Revisiting Mercedes-Benz

[Jesda]

Well tonight a friend of mine, he's 18, came over to my place. Usually he drives a black 1999 C280, but today he pulled up in something a bit larger.

I got in and said "Hey, did you finally clean your car? Now I can see the wood trim!"He replied, "Nope, try again.""Hey! Its the E-class your parents got from us!"

It was the 1995 MB E320 my parents sold to his parents a few years ago with 40k. Wow, what memories. I used to drive this car around all the time. It also reminded me of the 300E I used to own.

Immediately, I felt the trim, the plastics, the leather, everything. I started tugging on things as if I were shopping for a used car. All I can say is... man, at 100,000 miles this car really doesnt keep itself together very well. Even my 1988 Sentra had a more durable interior. And everything felt hard, hollow, and cheap compared to my 92 Q.

After hard braking, it seems that the calipers get stuck or something else is sticking or gripping, as the rear vibrates harshly and loudly from 0-25mph and acceleration is rather sluggish until about 30mph.

The leather is in decent condition, but simple things like door handles and the "oh crap!" handles on the roof are ready to fall off with enough of a tug. The fake wood trim is even chipping off on the surface, something Chryslers and Chevys dont do. Things are rattling that shouldnt be in such a young car, and nothing feels quite right.

My Q45 at 179,000 miles is in far better condition, with better performance and more room. I'd hate to see how this E320 keeps itself together in five years. And from what I've been reading, MB got worse the last couple years.

-Jesda

[PalmerWMD]

New used or recently used Infinti is simply the best all around car out there.

Fred..:ylsuper

[Jesda]

I spent this afternoon talking to my Dad, who has been wanting to get another E-class for quite some time. After much discussion, he finally agreed that MB was not the way to go, considering how long he keeps his cars, and he will consider Lexus or Infiniti, specifically the G35 or a used LS4xx.

-Jesda

[elwesso]

Tell him no Lexus.... INFINITI BABY!!! YEAH!!

[Bubba1]

Well, I just rode in my friend's '03 MB S500. What a car.Besides the plush air conditioned seats, and voice activated everything. It has a credit card for a key. If you have the credit card in your pocket, you unlock the car by simply touching the door handle, and start the car by touching the top of the gear shift lever. Countless other stuff. Okay you can buy several Infiniti for the cost of an S500, but I want one....

But coming back to reality, if I were looking for a luxo-barge, I'd lean toward the big Lexus LS, before a Mercedes. I like Infiniti's too.

[elwesso]

Ive seen many LS400s (1st generation, comparing to 90-96 Qs) and the ONLY thing I like about the lexii better is the added rear legroom..... For such a large car, the Q just doesnt cut it!!!!

[90Q45blue]

The Q45 as it's been said time and time again is a driver's car. Thus the lack of back room but I'll tell ya it can comfortably fit you and your girlfriend for some make-out sessions.

Nick

[elwesso]

I dont really care about rear leg room..... It will be my goal never to ride in the back seat while my car is in motion.... Never have (i dont think), never will.......

Push the seats up, and its primo makeout zone!!! Only thing that could beat is a 94-96 cadillac fleetwood brougham..... There isnt more legroom in a car than that one, unless its a limo.......

[tkd_q45]

-Jesda - might I respectfully disagree with you criticisms of the W124.

The things that REALLY suck on these cars are:

1. Inadequate AC that is unrefined and expensive to fix

2. Lack of refinement ie creature comforts when compared to a 1st gen Q, such as poor interior lighting, lack of tilit wheel, inferior NHV, I also find the ergonomics of the Q to agree with my body (moreso than the W124)

3. Mechanically - harsh shifting transmission that doesn't kick down quickly enough.

4. Paint/clearcoat seems to be of higher quality on the Q

BUT -

I do find that the leather is SUPERIOR to the Q. One of the reasons why I bought a W124 (92 400e) was that I was impressed by the number of 200K+ MBZs (of that era) that had leather that still looked good! I also find that the interior vinyls look to be of higher quality to me as well. I'm not sure what you mean by "fake wood" - all W124s have real wood. I really like the burl wood trim in my car. IMHO I feel that the materials used (exception of the door armrests) look more expensive than that of our Q. The W124 for its size, is more space efficient than the Q. Chassis feels tighter as well and handling (at least on my 400e) is superior to the Q. Turn in is more precise and steering has much more comunicative feel as well as better weighted assist (not overboosted). Brakes are superior as well (but that is a 400e thing - brakes upgraded over the 300e). But a 400e is a more fair comparison to a Q anyhow.

As far as lack of quality goes (materials wise that is) it really started with the W210 (newer e 96-02) and continues on with the W211. Now W210s are cars with FAKE wood and cheap leather/vinyl. I rode in one recently and it was if I was ridding in a Honda Accord (nothing against Hondas, just that I expect more from MBZ).

Now it sounds to me as if the current owners are not taking good care of their car. W124s are EXPENSIVE to keep running properly. Don't ask how I know!

After all I've said, I would recommend a Q over a W124. It's cheaper/easier to keep - even with the injector, upper link, chain guide issues.

[sijoko]

I am not impressed by the new breed of Benzes. The interiors seem real cheap.

Now, I know that most manufacturers are cutting costs, but the quality of the materials in the mainstream Mercedes cars are not up to par with the older models.

Back in 1983, my parents bought a new Benz 300d - turbo diesel. It wasn't high tech, but it was well built.

Whenever, I sit in the new Benzes, I am disappointed.

Sure, there is technology out the ying-yang. But the car suffers with low quality plastics.

The switches feel like Chrysler or GM items. When you grab the steering wheel, you feel the stitches on the back side where the leather was sewn. The glovebox is especially flimsy.

If the cars were cheaper, then I would excuse these things. But to me Mercedes-Benz has always been a standard bearer.

[Jesda]

Its interesting that Cadillac has rapidly improved interior quality and overall fit and finish. The brand known as the "standard of the world" might one of these days give MB a serious kick in the pants.

Competition rocks.

[elwesso]

Id take a caddy over a MB any day.....

Although, if you look at my sig line, i might be a little biased.......

[Metroyed]

The Q45 as it's been said time and time again is a driver's car. Thus the lack of back room but I'll tell ya it can comfortably fit you and your girlfriend for some make-out sessions.

Nick

I drive a J30 and i feel the same way. I think it's funny that the #1 complaint i read about Infiniti's is lack of rear leg room. Jesus i use to drive a civic for crying out loud. Im not saying that i could play a game of football in the back seat. But trying to convice your girlfriend to get in the back seat of a hatchback is a lot harder than showing her the trim lights and comfortable leather of an Infiniti.

[Q45Viper]

Late breaking news...Cadillac DID kick MB and BMW's butt, just this month...It's called CTS V ....400HP ZO6 engine with 6speed.0-60 4.6 12.9 Quarter mile 170 top end. As fast or faster than M5, E55, RS6, StypeR. Oh......$45,000 MSRP according to Autoweek this week. Lapped the Nuringburg ring, arguably the toughest course in the world significantly faster than M5 or M3. I was pretty well set to be getting either a new Q or M before I read about this. (Still would keep the old Q regardless) The Cadillac dealers will probably settle the issue for me by wanting 20k over for the first year cause they are rare. Usual Stealership trick with a new hot model.

[maxnix]

Cadillac DID kick MB and BMW's butt, just this month...It's called CTS V ....400HP ZO6 engine with 6speed.0-60 4.6 12.9 Quarter mile 170 top end. As fast or faster than M5, E55, RS6, StypeR. Oh......$45,000 MSRP ... The Cadillac dealers will probably settle the issue for me by wanting 20k over for the first year cause they are rare. Usual Stealership trick with a new hot model.

Besides condsidering high oil consumption and a 60K life span.

Corvettes are very good cars for not too many miles before they start coming apart. Wait for next M45 version if you really want to drive (and pay) for that kind of performance everyday. Not too many of us commute to work or cruise on the Nordschliefe.

[sijoko]

"Besides condsidering high oil consumption and a 60K life span."

I was under the impression that the LS1/LS6 were good engines. Is this a Corvette problem or does this extend to the Cambirds.

I know that they have had some "issues" with the truck engine that is based on the LS1.

[Q45Viper]

I've owned over 20 Corvettes including my original owner big block I still own, so I think I can comment, Chevy small blocks last well over 100k without serious problems, and can be repaired VERY cheaply. Q engines last well over 200k and are ANYTHING but cheap to work on, I've got the bills to prove it. Max IS correct on picking up an issue on the ZO6 engine, ther were very serious oil consumtion issues with I believe the 2001 version, really unbelievable, like 1 QT every few 100 miles on brand new cars, and Chevy did themselves a disservice by not taking care of it quickly and you can imagine how the chevy dealers handled the 50k car inbetween cavaliers. The problems have been but the reputation now remains as can be seen by the above post. Good catch Max.

[Q45Viper]

Max...what's this about the next M45, I know it's being redone for 2005? Is that right, I also heard that it might come early in the spring, are you saying it may have increased performance? Is it gonna now cost more based on your comment?