joec1101

Not even 6,000 miles on it yet and this thing has been in the shop at least ten times in the past year for warranty issues - the input shaft bearing in the trans failed: new transmission; the ABC suspension system had leakage: new parts ordered from Germany and the car sat for about three weeks at the dealer; comand system failed: new comand system installed; comand system failed a SECOND time: software update pending to fix problem; right cup holder doesn't lock/unlock properly from the closed position: new part installed; AC vent controls don't work at all - air blows from all vents no matter what setting the flow control is on: new part ordered and on its way (car still at dealer since last Saturday)

MB's QC has gone severely downhill. Unless it improves, this will be the last MB I will own - more headache than they're worth.

Maybe it's time to try a BMW?

Who knows...I know I'm sick and tired of dealing with this car. Everytime I drive it, I find something else wrong with it!

Sorry...I really just needed to vent....

vraa

Vent all you want bro. I see that your profile says that your car is a 2004.

Have you thought about lemoning the car?

MJ1133

Forget this post...

MJ1133

My dad has a 2004 SL55 and his has given him problems ever since he got the damn car...He's getting rid of it and getting a new car

Or at least I think its a 2004

NOTKTS

You sure it's not an 05'... The Nav in your picture was from the 05' SL Class

MJ1133

Have no clue...whats the diff between the 2 navs?

NOTKTS

Just the screens...

lorinserbenz

Man your way over the requirements for the lemon law....You need to contact a lawyer and get rid of that car.

StephenK

I would try another dealer for service if at all possible. So many problems can be handled easily by competent dealers. Sometimes MORONS, try to fix one thing with no success and break other things. Give someone else the opportunity to get things right. With your vents and cup holder not working, it almost sounds like someone took the dash out and had no idea how to put it back properly. Did you buy that car new or used???

LovinMercedes

On the outside, the screens. On the inside they are entirely different. The 04 is CD driven and the 05 is DVD driven.

joec1101

The car was purchased brand new.

I'm not so sure about the lemon law thing - I've heard that a vehicle has to be at the dealer for the same problem at least three times without a succesful repair to qualify for lemon law. This hasn't been the case so far. It's just been several *different* "minor" issues.

Maybe it's time to just get rid of the car. I looked at a BMW M3 today. Not quite the style of an SL, but indeed a very nice performance vehicle - sticker is about $65K. Not sure about reliability/quality control issues, though. I guess I need to check the BMW forums for some feedback.

StephenK

Is your dealer any good at service???

To me it sounds like you need to go to another dealer and get this stuff taken care of. When you read the Mercedes brochures about trained technicians, a lot of that is BS. Most of these dealers hire anyone they can get, my local dealer is a prime example of it. Luckily the people they find are all highly skilled and able to work on Mercedes, BMW, Porsche & Volkswagons. These are the dealers that help provide the bad reputation for Mercedes and their reliability.

Take a ride, find a good dealer with GOOD mechanics and put it behind you.

If not, lifes to short, dump it and get something else.

tiggerfink

The lemon law attorneys are free and you have nothing to loose.

LovinMercedes

I just purchased a new 2005 M3 for my wife and the car is approaching 1,500 miles.

So far this is the most amazing car. It is so much fun to drive. Not a luxurious as the SL but certainly more fun to drive.

Absolutely not one problem yet but only 1,500 miles on the car. She is a member of some of the M3 forums. I can tell you from what she tells me most people on the forums love the car and there is some complaining, certainly far less than here.

When they do complain, it tends to be more about the dealer then the care itself.

MJ1133

My parents bought me the M3 and I am also a member of the M3Forum. The car is amazing when the engine is at the 8k RPM redline it is pure bliss. I have had very little problems with my car, and when I do the dealership takes care of it. Also the BMW warrenty is amazing you basicly have to spend no money on the car for the 1st 50k miles, except gas :p

lorinserbenz

Didnt BMW have all kinds of motor problems with the M3's?
I recall reading about the warranties being extended to 100,000 miles and replacement of a bunch of engines. I think it was with the 2003 and 2004???

tandan

thanks lorinser, these beamer lovers are starting to make me gag.

vraa

No I think you are thinking of the very early batch of cars.
It's fixed now though. And I still hate M3's!

tandan: Bimmer. Beemer is for bikes. :p

tandan

thanks, i needed that.

houston9

my sl has only 5000 miles and one day i was on the bridge coming around a curve and my brakes went out i almost went off the bridge i had to push brakes to the floor for it to stop they say its that damn electric braking system 2 diff parts one is 4600$and the other part is 800$

Chris 45971

Wow! Those parts weren't covered under warrantee Houston?

Hey, at least you stopped...

RadSteve

Not that you should have too, but for (hopefully never) next time, always remember that your emergency (parking) brake can be used like a regular brake IF you hold the release while depressing the pedal (it can lock you and spin you around if you don't hold the release...this is what they do to make quick U-turns in films, among other tricks). But I know it's hard to remember when you see yourself heading for the railing! Glad you're ok.

MJ1133

Sue them...