Quote:
Originally Posted by jcyuhn
All the repairs look like fairly typical 124 problem areas. One thing that wasn't clear to me from the problem descriptions is whether the car ever failed to start or stranded you on the side of the road. I wouldn't call an old car a lemon if it managed to convey you from point A to B reliably, regardless of what else goes wrong. Though I suppose an inoperative heater during a Colorado winter could be a significant issue.
It's a red herring to compare the E-class sedan to a Toyota Corolla. If you want to compare the ownership cost and experience, a reasonable comparison would be to a 1990 Lexus LS400. (1990 was the first model year for Lexus.) That is the closest thing Toyota made in terms of comfort, safety, size, and luxury to the MB. And yes, we've had that debate too. The general concensus was that a big Lexus doesn't need as much repair as an MB, but costs considerably more to repair when it does fail, so cost of ownership is about equal.
You can't compare the longevity of a manual transmission and clutch to an automatic transmission, they are two completely different animals, apples and oranges.
Sorry it didn't work out for you. But it's just not practical to drive a 20 year old luxury car if you have to take it to a mechanic for every little thing. If you had asked this crowd before purchasing the E-class, they would have steered you away from it.
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Hi, thanks for the comments. Please understand I was in no way comparing my old Corolla to this Benz--I was merely replying to the one guy who stated 20 year old cars are generally "junk." I don't buy that, lots of people drive 20 year old cars on a daily basis--some because they have to, some because they prefer to.
To answer your question, it only truly stranded me once (at work, when it wouldn't start due to the alternator & battery). Got it home and put in a new battery but it didn't last and stranded me at home, had to have it towed to the mechanic. By "hassles" and "break-downs," I was referring to having to take it in in the morning, arrange a ride to work, arrange a ride back to the mech, etc. I don't mind that a few times a year; but multiple times a month is a bit aggravating.
You're right, it wasn't a very wise move to buy such an old (and unproven/un-documented) car knowing I'd be at someone else's mercy if it ever needed attention.
Despite my disappointment that it had so many things go wrong, I'm still glad I did it. Always wanted a Mercedes, and this seemed a cheap--but risky--way to sample one. For the first 6-8 months it wasn't too bad, the last several weeks killed me though and had to let it go. I will confess, it's "out of my system" now, and not likely I'll ever buy another as 1) I sure as heck can't afford a new/newer one, and 2) going with an old one is just too risky, as I've learned.
Thanks again... -E