I have had my 01 SE in three different dealers service centers. The slow windows 3 times, the MAF 1 time, the right front wheel bearing assembly and hub assembly(right front) 2 times, and the infamous brake judder 2 times. I either recieved a bad rendition of a previously reliable vehicle, or spent to much money on a good idea(conceptually). I only have 41000 miles on my car and have been in line at a service center or stuck driving my wifes Civic Si. Which has never been in the shop. It has not been a good one guys. I have had a lot of fun exchanging ideas but in Dec I will trade her in on an 03' E500. Thanks for a great site! Chris

 

E500, damn that's a nice car.

Well I hope you feel that you've made the right decision and won't regret it in the end.

 

be careful of the car not taking over

i heard some funny/scary stories of what all that electonics and drive by wire systems can do

 

I drove one this past Sat. OMG! It is very quick, handles well, has a huge trunk and all scheduled maint. is comped while under warrenty. I visited thier service center and there were only 2 cars waiting to be serviced, both were oil changes. There were over 50 at Nissan. I would rather pay more up front for less hassle in the future. No regrets brother,No regrets
Chris

 

Where did you hear the stories? Are they posted? I want to know all I can about this car before I get it. Even the bad stuff. Thank you, Chris

 

you can try epinions.com

 

Thank you hands of stone, I will check that site out. Chris

 

Be careful, Benzes aren't as reliable as they used to be. I know several techs that work @ a benz dealer (Keyes in Van Nuys, CA). I have also talked with several people that have benzes, and they say their benz is always in the shop.

 

agreed, my dads 01 E320 sucks $hit... its worst then a Chevy..

My best friend is a tech at benz, and my god the things he sees come in there..

Cars with like 5K mileage requiring new motors...

And slew of electronic problems.. The older benzs were reliable, the new ones are crap.. If you think your maxima was bad, go buy a benz... Trust me you will miss your maxima..

ED

 

ummm... not as reliable? Those cars are awesome, why do I sense jealousy influencing your "reliability" statements. You wish you had that car, and you'd trade your maxima on the drop of a hat for one : ]

get real! An e500 is pimp, and he will enjoy the hell out of it, and you know wht, he will actually get great, 5 star mercedes service to back his "unreliable" **** up. Dream on you guys, seriously haha.

 

I would choose a C AMG tuned model... since you are already in the 50-60k range. The front end of the E doesn't go well with me from an aesthetic point of view. December.. thats a long way from now.

 

Good cars. You pay more for name then anything else. Anything affiliated with chrysler scares me. Not to many cars out there that are worth the money you pay. I dont think Benz has one even close. If you have the cash to burn on so called "Reliabilty" go for it. But if you really want that type of security, just buy a Toyota/Lexus.

 

Don't come online and bash me, telling me I'm gelious and to get real. You need to get real. Do you know anything about Benzes. Are you in the car business. Are you in the car service business. NO YOU AREN'T, YES I AM.

Before you bash someone because you think they are gelious you should think again.

I do not wish I had that car. For the money I would rather get a slightly used M5. That is just my option. Are you going to bash me for that? Do you really have nothing better to do than scan through the forum looking for people to bash. Get a life dude. I'm giving this guy some advise before he goes and drops $56,000 for a Benz.

It is a beautiful car. He will get excellent service. That doesn't mean he will not get alot of service/repairs.

Do you know what a five star dealer is. Not all Benz dealers are five star dealers. So maybe he will not get five star service will he?

FILTOR1 I hope you enjoy your new benz (if you get it). I didn't in any way bash your decision to buy a new Mercedes. I just wanted to make you aware of the issues Mercedes is having these days before you drop $56k. If you buy that car I hope you enjoy every min. with it and never have any problems.

 

First off, if you attempt to "chasitize" me, learn to spell, or atleast make the appearance of intelligence. Wow so your in the car buisness, what the hell do you know about benzes? You need to take a big 'ol chill pill, and "get alife" yourself. Furthermore, if you have issues, keep them to yourself, my comment was both pertininet, and acceptable considering the context of your message, which i felt was, 'negative'. If this wasn't the case, then why are you all butt hurt at this particular momment. Practice what you preach, grow up. I'm sorry if I doubt your self-glorified knowledge of benzes. Speak from intelligence, not lack-there-of-it.

Who purchases a mercedes, at a non-five-star mercedes dealer? How much would you like to consider the fact many people with money know how to spend it, and don't need your sophmoric advice based on what? Your intimiate knowledge of mercedes benz, their service, and their general mechanics, dynamics and intervolvement with their dealers and service departments? I admit when I am at fault, and if I made such a strong statement, I'd back it up with something 'valid'.


Oh, and BTW, I happen to own a 2002 CLK 430 Cabriolet, which is sitting in my garage, which I have driven, do 'own, and have a good relationship with my service department. He is a client of my fathers, we know him very well. He takes care of us, caters to our needs, and if we need something fixed, it get's done right. If there were so many problems with these mercedes, I can seriously see why they do such terrible buisness, after all. They are famous for being such problem-prone vehicles, are they not?

 

you gotta be shiiiiting me... i clicked on your profile and expected to see May 25th, 1986, not May 25th, 1976

 

 

Although you guys are fighting like cats and dogs, I'd like to add my 2 cents. In my earlier post in this thread, I mentioned value, and what you get for the money. Well, I have ready articles, magazines, Newspapers and studies. In recent years, Benz has not broken the top 5 in reliabilty, and barely makes 10 or 15. Infiniti is always higher, as well as Honda, Toyota Lexus.......even Jaguar. At my fathers company, the owners have their own fleet company, where they lease cars. Some are american, others are german. They spend just as much money or time servicing the german as they would american. Cars are like Cards. Its all about what you were dealt.

 

Just a few comments here...

1. If you have a problem with the experiences/opinions of others, just point it out and don't start a fight.

2. As for MB's being reliable but still keep selling, ever hear of a company called Honda? What may have been bullet proof cars a few short years ago often is not always the case. How about tranny problems, etc. there? OK, OK, so service will fix them...but for how long and for what kind of warranty period? This seems again like a classic case of perceived quality based upon past history rather than tangible recent performance.

As for MB's specifically, the idea of dropping $50K+ on a car that will have great service...that IS until the waranty expires and then not only will car payment exist but also some healthy repair bills...just doesn't appeal to a number of vehicle owners, myself included.

 

I was half asleep when I wrote that post last night. Here "Jealous". I deserve you guys talking smack about that one.


Just because you own a Benz that hasn't had any problems doesn't mean that Mercedes isn’t having reliability issues. I think you took that post to the heart just because you own one. I'm glad you haven't had any problems with your Benz. Hopefully you will not either.

I do know a lot about Mercedes cars. I work for a dealer chain that also carries Mercedes, so I know about the reliability of a Mercedes. I know several techs that work there. We used to work together @ Nissan.

I'm done arguing here. My original post wasn't meant to be negative, it was meant to be informative.

 

My boss had one. Problems with the electrical working on the car were so bad, the dealer took it back and upgraded him to an S-Class for a song....BE CAREFUL.

 

heh, this thread got out of hand anyways... Look, no offense taken, and I'm sorry if I like hurt your feelings. Here is my peace pipe, enjoy your car , and chill out. Ok : ]

 

That's quite a jump to go from a Maxima to the new E500--did a wad of cash fall on your head or something?

But anyhow, make sure to dump the Benz after the warranty is up, unless you want to be dropping ridiculous amounts on repairs. Even if they aren't as frequent as some here make it seem, each one will be very expensive because (1) parts cost as much as diamonds and (2) labor for luxury cars is expensive.

Also, don't forget about the insurance hike as well. If you can sustain that financially w/out putting a burden on yourself (and your family), then go ahead and pimp it!

 

Man the E500 is hot! I really think MB is designing the best looking cars on the road right now, unique yet classy. I think that reliability is an issue, though. I know that the Consumer Reports relaibility feedback has declined steadily over the last decade. MB used to be the most reliable car on the road, now they are not even close. If I was looking for a relaible car with better service and customer satisfaction I would look to BMW, Lexus, Infinity, and Acura. But I completely understand the allure of the E500.

 

Um.. what are you guys talking about? MY best friend works at benz as a senior tech, and some of their guidelines are fukking brutal..

Right now my dads E320 is burning 0.6L per 1000kms.. That is totally unacceptable, considering the recommended (per on board computer ) is doing oil changes at 12K-16k...

Do the math... by like 8000kms, there will be no oil in the engine..

So we took it in to service like 100times.. and possibly require a motor swap. Here's waht those *****es said. IT is ACCEPTABLE for BENZ's to BURN 1L per 1000kms!! WTF.. are these benz egnines so $HIT that they can burn that much oil??

SInce my dad bought the 2001, all it has seen is SERVICE... MORE THAN EVER... electrical problems, check engine lights, oil burning, OIL light keeps coming on..

So i took it to a few benz dealerships, and they say, these are COMMON problems.. WTF..

As a comparison.. my moms 99 Maxima bought brand new... used for COMMERICIAL business purposes for the first 120,000kms and then pleasure for the next 26,000km (146,000kms).. had only maintenance done, and the ABS controller repalced under warranty... NO other problems, not even a reason to ever bring it in to the shop..

My buddies over at BMW and BENZ's have told me about the crap they service there.. and my god, i can't believe how bad it is..

At first i thought my dad's benz was a lemon, but now its apparent that this is normal for both BMW and Benzs..

My gf's dad also as a BMW X5 4.6L and he has had problem after problem in that car... Same with her moms 2k3 C240..

I am staying away from german cars for a while, and i think my dad wants to ditch all benzs and get into a lexus..

ED

 

that sucks

 

From what I have read, the European cars are prone to frequent service needs, as aften as American cars! The Japs still have the top honors for the most reliable cars. Sorry to hear your Max is not one of them!

One suggestion, take a look at the Q45 before getting the E500. You may be surprised and save a few bucks!

 

From what I have read, the European cars are prone to frequent service needs, as aften as American cars! The Japs still have the top honors for the most reliable cars. Sorry to hear your Max is not one of them!

One suggestion, take a look at the Q45 before getting the E500. You may be surprised and save a few bucks!

 

I have found that even on the other car sites including Toyota/Lexus/BMW/Honda/Nissan, and yes BMUSA, they all site specific examples of poor workmanship. Unfortunatly for me I bought a less than perfect example of the 5th Gen. I will say I appreciate all of the responses. I will miss having contact with people as passionate about the things in life they love. I will of coarse take my time and use all of this as good food for my decision. As far as the funds for my project, I just mad $1200 in three hours. All I have to do is complete 2 mortgages a week for the next twenty weeks. I have a full time job, however, after six years I have just broken $30K. My part time job pays more for less time and will finance the down payment as well as the lease. I have ownership of my business, this will allow for a total write off. If the car turn out to be crap, A:I will let you know and B:i will give it back and try another car. After all it's only money, and fortunatly for us all, it's not that difficult to find a way to get more. Thank you Chris

 

dude when you will write so many mortgages by december let us know

 

I will let you know. My friend just bought a Lexus IS300. He has me by about a car. The E500 should beat him. HE HE!! That is until the whole forced induction thing is done. Chris

 

I have to agree, Benzes are good cars but when something goes wrong....your F#$@%#. Two of my friends have Benzes and they are not pretty cheap. One is a S600 and another is a E55 AMG. They have so many freaken gadgets and stuff, but the modules that control the stupid things keep getting messes up. They have been to the dealer for repairs way to many times than its worth.....

 

benz's are great but my dad had big time problems with his dash, he has an 03 clk 500.....they couldnt find the problem so they replaced the car, took about two months though :-/

 

Hey Chris, not to get into your finances too deep, but I'd seriously suggest that you first save up the money for a decent downpayment (or are you leasing the new E?), rather than rely on completing 2 mortgages for the next TWENTY weeks! That's a long streak, and I'm not in the business, but 2 mortgages a week for that long seems like a hard task to accomplish.

Anyhow, that's just my suggestion, and that's what I would do in your place. However, if you're confident enough that you won't **** yourself over, then go ahead and make the purchase if you decide on the E500.

By the way, for the price of the E500, you can probably pick up a new 540i sport (w/6 sp if you prefer, or auto). I think that's a tighter car overall--more of a driver's car if you will (Benzes have too many computers, and the driver-car connection is not as defined).

 

latest JD Powers results and b)the Kelley or Edmunds sites to acquaint yourself on the depreciation rates on recent Benzes.

After close scrutiny of those sites, anyone with more than air between their ears would definitely reconsider buying a Benz right now....buy a Lexus GS430 and u still have enough $$$ left over for a a G35 coupe.

 

Not to be picky here, but where can you get a G35 for $10K??

 

clear, but you'll certainly have enough money left over to drive one off the lot is what I meant to say....

 

Ah, gotcha!!

 

No offense man but you're giving this guy crap for not spelling correctly when you misspelled many words in your post.

 

dude E500 is a dope ride for someone who is under 30 yrs old, but here you are coming on board and bragging about wanting to shell out 70Gs as soon as you make them, just so that you can smoke your buddies IS300? Cmon buddy, you make that money but gotta be smarter than that. You can skool your friend for as little as $500 (NOS is your friend) and that is only one mortgage away. You better tell us about that race between you and your buddy in IS300. Was he a 5spd or auto?

 

This whole post cracks me up. Good luck with your E500, lol.