2nd thoughts about my MB

[scottydee]

Not sure where to start with this (don't want to bore people too much!!)

I've owned my MB for 9 months now, and on the whole, it's been fairly enjoyable, but because of the shaky start to my relationship with the car (three weeks back with the dealer within the first 4 weeks to sort out gearbox problems), there's still a niggle in the back of my mind ever time I get in the car.

I've wanted a Merc for many years, and my first experience of owning one, has left me somewhat disappointed. It feels to me that there's always something going wrong, and the reliability that MB was famous for is no longer..... I think I may be parting company with the car, and perhaps looking for a Ford or Vauxhall - although, I hasten to add, finding something with comparable comfort may be difficult.

Rant over!

 

[markjay]

I think you will find that the old Merc values are no longer there.

Firstly, cars today are extremely complicated both mechanically and electronically, so things can and do go wrong.

Secondly, there is simply no demand on the market any more for an expensive car that lasts for 30 years and rarely breaks down.

Said that, Mercs are still among the better cars available today, if you take into account innovation, design, built quality, and marque appeal.

Of course on each of these on its own it will be beaten by another marque, but as a package it is still a very good proposition.

Incidentally, my 2006 C-Class never missed a beat and only had two very minor faults so far - which is fantastic track record in my option.

 

[st4]

I know the feeling that an unreliable car can bring.

However there are perfectly good modern era Mercedes out there giving their owners hood faithful service. Don't rule out another.

 

[grober]

The more recent Mercedes models do seem to have improved their quality quite a bit with the proviso that they are now very complicated bits of kit as has been said. Now you have owned your car for 9 months you may find that going to another marque [ provided you take a long enough test drive] will make you more aware of what your Mercedes does so well without apparent effort . They sort of "grow on you" without you realising it. Sometimes it takes driving another car to find that out?

ps its true that Ford and Vauxhall have markedly improved their game [ the new Mondeo will be cracker I predict and the Insignias success and looks- particularly the estate cant be disputed] but the spectre of depreciation looms large with vast numbers being heavily discounted to fleets undermining their resale value. Something to be aware of if buying new?

 

[pos.k]

Very true that you tend to take the MB for granted...I spent a week traveling around with a colleague in his Insignia and sharing the driving...what a relief to get back to the Benz!!

Whilst you may have had issues with yours, I have to say that I am on my 3rd and have had virtually bulletproof reliability (touches wood) and SWMBO has one that following some original issues (although not with reliability) was swapped out by the dealer and has been 1st class ever since.

I did toy with the idea of changing marque before the current W204, but after driving some alternatives they just didn't cut it for me.

 

[scottydee]

Thanks for the comments. I'd love to keep my merc - it's just that ownership was tarnished by the probelms I had from the outset, and I can't help thinking "what's going to happen next?"
It has definitely grown on me - hence the fact that I find myself in this situation. (I went for a test drive in a subaru legacy last week - not a patch on my merc, both comfort and acceleration!).

I might just persevere (should be fun in the snow!)

 

[st4]

Thats what lead me to keep my E320cdi, it was great when it worked but there are nice reliable used cars out there, sometimes you get a bad 'un

 

[scottydee]

Thats what lead me to keep my E320cdi, it was great when it worked but there are nice reliable used cars out there, sometimes you get a bad 'un

Hope mine's a good 'un!

Out of interest, Has anyone had problems with xenon lights? - The supplier of my car "supposedly" replaced the balast on one of the lights, however I find that the bulb is occasionally going out now - how long do they usually last ?