alextaylor29

So I dropped my E55 off at the dealer to replace a drivers slide leaky valve cover (very common problem apparently) and sat in a few cars in their show room. Gl550, S550, CLS550 etc and I must say the, "Solidness/Build Quality" seems to be back for MB. I must have sat in about 8 of them.

Additionally they gave me a C350 loaner (No C63 AMG sadly WTF?) with only 3k miles on it and it felt very solid while driving it home. So even their base model car felt great. I'm very happy wtih my E55 and will keep it for many years and I have debated in buying another MB given the past quality issues they've had.

My impressions seems that they're turning this around can anyone concur or am I on crack?

Basically I was very impressed particually with S550 I sat in. Just curious as to your opinions here, ie. would you by another MB removing performance/power from your equation? (Because that would just not be fair!)

Thanks.

Alex

novae500

The last time i had warranty work, they gave me a 2011 c350 4matic with 7k miles on it. It was nice i must say and looked solid. I was surprised at how much it cost. Same price as a used E55 05/06 a year ago ($30s)

alextaylor29

Yes good point. I think the trick with MB's is always buy them used just so long as the build quality is coming back. (Which I believe is).

Right now you can pick up a nice CLS550 with low miles in the low $30K's which isn't bad! 2 years from now I'll be able to pick up a nice S550 for the mid/high $30's. That's the price of a new Honda Accord!

Anyway thanks for the feedback, I think I might be buying MB for life now.

Alex

moosejaw

I honestly think you are correct in that assumption.
I sat in a new E63 yesterday and was surprised at the quality of the materials.
Let's see if the relaibility holds up.

One surprise in the E63 was that there is no electric AC controls for the back seat like they had in the W211. Also i felt the back seat was kind of small.

Jakpro1

Getting there but still some work to be done.

2012 TTCLS cars rattling at 60mph+

TonyC

Tested the new GLK before going for the e55 used. That was an absolute POS, and is built in Germany. Have gotten 2 rental C-classes from the dealership recently, both were solid, but not $10K nicer than an Accord.

And every time I look the 5 pages of my (warrantied) work order, it makes me regret buying 'nother Benz. Praise the extended warranty, else I'd be puckering my anus whenever the car is dropped off at the shop.

stockC43

As a tech for 7 years I have seen the common problems, and I would say the quality is much better. obviously the 722.9 (7gtronic) trans has had its issues at first but of the last 2-3 years of production is much better. as far as the engines the 272-273 is junk, that's why there all ready being eliminated. from heads to balance shafts, to cam solenoids, to m.e's (ecu) they have had many problems. The new cars for the most part are much better in most ways however these are not hondas. There are many more components and electronics that also add more failure points, but those components are also what makes driving these cars so great. most repairs on 2010 and newer are minor stupid things, nothing like the 03-04 era.

Evoguy

I drove a S63 and the new ML, they felt way above my W211's. I think I would stick with MB for a very long time.

alextaylor29

Thanks guys this helps! My plan is to keep my E55 past 100K miles when my warranty expires (it has 65k miles now) and then buy either a 2007 or 2008 S550 or CLS550 and use that for my daily driver.

This way I can keep my E55 rocket for weekend fun and still have something nice as a DD. As S550 with the optional 20 inch AMG wheels looks sharp! And the interior is stunning. I'm 6'2 240 lbs and sitting the back seat and I room for miles. A year or 2 from now I'll be able to pick up a nice 2007-2008 low(er) miles S550 in the mid to high 30's which is a smokin' deal!

I'll still get an extended warranty of course.

A used CLS55 might be calling my name though but then I'll have to mod that one like crazy and it won't be faster than my E55 (as it's heavier) so why go there as only bad things can happen.

Yacht Master

Funny, all new models cost less to produce than their predessor, in the case of the E class the W 212 cost $5000 less model to model (350=350, 550=550, 63=63) to produce than the w211. A few of the items that MB did away with AirMatic, SBC account for a good portion of the savings. In 2008 MB did major cost cutting like all auto builders did.
But to say the build quality is back, LOL it has been gone since the late 80's

alextaylor29

I remember riding in my grand parents MB (this is what inspired me to own one) as a boy (It was a 60's model, white 4 door), and I remember getting in and out of the backseat and marvelling at how solid/percise everything was.

Again I was only 6-7 years old but it made a huge impression on me. When I closed the door shut is closed with a crisp/solid thud.

I'm telling you though, when I sat in a 2012 S550 (it has the new turbo V8 motor) and close the drivers door and sounded just like that. I sat in the back and felt the same thing.

Yeah I know it wasn't a test drive but the more I looked at the car, it's fit and finish, the more I was impressed.

Again this is just my opinion of course.

Alex