Chrysler effect

[catgate]

Just when exactly did the rot set in? When did they take over? I have a feeling that my current C250TD estate will be my last MB. They seem to be becoming just comfortable liabilities without the redeeming feature of their traditional longevity.

 

[Ruca]

I bought mine first Mercedes, a C220D Station of 1997. I always heard that this car will make around 1 million kilometers (650000 miles), without open the engine.
My small experience are telling me that this maybe true, but across this kilometers(miles), the car will go to many times to the mecanics.

How much will cost this kilometers?

Last month the EPC light turns on, and in the Mercedes dealer Garage, the mechanic told me the injection pump has to be substituted. And he also told me that this is a normal situation, the break down of the Injection Pump, with something like 80000 miles (130000 km). All the C200, C220 and E220 diesel from 1993 to 1998 has the same type of Lucas injection Pump. I've spoken to other mercedes experts, and the problem are in this Lucas Pump, they have a origin defect.

The repair of this problem costs 1685£ (2500?) in mercedes garage, and around 1000£ (1500?) in a injection experts Garage. In both situations they change the pump, by a repaired one with one year warranty.

If the break down, happens every 80000 miles (130000km), it means 8 times in 650000 miles, converting time in money it's £8000.

Is this the traditional longevity, that Mercedes are famous for ?

If it is, i do not want Mercedes any more. I had tree Opel Corsa, 1.5 and 1.7 diesel engines, and sold them with four years old, and around 125000 miles, itch one. With only consumables, like oil, filters, brake pads... and of course diesel oil. I have Opel Astra 1.4 Station with 115000 miles and zero break downs, only consumables.

Now I'm confused because all my life i thought mercedes were lifetime cars, and my first experience...

 

[tom7035]

It is unfortunate I know, but I'm told by the experts that the last of the 'real' Mercedes Benz was the W124 and W201 (around 1995).

 

[robbo]

I dont think its to do with chrysler. I would say that quality went downhill from the mid 90s onwards, well before the merger.

My 13 year old Vauxhall cavalier has had far fewer things go wrong with it in 12 years of ownership than my C320 has in 2.5 years of ownership. I am disappointed to say the least. The thing is, the C320 is a lovely car to drive, if only it was reliable.

 

[kit820]

You hear the Top Gear slamming Mercedes on their poor reliability record then you see Jeremy Clarkson himself driving a SL 600 as his day to day car. So when I on the other hand had a string of visits to my dealer with my C Sports Hatch needing some mechanical attention, I would just count myself as an unlucky one, the one off. However despite (touch wood) its driving fine now, the flimsy interior and the paint quality is hardly giving me the pleasure that I still enjoy today from my other car... a 1996 W210. Furthermore, after joining this forum with often frightening reads, I am steadily losing faith of the brand. For years I have been driving Mercedes and wish to continue so but unless something radical is improved in their reliability record, I fear that the next vehicle I purchase shall be something other than a Mercedes. If customers' loyalty to the brand is not rewarded with reliable motoring, what do you expect???

I hope somebody from Mercedes is reading messages on this forum.

 

[ddentrec]

I hope somebody from Mercedes is reading messages on this forum.

Even if they do they wont give a S**T. I had to sue my MB dealer to get what I wanted.

The bottom line is when customers go elsewhere to buy their cars they will take notice. Money, or rather the lack of it, talks louder than the customer when sales start to decline.

Remember in the late 90s when German taxi drivers descended on M-B head office complaining of the declining quality of their M-B taxis? The taxi drives had been complaining for years and M-B did not give a S**T. But when the taxi drivers all turned up in force M-B woke up. But I think the rot had already set in by then...

*** maybe if there was a UK rally of M-B owners to DC UK our voices would be heard. If there was then you could count me in.****

 

[jberks]

We've been through this loop a few times now.
Sure quality is down on the legend. However, if it were still standing then most of you, and me included, would still be driving fords. The only person I knew with an MB when I was growing up, was my grandad, and he had a huge business. I'm a one man band, and I've got one.

In 1980, a Ford Escort cost around £3k. My dads W123 250 cost £12k or 4 times as much. Pro-rata, a new E240 would cost £48,000 new - way out of my price range.

The 250 broke down twice with timing chain problems over the 150k we had it and was quite rusty with a whining back axle, after 7 years when it was swapped for a 380 SE. Admittedly the S was great, but did occasionally misfire for no apparent reason and we only kept it for 3 years. My uncles 1987 420SE needed a new ECU in 1990. The 70k 280E we bought not long after needed an £800 gearbox rebuild too. The 250 also did 22mpg. Perhaps nostaligia aint what it used to be.

I agree that the 2000 C class wasn't remotely as well screwed together as my old 1995 one and personally I didn't buy one as a result, but it was alledgedly better to drive, being lighter. Many of us thought that it wasn't that much better made than an Astra. However, compare a 2001 Astra to a 2001 C200k - I suspect the difference will be obvious by now.

Having driven my now 65k, 5 1/2 year old E240 to work this morning, 50 miles of motorway driving, silent engine, smooth ride and not so much as a muffled squeak from the trim. It feels as solid as the day I bought it. Sure the electronic clock and temp gauge are duff and I have had to replace a couple of bits here and there, which is frustrating, but she still fells like I could happily get another 100k out of her yet.

OK, quality is down, and the accountants have done some serious damage (as they do to most businesses), but if the improvement in dealer service I have experienced recently is anything to go on, I like to think that the things are on the up. Just don't expect a return to 1970's quality - we can't afford it!

 

[catgate]

The answers to my question, so far, reveal just what I have been experiencing myself. I had a 109D which did well over 200k. and which seemed dated but unburstable. I traded it in for a more modern machine...a C220D. Utter disaster. 90,000 and the dreaded Lucas lack of lift pump took its toll, due to a cracked pipe in the internal plumbing of the tank. The C220D was "updated" with a C250TD estate. More chaos in the auto 'box (w/s type). It is at present having an exchange box fitted (the only option according to the experts, since MB will not supply parts). The only plus point I can reassure myself with is that they are a little more "civilised" than most, but (and I will go and wash my mouth out after I have said this) the Ford Mondeo Ghia TDCI looks like a suitable substitute for the future.