When bad design costs thousands! Not so convertible 2011 Mercedes E350 can no longer rise on demand 

"What happens when an accountant builds a car, and not the engineer?" GM:Plays Montell Jordan's "This is how we do it!"

I was literally thinking to myself, “they still can’t get this right,” before he even mentioned the R129. The first Mercedes I ever drove was a 95 SL500 for sale on my grandfather’s lot. My dad was with me. Had the top down and once we got up to speed we were doused in fluid from around the sun visors. Looking straight on and deadpan as could be my dad said “This is not enjoyable.” 😆

Wizard: Why does Mercedes continue to design cars that spray their customers in the face? Mercedes: This is our refreshing way of telling the customer it’s time for a brand-new Mercedes.

There is a great scene in the movie "Fight Club" where the main character/narrator played by Ed Norton explains car manufacturers reluctance to fix known issues with vehicles. It explains the issue perfectly: Narrator: "A new car built by my company leaves somewhere traveling at 60 mph. The rear differential locks up. The car crashes and burns with everyone trapped inside. Now, should we initiate a recall? Take the number of vehicles in the field, A, multiply by the probable rate of failure, B, multiply by the average out-of-court settlement, C. A times B times C equals X. If X is less than the cost of a recall, we don't do one."

Engineer: use this 5$ part and charge 5$ more. Accountant: thanks, we won't use it and charge 10$ extra!

I guess owning a Mercedes isn't a status symbol anymore. The real flex is casually tossing your American Express to the service rep at your dealer and say "just fix it".

I am a owner of a 2002 Lexus SC430 with almost 210k miles now. Convertible hard top still opens and closes within 25 seconds. Mind you it was Toyota's first ever convertible car and it's the first year production and still with that, the hard top motor functions properly (just knocked on the wood), I highly doubt if it was ever changed by the previous owners. I always try to maintain and lube the rubbers, spray lubricant where there's a metal on metal contact and so on. My point is that if the company tries to make it reliable and work, they absolutely can do so, especially firms like Benz but as Wizard said that is what happens when an accountant builds a car and not so much the engineer (metaphorically). They also know building the cars TOO reliable would slow the manufacturers' profit margin a bit

These things are beautiful. The leak is a real shame.

It actually takes ingenious and somewhat insidious engineering to design a car so that it needs to be replaced soon after the warranty expires.

Mazda got it right when they went with a manual top. They sure were not the first but wow that is simple and it works so very well

The corp meeting was amazing. This is becoming my fav channel and i didnt even know i was curious about car mechanics

6:13 to 7:54 Nailed it. I been a Mercedes enthusiast since I was a kid . And their old cars lasted . Now it’s all about Sales they don’t care about quality or longevity

Mercedes Benz... Engineered to last. Until the warranty runs out

My '65 Corvair convertible has a power top. Has worked fine since I've owned it, almost 40 years. No hydraulics, just an electric motor and two cables going to two big gears. Two manual latches to unhook form the windshield header. No fancy cover, but it still works and looks great when down. It would take ten minutes to replace the motor it it failed. Didn't the Wizard just the other day he liked Mercedes because they were easy to work on?

Accountants also designed the 737 Max… And we all know how that turned out.

In the skit... "You're the boss." Car Wizard wasn't acting there 😊

That's why I love my 97' miata, it has a manual top.

I've been at a company where higher ups wanted us to specifically engineer the product to fail "randomly" after a set amount of runtime..

I'm sure my wife could tell you how many times she has checked on me when I'm doing a car repair, and upon being asked "How's it going?" I respond with "Why do they build it this way?" Of course I'm omitting the cursing that goes along with it for our family-friendly audience.

Accountants seem to be building a lot of cars these days.

As someone who is on their second W212 E class, these really are beautiful cars. My first 2010 ran me 140k miles flawlessly and I sold it still running flawlessly to a friend of mine, and replaced it with a 16 E400 that just checked out at the shop in flying colors. Like anything else budget for proper maintenance and any kind of complicated potential repair down the line (for convertible models) and you’ll never be surprised with bills.

Maybe your best video ever. Shows you have great insight into cost based decisions that go into car design. Exactly right. Automotive engineers responsible for a specific mechanism in fact, over time aka years of production, it is the engineer's charter to 'remove cost from the product' and try to maintain comparable performance and reliability which of course is a great challenge. That pivot you mention would add fractional weight to the vehicle as well. The engineers that designed that mechanism knew precisely how many cycles that hose would fail at the pivot point. This is tested in the laboratory during development. Its a calculation. How many times will the top go up and down per year X's no. of years of car ownership. The hose articulating at an acute angle has to have that degree of fatigue life. But there is more. Design evolution can become more precarious. The purchasing department gets a quote from XYZ company to supply hoses at 1/2 the price of the original hose that was tested in development. The engineer is asked to revalidate the design based upon this supplier change because it will save MB thousands. Many times lower cost...not always portents more marginal material properties of constituent materials that make up the hose. For example if the metal fails that protects the rubber hose it will puncture the rubber hose. Metal fatigue life is based upon material properties and section modulus aka design of the metal sheathing which influences cost like the heat treat of the metal to anneal it to increase bending fatigue. The engineer will build a few up and put it through its repeated stroking in the lab and determine, gee, this hose isn't as robust as the original hose. The director of engineering wants his annual bonus for reducing product cost....which is called value analysis that is based upon competitive analysis and a dedicated department within engineering... and approves the supplier change knowing it isn't as good. But the chief engineer has data like Mrs. Wizard said, X no. of strokes and no failure = out of warranty. Its the customer's problem which of course is accurate as we see in this instance. So, its a very tangled web of how designs are not only developed to replicate the experience of the automobile in the field but the evolution of the design over time to reduce cost. Car companies aren't in the business of making the best cars. They exist for profit. Your skit and video was excellent. PS. Magic Mike is to be credited for his talent to perform this job. It is much easier to build the car than it is to repair it.

Happens in construction as well. Witnessed many a tussle between Engineers, Architects, Constructors, Owners and Building Inspectors. Thank goodness for inspectors -as long as they are not corrupt. Here that is not an issue but in many other places I've visited it absolutely is. Thanks for such an informative video!

It's well known that the service side of vehicle manufacturing is the second form of profit for them. Just imagine when all these Uber high tech vehicles being blown out the door start having component failure....Look out!! Buy reliable brands and buy low tech as possible. Truly half of some vehicle costs are the built in tech...

Lovely. The top on my '65 Falcon convertible still works fine after 56 years. I suppose you could disconnect the hydraulics and convert it to a manual top.

Car manufacturers and dealers realized they can make more money on service than selling the car. It’s an art. You need the car to break out of warranty but still be worth enough to fix. That’s why luxury cars break more often and are more expensive to fix. The manufacturer and dealer know the customer really doesn’t have much choice.

Went to look at a CLK convertible recently. When the seller told me he just spent $6000 fixing the top I said "thanks for your time" and got the hell out of there. I missed the chance to be the next sucker.

OMG, the skit cracked me up! You guys were great; please do that again on future episodes! Very sad these car makers cheap out on designing for longevity.

I will keep my 85 380SL with a manual top

And there's me with a 2015 SLK with the origami-like folding roof, and yes, it's hydraulically powered !! I hope it holds up for a bit longer, I've only had the car for a year. The Jaguar XK8 cars in the 90s also used hydraulics but with these the fluid converted itself into a thick jelly and the whole system had to be flushed out to remove it! A different spec of fluid cured the problem. I believe, though, people still get 'hosed' from time to time. Maybe my MGTF which has a manually raised and lowered hood is the best option !

Wiiizard. Have to say I’ve been watching you and Tyler since the beginnings and so far you two have only cost me money. (Audi TT and an Equus). But this week you saved me a bunch. My ‘08 CLK top stopped and I honestly had no idea it has an easily accessible reservoir. $20 and the top works again. My leak is in the rear quarter area. But happy to let it leak vs. fixing. So pleased my “coupe” is a convertible again!

Mrs Wizard is awesome, however her title is either CEO or EVP, Engineering. The accountants are miles down the totem pole.

Mechanical engineer here, I can confirm. It's always a fight with the bean counters.

"Can no longer rise on demand" Ah yes the car now is a man past his prime

The most famous example of this was the Ford Pinto (US version). It ended with tragic results. Of course more recently was the Boeing 737 Max.

I have a 2011 e350 coupe and it really is an amazing car. Super reliable, especially compared to other luxury cars I’ve owned. I previously had an A4 quattro(biggest pos ever) and a 128i and a grand Cherokee and genesis and I have to say the Benz was definitely one of the best. Has 140k miles and only big repair was replacing ac compressor

That skit sounds about right in MB They no longer follow best or nothing like they used to when MB was elegant

Mercedes: We have been giving it to our customers over the hood for years. Now we will give it to them in their face. Mwahaa!

Great video. Videos like this it shows why your channel has grown so much

The skit was very funny! We love you Mr and Mrs Wizard!

Going the cheap route on auto design, how did that work out for Ford and their Pinto fuel tank protection?? Keep up the great videos and we can only hope someone's listening in the Auto design shops.

Accountants and Management tend to ruin things by cost-cutting in pretty much *_every_* business. In my field (IT), numerous upgrades and security choices are routinely shot down because of cost. Then what would have been a preventable compromise happens, and Management goes "WHY DIDN'T WE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS?!" I think it's a much _worse_ problem in the automotive industry for exactly what Mrs. Wizard acted out - they just don't care beyond the warranty. :/

Thank you for your honesty.

Nice video i really enjoy your vids

Now you've got me thinking, Wizard. I'm wondering if I have a similar system in my '05 SL500. My retractable hardtop has been working flawlessly since I got it about 6 years ago. BUT!!! Is it a ticking timebomb of hydraulic fluid, waiting to face-spray me the next time I put the top down??? Maybe they used the pillow-block system in mine?? Not sure, but I think its time for a bit of research...... I use that top all the time, weather permitting. It's one of the main reasons I bought this car! Well, that and that V-8....oh, boy that V-8.... [drooling]

Could they have used air instead of hydraulics to open the top. When engineers go rogue and you have $640.00 toilet seats.

I cannot describe the dread I felt when I saw the thumbnail of this video roasting the very car I own and my favorite feature of it. Then the dread got so much worse when he described how much of the car I have to pull apart to fix it. Feels bad man.

It actually goes back to the Grosser 600 in the 60s. Door locks, windows, everything was hydraulicly powered.

Welcome to my world of aircraft engineering. If its something that will be serviced, it's guaranteed to be made as difficult to access as possible!

Once upon a time, Germans were good at engineering. Now they seem to think that complexity is a virtue. Always dump a German car before the warranty is up.

This guy never ceases to amaze me. If he only knew so much about one or two makes of car, that would be impressive enough. How does he know so much about so many types of cars (and apparently heavy-duty trucks too - from his army days)? Nor does he only know about the engines and breaks: few mechanics would even touch the convertible bit of a car, and yet here he is. A literal car wizard, surely!

This is why I drive Fiat Punto. It was designed to have ventilation drain drip water to rear bearing of alternator. So it fails slowly, but when it does, it locks up, destroys rotor and driving belt, maybe some of wire harness with it.

This is like my 2008 Buick LaCrosse Super. Has an LS4 w/4T65E-HD transmission. Should have used the 4T80E instead... but nope. Get it off the showroom floor and past warranty... that's what matters. Thankfully there's a guy that makes a 4T80E installation kit for when the 4T65E fails (it will, most definitely).

This is why I buy Toyotas. They might not be perfect, but they’re built way better than the German and American cars.

Cost cutting happens in telecommunications too. Periodically we get notified of a stop sale on a particular circuit card because a problem has been identified presumably due to cheapening components.

Great Video - Thanks

Just imagine a convertible top that doesn't need a hydraulic line running to its leading edge. But I guess that would mean you'd have to unlock/lock the top from/to the windshield manually. Oh, the horror! :D

The leak is intentional, it's a form of performance art. You need to understand, this isn't a regular car - this is high-end driving artistic perfection.

Thanks for the honest tip about these cars.

LOL It makes a case for our Allantes semi manual roof. The lever that broke when we were losing the war with an intimate object the day we bought it was something along the lines of $17 for a used replacement. A few chants later, the top was functional. BTW Wizard we have plans for Mrs. Wizard's former Allante. By the time we're done, it'll be a bullet proofed Northstar powered excellent example of a driver classic car. We still love it.

I realize it can't be a manual top at this price point, but I just can't understand what is wrong with electrical actuation? They must have thought this was less noisy than an electric actuator with similar torque, but there's nothing luxurious about the inevitable leaks. Reliability is a luxury too. Imagine this happening after your date dressed up in their best formal wear for a reservation at a fancy restaurant.

Red solo cups are more reliable than modern vehicles

So true.. you are spot on 👍🏼 and this was an excellent vlog 👏🏻

At first I thought that was the Wizard's fingernails holding that flashlight and I almost fainted

Had a friend that had several Mercedes . After watching all her problems, I wouldn't take one for a gift.

Love that car! Just stunning design 😍

Mr and mrs Wizard the skit was epic! more please!

Mechanics like you are a treasure. I learned decades ago if a mechanic says "while we got it apart we should..." I always do, and never regret it. I also know I would never get a new car. Sheesh, gimme simple and old.

mrs.wizard is a very convincing company accountant, wizard did pretty well too. Sad truths were delivered this video. Basically no company in the modern era is going to build a car with the intent of it lasting more than the warranty.

The hose on that car lasted 10 years. Any type of swivel fitting will also wear and eventually leak, probably not as a stream of fluid, but as a slow drip. That drip then gets everywhere in the top before the owner notices. Probably very similar failure period, but potentially higher repair cost. Not to mention that a swivel is much larger than a flexing hose, adding further complication to an already ridiculously complicated top mechanism. I am not saying that there aren't better designs, but I am trying to point out that every design has a weak point. Trying to engineer away every failure point is a fools game - you never finish. Sometimes you have to accept that there will be a failure point, and you move on. (Of course, you should also try to make that failure point easily repairable, which is the bigger sin here than having a failure point at all.)

That skit was priceless and oh so true! Great video Wizard!

That skit reminds me of Chrysler in the 90s (?). Except I remember it being only like 12 CENTS for a latch that could have saved lives...

I’ve always said whoever designs the car should have to service it.

When someone tells me German cars are well made I show them this.

After a lifetime in the automotive design industry I can absolutely confirm that this is exactly how it operates. It’s only a problem if the manufacturer has to pay. As long as it’s the customer no problem.

Another great video from the wizard.

Wow, a Mercedes bens. Ya" your right wizard, why? Or are they trying to get people to return to the dealer, and we know darn well, they rip you off it's a planed rip off by the dealership. I'm sure wizard you will be a lot cheaper and do a better job. That's the way it is! The solution is keep your car and hopefully the people are doing the own work ,, because after the warranty you are screwed if you can't. Thanks wizard. Buying a good new one is not cheap anymore. Those design engineers know what the company's want !!

Wizard should have said in the end: *“Buy a Toyota”* (or a Lexus). You wont have a 1/10 of the headaches and whenever you do, it will cost you millions less. LOL.

You say you’re powerless Wizard, but Jaguar and Land Rover really appreciate any feedback for engineering improvements especially thru social media. Yeah, ironic but true

8:32 that is SO TRUE..

Nah, with the Diamler Benz, it was probably a decision made a decade ago, so therefore will never get revisited.. The first hose design was probably good, and eventually they squeeze the supplier, who does a "cost reduction".. the real crime? the non standard hose connectors.. which makes it hard for the aftermarket to build a better hose.. BTW: I highly doubt they made 200K E series Cabriolets (convertibles), so I doubt the poor quality of this design is on their radar. With German engineering, many times it's "we do things this way because we can, not because we should".. Remember the 90's M-B electric brakes? How many did they buy back under lemon law?

When someone with money thinks they can design something as good as an engineer with years of experience, it never ends well. I'm no engineer but I know that an engineer with years of experience will do it better.

Your "accountant" says $1.6m will be saved but she didn't mention the company is gonna receive $14,000,000,000 for the cars that will be sold. ($70,000x200,000) A friend purchased a new MB eight years ago (not sure of the model) and after a week it spontaneous combusted. Fortunately it was in the driveway and in the garage. Soon as the insurance paid it off he ran out and bought another identical one. Nice!

I’ve always liked these cars, I would opt for the 550 though! I live in Huntsville, AL and there is one that is a light blue color and has a navy top, it is very striking to see.

Auto Bukkake 🤣🤣

I work in a very different line of job, but over the years I have developed a sixth sense for "problematic customers" . If they don't want it done the right way, I regretfully (not!) pass on that one. They will never stop complaining later, although it was all their own fault.

The E in E class stands for Endless Money Pit 🤣🤣🤣

A car with a V6 engine from the 90's had 3 Platinum sparkplugs at the rear and 3 standard sparkplugs at the front. The reason was because it was impossible to get to the rear sparkplugs with the engine in the car, so they fitted Platinum plugs which would last for the warranty period of the car (plugs were good for 90 000 km). You still had to replace the the front plugs every 20 000 km. Platinum plugs were $20 each compared with $2 for standard plugs which is why only the 3 inaccessible plugs were Platinum.

Mercedes-Benz: “Engineered like no other car in the world.” Those days are gone.

Buy a traditional Morgan, everything is manual, no hydraulics to leak in your face

Thanks for the video. I was going to buy an E350 cabriolet, but not now!

Mrs. Wizard is the best!

Hey Wizard, what is your experience with Mitsubishi?

German engineering: finding the most complicated, most expensive and least reliable way to do the simplest thing.

Great enjoyed that Thankyou

Great video, keep making these videos until the manufacturers start noticing. I will stay away from MB and BMW thanks to what I’ve learned on your channel

I'm surprised you can't get the proper fittings (or make them) and then use a type of hose that you can splice so next time it leaks you just have to replace that one little section. You could perhaps even splice in a piece of steel braided hose for that hinge point.

As an accountant, I got a good laugh 😂

Thank you wizard.

Cabriolet Hydraulics in Sarasota Florida has couplers for hydraulic lines. no need to chase the line