MikeT Posted March 13, 2012 Author Share Posted March 13, 2012 Yay, the sunroof is leaking again! Door and hatch replacement will happen this spring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smartzuuk Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 Yay.... they should fix that now, you have extended yes, and that covers the sunroof too? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeT Posted March 13, 2012 Author Share Posted March 13, 2012 Should do, we will see. My old 405 is looking SO good right now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bilgladstone Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 Sunroof on the B? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeT Posted March 13, 2012 Author Share Posted March 13, 2012 Yes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeT Posted March 13, 2012 Author Share Posted March 13, 2012 So the B Class sunroof leaks yesterday and today this piece of shit fails to engage the starter twice in the morning. It fired on the third try. The starter was already replaced under the extended warranty. I have never felt more like punching a car than I have today, but I restrained myself..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pingu Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 Quote from Mike T in this thread on July 20, 2011"One might think that with all these issues, I would hate the car etc but the opposite is true, we love it and we'll be keeping it a long tome I think. The fuel economy is very good, the room is unparalleled, it's comfortable in most road situations and is huge inside. It's a keeper. "Do you now have anger issues? There are people you can see about that. lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bilgladstone Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 Sounds like the honeymoon is over Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 (edited) Sounds like the honeymoon is over My 98 W210 E-Class is getting a bit long in the tooth, so I too have been looking at alternatives.Ideally, I would buy a car that has the space and performance of our E-Class, but with the fuel economy of the smart cdi.Impossible?Maybe not:To better read that, and see the pics, browse this on-line magazineThere is some smart car content later in the magazine.All that has to happen now, is for MB to bring that car to NA and keep the price at 40,000 ($ not £) Edited March 14, 2012 by Graham Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeT Posted March 14, 2012 Author Share Posted March 14, 2012 There never was a honeymoon Bil, this car was always a utility vehicle and not a passionate choice. I don't really love driving it, but it is conveniently large inside, which my wife in particular loves.The punch the car comment was for Keith (red pxl), because he dusted his knuckles into his just traded in smart, right into the B-pillar! I would never punch a car! But I was giving it a verbal bruising this morning.....Graham, I would skip all the new stuff, especially the new expensive super-complex German stuff. Great to lease and then give away....not to keep. I am more convinced than ever that the newest cars are not as reliable as the 25 year old French cars I drove when I was young. My next new car, if I ever get one, will absolutely NOT be made in Germany! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeT Posted March 14, 2012 Author Share Posted March 14, 2012 @Keith: The ELW does not cover the sunroof, but TPM will follow up under goodwill. The damned thing has been replaced twice in part, first for a leak in 2007, and later for crazing panels. The Service MAnager told me that the problem is the front drain tubes on the sunroof are pinched inside the front fenders which restricts their Qmax. So there is apparently a service bulletin suggesting they be snipped off above the pinch point. The car sits nose down and towards the driver's side in our driveway, so for the time being I am backing it into the spot. See if it leaks that way.....The ELW does cover the starter nonsense though. It could be corroded wiring or a failing relay. Will wait until next service in 6500 km to get this all done, unless it leaks a lot more or fails to start repeatedly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smartzuuk Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 If you look hard enough, Mike T didn't like the B way back when. But utility has it's place. As my Impreza speak to. There are certainly better looking cars out there.Hey Mike, remember those knuckle marks in liftie? (As I rerad more posts, of course you do.)This thread sure is popular. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeT Posted March 14, 2012 Author Share Posted March 14, 2012 On the bright side, the next $35K+ I spend on a car will be on my 404C. It's going to have a good restoration to the shell and seats, I will do the rest. Coming about before the decade is out. I love the look of that car, I loved every second of driving my other two 404s and basically can hardly wait! And it will be worth more, not less, as it ages.Heh, I WAS pretty po'ed when I wrote that near noon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 Graham, I would skip all the new stuff, especially the new expensive super-complex German stuff. Great to lease and then give away....not to keep. I am more convinced than ever that the newest cars are not as reliable as the 25 year old French cars I drove when I was young. My next new car, if I ever get one, will absolutely NOT be made in Germany!I too am not impressed with the newer cars. But, I am not sure that Asian or domestics offer a much better choice. Domestics have minimal warranty coverage. Asian cars do have options for extended coverage similar to MB. But at a price.I was looking at a 2006 ML350 which dealer would have included a 3 year warranty. But then I found that all 272 and some 273 MB V-6s are likley to have a major problem with sprocket wear on balancer shaft - repair would cost $6000+ ! Talking of German cars, my neighbour has had good experience with recent VW cdis. But he trades them every 4 years (They do at least have a 4 yr warranty)Have thought about a Camry Hybrid. But would want to add the extended warranty on the car (drive system already has it)Currently have electronic gremlins in my E320 - BAS/ABS/ASR lights come on randomly. When they do, those functions do not work. No big deal on dry roads, but still annoying. Hopefully I will get these fixed and just keep the car as our long distance cruiser for trips South (the smart, 300D and SL get us through the summer)Nevertheless, the mileage that MB diesel hybrid achieves is quite an accomplishment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MightyMouseTech Posted March 15, 2012 Share Posted March 15, 2012 I too am not impressed with the newer cars. But, I am not sure that Asian or domestics offer a much better choice. Domestics have minimal warranty coverage. Asian cars do have options for extended coverage similar to MB. But at a price. I was looking at a 2006 ML350 which dealer would have included a 3 year warranty. But then I found that all 272 and some 273 MB V-6s are likley to have a major problem with sprocket wear on balancer shaft - repair would cost $6000+ ! I am with you. Makes me think when our sister MB dealer's service dept is so busy they are booking three weeks ahead right now, and here at Acura, we don't even have enough business to last us half the day, the same as at our sister Honda, Toyota and Subaru dealers. Was at MB picking up some parts (yet again) and they were telling me a customer horror story. Customer bought a used ML63 AMG. Driving it from Montreal back to Ottawa, oil light came on, engine seized. The bill to replace the engine was $71,000!!!!!!! Not such a good deal after all.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeT Posted March 15, 2012 Author Share Posted March 15, 2012 What idiot would have paid that, on a car that is probably worth $35K tops? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leadwing Posted March 15, 2012 Share Posted March 15, 2012 $71,000??? Sheesh !! You could buy two new ones (If you were crazy enough to want to continue with the grief) or a whole fleet of smarts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MightyMouseTech Posted March 15, 2012 Share Posted March 15, 2012 What idiot would have paid that, on a car that is probably worth $35K tops?Well, new they are $100k, looks like you can get a 4 year old one for under $50k. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeT Posted March 15, 2012 Author Share Posted March 15, 2012 Still, that's insane! Keep the broken one for parts, buy another, you're miles ahead. Or buy a new one (even though I hate the MLs).Maybe the Acura shops are not busy because they aren't selling? Toyota is down too. I know Mercedes is selling more than ever right now. but the odd shoddy car can only be part of the explanation for them being overbooked! If you want a job for life, go to M-B. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MightyMouseTech Posted March 16, 2012 Share Posted March 16, 2012 Still, that's insane! Keep the broken one for parts, buy another, you're miles ahead. Or buy a new one (even though I hate the MLs).Maybe the Acura shops are not busy because they aren't selling? Toyota is down too. I know Mercedes is selling more than ever right now. but the odd shoddy car can only be part of the explanation for them being overbooked! If you want a job for life, go to M-B.Have Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MightyMouseTech Posted March 16, 2012 Share Posted March 16, 2012 (edited) Still, that's insane! Keep the broken one for parts, buy another, you're miles ahead. Or buy a new one (even though I hate the MLs).Maybe the Acura shops are not busy because they aren't selling? Toyota is down too. I know Mercedes is selling more than ever right now. but the odd shoddy car can only be part of the explanation for them being overbooked! If you want a job for life, go to M-B.LOL! Have been offered a position at MB a couple times, no thanks, way too much electronics diag and work, and that never pays well. Although, it seems that is all I am doing these days anyways thanks to the current MDXs. Thank you made in China and Mexico wire harnesses, what a nightmare of repairs. In my previous 12 years I have never had to replace an engine or body wiring harness, in the past month, I have had to do four. The ML is kinda like our CDI's I suppose, replacing an $8k motor on a car worth about $5k. Edited March 16, 2012 by MightyMouseTech Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeT Posted March 22, 2012 Author Share Posted March 22, 2012 The B 200 goes into the North Vancouver M-B body shop for its new doors (x5) next Wednesday. I should get it back in about late April, meanwhile we're getting a loaner of some sort. I will find out what when Jenn T gets back to this Island on Thursday evening.The sunroof leak has not reappeared, since I started parking the other way round in the driveway, nor has the starter anomaly reoccurred. Those will be dealt with at the next service. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeT Posted March 30, 2012 Author Share Posted March 30, 2012 Loaner car is a black B 200 Turbo CVT. Jenn T is driving it home this evening. I think I'm going to get to know my friendly service station attendants better in the next couple of weeks! I will track the FE while I have it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeT Posted March 31, 2012 Author Share Posted March 31, 2012 First indications on fuel consumption are: POOR! Driving like Mahatma Gandhi I managed a 8.3 L/100 km on the car's optimistic on board computer, to and from Victoria today. We'll see if I can better that Saturday when I make the same run.My own B 200 five speed would have done 6.6 in the same circumstances. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeT Posted April 1, 2012 Author Share Posted April 1, 2012 8.6 L/100km today, but the tire pressures were uniformly low (now corrected), plus it was raining and cold. Wheels are 17 inch with 215 section tires. But this car guzzles more fuel than our former 2002 C 230 K Coupé 6 speed on a similar width wheel/tire, and that car had a 2.3 L supercharged engine, weighed about 100 kg more and was faster and certainly more fun to drive.....that car could be quite economical, I got in the high 5s once on a hypermile run. The M111 engine in that car was one of Mercedes' best - the B 200 T engine sounds like it's from a diesel tractor! It is quick though, but the CVT is just awful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.