This is an interesting subject and one that I've often wondered about. Looking at whunter's note that "oil changes" should not be included, I interpret that to mean routine maintenance, stuff that any car requires, should be factored out. Then there are things that wear out over time/miles, like tires. Next are things you add or replace because you want to, not because the car really needs it. Finally there are things that break or wear out unexpectedly and prematurely. The last category is clearly one for the cents-per-mile maintenance number; one could argue forever about including any or all of the other stuff.

Specifics
The '96 E300 (wife's car, W210, OM606NA, 250,000+ miles) has been with us for over 5 years. I do most of my own work and shop around for parts and supplies. The following includes all maintenance but not insurance, registration, cost to purchase, etc.

2009 $0.19/mile
2010 $0.08
2011 $0.04
2012 $0.29 (high because I replaced the vacuum pump as a precaution)

OTOH, the 1995 E300 (my car, W124, OM606NA, 200,000 miles), which I've now had for 15 months, has had as much spent on it in maintenance as it cost to buy it in the first place ($4700 to buy, $5200 on maintenance). A lot of that is stuff that I wanted to do -- replace the pitted windshield, for example, $287. If I eliminate all but the stuff that actually broke then the costs go 'way down.

Where do you draw the line?

Jeremy

__________________

"Buster" in the '95

Our all-Diesel family
1996 E300D (W210) . .338,000 miles Wife's car
2005 E320 CDI . . 113,000 miles My car
Santa Rosa population 176,762 (2022)
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . 627,762
"Oh lord won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz."
-- Janis Joplin, October 1, 1970