2007 Mecedes S550
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 14,100
Likes: 1
From: tech capital
Nobody said a Mercedes was reliable, obviously it has other positive attributes, but reliability has not been one in last 10 years or so.
PS leaks are common on the 1st and 2nd generation ML's, but I don't know if it's same system as used in sedans.
PS leaks are common on the 1st and 2nd generation ML's, but I don't know if it's same system as used in sedans.
Not right now. The OP was just talking about later on. Even after the lease is over and in this auto market climate, I doubt you can pick up a clean 07 S for 20k.
As for the OP, was the car leaking before? It could just be an incompetent, distracted, or some other adjective tech who made an error when servicing the car. Let's not blame the car before we know it's the car.
MBs have gotten some flak for recent problems, some deserved and some just part of related backlashing. The more "widespread" issues were electrical in nature; mechanical not as much. I would contact MB again to have them recheck. Yes, it is a pain but what can you do? :
I am not saying this happened here but I've seen shops do fluid/oil changes, let things get a bit messy, and do not clean up under the car. Once the car gets home, the "mess" starts to slowly drip over time onto the floor.
As for the OP, was the car leaking before? It could just be an incompetent, distracted, or some other adjective tech who made an error when servicing the car. Let's not blame the car before we know it's the car.
MBs have gotten some flak for recent problems, some deserved and some just part of related backlashing. The more "widespread" issues were electrical in nature; mechanical not as much. I would contact MB again to have them recheck. Yes, it is a pain but what can you do? :
I am not saying this happened here but I've seen shops do fluid/oil changes, let things get a bit messy, and do not clean up under the car. Once the car gets home, the "mess" starts to slowly drip over time onto the floor.
My GS is leaking Oil but its not Lexus's fault the place where they changed my oil did not use a washer(spelling?) and now its leaking oil, Went out got a washer and a new bolt problem fixed. Who's fault was it Lexus or my idiot mechanic?
Rookie
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
From: California
Give us a break... one minor isolated incident does not mean the S-Class is an unreliable car or that MB does not know how to build one. Even Consumer Reports now (2009) lists the S-Class a recommended buy in recognition of improved reliability - and that from a wider statistical sampling than CL.
A stated this could have just as much been the fault of a mechanic.
A stated this could have just as much been the fault of a mechanic.
Lead Lap
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 553
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey
I think most 'educated' car people who buy a German car expect some sort of issue / glitch, even though they are paying much more then a comparable Japanese car. I did this with my A8L, as the LS430 just did not offer the features and the drive that I got from the Audi. That being said, I would never own a first model year German car. I wanted until at least a second half of the second year run on my Audi before buying. I did not have this fear when I bought my GS, which was one of the first GS400's in 1998, which I sold just 8 months ago after years of almost trouble free service.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,279
Likes: 0
From: CA
So what? My Honda Accord leaks oil too, at 40,000 miles. Big deal, doesn't mean the car is substandard, and doesn't mean every one is like that. The Mercedes S-Class is still the unquestionable benchmark luxury sedan. Is the Lexus LS immune from oil leaks? Somehow I imagine there is more than one person out there with some oil underneath their Lexus. One incident means nothing, at all.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 22,608
Likes: 105
From: Waiting for next track day
No way???!! Are you serious. I would totally epect that kind of issue. The benzes are nightmares. Cost doesnt mean anything. Its just a problematic car. I read a survey in CAR magazine a few years back that showed mercededs ranked 42 out 44 in reliability out of all of the cars that are sold in germany
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 22,608
Likes: 105
From: Waiting for next track day
So what? My Honda Accord leaks oil too, at 40,000 miles. Big deal, doesn't mean the car is substandard, and doesn't mean every one is like that. The Mercedes S-Class is still the unquestionable benchmark luxury sedan. Is the Lexus LS immune from oil leaks? Somehow I imagine there is more than one person out there with some oil underneath their Lexus. One incident means nothing, at all.
Rookie
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
From: California
No way???!! Are you serious. I would totally epect that kind of issue. The benzes are nightmares. Cost doesnt mean anything. Its just a problematic car. I read a survey in CAR magazine a few years back that showed mercededs ranked 42 out 44 in reliability out of all of the cars that are sold in germany
I have had exactly the same cars as the OP. An E55 and currently an S-Class and have had zero significant mechanical/quality problems with either - none, nada, zilch. Large numbers of owners have trouble free ownership experiences.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,279
Likes: 0
From: CA
You mean where would Lexus be without their biggest advantage, high reliability? Absolutely nowhere.
Last edited by FKL; Jan 4, 2009 at 09:44 PM.
Former Sponsor
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 13,001
Likes: 1
From: D2'sville
Its funny, but I must be blessed with the luck of the draw. My 7series was problem free, and I didn't baby it at all. Our R-Class has been trouble free as well, and its our family hauler, so no pampering for it either!
I had the 7 for the 2 years, and this is year 2 for the R-class too. Maybe 3 years is the magic problem mark?
I had the 7 for the 2 years, and this is year 2 for the R-class too. Maybe 3 years is the magic problem mark?
easy to take potshots, but perhaps we need more info before that? 
maybe the car was serviced incorrectly??
my GS was 'serviced' and leaked oil spectacularly after that - turned out they destroyed/stripped the drain plug, and then had to replace it and the oil pan.
not a car problem - a SERVICE problem.
maybe the car was serviced incorrectly??
my GS was 'serviced' and leaked oil spectacularly after that - turned out they destroyed/stripped the drain plug, and then had to replace it and the oil pan.
not a car problem - a SERVICE problem.
So what? My Honda Accord leaks oil too, at 40,000 miles. Big deal, doesn't mean the car is substandard, and doesn't mean every one is like that. The Mercedes S-Class is still the unquestionable benchmark luxury sedan. Is the Lexus LS immune from oil leaks? Somehow I imagine there is more than one person out there with some oil underneath their Lexus. One incident means nothing, at all.
I do have few s-class from the past.. 2 s320, s430 and s500.. they are great car at its time but they all got issues.. newer s550 is no execption
easy to take potshots, but perhaps we need more info before that?
maybe the car was serviced incorrectly??
my GS was 'serviced' and leaked oil spectacularly after that - turned out they destroyed/stripped the drain plug, and then had to replace it and the oil pan.
not a car problem - a SERVICE problem.
maybe the car was serviced incorrectly??
my GS was 'serviced' and leaked oil spectacularly after that - turned out they destroyed/stripped the drain plug, and then had to replace it and the oil pan.
not a car problem - a SERVICE problem.
