[W126 Coupe] Questions about 2003 S500

Mon Sep 25 16:28:21 EDT 2006

I think the instance of people liking their Lexus's is a result of lower
expectations. You ever worked on a Lexus Jonathan? It's that same
mentality I see in all Japanese cars: out of sight out of mind. Make it
look to an average consumer that it is quality, but don't spend the
money to actually make the wiring and things like that properly.
Richard

________________________________

From: mbcoupes-bounces at mbcoupes.com
[mailto:mbcoupes-bounces at mbcoupes.com] On Behalf Of Jonathan Hodgman
Sent: Monday, September 25, 2006 2:43 PM
To: mfmeyer at iwon.com; Mercedes Coupes Mailing Lists
Subject: Re: [W126 Coupe] Questions about 2003 S500

All the German makes have taken a dive w/ their quality/longevity.  My
Audi friends aren't terribly fond of the new ones by any stretch.

Hell, our 06 Z4 BMW has been back to the dealer 4 times in 4000
miles....pretty sad. 

With that in mind, the vast majority of Lexus owners I know have nothing
but glowing praise for their cars...even those cresting the 150+K mark.

Jonathan

On 9/25/06, Markus Meyer <mfmeyer at iwon.com> wrote: 

Lexus? At least stick with German...what about the Audi's, A8 for
example as a comparison to the S500 4-matic? 

Markus Meyer
484-919-9762 (cell)
http://www.meyerprobateproperties.com/

--- On Mon 09/25, Jonathan Hodgman < jhodgman at gmail.com > wrote:

	From: Jonathan Hodgman [mailto: jhodgman at gmail.com]
	To: mbcoupes at mbcoupes.com
	Date: Mon, 25 Sep 2006 14:32:11 -0400 
	Subject: Re: [W126 Coupe] Questions about 2003 S500 

	Interesting, the ML transfer cases are an engineers
nightmare..poorly thought out/executed. ML's are known for eating their
transfer cases..Big $$. 

	The last tech I spoke w/ (25+ years now, certified by MB every
which way) nearly gagged when I mentioned the 220's.. He can't stand
them...lots of issues, difficult to diagnose.. MB has apparently had
quite a few 220's that even They couldn't fix. 

	Personally, if he wants something new I'd look to a Lexus..they
seem to be relatively OK.

	Jonathan

	On 9/25/06, Michael S Cosby <michael.cosby at state.co.us > wrote: 

		I live at 9000 feet outside of Denver, drive in every
day, and just have 
		studded snow tires. I am left wanting MAYBE 1-2 times
per year, and it
		gets me home every time anyway.
		Mtnmike

		>>> Steve Nervig < dakota at mac.com
<mailto:dakota at mac.com> > 09/25/06 11:42 AM >>>

		On Sep 25, 2006, at 9:49 AM, Mister McGoo wrote:

		> 4-matic can be VERY expensive. ... sometimes called
the Mercedes
		> Probla-matic, particularly as they age. 
		>
		> -Bellamy
		>
		>

		I've heard differently, Bellamy. The early 4MATIC system
found on the

		W124 from 1990-1993 was problematic. Complicated, and
prone to seal
		failure.

		However, the later, late-90s-introduced 4MATIC was a
different 
		animal, as I recall. Based on the ML system. I have not
heard of many

		problems with the later system.

		Steve

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	Blue Ridge Mercedes
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	1989 560 SEC AMG (N.America Conversion)
	1987 560 SEC US Spec
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	1986 560 SL White on Burgundy
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	1992 E300D 140K Champagne on Parchment tex (Sold) 
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-- 
Blue Ridge Mercedes
Offering Enthusiast Service and Restoration. 
Providing quality parts to discriminating customers in all parts of the
world.
Located in the Greater Atlanta area 
www.blueridgemb.com
1996 S600 Euro "Scharnhorst" 
1991 560 SEC Full Euro ECE
1991 560 SEC 226Hp/271ft/lbs:)
1989 560 SEC AMG (N.America Conversion)
1987 560 SEC US Spec
1986 560 SEC Currently being Parted (check my page)
1986 560 SL  White on Burgundy
1985 500 SEL Euro (Parts Car)
1985 300 CD Blue on Blue
1980 280 SE Euro
1978 300D TMU
1987 560 SEL 162K Midnight Blue on Gray RIP:(
1992 E300D 140K Champagne on Parchment tex (Sold)
1990 560 SEC 154K Anthracite on Gray (Sold) 
1988 300 TE 160K Burgundy on Palomino (Sold)
1980 280 SE US 185K (Sold)
2006 Z4 3.0Si M spec 6sp 
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