What is most reliable modern MB?

[kusanku]

With all the tales of woe regarding reliability, rust and build quality etc, I wondered which MB is considered the best of the bunch in terms of these variables?

Asked the same question at my local garage, who have seen a bit more of my current car than I would have liked. Got a very clear answer from them: the C-class is the best, the S-class is the worst. The more complex the model, the less reliable it is. Now this is purely a rating in terms of reliabilty, not driving pleasure, prestige, performance or any of those other variables which influence car choice. I thought that was interesting, as I had a perception of the S-class as ultra reliable.

 

[jaymanek]

id go with that. C and CLK are most reliable... CL's and S's the least.

 

[steve333]

As we all know no two cars are the same(never mind mb's),as an example,when i was looking for my w208 clk320 cab i looked at four (all 2001/2002 models),two of them had signs of rust(wheel arches/boot locks)the other two were rust free & very clean inside & out(one of which i bought).I suppose it's dependant on how previous owners look after their cars(getting services done when scheduled,faults diagnosed & corrected as & when,regularly cleaning inside & out etc)my thoughts only of course

 

[The Boss]

Id say the C class and perhaps the SLKs..

these two cars are so solid, that even if the car is used in a harsh way, psychologically, one feels comfort that everything is staying in place..

the larger mercs in my opinion contain too much void space . hence i do not understand why they w126 grew to the w140, then shrunk but now had bloated again...

cars are designed for humans, and being one myself we have not changed in size all that much in God knows how long, yet in the space of 2 incarnations of cars, they have presumed that we are growing larger exponentially.

However, one does feel cramped in the c class, but they just seem better put together, and simpler to operate..

i d say the current c class dash is the most solid of all merc interiors, though also, in my opinion, one of the ugliest (in line with the new e class saloon, estate and coupe/cabriolet interiors)

 

[BlackC55]

The 202.

I have had 3 and they are brilliant!

 

[Adam230K]

modern MB = None

oldish MB's = W201, W202 and W124's

 

[BenzedUP]

modern MB = None

oldish MB's = W201, W202 and W124's

Why none? is that becuase you have not driven/owned any modern mbs or are you talking from experience?

I woudnt say a CLK they always have problems and early W203's are very weak, facelift models arent too bad though.

Personally i'd say a W211's they run up and down the motorways all day long..

SLK's are not too bad mine is giving me abit of hassel with the roof.. :|

 

[KillerHERTZ]

The 202.

I have had 3 and they are brilliant!

Brilliant, but not without their rust problems!

 

[219]

190E , W123 , W124 , W126

I have owned all of the above and run them to high mileages with little more than routine maintenance . The older cars are also reliable but require more maintenance to keep them running correctly ( chassis lubrication every 3000 miles and so on ) - any properly engineered car will run reliably if maintained correctly .

Sadly , knowing a lot of people who run the newer cars , I constantly hear horror stories about rust , Valeo radiators , MAF's , failing turbochargers , failing spring perches , all manner of electronic problems and more that , through choice , I would never run anything newer than I do .

 

[R2D2]

Ive had 2 W202 which I did 34,000 miles and 93,000 miles. I had no breakdowns and no issues apart mucking up a MAF with a K and N filter. My facelift w203 has done 82,000 so far and has been faultless-its the best car I've ever owned.

 

[steve333]

Why none? is that becuase you have not driven/owned any modern mbs or are you talking from experience?

I woudnt say a CLK they always have problems and early W203's are very weak, facelift models arent too bad though.

Personally i'd say a W211's they run up and down the motorways all day long..

SLK's are not too bad mine is giving me abit of hassel with the roof.. :|

Imho it's a bit harsh to pinpoint certain models,i have had a w208 clk320 for about 7 months(before buying it i talked to friends that have owned/own the same model as well as researching forums like this one,some people have had problems & others none)i've had a few problems but love driving it so wouldn't change it because i might find another car that wouldn't give me any problems.I can't think of many modern cars that are flawless(just look at some of the other forums (bmw,porshe,audi etc etc)they all have owners with simular faults as mb members on here so i for one am happy to carry on being an mb owner with the knowlege that i might encounter some unexpected problems from time to time

 

[trapperjohn]

Brilliant post Steve333. I too shall be happy to carry on being an MB owner with the knowlege that i might encounter some unexpected problems from time to time

Even if I (heaven forbid) downsize and get a Euro/Jap box, I just know a Mercedes will lurk forever in my garage for highdays and holidays. Perhaps a Smart with a French touch, which is being muted in the press will float my canoe, my boat floater will always be my Mercedes.

 

[Adam230K]

Why none? is that becuase you have not driven/owned any modern mbs or are you talking from experience?

I woudnt say a CLK they always have problems and early W203's are very weak, facelift models arent too bad though.

Personally i'd say a W211's they run up and down the motorways all day long..

SLK's are not too bad mine is giving me abit of hassel with the roof.. :|

Because MB started cutting costs after 1995 (I think) and that's why I've said 'none' to modern-ish MB's. I've driven loads of the newish MB's and yes they feel fantastic when new, never owned any i admit, but when I test drive 'run-in' modern MB's with a fair bit of mileage (the ones that I have done are W208/W211/W209 and the W220) I cant help but feel that my old w202 felt more solid, might be just me though.

I tend to agree with you on the w211, it is strong, but its got so many electrical gremlins which in my personal opinion is a good enough reason to say its not as reliable as older MB's.

 

[Darrell]

My W202 has been neglected but still is the most reliable car I have ever had.

Everything still works, no rust, a few dents and looks good.

 

[oldcro]

In my experience both the W204 320 CDi and the W212 350CDi are trouble free.
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So far.

 

[grober]

In modern Mercs the W204 C CLASS seems to have had more pre product release testing than most. Then they started putting engines with new fuelling systems into them---the dreaded blue efficiency diesels-and the rest is history. http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/search.php?searchid=2989866

 

[st4]

I'd agree with oldcro and grobber here.

The 204 (bar the 4 pot BE ones) has turned out to be a cracking reliable car with proven engines and transmissions and good solid electricals and no body work issues as yet.

Later 211's are reliable and reading what car magazine it got 4/5 for reliability and IIRC other models got 3/5.

 

[C43AMG]

id go with that. C and CLK are most reliable... CL's and S's the least.

Thanks Jay for the vote of confidence. ;

 

[oldcro]

I'd agree with oldcro and grobber here.

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Never thought I'd see the day,

 

[lxi]

With all the tales of woe regarding reliability, rust and build quality etc, I wondered which MB is considered the best of the bunch in terms of these variables?

The one the salesman is trying to sell you