Wife needs a new car - Mercedes? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

slowmoe · #1 03-20-2004, 07:44 PM

I am looking to spend $30-40K on another car in a short while to replace my wifes aging Jeep. I was seriously considering a used E-Class wagon to meet the needs of our growing family until I received the latest Consumer Reports. Now I am looking at Lexus/Toyota again - RX330, Sequoia, GX470, Land Cruiser etc...

I really do not want to do this, but with so many black dots peppering the MB cars, I am having a really hard time justifying another Diamler product.

Somone help me please!!!

vahe · #2 03-20-2004, 08:23 PM

I bought my wife a low mileage E320 several years ago, glad I bought a super/duper extended warrantee for that car, I had many minor problems with that car that fortunately were covered, several examples of things that happened that really should not happen for an almost new auto, reached to adjust the rear view mirror and it broke and with all electronics built into it the darn thing cost about $500 to replace, one of the outside mirrors broke, another $400, one of the xenon hedlights went out $1000,
then the chronic oil leak @ head gasket that comes with all E320's, another $1000 to fix.
None of these things should happen to a car that has 55K on it, but do expect it when you buy a Mercedes.
All our friends that had Mercedes in the past are now driving Lexus.

Thanks,
Vahe

E320 97 55K
240D 77 350K

engatwork · #3 03-20-2004, 08:41 PM

I would suggest the Toyota. No need to pay the extra$$$$ for the dressed up Toyota with the Lexus name in my opinion.

Kestas · #4 03-20-2004, 08:57 PM

Unless she truly wants and appreciates having a Mercedes, I vote against buying one. They are high maintenance vehicles. Most women want something that gets them from Point A to Point B, a drive-and-forget car.

bluerhino · #5 03-20-2004, 09:01 PM

In all sincerity, I would not recommend Mercedes.

TimFreeh · #6 03-21-2004, 01:52 PM

There seem to be alot of long time Mercedes owners that are re-evaluating their MB positions.

I'm also in the market to replace a 93 400E with 165K miles. I would like to get a W210 V8 to replace it but like Slomoe I'm having second to thoughts based upon recent feedback from this and other sites about late model MB reliablilty.

Maybe I'll just keep driving the 400E - I could do a lot worse.

Tim

190D22 · #7 03-21-2004, 01:53 PM

My old man has an '04 RX330. It is a BEAUTIFUL car. For 40 grand it is definately the best luxury SUV out there. I'd take it over the X5 and 3, the ML, the infinty SUVs, and whatever else is out there. The lexus is lower priced, more comfortable in all respects, good on gas (well it's way better than the grand cherokee we replaced and you are replacing), and lexus claims it's the cheapest to maintain. We got the extended warranty that if you never use the warranty they refund your money when the period is over. We didn't get the rear camera/GPS, the variable level suspension, or the xenon angling headlights. We would have had to wait 6 months or so for it to come in and it was 6 grand more. Which really is a good price for all that good stuff. But I feel that suspension is just another thing to deal with when the car is older. It's such a quiet, smooth driving car. Can't say enough great things about the RX!!!!

H-townbenzoboy · #8 03-21-2004, 09:52 PM

I would get a Lexus, or the cheaper Toyota. I've read reports about Benzes, and they arent what they used to be. I know you said you're looking for a new car, but how about a late model W123 wagon or early W124 wagon diesel in immaculate condition if you can find one?
-Joe

86560SEL · #9 03-21-2004, 09:59 PM

Consider the new Lexus LS430 sedan. A new one can be bought for around $55,000 I think for a base model. Higher end models I think top over $65,000. Or just buy a 02'-03' Mercedes S500 sedan for about the same money. Also- I wouldn't base all American cars on the newer Jeeps. Chrysler seems to make the worst cars again these days, as far as quality goes. The newer General Motors cars (mid and full-size) are very good cars these days.

If you are looking for a SUV- go for the large Honda Pilot SUV (around $32,000), or the all-new Toyota 4-Runner in V8 form. The Toyota Sequoia is also a very nice and very large SUV.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

190D22 · #10 03-21-2004, 11:40 PM

Well he did say he's looking to spend 30-40 grand... 55 is quite a bit more than 40. But I agree, the LS430 is a great car.

For the money though the RX can't be beat.

bluerhino · #11 04-06-2004, 01:07 AM

Let's bump this and see more opinion from others...

lietuviai · #12 04-06-2004, 01:35 AM

I'm not a big fan of Toyota's but the new 4-Runner with the V-8 impressed me. I looked one over a few months ago and took it for a test drive. For about $35K you can get one very nicely equipped with 4 wheel drive. It had lots of power, handled well and has more room than any new Jeep. The engine has room to perform your routine maintenance without much trouble as well.
The thing is, I would not spend $35K on any car.
I think I might be able to talk my wife into a M-B diesel of her own being that gas prices are climbing and the Tahoe is more car than she needs.

#13 04-06-2004, 07:45 AM

I have several observations to offer.

First I bought a 203 car new and have not regretted it. When I bought my first 240D, when the 123 came out in 1977, many people told me that MB's just weren't built like they used to be. As it turned out, that folklore was correct, they made them BETTER. I continue to hear these naysayers put out their negatives about new MB's. The most interesting thing is that it is never said by people who ACTUALLY OWN A NEW MB.

Secondly the consumer reports type evaluations are very narrow in focus. To begin with they put problems in categories with no weight adjustment. For instance any electrical problem is counted with the same check mark whether it is a blown fuse or a completely smoked electrical system. This kind of statistics, if you can stretch the term that far, are useful but can also be manipulated and misleading.

What is NOT determined by such reports is the long term reliability and life of the vehicle or how rebuildable they are when it is engine time and how many miles it might be until engine time. Also, compare the trim, paint, chrome and upholstery in a fifteen year old MB to that in any other fifteen year old car, especially a Lexus. In fact I've seen leather SERIOUSLY cracked in a three year old Lexus.

Touching on this again, it is always most interesting that the people that condemn new MB's are the people that don't drive one.

I'm sure glad I didn't listen to them when I bought my 240D's, and my C240 for that matter.

Have a great day,

JT8Mech · #14 04-06-2004, 10:01 AM

might be a 300TD that has been completely gone through like one from Mr. Diesel . I cannot say from personal experience, but reading his helps and seeing the cars he has restored, it seems he leaves no stone unturned. By the way, he is working on a white wagon right now.

IanMB · #15 04-06-2004, 10:37 AM

I *cannot* believe what I am seeing here. As an owner of multiple MBs from the 50s through 2003, I am stunned by the number of people who are ever so ready to condemn new MBs, especially on a Mercedes forum. Mercedes continues to manufacture the finest cars on earth. I will not pass negative remarks on Lexus/Toyota because I have never owned one, but I will enthusiastically and unequivocably provide the highest recommendation on new Mercedes vehicles. BTW, my ownership of newer cars includes w220, w230, w210 (no w211), w140 and w129.