Broke an engine last weekend. - Page 13 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Bio300TDTdriver · #**181** 11-30-2010, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig

Would you folks be happier if I told you I was going to get rid of it and buy a 2011, e-class?

I suspect they would still have a problem with how you spend your money.

They would need a picture to believe you bought one. Of course you could always take one for a test drive, snap a quick picture and post it. I've never blocked anyone as I typically enjoy clowns. This thread has me reconsidering.

#**182** 11-30-2010, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ah-kay

I do not know how much you spent on an used engine plus your sweat labor. What I can say is that getting 150K miles on an used engine is pretty good deal and I would never, ever, say it was a mistake. 150K is 10 years of driving for average American. But it is only 3 years for you as a traveling Executive.

To tell the truth I spent too much, then I paid my shop about $2K (20 hours) to have it installed and to clean up a bunch of other little stuff. It wasn't a terrible deal, but I was never comfortable not knowing the real mileage or the history of the engine. I probably did get my money's worth in the long run, but having it fail unexpectedly was pretty annoying. For folks who drive an "average" amount and stay closer to home, a used engine may be the best option.

ah-kay · #**183** 11-30-2010, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

I find it amazing that people talk about keeping these cars forever, than when someone does they get flack.

I drive old cars but sensibly in $$ terms.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

Not everyone wants to drive a $2k beater into the ground, or views these cars as such. I put $20k in mine when I had it and I would do it again. It was certainly a better car than I could buy new for $20k. I would have had to spend $60k+ to really replace it with a modern vehicle.

It was your decision and good luck with that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

Old Mercedes are not disposable, they are like aircraft. If a person likes the car and is willing to put money into it it can be just as reliable as a newer vehicle.

I honest do NOT concur. Even a jumbo jet has a limited working life.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

As Craig said what it all comes down to is cents per mile, and NFW are you going to drive a new E350 40k miles a year for .30 cents a mile.

There is Every FW that one can lease a 2011 E350 for 60 months as of NOW and would come at less than $0.30 cents a mile for doing 50K a year.

http://www.leasecompare.com/quick_lease_quotes.php?ModelYear=2011&MakeID=500&ModelID=220&StyleID=135&vehicle=2011+Mercedes-Benz+E350

$688/month lease + tax at 8% = $8916. I add 8% tax just to be realistic.
50K/yr @ 30mpg, ( official hwy mpg is 33mpg ) #2 diesel at $3.2/g = $5333

Total costs/mi = $8916 + $5333 / 50K = $0.285/miles.

45K/year would be $0.3048/mile
40K/year would be $0.3295/mile

If one averages 40-50K a year then $0.30/mi give or take is really doable for driving a 2011 BRAND NEW MBZ E350 Bluetec off the dealer lot. Why settle with a 28 years old car? One would be way ahead to lease a 3 years old lease returned car.

#**184** 11-30-2010, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

BTW how is the W211 hunt going? My attorney just got a W212, its one heck of a car. Not wild about the interior though, I'd probably buy a new Jag or 535I instead. If your W211 hunting test drive a 535XI while you are at it, IMHO they are better driving cars.

Actually, Tyler just gave me a very promising lead on a clean W211 E500 4matic in SLC. I talked to them today and asked some questions, if it's as good as it sounds I'm thinking about heading out there by the end of the week and (potentially) buying it. I promise to take photos if I pull the trigger.

The only problem is that a hate the idea of flying out there and the train schedule for DEN to SLC sorta sucks (but it is scenic). At some point (probably next week), I also have to go collect my 300D (in the opposite direction).

At the risk of getting more flack, I'll keep you posted.

vstech · #**185** 11-30-2010, 08:38 PM

you understand that leasing a car, and driving it 50K a year voids the lease, and requires a purchase right? penalties usually accrue above 15K a year...
I do not know the requirements of leasing a used MB, but I'm pretty sure of my numbers on other lease vehicles...
not that an agreement couldn't be written up ahead of time, but it'd be a heafty purchase price I bet...

vstech · #**186** 11-30-2010, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig

To tell the truth I spent too much, then I paid my shop about $2K (20 hours) to have it installed and to clean up a bunch of other little stuff. It wasn't a terrible deal, but I was never comfortable not knowing the real mileage or the history of the engine. I probably did get my money's worth in the long run, but having it fail unexpectedly was pretty annoying. For folks who drive an "average" amount and stay closer to home, a used engine may be the best option.

I wanna be your mechanic...
$2K for an engine swap? wow, I'd say you paid too much. unless your "bunch of other stuff" included rebuilding the transmission and rebuilding the front suspension...

moon161 · #**187** 11-30-2010, 08:45 PM

Yeah, you usually pay $.20/mile over 15k/year. You'd void the warranty in the first year or 2 as well.

#**188** 11-30-2010, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ah-kay

If one averages 40-50K a year then $0.30/mi give or take is really doable for driving a 2011 BRAND NEW MBZ E350 Bluetec off the dealer lot. Why settle with a 28 years old car? One would be way ahead to lease a 3 years old lease returned car.

I understand your logic, and it works for many folks (although most leases don't allow that kind of miles). Frankly, If I wanted a new E350 Bluetec I would write a check for one (you don't have to believe me) instead of leasing one. I don't finance cars, and leasing is nothing more than a form of financing. Personally, I like old cars better; they have more "personality" and I don't really like the image of myself driving around in a new benz.

Hatterasguy · #**189** 11-30-2010, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ah-kay

I drive old cars but sensibly in $$ terms.

It was your decision and good luck with that.

I honest do NOT concur. Even a jumbo jet has a limited working life.

There is Every FW that one can lease a 2011 E350 for 60 months as of NOW and would come at less than $0.30 cents a mile for doing 50K a year.

http://www.leasecompare.com/quick_lease_quotes.php?ModelYear=2011&MakeID=500&ModelID=220&StyleID=135&vehicle=2011+Mercedes-Benz+E350

$688/month lease + tax at 8% = $8916. I add 8% tax just to be realistic.
50K/yr @ 30mpg, ( official hwy mpg is 33mpg ) #2 diesel at $3.2/g = $5333

Total costs/mi = $8916 + $5333 / 50K = $0.285/miles.

45K/year would be $0.3048/mile
40K/year would be $0.3295/mile

If one averages 40-50K a year then $0.30/mi give or take is really doable for driving a 2011 BRAND NEW MBZ E350 Bluetec off the dealer lot. Why settle with a 28 years old car? One would be way ahead to lease a 3 years old lease returned car.

I don't think you really understand how leasing works, you can't lease a car if you drive 50k miles a year. Last time I looked at leasing a BMW you could pick your yearly mileage, from 10k, 12.5k, to 15k. The higher the mileage the more expensive the lease. Over mileage I believe is .40cents per mile, but I could be wrong.

If you drove 50k a year and wanted to do it in a new E class that you would replace every 3 years your numbers would look like this:

$55k say trade in value is $20k which IMHO is high for a 150k mile car, but that's $35k in depreciation. So you would have to either pay cash or finance, if you financed to avoid be upside down you would have to be on a 36 month note so do the math, if you put $10k down your looking at around $1,400 a month. Than figure:

Tires 25k per set on 18in wheels = about 6 sets at $1k a pop, so $6k.

Than I would throw another $10k on for servicing and out of warranty repairs.

So without counting insurance, fuel, and taxes your up to $57k for 150k miles, which is .38 a mile.

Craig's car is fully depreciated so he can spend a ton on repairs and not have that huge depreciation nugget. Most people who buy new cars only look at the cost of repairs which isn't your largest expense, depreciation is.

I know someone who does this with a Camry, they just spent $28k on a 2011 SE, in three years he is going to trade it in with 160k on it for probably $6,500.

ah-kay · #**190** 11-30-2010, 08:52 PM

I just quote the leasing figure for the lowest payment. Financing it is not much dearer.

#**191** 11-30-2010, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

I wanna be your mechanic...
$2K for an engine swap? wow, I'd say you paid too much. unless your "bunch of other stuff" included rebuilding the transmission and rebuilding the front suspension...

I believe the dealer book is 19 hours to R&R an engine, at $100/hour that's just about $2K. Actually, I also replaced some other stuff like the oil cooler and hoses (about $600, I think) and the vacuum pump (something like $300 for a new OEM). I also had them transfer the AC (R-12 recharge) and replace all the engine gaskets that are a PITA to get to in the car. I don't remember what else they did, but they put in some time.

ah-kay · #**192** 11-30-2010, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig

I understand your logic, and it works for many folks (although most leases don't allow that kind of miles). Frankly, If I wanted a new E350 Bluetec I would write a check for one (you don't have to believe me) instead of leasing one. I don't finance cars, and leasing is nothing more than a form of financing. Personally, I like old cars better; they have more "personality" and I don't really like the image of myself driving around in a new benz.

I just cashed out my company's Stock Option. The strike price was very low compare to the current price. I will get a massive W2 this year. What shall I buy?

Skid Row Joe · #**193** 11-30-2010, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bustedbenz

I'm just standing back so I don't get hit by all the mud flying around. Ya'll are talking about the wisdom of throwing between 5 and 20 thousand dollars at the things, and I have to park them for a month at a time while I save up 5 HUNDRED dollars to make the next repair that's necessary for safety or reliability. We're living in different worlds.

If that had happened to me, I haven't got the resources and neither does anybody else with whom I could work. The car would get pushed off a cliff on the spot where it died, or else dragged home on a trailer and parked in the barn for probably years until the right junkyard engine came along.

My "reliability" is only there because with three of them, I've got a pretty good handle on having at least one safe and reliable at all times to fall back on when the others are in trouble. Even with a brand new engine, you're still looking at
•beat-up interiors (if they aren't, they will be eventually) at $5-10K to do the job right, •beat-up paint (if it doesn't have it, it will. $5K+ for a good job, $1K at Maaco),
•Suspension (Front end of my 300SDL cost $1700 or so at the shop),
•Steering (few hundred dollars worth of parts plus time and tools),
•Driveline (Engine components, transmission, or rear axle and connections between -- from $100s to $1000s depending on what wears out next)
•Climate control (Depending on what fails, can be major money, ALWAYS a major pain)
•Windshields: Plan on $400-600 when the back windshield lets moisture into the defrost elements, destroying them, and necessitating the replacement because it's dangerous to drive without the ability to heat the glass

And all the other million little items that nickel and dime you to death. Plus routine maintenance and wear, which although they can't be factored into the decision making since any car would require them, they *are* budget line items.

With all that in mind... those of us who have limited income and don't have a bank vault full of stock certificates couldn't in any way justify such a repair on that machine, no matter HOW valuable the machine was or how "long-run smart" it might be. If you haven't got the money in the bank then it doesn't matter how smart spending it a certain way might be.

Because Craig's obviously got the money for this, he's got the right to do whatever he wants to. Because I don't, I wouldn't have that option even if I chose to, and I think I'd swallow hard at a bill that size even if I DID have the resources. I think it's a false economy to have an engine that will potentially run forever mounted in a machine that can't go from one month to the next without the next little ancillary part failing and needing attention. And it's a constantly revolving door no matter HOW far ahead you are of the game.

I love my diesels. And I'm still claiming to at least "break even" compared to new car payments and depreciation. But I'm driving them mostly because I like them as a special interest. Without parental support to my own very very limited (college student) income, I couldn't run any car at all, much LESS one of these. There may be some economy in fixing them dime-at-a-time; if there is, that's WHERE it is. But the "I put $15K in this car so I won't lose $30K on a new one" logic isn't really *USEFUL* to many people, because not very many of us have got that kind of disposable income free to play that game all at once even if it's the smartest game to be playing.

Instead of spending close to $15K, - for $20K he could have a 4 year old CDI - for $30K he could have a two year old 2008 E320 Bluetec with less than 40K miles on it, that gets 33%+ better miles per gallon, VERSUS a 30 year old car with 575K miles on it already.

Some of us can afford to drive whatever it is we want to. Most of us drive old MBs. All of us love them.

You might want to keep a detailed analysis/balance sheet on what having three cars costs you per mile and per hours of your laboring on them, versus having one reliable newer MB. - Just a time value aspect given your circumstances.

Personally, I find owning one reliable car costs me less time and money than owning 3 or more unreliable cars.

In your case, I would think the investment of time spent studying would pay-off more than wrenching on various cars to get one reliable ride from? You did say that your parents support you for the mostpart while you are attending college, and that you live with them, right? If I'm wrong, please point out where?

Hatterasguy · #**194** 11-30-2010, 08:56 PM

Also don't forget if you own your own company you can write off the mileage and in Craig's case he charges for it too!

So his clients are paying him $25k a year to drive his car, and the feds are letting him write it all off.

Its one heck of a good bargain, now that I do it I see why people love older cars. I will have written off what I paid for my truck this April, so at that point its almost free.

vstech · #**195** 11-30-2010, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

Also don't forget if you own your own company you can write off the mileage and in Craig's case he charges for it too!

So his clients are paying him $25k a year to drive his car, and the feds are letting him write it all off.

Its one heck of a good bargain, now that I do it I see why people love older cars. I will have written off what I paid for my truck this April, so at that point its almost free.

ding ding ding!!!

however, I think the feds will frown on deducting miles that you get paid to use... however, I think the feds upped the deduction to .64/mile, so you can still deduct the .14/mile you are not getting paid. anyway, on an older car, you should be getting paid per mile, and deduct all expenses on the maintenance of the car. fuel/oil/filter/engine/tires/etc...
but getting paid for the miles is still more profitable than deducting them anyway. if you get paid .50 and you only spend .30 you are making .20/mile profit! on top of your salary.
now, you likely do not get a fuel chit if you are getting paid .50/mile, but still a profit! and .20/mile is quite a lot of fuel!