Automobile quality
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Member
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 100
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From: Columbus, Ohio
95 M3, 98 C280, 97 E320 (sold)
Automobile quality
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 402
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From: Houston
E55
I have to say that Mercedes is not the paragon of build quality that I hoped for. My CL 600 has had a number of interior buzzes and rattles that are impossible to cure. And the dash periodically diplays all blanks in the info window - wonder what that says about long term reliability. It seems that MB , under pressure to up the content can't keep the quality up to par - e.g. my auto up feature on the drivers window only worked intermittently and three tries later they finally replaced everything in the window to fix it. When was the last time you heard a Honda owner have a malfunction like that?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 4,781
Likes: 3
From: Boston
'05 A4 1.8TQM6
shame on MB...
They should be better than that. In 1990, they lead the industry and then slowly declined. Maybe they've concentrated their focus on Chrysler and made their quality better than what it was and slipped on MB's end. But, I have faith that MB will clean up their act for the next generation of cars and hopefully be back at the top 
Anyone agree/disagree?
They should be better than that. In 1990, they lead the industry and then slowly declined. Maybe they've concentrated their focus on Chrysler and made their quality better than what it was and slipped on MB's end. But, I have faith that MB will clean up their act for the next generation of cars and hopefully be back at the top Anyone agree/disagree?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,065
Likes: 1
From: Florida
2002 CLK 55 AMG Coupe ;)
Yes, MB is loosing loyal customers.
MB must start post haste an aggressive correction campaign.
1. The first step is to admit that mistakes have been made during the last years, because of...
the war in Kosovo, where all their quality control managers were mandated/required to serve -- by
Chancellor Schroeder.
2. Pay customer $200 for each bonafide defect during the warranty period plus free MB loaner.
MB must show actual commitment to quality - NOW!!
Window-dressing and resting on their laurels does not cut it anymore...
when SUBARU and FORD trumps MB in all quality surveys over long and short-term periods.
MB must start post haste an aggressive correction campaign.
1. The first step is to admit that mistakes have been made during the last years, because of...
the war in Kosovo, where all their quality control managers were mandated/required to serve -- by
Chancellor Schroeder.
2. Pay customer $200 for each bonafide defect during the warranty period plus free MB loaner.
MB must show actual commitment to quality - NOW!!
Window-dressing and resting on their laurels does not cut it anymore...
when SUBARU and FORD trumps MB in all quality surveys over long and short-term periods.
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Super Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 595
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From: Middlefield, CT
1994 E320
I've juggled the idea of defecting from Mercedes to Honda. I own an '88 260E which, I think, is a million times better than my mother's 2000 C280. I don't think she's had many problems with her C280, but the design of the cars has gotten cheesier over the years. If I were to get another MB, it would be something old, like a 124. However, they are not without their problems, namely engine malfunctions and the quirky KE fuel injection. My SRS control unit has an irreparable fault (#10) which necessitates replacement of the control unit, something I hope I can get for free.
I'd like to see MBs built like they were years ago, but with today's technological advancements included. Even the piezo buzzer and economy gauge (very useful, might I add) should be reinstated.
I'd like to see MBs built like they were years ago, but with today's technological advancements included. Even the piezo buzzer and economy gauge (very useful, might I add) should be reinstated.
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Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 347
Likes: 0
Not a Benzer anymore
Will You Have Your MB in 20 Years?
It just doesn't seem like the MB of lore.
But I wonder if every generation says the same thing... (With the surveys and magazine articles, it seems worse than before).
Oh Well - One good thing is that none of us is tied to that Star, and as long as we can spend our money elsewhere....
Just soap boxing - Thanks!
But I wonder if every generation says the same thing... (With the surveys and magazine articles, it seems worse than before).
Oh Well - One good thing is that none of us is tied to that Star, and as long as we can spend our money elsewhere....
Just soap boxing - Thanks!
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 412
Likes: 0
From: Derbyshire, England
I also beleave that MB quality has fallen since the early '90s.
I bought my first MB at the tender age of 19. It was a old 1981 200 example with not much history, over 150000 miles and the usual W123 rust but in two years it never so much as lost a beat. I then decided to swap it for a nicer (1984 200) with electric windows/roof etc. which was lower mileage and had been looked after well and serviced by MB, 6 years later and the only problem experienced was a £10 fuel pump. My next Benz was a 230CE which again was trouble free for 7 years except for the exhaust centre & back box (£180) and rear brake discs & pads (£60). considering I sold this car for £600 less than I paid for it the car only cost me £120 per year to own (excluding services, fuel & insurance)
.
Then came the mistake, selling the 230CE for a C180. In a matter of 6 months this full dealer history car suffered a broken heater (would only blow hot air), failed wiper motor, ABS problems, SRS problems and then the engine developed a loud rattling noise
.
My current E220 which I've owned since Feb has suffered a faulty throtle body, failed airflow sensor, idle problems, SRS light randomly coming on and now I fear a blown headgasket
.
So I'm now pondering whether to revert back to a '80s Merc. or even dabble with the dark side (BMW
)
I bought my first MB at the tender age of 19. It was a old 1981 200 example with not much history, over 150000 miles and the usual W123 rust but in two years it never so much as lost a beat. I then decided to swap it for a nicer (1984 200) with electric windows/roof etc. which was lower mileage and had been looked after well and serviced by MB, 6 years later and the only problem experienced was a £10 fuel pump. My next Benz was a 230CE which again was trouble free for 7 years except for the exhaust centre & back box (£180) and rear brake discs & pads (£60). considering I sold this car for £600 less than I paid for it the car only cost me £120 per year to own (excluding services, fuel & insurance)
. Then came the mistake, selling the 230CE for a C180. In a matter of 6 months this full dealer history car suffered a broken heater (would only blow hot air), failed wiper motor, ABS problems, SRS problems and then the engine developed a loud rattling noise
.My current E220 which I've owned since Feb has suffered a faulty throtle body, failed airflow sensor, idle problems, SRS light randomly coming on and now I fear a blown headgasket
.So I'm now pondering whether to revert back to a '80s Merc. or even dabble with the dark side (BMW
)
