Who has bought a Mercedes Benz?

[markstanco 12683]

No humble brag here, we are looking at one of the midsize 47k models.

 

What percentage off msrp did you get? Our local dealer sucks and quoted msrp and fuck that. It's a 300. My mother in law has a 350 and got 4500 off msrp in Austin. So, she got about 12-15 percent off.

 

Living in way up in boxface Texas, I don't want to drive to Austin for a car. Houston or Dallas fine.

[Surly Bevo 25542]

The Arabs 

[EE2B 1565]

Doesn’t he live in the neighborhood? Just go to his house (or do I have the wrong side of the interstate?) Have you tried Little Rock or Shreveport?

[RPM 26435]

I've bought 2 CPO from Park Place in Grapevine. Was happy with both deals.

[CooterBrown 18155]

IIRC, I got around 8% off sticker but got way over bluebook on my trade in.

Mine has been bullet proof but every other annual maintenance is the “big” one and it’s a kick in the balls for $700+ a pop.

[Fat Bastard 625]

Got my wife an e400 cabrio last summer. Sticker was 78, got it for 71

[Knoxtnhorn 6184]

9 hours ago, Surly Bevo said:

The Arabs 

Dammit.  I clicked just to post that.

[Nice Guy Eddie 13569]

I couldn’t them to budge much but that was 15 years ago.  Just go see them during the last days of the month when the end of month paycheck is coming up.

you didn’t ask, but the key to German cars is to get rid of them before the warranty is up. Too expensive to repair afterwards. Or don’t use them as a daily driver so they don’t get beat up so bad.

[Archer 474]

We went CPO out of South Dakota and had it shipped to our house. They wouldn’t budge on the price. 

 

The MB CPO is legit. They tack on an extra year warranty and we bought 2 more, we ended up with a 6 or 7 year unlimited mileage factory warranty. We looked nationwide and saw a ton of CPOs with less than 500 miles, the one we bought had 9,000 on it. 

[Bob Lives! 947]

Compare the E300 with the 540i before you buy, if you haven’t already, particularly the driver interface. Just a much better system for BMW imo, and the dealer gave me a far better deal than what MB was offering too.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[bernorange 8377]

Oh Lord, won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz ?
My friends all drive Porsches, I must make amends.
Worked hard all my lifetime, no help from my friends,
So Lord, won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz ?

[TwiceHorn 31707]

11 hours ago, CooterBrown said:

IIRC, I got around 8% off sticker but got way over bluebook on my trade in.

Mine has been bullet proof but every other annual maintenance is the “big” one and it’s a kick in the balls for $700+ a pop.
 

And the latter is why I will never own an M-B or BMW, as attractive as they may be.  The only time I have spent 700 on my now 8 year old Cadillac is tires and a water pump at 85,000.

I'm just too cheap for that shit.  And with my luck, I'd wind up getting a lemon.

[DalTxHornFan 3125]

5 minutes ago, TwiceHorn said:

And the latter is why I will never own an M-B or BMW, as attractive as they may be.  The only time I have spent 700 on my now 8 year old Cadillac is tires and a water pump at 85,000.

I'm just too cheap for that shit.  And with my luck, I'd wind up getting a lemon.

I've been driving only MB's for the past 25 years or so.  Solid and reliable cars.  Never go to a dealership for service.  There are many independent shops that can maintain a MB, BWM or other high-end cars for a fraction of what the dealerships charge.  I've been using these guys for the last 15 years or so:  https://nwimports.com/

[TwiceHorn 31707]

1 minute ago, DalTxHornFan said:

I've been driving only MB's for the past 25 years or so.  Solid and reliable cars.  Never go to a dealership for service.  There are many independent shops that can maintain a MB, BWM or other high-end cars for a fraction of what the dealerships charge.  I've been using these guys for the last 15 years or so:  https://nwimports.com/

Username does not check out.

[Nueces River Rat 5610]

21 minutes ago, TwiceHorn said:

And the latter is why I will never own an M-B or BMW, as attractive as they may be.  The only time I have spent 700 on my now 8 year old Cadillac is tires and a water pump at 85,000.

I'm just too cheap for that shit.  And with my luck, I'd wind up getting a lemon.

I've heard horror stories from owners/former owners of BMW's regarding maintenance and repair costs, especially  the later once warranty expires.   And what I don't understand is they go back for more in getting a replacement BMW once it's time to trade in and then it's rinse and repeat.  Some do wise up after their second or third tour with one and go with a different choice. 

 

[markstanco 12683]

14 hours ago, EE2B said:

Doesn’t he live in the neighborhood? Just go to his house (or do I have the wrong side of the interstate?) Have you tried Little Rock or Shreveport?

No that is Keith.  

[Sbbruin 21943]

1 hour ago, TwiceHorn said:

And the latter is why I will never own an M-B or BMW, as attractive as they may be.  The only time I have spent 700 on my now 8 year old Cadillac is tires and a water pump at 85,000.

I'm just too cheap for that shit.  And with my luck, I'd wind up getting a lemon.

My 5 series went to complete dogshit after 100,000.  Basically had to give it away after the tranny went for the 2nd time.  I got an Infinit QX30, which is, ironically, almost completely a Mercedes GLA 250- same platform, turbo-engine, and a bunch of other MB components.  So far so good on that.

[Nice Guy Eddie 13569]

My MB E320 airmatic suspension struts all failed one after another. $1000/pop.  At least the first 2 failed under warranty.  And when they failed, the car dropped so it was undriveable. Meaning tow truck time.

Agree that you have to find a good non-dealer mechanic once it's out of warranty.

[TwiceHorn 31707]

16 minutes ago, Nice Guy Eddie said:

My MB E320 airmatic suspension struts all failed one after another. $1000/pop.  At least the first 2 failed under warranty.  And when they failed, the car dropped so it was undriveable. Meaning tow truck time.

Agree that you have to find a good non-dealer mechanic once it's out of warranty.

That begs an interesting question.  Do you have to do A/B service at the dealer to maintain warranty?

[blacklab 12006]

No, you can go to a certified shop. 

My last 4 cars have been MB’s. 

My 300td lasted till 327k miles

my 2001 e55 lasted till 160k miles and then I totaled it

my 2004 e55 lasted till 150k then had electrical problems that the dealership couldn’t even figure out  

My 2010 e63 is going strong at 160k miles  

on each of the e’s I had the occasional $1k repair bill and probably averaged around $3k a year in repairs  

Haven’t had a big repair on the e63 yet  probably jinxing myself by saying that

 

 

 

[Chewbacca 7808]

1 hour ago, TwiceHorn said:

That begs an interesting question.  Do you have to do A/B service at the dealer to maintain warranty?

No

[Gladeite 375]

My S550 had the air suspension go out over time.  Had an independent shop do each corner for $800 per.  MBs are well known for this failure.  AMG package had 20" wheels that were 275 in the rear and 235 in the front.  Never got 15000 miles on a set.  So about every 1/1.5 years there went $2000 for tires.  Other than that, no real complaints.  It  has been my favorite sedan.  

[Native Horn 3524]

43 minutes ago, blacklab said:

 

My 2010 e63 is going strong at 160k miles  

Some douche revved his E63 while parking at Taco Cabana for lunch today.  Surely that wasn't you.  

[Gil Bang 26125]

I went CPO also.  The warranty has come in handy too many times for my taste, TBH

[RPM 26435]

4 hours ago, TwiceHorn said:

The only time I have spent 700 on my now 8 year old Cadillac is tires and a water pump at 85,000.

If you have the V-6, be prepared to replace the timing chain and variable valve timing sprockets. 

[mapplewhite132 309]

Buying a new c class is a great way to turn 45k into 25k in two years

[blacklab 12006]

1 hour ago, Native Horn said:

Some douche revved his E63 while parking at Taco Cabana for lunch today.  Surely that wasn't you.  

not me

[elfenix 34400]

3 hours ago, TwiceHorn said:

That begs an interesting question.  Do you have to do A/B service at the dealer to maintain warranty?

a) that's not begging the question

b) magnuson-moss warranty act says no

[TwiceHorn 31707]

1 hour ago, RPM said:

If you have the V-6, be prepared to replace the timing chain and variable valve timing sprockets. 

I do, and no problems.  Wife and I both have post-2010 3.6DI V6s.  No problems so far.  They seem to have worked those kinks out.  However, I have a phobia of driving a car much past 100k, so it's going bye-bye soon, and so is hers.

[markstanco 12683]

No, you can go to a certified shop. 
My last 4 cars have been MB’s. 
My 300td lasted till 327k miles
my 2001 e55 lasted till 160k miles and then I totaled it
my 2004 e55 lasted till 150k then had electrical problems that the dealership couldn’t even figure out  
My 2010 e63 is going strong at 160k miles  
on each of the e’s I had the occasional $1k repair bill and probably averaged around $3k a year in repairs  
Haven’t had a big repair on the e63 yet  probably jinxing myself by saying that
 
 
 

So would you buy another one?

[blacklab 12006]

absolutely

I always get them 5-7 years old with 50k-75k miles and they are about 1/3 of the new car price. I really love this e63 and kinda want to keep it forever. I'm looking around at jeeps and will greatly reduce the number of miles I put on the benz so it will last longer. I'm also contemplating looking for a newer one with really low miles that I can then keep a long time.

Every time I see a mid 80's 300td I get the urge to get one of those again. If I'm ever poor again I'd sell the e63 and get another 300td

[DalTxHornFan 3125]

15 minutes ago, blacklab said:

I always get them 5-7 years old with 50k-75k miles and they are about 1/3 of the new car price.

 

That's me, except that I usually buy them under 50k miles and run them for at least 200k.

[blacklab 12006]

what years/models have you had?

[DalTxHornFan 3125]

Just black E's.  Started with a 1991 190.  Had a couple of 320s, then a 350 (that I retired at 250k) and am currently with a 2009 350 that's around 100k.  I'm a fan of the 6 cylinder engines -- plenty of speed and decent gas mileage on the road.  All have been great cars.

Edited May 3, 2019 by DalTxHornFan

[Sbbruin 21943]

21 hours ago, Gladeite said:

My S550 had the air suspension go out over time.  Had an independent shop do each corner for $800 per.  MBs are well known for this failure.  AMG package had 20" wheels that were 275 in the rear and 235 in the front.  

That, my friends, is how you humblebrag.

[TwiceHorn 31707]

12 hours ago, blacklab said:

absolutely

I always get them 5-7 years old with 50k-75k miles and they are about 1/3 of the new car price. I really love this e63 and kinda want to keep it forever. I'm looking around at jeeps and will greatly reduce the number of miles I put on the benz so it will last longer. I'm also contemplating looking for a newer one with really low miles that I can then keep a long time.

Every time I see a mid 80's 300td I get the urge to get one of those again. If I'm ever poor again I'd sell the e63 and get another 300td

CSB a friend of mine's Mom in high school had a 300TD, probably an '82.  One time, the group had been drinking, but I had not had but one or two, so they made me drive them somewhere in his Mom's car.  Between the gated shifter and having to damn near floor the thing to get it to move from a stop, it was a horrifying tipsy-driving experience.  /csb

[Bevo 13661]

I have a SLK 55 AMG. It is pretty fast. It gets poor gas mileage. I have never had a problem with it.

Edited May 3, 2019 by Bevo

[Jerry Callo 8862]

I bought a car from the MB dealer a couple weeks ago, so this thread hits close to home.  2004 Acura MDX for my 16 yo, but it has MB dealer license plate holder.

[Not that Bob 739]

Sort of a thread shit but...for those asking why pay so much for a car...we had been driving a top of the line Toyota. When it came time to replace we test drove a medium price Volvo and then a new top of the line Toyota. The difference was not even subtle. The Volvo felt like "a machine". The Toyota felt like "a toy". Been Volvo loyal since. Maintenance and repair can occasionally be a beating, but it's a pleasure to drive every time. Friend of mine once said, about his expensive cars, "It's not just a pleasure when I drive it off the lot. It's a pleasure every time I drive it." You do pay for that "pleasure", but it doesn't go away.  

Okay, back to Mercedes discussion. 

[RPM 26435]

Got rid of my C300 when I changed jobs and started 500+ miles a week commute. No point in burning through all those miles (and the maintenance). Bought a low mileage CTS. Similar cars, but the maintenance is dirt cheap by comparison and I don't have to drive 70 miles to get it done. Still want another MB but I don't need or have room for 2 cars right now. Will definitely buy another MB someday.

[EverywhereMan 50]

If you have access to USAA, they often have “certificates” for either BMW or Mercedes. They had a $3500 “certificat” when I bought my e350. Dealers were almost fighting over it - said it was basically like $3500 cash for them.

Got mine about 10k off MSRP (2014). Dallas was much better dealing than Austin as usual (surprised your MIL got $ off) - my experience w/Austin dealers basically say MSRP of GTFO.

Remember now Perry Phenix was the sales guy (SMU college - played S for Tennessee Titans and Carolina Panthers). And my other car (Acura) sales guy was Gary Clark Sr. (Son is Jr. - somewhat famous dude - let me know that after bought the car) @ Acura Austin. Got raked on that car - basically MSRP.

[TwiceHorn 31707]

So, there are some low miles 2016 E400s out there at a pretty nice price point.  Is that a pretty plausible choice?

Edited May 4, 2019 by TwiceHorn

[blacklab 12006]

Yes, e's and s's are good, c's not so much.

[DalTxHornFan 3125]

19 minutes ago, blacklab said:

Yes, e's and s's are good, c's not so much.

My one bad MB buy was a very sporty 2005 C230 Kompressor that I bought as a surprise for my bride to celebrate the fact that the kids were now grown up, had their own cars, and that she didn't have to drive a mini-van any more.  Bad move.  That car had so many issues.  We off-loaded it after a couple of years.

[TwiceHorn 31707]

Funny thing, as common as turbos are these days, I have never owned a vehicle with a turbocharged engine.  Those of us of a certain age recall the hassles of the early ones and may be permanently prejudiced.  It may be irrational, like my fear of >100k ownership.

I will say that they seem to have found a styling formula for the C-class that finally makes them look less like the runts that they are.

Edited May 4, 2019 by TwiceHorn

[shakahorn 1650]

Yes, e's and s's are good, c's not so much.

Agree. Mid to lower end of all German cars do not compete well with their non-German competitors in terms of price-quality ratio, IMO. C-class (non AMG of course) 528, 3 series, and below all fall into this category.

[Nueces River Rat 5610]

What do gals think of the MB SUV's?  

I am not talking about the G-Class as I am not a member of the Surly 1%.    Yet.....

GLE or GLC is probably in our price range on the CPO market.

 

[Okie State 3868]

What do gals think of the MB SUV's?  
I am not talking about the G-Class as I am not a member of the Surly 1%.    Yet.....
GLE or GLC is probably in our price range on the CPO market.
 

I've been looking at both the GLE and GLS for our next purchase. I like both and used prices really aren't too bad. Unfortunately I looked at the new GLE and now the old one looks...old.

Really though, a 2018 GLE would probably fit our needs just fine. The GLS is probably overkill, but I'd be tempted at the right price.

[TwiceHorn 31707]

6 hours ago, shakahorn said:

Agree. Mid to lower end of all German cars do not compete well with their non-German competitors in terms of price-quality ratio, IMO. C-class (non AMG of course) 528, 3 series, and below all fall into this category.

5 series?  I'd consider that pretty comparable to an E.  However, twice now I have looked at gently used 5-series and been sufficiently uncompelled, particularly adding in costly service and potential problems, to go with something else.  I was also not compelled by a lower build E class last time around.

Edited May 5, 2019 by TwiceHorn

[Okie State 3868]

In general if I can only afford the base level trim of a car, I can't afford the car and move on.