True cost of my W124 ownership from 2007-
 

I keep good records on my maintenance, but I never wanted to add it all up, well today I got the urge...and it made me realize what a great car I have and it's actually pretty economical on the wallet (despite what ANY of my friends or family say). I have done everything on the list below myself, except tire mounting and alignments.

I purchased my 300E in 2007 with 120K. It now has 210K. I have driven the **** out of it, but have also given it plenty of love. It has never left me stranded anywhere.

The number below would be easily double if I had to pay a mechanic hourly! Ouch!!!!!

I have the PeachParts forum to thank for helping me get through a lot of the jobs below and saving me thousands of dollars. ;)

Purchase Price - $1,500.00
2007-2012 Maintenance and Upgrades - $16,270 or $3,254 per year, or $271.00 a month...still way less than a car payment. :cool:

And what a car I get to drive in return....:D:D

Headgasket R&R, New Valve Seals, Machining - $750
Oil Changes - Every 6K - $60 per with filter - $900
Transmission / tq cvtr drains with filter x4 - $200
Rear diff drain x1 - $35
Euro Headlights - $250
Headlight Lenses x3 - $200
Euro Tailights x2 - $250
Front Corner Lights x5 - $200
FC Bearing Bracket x2 - $250
Fan clutch and bearing bracket pulley - $100
Reman'd Smog Pump - $100
Wires, Cap, Rotor - $200
Plugs x2 - $25
Radiator, Water Pump, Hoses, Temp Senders - $500
Bilstein FR/REAR Struts/Shocks and Mounts - $450
Rear Brakes x2 - $225
Front Brakes x2 - $300
Eibach Springs - Free :P
Sportline Front Bar with New Bushings - $100
Rear Parking Brake - $75
Front Tie Rods and Dampener - $200
1 Accident - $1750
Motor Mounts - $100
Rear Subframe bushings - $200
Rear multi-links - $350
Belt Tensioner x5 - $750
Belt Adjusting Rods x5 - $75
Belts x5 - $250
Voltage Regulator x2 - $60
120AMP Alternator - $50
New O2 Sensor, Used EHA, Used ECU - $150
Used OVP x2 - $50
K1 Spring Kit Repair - $75
Exhaust pipe patched - $100
4 channel amp wired to stock speakers, new headunit and small sub in trunk - $500
Used sunvisors, front door panels, armrest box - $200
Used door wood and center console wood - $100
Steering wheel and airbag from a 92 300CE - $100
Misc purchases (bulbs, filters,vacuum line,bolts&nuts, etc) - $700
2 windshields - $400
6 Sets of tires - $3000
2 sets of wheels - $1000
8 alignments - $1000

I'm at ~$1200/year on my 300TE. Bought at 61k in 2006, now at 122k. Not too bad. That also included the $2k trans replacement.

Six sets of tires and eight alignments over a 90K service period?

I've got a 1991 W124 thats been in the family since 2003, since that point and over a 235K period its had 4 sets of tires and 1 alignment when the ball joints were replaced at 151K.

I guess I could understand 6 sets of tires if they were used tires?

5x belt tensioner?

I would guess I am at about 1200 a year if you include tires.

I typically don't include tires or oil changes in my maintenance records... you have to do that with all cars

I checked my costs about a year ago (@4yrs) for my W210. Doing my own maintenance using only factory approved parts and fluids, I averaged about $400/yr. However, in order to compare I think you need to make $/mi comparisons. I only drive the wagon about 4000 mi per yr so only five oil changes (per FSS) vs. 15 for OP. I replaced tires this year so 5 year average would be more like $560/yr. or about $0.14/mi.

With those figures above I'm at .18c per mile. Also, I can't keep replacing parts at that rate, as I take an all or nothing approach with projects, so the cost of ownership should be on the decline going forward. Should be.....;)

Sports suspension that is lowered with low profile tires, I don't rotate my tires either. With my driving style I get about 12K min, and 20K max out of a set of tires.

I've also done a lot of the suspension projects separately as I can afford, so I've had to get alignments as needed.

Aftermarket tensioners fail for me about every 20K.

My 190E is sitting about $125/month for the past 6 years. That includes an engine transplant, trans reseal, both front and rear end suspension rebuilds (sans springs).

Honest report John - thanks for posting it in such detail.

Nice report, but how much less was it than a car payment over the past five years? Assuming a $1,500 down and $271 per month, what could you have purchased new(er) in 2007?

Honestly, I don't know the answer, but some factors I would consider would be how a 2005-2007 vehicle in the low to moderate price range would stack up against a W124 from the 90's.

I used to put all my service records on my member owner's history at MBUSA*. I stopped doing it a couple of years ago. 2011 was a "payback" year for me.:o probably 4,500 last year, including the new ignition. Stuff wears out. 1 oil change this year. That and gas. That's it. I'm deferring a while on a shock replacement. An indy quoted me 1,200.

But, I'm in line with the OP..I guess average annual replacement and (non tire) maintenance costs since 2001 have run 2,500 or so p/y. (& I do little except wash & drive it.;))
134,500 on the CE odo. Many, many Miles of Smiles.:) I plan on keeping it a couple of more years & get some more of that 4,500 back in driving pleasure. Car still turns heads.;)

* I wonder how long the owners records stay inactive before they are deleted?

MTI,

Out of curiosity I was going to check the PV of 271/mo for 60 & 72 month loans at various rates. My HP19B battery is dead.:o:
Seat of my pants though, I'm thinking that's not going to get you too much. And to fix a newer used or low end new car will be more costly than the M103or M104 W-124 that he has, don't you think.

Yes, my limited mental calculations indicated that it would be an economy sedan of some sort, but since there would still possibly be an existing vehicle warranty and likely no need for the level of replacement/rebuild of the older MB.

Here are some sub-$20K MSRP cars from 2007: Mitsubishi Lancer GTS, Honda Civic, Hyudai Tiberon GT, Honda Accord, Scion tC, Mazda 3s, Nissan Altima 2.5, Chevy Cobalt SS and G5 GT, Ford Mustang V6 and the Subaru Imprezza 2.5i. Certainly not "classics" and some pokey ones, but not a bad grouping either.

The W124 has "youngtimer" classic styling, great build quality and if properly maintained will serve at least another generation. The newer cars, perhaps, but the odds are against them.

For the most part, I agree.


Will those cars afford you as much protection in the event of collision as a 124? More?

They have "oldtimer" styling too, especially the coupe. Turned onto a local roadway behind an 88 300SEL Turbodeisel on Saturday. Guy driving must have told his daughter in the rear seat there was an old MB on his tail. She turned around for a look-see. Twice.;) Cute andy yes, a "youngtimer":o:P

Generally, I think that the 2007 cars would be safer, the engineering just got better even in the smaller economy market. Better airbags, crumple zones and safety systems in the new.

Performance wise, I also think the Mercedes six cylinder would be out gunned, while the new cars are running on regular unleaded and not premium.

IMHO, it is too much in 5 years. I hope it is the exception than the rules. I spent less, much less, on all my MBZ cars. It may be better to spend the money on a new car.