Reliability of E320 vs W123 300D T - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Hatterasguy · #16 07-19-2008, 02:49 PM

Yeah I agree, they add that stupid $2,500 Command option with the GPS. I rather use my stick on Garmin.

Order one, if your not in a rush. They havn't really changed in cost for a few years but if the dollar stays weak watch out...

DieselAddict · #17 07-20-2008, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cr from Texas

Thanks for all the replies. I've been shopping for a CDI and the price seems inflated. Probably due to the current $ vs. euro exchange rate. I'll probably watch a few months to see what happens to the $ relative to the euro. The wait also may open other options as the rumors of other manufacturers bring diesels to the US market seem realistic.

I think they're also quite limited in supply which further inflates the price.

TylerH860 · #18 07-20-2008, 01:28 PM

Certified Pre-owned would be the way to go. You get an amazing extended warranty save a whole lot of money.

Surely there are some '07 models with less than 20k out there.

If you go new... European delivery saves 7% off the price, basically paying for the trip.

husk · #19 07-20-2008, 06:10 PM

COMAND is a lot more than just GPS, well worth 2500 as you can do so much with it, and it integrates completely with the car. The new COMAND is supposed to be best in class!

Cr from Texas · #20 07-20-2008, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TylerH860

Certified Pre-owned would be the way to go. You get an amazing extended warranty save a whole lot of money.

Surely there are some '07 models with less than 20k out there.

If you go new... European delivery saves 7% off the price, basically paying for the trip.

Tyler,
I know that may be the way for some. I'm a bit odd when I comes to my vehicles. I haven't purchased very many in my 62 years, but I always buy new, skip the extended warranty, do meticulous PM, and keep the cars till they die (never less than 200k unless a wreck is involved). I record and know the details and why of every repair - not possible with a used car.

I almost did the European delivery in 1983 with my 300D but couldn't make the schedule work. I'll probably look into that option as my travel schedule is more flexible now. I'd actually forgotten about it - thanks for the reminder.

Hatterasguy · #21 07-20-2008, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by husk

COMAND is a lot more than just GPS, well worth 2500 as you can do so much with it, and it integrates completely with the car. The new COMAND is supposed to be best in class!

Yeah I know, but I don't want to do anything that it offers.

All I would use is the GPS, I also think you can do that phone thing where you talk through the speakers. Which is just meh.

I actualy prefer my Garmin because its touch screen, and Command isn't. You need to use the knob's to enter in an address which is harder. Also when my Garmin gets old, I can just buy another for like $300 so it will always be pretty currant. When Command is 10 years old and they replace it with a new system you are SOL.

Cr from Texas · #22 07-20-2008, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

Yeah I know, but I don't want to do anything that it offers.

Me neither. Of course I also don't use many functions in my cell phone.

pawoSD · #23 07-20-2008, 10:25 PM

Sitting and playing with a system like the command system wastes fuel.

I'd just use a portable GPS, or perhaps a paper map. (and I am an IT person!)

husk · #24 07-21-2008, 01:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

Yeah I know, but I don't want to do anything that it offers.

All I would use is the GPS, I also think you can do that phone thing where you talk through the speakers. Which is just meh.

I actualy prefer my Garmin because its touch screen, and Command isn't. You need to use the knob's to enter in an address which is harder. Also when my Garmin gets old, I can just buy another for like $300 so it will always be pretty currant. When Command is 10 years old and they replace it with a new system you are SOL.

You can play mp3 cd's (not sure if you listen to music). The comand is actually safer to use than touch screens since it has tactile feedback. You can enter addresses in without even looking at the screen, try that with a touch screen. Furthermore Comand gives you the ability to display driving directions on your instrument cluster so you never have to take your eyes off the road. My Comand is 9 years old and still can do everything a newer navigation system can. I can use bluetooth, play dvd's, play mp3's etc. There are update cd's which allow update the navigation database. These Comand units are really well thought out and integrate so well with the car.

I can snap some pictures with my camera and plug it into the usb port and look at pictures, movies etc.

If you were using your garmin unit you would have to do many more steps to do what I can do in a matter of seconds.

Not sure about your state, but my state requires hands free, so its awesome to be able to voice dial someone just using my steering wheel controls. If you spend sometime with the unit you will see that integrated navigation units blow those stick on types out of the water.

husk · #25 07-21-2008, 02:10 AM

Comand also boosts the resale value of the vehicle, I am not sure why someone would spend 50k on a car without navigation. Nobody will want to buy it if you ever sell it. Options are what make the car, having a barebones vehicle takes away from the car. After modding my car with many MB factory options it makes me wonder how I lived without them.

TylerH860 · #26 07-21-2008, 02:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by husk

Comand also boosts the resale value of the vehicle, I am not sure why someone would spend 50k on a car without navigation. Nobody will want to buy it if you ever sell it. Options are what make the car, having a barebones vehicle takes away from the car. After modding my car with many MB factory options it makes me wonder how I lived without them.

Not true. Wholesalers take little note of the options in high end luxury cars. People who click every option usually take an even bigger bath when it comes time to sell, myself included.

People think with their pocket book before anything else. If a used car buyer is shopping for a 2-3 year old CDI, and the only two in the area are the exact same car with 2 exceptions: one has Comand and a $2500 higher asking price. Most people will look at the cheaper one first.

I doesn't matter that my X5 has the premium package, premium sound, and the 4.6is 20" wheel upgrade. They lump her in with the rest of them. If I told a wholesaler that its worth more because of my $5,000 in added options he would probably laugh in my face.

husk · #27 07-21-2008, 03:27 AM

I don't wholesale cars, nor do I purchase cars from wholesalers. In my area well optioned cars are always more expensive then their low optioned equivalent. If you are buying from auction its a crapshoot. Options do add to the value of the vehicle if you are selling by conventional means. Nobody is saying you will get 2500 extra when you sell the car because of COMAND, what I am saying is that it will be an easier sell. Most people who purchase mid-luxury car want these features. If the two are same condition and one is optioned with Comand and is 500 bucks more which one will they choose? Purchasing a well optioned car will be eaiser to sell in the long run.

TylerH860 · #28 07-21-2008, 03:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by husk

I don't wholesale cars, nor do I purchase cars from wholesalers. In my area well optioned cars are always more expensive then their low optioned equivalent. If you are buying from auction its a crapshoot. Options do add to the value of the vehicle if you are selling by conventional means. Nobody is saying you will get 2500 extra when you sell the car because of COMAND, what I am saying is that it will be an easier sell. Most people who purchase mid-luxury car want these features. If the two are same condition and one is optioned with Comand and is 500 bucks more which one will they choose? Purchasing a well optioned car will be eaiser to sell in the long run.

Since most people trade their cars in and are at the mercy of wholesalers, the Comand would not be a good investment. Used car dealers get most of their inventory from these people as well.

It may be easier to sell with navigation, but you lose more money. The $500 price difference you describe meant the current owner took a $2000 loss on that option.

I also think there are just as many people out there who would prefer not to have navigation because they either don't need it, the technology intimidates them, or, as many on this forum stated, they simply don't like it.

Cr from Texas · #29 07-21-2008, 09:53 AM

In my OP, I indicate I plan on 25 years and 200k+ miles of service. My Garmin cost $189 and includes bluetooth so I have hands free and it will also play MP3. Command may be better right now but I will probably replace my Garmin several times before I replace the car. If I travel more than 500 miles on a trip, I usually fly, rent a car, and take my Garmin with me. Command offers me nothing when the car is at home and I'm driving a rental.