Mercedes Reliability: A Major Disappointment?
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- Опубликовано: 22 мар 2024
- Where does Mercedes sit when we talk about reliability? Are you going to get a reliable car from Mercedes Benz, and will you get a few good years of driving before your ownership costs take you for a ride?
Today, we're talking about Mercedes reliability, whether or not Mercedes are worth it, and what you can expect from Benz.
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Watching these videos about Mercedes and BMW make me feel so warm and fuzzy about owning a 1999 Town Car. 174K miles and running strong.
It’s interesting how Mercedes reliability has gotten worse over the past years while BMW has improved. However most people think it’s opposite.
I see that as a fact
Mercedes used to be way ahead of BMW over the years, it's really after covid that MB has tanked, while BMW has really shot up.
@@ECPP.....don't worry....I will mail a letter to Germany.
both suck
Both pretty bad now. Just get Japanese cars and dont fall for the cosmetic trap that would cost you huge sums of money in the end
Reliability (and quality) in most new vehicles has waned terribly. We have had three BMW's and two Mercedes Benz (we called the "starter series" because they were not the flagship models) since 2007; 3 series, a four series, a C230 and E 320, all bought new up until the last one in 2017 and always under factory warranty. No real issues, the C230 needed a ball join repair that's it. BUT, anyone who buys a used one, out of warranty with some miles on the odo best have considerable reserve funds for repairs.
If you buy a luxury car shouldn't it be more reliable???? Shouldn't it be better ??? We've become brainwashed.
I have been driving Mercedes-Benz vehicles seen 2001 and usually drive them for 200 to 250k miles before trading or selling them.
Although they haven't been 100% trouble-free neither have they been as unreliable as urban legend suggests.
Problems have been few and far between and usually minor.
Routine, NOT SKIPPED OR DELAYED, maintenance first at the Mercedes-Benz dealership while under warranty and then at a Mercedes-Benz specialist until they were traded or sold resulted in generally very reliable and durable vehicles.
Thanks William, yes there are many fairly solid Benzs and even the issues we have experienced are what I consider to be quite minor. Time will tell, but yes, maintenance is hugely important
Money Pit City. 😮
Many are indeed
looks like you need a better job , you can’t work for $12 per hour and drive Mercedes … buy you a Kia
@@damirzanne😂
I’ve owned 3 Mercedes and only because one of them was totaled. They’ve been the most reliable cars. I’ve never had to do anything other then normal maintenance. Ppl are such haters.
people who can’t afford those cars , buy them, often used with 100K miles or more for 1/3 of the price , and then they can’t afford proper maintenance, and when car breaks down it’s somehow cars fault … keep up with regular services and maintenance, and you won’t have any problems with your MB or BMW … you maybe bought $130K car for $30K , but you’re still maintaining a $130K vehicle … if you’re broke, and can’t afford regular maintenance, don’t buy luxury cars …I’m 56 year old European , and owned tons of MB and BMW’s throughout the years , never had any serious problems with any of them from w116 to w222
Thanks for sharing and that’s often a scenario that happens. Maintenance is key and not a given.
Compare to Toyota they horrible! Toyota/ Lexus are best cars! I m
From Europe in 80 ties Mercedes was like a tank together with Volvo they lasted forever
I’m 60, had many German cars, not sure I will ever pay the $1,200 it costs to fix the Keyless-Go. They rip you off for replacing every component of the system instead of just the failed receiver. I blame Chrysler for this failure.
Why does the market allow a one hundred and thirty thousand dollar car to sell four thirty thousand A few ears later? The depreciation is so great because The market understands the fragile nature of these cars.
I managed an auto repair facility that specialized in Euro Exotics and BMW and MB. I pleaded with folks to let us do a $75 pre purchase used car check. Less than 10% did, purchased the car then wanted us to check it out. They barely had the money for the payment. The cars generally came off lease. The least I wrote in repairs for BMW and MB was $4000, and that was just the beginning because I didn't want to scare them off. Saab's were the worst.
E class 350, 2016… been driving it for eight years… ZERO issues… but then I bought it new and always do the service when due. It has NEVER given me any mechanical nor electrical issues. The seats need new covers tho
You bet
Right. It’s always ppl that don’t drive them that claim they’re unreliable. I’ve never had any problems with mine.
@@drewgreenhalgh9162 you will
Yup, the post face-lift W212 is the most reliable modern Mercedes, especially the final year (2016). Their post covid cars have been disappointing.
@@ECPP If Benz go back to building real cars....no carmaker can stand next to it....none.
Complexity is the enemy of “trouble free.” This brand has very complex cars.
Ma y complex cars and the efforts towards the EV market, in my opinion, have taken away from funding and quality into the ICE vehicles
Yes, destroys my brake rotors regularly due to computer dragging brake pads in cruise control or sport mode and left me with tiny emergency key for door lock. Very needy vehicle.
I took my chevy truck to the dealer to repair a poor fit dash grill and first oil change ! I asked the service manager is that a common problem he took me to the lexus side and pointed out all the defects the lexus's had and i was omg shocked what i seen and all the angry customers !
It always seems to me that the more basic models of German cars (i.e. C class Benz, Audi A/S3) are fine on average and it's the high end models that drag up the average maintenance cost/failure frequency.
I also despise the way JDPower counts faults per 100 vehicles. "My entertainment is sometimes finnicky" and "my engine at 5k exploded" are just the same in their aggregation
Yes I agree, the higher end vehicles often have more tech, more high strung drivetrains and often fussier owners so more recorded issues
For Mercedes usually the E class that is the most reliable.
My 2018 GLC 300 has been solid. It’s been my daily for two years and never been in the shop except for oil and brake pads. I am at 83k miles.
Sounds good. We have had ours for about 3 1/2 years too
Close friend of mine sold his 2018 Mercedes C200 after something bad happened to the Transmission at 68400 on the odometer now he drives a 2021 AUDI A4 so far he's very impressed with the power and handling in the corners ❤
As long as the new cat treats a person well, then go for it
I have been driving MB and BMW products all my life. Loved my C-classes, always in the shop. I am driving BMW for 8 years with no reliability issue.
That’s great to hear. I have personally found that all of these German brands have some highlights and some other products they would rather forget about.
Diferent for me had a BMW for weekends and that thing loved saving account money,using it or not has had something to fix , check engine light every 2 to 3 mouths 😂😂
It’s all about maintenance and preventive maintenance
@@damirzanne it is but truth said they money pits ,they drain your accounts
Which model BMW and which year?
2010 - 2015 era was their parktronic module and wiring harness would corrode. Also the ignition switch diode glue was weak causing issues throwing the transmission into park a 5kph after the vehicle would sit in the sun for a few hours and get hot.
Great video as always. Reliability is key factor and you clarified that. Every Manafacturer has faukts and a lot of vehicles break. Most have body panel clips from all brands. Plastic is cheap and Manafactueres' are going to be cheap to get bigger profits. I have S560 and it has been amazing. Maitainenece is not cheap and if you own luxury brands you're going to pay for it. Life is short so don't drive boring cars.
Well said!
I think it generally depends on the owner? I’ve had my W212 E350 since Aug 2013 and as she turns 11 I can say I’ve had no major problems and is even cheaper to maintain than my mums V6 Camry. I just use the MB229.5 approved oil changes during PMS and equivalent Total Excellium 95 as part of the petrol requirement 😊
On the side of repairs and maintenance I haven’t experienced any major problems except a shock absorber change from OEM to Bilstein B6 while keeping the OEM coils 😊
And I’m from SEA so heat and humidity are my worst enemies 😅
Hello Mark, here watching! 👍
I am afraid the era of cars lasting a long time is gone and fast disappearing and it’s not just MB but all brands.
Things are changing fast
I agree with you.
GLS450 detail issues please ?
So, better to go with Lexus always?
Lexus is more boring to drive by more reliable in the end
Yes😂 Stay away from the 460 engine though, out of this world repair bills.
@@ECPP Get a boring LEXUS use it for business and to go to Hospital / emergency RELIABLE! Boring as in YES you can sleep at night!
Have they really ever been that reliable. I recall in the late 60's a friend of my late father bought an expensive one (well they mostly all are anyway) and had no end of trouble. In fact he owned a garage and was a mechanic himself. I recall my father saying that the dealer fobbed him off saying "What do you mean its faulty its a Mercedes Benz." I don't known how or if it was ever was settled. He also owned a Studebaker that was a really nice car.
Any car will fail look at your owners manual and do your maintenance. You will be surprised on how long your car will last
Maintenance is a must do and not really optional
My brother loves driving Mercedes. The only brand he chooses to buy. It was more of a status symbol in my opinion. He could have brought anything but he wanted to look wealthy
We are currently in the process of returning a Starling Blue 2024 MB C300 sedan Pinnacle Edition (loaded) We spent $62K for this car 3 months ago and the car has been in service at MB N. Scottsdale 3X for a total of 9 weeks. The C Class has habitual battery drainage and only works when hooked up to a trickle charge. Most recently we have had multiple check engine lights and now the 48-volt mini hybrid motor which is in the 2022-2024 models has crapped out. Service is baffled and they have escalated to Engineering in Germany who is also perplexed. The icing on the cake is the recall notification I received from MB last week recalling certain 2022-2024 C Class, E Class, and even the over-the-top G class SUV. My opinion of Mercedes is they are all glitz and glamour, but with newer over-the-top tech they have become an electrical nightmare. In addition, when they go down count on MB service to schedule you weeks later due to appointment availability, and to have your car for several weeks. We do have another MB 2022 GLC 300 with much less technology which has been a reliable SUV. Another thing to note is how much these cars depreciate. MB gave us a trade-in value of $41K for our new MB C300. There are only 735 miles on the odometer, and the service center has seen it more than we have! Another annoying thing is the MercedesMe application for the cell phone. It never works, loses connection within hours after reinstallation, and can't be counted on for remote functions. Mercedes blames MercedesMe which is controlled by Verizon, not Mercedes! I am so done with MB !
Owned many car brands but my wife’s a45 amg was the absolute worst.
It’s been in the dealership for a total of 4 months since we’ve bought it 3 years ago.
Will never buy a Mercedes ever again
Sorry for this random thought, but where do you shoot your videos? It's always bad weather and cold.
I know it feels like the North Pole
@ECPP where do you live? I had a 2000 subaru from the East Coast, and it was rusting. I live in Southern California, and I learned my lesson not to get any used cars from the East Coast. And any used cars from beach cities.
But different car brands are targeting on complete different markets. MB are targeting the rich class that change their cars every 4-5 years while brand like Toyota are targeting on middle working class who have to drive the same cars for 10+ years. So it make sense if MB don’t invest much into longevity and Toyota don’t invest much into Luxury.
I hear the W211 E320CDIs are prity good🎹🎶
Yes that’s fair to say. There are some sturdy Benz’s
Do you know that w213 350d 2016-2018 uses the same om642 engine?
I have my 1st Mercedes ever for 1 year now
2000 ml430
Put waterpump and rear door window regulator
Got it with 119k miles
Now has 134k miles
I like it 😃
Sounds like a win. Similar to my ml500 from back in the day
I don't understand. Why do we the public put up with these reliability problems. Why aren't these gangster car companies held responsible for the repairs??? We've gone soft. Our government who use to make these crooks repair the problems that were built into these cars and their cheap rigged components have been bought and paid for. If we were Compensated for our time and inconvenience these hoodlums would be forced to not over complicate with (which is a money grab) cheap 25 cent (which they charge us 400 dollars for) parts with weak internals that are made to fail. This nonsense would stop.
What happened to the class action suits ??? They can build super liable cars but there's no extra money in it for the ruling class, gatekeepers and the elite. Wake up people we're being fleeced. We've become a crooked nation
We had seven over the years ,all new,every one had problems to bad to keep it.
Resale wasn't worth a rip ,once Mercedes came on line as a mass producer ,its reputation went.
Would we ever by a Mercedes.
Not a chance ,far too profit oriented ,than their once amazing build quality. Which I've found to be left wanting since my first
230E. 123 now that was a proper car
Yes they are not the sturdy brand they used to be
Unless you love MB and make a lot of money don’t ever buy one used. My family has had at least one MB since 1973 and they’re expensive to properly maintain and repair.
Edit: Mostly reliable yes 👍🏻
Please have a review of S550.
See if I can get my hands on one
@@ECPP😂
Which is best, 2014 e350, or 2015 c300 or 2015 c400 for most reliability over 100k miles
It seems like most of the issues are due to the harsh climate you have in Canada 🤷♂️🙄🤔
My 2016 C450 has 72k miles. I purchased it 1.5 years ago with 52k miles on it. My only repair needed during my ownership has been a coolant thermostat which ran about $800 parts and labor. Maintenance is rather expensive, of course. Anyways, its been a fun and pretty reliable daily driver so far, and I hope to drive it for 8 more years partially because i probably cant sell it, haha
That car has the reliable twin turbo M276 engine. This engine needs constant quality oil changes. The oil it needs is Mercedes 229.5 oil. That thermostat failed because the coolant was never replaced.
Mines is under 35k and my floor mats and that bottom rocker piece is my only issue . 🤷🏾♂️😅
Perhaps those cars are not made for minus 40 degrees environment 😊 Rust in our days is a no no. But Benz is known for this issue. Not worth the money IMO.
Yes the extreme weather certainly does not help matters. It does take a toll.
Only get a BMW or Mercedes 2012 prior. Any thing after 2012 is garbage. Now the new B58 and 48 engines I heard are living up to their game, but remember these new vehicles today are honestly being meant to be leased instead of buying new.
That’s fair and even though the new BmW engines are still pretty new to market, time will tell. It is promising
What changed after 2012? Thank you.
@@melissasmess2773 what changed after 2012 is the incorporation of turbocharged engines in new vehicles. This leads to increase heating to the engine bay and compartments that are close to the engine (cooling system as well). Since they are made of plastic, heat and plastic don’t binge well together as it expands due to the hot and cold of turning on the car and turning it off. Also there are more plastics components being used more than ever in cars today than of the past. More electronic components and devices means a higher failure rate for electrical issues to occur which are now being an added expense to a vehicle. 2012 and before manufacturers focused on the car and driver experience. After that it has seem to take a turn for the worst.
sorry you are wrong, BMW has become way more reliable in the last 7-8 years.
Are Mercedes made in Germany more reliable than the ones made in USA or elsewhere?
That’s what some people say, but I am not sure
According to Scotty Kilmer, yes, better build quality. Parts should be the same.
@@melissasmess2773 Scotty is an idiot
Different models are produced in factories in different countries. All the AMGs are built in Germany. The big SUVs GLE and GLS are built in US, C classes are built in South Africa. E, CLS, GLC and S class are built in various European countries including Germany and Finland. It’s hard to compare different models.
True story.
Was your ML500 a W164 or W166?
If was a W163
I had it with this video when he started talking about reliability within the first three years. That is really only relevant in terms of the hassle to take it to the will be under warranty. Talk to me about the repair bills in years four through eight
Get an 06 lexus ls430 and keep it till 1M miles
The M-B is a fantastic car. I recommend it highly, if you can afford it...but only if you LEASE it and NEVER, EVER, get weak and buy it out of the lease.
Ukraine sucks and losing the war.....LOL
The only way I would have a BMW or Mercedes is a lease
That’s safer from a mechanical reliability perspective
@@ECPP thank you for your informative videos and your recent reply
Only BMW, MINI, and Porsche score high for reliability out of European cars these days. I had always wanted a MINI but always read how unreliable they are. I noticed with the introduction of the 3rd generation in 2015 that started to change, with each passing year Consumer Reports rating their reliability higher and higher. For the past two years they have named MINI the third most reliable brand. Only Toyota and Lexus is higher. So I took a chance a bought a 2024 Cooper S. 7 months and with nearly 5k miles later it has been problem free. I don't know what BMW has been doing, but I hope they keep up their reliability streak.
Picked their most reliable engine and stuck with it I believe the only 3 engines currently in production are the 2 litre B48TU3 the 3 Litre B58TU3 which sits under the Toyota Supra and the 4.4 Litre N63TU3 Which is currently use in the new Range Rover Sport 😊
They are starting to slowly figure things out
Not sure about Mini my brother and brother In-law both had new mini’s. In one case the whole engine seized and in the other a piston blew up and both happened with really low milaged on their cars!
@@doctorstrangelove9487 I joined a Facebook MINI group, and everyone said the first two generations where as unreliable as people said they are. With the 3rd generation BMW put their own engines and transmissions in them. The first two generations where so bad, it's going to take awhile for people to believe Consumer Reports, I See Cars, and other publications that are reporting they are now near the top for reliability.
Do Mini coup share engines with BMW? Or they are still equipped with the low hp British built engine but share other none major parts with BMW?
Mercedes were very reliable a long time ago reliable safe then the tech came along and made them not so reliable
They used to be
what about e class 2012-2015
no
very very good, go for 2014-2016
We can make great great reliable automobiles. Problem free but there wouldn't be a money grab for the corporate crooks.
First normal folks and these people(jd powers)have to define reliability they think different
Not for every one is the same definition
Reliability is how long a car can make with out mayor repare bills ,how long a car can last and past the mighty great mark is getting life thru 150 to 200 thousand miles on original engine. Is a good point
Had a BMW, now a Mercedes to try how it goes
You are quite right and a very good idea on that. Reliability is more about unpredicted failures and less about outright life span
I’m not happy that my 2013 GLK350 4Matic is 35% Chrysler parts. If I use cruise control or sport mode it keeps the brake pads rubbing on the rotors and warps them in about 20,000 miles. Dealer wants $1,200 to replace Keyless-Go systems, all components, even though it is only the receiver that’s bad. Half baked engineering and I wish the German computers were as good as the Japanese but they aren’t even close in quality.
I've been in the market for an '18+ S or RS5 once sanity returns to the market. All I hear is "RUN AWAY!!!" from every channel including this one, yet they immediately go to, and only go to listing issues with the horrible if neglected 2.0 4cyl. Is Audi a real issue, or is only A class Audi an issue???
I know rubber bushings are a thing but whatever, and I know timing replacement down the line sucks, but is one bad apple spoiling the overall reliability rating?
" Too much engineering"
" Too much money"
" Too many failures"
I used to own an E350!!!!
Sorry, no more MB !!!!
Bingo
That's because they're a money grab
I would think at the price point the MB would still be reliable. Loved my C class back in the day.
They should be but not a given these days. Overall a fairly solid car with a few quirks to think about.
Really expensive for poorly made garbage.
The quality is just nowhere it should be for the price
Mercedes is no longer prioritizing quality. They now make overly complex, over-designed, over-priced, cheaply made "luxury" cars.
If you buy a luxury car shouldn't it be more reliable???? Shouldn't it be better ??? We've become brainwashed. These corporations are ran by crooks.
Try Hyundai 😊
If you insist on buying a b m w or a mercedes Purchase it new and Sell it when the warranty expires. Take the hit on depreciation and buy another one new.
They loose 2/3 of their value in 8 years. I rather buy it used because I am a mechanic 😂
Sure. If you have money to burn.
I agree with you @brianhay4024, we bought a 2024 BMW X6 and got the extended warranty on it. Once the warranty is gone we will sell it even if we have to lose 3/4 of the value because the maintenance will get you big time once warranty is gone.
If the Mercedes is not 100% made in Germany, forget it.
Bingo
The Three pointed Swastika! Especially after the 90's
The consequence is:Buy Lexus:)
A reliable luxury car - is it an oxymoron?
sorry , but they are junk fault codes abs gearboxes are now rubbish oil leaks add blue on diesels = fatal avoid anything 4 wheel drive , electric steering electric handbrake [ parking ] touchscreen , it's all garbage .
most german cars are expensive but they look great. mercedes are expensive and they are ugly and u unreliable
Nice
Lexus rocks Mercedes sucks
Nice
Mercedes Battery is very bad or the worst one
Have the MB logo and is only attached to the cheapest one on the market.
1984 MB 190D ( Diesel ) minus 36C start with smile * those days we get a quality.
Today we getting ripoffs only.
Yes I agree, too sensitive a system and replacement parts never seem to hold up like the original
Am going to encourage Mercedes Benz ceo to hire someone that focus on RELIABILITY AND CONSISTENCY.
It’s very important priority