This Mercedes Hates Me, So I Got Rid Of It

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[@MrFastFox666]

They've done it. They built a car so broken and unreliable that even Robert couldn't stand it.

[@yenchey3270]

So broken and unreliable, even Renault Laguna owners laugh at its many, many problems

[@tarstarkusz]

That dealer took him to the bank. What a fool.

[@Caledon91]

German Engineering never ceases to amaze.

[@andysimkin5200]

Yet morons will still lust after them...

[@alexkram]

Yeah that is a good point. The Yugo and Trabant are OK to keep but this Mercedes is just too unreliable.

[@Dave_Sisson]

The most *reliable* car Robert owns is a ... Trabant The most *unreliable* car Robert owned was a Mercedes. I'm used to the saying "that could only happen in America", but this sort of thing could only happen to Robert.

[@nobodynoone2500]

Nah, I think most mechanics would rather depend on a trabant. Might be shittier, but much easier to fix. You sure as hell don't see him trying to rebuild the benz engine on a random table. That should say a lot.

[@TheStuartstardust]

I had a merc, bought it for the German engineering quality - at 375000 the engine exploded, did not expect that. Now I have a french Renault.. even if engine explodes, i will be OK, it is a shitty car, but I can just buy a new one and it will still be much cheaper to own. I even expect it to die at any given point, so will no be disappointed.. 😂🤣 It is really bad when you have range anxiety in a premium ice car 🤔😬😁

[@jetpackjbd]

@@TheStuartstardust Assuming you’re referring to 375k miles, not kilometers, that sounds pretty normal. Most engines are rated like 350k at most.

[@trainzguy2472]

@@jetpackjbd He probably means km because Renault doesn't sell cars in the US

[@jetpackjbd]

@@trainzguy2472 fair point

[@_tinygoat]

Every Mercedes in the USA pines for home. Every spare part brings it closer to Germany. Have you tried speaking to your car in German, or making sauerkraut in the garage?

[@nated4949]

*chuckles in German

[@kiliumearth4063]

🤣🤣🤣

[@CyberlightFG]

Sauerkraut is bad for your car. It will rust in no time. Try Schnitzel and Kartoffelsalat instead.

[@vintyprod]

@@CyberlightFG Schnitzel’s not German tho

[@CyberlightFG]

@@vintyprod well, Döner isn't, either. Currywurst maybe, but that can strip paint off, too.

[@Luzgar]

This is your daily reminder that needing a donation campaign to afford medical care is neither normal nor right.

[@agenericaccount3935]

“A car should not make you develop coping mechanisms just to drive it” Bruh, that hit hard.

[@whollymindless]

... And this is from someone that owns a Trabant, a Robin and a gaggle of Coda. (What is the collective noun for a collection of Codas)

[@anishboddu2727]

@@whollymindless don't forget the infamous wheego

[@whollymindless]

@@anishboddu2727 how did I miss that?

[@whollymindless]

The important bit about this is that the cars all have different niches to fill. This was supposed to be the reliable family hauler. All the rest, except maybe the Coda, were known/intended to be what they are.

[@JohnBodoni]

As soon as he said "coping mechanisms" I had to pause the video and start scrolling through the comments to make sure it got mentioned. Thank you, generic account.

[@gannas42]

What a nasty accident. Glad Cheyenne survived and thank you for passing along the opportunity to help someone in need. 💛

[@kennorcott7074]

Modern car safety is amazing. It is incredible that anyone was able to survive a roof caving in like that. I hope she recovers as much as she can

[@alliejr]

@@kennorcott7074 Moden car? That Mercury was designed in the 1970s and can't hold a candle to actual modern cars.

[@kennorcott7074]

@@alliejr that’s a 2000’s car with 2000’s car safety features

[@alliejr]

@@kennorcott7074 The Ford Panther platform dates to 1978. Unfortunately, her Marauder was not structurally different from a 1970s car.

[@kennorcott7074]

@@alliejr the chassis is not what I’m talking about. I’m talking about the pillars and the airbags which is what matters in a crash like this

[@notehermelin2022]

A funny thing about that transmission oil leak: On Mercedes models around this time period it is possible that they leak oil through the wiring harness, meaning oil is flowing inside the cables themselves, like inside the insulation with the copper. This can go as far as damaging the ECU and other control units connected in some way or another to the transmission. This has happened to a custommer of a Mercedes dealer and service station my uncle works in.

[@juhomaki-petaja]

You can get sealing kit for that harness connector

[@HoundsHell]

Not only this Model of Mercedes and not just the Transmission, S-Class E-Class C-Class Vito Viano all of them. had multiple customers with bricked ECU's do to Oil in it from multiple sensors and actuators on the Engine if you catch it early enough you can save the ECU.

[@jfv65]

@@juhomaki-petaja you could but i think it is an embarrassment that you have to run that risk or have to deal with that issue on an expensive upmarket luxury car like a Mercedes-Benz Back in the 70's and 80's Mercedes USED to be the benchmark for reliability and quality engineering. Today no more. Give me a Lexus any day over a Mercedes (and BMW as well).

[@juhomaki-petaja]

@@jfv65 Here in Scandinavia we use Mercedes for ice track rally and kids use those to driving practice on fields. "Field rallying", so much glamour and upmarket...

[@moejasss]

@@HoundsHell is it a common issue on Vianos? I have a 2006 W639 and it's beginning to show signs of electrical issues

[@e_filippo]

"a car should not require you to develop coping mechanisms just to drive it" Now if that's not the most accurate representation to every shitbox I've ever owned.

[@Trakitor1]

But that's the fun of driving the car, you never know whats going to happen. Pure Gold

[@JessicaFEREM]

that's the problem with modern fancy cars. they're unreliable because they have so much technology in them. something can be said for the reliability of stupid dumb pulleys and levers.

[@pootispiker2866]

​@@JessicaFEREMok grandpa let's get you back to bed

[@JessicaFEREM]

@@pootispiker2866 bro I'm 21 Complexity will always mean more failure points. My car is a shit box but at least it's simple and easy to fix

[@pootispiker2866]

@@JessicaFEREM Yes yes I'm sure your 1968 Chevy is just a breeze to diagnose detonation on. Now, do you want me to call the retirement home or do you? Get real my guy, computers in cars make real work easier.

[@ferrumignis]

_"Did it break down on you?"_ *"....Not really...."* I was waiting for him to ask for the definition of "break down".

[@beesoffury]

Yeah, that totally was another way of saying “no comment”

[@custardavenger]

Yeah, somehow I don't believe him. He drove it till it had a load of issues, hot a lot of the fixed, and now has put it back in to stock.

[@jpaugh64]

@@beesoffury It's another way of saying, _Yes!_

[@h8GW]

German engineering *does not* break down! They always manage to limp home! Even if it requires assistance sometimes!

[@sigma_799]

spoken like a true salesman

[@IncertusetNescio]

So you've inherited a Money Pit (TM). What are your options? (sounds like my Kia) 1. dump it as fast as you can 2. keep dumping money into it until you fill the hole (not recommended and almost never works) 3. let it collect dust until you donate it to a radio station or the like for free (fair way to).

[@nobodynoone2500]

Ahh... German engineering. I've never lost brakes from a battery issue in any of my various shitboxes. That's legitimately terrifying.

[@andysimkin5200]

How can they even build this in as a feature..? The mind boggles

[@beholdtheflesh88]

Mercedes used electronic-hydraulic brakes (called "SBC") for a few model years in the early 2000s. That didn't last long for obvious reasons, and all models after that went back to normal brakes.

[@bluedogtransportwa]

i have once, and it was genuinely very hard to tell anything was wrong apart from the fact my radio turned off alternator failed, battery died. for some reason, cruise control stayed on, auto gearbox held 4th as it always had. come up to the first intersection in 40km, car stays in 4th, zero vacuum for the brakes.

[@Nikola_W211]

@@beholdtheflesh88 i got a w211 e320cdi from 2007 its a facelift that has no sbc and the eletronics are much more reliable.

[@XH1927]

This is why drive-by-wire is a horrendously stupid idea and anyone who argues differently is an idiot.

[@numbereightyseven]

"Did it break down on you?" "Not really." ... because with a Mercedes, the answer can never be a straight "no".

[@s8wc3]

"It only exploded twice, no big deal"

[@theflyingfish66]

Guarantee that used car salesman was lying through his teeth. You don't sell a straight piped V8 wagon out of the blue if it's been completely reliable, that was definitely a problem car that he wanted to get rid of. He just had AW fix half the problems that car had and is going to make a tidy profit to boot. Also he's a car salesman, they're lying every time they open their mouths.

[@danielmorgan190]

I've had three of these w211s. One was a wagon with the v6 (not quite as nice sounding as your v8). It had the same problems you've mentioned--plus had to convert the air suspension to springs after it blew. My wife lost faith in it so I sold it too. I still have the other two with L6 diesel. The chassis is a pain, but the diesel is so perfect I put up with their quirks. Having two is key so they can take turns breaking.

[@twentysevenlitres]

My mate has the 2.7L 5 pot diesel version of the W211(all markets except US) and that engine is also amazing - 420Nm torque (308lb ft) from about 1800rpm, effortless driving! I can only imagine the 3.0L L6 is even better.

[@blackterminal]

lol😂

[@sirBrouwer]

@@twentysevenlitres there is a reason a lot of taxi services here in the Netherlands reliably bought that series of Benzes. The engine is way over engineered so that it hardly ever breaks. It also drives very smoothly. it's in no means a speed monster just reliable and good at driving slow

[@danielmorgan190]

@@twentysevenlitres yeah we got the L5 in the sprinter vans in the states. The 3.0 is more than enough power in the sedan (and I imagine wagon too). The torque makes it feel like its a V8, but still gets good mpgs.

[@MotownModels]

I own essentially this same exact car. I have spent SO much money getting it mechanically "perfect", but honestly, it's been worth it. The drivetrain is known for reliability- when you don't have a transmission fluid leak (:

[@Fattony6666]

what a shitbox

[@EdwardM104]

Yeah these cars aren't bad if you do the maintenance as scheduled. Problem is German luxury cars tend to pass through about a half dozen or more owners, few of which do the necessary maintenance because it becomes more and more of a basket case, even fairly reliable cars like this one. There are certainly flaws with these, like the transmission connector leaking or conductor plate failing, or the air struts failing because the vehicle was lifted without the suspension system being turned off with a scanner, valve cover gaskets, etc. When I saw the first video with this car, I knew Robert had bought a really bad example. I personally like to stay away from the air suspension or 4matic Mercedes, I think probably the best bet for the most reliable and cheap to maintain Mercedes would be a late 90s to early 00s C-Class (two generations) with the I6 (M104), 2.3L 4 cylinder (M111 not M271), V6 (M112 not M272), or V8 (M113) or the similar year E Class with the same engines but RWD and standard suspension.

[@mathewhumvee]

The two greatest days of ownership with an AMG are 1: the day you get it 2: the day you get rid of it Side note: I did have at one time an S63 from 2008, and loved it. But it was a nightmare to keep running. That anxiety is real, even when we had the warranty. I vividly remember warranty repair bills being well over 10-14K. Sold it because i would go broke keeping it on the road.

[@Tibyon]

Nobody saw this coming My family got a Mercedes something for dirt cheap when I started driving. Turns out even if they'd gotten it for free, it wouldn't have been worth it. Mercedes are good for as long as the warranty lasts 😅 Also my heart goes out to that young lady. 💔

[@GrumpyIan]

Those damn Germans keep over engineering everything....

[@CaptHollister]

Actually, they do very well when they are properly maintained, I'm on my 5th. I've owned my 2014 GLK250 since new and it's been trouble free (I'll forgive the one speed sensor that went bad). The big problem with these cars is that they are too often purchased by people who are unwilling to do the required maintenance using approved parts and fluid. If you're buying used: never buy a cheap Mercedes and always ask for the maintenance receipts.

[@alexandreb.1101]

My 2006 w203 with well over 300.000 miles begs to disagree

[@sa1f43]

@blacknester Tf is that almost a new car? you do realize that's already more than 8 years old?

[@seymoarsalvage]

@@CaptHollister aCtUaLlY....

[@MurphyTheBandChild]

"This car hates me," he said standing next to the luxury German car that has had a Trabant sticker stuck on its side.

[@jackielinde7568]

Pretty sure that Trabant sticker was edited into the video. It's an odd place to put said bumper sticker. Generally, they go on the bumpers.

[@stevethepocket]

@@jackielinde7568 Also you generally don't wait until the day you take it back to the dealership to put it on.

[@michaeltutty1540]

Oh, Robert, Robert. The dealer you bought it from and sold it back to forgot to do one VERY important thing as a car dealer: Check for factory recalls. The brake by wire system is notorious for failure. Robert Bosch at his finest. If you want a fast and luxurious wagon there are only a couple of options worth checking out. The more common is the GM Whale Wagons. Chevy Caprice Classic or Buick Roadmaster Estate. In their last 3 years they had the LT-1 under the hood. Fast and reasonably economical. The other, admittedly MUCH harder to find, is an 86 or 87 Country Squire or Colony Park with the 351W. You might have to come to Canada, where they were regularly available. 0-60 is a reasonable 6.5-7 seconds, but on the highway you are looking at 34 or so miles to the gallon once a few modifications have been done.

[@leifhietala8074]

The gigantic Caprice wagon was hilariously good at being what it was: big, dumb, simple, effective. Sophistication? No, no - none of that here! But it'll get you AND all your junk where you want to go.

[@kruleworld]

According to Hoovie, the land whales are now very expensive.

[@tjnucnuc]

E91 is a good decently quick wagon and bulletproof.

[@Low760]

The best GM v8 wagons imo, CTS v wagon in the state's. Or in Australia, Holden VF Commodore or hsv sportswagon. Less issues, the box is easier to fix than the Merc box and once it's fixed it's reliable.

[@michaeltutty1540]

@@Low760 The Ford Panther wagons from 86-91 with the 351 and Trailer Tow III Package are incredible, incredibly easy to work on, and incredibly good on fuel. For 88-91, only available in wagons for Emergency Service purchase. For 86 and 87, the 351 was a paltry $185, the towing package that changed almost everything, a mere $550. 6,000 pounds of trailer, combined gross vehicle weight rating of 12,500 pounds, and 7 litres per 100 kilometers makes a pretty hard package to beat. The 109 cubic feet of cargo is a bit of alright too.

[@badopinionsrighthere]

My first car was a 1993 300te wagon, and it ruined the Mercedes brand for me. I wanted to love it but my God it hated me too. Last time I saw it I had pushed it off of some train tracks into a parking lot then called the dealer and told him where it was. I should have left it on the tracks

[@bebopwing1]

Was the auxiliary battery a wet lead acid battery, or a sealed AGM? I used to work at a battery store, and if I remember correctly we sold a decent amount of 12 volt 18 amp AGMs to Mercedes owners to replace their convenience / auxiliary batteries. We'd sell them for like $40, and Mercedes of course wanted several hundred. Same deal with the starting battery; again if I remember correctly East Penn makes the OEM Mercedes batteries for the US market. So you could buy the super expensive East Penn battery with the Mercedes sticker on it from the dealer, or the exact same East Penn battery with a store brand sticker on it for like $100.

[@kbcarroll]

Most of us are just buying them for $50 on Amazon.

[@leeh9420]

"A car should require you to develop coping mechanisms just to drive it." - an all-time classic quote...

[@adewilliam9047]

When the comments in the last Mercedes video said "The hood's easy to open because that's a thing you'll be doing often", I knew this car's gonna go buckwild broken

[@theidealcopy_]

My dad had a car like this when I was a kid. Took it to multiple dealers and independent garages but none of them could identify any issues, despite it completely dying without warning at least once a month. Ended up selling it after six months as it was our only car which when you’ve got a young family and a 60 minute work commute isn’t exactly ideal

[@awesomeferret]

If he had had more time on his hands, that car would have made him money. Lemon laws are a thing.

[@theidealcopy_]

@@awesomeferret maybe if he’d kept it until now but I doubt it. The model in question was worthless when he bought it, and even now tidy ones don’t exactly go for big money. You’d be lucky to get 10k for a mint one with mileage in the hundreds, which his definitely wasn’t haha.

[@C-Henry]

"It even has air... suspension" to be honest I was expecting that to end with "conditioning" knowing your fleet. Can't wait to see the next oddball that replaces it.

[@JonesNate]

"My other car is a Trabant!" 🤣

[@brendancross2767]

The Mercedes has taken the title of least reliable car from the coda And yes robert did confirm this with me on patreon

[@eugeneforge]

I wondered what you were thinking when you got that car. I honestly would trust the Trabant more than a modern used Mercedes.

[@stevenrice47]

Truth. Mercedes are nice cars, until the warranty and maintenance package runs out.

[@cudak888]

*Reads title* Reaction: "YEEEEEESS. There's a difference between an old car that gives trouble due to age, and a late-model vehicle that gives trouble due to terrible design. And this Mercedes has belonged firmly in the latter camp since it was built."

[@gamezoid1234]

Ugh, true. Have a part that's had something major go out every 6 months-2 years (closer to six months for the majority of my ownership of it)

[@donkmeister]

YMMV as they say 😁 In my experience the W211 E500s occasionally throw a big bill for something, but for the most part are reliable and inexpensive to run. Could vary depending on where you live, of course.

[@isaakwelch3451]

Most mercedes belong to the latter camp.

[@kruleworld]

actually, this vehicle is old, for a "modern" Mercedes.

[@cudak888]

@@kruleworld A W29 is "old." A W114 is "old." A W211 is not "old." Nothing with integrated, body-color bumpers is "old" or worthy of that title.

[@alexd5028]

As Scotty would say: (please imagine a lot of hand flinging) "As they age, they become endless money pits!"

[@pootispiker2866]

Scotty has no clue what he talks about

[@johnruschmeyer5769]

The battery system sounds like a bad laptop where a flat main battery drains the CMOS clock battery. As for the transmission, this Mercedes must be a Friends car... "It's like you're always stuck in second gear."

[@wopmf4345FxFDxdGaa20]

Well, it's about the same in every car that has two batteries, because the batteries are usually in parallel . . . That's why the rule of thumb is to always change both at same time.

[@strongereveryday2302]

having owned a Mercedes of this class, I could have warned you and I would never, ever own another for any price for any reason. The myth of German reliability and build quality is just that, a myth.

[@isaakwelch3451]

Its just the circlejerk stans who perpetuate that myth

[@Nikola_W211]

I bet it wasnt mantained i own one of these its a 3.0 diesel i ddint have any issues these v8 are bulletproof

[@tybofborg]

"Mercedes! We do not stop 'til nightfall." "What about battery?" "I've already replaced it." "You've replaced one, yes. What about second battery?" ... "I don't think he knows about second battery." "What about transmission fluid? Coolant? Engine oil? Brakes? He knows about them, doesn't he?" "I wouldn't count on it."

[@Boemel]

*violently kicks towbar and brakes a toe*

[@jozsefizsak]

I decided some time ago that I probably will not ever buy a Mercedes. You have done nothing to change my mind. It's like you're not even trying.

[@numberq1134]

Question Rob: is that blue Yugo in the background at the dealership already in your collection yet? It looks rough on the dealership's website, but we all know you can't resist it

[@impreza2010drifty]

I saw the yugo too and was like, hmmm I'm amazed that isn't part of Roberts collection yet.

[@MicahS70T5M]

I wouldn’t be surprised if it is and it’s placement was an intentional teaser.

[@kruleworld]

@@MicahS70T5M what better to replace a luxury wagon with than a rough Yugo?

[@makaylaserniotti1474]

That’s unfortunate. I sold my Mercedes and got a Porsche recently, gonna miss mine. I’m glad Cheyenne is okay, car accidents are awful.

[@dionamuh]

Your old, high-mileage AMG Mercedes is unreliable? I am shocked. And the second-hand car dealer says the car was reliable and only needs a few small fixes! That must mean it's a great idea to buy it.

[@jackielinde7568]

No, if I've learned anything from Steve Lehto, it's to run as fast as possible when the dealer says "[I/My Wife/Friend/Family Member] used to daily drive this car, and we've never had a problem with it."

[@SpartanMJO12]

@@XH1927 ok autismo

[@marsminion705]

Imagine there are people who dont realize thats sarcasm xD

[@CyberlightFG]

@@marsminion705 Really?

[@robertwittjr1198]

08:35 trade it for the blue yugo!

[@Dingodogo220]

Traded in for an older 1980s were 1990s model with a diesel engine I have a 350sdl that has 1,250,000 miles I bought it for $800 and put about $1,200 into it mainly because it had set for 3 years prior to me getting it but now we regularly take it on 400+ mile trips I really haven't had any major problems with it except for me busting a hole in the oil pan and a blown turbo seal.

[@16driver16]

I hate it when automatic transmissions just stop shifting. I had to replace my 2007 corrola recently because it stopped shifting into top gear suddenly. I let it sit a couple months and suddenly the trans was shifting again. I sold it to a friend for $300 since I had already replaced the car for myself. He drive it awhile before the problem came back. He sold it to a guy and the guy is driving it without the problem again... I checked the fluid level before I sold it and that was not the problem. I really miss how nice my corrola was... but having a car that shifts all the time is a huge improvement.

[@wopmf4345FxFDxdGaa20]

I would replace the transmission oil first thing . . .

[@artoodiitoo]

Reminds me when I was buying a Alfa GTV, we were puzzled with the previous owner about the brake pad warning light. Turns out, the warning light actually worked like it should and it was warning us about worn brake pads. Who would thought of an Alfa :D

[@o0julek0o]

There's a reason these are cheap. My mother had the E270 diesel. That sucked too. Constant issues. They're designed to fail.

[@zendell37]

On Prius, it's fairly common for the traction battery to be killed by a dead starter battery. It's very very important to stay on top of that if you own a hybrid.

[@leifhietala8074]

It's not really the starter battery - the Prius relies on the traction battery for engine starting as the Prius is not fitted with a starter motor. It has to have the traction motor to spin the engine over.

[@pootispiker2866]

​@@leifhietala8074It is the starter battery since it's used to close the contractors for the hybrid traction battery

[@Dsdcain]

I like how the masking tape labels changed with each cut. Good one very subtle. I truly hope Cheyenne's recovery goes well. 🤞 Stay safe out there, and take it easy. 😎

[@Jacks_Bad_Ideas]

Did not notice as the chuck key was in the lathe and that is not too safe

[@nosrepa]

I was hoping one of them would say subscribe like in a ToT video.

[@Looptydude]

That battery issue is the reason my cousin ditched his Merc and just bought a loaded F150 instead. Just like you, he got the battery warning replaced it and it still had problems, when the dealer told him it was the second battery, he said F that.

[@WayneB27]

The first thing a competent tech checks when any automatic transmission is being troublesome is the fluid level. When the fluid dissapears and leaves no trace of where it went , undo the coolant cap and see If the heat exchanger in the radiator is leaking it into the coolant. Sad to say this but that car exceeded your level of mechanical aptitude so you are best to have sold it.

[@ShadowsOfGames]

"Did it break down on you?" "Not really." That is such a lawyer answer. Not buying it.

[@donkmeister]

SBC is fixed for free in the USA... The rest of us have to pay for it. Cost me around £1,500 at a Mercedes specialist some years back, £3,000 was the quote from a main dealer. What you were experiencing when it failed was the back up mode which is completely un-servoed! Low battery causing the dash to go scary-red is just to add to the excitement.

[@BruceGinkel]

I see german cars like I see fighter aircraft. They are extremely capable at what they do, but at the cost of a lot of preventative and unscheduled maintenance. There's a reason used german cars are usually cost half or less of their MSRP after the warranty. Maintenance costs.

[@Hawok13]

As a Benz enthusiast who never owned a cheap big engine Mercedes, take my word, dont buy a cheap big engine Mercedes. I mean there are a lot of big and reliable engines but these cars are full of technology, and i mean over the top, you wont find the same options in a random E220 like you find in ANY E500. But if the car is well maintained, and not a problematic pre-facelift that had recalls, then sure, go ahead. For example this w211 was a non facelift and had problems and recalls with the SBC brakes, the facelift had [besides a big improvement on the looks departmen] no SBC at all! And they work like wonders 👍

[@popuptoaster]

W210 estate is OK if you can find one that hasn't gone rusty, my E55 has 250,000 miles on it, it's tired but it's been relatively reliable over the 4 years I've owned it.

[@Hawok13]

@@popuptoaster w210's are good vehicles, and the m113 in the E55 is known for being quite reliable, more so than the non-amg variants

[@Nikola_W211]

@@Hawok13 my family has an e320cdi facelift om642 the car is flawless 280.000km on it i would love to buy an w210 300td

[@CyberlightFG]

Perfect intro. Hats off to you. Had to watch it several times. Perfect editing.

[@popuptoaster]

Far as I remember the SBC system was given a finite amount of operations before it requested replacement no matter what it's actual condition was, ostensibly for safety the way it just shut itself down sometimes without warning caused enough customer complaints that MB made it a free repair (just a reset of it's internal counter I think?), something along those lines anyway.

[@deeiks12]

My experience says that if you have a problem with any automatic, the first thing to do is always to add some fluid, or to change the fluid entirely.

[@XH1927]

My experience is that if you own an automatic, you have a problem between your ears.

[@deeiks12]

@@XH1927 there are definitely some cases where an automatic is preferable.

[@pootispiker2866]

​@@XH1927You don't even own a manual

[@kennethstark7753]

I had an 03 outback h6 that I absolutely loved gave me the same coolant issues. Now any coolant that I smell causes my heart to race!

[@mzaite]

Same, offloaded mine last year after 4 diffrent fixes didn't fix it. The H6 is great, right up until the day it isn't.

[@performa9523]

This video really sums up the Mercedes experience. They are really nice cars- assuming you're willing to work on them continuously to keep them running.

[@Relatyvity]

5:07 *Sympathetic RX-8 owner noises

[@HowToSpacic]

What a horrible accident I’m so glad you’re helping her out, that is very kind of you

[@TopiasSalakka]

I happened to buy a Mercedes lately, hasn't had any major issues though, only a couple that are easy to fix. Hope it won't have any big issues...

[@nobodynoone2500]

F

[@dklgdveje]

Good luck! As soon as it start break sell that shit

[@josealcazar2922]

As soon as the first major repair comes in, get it fixed and then dump the car on someone else. It'll only be downhill from there

[@TopiasSalakka]

@@josealcazar2922 It's one of the older reliable ones, with a fairly simple engine. It's also really well kept and low miles, so it should last me quite a while.

[@mc2whls]

Keep dreaming. M-B's are MONEY 💰 PITS! They will always be UNRELIABLE. German Engineering at its FINEST. NOT!

[@SMGJohn]

Only in america do you need a fundraiser to survive AFTER a terrible incident because you be out of a job and medical industry trying to kill you with debt. Sad, just absolutely sad.

[@numbereightyseven]

I actually wore a Toyota engine out, once. My first car, thrashed the daylights out of it, and at 200,000km, it wasn't doing too well. But my current 556,000km Hiace, is going perfectly.

[@apachelives]

If it makes you feel better, in 2017 I bought a $400 1998 Subaru wagon site unseen, spent next to nothing on parts, changed the oil once a year, drove it for 4 years and 50k and sold it for $500 still working.

[@jackielinde7568]

This all sounds sooooooo familiar. Didn't Casey Putsch have the same issues with a friend's Mercedes, and his solution was to fix the car with a different car?

[@cragonaut]

"Did it break down on you?" *dealer instantly looks away* "Not really". Needs to work on his deception skills a little.

[@mzaite]

Why? He made money on this whole ordeal. Clearly that works.

[@Oddman1980]

My wife and I had this Isuzu a long time ago... it broke down constantly. Your statement about the car giving you anxiety is spot on.

[@haajee1]

Isuzu...? Mercedes i think...

[@Oddman1980]

@@haajee1 No, we definitely had an Isuzu that broke down constantly. Mercedes didn't make the Trooper.

[@lopeo2324]

4:21 “it's like you're always stuck in second gear, When it hasn't been your day, your week, your month, or even your year.”

[@TheQuirkyGarage1999]

8:35 blue Yugo in the background

[@rashakawa]

I really do love it when a KZbinr makes a video inorder to pay off some bills or buy some new tool or toy for the channel. It's just really cool that they can do that when needed.

[@balicatomaandrei4852]

I've owned a W211 2.2 CDI from '03 , Avantgarde. All black, and it was the most beautiful, most comfortable, safest (in terms of chunkiness and its utter refusal to ever skid on a road) car I've ever driven. Such a beautiful experience, when it was working. I also developed coping mechanisms and had heavy anxiety whenever I had to drive it outside my city, and I experienced almost the same issues you did on mine. I had PTSD whenever I heard that "ping ping ping ping" error sound, and I would shit the chair only to relax because it was telling me that I hadn't put on my seatbelt. First time I got the brake error and I realized the car literally left me with no breaks going down a small hill, only to (through extensive troubleshooting) figure out it was the main battery in the back, which I had to get replaced, and later on the second battery in the front. Later on as I was driving, it left me stranded in the woods on the side of a highway as car was seemingly losing power (everything was turning on and off intermittently). What was happening is that, one of the main cables had a smaller auxiliary cable alongside it, and if it was sitting at an awkward angle it would disconnect the power, so I had to Macgyver that shit with a hairband and a pen to make sure that slim cable sat tightly, until I could properly service it. As someone else put it, it was the best worst car I ever owned, and I will miss it dearly forever.

[@project_calais4977]

Can almost relate to the oddness of 2:59. My car (A Holden Calais) disables the ESP/Traction System and ABS if my third brake light bulb blows or is taken out... Not sure if its meant as a sign to not drive the car till its replaced or is a stupid voltage fault. My Calais has also given me major anxiety now. Without fail since the beginning of the year, its had several failures and faults. In January my SRS Airbag light came on days before a 14 hour interstate trip, which I drove with the light on and got cleared by a relative. Then the day I was meant to depart on my 14 hour drive home, the radiator sprung a leak and poured its coolant all over the highway which caused the engine temp to sky rocket. First time i'd ever seen this in the four years owning the car. Thankfully I was close enough to another relatives place, where I managed to limp the car over with bottled water having been poured into the radiator. Got a replacement radiator that arvo and had the car ready for departure the following day. Then in February the engine overheated on my way to work. This was due to no coolant, despite having topped it up several days earlier. I limped it to a safe stop to cool down and poured coolant and water i left in my boot. Drove home and found a hole in the overflow tank where it had all been pouring out from. Patched it up and now I was watching my engine temp gage like a hawk. In March, my car decided to pour all its trans fluid out on the highway and make my 5L40E into a PNNN. Found that the trans oil return line had a pin sized hole in the metal kink of the line. Replaced the line, put new trans oil in it (which I also had just done an oil change back in January so yay) and all was good, expect for the fact coolant was coming out the engine. The coolant heater return line o-ring failed, and it took me a week to find a new one from Holden as I was also in iso cause of Covid. Was fun having the spicy cough. Sorted the car out, or so I thought. April brought me a surprise in the DAMN ENGINE TEMP RISING AGAIN. This was an at fault reason though. I thought it was the thermostat, as it got real hot when trying to use the climate control system. Turns out my thermo fans were not turning on, to which i thought was the fuses or the fans themselves weren't working. Silly me forgot to plug them back in... So I did and so far so good with my Calais (touch wood). Does need some more oil in the trans as on colder days you can feel slippage so I have that to do. But I am now so anxious about the engine temp, as I watch it all the time now and wait to see if the thermo fans kick in, which they do thankfully. Not to mention so many faults have happened so Its really got me uneasy with the car. I love the Calais, but man these last four months of nonstop issues has me questioning my own integrity with continued ownership haha.

[@ModelA]

This is another reason why Robert is awesome.

[@iamjohnmc]

The car was always stuck in second gear? I guess it hasn't been its day, its week its month, or even its year.

[@Low760]

Wow. That is scary to me. In Australia, most states include 3rd party personal insurance, which would give payments for this sort of accident, cover the cost of loss of work and a payout for the loss of arm etc etc. It's just scary to me that you need to crowdfund for something so basic.

[@matthewseymour8972]

My folk's car (a 2015 Citroen diesel thing) had a dying AGM battery. Symptoms were complaints about gearbox errors but it NEVER showed any hesitation starting. Always turned over quickly and started without issue. Voltage was way down. But weird the old assumptions about behaviour just don't stack up any more.

[@ExUSSailor]

There's a period in the late 90s, or, early 2000s when M-B just decided to say goodbye to any idea of quality assurance. Buy a pre-'90 M-B, and, it will go a million miles without trouble, but, post-'90s are the WORST quality automobiles in history.

[@CaptHollister]

The Daimler-Chrysler years. Owning Chrysler meant Mercs got Chrysler quality instead of the other way around.

[@nobodynoone2500]

@@CaptHollister It's STELANTIS now, respect my pronouns. ;-P

[@CaptHollister]

@@nobodynoone2500 Mercedes is not part of Stellantis, though. Daimler took over Chrysler in the late 90s and dumped it in the 2000s.

[@subbaaja100]

I'd say that also mercs made around 2007-2013 are quite reliable, especially the diesel ones. There is a lot of those with more than 600 000 km

[@Oonagh72]

The car doesn’t hate you. The man who sold it to you hates you.

[@nobodynoone2500]

His hedging on how often it broke down said it all tbh.

[@goxy287]

Damn I'm sorry to hear that. I totaled my car last year and I'm lucky I was absolutely fine. Scary to see what couldve happened.

[@seeayesix2817]

This is probably the only channel where I actually look forward to the sponsoring bits. Not that the actual content isn't top notch, it totally is. You totally deserve a bigger audience :)

[@yo7173]

I just have a hunch that the guy you bought it from sold it to you with the expectation that you would repair the issues that popped up and then you would sell it back to him ...

[@ErwinHolland.]

One of the most expensive things in the world.... A cheap German car.

[@Kermoedi77]

You are a kind, generous soul, sir. Both for sharing with us the opportunity to help with the Gofundme and how you interacted with the dealer. You showed him more kindness and patience than I think I’d have been able to given all the trouble that car gave you. I tip my cap to you. Thank you for being awesome.

[@InfernusdomniAZ]

Friend of my years ago maybe 2008. bought a 1998 SL AMG Mercedes. Car was list 130 grand. Got it for 15 grand and in the space of 2 months drop 25 grand into it before giving up and selling it.

[@anonymus277]

Alan was a bit jerk when he said "fix what you messed up on it" and I'm pretty sure he also lied about the car being reliable but then again, every dealer is usually like that. The car runs fine and all until they sell it to another person. Shame on you Alan. That guy has some nerves.

[@awesomeferret]

I took that as a joke, but after reading your comment, I realize, we will never really know if he was joking or was serious (and if he was serious, then he's more likely to be lying about the reliability he experienced). I still think it was a joke, but again, we will never actually know.

[@kw9849]

I'm pretty sure Alan was joking. Even a car salesman knows not to insult a customer on camera. Not to mention, why would Robert plug the dealership if he'd genuinely been insulted?

[@DarkDutch007]

@@kw9849 The difference between a plug for the dealership or a warning to possible future costumers is how possible future costumers digest the content of the vid.

[@anonymus277]

@@kw9849 Joke or not, I can't imagine this car had zero issues when Alan owned it. But of course he won't ever say it in front of the camera.

[@bruceyyyyy]

Here's to Cheyenne getting a Metal Gear Solid robo arm!

[@J-1410]

"...Stuck in second gear..." reminds me of a song about an AMC Nash Rambler that goes: "hey buddy can you help me I can't get this car out of second gear"

[@Slackerz]

Funnily enough I have the opposite issue, I have a 2005 ford ranger that just won't die. This thing has seen hell but keeps chugging along like nothing happened. Love this damn thing to death.

[@nicholas5623]

A newer Benz always broken and needing parts.... Color me shocked

[@tarstarkusz]

ARE YOU INSANE? You can probably get DOUBLE what you paid for this!!! This dealer ROBBED YOU. The price of used cars has more than doubled in the last year.

[@Fattony6666]

YOUR CAPSLOCK IS ON

[@tarstarkusz]

@@Fattony6666 Funny how it is only affecting a few words.

[@bcubed72]

@@Fattony6666 Caps lock is what we used before we had bold font. It is an accepted substitute for bold, ever since the days of the Smith-Corona. There's a huge difference between capitalizing PARTICULAR words, for EMPHASIS, and TYPING WITH CAPS LOCK ON LIKE A TOTAL DOOFUS. See? The reason the hate on caps lock came about is that (in the Commodore 64 era) programming was done in all caps. Once the nerdy programmers migrated to message boards, they typed like they programmed, because nerds aren't exactly the most "socially clued-in" people on Earth. So, someone had to explain to them that "all caps = bad." (As in, capitals, and nothing but. Not using it as a substitute for bold font.) By that same token, typing in 100% boldface is pretty cringe, too, no?

[@Strike86]

Okay the label on the lathe saying "Make metal dizzy" is the best joke I've seen this month.

[@richieb7692]

Never buy any Mercedes made after 2005-2010. This is when the company stopped using quality parts and electrical equipment. And went straight to the cheapest crap that hopefully lasts as long as the warranty Have chucked a few quid into the go fund me thingy, That was one nasty accident and I really hope she has a swift and pain free recovery

[@Coolit2683]

As a wise Scotty man likes to say... "ENDLESS MONEY PIT" And here I am driving a low budget money pit. (MK5 Jetta TDI)

[@apachelives]

Scotty is the Donald Trump of mechanics.

[@Fleshaga]

Here in EU we call a car that has serial problems like that a "Monday Edition". (built while hungover)

[@beetleworks738]

I got a similar story bought a 2006 dodge Dakota mint loved it and 3 days after i got it check engine came on 2 weeks later transmission went out fixed all problems then the PCM went out still drivible. Could not find the part no shop could. Then the brakes and transmission went out at the same time. Then finally took a it to a dealer bought a new car and when they said your good to go and gave me the keys i said cool and ran out as fast as i could. Sucks i dont have a truck anymore but wroth it cuase it gave me anxiety when i drove it.

[@HaddaClu]

Lol and this is why I always recommend a 93/94 Roadmaster if youre in the market for a used wagon that's easy to keep up maintenance-wise.

[@XH1927]

Would be nice if cash for -clunkers- perfectly good cars hadn't eaten all the OBD1 vehicles, and plenty of classics as well.

[@iffracem]

I bought a Mercedes here in Australia once, a late model Vito van for my business. It was the biggest piece of garbage I've ever owned. Always throwing codes, chewing through starters, running into "limp home mode", ECU hating injectors, chucking a hissy fit and stopping all conversations with them despite them testing out perfectly OK. If you have a starter issue with the Vito vans, buy the equivalent Renault van replacement, as the Auto elec tells me it's exactly the same part, at much much cheaper price. I gave it away, I couldn't bring myself to ask anyone for money for it. It felt like I was going to rob someone at least, and knowingly take money in exchange for a heap of issues is something I could not do (Although Mercedes seems to think that sort of thing is OK) Did you know if a brake light blows, the ECU won't let you shift above 2nd? A safety issue or some shit. Thought it was just a bad example of the breed, but no, it seems the reliability issues of Mercedes is well known. Here we call them "the 3 pointed suppository" as a reference to it's badge and where they deserve to go. Seems Mercedes went from being in the top 10 in user satisfaction to in the bottom 100 after they merged with Chrysler. Co-incidence?

[@sirhcmi3]

Love the “My other car is a Trabant” tag on the side.

[@ericirving1092]

Top quality video fren. Very entertained the whole time!!

[@mr.dahliaking.202]

Having to drive my dream car Honda HRV from 1999 I can say that the random noises in the transmition, hot coolant fragrance and the random eye contact with the every so slightly inaccurate oil, battery and check engine lights at random intervals makes my heart skip a beat at least 3 times a day. My trusted dealership told me its normal, the circuit board sometimes has a glitch for a millisecond, its normal, but what is not normal that it lasts long enough for the led to light up on the dash for a brief half a second. The coolant gauge also sometimes gives me anxiety when I drive a long distance, but that is normal too, I was told. as long as it does not climb over 75% mark on the dash, I am good to go. Well, until last year when I went to pick up my friend from work and I made an eye contact with the gauge and the maximum reading in the middle of nowhere and I swear the universe shifter gears on me. I checked and I saw my original radiator has cracked itself at the plastic top thing where aluminum is crimped onto. Other than that, I love my little HRV I will never trade it to any other car in the universe, ever.

[@quantumphaser]

It needs a "My East German Brother is a Trabi and I'm the slacker" bumper sticker.

[@leon_mnl]

man , it is cool that you put yourself out there for someone else who could use a bit of good luck , great job , love the video

[@thedriftshopmb]

Such an underrated channel. Great video Robert!

[@AliceC993]

A family member (technically, two) owned an '05 E 320 4Matic wagon similar to this car - oddly enough that car was very, very reliable when they both had it with the exception of a few things that, realistically, can go out on any car regardless of manufacturer. What ended up sealing the nail in the coffin was when the front suspension (this particular car was equipped with Airmatic for... some reason) _literally collapsed_ while driving. It also threw a check engine light for what I can only describe as the world's smallest crack in the fuel tank, and the code (P0456) read "Very Small [Evaporative Emission System] Leak."