e350 is so problematic and i still doubt i will stray from mercedes.

C280 Sport

There are a lot of W220's out there with high miles on them. Some members on this forum too! The only thing that kills a older S Class is the Airmatic or ABC system that can be known for trouble. However, with a solution from Arrnot or Strutmaster you have many years of worry free ownership. That is why I see no problem with a car like a S600 on the road for 200,000+ miles. Everyone said this about the 126, 140 and now the 220. Many high mile examples on the road still. At the time the 126,140,220 were the most advanced things on the road. Lots of sensors, screens and all that fun stuff. Same argument being used today with no real solidity behind it.... Cost of ownership is high but it is a S Class...


Reliability is a totally different ball game. Does the car get you from A to B is how reliable. I have had cars that are suppose to be known for being reliable and have left me on the side of the road. Reliability varies per car and can effected based on upkeep but not always as sometimes things just fail.


As a enthusiast you will be the one who keeps the car on the road and does not get rid of it once the warranty runs out because you are worried of spending some money on repairs. Difference between lease people who throw things away and people who take pride in ownership and keep it for many years. Still cheaper to buy a used S Class vs lease or buy a new one. Lease vs buy is subjective however lol.

K-A

In a competitive landscape, it won't only be Mercedes who are so attentive to their customers' problematic cars. I.e, I wouldn't say to stay with a company who've you've had issues with, just because they're attentive. It is assuring when you have firsthand stories of Mercedes doing right by their customers, but when you hear of so many issues with models (saying that that would be the case, for example), that should outweigh all, really, IMO.

Yeah, my first M-B that I bought for myself was a W220 with ABC suspension and 152K miles on it, lol. The cars themselves hold up great, i.e the chassis, frame, drivetrain, etc. It's all the innovative gadgets and whatnot back then that now make simple issues on the car become more expensive than the car is worth itself, nowadays.

I think the W220 S is the most timeless S Class design to have come out since the W126.