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An Other27/04/2019 11:51:49
327 forum posts
1 photos

Vics comment about reliability strikes a chord. For more than ten years I commuted daily between Darmstadt and Stuttgart (home of MB). There always seemed to be noticeably more Mercedes than any other car stopped at the side of the autobahn with their flashers on and an emergency triangle behind them.

Maybe this was because there are a large proportion of Mercedes on German roads, but somehow I don't think that was the reason.

not done it yet27/04/2019 11:54:46
7517 forum posts
20 photos
Posted by Mark Rand on 26/04/2019 22:48:50:

Since everyone seems to be having a moan. Can I complain about the ever increasing number of complete arseholes that don't use their handbrake when stopped at junctions and traffic lights, but keep their foot on the brake pedal. Thereby shining their head-level brake lights into my face! angry

I quite agree - I provide them with main beam headlamp power in their mirrors.

Like non-thinkers (or non-drivers) who don’t indicate when changing lanes. Oh, and those that cannot reverse into a parking space but expect to inconvenience other motorists when reversing, blind, into traffic to un-park themselves. (So many safety points - one can see over the bonnet of the adjacent vehicles before exiting the parking space, if they are reversed in; safer for children when opening doors when just parked; safer for lady drivers (and others) from attacks when re-entering their vehicles).

There are more and more enlightened companies who insist on vehicles being reversed into parking spaces in their car parks or on their sites.

Anyone any sensible comments about the rash of adverts for “self charging’ electric vehicles? The people that believe some of these adverts must be utter idiots - but of course, we know that (by definition) about 50% of the population are below average.

J Hancock27/04/2019 12:01:13
869 forum posts

I think the rise in ownership of 'automatics' has a lot to do with the brake light problem and the automatic engine stop , at every stopping moment.

pgk pgk27/04/2019 12:24:04
2661 forum posts
294 photos

Reversing into a parking space was easy when i was younger...just that half turn arund in the seat, a single hand on the wheel and zip backwards. Nowadays it's a combination of stiff neck and back so no chance of twisting in the seat and if you do then the anti-whiplash headrest is in the way of vision. I just don't find it as easy with mirrors alone so freely admit i enjoy a car with a decent reversing camera and even self-park.

My wife was looking for a new car and 360deg view is a must for her. Bugbear with new cars is the rip-off extras if foolish enough to buy them.. how about jump leads from Jaguar at a mere £126? Or extra for a reduced section spare wheel and no room to put a real one?

pgk

Nealeb27/04/2019 12:54:34
231 forum posts

Certainly true that these driver aids are not 100% reliable. I suspect that most of the complaints about them here are coming from technically-aware people who take driving seriously and can do better (although my Audi auto headlights and wipers do work pretty well, pretty much all the time. And I know how to override them if needed).

Regrettably, these driver aids are still more reliable and accurate than the average driver. Most drivers do not even realise how little they know, not just about their cars but also their driving ability.

Vic27/04/2019 13:30:42
3453 forum posts
23 photos
Posted by Steve Neighbour on 27/04/2019 11:11:37:
Posted by Vic on 27/04/2019 09:57:21:

I’m not sure Mercedes is a particularly good choice these days, well not if you want reliability. cheeky

**LINK**

I have to disagree (tempting fate maybe) I'm on my 2nd Mercedes (No 1 was a C class estate) I now have a E class estate and it is nothing less than superb, it it by far the best car I have driven, it is very economical, easily achieving 50+ mpg, (the best I have managed is 62.7 surprise)

My local MB dealers service is second to none, and always go that extra mile to ensure I'm a 'happy customer' - maybe I'm just lucky, but for me (at the moment) there is no other car I would consider !!

Nobody wants to admit spending over the odds for a car that is unreliable, that’s why makes like Mercedes do very well in the JD power surveys where they simply ask owners what they think! Actual statistics though prove otherwise. It’s not just Mercedes though, none of the German brands do particularly well. Audi were rated the second most unreliable brand in 2013. The most reliable cars are without doubt Japanese and Korean brands that have reliability the Germans can only dream about. smiley

Nick Wheeler27/04/2019 16:22:23
1227 forum posts
101 photos

I drove a recovery truck for 15 years, and I took newish cars back to Mercedes dealers more than any other marque. All sorts of problems from probably trivial through to major mechanical failures. Joint second were Audi and BMW.

The last year I did that job, I recovered two Toyotas to a main dealer; one of those was for a clutch(at 100k miles so hardly unreasonable) and the other appeared to be an immobiliser fault. Both Korean manufacturers are almost as good.

French cars aren't particularly reliable, but they seem to be like a cat that's been run over; they manage to drag themselves back home to die

Tim Stevens27/04/2019 16:51:46
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1779 forum posts
1 photos

Could it be (I suggest cautiously) that the general run of drivers of Mercs, Audis BMWs etc seem to be totally incapable of looking under the bonnet, or finding the toolkit (if any) or understanding any of the bits or warning lights etc? So the number of truck rescues for them is high. Whereas those of us with second-hand fiestas, skodas, etc, will have a go ourselves, first, and might not need a rescue truck?

Or in other words, some people are ashamed to have cars which need attention, while others are ashamed if they need attention by someone else.

Cheers, Tim

Jon Lawes27/04/2019 17:10:50
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1078 forum posts

The jets in my carbs used to have waxstat units that mucked up the mixture when hot. I've fitted normal ones now. Take that technology!

Nick Wheeler27/04/2019 17:49:35
1227 forum posts
101 photos

Tim, over the last 25 years the complexity of even ordinary cars is little different to expensive high-end ones. So the faults tend to be similar and are unlikely to be fixable at the roadside. You're not going to make an improvised repair to a failing cranksensor or damaged cambelt even though I've refitted Pinto belts and patched up points ignition systems. Nor are these generic parts; modern alternators are specific to installations and can be a couple of hours work. Unlike the days when you could carry a Lucas alternator and be able to fit it to a large number of very different vehicles.

I used to carry an OBD scantool not to attempt repairs, but to justify an immediate recovery if a complaint arrived. Other common issues were Drive by Wire faults, failed On-plug coils(installation specific remember) and electric handbrakes stuck on for which many manufacturers don't provide a manual release. I would stronvly recommend that everyone turns off their automatic set and release handbrakes. Take all the extra keys off your car keyring too; all that unneessary weight is a common cause of premature lock wear.

Mike Poole27/04/2019 18:53:29
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3676 forum posts
82 photos

I answered a plea for help to change a car wheel. The wheel changing tools may as well have come from space for some people including some members of the male population who once upon a time were expected to know how do these tasks.

Mike

not done it yet27/04/2019 19:17:08
7517 forum posts
20 photos

Ha ha, some wouldn’t even know how to oil the dipstick! My daughter, now over 40, once topped up her metro engine oil via the dipstick hole - at least she knew how the dipstick worked, but I never asked her if the first warning was the oil pressure idiot light. She now has an honours degree in something - not mechanics or engineering. She still retains her basic home repair tool kit but her partner would not be able to use them safely - he is a computer wizz.

RMA27/04/2019 19:39:43
332 forum posts
4 photos
Posted by Tim Stevens on 27/04/2019 16:51:46:

Could it be (I suggest cautiously) that the general run of drivers of Mercs, Audis BMWs etc seem to be totally incapable of looking under the bonnet, or finding the toolkit (if any) or understanding any of the bits or warning lights etc? So the number of truck rescues for them is high. Whereas those of us with second-hand fiestas, skodas, etc, will have a go ourselves, first, and might not need a rescue truck?

Or in other words, some people are ashamed to have cars which need attention, while others are ashamed if they need attention by someone else.

Cheers, Tim

Have you looked under the bonnet of a modern BMW for example? I have always done my own car repairs and maintenance, but this has become less and less over the past couple of decades due to the proliferation of electronics which control most of the systems on modern cars.

If someone can tell me how to disable my brake lights when waiting at lights etc, I'd be pleased to hear it. I have an automatic modern BMW and you have to keep your foot on the brake! And how do you tell the moron in front to switch off their rear fog lights when they are concentrating on hogging the middle lane!

Good thread this, I could go on forever......

Samsaranda27/04/2019 19:54:04
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1688 forum posts
16 photos

In respect of makes of cars with faults, it seems that a large number of Mercedes, Audi’s and BMWs are delivered without working indicators. !!!

Dave W

Mike Poole27/04/2019 19:59:36
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3676 forum posts
82 photos

Your BMW auto should have a selection N which will stop it driving and let you use the handbrake. Also handy in a pull through type car wash where if you select P the transmission will be locked and the conveyor will be stalled or pull under the wheels.

Mike

RMA27/04/2019 20:18:38
332 forum posts
4 photos
Posted by Samsaranda on 27/04/2019 19:54:04:

In respect of makes of cars with faults, it seems that a large number of Mercedes, Audi’s and BMWs are delivered without working indicators. !!!

Dave W

Ha ha. The old one's are always the best!

RMA27/04/2019 20:24:50
332 forum posts
4 photos
Posted by Mike Poole on 27/04/2019 19:59:36:

Your BMW auto should have a selection N which will stop it driving and let you use the handbrake. Also handy in a pull through type car wash where if you select P the transmission will be locked and the conveyor will be stalled or pull under the wheels.

Mike

I don't know anyone with an automatic who drives that way. I have to keep the foot brake on with the stop/start function, and I don't think the electronic 'hand brake' would control rollback when starting on an incline. I wouldn't dream of putting the cars through a car wash, they create too many swirls to the paintwork.

Neil Wyatt27/04/2019 20:43:21
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19226 forum posts
749 photos
86 articles

Worrying news for my neighbour, who is planning to drive around the world in the Mercedes Unimog he's doing up.

I suspect it hasn't got park assist, you just drive over anything blocking your space.

Neil

martin perman27/04/2019 20:44:57
avatar
2095 forum posts
75 photos

I'm forever sending my crystal ball back for repair, it gets overloaded to often trying to work out for me what the car in front is going to do, I avoid anybody driving a BMW like the plague because they always want to be in front of you no matter what it takes, occasionally they get what's due, a couple of Sundays ago I took my wife to do the weeks shopping and because of her physical problems we park, with a blue badge, in a disabled space, a white BMW pulled up next to us and my wife commented that the driver didnt have a badge, he went to a cash machine and came back to the car started it put it into gear and hit a concrete bollard rather hard in front of him, obviously the wrong gear, I said to my wife no matter justice has been served.

Martin P

Mike Poole27/04/2019 20:48:28
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3676 forum posts
82 photos

Some people sit at a standstill with their foot on the clutch, I do use the neutral selection on lights I know have a long sequence, I often turn off the irritating auto stop. The car wash is a bit of a problem with the low profile tyres as the guides can touch the rim of the alloys, the lads at the hand wash do a great job but the pressure washers are pretty fierce.

Mike

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