Opinions of Mercedes-Benz

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Okay, okay. . . I know it's not a P-car or BMW (no flames plz). . .

After walking around the L.A. Auto show this past weekend I felt that the best car in the $45k-$50k range was hands-down the Mercedes SLK-280. Call me nuts, but I'm actually considering going to go look at one. I sort of doubt I'd actually buy one (I hate the thought of eating depreciation on a new car, I'm pessimistic about the price of gas and favor a motorcycle for dealing with LA traffic rather than paying $1,000-a-month for the "privilege" of it) but who knows.

Anyone have any thoughts/opinions on these? Seemed very attractive, well-put-together and solid (MB builds 'em like brick ****houses). Sticker for a nicely loaded one was about $45k, which is about the same as a Z4 (which frankly kind of bores me), only slightly more than a 350Z (and probably twice the car for the money) and way less than a Boxster or S, and considerably less than a Cayman.

In general I thought across-the-spectrum that the MB cars beat the pants off the BMWs in the same price ranges.

Just curious what you guys' opinions are about them.

[Z-man]

The SLK is my favorite 'attainable' car in the current fleet of Benzes.

My $0.42,
-Z.

[stevepaa]

With recent quality problems of the cheaper MB, I wouldn't touch any.

[osidak]

With the recent (like past 10 to 15 years) quality problems with all MB's I wouldn't touch it.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

What quality problems? I've always thought their stuff to be pretty much top-rate and to have some of the best engineering out there. I haven't heard a lot of complaining by other MB owners I know - are there specific things I ought to know?

FWIW I was a bit disappointed in the factory warranties being offered now. Both MB and BMW have lowered theirs to 4/50k (which kind of sucks). Guess that's the way it's going. . .

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

I worked for a Benz dealership about 8 years ago. I wouldnt buy one.

[pbs911]

I would not buy any mercedes built after 1997, maybe earlier, if you are looking for a car built of top quality parts by skiled craftsmen. The quality of car MB is producing has denigrated significantly. In my experience with a single Benz, the cars are junk as soon as the warranty expires.

[osidak]

1997 E320 90,000 miles (father's car)

2 head gaskets
1 transmission
1 water pump
1 instrument cluster
1 mass air flow sensor
1 a/c compressor
1 climate control module
2 c/v joints
1 passenger side front seat stopped working
2 cooling fans
5 windows
various sensors (radiator level, washer level ect.)
various pieces of switch gear
numerous electrical gremlins


2001(?) C230 Coupe 59,000 miles (cousin's car)

1 head gasket
3 transmissions
1 supercharger
3 mass airflow sensors
2 a/c compressors
various sensors
Numerous electrical gremlins

My father has been driving Mercedes Benz cars since 1969. He worked at the factory as an engineer. His '97 is the last one he will ever own. He despises MB at this point. The C230 was the first and last MB my cousin will buy.

I love my 1980 240D that my father gave me as my first car - solid as a tank and reliable as well. Still have it.

[dd74]

Originally posted by Porsche-O-Phile
Anyone have any thoughts/opinions on these?

I've been dubious of MB since the merger with Chrysler, but have since recanted my...ur...dubiousness.

I too saw the MB display at the auto show, and remain impressed with the standard square-shaped Mercedes cars. The R-wagon looks like an overpriced Chevy Nomad to me, and the sort of rounded off model - I forget its name - is butt ugly. The SUVs on the other hand (M series) are some of the nicest looking SUVs next to the Range Rover.

But seeing one on the display stand doesn't hold a candle to observing one on the race track. I was at Willow Springs today, and saw a standard C-series destroy every square-shaped sedan, including a couple M3 Bimmers, 5-series Bimmers and a Vette-engined Cadillac CTS. The only thing this car wasn't killing was either a 911, Vette, Viper or a gutted race car. In short, these cars seem extremely solid, and for my money, are hands-down worth considering.

As to losing a ton of cash with depreciation, I dunno, I think these cars hold their value fairly well.

[Moses]

I have a 2006 E55. The workmanship and quality have been remarkable. Not a single blemish or malfunction to bring to the attention of the dealer. The fit and finish are first rate, and the performance is better than I had hoped for. I cannot speak to reliability, as I've only had the car a few months.

[dd74]

What also sells me about MB is the car's fabled durability. Aside from 240-model diesels that have run past 1,000,000 miles, Mercedes are regarded as utility vehicles like cabs, police cars, ambulances and work trucks all over the world.

[singpilot]

I bought a '00 C230K for my S/O. It was used, had 77k on it, and with the exception of a problem we inheirited (fixed by the seller) it has been flawless. It has 175k on it now. Paid $4500 for it, was a great move. The problem was a light miss at idle and a dead cyl in any hot ambient temp. My independant guy said the coils (buried in the head valley under a cover) take the heat badly (this had been a Palm Springs car). It cost the seller $190 for the parts, and an hour of my guys time ($95.).

The seller told me it was why he had sold the car. We change oil (syn)religiously, and I follow the rest of the maint. sched as well. Does 21MPG at 80 on the freeway, and 17-ish around town.

When she's happy, I am happy. She has been taking my Prius lately, mainly because of the mileage it gets when the fuel was $3. there for a while. It is 71 miles each way when she has to go in (2 days a week).

I have had a string of older (pre 1986) MB's. All great as well.

Obviously YMMV.

[MBAtarga]

Many bad, sad, stories at this MB complaint site here.

[911teo]

In 1998 I bought an SLK 230k (R170... 1st generation). What a blast... I had Zero problems with it... Drove the hell out of it up and down Europe. Used to live in Frankfurt and every weekend we'd drive either to Paris, Prague, Milan or London.... 150mph on the Autobahn, up and down the mountains... never an issue...
With some friends we once did a London-Montecarlo-London in 4 days driving through the Alps on some stages of the Montecarlo rally... My friends had a Porsche Boxster, Lotus Elise and TVR Griffith...
The TVR blew up as soon as we reached Cannes (after a 8h flat out stint on the French Autoroute. I was thinking the Boxster and Elise would hand my ass to me on the mountains but that little torquey MB stayed with them all the way...
Is it a driver's car? not really... The ASR is too intrusive and the suspension is set up with too much understeer... But on public roads (even at above twice the posted speed limits) there was nothing between the 3 cars... With the exception that as soon as we hit the highway we'd leave the Elise for dead.
Why did I sell it? Well the 1st baby coming forced the reluctant sale... But that was a blessing in disguise as I bought my 1st 911 as a more practical sportscar.
Would I buy it again? I don't know... I love the 911 and I would not leave it in the garage to take the SLK but...

Read some of the reviews on the English mags (EVO, TopGear, Autocar)... the SLK55 trumps the Boxster S as a more fun (even if not as dynamically capable car) proposition.

What about all the horror stories regarding the reliability? I don't know. I never ever spent a penny on the car. I cooked the brakes in the Alps during the London-Montecarlo_london trip. I called the 24h MB service on Friday night at 7pm... The next morning (Saturday) MB Cannes Service Dept had 4 pads waiting for me (well they mounted them as well). I think that people that shell $40-50k for a MB and have problems are more vocal than all the other happy customers...

Having said all that I think the new SLK is not as stylistically appealing as the old one... I am not convinced about the F1 (!?!?!) derived front and the rear cluster lights remind me too much of an Acura...
Supposedly the interior is light years ahead of the old one...

Just my experience...

[HardDrive]

2 years ago when we were shopping for an SUV, the JDP powers rating on the ML was lower than Hyundi and Kia. Ended up with a Lexus and happy.

Oh....never mind....our Lexus does not have enough 'passion' ......whatever......at least it runs, which is more than you can say for the kraut wagons these days...

[island911]

hmmm . .. if MBz are so bad, why does Toyota . . er, Lexus copy the crap out of the Benz?

I think Matteo has a good point; people that shell $40-130k for a MB and have problems are more vocal than all the other happy customers... especially past MBz owners, expecting continued improvement.

That said, I do beleive that MBz has been more focused on pumping out product, than improving the product.


"seem built more like plastic portapotties." -- LOL

[HardDrive]

LOL. I gotta assume people are me sick of me crowing about Lexus every 2 seconds....

[ChemMan]

I like the SLK. Convertible hardtop!!!!-This I really like.
Mike

[911teo]

Originally posted by HardDrive
LOL. I gotta assume people are me sick of me crowing about Lexus every 2 seconds....

I don't think so... but maybe, just maybe you are trying to convince yourself you have made the right choice.

[osidak]

As seen on a MB enthusiast site - these guys are rabid MB lovers (including this guy)

Had a 98 SLK320.

Interior was made out of very hard vinyl (plastic) and very uncomfortable, especially the center armrest.Interior is extremely small with very little wiggle room.

First year for the SLK and MB used the FSS system. Big engine wear problem
(sludge) problem with extended oil changes and not using Mobil 1. Was a lawsuit and there was some type of award given to owners.

First year for the sealed transmission. Mine leaked fluid and there was some sort of upgrade dealer installed. Make sure fluid has been changed.

Tires/wheels were different sizes frt to rear so be sure tires are proper size.

Engine was very noisy but with top down didn't notice it too much. Be sure the supercharger has been checked out.