Are W140's as expensive to maintain as everyone makes them out to be? - Page 6 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Hatterasguy · #76 12-21-2004, 09:29 AM

The used car market now is horrible for sellers. With money being so cheap their is a glut of new and newer cars on the road, and coming up for sale. I see LS400, and 430's at awsome prices. Their is a 1998 BMW 740IL in the paper for $16k.

Now is a great time to buy a used car regardless of make I can't see them getting much cheaper. Once interest rates go back up I think the used car market will grow stronger.

lizem100 · #77 12-21-2004, 11:26 AM

To see what they are worth look at kbb.com. Retail is what dealers are ASKING not what they get. Private party value is often slightly optimistic. Ebay I expect to be slightly low because there may be more apparent risk.

JimF · #78 12-21-2004, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

With money being so cheap their is a glut of new and newer cars on the road. . .

. . . that all used car prices have dropped is the simple fact that new cars are being given away.

So you want to buy a 'car'?? What do you ask yourself; 'how much will this car cost?". Sure enough when you look at the bottom line, it's considerably cheaper to buy a new car, BION!

New car: 2005 BMW 325i; $15,500 plus tax. $2500 due at signing with a three (3) year lease. Interest rate is 0.9%. Payment $327/month. This includes financing the "$2500" cash down. If cash down, then payment is $284/month. Of course, you get 'maintenance' package plus warranty repairs.

Used car: 1999 BMW 325i; 53k miles; $15,850. Finance at 4.69% for 48 months; payment is $420/month. No maintenance but 90 day warranty on 'drive train', etc..

This information was taken from the San DIego Union Tribune Sunday paper; 12/19/04.

Hatterasguy · #79 12-21-2004, 12:12 PM

But after 4 years you will own the BMW that will still probably be worth $6k.

For us math challenged what would a $10k 48 month loan cost with a lower interest rate?

For example if someone were to buy a late 90's E430 for say $16k and put $6k down.

JimF · #80 12-21-2004, 12:27 PM

. . 100% correct but you and I use our 'reasonable' minds. The average Joe is looking for a car and NEEDS the bottom line to be as 'small' as possible.

Never mind that he doesn't OWN the car; it's NEW and there's no OTHER costs associated with the car. Plus he can show it off.

Yes, he doesn't own it after three (3) years but he doesn't care: time for a new 'lease'. This is NOT a bad scenario if you need a car for business and can write it off.

But for me (and probably you), we want a car that will run for a LONG time and we do not want any payments, period!

I was just trying to relate REAL WORLD experience from my two friends that sell USED cars. It's what's happening.

JimF · #81 12-21-2004, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

For us math challenged what would a $10k 48 month loan cost with a lower interest rate? For example if someone were to buy a late 90's E430 for say $16k and put $6k down.

. . . the rates I used in the example are current rates at my bank for a used or new car; 4.69%. The terms are either 48 or 66 months.

So your 10k finance example; payment is $229. For 66 month, payment is $172.

Hatterasguy · #82 12-21-2004, 12:34 PM

Yeah were thinking the same thing. The only time I would ever lease a car is if I didn't have to pay for it, for example:

I purchase a two family rental house and after the loan is paid off it is throwing off enough excess money for a lease payment. Why should I pay for my own car? I'd rather have someone else get me a new one ever few years.

But many people that I know don't look far enough ahead, they think only about what it costs each month.

hmm a W210 may not be to far out of reach...

suginami · #83 12-21-2004, 02:55 PM

Talking about giving cars away.

My neighbor bought a brand new 2004 GMC Envoy XUV last night. It was a fully optioned model, and full retail sticker was about $42,000.

He bought the car for $28,000. They not only gave him $7,500 in factory rebates, but had to discount it another $6,500.

Even new cars need huge discounts to sell.

Hatterasguy · #84 12-21-2004, 10:34 PM

Yeah I know my unlce just bought a loaded 04 F150 last week. Sticker was $32k (I think) He paid mid $16k, with a $5k trade in but still $21k for a $32k truck?

Their giving these things away, well at least GM and Ford are.

I bet Toyota wouldn't do that for a truck.

oldsouth · #85 12-21-2004, 10:52 PM

My dad is a big Toyota man, been driving them for over 20 years. But the discounts and rebates were more than he could stand. I had $2000 on a GM card and got a notice from GM that they topped it off to $3000 and sent a coupon for an additional $500 that I let him have. Add that to the $3500 rebate on new trucks plus the dealer threw in another $1000 of coupons and sold the truck for $100 over cost before the $8000 worth of rebates and coupons.

To make a long story short, he traded in a '97 Toyota Tacoma 4X4 with 128K and got a '05 GMC Sierra 4X4 for $10,000 difference - tax, title, and all!

rdanz · #86 12-22-2004, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by suginami

Talking about giving cars away.

My neighbor bought a brand new 2004 GMC Envoy XUV last night. It was a fully optioned model, and full retail sticker was about $42,000.

He bought the car for $28,000. They not only gave him $7,500 in factory rebates, but had to discount it another $6,500.

Even new cars need huge discounts to sell.

Your talking about a 33% discount there isn't that much profit in a car. Theirs something wrong with those figures. Maybe the 28000 included his trade in.

braverichard · #87 12-22-2004, 01:21 AM

Of course not. In fact, there's pretty much no profit in the car at all. The dealer makes some money, but GM doesn't. That's why quarter after quarter the automotive operations of Ford and GM post huge losses. These losses are then covered by the financing operations which are making huge profits on the loans they gave out several years ago. GM and Ford need to get their stuff together because with their respective financial divisions giving out 0% loans these days, there won't be much profit coming from them in the near future.

Actually, I just helped my friend get a great deal. I helped him negotiate his purchase of a 2004 Ford Expedition in June. He and his wife just had twins and didn't want to get a minivan. After negotiations, they got an Expedition Eddie Bauer Edition fully loaded with every single factory option, four wheel drive and even $6,000 rims put on by the dealer along with tinted windows worth $800 all for $11,000 under the MSRP!! Who is complaining? Definitely not him or his wife. But I guess they need those low monthly payments. Heck he once mentioned that his wife's lead foot only yields an average of 13mpg of driving in the summer. LOL

suginami · #88 12-22-2004, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rdanz

Your talking about a 33% discount there isn't that much profit in a car. Theirs something wrong with those figures. Maybe the 28000 included his trade in.

Nope, he didn't trade the car in. He drove his Nissan Altima home because they didn't give him enough for it.

I'm willing to bet they lost money on this car. It was the last 2004 Envoy they had on the lot. We actually visited this dealer about a month ago, and looked at this car, but they wouldn't deal on it, so he walked away.

The obvious problem with this car is that it was an outrageously optioned model. It had every single option that could be ordered on an Envoy XUV, with the exception of the DVD navigation system. It was so highly optioned, that at $42K you are clearly into a Yukon / Tahoe, or even an entry level Suburban.

86560SEL · #89 09-17-2008, 02:19 AM

Well, I have read this thread until my eyes have crossed.

If one of these cars (early W140) has an original and failing wiring harness, what are the symptoms? Does the car start stalling, warning lights go bezerk, do they catch fire from shorting out, or all of the above? Oddly, I have never heard of one catching fire, but it seems like it would be a major fire hazard... what, all of those frayed and exposed wires.

Also, if I were to look at one, is there some wires in a easy spot to check to see if they are frayed, or is it not as easy as that?

Lastly, was this wiring harness issue limited to the V8 W140s, or did it also effect the I6 W140s? I am assuming the same type wire was used in both?

Reason why I am asking is since I have NO luck finding a local and suitable W126, I have broadened my search to some W140s I have been looking at.

Some have had the harnesses replaced, as well as the evaporators, while others have "no clue" if they have been changed, which I am taking as a "no, it has not".

Lastly, wasnt 1995 the last year with the problem harnesses? Or was it 1994 - 1996?

I may not need to know at all if my uncle gets that 1987 300SDL for me, or if that fails, I have two 88' 300SEL's I am highly considering, which may be better for me than a W140.

Thanks.

*** WOW, I just realized that Hattarasguy started this thread in 2004.

JimF · #90 09-17-2008, 03:14 AM

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