User feedback on Mercedes-Benz quality

Dear 001,

Mercedes Quality / Reliability is Shocking and its not limited to lower priced models.

I met with the manager (Carl Stromberg) of one of the country’s large Mercedes dealerships in Houston in February.  The topic was Mercedes automobile quality.  He confirmed to me Mercedes is having a tough time with the new models it has been introducing (especially the E-Class) and that overall the reliability of products is much lower now than a few years ago.  He also claimed that things had recently started to get better, but he contradicted himself with the reference the new E-Class.

The reason I had asked for the meeting was because I have been shocked and dismayed by the poor reliability of Mercedes cars.  In the last two years I have had three Mercedes, here’s my history:

2001SL 500 – leased new in the summer of 2001 – Has been in the shop four times (air conditioning unit, air conditioning motor, lights, external trim falling off) and now going in for a fifth time for diagnosis of  “loud clatter noise when accelerating and steering sharp turns” – I still lease this vehicle because I would lose $15,000 if I sell versus what Mercedes Credit has it on their books for.  I would dearly love to trade this one back or sell it if I could get a better price!

2000 S 500 – this car was purchased pre-owned on Mercedes StarMark program – in January 2002.  Within 30 days of purchase the suspension collapsed (which I understand is a frequent occurrence with this model year and model), and I had other problems.  The dealer kindly bought the vehicle back, at which time I got access to the car’s history, it turns out it had had several warranty claims in the previous 1,000 miles prior to my purchase – which is presumably why the previous owner had sold it – I didn’t think such vehicles would have made it into the StarMark program!

2003 SL 500 designo introductory model – purchased new in April 2001 – This vehicle was in the shop so often it made ownership a misery (main issue was electrical, after five visits for diagnoses and work the Mercedes dealership mechanics still could not get the automatic lights to work – I should have bought a used Buick, at least the lights would work).  The worst thing about this car was not mechanical but had to do with the leather/suede trim of the designo edition.  Believe it or not, this trim could not handle the high heat and humidity of Houston Texas, it smelled like cat’s piss.  I will always wonder if somehow an animal had relieved itself in the vehicle, but conversations with another owner of the same designo model (and also with the dealership’s mechanics) confirm that this outrageous smell is due to the designo trim.  

 If you need to verify any details of the account given above please do not hesitate to contact me.

 David