Build quality decline in mid 90's??? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

muleears · #1 11-27-2006, 12:47 PM

I have been reading here and other forums that the build quality of the Benz declined in the mid 90's

. Those of you that own them what do you think? I have an 87 W124 that I am thinking of upgrading to a 97 W210. All I really do now is maintain my car, I don't need to "fix" much of anything. Do the electronics on these cars cause the bulk of the problems? Did the Chrysler buy in cause a decline? Or is this "decline" just all hype? I know I'd like to think they make them the same now as they did in the early 80's

Parrot of Doom · #2 11-27-2006, 12:50 PM

Many of the components in the W210 are the same as the W124, IMO the main issue with recent Mercs is rust and degredation of electronics.

dmorrison · #3 11-27-2006, 01:13 PM

Bought a new 99 E300 Turbo diesel. Sold it due to its poor reliability. It's sad, but the statement you posted is true. All confirmed by Consumers Reports and JD Powers surveys.
I have owned 8 Mercedes. The ones I still have are an 1982 300TD,1983 240D and 1988 560SL. We'll be buying a new car in a couple of months and It will be a Honda Accord. #1 in CR's reliability reports.

I find an interesting correlation between Mercedes quality and when Shremp took over. Dieter has his hands full with the mess he left him.

Dave

DieselAddict · #4 11-27-2006, 01:26 PM

From a reliability perspective, I wouldn't recommend a W210 to anyone who isn't prepared to do some major maintaining. The main issues are rusting spring perches and fuel leaks on the diesel models (the leaks concern the '95 W124 as well since it has the same engine). Secondary issues may be cracking dashboards, rust in other places, AC leaks, stuck glow plugs, head gasket seepage, and a variety of electronic problems.

I would say the last, truly solid Mercedes cars were built in the early 80's. Mid 80's started seeing problems with trap oxidizers and cracking heads and problems persist to this day. CR still rates Mercedes as one of the worst in overall reliability. I hope DC gets its act together because its reputation for reliability from the old days is wearing off.

winmutt · #5 11-27-2006, 01:28 PM

It wasn't build quality decline. It was a decline in QA, R&D and QA are usually the first to take a hit when it comes to monetary cuts. You will also notice the decline mirrors the re-unification timeline. Mercs now bring up the bottom of the list in luxury car reliability

.

redassag00 · #6 11-27-2006, 02:31 PM

Consumer Reports calls them "Flawed Jewels" which is a good description....

SirNik84 · #7 11-27-2006, 02:57 PM

I find it odd that Chrysler Has gotten a huge "Shot in the Arm" when it comes to quality, after the merger with Daimler... and then to have them advertised as the American car with German reliability. I supose that is partaly true because Chrysler was a huge pile of ...... from the mid 70s til the mid 90s.

But how is it that Chryslers reliability is going up while Mercedes is going down. and how is it that nether of them has the quality and reliability of my 84 SD?

Its like quality and reliability are fixed commodities and Daimler pulled a good share of its quality and reliability out of Mercedes in order to give it to Chrysler.

Hatterasguy · #8 11-27-2006, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by muleears

I have been reading here and other forums that the build quality of the Benz declined in the mid 90's

.

I am still looking for this quality drop. I tell you no matter how much I work on and drive these cars I just can't see it.

They are all good, W210's had issues with a few minor things but no greater than the sticking points of any other MB model.

A lot of people like to pick out random years and say all MB's built after XX year are junk. I have heard people make this statement for just about every year from 1970-2002. Not heard anything newer than 02 yet, but give it time.

If you ask me most MB's made after WW2 are POS's cheap throw away cars compared to the pre war stuff.

muleears · #9 11-27-2006, 04:52 PM

among the owners that the newer don't stand up to the older. I understand that within any model of car there will be good and bad examples. Will I be better off with a W210 of debatable quality or a diesel of another flavor?

d.delano · #10 11-27-2006, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

I am still looking for this quality drop. I tell you no matter how much I work on and drive these cars I just can't see it.

????
The w210s look like they're made of Tupperware compared to previous models. They have the same sticking points as previous models plus a few new ones.

d.delano · #11 11-27-2006, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by muleears

among the owners that the newer don't stand up to the older. I understand that within any model of car there will be good and bad examples. Will I be better off with a W210 of debatable quality or a diesel of another flavor?

Cal,
Only one choice for you brother. 2005 E320 CDI.
I'd like to buy your current car when you're done with it. If w210, look for a turbo model '98-'99.

DieselAddict · #12 11-27-2006, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

I am still looking for this quality drop. I tell you no matter how much I work on and drive these cars I just can't see it.

Just open your eyes. MB has had numerous major design flaws since the mid 80's, some of which I already listed. Were there any prior to 1985?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

They are all good, W210's had issues with a few minor things but no greater than the sticking points of any other MB model.

I wouldn't call losing your front suspension on the highway a "minor thing".

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

A lot of people like to pick out random years and say all MB's built after XX year are junk. I have heard people make this statement for just about every year from 1970-2002. Not heard anything newer than 02 yet, but give it time.

The most common problem with the CDI's that I've read about is the car going into "limp mode" due to some electronic malfunction. But based on consumer reviews most people seem happy with their CDI's and perhaps Mercedes reliability has been improving in the last few years.

pawoSD · #13 11-27-2006, 07:16 PM

MB has been pouring over 1.5-2Billion a year into improving the reliability and quality of its vehicles in response to the issues and problems many of the 1990's cars had...and it is begining to show. Heck...a couple years ago at the Dealer here I was lucky to get a slot in their service schedule two weeks out!

Now I called a week ago for a valve adjustment, and he had a mostly open schedule two days out! wow! I see plenty of the 1990's models cruising around with plenty of miles on them. Of course they will need more TLC since they're loaded with electronic gizmos...but thats the price to pay for gadgetry. If I had more money I'd readily drive a W210 turbo diesel, or if I had even more.... a W140 600SEL.

Even the old cars need their $$ in maintenance....I put over 6k in repairs and replacement parts into mine to get it to its present state, which is very very well running...now I just need to do some body work and shine up the interior and it will be a pretty spiffy ride.

I am looking for a 300d or 240d beater so I can keep mine out of the salt too...even though I stopped all the rust and put about 5" of undercoat all over it.