Keep my 92 W124 400e or 94 Q45a?

[tkd_M119]

I've been obsessing over this for nearly 8 months!

My 92 400e - has 100K - rides like a champ, super stable at speed.
May need a new trans in the next 2yrs
Interior is flawless
Body/Paint in in great shape (save for minor dent in dr side rear 3/4 panel)
Has new: motor mounts, radiator, air pump , engine wiring harness

---------------------------------------

My Q45a - runs strong, has 120K but needs some major suspension work:
New dust boots
New accumulators (for active suspension)
Has minor flaws in clearcoat
Needs some interior needs some refurbishing as these cars do not wear nearly as well as the 90s vintage MBs.

Either car will need a good $2K plus put into her over the next 1.5 years.

I've posted the same query in the nicoclub form - a very active Q45/Infiniti forum and of course, they have their bias.

I love the Benz but fear the expensive things that may need replacing.

At 120K MUST I replace timing chaing guides? My mechanic - Enrique@Mr MB Motors says we should inspect but unless there is evidence of eminent failure, it's not an absolute must. Are there any other high priced items I need to plan for if keeping this car?

One of the members there also owns a 90's vintage Benz (600sl I believe) and has strongly advised me against keeping the Benz as he claims that cost of parts are rise in a major way.

http://forums.nicoclub.com/zerothread?id=153110

But in the interest of getting another view point I posted the same query here.

Any thoughts?

[unkl300d]

Look at it this way:
Car A : bought for X
car B : " " "

A: expected service cost for 1 yr., 2 yr. 3 yr.
B: "' "" """ "

Insurance cost for A, B also cost less A or B.

Overall satisfaction of ride and practical use. rate car A, B.

sounds like you don't need both cars.
off the bat you save some money by deleting one car.

now factor in resale value 'as is' with out investing more $.

The Q45 is a good car. my brother has one.. 1997?

get an idea how much a trans will cost for the benz. (why do you need a trans anyway?)

keep the car you like the most and believe you may spend less on for estimated time.

[suginami]

I'm not sure either cars makes sense from a purely economic standpoint if you take into consideration the cost of repairs.

I suppose it would only be meaningful if you were to replace one of the cars with a newer one. In that way, you would have the cost of depreciation, which would certainly be more than practically any amount you would have to sink into either car in terms of repair / reconditioning.

I'd vote for whichever car you enjoy driving the most.

[tkd_M119]

True - but I'm not in a position to acquire a new vehicle right now. So I have to live w/one or the other for the next 2-3 years minimum.

[tkd_M119]

Enrique at Mr MB Motors quoted me $1500 parts/labor for a rebuit trans. My trans is starting to show symptoms of wear - he feels that I have 20-40K until I need a new one. I do approx 25K a year.

My Q is a 94 (G50) - is a great car in it's own right. Just that the W124 is so nice/has such a feeling of quality. I just fear it (W124) bitting me in the ass later down the road. The Q is more likely to NOT give me funky electrical problems - wiring harnesses are bullet proof compared to these MBs. Parts are cheaper (in general) too.

[suginami]

Originally Posted by tkd_M119

True - but I'm not in a position to acquire a new vehicle right now. So I have to live w/one or the other for the next 2-3 years minimum.

In that case, even putting my bias aside, I'd go with the 400E.

As nice as Q45s are, they don't have near the reputation as Mercedes for longevity. The interiors don't hold up well either.

Maybe parts prices have changed in the last 5 years or so, but I had a 1994 Nissan Quest, and compared with my former 1993 300E (3.2), parts for the Nissan were routinely as much or more money.

[yhliem]

Originally Posted by tkd_M119

At 120K MUST I replace timing chaing guides? My mechanic - Enrique@Mr MB Motors says we should inspect but unless there is evidence of eminent failure, it's not an absolute must.

Your mechanic is correct. The V-8 duplex timing chain is prety tough and generally oes not stretch as much as a single chain would. If the maintenance intervals have been cosistently followed then there is no reason to change the chain pre-emptively.

HOWEVER, if you start hearing timing chain rattle, you will need to change the chain ASAP. (Immediately, as in RIGHT THE F*** NOW, is preferred.)

Originally Posted by tkd_M119

Are there any other high priced items I need to plan for if keeping this car?

The only thing that really comes to mind are the rear suspension bushings. They take a lot of stress and 100,000 miles is about the time that you'll want to be keeping an eye on them. If you notice rear-end steering on acceleration or deceleration, or if the back end of the car has a tendency to wander or feel loose, time to have a look.

Originally Posted by tkd_M119

One of the members there also owns a 90's vintage Benz (600sl I believe) and has strongly advised me against keeping the Benz as he claims that cost of parts are rise in a major way.

It's a 600SL: NOTHING is cheap on that car.

[Ali Al-Chalabi]

Keep the Benz if it doesn't need major work.

From what everyone on this board has said about your repair shop, it seems like you ahve a good and honest mechanic to work on it at least.

[tkd_M119]

Thanks for all the inputs.

What should I expect to spend if I do need a new timing chain? It's actually the guides right?

[speace]

Based on my experience if the body is in great shape and the engine only has 100k miles you should really have a good car to work with.

yWhen you do the tranny get a new REAR ENGNE OIL SEAL.

Once you do the timing chain and guides with a water pump and belt tensioner you should be good to go for another 100k plus miles.

Presumably your oil has been change at decent intervals...

My tranny didn't go until about 180k as I recall.

You have the wiring harness behind you so that's good...

Look for leakage on the Power Steering Pump shaft.

That's about it besides brakes that goes on these cars. I have about 220k on mine and if it had fresh paint it would pass as being about 10 years newer!

Good luck!

[tkd_M119]

How much does waterpump/timing chain/guides work run? Body is in really good shape (save for the dent in rear 3/4 panel).

Evaporator does have a slow leak - needs topping 1yr right now. Othewise HVAC functions just fine.

[speace]

Originally Posted by tkd_M119

How much does waterpump/timing chain/guides work run? Body is in really good shape (save for the dent in rear 3/4 panel).

Evaporator does have a slow leak - needs topping 1yr right now. Othewise HVAC functions just fine.

Perhaps others will have a better answer. I don't really recall the price. In your case it will depend on your shop's rate and if they are willing to combine the labor since many of these things are interconnected.

I've not had evaporator problems and I understand that is considered rare, but fortunately, the 92 400E uses r134 in the A/C so you can keep filling it each season...

Good Luck!