Repair Cost Actuals (My Example)

[GParker]

Hi Everyone,

I just talleyed the repair costs on my 99 E430, bought new and well maintained to 84K miles. The car does not have a scratch on it, and looks brand new. Who would know it costs $2100 / year to maintain. What a piece of junk.

Maintenance Cost: $7236 over 7 years. (Includes 3 sets of tires.)
Defects: $7446 since the warranty ran out 3 years ago.

New Stuff Includes the list below. If your car is like mine, you can expect something to break 3-4 times each year. Each thing that breaks will cost $500 to $1000, keep in mind I spent the 7 grand above only AFTER the warranty ran out which covered some of this junk.

Drivers Seat Frame (Creaking)
SunRoof Cover (Rattling)
Drivers Headrest Motor, Rail
Dashboard Bulbs (3 Times)
Steering Rack
Rear Window Regulator, Right
Rear Window Regulator, Left
Catalytic Converter, Left
Catalytic Converter, Right
Upper Ball Joints
Lower Ball Joints
Harmonic Balancer (2 Times, Despite an OK on recall "Inspection", where the tech simply marked it as out of true. I have the pic with the markings. MB can't even make a part that is round and true, or replace one when it is out of true. Later, the out of true condition probably caused my water pump to fail due the vibration.)
Radiator
Water Pump
Steering Column "Clock Spring"
Engine Mounts
Shift Rod Bushing for Auto Trans
Battery
Gas Filler Cap
Mass Air Flow Sensor
Crankshaft Position Sensor

I've exluded the $1752 I spent on stuff that was my fault or idea -- a couple of broken fog lamp lenses, OZ wheels, lost keys ($180 each), and floor mats...

I might keep this one longer as a science experiment in my own patience... but it is NOT a rational thing to do so.

Is there a cure for this?