zoink

Guys,

Need a little of your input, particularly from mercedes tech or geeks out there...

I find the car that I like... but it seems there are so many warranty work...

Could it be a problematic (a.k.a. half lemon) car or the owner is **** (like me ) who complained every single little thing that feels not right? Should I feel safer since so many things have been replaced or should I be worried?

Car is CPO and salesman seems to be honest re: car's visual condition (few scratches here and there but overall looks very good for a 3 yr. old car).

Here's the carfax:

Date: Mileage: Source: Comments:
05/15/2006 Pre-delivery inspection completed
05/25/2006 24 Registration - Corporate lease

07/25/2006 Fuses replaced
Electrical system checked
Manufacturer's recommended maintenance performed
Airbag system checked
Engine/powertrain computer/module checked
Fuel tank drained and cleaned
Computer module replaced
Horn contact replaced

09/21/2006 Computer checked
Engine/powertrain computer/module checked

11/14/2006 Engine/powertrain computer/module checked
Chrome/alloy wheels installed
Rear brake pads replaced

04/17/2007 Manufacturer's recommended maintenance performed
Engine/powertrain computer/module reprogrammed
Engine/powertrain computer/module checked
Computer checked
Battery/charging system checked
Oil and filter changed chassis lubricated

05/22/2008 Brakes checked
Chrome/alloy wheels installed
Rear brake pads replaced

09/26/2008 29,223 Tire condition and pressure checked
Steering/suspension checked
Drive belts checked
Maintenance inspection completed
Fluid levels checked
Manufacturer's recommended maintenance performed
Parts ordered
Front wiper blades/refills replaced
Brakes checked
Air suspension compressor replaced
Cooling system checked

11/14/2008 30,874 Transmission checked
Maintenance inspection completed
Air vent/outlet replaced
Electrical system checked
Oil and filter changed chassis lubricated
Automatic transmission replaced

12/17/2008 31,839 Fuses replaced
Manufacturer's recommended maintenance performed
Tail light bulb replaced
Maintenance inspection completed
Oil and filter changed chassis lubricated

05/01/2009 36,711 Battery/charging system checked
Battery replaced

**********************************

And here's the VMI:

4/28/06: Dealer Pre-delivery

7/25/06 (3 months later) @ 1925 miles:
- Damage Code: 0 59389 74 7 >> K/Z, control unit, telephone **Warranty**
- Damage Code: 0 59783 01 7 >> Steering column tube module regulator **Warranty**
- Damage Code: 0 21327 00 8 >> MB Service Welcome, 1st service **Warranty**

8/16/06 (<1 month later) @ 2552 miles:
- Damage Code: 0 51214 74 8 >> K/Z Drive, lock, backrest, fo... **Warranty**
- Damage Code: 0 91065 38 8 >> Cover, seat, lateral, front Lo... **Warranty**
- Damage Code: 0 46270 74 7 >> Contact spiral/volute spring **Warranty**

9/21/06 (1 month later) @ 4020 miles:
- Damage Code: 0 51133 74 8 >> K/Z Rear screen Contact fault **Warranty**

11/14/06 (2 months later) @ 5525 miles:
- Damage Code: 0 42214 53 7 >> Brake pad, rear insufficient **Warranty**

4/17/07 (5 months later) @ 10105 miles:
- Damage Code: 0 27950 31 8 >> Campaign 2007010008, Ck trans **KDM Campaign** (Recall? )
- Damage Code: 0 14900 10 8 >> Campaign 2007010004, Check in **KDM Campaign**

5/22/08 (13 months later) @ 24777 miles:
- Damage Code: 0 01910 10 7 >> Campaign 2007070004, Repl eng **KDM Campaign** (Repl eng??? Replace engine? )

9/26/08 (4 months later) @ 29224 miles:
- Damage Code: 0 20920 10 7 >> Campaign 2008070002, Rep V-Be **KDM Campaign**
- Damage Code: 0 32960 32 7 >> Campaign 2008080001, Repl Com **KDM Campaign** (looks like replace air suspension compressor )

11/14/08 (<2 months later) @ 30889 miles:
- Damage Code: 0 83022 06 7 >> Nozzle, side ventilation broke **Warranty**
- Damage Code: 0 27282 P4 8 >> Drive position D towing **Warranty**
- Damage Code: 0 27282 35 1 >> Drive position D Engagement jo... **Warranty**

12/17/08 (1 month later) @ 31839 miles:
- Damage Code: 0 54157 74 7 >> Fuse, general contact fault/op **Warranty**
- Damage Code: 0 82282 73 7 >> Light source, taillight elctr **Warranty**

5/1/09 (5 months later) @ 36711 miles:
- Damage Code: 0 54001 73 7 >> Battery electrical fault **Warranty**
- Damage Code: 0 54590 54 7 >> Control unit, SAM, rear end no **Warranty**

CWW

Fukkk no...

From the history you posted, that thing has been nothing but problems since day 1. What makes u think it will be any different for you?

Some cars are really the perfect $h!tstorm, I dunno why. This appears to be one of them...

squidj

I'm new to the game, but i would say run like he!!. That thing has been a nightmare in every way since day 1. Unless it's a gift from a disgusted family member, i would definitely keep looking. From the looks of your report you would not be driving it very much anyway.

zoink

Thanks guys... that's my first impression also. The one that turns me completely off is the automatic transmission and air suspension compressor replacement.

What do you mean? FYI, it's an SUV... and I plan to keep it for at least 5 years on this car unless space becomes an issue again (read: having another baby)

Been looking for the diesel one but to no avail... so far

The search continues...

V12Godspeed

How much is he asking?

zoink

Avg. market price... nothing's special. Plus they just got it... so I think they won't budge the price too much.

Either way, I don't think the dealer cares.... they could still tell you that it's a CPO, hence, fully covered. Not sure whether the dealer would have a hard time selling this car... the carfax for some reason is more thorough than what it typically is... pretty much tells you everything. So for avg. joe who doesn't know VMI exists, he could still tell from carfax (unless he's ignorant enough - like me who posted this thread the first time ).

squidj

Easy Bro, I mean because it stays in the shop more than on the road. If you are on the edge now, you really don't want that troublesome car.

JoelE55

Take that car to dessert and burn it?....

zoink

Sorry if you felt they were strong words... no, I kindly asked "what do you mean"... My reading comprehension is not that good, y'know

But the bottom line, I plan to keep the car for quite longer time than I usually do (~2-3 years)... so need to find that doesn't need lots of trips to dealers.

And claim insurance money, which is likely to be more than what was paid for the car?

CynCarvin32

Just picked up my perfectly flawless SL55 from the shop. 4 page VMI. Best used car you could buy. Average person is to out of touch with everything to notice little niggly things. I have had several W140's and R129's and they had 7-8 page VMI's.

Car is fine. This idea of a LEMON is just a phrase people throw around. You cant find a car that has every broken ecu and every bad window motor in it. Things just dont go that way. Likely just a picky owner.

I have had the front suspension re-built, all new shocks over time, new blower, new blower clutch, new seat leather, ball joints etc. Is this car a lemon? No its just called things wear out in 40k miles. A car that has not had it done is just worn out. I am extremely picky with suspensions and get out a pry bar and look at the play in a suspension with 40-50k miles. By 100k miles its just a wobbly joke. Shocks wear out in 30-40k miles guaranteed but most people never notice the reduction in wheel control until its flopping around like a wet noodle.

Plus on my VMI literally 1/3 the items are recall related. Thats just the nature of a 2003-2005 MB. Heck having a totally new exhaust from the headers to the mufflers is a good thing. It wont be worn out at 80k miles rattling like a can filled with quarters.

I just read the actual lines on the vmi posted above. It has had what 2 campaign visits, a visit with a squeaking steering column, a bad rear sam it looks like, a new seat leather, and some other things? Thats nothing. I had three W211's around this age and all had those same things and more. None were bad cars at all. As for the new trans and the new airmatic pump those get replaced like candy really. If the car sags a tad or u say it is loud the air pump gets replaced. If you complain of rough shifts and a rough engagement into first you get a new trans and valve body. Back in that time MB still just threw parts at cars as it was easier than finding the exact little cause. Car shifts funny... give it a new trans, tq converter and flash the TCU.

Air Marshall Eldritch

Look on the bright side, all that stuff is already taken care of. There aren't that many parts left to break.

zoink

Thanks... that's my other side of the thought.... it's absolutely a possibility that the previous owner was very picky... heck, my cars and previous cars may have gotten longer VMI than this (just like yours)... but to be honest, the same thought lingers my mind also... what if the future buyers think my cars are problematic, while in all actualities, it's just me who's picky?

But anyway... one little info that makes me sway towards the other end.... if you look at my original post... take a look at 5/25/06 carfax report... This car was a leased car.

Now... I don't think any reasonable person who leases a car would always like to have the car in a top top shape (fine fine... AMG owners excluded ) and is willing to leave the car at the shops for significant amount of time while keep paying the lease, right? My guess... over the course of 3 years, this car must've been in the shop for more than 1 month.... may be closer to 2 months (heck, it took my car over a day to replace a simple SRS harness).

Pardon me if I'm wrong... but I don't think MBUSA would refund x% of your lease because the car is in the shop, right?

And another consideration... this car is a GL (sorry if I post this on W211 makes you think it's an E55 )... it was first introduced in 2007. So this car is clearly one of the first in the market.... so chances are there were quite few bugs to be sorted out. Granted GL might use a lot of parts from other models... but needless to say, this makes me lean towards problematic car side of thoughts... not picky owner.

Anyway, that's my thought... I've decided to pass on this car. If anyone is interested in this loaded & very good exterior & interior condition GL, PM me... I'll let you know the dealer's contact.

CWW

No comparison. This isn't a 15yr old W140 (love the 140's BTW), which you'd expect to have a 10-page VMI. This thing is less than 3 years old, and its VMI already looks like Tupac's rap sheet. This isn't normal maintenance. MB is lucky the owner didn't make them lemon law it. For christfukkinsakes, it's two years old and it looks like it already may have had a new engine, major suspension failure, tranny issues, ate a set of brake pads by 5k miles (wtf is up with that?) etc., etc., etc.

I guess this may be a "to each their own" kinda thing, but personally if this thing has been this bad already, then I wouldn't ever want to own it. Cars don't usually get more reliable as they age...