Known New Mercedes Problems

Known New Mercedes Problems

Author
Discussion

Ari

19,328 posts

214 months

Thursday 16th August 2012
quotequote all
Dog Star said:
The lights come on under tree cover!!!

The box starts up in E with the stop/start enabled by default. You get used to switching it off straightaway but it is annoying.

RE: the fuel light - I got the MIL after running it down to a "st, I must find a petrol station" level - something I'd do a few times a year as a rule. No more though.
Yes, the lights come on under tree cover. They do on mine too if it's dim enough, it's a very useful safety feature, especially on a black car.

I understand that the car starts up with the start/stop engaged, my question was, what's the problem with start/stop? Why don't you want something that will save you money engaged? I had it on my MINI Cooper and thought it was an excellent feature.

Aeroresh

1,429 posts

231 months

Thursday 16th August 2012
quotequote all
Start stop needn't be an issue. Its easy to modulate the brake pedal pressure with your foot so it only turns the engine off when you want.

You guys got lead boots or something? wink

r129sl

9,518 posts

202 months

Thursday 16th August 2012
quotequote all
yellowbentines said:
...rear seats that fold flat with the flick of a lever at the tailgate without needing to move the seat bases (they are fixed) or climb into the back...
I find this about the cheapest and nastiest design compromise in an otherwise OK car. In order to save the cost of having hinged and readily removable rear seat bases yet still have a flat floor when the seat backs are folded, the fixed bench is made of thin, shapeless foam and is set too low for adult comfort. The seats in modern Mercedes are truly rubbish compared with those fitted from about 1968 (the /8) through to about 1998 (the 140 was about the last car to have properly sprung seats).

yellowbentines

5,296 posts

206 months

Thursday 16th August 2012
quotequote all
r129sl said:
the fixed bench is made of thin, shapeless foam and is set too low for adult comfort.
I'll count myself lucky then that my back seats get used about twice a year, hence for me the one piece folding rear seats are wonderful!

audidoody

8,595 posts

255 months

Friday 17th August 2012
quotequote all
I'm pretty sure that under EU emissions regulations the ECO stop/start must be engaged when the engine is started. So not really MB's fault.

Shamu

147 posts

179 months

Saturday 18th August 2012
quotequote all
If you have no full beam, your car is broken.

Do you have the Intelligent light system or standard halogen's?

Ari

19,328 posts

214 months

Tuesday 21st August 2012
quotequote all
So we never did discover why a feature that conveniently turns the lights on in low visibility or a feature that saves fuel (and can be turned off) is a "known Mercedes problem" then? biggrin

rogerthefish

Original Poster:

1,985 posts

230 months

Wednesday 22nd August 2012
quotequote all
audidoody said:
I'm pretty sure that under EU emissions regulations the ECO stop/start must be engaged when the engine is started. So not really MB's fault.
You can turn it off every time you start the engine, but in an Audi for instance you can turn off by default

rogerthefish

Original Poster:

1,985 posts

230 months

Wednesday 22nd August 2012
quotequote all
Ari said:
So we never did discover why a feature that conveniently turns the lights on in low visibility or a feature that saves fuel (and can be turned off) is a "known Mercedes problem" then? biggrin
Lights do not go on high beam without "holding" the arm back,
fuel feature see above

Dog Star

16,079 posts

167 months

Wednesday 22nd August 2012
quotequote all
Ari said:
I understand that the car starts up with the start/stop engaged, my question was, what's the problem with start/stop? Why don't you want something that will save you money engaged? I had it on my MINI Cooper and thought it was an excellent feature.
I really don't like it at all; just my preference.

I'm noticing a lot of cars turning off at lights now - Mercs, BMWs, MINIs and VWs notably, so an awful lot of new cars appear to be coming out with this stop/start now. Just wait a few years when the starters start packing up in heavy traffic: I predict massive gridlock yikes

yellowbentines

5,296 posts

206 months

Wednesday 22nd August 2012
quotequote all
rogerthefish said:
Lights do not go on high beam without "holding" the arm back,
fuel feature see above
Does your car have the switch to the right of the steering wheel that allows you to select from sidelights, auto or dipped beam? If so, and if like mine, to be able to choose 'high beam' by pushing the indicator stalk away from you, you need to turn the switch past auto onto dipped headlights, otherwise the intelligent lights will choose when you can have 'high beam' when the stalk is pushed away from you.

As for the start\stop, I hated it when I had a diesel engine, but now I'm back in a petrol its barely noticeable so I leave it on all of the time - as said it saves fuel and over time you do learn to adapt your driving around it.

GTIR

24,741 posts

265 months

Wednesday 22nd August 2012
quotequote all
yellowbentines said:
GTIR said:
That's utterly rediculous!

I'm keeping a hold of my 07 E class for as long as I can!
I do miss my 2008 W211 for the reasons stated - 'rest' function, double sunvisors, ability to switch lights off completely, lack of stupid 'eco' button!

However, there are other things I love about the W212 - bag hooks in the boot, rear seats that fold flat with the flick of a lever at the tailgate without needing to move the seat bases (they are fixed) or climb into the back, smoothness of the 7G autobox, great iPod and blackberry connectivity through updated COMAND, the COMAND screen sitting at eye level, and so on - it's not all bad.

That said, I hated the W204 I had for 6 months last year and much preferred the W203 I had before!
Mine has bag hooks. smile

yellowbentines

5,296 posts

206 months

Wednesday 22nd August 2012
quotequote all
GTIR said:
Mine has bag hooks. smile
Saloon or estate? 2008 estate didn't have bag hooks in the boot.

2011 estate has TWO bag hooks...AND, they are retractable, oooooohhhh smile

r129sl

9,518 posts

202 months

Wednesday 22nd August 2012
quotequote all
Dog Star said:
Just wait a few years when the starters start packing up in heavy traffic: I predict massive gridlock yikes
Strangely enough, they have beefed up starters. And anyway, starter motors last longer than cars these days: today's new car will be lucky to see 2018.

Ari

19,328 posts

214 months

Wednesday 22nd August 2012
quotequote all
rogerthefish said:
Lights do not go on high beam without "holding" the arm back,
Then your car needs to be repaired, surely? confused

rogerthefish

Original Poster:

1,985 posts

230 months

Thursday 23rd August 2012
quotequote all
yellowbentines said:
Does your car have the switch to the right of the steering wheel that allows you to select from sidelights, auto or dipped beam? If so, and if like mine, to be able to choose 'high beam' by pushing the indicator stalk away from you, you need to turn the switch past auto onto dipped headlights, otherwise the intelligent lights will choose when you can have 'high beam' when the stalk is pushed away from you.
Have intelligence lighting, but I think it's always asleep as high beam never comes on...will try the other way, thanks.

GTIR

24,741 posts

265 months

Thursday 23rd August 2012
quotequote all
yellowbentines said:
GTIR said:
Mine has bag hooks. smile
Saloon or estate? 2008 estate didn't have bag hooks in the boot.

2011 estate has TWO bag hooks...AND, they are retractable, oooooohhhh smile
Saloon.

Two retractable hooks! eek

Monkeylegend

26,226 posts

230 months

Thursday 23rd August 2012
quotequote all
GTIR said:
I know lots of people (chauffeurs) who went from W211 to W212 and without exception they all regret it.
Cheaper materials dressed up as "weight saving", noisier engine (even the 350, which is a souped up 250), no "rest" mode in the heater, no secondary visor etc.

I've also had customers say they didn't even realise they were in a Merc after one of my customers said "Can you send a Mercedes next time" hehe

I'm not a fan but do like the coupe looks wise.
Changed from an '07 E220 to a '60 plate W212 220 last year and don't regret it .

Mine is the last of the 5G boxes, and is a big improvement in some areas, particularly fuel economy,better handling,good build quality, no squeeks or rattles.

It also generally drives and feels much better than the 211.

The intelligent lighting system is very good mostly. It doesn't always self dip when you want it too, but switching it to "manual" lets you hold high beam as normal.

I agree with the cost cutting inside, and my big bug bear is the lack of the second sun visor. It must cost peanuts and I cannot for the life me understand why they have done away with it. I also have a dislike for the auto wipers, just give me a button/switch so I can adjust the intermittent wipe myself.

I have driven nearly 80k in mine now however with no issues other than a minute water leak on the fuel pump housing, a common problem apparantly, replaced under warranty.

I was very dubious about changing initially but made the right decision in the end.

GTIR

24,741 posts

265 months

Thursday 23rd August 2012
quotequote all
Monkeylegend said:
GTIR said:
I know lots of people (chauffeurs) who went from W211 to W212 and without exception they all regret it.
Cheaper materials dressed up as "weight saving", noisier engine (even the 350, which is a souped up 250), no "rest" mode in the heater, no secondary visor etc.

I've also had customers say they didn't even realise they were in a Merc after one of my customers said "Can you send a Mercedes next time" hehe

I'm not a fan but do like the coupe looks wise.
Changed from an '07 E220 to a '60 plate W212 220 last year and don't regret it .

Mine is the last of the 5G boxes, and is a big improvement in some areas, particularly fuel economy,better handling,good build quality, no squeeks or rattles.

It also generally drives and feels much better than the 211.

The intelligent lighting system is very good mostly. It doesn't always self dip when you want it too, but switching it to "manual" lets you hold high beam as normal.

I agree with the cost cutting inside, and my big bug bear is the lack of the second sun visor. It must cost peanuts and I cannot for the life me understand why they have done away with it. I also have a dislike for the auto wipers, just give me a button/switch so I can adjust the intermittent wipe myself.

I have driven nearly 80k in mine now however with no issues other than a minute water leak on the fuel pump housing, a common problem apparantly, replaced under warranty.

I was very dubious about changing initially but made the right decision in the end.
Hmm. scratchchin

You're in denial aren't you. yes





biggrin

Monkeylegend

26,226 posts

230 months

Thursday 23rd August 2012
quotequote all
GTIR said:
Monkeylegend said:
GTIR said:
I know lots of people (chauffeurs) who went from W211 to W212 and without exception they all regret it.
Cheaper materials dressed up as "weight saving", noisier engine (even the 350, which is a souped up 250), no "rest" mode in the heater, no secondary visor etc.

I've also had customers say they didn't even realise they were in a Merc after one of my customers said "Can you send a Mercedes next time" hehe

I'm not a fan but do like the coupe looks wise.
Changed from an '07 E220 to a '60 plate W212 220 last year and don't regret it .

Mine is the last of the 5G boxes, and is a big improvement in some areas, particularly fuel economy,better handling,good build quality, no squeeks or rattles.

It also generally drives and feels much better than the 211.

The intelligent lighting system is very good mostly. It doesn't always self dip when you want it too, but switching it to "manual" lets you hold high beam as normal.

I agree with the cost cutting inside, and my big bug bear is the lack of the second sun visor. It must cost peanuts and I cannot for the life me understand why they have done away with it. I also have a dislike for the auto wipers, just give me a button/switch so I can adjust the intermittent wipe myself.

I have driven nearly 80k in mine now however with no issues other than a minute water leak on the fuel pump housing, a common problem apparantly, replaced under warranty.

I was very dubious about changing initially but made the right decision in the end.
Hmm. scratchchin

You're in denial aren't you. yes





biggrin
I am not prepared to incriminate myself on an open forum .)