Looking at a 2005 E320 CDI - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Skid Row Joe · #16 08-29-2021, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 123boy

Location is always a purchase price/value factor, for sure. I would steer clear of high mileage examples, though. Surprised to learn that annual costs could be so high. Thanks for the "sober analysis". Really an "eye opener". 3k to 5k annually, on basic maintenance, sounds like a "money pit", to me. Then again, I ain't loaded, with money to burn. Even if I were, don't think I'd drive something that would pull that much money out of my pocket, every month, just for maintenance. It goes against my frugal nature....

I've spent $3K so far since December 2020. I'm spending another $350.00 this Fall for headliner replacement from an aftermarket trim shop. The entire headliner dropped all of a sudden. June 2021. I'd imagine that most here would just let it go, calling it; "unnecessary spending." - That's an example of how things that go bad, are left neglected.

The least expensive Mercedes-Benz turbodiesel sedan I've owned was an '83 that I drove to 305K. Every Mercedes-Benz turbodiesel sedan since, has cost $$$ in repairs to keep in tip top shape.

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Skid Row Joe · #17 08-29-2021, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 123boy

My initial impression of "$3K to $5K" annually for maintenance was, "that's crazy!". Interesting to hear another side/angle of the same topic. Of course, when purchased, money always needs to be spent on a used car in order to "bring it up to snuff". As you stated, once that's done, expenditures should taper off quite a bit. It'll be interesting to hear other opinions/experiences....

Buy one and see? The only time expenditures "taper off" to 0, is if you don't drive em at all.

123boy · #18 08-29-2021, 04:59 PM

I don't doubt what your saying. These days, more than ever, it takes a LOT of money to keep ANYTHING in "tip top shape"! Too bad about your headliner. Have had that problem with a couple cars I've owned "over the years", not MB's. Not much choice but to bite the bullet on that one. NOTHING worse looking than an interior with a fubar headliner. Never said expenditures should taper off the "0". Of course, that's totally unrealistic. You are correct. The only way to not spend money on cars is to not drive them. Some cars cost a lot more to own and drive than others. You also can't deny that MB is a "luxury brand". Luxury equates to money. Always has, always will. The more recent the model, the more it's gonna cost in parts, repairs, etc. To put it another way.....ya wanna play, ya gotta pay. So far, my '83 240D has been very economical. Totally different story when it was in the showroom in 1983. I couldn't have touched it, back then. Too bad I'm not gonna be around to snag a nice, used '05 CDI in 2045.... Your '17 C7 looks awesome! Gotta be a blast to drive. As for me....maybe in the next life. Or, maybe I'll be reincarnated as a dung beetle (the way this country is heading, might already have been). As for your "avatar and byline", I'm with ya 100%. Cheers!

Skid Row Joe · #19 08-29-2021, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 123boy

I don't doubt what your saying. These days, more than ever, it takes a LOT of money to keep ANYTHING in "tip top shape"! Too bad about your headliner. Have had that problem with a couple cars I've owned "over the years", not MB's. Not much choice but to bite the bullet on that one. NOTHING worse looking than an interior with a fubar headliner. Never said expenditures should taper off the "0". Of course, that's totally unrealistic. You are correct. The only way to not spend money on cars is to not drive them. Some cars cost a lot more to own and drive than others. You also can't deny that MB is a "luxury brand". Luxury equates to money. Always has, always will. The more recent the model, the more it's gonna cost in parts, repairs, etc. To put it another way.....ya wanna play, ya gotta pay. So far, my '83 240D has been very economical. Totally different story when it was in the showroom in 1983. I couldn't have touched it, back then. Too bad I'm not gonna be around to snag a nice, used '05 CDI in 2045.... Your '17 C7 looks awesome! Gotta be a blast to drive. As for me....maybe in the next life. Or, maybe I'll be reincarnated as a dung beetle (the way this country is heading, might already have been). As for your "avatar and byline", I'm with ya 100%. Cheers!

Thanks, man!

I love the 2017 C7 Stingray convertible. It's a 7-speed manual transmission with Magnetic Selective Ride. Z51 spoiler and 19"/20" wheels, 3LT trim with all the upgraded goodies. 455 HP/ 460LB torque. I picked it up new -20% MSRP. I had a new 1977 C3 when 25 yrs. old. So, it's my 2nd Corvette.

I've owned (3) Mercedes-Benz turbodiesel sedans as my 'work' cars in 30 years. My parents bought (3) new Mercedes-Benz diesel cars in the '60s and '70s. It's not a new thing to me.

I enjoy my 2006 E320 CDI bought used 59K miles in 2013. I gave my '99 E300 turbodiesel bought new to my youngest brother 2013, 135K miles.

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123boy · #20 08-29-2021, 07:31 PM

Great story! 3 brand new MB diesels in the 60's and 70's...how great that must've been as a young man! Do you remember what they cost new back then? It's fun to use an "Inflation Calculator" and see what that would be in "todays dollars". New '77 C3 at 25 yrs old.... "WOW"! As we say in Italian " salute' ". I recently bought a '97 E300D NA from the original owner w/140K miles. So far it's been a bit problematic. Haven't really had it long enough to formulate an accurate impression. I use my '83 240D (my 1st MB, a couple yrs ago) to commute to and from work. So, the E300 has to take a back seat to life's obligations and necessities. Really like the style (interior/exterior) of the E300.
I've heard good things about them, here on the forum. Hopefully I'll get it sorted and it'll be a good one for me, too.
I don't think I could handle a car with 455 hp. I'd be in trouble all the time :>) And if I'd had a C3 at 25, well, let's just say that would've been a bad thing....LOL.
Cheers!

ah-kay · #21 08-29-2021, 10:57 PM

It is a virtual world. Seeing is believing. Sometimes even seeing might not be real. Take all bragging posts with a grain of salt.

Skid Row Joe · #22 08-30-2021, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 123boy

Great story! 3 brand new MB diesels in the 60's and 70's...how great that must've been as a young man! Do you remember what they cost new back then? It's fun to use an "Inflation Calculator" and see what that would be in "todays dollars". New '77 C3 at 25 yrs old.... "WOW"! As we say in Italian " salute' ". I recently bought a '97 E300D NA from the original owner w/140K miles. So far it's been a bit problematic. Haven't really had it long enough to formulate an accurate impression. I use my '83 240D (my 1st MB, a couple yrs ago) to commute to and from work. So, the E300 has to take a back seat to life's obligations and necessities. Really like the style (interior/exterior) of the E300.
I've heard good things about them, here on the forum. Hopefully I'll get it sorted and it'll be a good one for me, too.
I don't think I could handle a car with 455 hp. I'd be in trouble all the time :>) And if I'd had a C3 at 25, well, let's just say that would've been a bad thing....LOL.
Cheers!

Good feedback!

New 220Ds were listing around $6K in the late '60s. My Dad's last new Mercedes-Benz diesel was a '77 240D automatic transmission and air-conditioned. Like $8,600.00 brand new. He bought all (3) Mercedes-Benz new from Grand Island Dodge Mercedes-Benz in Grand Island, Nebraska. We lived in Omaha, Nebraska. The Omaha dealer was basically a pr*ck, and a snob in the '50s and '60s. I remember seeing the old bastard Morton, when my Dad stopped by for parts. My Father wore old work clothes because our family owned apartment buildings that my Father maintained with my Mother and self managed for our family. Morton was the guy's last name, and he told my Father he would not sell him a new Mercedes-Benz. Misle Chevrolet Mercedes-Benz in Lincoln, Nebraska was too high. No discount. My Father could deal with the Grand Island, NE dealer out in mid-State Nebraska. This was a long time ago when I was a teenager. We worked like crazy as a family maintaining our apartment buildings in the '50s through '80s. It's always been a thrill to me buying a new Corvette. They're a helluva fun car to drive and own. 455 hp is rarely if ever needed.

You mentioned your '97 E300 as problematic. Get used to it. The E320 CDI is every bit as problematic. If you're up for the aptitude and the expertise and shop to do ALL your own work, then you'll save $$. But most of the repairs cost a lot of $$ on them.

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ColLonewolf · #23 08-30-2021, 01:53 PM

The original one I went to look at had a bad case of the black death. Could hear it before I even took the plastic cover off. Also was advertised as having 149K miles. Actually had 298K. Hard pass. Reason I asked about the transplant is I found one that was a one owner with high miles but was meticulously maintained. Unfortunately it was rear ended and is totaled. Engine/trans/interior in amazing shape. Can be had for less than $2K. Made me think.....well.