Maybach (W240) Produced 2002-2012

Maybach 57 Nightmare electrical defect in dash?

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Old May 31, 2019 | 11:50 PM
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2006 SL 65 Renntech
Maybach 57 Nightmare electrical defect in dash?

I am looking to purchase a Maybach 57. Having owned a couple of S65's the V12 does not worry me and I know they are relatively worry free. However every Maybach I seem to find has unresolved electrical problems as diagnosed by the OBD, or has had them repaired by a new dash or console assembly in first few years. It seems almost every car I look at had or still has electrical problems related to the TPMS, trunk closer, engine light, door closers, etc, or other constant warning lights. Pin "101" seems to surface frequently suggesting a short circuit problem.
Any others encountering this apparent undisclosed "Maybach Nightmare"

Last edited by LenV12; Feb 4, 2021 at 04:58 PM.
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Old Sep 15, 2019 | 07:43 AM
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2004 W240 Maybach 57
Originally Posted by LenV12
Any others encountering this apparent undisclosed "Maybach Nightmare"
Not at all. I've had my 2004 3 years now, purchased March 2016. Have put 15K miles on her. The only issue I've had is with ABS/ESP dropping offline. It only seems to happen on long road trips. First experienced on my drive home after purchasing out of state (Utah). Took to local MB dealer to diagnose, and they were inconclusive, but suggested a wheel speed sensor on one of the rear wheels. Problem resolves after shutting down and restarting. Next experienced about a year ago returning home from an 800 mile in-state trip. Same indications and resolved after shutting down and restarting. Does not occur during routine daily drives.

I'd suggest that location might have some effect. My car spent its life in the West. Cali, Utah and now Colorado. Maybe East coast cars, esp. Southeast USA, might have issues due to higher humidity of the environment.
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Old Sep 16, 2019 | 12:41 PM
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Maybach Electrical problems unresolved.

[QUOTE=SilberGrau57;7854401]Not at all. I've had my 2004 3 years now, purchased March 2016. Have put 15K miles on her. The only issue I've had is with ABSSlight rewording for consideration: It only seems to happen on long road trips. First experienced on my drive home after purchasing out of state (Utah). Took to local MB dealer to diagnose, and they were inconclusive, but suggested a wheel speed sensor on one of the rear wheels. Problem resolves after shutting down and restarting. Next experienced about a year ago returning home from an 800 mile in-state trip. Same indications and resolved after shutting down and restarting. Does not occur during routine daily drives.

I'd suggest that location might have some effect. My car spent its life in the West. Cali, Utah and now Colorado. Maybe East coast cars, esp. Southeast USA, might have issues due to higher humidity of the environment.[/Q

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Old Sep 16, 2019 | 12:59 PM
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My experience is that MB always says the problem is unfounded, or corrects the dash light, just to leave the memory recorded in the OBD until the next time.

The problem seems prevalent in the TPMS, ABS, door closure and trunk closure warning systems. Although the systems check out, some cars are corrected by full dash and/or console and/or wiring replacement. I can only assume this is indicative of a factory defective wiring harness or dash unit. I have no awarness that MB has admitted to this defect but it is apparent that many cars have received replacement Dash units or similar as above usually done within the first two years.

I am sure there are Owners herein that received factory warranty repairs as noted. However MB is selective and difficult in the application of the required repair. I just reviewed one 2005 that the original owner consistantly had problems since new with electrical warning lights. His tolerance level to take the vehicle in every three or four months to correct the "dash" lights was commendable only to face what was now an out of warranty problem that MB refused to acknowledge or correct.

I would suggest if you are unsure have an OBD check done and see what error codes are stored.
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Old Jan 31, 2024 | 05:34 PM
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Maybach 62
Did you end up purchasing one?
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Old Feb 3, 2024 | 07:39 PM
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Maybach electrical dash problems

No, hesitate to buy a Maybach 57 with the likes of low mileage Bentley Mulsanne at $75–95k and Rolls Phantoms under $100k not to mention Mercedes S600 Maybachs in the same price range. So to spend $60-$80k for a low mileage mint Maybach 57 is a tough decision. Perhaps the rarer vehicle, but not a sufficient factor in this group.
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Old Feb 3, 2024 | 08:01 PM
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Maybach 62
Originally Posted by LenV12
No, hesitate to buy a Maybach 57 with the likes of low mileage Bentley Mulsanne at $75–95k and Rolls Phantoms under $100k not to mention Mercedes S600 Maybachs in the same price range. So to spend $60-$80k for a low mileage mint Maybach 57 is a tough decision. Perhaps the rarer vehicle, but not a sufficient factor in this group.
I own a 62 and a 57s and they are great , I owned a Bentley gt & flying spur. As well as a phantom & ghost before and let me tell you the build quality of the Maybach is so much better. You need one!
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Old Feb 3, 2024 | 08:06 PM
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Maybach Quality compared to Rolls, Bentley

Originally Posted by Patryk09
I own a 62 and a 57s and they are great , I owned a Bentley gt & flying spur. As well as a phantom & ghost before and let me tell you the build quality of the Maybach is so much better. You need one!
Thanks, interesting comparison from an owner.
how did you find the ride of the three compared? What is your current choice, have you looked at the Wraith?
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Old Feb 3, 2024 | 08:58 PM
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Maybach 62
Originally Posted by LenV12
Thanks, interesting comparison from an owner.
how did you find the ride of the three compared? What is your current choice, have you looked at the Wraith?
the phantom was nice, but had some misfire issues. Would stay away from an early phantom.

I had 2 ghosts, 2014 and a 2016. They ride nice on the highway but around town or traffic the transmission felt confused on both of them. Very jerky. I thought something was broken when I first got the 2014 so I traded it for the 2016 and the same thing happened. I then Drove my friends wraith and the same exact thing. It’s like rolls Royce’s transmission tuning isn’t there.

The Bentleys were nice but ehh didn’t do much for me.

out of them all I would choose the Maybach’s any day of the week. They drive and feel great. Yes they can have their quirks but it doesn’t bother me much. It’s an older German car , have to expect some things. But nothing ever major. The alternators and shocks are the most expensive repair on these but there are solutions to them. There’s a company that rebuilds the alternators for $2500 and shocks are actually available for 3k each. Quite pricey yes but it’s so worth it. I love these cars and will never sell them. And once you do the alternator or shocks you’ll have peace for another 10 years or more.
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Old Feb 4, 2024 | 04:41 AM
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Originally Posted by Patryk09
I had 2 ghosts, 2014 and a 2016. They ride nice on the highway but around town or traffic the transmission felt confused on both of them. Very jerky. I thought something was broken when I first got the 2014 so I traded it for the 2016 and the same thing happened. I then Drove my friends wraith and the same exact thing. It’s like rolls Royce’s transmission tuning isn’t there.
Those generation Ghosts are essentially V-12 BMW 7-Series with nicer interiors. I drove BMW M760i xDrive and it doesn't hold a candle to Maybach 57. The main thing I noticed is hesitation during throttle tip-in. The BMW seemed to require extra throttle input to get moving off the line and is not linear. In the Maybach, the tip-in is linear and confidence inspiring. In the BMW, it was as if you were not sure the car was going to move and then it moves too much. Maybe it is something you can used to, but I like the throttle response in the Maybach. I will say, I find that I need to have the tranny in S to force starts in 1st gear for the best take-off performance. When in C, the tranny starts in 2nd gear, and while still linear, there is a lot more revving before the car gets moving.
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Old Feb 4, 2024 | 01:52 PM
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Maybach vs. BMW M760

Originally Posted by SilberGrau57
Those generation Ghosts are essentially V-12 BMW 7-Series with nicer interiors. I drove BMW M760i xDrive and it doesn't hold a candle to Maybach 57. The main thing I noticed is hesitation during throttle tip-in. The BMW seemed to require extra throttle input to get moving off the line and is not linear. In the Maybach, the tip-in is linear and confidence inspiring. In the BMW, it was as if you were not sure the car was going to move and then it moves too much. Maybe it is something you can used to, but I like the throttle response in the Maybach. I will say, I find that I need to have the tranny in S to force starts in 1st gear for the best take-off performance. When in C, the tranny starts in 2nd gear, and while still linear, there is a lot more revving before the car gets moving.

I have been driving BMW V12’s for about 10 years, most recently the latest M760 version so your comparison is quite interesting. I haven’t notice the hesitation referenced, but I am not comparing to a Maybach. My last several BMW V12’s have been exceptionally reliable, and inexpensive to maintain, very happy with them. I would think the M760 would have much better performance numbers all around than the Maybach other than ride quality, an important quality in this grouping. I have owned several MB S65’s, great cars particularly the engine common to Maybach, but MB service attitude irritating. However the BMW latest rendition of their V12 is IMHO comparable to the MB V12.
In summary, I think the Maybach may be the best collectable of the bunch as advised. Thanks. Shall see what I can find.
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Old Feb 4, 2024 | 01:58 PM
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Maybach 62
Originally Posted by LenV12
I have been driving BMW V12’s for about 10 years, most recently the latest M760 version so your comparison is quite interesting. I haven’t notice the hesitation referenced, but I am not comparing to a Maybach. My last several BMW V12’s have been exceptionally reliable, and inexpensive to maintain, very happy with them. I would think the M760 would have much better performance numbers all around than the Maybach other than ride quality, an important quality in this grouping. I have owned several MB S65’s, great cars particularly the engine common to Maybach, but MB service attitude irritating. However the BMW latest rendition of their V12 is IMHO comparable to the MB V12.
In summary, I think the Maybach may be the best collectable of the bunch as advised. Thanks. Shall see what I can find.

Ive driven a m760 before and it’s nice. Not sure why but the RR ghost’s like to hesitate. I think RR messed up the transmission tune on them all lol. Because I drove a Cullinan and it’s the same transmission but it feels better. Still hesitates a bit but no where near a ghost. If you have the chance to drive a ghost go in some stop and go traffic and you’ll see what I mean. If you lightly press the gas to go as the car in front of you starts to move and then you let go of the gas usually a car should be smart enough to gently slow you down , the ghosts jerk like crazy. The Maybach’s are so smooth. For using an older 5 speed transmission it’s very smooth. Which is crazy that I am comparing a 5 speed transmission to a new ZF8.
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Old Feb 5, 2024 | 08:05 PM
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Maybach 62
@LenV12 i would bid on this if i were you https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2008-maybach-57-7/
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