I have bought new and used cars. You drive off the lot in your new car and you lose a few $K off the bat. TDI keeps their value well so they are sought after. New car also comes with high insurance premium. My take is to buy lease return cars, 3 - 5 years lease return. The depreciation is sucked up by the leasee and the car is reasonably new.

If you read any financial books and they will tell you that you should not spend more than 5% of your 'NET WORTH' on cars. Auto industry will die if everyone does this.

Good luck.

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Not MBZ nor A/C trained professional but a die-hard DIY and green engineer. Use the info at your own peril. Picked up 2 Infractions because of disagreements. NOW reversed.

W124 Keyless remote, PM for details. http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/mercedes-used-parts-sale-wanted/334620-fs-w124-chasis-keyless-remote-%2450-shipped.html

1 X 2006 CDI
1 x 87 300SDL
1 x 87 300D
1 x 87 300TDT wagon
1 x 83 300D
1 x 84 190D ( 5 sp ) - All R134 converted + keyless entry.