Which Mercedes models considered reliable tanks vs. unreliable crap? ('70-today)

[sugarwood]

I've always heard conflicting opinions about Benz. I'm curious which eras and/or specific models were considered great cars that just went and went vs. gremlin riddled crap that was always in the shop. What experiences have you had or known first hand?

I pulled a list from Wiki for reference
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Mercedes-Benz_vehicles

1970s
280 (W114) 1972-1976
280C (W114) 1973-1976
300D (W114) 1975-1976
W123 1976-1985
G-Class 1979-
S-Class
W116 1972-1979
SL-Class 1957-
W113 1963-1971
R107 1972-1989

1980s
190 1982-1993
300D 1977-1985
300CD 1978-1985
300SD 1981-1985
300SEL 1987-1991
300SDL 1986-1987
300TD 1978-1985
350SDL 1990-1991
500SE 1984-1991
500SEC 1984-1991
500SEL 1984-1991
560SEL 1986-1991
560SEC 1986-1991
300E 1986-1993
300CE 1986 - 1993
Mercedes-Benz 200E 1980-1985

1990s
A-Class 1997-
C-Class 1993-
CLK-Class 1998-
E-Class 1995-
SL-Class 1989-2001
Vaneo 1997-2004

2000s
Mercedes-Benz A-Class
W168 2000-2004
W169 2004-2012
Mercedes-Benz B-Class
W245 2005-2011
Mercedes-Benz C-Class
W203 2000-2007
W204 2007-
Mercedes-Benz CL-Class
W215 2000-2006
W216 2007-
Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class 2000-
Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class 2004-
Mercedes-Benz E-Class
W210 1995-2002
W211 2003-2009
W212 2009-
Mercedes-Benz G-Class 2000-
Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
X164 2007-
Mercedes-Benz M-Class
W163 1998-2005
W164 2006-2011
W166 2011-
Mercedes-Benz R-Class 2006-
Mercedes-Benz S-Class
W220 1999-2005
W221 2006-2013
W222 2014-
Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class
R170 1998-2004
R171 2005-
Mercedes-Benz SL-Class 2001-
R230
Mercedes-Benz SLR-McLaren 2003-2009
722 Edition 2006-2009

[NY65912]

My '83 and '85 300TD (W123) were as bulletproof as you can get. I put over 300k mi on the '85, never a problem. Oh wait, I did have to change the alternator once. Other than the usual wear items and oil changes...nothing. Started up everytime.

[osidak]

Just about anything from the W126 and back where reliable tanks (with a few exceptions of course)

[Chocaholic]

70s and 80s = good.

[Scuba Steve]

Originally Posted by Chocaholic

70s and 80s = good.

I'd generally agree with that. The '80s ones really are at the point where a lot of components are succumbing to time if they haven't been replaced yet though. However if they were lesser quality they probably wouldn't have lasted that long to begin with.

[onewhippedpuppy]

I would rate the models to the late '90s as good as well. I had a 1995 W202 that was a tank. Pretty much everything pre-Daimler/Chrysler merger had a greater emphasis on quality. They seemed to have improved post-merger as well, my 2009 C63 was a really solid car.

[greglepore]

All Benz's, like anything else, have an Achilles heel. However, for the most part they were engineered to be worked on. I'd say anything up to and including the w124 and 140. The 124's aren't exciting but are tanks. The 140 I have now is a dream to drive but you need to set aside 3k a year "in case". The basic car is very reliable, some of the aux systems not so. And has been said previously, a Benz doesn't suffer a fool easily. Deferred maintenance can seriously bite you in the ass.

[JD159]

Dad has 500k on his 2005 c230 coupe 1.8l with a tuned supercharger. Has been the most reliable car he has ever owned.

[Scuba Steve]

Originally Posted by greglepore

...for the most part they were engineered to be worked on...

For the most part, but not including the 560SL. Too much engine in too small a space. Under the dash is pretty ugly too. Work on one and you'll look like you got into a fight with a house cat.

[FLYGEEZER]

The very last "good" Mercedes was the 1995 W124. 200,000 + miles and still going strong! The M104 engine & 722.369 transmission are simply fool proof.

[stinkindiesel]

Originally Posted by FLYGEEZER

The very last "good" Mercedes was the 1995 W124. 200,000 + miles and still going strong! The M104 engine & 722.369 transmission are simply fool proof.

+1

The W124 and R107 were the last of the really good ones. All later models were hit and miss.

Gary

[MRM]

As far as I know, the W211 (2003-2009) and W212 (2009-present) E Class are very reliable. My wife has an 08 E-350 and it has been Toyota-like in reliability. It has well over 100,000 miles on it and I can't think of a single thing that broke or a time it wouldn't start. Other than the usual wear items, it's been flawless and has the wonderful bank vault build and comfortable drive that you expect from a Mercedes.

I think it was McLovin who pointed out that the later W211 were particularly reliable cars since the model had been in production for so many years that all the bugs were worked out long ago. I drive a 2011 BMW 535 and the 2008 E-350 is every bit as comfortable and looks as nice as the newer BMW. My car is sportier and has a slightly larger cabin. The Mercedes has a little larger trunk and the leather interior is nicer. We got real leather on the Mercedes instead of the fake MB Tex stuff and it's fabulous. The leather in my BMW is just the base leather that comes with most of their 5 series cars and it's just OK. It's the only quibble I have about my car, by the way.

[snbush67]

Originally Posted by JD159

Dad has 500k on his 2005 c230 coupe 1.8l with a tuned supercharger. Has been the most reliable car he has ever owned.

I had exactly the opposite experience with a 2006 c230, total POS;

the car was constantly in maintenance for engine and transmission problems, I had purchased an extended warranty so everything was covered, the engine was replaced and then had to be rebuilt again, the transmission feel apart in the roadway twice, another time it just left me sitting and would keep shutting off.

With less than 60,000 miles the entire suspension just quit, the dealer replaced everything.

The warranty finally ran out and the transmission went again, the dealer quoted me 6000$ for a fix and tried to get me to buy another Mercedes and would not take the c230 in trade.

The car looked immaculate, shiny paint perfect interior, it was well maintained at every interval and treated gently, but it kept leaving us stranded.

[Yorkie]

I have a 2007 E550 I bought with 30K on it and now it is at 113K. Indeed it is built like a tank and holds together very nicely but I have had some issues such as failed engine mounts (twice @$500 a set) failed ECU (covered by warranty) and three bent front rims but beyond that it has been very reliable. Eats tires and gas but its a heavy car. I get 15mpg city 25 highway so I cannot complain as it truly is a powerful car. The air suspension is wobbly and none of the three settings are perfect. A couple of the guys here at work had E63s and the cost of brake jobs and tires was crippling but with over 500hp its to be expected. Without a doubt my next car will be a Volt or Prius.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

My '01 r170 SLK has been pretty solid. Achilles heel is the PSE module (on my third one, they're about $600 a crack). They are mounted in the trunk in a way that they can get water on them if the trunk gutter drains either get clogged or do not drain properly, which happens. I've now discovered that the permanent fix is to relocate the module and secure it to the upper part of the deck between the trunk and the cabin.

The car is bags of fun and has otherwise been fairly trouble-free. I highly recommend an AMG SLK 32 if you can find one they are severely understated cars and extremely quick.

[greglepore]

Yo Edgar-you got a good one. Mine needed a head gasket at 110k to the tune of 2k plus.

[A930Rocket]

All I can say is avoid the R350. Actually it was good until 100K when it needed an engine repair for $10K. No thanks.

[LakeCleElum]

45 years old......63,000 miles and drives like new.....

[Embraer]

Originally Posted by JD159

Dad has 500k on his 2005 c230 coupe 1.8l with a tuned supercharger. Has been the most reliable car he has ever owned.

I bought a 2002 c230 coupe for my girlfriend (now ex) to drive when she came out to California last fall. 225K miles on it, and solid as can be. ...well it was until last Friday when she was talking on her cell phone and merged into a guy on the 170. now it's waiting to be totaled out by the insurance company.

[FLYGEEZER]

Yes Greg , my 124 got a head gasket @ 126,000 miles for an oil leak at the rear of the engine. Other than that, just normal things like tires & brakes. I would NEVER buy a new MB of any kind.