Comments: 1-15, 16-20
Tires had to be replaced every 12000 miles, alignment by the dealer kept changing.
Transmission electrical connector had to be replaced multiple times after fluid leakage and finally the torque convertor, control module and radiator failed. On a Mercedes with slightly over 30000 miles on it!
Beautiful automobile,fun to drive and ride in, but it needed something repaired every time I got in it.
Constant Repairs and Problems.
I just couldn't help, but laugh out loud at this review!!! Thank you so much!! It is ironic that people hold Mercedes up as such an icon of perfection while Consumer Reports lists them as one of the most UNRELIABLE and trouble-prone manufacturers. Virtually every Mercedes line falls at or below the "worse than average" rating, and several fall in the "MUCH worse than average" category.
My family members have owned both Mercedes and Saturns. The Mercedes are great for the ego, but the Saturn is more likely to get you where you want to go for longer at a mere fraction of the cost. Congratulations on a wise decision!!
Anyone who trades a Mercedes into a Saturn needs to have the head checked. What makes you think the Saturn will be any more reliable?
It's a GM car and like most GM products, it's a sub-standard product designed by sleazy bean counters and built with no care.
Actually, Saturn is rated as far more reliable than almost ALL current Mercedes models, as are most GM cars.
Contrary to the common saying, you DO NOT always "get what you pay for".
For ego alone, buy a Mercedes. For dependable transportation at a fifth of the cost (in both purchase price and upkeep) buy a Saturn, or if your ego insists on a more expensive car, try the Lincoln MKS (one of the highest rated cars on the planet for reliability, light years ahead of ALL Mercedes models).
Actually, commenter 06:41 should check out the most recent automotive edition of Consumer Reports. ALL of the domestic "Big Three" manufacturers have higher average overall reliability ratings than Mercedes. I guess the "bean counters" are doing something right.
And for both ego and sensibility, get a Lexus. The name will do wonders for bragging rights and Lexus has always been at the top of the reliability chart ever since it was sold here.
People who buy mercedes, are gullible slaves to social image. Also. Have you ever noticed how most mercedes drivers are - well - fat.
I have a co worker at my job who has a Mercedes E-320, 2003. I have ridden in it before. I comment that this E-320 is like any other car. He says he paid about $55,000 for it. I definitely feel its NOT worth it, especially for how clumsy the reliability is for a Mercedes (I keep hearing about anyway).
Just like one of you said, Mercedes is for people who want to show off how much money he has. But speaking of which, the only kind of people who can afford a car with a price tag like that are mostly old fellas, (and um.. fat too).
I was looking at some used Lexus LS400s, same type of car as the E-320. Then my wife comments to me: "Those look too much like a car for old people". I have to agree with that! They DO look like cars that mostly old people have.
And for this guy, his car is probably worth maybe $22000 now. He lost $30000 in the value!
Even if MB breaks down every now and then, I will never hesitate to buy one.
If Lexus or GM are engineered in the way MB does, they will cost least twice as much and be far less reliable.
If you drive at 200kmh everyday you will never buy anything other than MB for their economic, safety, and comfort. Most cars screw up, both engine and chassis, on high speed/demand driving within 50000 km, and leave you the only option to replace the car. MBs don't, they feel the same even with half a million k's on the odo, even if all done at near redline rev.
I am a owner of 3 MBs and used to own many other japanese cars.
Well pointed out above. Mercedes Benz leads the way for Autobahn ready luxury autombiles and the people who know a good thing. I would say that it is worth the cost, to be the boss. When it comes to solidity of chassis and suspension components plus refined comfort behind the wheel or as a passenger, Mercedes Benz is THE benchmark. I have a 25 yr old 300D that is as solid today as the day it left the factory. This car still looks good inside and out, has NO rattles or squeaks and has allowed me to survive a roll over with it. It is driven hard more often than not and I often get complimented and asked to sell it. The springs in the suspension were changed 12 yrs ago so the ride is still 'magic carpet-like'. It has eaten up long stretches country roads and highway for almost 300,000 miles and after a roll over and fix-up I don't want to sell it.
The newer modern Mercedes cars are far more refined and hi-tech efficient, yet just as solid as the old. Once the warranty is allowed to serve its purpose, they are unbeatable. I also have a CLK320 that has exquisite style, comfort, ride quality and handling. It is reliable and capable in all conditions due to the TC and other modern safety and convenience features that Mercedes are renowned for. The CLK320 V6 performance is a bonus that gives nearly 30 mpg while cruising silently at 140 kmh. I sometimes have to commute over 100 miles each way and either Benz can handle it with ease and they cost no more than the fuel and scheduled maintenance, which is an inspection and synthetic oil change every 20k. Mercedes Benz hold up better than many other marques cars and trucks as is evidenced around the world. In the long term, a MB represents the best value in luxury automobile ownership because they are built to last and "engineered like no other".
I just purchased a used e500 from MB. I traded in a BMW 540i and the first 3 weeks of my purchase the car was at MB service center in repair. The radio would not come on sometimes and it took them 3 weeks to find the problem. Yes the car is nice but I think the dependability is not that great. My BMW had 130k miles and all I ever did was change the oil very dependable. The repairs were in the 2k.
I own a 2003 Mercedes E500 with 35,000 miles on it. It is not a comfortable car to drive; the seats are not comfortable. The front end has a terrible noise in it when you hit any imperfection in the road. The air conditioner system has to be the poorest on the planet, and only cools when the fan is on full blast. I'm over 60 and not a hot rodder, but the car eats tires every 24,000 miles. The cup holder system in the front seat is the worst I've ever seen. The interior is cheap-looking and spartan like a taxi cab or police car. When you drive the car below 25 miles per hour, it has a terrible humming noise that drives you crazy. I drive the car by myself as I'm too embarrassed to let anyone ride in this substandard car.
Mercedes are some of the very best cars in the world. Highest quality, best in durability and reliability and the top engineering in safety among many other aspects. I have had many Mercedes and own at this moment three with very high mileages. I have never had to spend a cent in anything out of the ordinary (I just send them to the authorized dealer for regular services - something that many owners don't do because they want to "save money" on mechanical attention, and that usually plays against them).
Consumer's reports have many flaws, for example: they count at the same level of importance a problem with a wiper or with the transmission... The best European magazines do rate very high in quality, dependability and durability, Mercedes and BMW.
But for those of you who are happier with a Saturn, I find that splendid, maybe you don't appreciate at all cars - makes one wonder why would you go into a cars web page...
GM, Ford and Chrysler are completely broken. They have made some of the worst, outdated technologies, at least 15 years behind the Germans -specially Mercedes- and Japanese. And now let's see what kind of quality can they offer cutting down money from all their production process, because of the long term crisis. They really deserve what they are going through. But as long as there are people who buy them because of patriotism they will exist - it seems every year there are less of these, anyway. Have you ever wonder why American cars are sold in a gigantic proportion -almost exclusively- in the USA??? Mercedes are sold all over the world, more than inside their country, and that goes also for BMW, Audi, Nissan, Toyota, Honda, Jaguar, etc... Oh, there surely most be a reason for that. And I can tell you: we don't appreciate extremely low quality from American cars, just above Russian and Chinese...
To the poster on Aug 12 2008 I have one question...
Why did you buy the car if you didn't like it?
"Low quality from American cars"
Hmmmmm...
While I agree with you about the current state of American quality and the financial problems that they are facing right now, I have to say that you are wrong about them only being sold in the States. American cars are also sold all over the world, just like your fancy Mercedes, Audi, BMW, etc. Now, I am no die hard patriot, I work for Hyundai. But one thing WE don't like from you Mercedes and BMW people is the un-godly prices for your parts when your cars do crap out, and trust me, they do. I find your comment amusing when considering that at the moment Mercedes is ranked close to the bottom right now in reliability. Now I don't pretend to make you believe any American is close to the top of that list, but now I wonder if you would still say the same thing after paying attention to the car ratings of today? ALL CARS ARE MADE BY MAN. When the Good Lord comes down and makes His own brand of automobile, then you can complain to him when they are not perfect by YOUR EXPERT OPINION.
People that complain from Mercedes-Benz's reliability in 99% of the cases should not be driving one simply because they cannot afford it. They are often the ones that bought the MB to show off.
It is very true that Mercedes (or any german car for that matter) cannot come close to the overall reliability of Lexus (ex.), but what they give you in return is a smile every time you sit behind the wheel, and to some people this is what's most important. Nothing comes close to the solid feel of a Mercedes Benz and nothing sets your blood on fire like a BMW. People that can actually afford these premium german vehicles are very happy with them and will never drive anything but.
German cars are very big on preventative maintenance, and if you don't keep up they will fall apart. People do not take their cars for service unless something breaks.
I currently own a 91 420sel, 04 E500 Wagon, 03 525it and a 07 Toyota Yaris. I enjoy servicing my vehicles once per month on a Sunday evening. I feel the passion of the designers that built my german fleet and I always feel excited. I own something special.
The Yaris has 75k and I've owned it since new. Nothing has ever gone wrong with it. I feel like a tool every time I drive it. What a stupid ass vehicle. Still, not as bad as all the Camrys and Corollas out there. The Yaris is the only car I would sell in a heart beat with no regrets. For most of the people, what's most important is to get from point A to point B with no break downs and no visits to the dealer. My number 1 requirement from a vehicle is to make me feel alive. If you want an appliance to move you around - get a Honda or Toyota. If you want LOVE and can afford it - get a BMW or a Benz.
P.S.
To the person above: Wipers for the damn Yaris - $70. Wipers for a 09 Audi S8 - $48.
P.S.S.
My 91 420 SEL looks, drives and feels like new (almost). How many Japanese cars of the same vintage can show that? There is a difference between reliability and durability.