[W126 Coupe] Questions about 2003 S500

[Jonathan Hodgman]

Fortunately, I have not.  Mercedes and the occasional Austin Healey or
Packard when I head home to my parents place.

My estimation comes from the Lexus owners/mechanics I know have had very few
issues/warranty claims, abnormal issues in many years they have owned them.
However, with the Mercedes their issues run the gamut these days, from
engines that sludge up, transmissions that don't last, electronic brake
systems that don't work, wiring that loses it's mind..along with the
associated computers..even their active suspension systems are
extraordinarily problematic.  Such issues are the rare exception with
Lexus/Toyota..  Their cars @ this point appear to do what they are supposed
to do w/o major reconditioning for 150-200K...something Mercedes Used to be
known for.

You can't get anyone to go near these newer Mercedes once they pass 100K and
the prices have Plummeted as of late.


Jonathan


On 9/25/06, Shayegan, Richard <rishayegan at davidson.edu> wrote:
>
>  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> 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
> > >
> > >
> > > The MB Coupes Website!
> > > W126 SEC Mailing List
> > > Postings remain property of MB Coupes, L.L.C.
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > --
> > 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
> >
> > The MB Coupes Website!
> > W126 SEC Mailing List
> > Postings remain property of MB Coupes, L.L.C.
> >
> >
> >  ------------------------------
> >  <http://monthlyprizes.iwon.com/mp/overview.jsp>
> >
> >
> > The MB Coupes Website!
> > W126 SEC Mailing List
> > Postings remain property of MB Coupes, L.L.C.
> >
> >
>
>
> --
> 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
>
> The MB Coupes Website!
> W126 SEC Mailing List
> Postings remain property of MB Coupes, L.L.C.
>
>


-- 
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
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://www.pairlist.net/pipermail/mbcoupes/attachments/20060925/ea3d0225/attachment.htm