Let's see, I have had my 95 E320 for about 2 years, almost 3 yrs, bought it for about $8.5K, 82K miles, all documentation/service/etc, and more.....
Now it has 132K miles...Seems any time I take it to the shop its $400-$800.. When I first bought it I intended to do the work myself, but things haven't worked out that way
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Last I took it in about 60 days ago for no start...it was the coils, bam $759! ... spark plugs and cable included
So i asked the shop to lmk how much I had spent as a customer.... I took that added it to a couple things I did at another shop...
All, including brakes (about $800 each time I have had to take it in for brakes), changing brakes about 2-3 times since the 82K!!!!! ... I have spent what averaged out to about $140/ month in repairs and maintainance....
That's about what I had budgeted when I bought the car , $1K-$1.2K / yrs on service and repair, but the problem is these things occur when you least expect it...
I am entertaining on just selling it, probably about $4K-$5K is what it would og for, i am guessing, with the miles... and just buy a "normal" Honda/Toyota $7-8K vehicle... figuring I am already "spending $140 a month" in repairs.. I might as well, put the $ I sell the MB for as down and finance something cheap and reliable....
Why? Its embarrasing when my g/f, who drives a 00 Ford Focus, with about 70K miles, hasn't been left stranded once in the same time period... total repairs for time period? about $500, including brakes...major problem? yeah, a/c was leaking....she got charged $250!
My other freind...she's got a 1991 Accord with 145K miles... problems in the last 3 yrs? Radiator, and 2-3 no start issues (fuel pump, starter, and forgot the third...)...bottom line her car has broken down less times than my MB!
Third example, 03 Civic...50K miles...no breakdowns...
I am already being eaten by $140 average on repairs... that's sad.....