[tarponbeach]

I've now had my '08 320CDI for about two months, and in that time, the only problem I've had was a bad power supply for the backup camera. (Replaced promptly under warranty)

What I find interesting, is that many others on this board seem to also not be having many issues with their W164's.

I've had 3 W163's, and during the 9 years I had W163's, the W163 board had daily horror stories about poor reliability, poor fit & finish, etc.

It would appear to me that MB has really improved build quality, as well as the quality of parts purchased from outside manufacturers.

Even though I hate that there are not many new daily posts on this board, the lack of complaints really says something about the quality and reliability of the W164.

 

[MB-SV]

2 months and how many miles?

And already a significant problem requiring a warranty repair. That qualifies as mediocre quality at best, which is certainly an improvement over the poor quality of past/recent MB products. My 06 ML also fits the bill as mediocre in quality.

My new C-class in 7 months and 9700 miles has had only 1 minor defect (door lock button fell off), so there is hope for MB quality.:thumbsup:

 

[tarponbeach]

2 months and how many miles?

And already a significant problem requiring a warranty repair. That qualifies as mediocre quality at best, which is certainly an improvement over the poor quality of past/recent MB products. My 06 ML also fits the bill as mediocre in quality.

My new C-class in 7 months and 9700 miles has had only 1 minor defect (door lock button fell off), so there is hope for MB quality.:thumbsup:

4,000 miles. My W163's on average had 4 warranty repairs each, during the same period.

 

[MB-SV]

4,000 miles. My W163's on average had 4 warranty repairs each, during the same period.

No doubt, the W164 is much more reliable than the W163 and a superior design (roomier, more economical, faster, better handling, better ride, quieter, more aero, etc.). Let's hope this quality trend at MB continues because I have my eye on the GLK.

 

[sosh]

I too feel that the quality has improved. Feel this is pretty much accross the entire line of vehicles. I had 2 W163" and now an 06 ML500 since Sept 05 and its been flawless. Re the W163's, my 98 was OK and my 02 was not great at all, however my dealer is excellent and took care of all the issues as they occurred with no inconvience to me at all. I also had an 01 E320 4M and now have had an 05 E320 4M since Feb 05. The 01 was excellent and if I can say it, the 05 is even better.
What I do not like to see with all the models is the decontenting of many of the features that I truly enjoy, like in the E Class they no longer have key selection for more than one driver as so far as seat and wheel position is concerned. Also the easy exit seat movement has been removed. Rt side mirror no longer tilts down to act as a parking aid. And so on.

 

[Drew_ML]

I too, have had no issues (aside from an ECU and Tranny firmware reflash) in 14 months and 22K kms <knock on wood>. My W163 was quite reliable too, relative to other W163's, but by this point it did have definitely 4 or 5 niggly, non-drivability related issues.

sosh, I think there is indeed key memory still as I think I can set diff settings with both keys on my '07. The Right Side mirror tilt is still working in Canada, so it must be some sort of silly US setting determined by the lawyers.

 

[sosh]

I too, have had no issues (aside from an ECU and Tranny firmware reflash) in 14 months and 22K kms <knock on wood>. My W163 was quite reliable too, relative to other W163's, but by this point it did have definitely 4 or 5 niggly, non-drivability related issues.

sosh, I think there is indeed key memory still as I think I can set diff settings with both keys on my '07. The Right Side mirror tilt is still working in Canada, so it must be some sort of silly US setting determined by the lawyers.

Could be a US thing. My 06 has the tilt mirror but I have been told that its gone for subsequent years. As for the key thing, my 06 does not have the key recognition but does have the easy exit seat movement. Again I am told that the subsequent years do not have the seat movement and just the wheel moves. As for the E Class, my 05 has key recognition and easy exit seat movement and from what I have been told both are gone in subsequent years as is the mirror tilt. I do not understand this as all the engineering has been done and paid for and the basic mecanisms are in place (motors, switches, etc.) They can't be saving more than pennies per car by deleting these, competitors still have this stuff and I sincerely doubt that its a lawyer thing with these items.

 

[tarponbeach]

Could be a US thing. My 06 has the tilt mirror but I have been told that its gone for subsequent years. As for the key thing, my 06 does not have the key recognition but does have the easy exit seat movement. Again I am told that the subsequent years do not have the seat movement and just the wheel moves. As for the E Class, my 05 has key recognition and easy exit seat movement and from what I have been told both are gone in subsequent years as is the mirror tilt. I do not understand this as all the engineering has been done and paid for and the basic mecanisms are in place (motors, switches, etc.) They can't be saving more than pennies per car by deleting these, competitors still have this stuff and I sincerely doubt that its a lawyer thing with these items.

My personal feeling is that they (MB) got tired of problems with such options, so rather than fix them, they just eliminated them. What comes to mind is the tilt sensor/ultrasonic sensor that was part of the compass in the W163. They had many problems with false alarms, so they eliminated it on the W164, rather than figuring out how to make it more reliable.

 

[MB-SV]

My personal feeling is that they (MB) got tired of problems with such options, so rather than fix them, they just eliminated them. What comes to mind is the tilt sensor/ultrasonic sensor that was part of the compass in the W163. They had many problems with false alarms, so they eliminated it on the W164, rather than figuring out how to make it more reliable.

I would tend to agree, giving the motors and switches involved with some of these Cadillac-like features. Obviously MB (and some of the other European car companies) went through a very tough period of poor quality centered around crap electronics, the 2001 C-class being a prime example. IMHO these missing features are not deal killers, although I do understand why some people like them.

 

[MBKing16]

For sure Mercedes quality is improving. They have to improve..or else they will get crushed by lexus and BMW. How are BMW's quality wise (the 08 X5 4.8i specifically speaking)

 

[tarponbeach]

For sure Mercedes quality is improving. They have to improve..or else they will get crushed by lexus and BMW. How are BMW's quality wise (the 08 X5 4.8i specifically speaking)

I have owned 11 BMW's over the years, and currently have an '08 X3. In my experience, BMW suffers from electronic gremlins a bit more than my experience with M-B. Many current (2007-2008) X3 and some 3 series owners are having problems with the General Motors 6 speed automatic transmission. BMW naturally says these problems are "normal", which I assume is probably true, given that GM is not famous for making great transmissions.

 

[DimitrisUSA]

For sure Mercedes quality is improving. They have to improve..or else they will get crushed by lexus and BMW. How are BMW's quality wise (the 08 X5 4.8i specifically speaking)

My cousing a few months ago bought a 2008 X5 4.8i fully loaded. One morning a couple of months later he could not shift the car out of Park. BMW had to come to his house and pick up the car for service. The transmission shifting on the new X5 is electronic. He loves the ride of the X5 and I must admit when I drove it it was prettu awesome. But I keep on bringing to my mind a comment a Mercedes dealer once told me "go to a BMW dealership and check behind the Service Bay area, just count how many engines and transmissions are changing daily under warranty". It is true I did go to a large dealership in the DC area and confirmed the quote.

 

[MB-SV]

For sure Mercedes quality is improving. They have to improve..or else they will get crushed by lexus and BMW. How are BMW's quality wise (the 08 X5 4.8i specifically speaking)

Some truth to that, especially the Japanese auto-makers moving in on German premium (and regular VW's too) car business. Fortunately MB has improved from the depths of crap quality of a few years ago. Let's hope the trend continues.

 

[farleywilbur]

I am waiting to take delivery of an 08 ML 320 CDI and returning a leased 05 BMW X3 that has been pretty flawless over its 39 month lease. I would have leased another BMW but just really liked the ML much better after an overnight test drive. Delivery is supposed to be mid-June... can't wait!!

 

[tarponbeach]

I am waiting to take delivery of an 08 ML 320 CDI and returning a leased 05 BMW X3 that has been pretty flawless over its 39 month lease. I would have leased another BMW but just really liked the ML much better after an overnight test drive. Delivery is supposed to be mid-June... can't wait!!

I don't think that you will be disappointed. Before the 320CDI, I had two X5's, and my wife currently drives the X3. The BMW's have sharper handling, but the ML has much more torque, and is much more comfortable to drive. The fit and finish, as well as the quality of interior materials on the ML is IMHO, superior to either the X3 or X5...Not to mention that the audio system on the ML is superior, as well.

 

[GregW / Oregon]

I've now had my '08 320CDI for about two months, and in that time, the only problem I've had was a bad power supply for the backup camera. (Replaced promptly under warranty)

What I find interesting, is that many others on this board seem to also not be having many issues with their W164's.

I've had 3 W163's, and during the 9 years I had W163's, the W163 board had daily horror stories about poor reliability, poor fit & finish, etc.

It would appear to me that MB has really improved build quality, as well as the quality of parts purchased from outside manufacturers.

Even though I hate that there are not many new daily posts on this board, the lack of complaints really says something about the quality and reliability of the W164.

I'm at almost 3 years now (~30k miles) with my '06 ML350 and have had almost zero problems. Much better than the W163.

 

[MY2008ML350]

...The Right Side mirror tilt is still working in Canada, so it must be some sort of silly US setting determined by the lawyers...

Just an FYI, I have an 08 ML and still have the right side mirror tilt feature, It's very handy when you're backing up; coupled with Parktronic, you'll definitely not hit the curb.

 

[MY2008ML350]

I'm at almost 3 years now (~30k miles) with my '06 ML350 and have had almost zero problems. Much better than the W163.

more than 6 months now with my ML, no problems so far

 

[MB-SV]

As MB owners, we are more easily amazed. My ML is about as reliable as a late mode GM truck, which really isn't that bad.

 

[BKHammond]

I have owned 11 BMW's over the years, and currently have an '08 X3. In my experience, BMW suffers from electronic gremlins a bit more than my experience with M-B. Many current (2007-2008) X3 and some 3 series owners are having problems with the General Motors 6 speed automatic transmission. BMW naturally says these problems are "normal", which I assume is probably true, given that GM is not famous for making great transmissions.

I have to agree based on my experience, too. We've owned a few more BMWs than MBs, and the MBs were far more reliable. Electrical gremlins galore in every BMW except my 1999 750iL. Nothing disabling, but just irritating. My C350 has been trouble free since it was delivered six months ago. And with BMW wanting to cut supplier costs again, those gremlins might be there for some time to come.