Maintenance Cost per Mile: Here's Mine, What's Yours? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

shertex · #1 10-21-2009, 12:40 PM

Bought the 92 with 138,000 miles six years ago, now have 218,000 miles. Over those 80,000 miles I have spent $15,722 (shhhh, don't tell my wife), or 19.7 cents per mile. Higher than I would like, but oh well.

This includes everything other than fuel. Other than changing my oil, air filter, light bulbs, and power steering fluid, I don't do my own work. Labor rate ranges from 75-100/hr. I am often able to buy the parts from buymbparts, so that helps some.

Hoping to do better with my recently-acquired 91, but we'll see.

What have you found to be the cost per mile with yours?

Skippy · #2 10-21-2009, 12:42 PM

I'd rather not know

benhogan · #3 10-21-2009, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skippy

I'd rather not know

+1

shertex · #4 10-21-2009, 12:50 PM

Worst of all, our 2002 Honda Odyssey (now with 117,000 miles), which we bought brand new, now has a lower total cost of ownership than the MB. A little discouraging that the vehicle bought for $26,000 now has been cheaper to own than the vehicle bought for $5,900.

Graplr · #5 10-21-2009, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shertex

Bought the 92 with 138,000 miles six years ago, now have 218,000 miles. Over those 80,000 miles I have spent $15,722 (shhhh, don't tell my wife), or 19.7 cents per mile. Higher than I would like, but oh well.

This includes everything other than fuel. Other than changing my oil, air filter, light bulbs, and power steering fluid, I don't do my own work. Labor rate ranges from 75-100/hr. I am often able to buy the parts from buymbparts, so that helps some.

Hoping to do better with my recently-acquired 91, but we'll see.

What have you found to be the cost per mile with yours?

I'm assuming your price of 15.722k includes the purchase price? 10k on parts and labor? I guess that equates to 1.67k a year over 6 years. I honestly don't think mine is that much, but I haven't ever kept that accurate of a total. Plus it helps that I only paid 1.4k to begin with.

shertex · #6 10-21-2009, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Graplr

I'm assuming your price of 15.722k includes the purchase price? 10k on parts and labor?

No, 15,722 IN ADDITION TO the 5,900 purchase price.

Graplr · #7 10-21-2009, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shertex

No, 15,722 IN ADDITION TO the 5,900 purchase price.

I guess you are after maintenance cost per mile. I would be more concerned about TOTAL cost per mile if I were keeping track (purchase price and fuel included). I would bet the Benz would win out over the mini-van in that category.

F18 · #8 10-21-2009, 01:55 PM

Shertex......you must have had some major rebuild some where along the line.
Yes? No?
I have only spent about $3000 over the last 4 years on the 98 E300 (about 100K mi.) but I do my own labor. That included a new radiator, muffler, brake pads, 1 set of touring tires and one set of mounted winter tires plus all the little stuff like O Rings for the fuel lines and rebuilding the IP.........

It sounds to me like your hemorhaging money on that vehicle.....may be I am wrong!

shertex · #9 10-21-2009, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Graplr

I guess you are after maintenance cost per mile. I would be more concerned about TOTAL cost per mile if I were keeping track (purchase price and fuel included). I would bet the Benz would win out over the mini-van in that category.

My original figure was only maintenance. In the comparison, I included the purchase prices of both vehicles. So, the Benz still loses.

shertex · #10 10-21-2009, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by F18

Shertex......you must have had some major rebuild some where along the line.
Yes? No?
I have only spent about $3000 over the last 4 years on the 98 E300 (about 100K mi.) but I do my own labor. That included a new radiator, muffler, brake pads, 1 set of touring tires and one set of mounted winter tires plus all the little stuff like O Rings for the fuel lines and rebuilding the IP.........

It sounds to me like your hemorhaging money on that vehicle.....may be I am wrong!

No...no major rebuilds. Engine and tranny have always been rock solid. Below are things I've done (in addition to fluids, tires, etc.). Nothing, in and of itself, very major. And nothing to make me think I'm throwing good money after bad. But it adds up.

Folks who do their own work save a ton.

Alternator
Aux. Water Pump
Ball Joints
Belt Tensioner
Blower
Brakes Front
Brakes Rear
Center Link
Fan Clutch
Front Crank Seal
Front Drive Shaft Joint
Front Wheel Bearings
Glow Plugs
Header Pipe
Ignition Lock
Injection Pump Seals
Monovalve
Master Cylinder
Muffler (ctr)
Radiator
Steering Damper
Struts & Shocks
Sway Bar Bushings
Thermostat
Tie Rod Assembly
Window Regulator

Ian White · #11 10-21-2009, 02:32 PM

I think it's time you start working on your stuff

Hatterasguy · #12 10-21-2009, 02:47 PM

My SDL's was lower than the 50.5 cent per mile write off so I wasn't complaining.

#13 10-21-2009, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

My SDL's was lower than the 50.5 cent per mile write off so I wasn't complaining.

Same here, I figure my total cost is about $0.30/mile compared to my $0.55 allowance so my car is still earning money. I think my cost is around $0.15 excluding fuel (of course I just spent about $3500 to fix a bunch of little nits).

sasquatchgeoff · #14 10-21-2009, 03:26 PM

Mine is right at 11 cents a mile, but I 've done a rebuild. All work was performed by myself with some low-wage assistance. I get 55 cents a mile as well. One thing my car does excellent is rack up the miles.

F18 · #15 10-21-2009, 04:34 PM

Shertex.......the cost of the parts you listed probably represent about 1/3 of the bills at the most. The rest is all labor by a "certified MB tech."

And don't get me wrong..........there are some things that if they did occur on my car I would probably opt to have someone else do the job on their time...........time is money!

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