When did mercs stop being built like a merc
Discussion
I've had a few...Even the last of the W124's were a bit crap paint wise. The switch to water based paints didn't do Merc any favours regardless of model. Having said that the earlier cars (like my 1980 450 SLC and 1971 250 SE pillarless) were no better, in fact the rustproofing was non existant in more crucial areas. Look under an older car and it looks fine till you peel away the rubberising to find the metal disolved years ago. IMO the eraly cars were better built but badly rustproofed chassis wise, the 80's cars started to get better but by the mid 90's it seems they lost the plot. Not the only ones though....VW and BMW were similar in terms of build quality during similar periods.
bazking69 said:
The rot started in the early to mid 90s with the new generation of C and E class due to cost and corner cutting. Even throughout most of the 00's, they were still riding on the brand qualities that had established them but that simply weren't there anymore in most cars.
My personal opinion is that they have only made headway in quality in the last couple of years. They've really upped their game of late, especially in terms of looks, but in reality they needed to considering they are promoting premium products in a competitive market.
Agree with this 100% - '96-'06 the quality was truly aweful for a manufacturer which has such perceived great quality.My personal opinion is that they have only made headway in quality in the last couple of years. They've really upped their game of late, especially in terms of looks, but in reality they needed to considering they are promoting premium products in a competitive market.
I would say the last great Benzes were the 124, 126, and 201. The 140 was too complicated and had some dubious engineering issues with it, but even those went south after around 95/96. Personally, you can't go wrong with a late 80s Benz.
My own si a 1978 280CE and it is built like a tank. I am impressed at the thought that went into everything whenever I am around it.
My own si a 1978 280CE and it is built like a tank. I am impressed at the thought that went into everything whenever I am around it.
My car history consists of the usual suspects, French 16valvers, BX and Clio's, VAG diesels, Passat and Golf. But the only car I miss is the '94 Merc C class, only the 1.8 Sport spec in Azurite blue but I loved it.
Every time it went up on the ramp for MOT's etc the guys would just grin and comment on it being built like a tank.
Not a hint of rust anywhere. Nothing overly fancy to go wrong, just an honest, solid, uncomplicated car.
Unfortunately wriiten off when some daft mare caught her flip flop in her accelerator pedal and from a standing start crashed into the front of the stationary Merc!
Every time it went up on the ramp for MOT's etc the guys would just grin and comment on it being built like a tank.
Not a hint of rust anywhere. Nothing overly fancy to go wrong, just an honest, solid, uncomplicated car.
Unfortunately wriiten off when some daft mare caught her flip flop in her accelerator pedal and from a standing start crashed into the front of the stationary Merc!
Patrick Bateman said:
That is a bit of a bummer as there could be some great bargains to be had now, if only they didn't rust/break so much from what I gather.
The reason they're so bargainous is because everybody knows they rust/break so much!I quite like the looks of the W210 estate. Are they worth the effort, if you can get a decent one and stay on top of the rust?
I don't know what metal MB uses, but I was shocked to see the other day -
(1) A 10 year old E class estate with rust all over the rear door and wheel-arches. Could have had a hard life, but then so do plenty of Volvos and Beemers...
(2) A 4 year old MB sprinter van with rust all over the back doors- around the hinges, locks, handles etc.
It was pretty suprising (especially the van), it was the level of rust you used to see on '70s period BL and Fiats!
(1) A 10 year old E class estate with rust all over the rear door and wheel-arches. Could have had a hard life, but then so do plenty of Volvos and Beemers...
(2) A 4 year old MB sprinter van with rust all over the back doors- around the hinges, locks, handles etc.
It was pretty suprising (especially the van), it was the level of rust you used to see on '70s period BL and Fiats!
To me, the W140/C140 S-Class/CL-Class (1998) and R129 SL (2001?) continued through the huge decline of the 1990's since the models predated the fall that began in the mid 1990's as the other lower models were released.
The W221 is close to where things should be, however, the general level of 'quality' is lower across the board. The lower prices when new have to be reached somehow and even when poking around a W221 S600 I was amazed how many bits and pieces felt very low-rent. Jumped back into my tank and while it does not have all the toys of the current generation it just feels 'better.
As it should considering it cost a lot more new than the current ones!
The W221 is close to where things should be, however, the general level of 'quality' is lower across the board. The lower prices when new have to be reached somehow and even when poking around a W221 S600 I was amazed how many bits and pieces felt very low-rent. Jumped back into my tank and while it does not have all the toys of the current generation it just feels 'better.
As it should considering it cost a lot more new than the current ones!
2003 W211 E320 CDi - I owned it for approx 15 months. Mileage was 43k when i bought it, and i sold it with 50k on the dial..
- Replaced both control arms
- three ball joints
- 2 torque converters
- One whole gearbox including clutch plate
The POS was also starting to rust...
I must have missed a lot of other stuff...
I promised i would never buy another one again...
Although the current C-class looks decent....but my experience was very expensive and for me Mercedes customer service was shocking. Truly abysmal...
- Replaced both control arms
- three ball joints
- 2 torque converters
- One whole gearbox including clutch plate
The POS was also starting to rust...
I must have missed a lot of other stuff...
I promised i would never buy another one again...
Although the current C-class looks decent....but my experience was very expensive and for me Mercedes customer service was shocking. Truly abysmal...
SuperHangOn said:
Usually considered to be the W201, W124, W140.
I'm thinking about a decent 124 diesel myself for the same reason. Sick of DMF's etc
The 123/124 are generally considered to be about the best engine for running on veg oil too if you fancy saving even more on your fuel costs.I'm thinking about a decent 124 diesel myself for the same reason. Sick of DMF's etc
stuttgartmetal said:
G Wagens were built by Puch I believe.
Try and spot a pre 1990 around, they're nearly all dead.
I bought this for £550 on ebay in May.
With 12mths MOT.
W124's.
Live with one for a month, you'll get the idea.
is it possible to get classic insurance on a merc of this vintage?Try and spot a pre 1990 around, they're nearly all dead.
I bought this for £550 on ebay in May.
With 12mths MOT.
W124's.
Live with one for a month, you'll get the idea.
Wedg1e said:
Pah, they've all been sh!t since my dad's 300D (all 1200 of them) went out of production in about '61.
Not his actual car, mind...
I've driven a 300D, great car if you live in the Netherlands where there's no hills, I've driven one, completely gutless engine made it horrible to drive.Not his actual car, mind...
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