Quest for the Least Reliable Vehicle for MontuckyFried

[fatnslow]

thx

i'm starting to wonder at the wisdom of owning my 3/4t 4wd long bed crew cab for the way i use it, not that it's a commuter, but it is still a huge chunk of steel to haul around as my only vehicle.

& that wagon is intriguing -- i would never have thought about that car without having seen your interest in it

If you don't do any wrenching a Benz can eat you alive but there are lot of resources available to help reduce cost of ownership. They're actually a very good value on the used market. Not too much more than a Subaru of similar era/mileage, I bet a 2015 Subaru wagon with under 75K miles is around $18-$20K right now.

[::: :::]

If you don't do any wrenching a Benz can eat you alive

that's as far as i got, thx...!

alright, loose next vehicle search continues

[BmillsSkier]

Have you considered the benefits of fractional ownership?

[MontuckyFried]

If you don't do any wrenching a Benz can eat you alive but there are lot of resources available to help reduce cost of ownership. They're actually a very good value on the used market. Not too much more than a Subaru of similar era/mileage, I bet a 2015 Subaru wagon with under 75K miles is around $18-$20K right now.

DEFINITELY the plan since it's long since out of warranty. Already I can tell the layout seems much easier than my fleet of Volvos I've done tons of work on. Plus that basket case of an Audi I used to have and got fully sorted out. I'm not scared. Parts seem to be plentiful, many are actually surprisingly cheap, and there is a way larger community out there. TONS of resources available compared to Volvos. Trim parts are way cheaper too. Which is good, because that's the downside to them. Cupholders are flimsy crap, but at least they're only $20. A whopping $30 from my local dealer.

And you're right. They really are a great value used compared to the competition, which is what steered me toward them. It's likely due to exactly what you said, though. If you went through the dealer for everything, these cars could cripple you. But same goes for Volvo too, for which my dealer had ludicrously high prices on everything.

[MontuckyFried]

thx

i'm starting to wonder at the wisdom of owning my 3/4t 4wd long bed crew cab for the way i use it, not that it's a commuter, but it is still a huge chunk of steel to haul around as my only vehicle.

& that wagon is intriguing -- i would never have thought about that car without having seen your interest in it

Perhaps this may persuade you? Snapped this on my recent road trip with it:



I am shocked by the mileage I'm getting out of this thing. I know it's rated for 28 hwy, but still. Not bad for such a heavy, big wagon.

[MontuckyFried]

that's as far as i got, thx...!

alright, loose next vehicle search continues

Just join us in the Wrenching thread! We got your back, homey. Nothing to be scared of. Besides, it's not like they're blowing head gaskets every 2 seconds like Subarus or anything.

[fatnslow]

DEFINITELY the plan since it's long since out of warranty. Already I can tell the layout seems much easier than my fleet of Volvos I've done tons of work on. I'm not scared. Parts seem to be plentiful, many are actually surprisingly cheap, and there is a way larger community out there. TONS of resources available compared to Volvos. Trim parts are way cheaper too. Which is good, because that's the downside to them. Cupholders are flimsy crap, but at least they're only $20. A whopping $30 from my local dealer.

And you're right. They really are a great value used compared to the competition, which is what steered me toward them. It's likely due to exactly what you said, though. If you went through the dealer for everything, these cars could cripple you. But same goes for Volvo too, for which my dealer had ludicrously high prices on everything.

can you source STAR clone somewhere for a decent price ?

[fatnslow]

Perhaps this may persuade you? Snapped this on my recent road trip with it:



I am shocked by the mileage I'm getting out of this thing. I know it's rated for 28 hwy, but still. Not bad for such a heavy, big wagon.

Tell me you didn't drive 67 from Florida to Texas..... I would think you have been shot at multiple times at that rate of travel.

[MontuckyFried]

Tell me you didn't drive 67 from Florida to Texas..... I would think you have been shot at multiple times at that rate of travel.

LMAO no. Was cruising about 80, err correction, "Posted legal limit" most the way. Got stuck in Houston traffic forever tho which skewed my average speed. Before I hit Houston, I actually saw my mpg state 30.0! Not too shabby!

[4matic]

If you don't do any wrenching a Benz can eat you alive

I’ve owned Benz’s for 30 years and that’s not my experience. What makes you say that? My sedan has ABC. My wagon with 200k has airmatic. The sedan needed an alternator that was $1k installed and the wagon has needed various airmatic parts but I can tell you for certain that’s it’s a lot less troublesome than my friends multiple Subarus.

My gf has 2012 S550 bought in 2015. Nothing consequential has gone wrong with that car in 8 years. One door handle keyless entry sensor went bad so the mech swapped it with the rear.

That said, I wouldn’t own an AMG or an early Bama Benz. Probably still wouldn’t own any Bama Benz.

[fatnslow]

I’ve owned Benz’s for 30 years and that’s not my experience. What makes you say that? My sedan has ABC. My wagon with 200k has airmatic. The sedan needed an alternator that was $1k installed and the wagon has needed various airmatic parts but I can tell you for certain that’s it’s a lot less troublesome than my friends multiple Subarus.

My gf has 2012 S550 bought in 2015. Nothing consequential has gone wrong with that car in 8 years. One door handle keyless entry sensor went bad so the mech swapped it with the rear.

That said, I wouldn’t own an AMG or an early Bama Benz. Probably still wouldn’t own any Bama Benz.

Man, even if that's the god's truth you should have NEVER typed this out. Now you are guaranteed weird issues with BOTH systems as a humbling reminder from the euro car gods.
My point is the cost of routine maintenance will be higher in a Euro luxury car compared to a Japanese and paying for 20/30/60/90K service alone can be very expensive VS. handling most of it DIY. IF one of your ABC systems were to start failing or behave erratically the diagnostics are generally expensive since most mechanics won't have required software to trouble shoot accurately and replace items that require special programming requiring a visit to a specialty shop.

[MarcusBrody]

I'm late to this, but nice wagon, Montucky Fried! I love E Class wagons and stalk them online pretty regularly, even if one wouldn't necessarily solve any of my current unmet needs. I just think they're cool.

Enjoy!

[4matic]

the cost of routine maintenance will be higher in a Euro luxury car compared to a Japanese and paying for 20/30/60/90K service alone can be very expensive VS. handling most of it DIY. IF one of your ABC systems were to start failing or behave erratically the diagnostics are generally expensive since most mechanics won't have required software to trouble shoot accurately and replace items that require special programming requiring a visit to a specialty shop.

Most of this is not true. Any decent shop has software for most problem’s. My current Indy shares license with another shop on top of the line STAR.

Routine dealer service is expensive in all cars. If $100 or 2 more “eats you alive” well then that’s a problem.

I know it’s not if but when my ABC pump fails and it will be expensive but I know that and planned for it. It’s not a difficult job really but requires a special tool to evacuate the system.

I’ve owned one Porsche and those can definitely test your patience. Lots of little, expensive problems. Not to mention the water leaks.

[::: :::]

Just join us in the Wrenching thread! We got your back, homey. Nothing to be scared of. Besides, it's not like they're blowing head gaskets every 2 seconds like Subarus or anything.

I will read along as it seems folks are nevertheless enthusiastic about the merc

(my truck has been trouble free for 10yrs & i do like that kind of reliability even in a used vehicle)

[riser4]

I’ve owned Benz’s for 30 years and that’s not my experience. What makes you say that? My sedan has ABC. My wagon with 200k has airmatic. The sedan needed an alternator that was $1k installed and the wagon has needed various airmatic parts but I can tell you for certain that’s it’s a lot less troublesome than my friends multiple Subarus.

My gf has 2012 S550 bought in 2015. Nothing consequential has gone wrong with that car in 8 years. One door handle keyless entry sensor went bad so the mech swapped it with the rear.

That said, I wouldn’t own an AMG or an early Bama Benz. Probably still wouldn’t own any Bama Benz.

Username checks out.

[4matic]

Username checks out.

Been using that since no one knew what it meant. I had a 92 300e 4matic. It didn’t become a standard till a decade later. Now it’s kinda pretentious but wtf.

That original 4matic was a genius piece of engineering but sadly had limited service life. The w124 chassis was terrific.

[MontuckyFried]

I’ve owned Benz’s for 30 years and that’s not my experience. What makes you say that? My sedan has ABC. My wagon with 200k has airmatic. The sedan needed an alternator that was $1k installed and the wagon has needed various airmatic parts but I can tell you for certain that’s it’s a lot less troublesome than my friends multiple Subarus.

My gf has 2012 S550 bought in 2015. Nothing consequential has gone wrong with that car in 8 years. One door handle keyless entry sensor went bad so the mech swapped it with the rear.

You were a large part of my inspiration for taking the plunge on the brand. Seeing yours make 200K without too much trouble was all the proof I needed.

[MontuckyFried]

I'm late to this, but nice wagon, Montucky Fried! I love E Class wagons and stalk them online pretty regularly, even if one wouldn't necessarily solve any of my current unmet needs. I just think they're cool.

Enjoy!

Thanks! I'm really enjoying mine so far. It's such a relaxing ride. I take out the C30 when I wanna drive like a beat up Altima in Atlanta. I take the E wagon when I just wanna pop it into D and chilllllllll. Right tool for the job and all that. ^_^

[4matic]

Thanks man. I hope you enjoy yours as much as I do. The luxury side of sport. I can’t see myself not owning a Benz wagon. Gonna keep the e500 for a while with two sets of tires to burn.

[4matic]

Thanks! I'm really enjoying mine so far. It's such a relaxing ride. I take out the C30 when I wanna drive like a beat up Altima in Atlanta. I take the E wagon when I just wanna pop it into D and chilllllllll. Right tool for the job and all that. ^_^

You can flog that wagon pretty hard in sport mode if you want. It’s a good handling car.

[MontuckyFried]

Thanks man. I hope you enjoy yours as much as I do. The luxury side of sport. I can’t see myself not owning a Benz wagon. Gonna keep the e500 for a while with two sets of tires to burn.

I'm sure I'll love it. It really is a spoiler. Especially with the cavernous cargo space which is entirely why I gave up on Volvo since they shrunk the newer ones so much compared to my old XC70 or all of their older wagons for that matter. They sure do LOOK great, though. I just had a hard time bringing myself to lose so much room back their with my tall dog and occasional travel needs. Esp on long ski trips.

You can flog that wagon pretty hard in sport mode if you want. It’s a good handling car.

Oh yeah? Sport mode actually has surprised me. I won't say I've come close to flogging it or anything, but it really does feel quite competent for what it is. Even if it's a way more relaxed car than an AMG or RS6, I can appreciate it for what it is. I like that the luxury trim isn't trying too hard to be "sporty." No fake exhaust tips, giant rims, and other such nonsense. It has a mission, makes no apologies about it, and it does it brilliantly. Sort of the antithesis of the modern SUV.

[m2711c]

have i got deal for you! and for only a measly $9500... such a deal!










https://syracuse.craigslist.org/sear...=1~gallery~0~0

[gravitylover]

Nah, they were surprisingly reliable for a 70s American car. Well, at least until they got rear-ended.