REVscene Automotive Forum - View Single Post - Your Painfully Tragic Stories Of The Worst Cars You've Ever Owned

Cman333 · 02-17-2016, 04:17 PM

My nightmare experience was a 2000 ML430. Engine wise had no issues, but holy fuck did many things go wrong in the two years I had it. Vehicle had 60,000km when I picked it up, and was about 5/6 years old at the time.

So upon inspection everything seemed to check out, no accidents, drove fine, etc.

Within the first week the transmission died, had to be towed and the repair was about $2300.

Couple months after that the power window switch assembly stopped working (found a DIY fix) but replacement from dealer was $900.

Then couple months after that the Fuel gauge wouldn't work properly. Whenever the tank was full, it would show 100% empty. Then once you drive for half the tank it would work again. Didn't fix it because the gas needle worked below half and I couldn't find anything online about the issue.

About a year in the brakes were toast (basically every 20-30k kms need new brakes), found out the brakes suck because the rotors are small and car is heavy so chews through brakes quick.

Couple months after that the vehicle wouldn't start. 1.5 year old OEM battery was toast. Replaced.

Couple months after that car won't start again, but this time I don't hear the vehicle cranking and the battery was new. Towed it to general mechanic, couldn't figure it out. So towed to dealer, they wanted $9k to replace the alarm/immobilizer + main vehicle harness. FUCK THAT, brought to an independent Benz mechanic turned out to be a $250 ignition sensor for the immobilizer (full cost $700 + 2 tows @ $1xx ea tow)

Defective cat, there was a recall so I was covered by Benz. Luckily. Was a $1500 fix otherwise.

The rest was maintenance (tires, new suspension, oil change, brakes x3, and OEM headlight bulbs always seem to die)

High maintenance, horrible handling, horrible gas consumption, horrible electronics, V8 engine but was still a slug, expensive parts that die prematurely. By the time I hit 2 years, I figure get rid of it before more happens. Every time I fixed it I thought I might as well keep it awhile, each time I regretted it because something ALWAYS dies.

/Rant

Have had a few vehicles after with FAR less issues at higher mileage (BMW, Lexus, Infiniti). I've only heard nightmares about VW/Audi, definitely would never buy another Daimler/Chrysler generation Benz.

02-17-2016, 04:17 PM	#50
Cman333 RS Licensed Vendor Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: 604 Posts: 14,501 Thanked 995 Times in 327 Posts Failed 34 Times in 13 Posts Member's Picture Albums	My nightmare experience was a 2000 ML430. Engine wise had no issues, but holy fuck did many things go wrong in the two years I had it. Vehicle had 60,000km when I picked it up, and was about 5/6 years old at the time. So upon inspection everything seemed to check out, no accidents, drove fine, etc. Within the first week the transmission died, had to be towed and the repair was about $2300. Couple months after that the power window switch assembly stopped working (found a DIY fix) but replacement from dealer was $900. Then couple months after that the Fuel gauge wouldn't work properly. Whenever the tank was full, it would show 100% empty. Then once you drive for half the tank it would work again. Didn't fix it because the gas needle worked below half and I couldn't find anything online about the issue. About a year in the brakes were toast (basically every 20-30k kms need new brakes), found out the brakes suck because the rotors are small and car is heavy so chews through brakes quick. Couple months after that the vehicle wouldn't start. 1.5 year old OEM battery was toast. Replaced. Couple months after that car won't start again, but this time I don't hear the vehicle cranking and the battery was new. Towed it to general mechanic, couldn't figure it out. So towed to dealer, they wanted $9k to replace the alarm/immobilizer + main vehicle harness. FUCK THAT, brought to an independent Benz mechanic turned out to be a $250 ignition sensor for the immobilizer (full cost $700 + 2 tows @ $1xx ea tow) Defective cat, there was a recall so I was covered by Benz. Luckily. Was a $1500 fix otherwise. The rest was maintenance (tires, new suspension, oil change, brakes x3, and OEM headlight bulbs always seem to die) High maintenance, horrible handling, horrible gas consumption, horrible electronics, V8 engine but was still a slug, expensive parts that die prematurely. By the time I hit 2 years, I figure get rid of it before more happens. Every time I fixed it I thought I might as well keep it awhile, each time I regretted it because something ALWAYS dies. /Rant Have had a few vehicles after with FAR less issues at higher mileage (BMW, Lexus, Infiniti). I've only heard nightmares about VW/Audi, definitely would never buy another Daimler/Chrysler generation Benz. __________________ BPG AUTOSOUND #8-2900 Smith St Richmond, BC 604.278.4142 sales@bpgautosound.com Last edited by Cman333; 02-17-2016 at 04:45 PM.