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  #1  
Old 04-02-2005, 01:33 PM
someguyfromMD
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Southern MD
Posts: 8
The long goodbye

It's finally over. My life with MB's has been fun and rewarding, but I traded in my dying 4matic for a new Honda CR-V, and I'm actually out of Benzes for the first time since '96. If anybody needs parts for a 4matic, look at the classified section for a full listing of my (new) leftovers.

I hope everybody appreciates their MB's as much as I did mine, but I also have to say I won't be looking at any MB's newer than '96 until they get their heads out of their butts. Read FinancialTimes.com for a report on how they're actually recalling more cars than they built in all of 2004 to address the quality issues that were, until now, ignored.

I will probably never have another car that drove as well as the '91 300TE 4matic, but I'm also sure that MB isn't building them like they used to either. I figure I got into them at their peak.

Good luck to all with their Tri-stars, it's been fun.

someguyfromMD

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  #2  
Old 04-02-2005, 04:43 PM
Rahulio1989300E's Avatar
V10s & V8s FTW!
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,147
Hope you enjoy your new Honda!

buh bye!



Japan snatches another one from Germany!

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2006 BMW M5 "Heidi" @ 109,000 miles
2005 MBZ C55 AMG "Lorelai" @ 165,000 miles
1991 MBZ 300E "Benzachino II" @ 165,000 miles
1990 MBZ 500SL "Shoshanna" @ 118,000 miles

(On the hunt for a good used M103 engine as of 6/10/23, PM me if you have one to sell!)
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  #3  
Old 04-02-2005, 07:44 PM
mike690003's Avatar
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Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Miami,FL
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I sold my 300E also. It just gave me problem after problem, and I just got to my limit. My Monte Carlo is reliable and comfortable. I am also an MB sellout.
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HID/Xenon (D2S)
Keyless Entry
Monochromatic Paint (Custom Blue)
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Debadged (rear)
custom "carbon fiber" console
18 inch HP EVO rims
Sold! Now I drive a Monte Carlo SS
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  #4  
Old 04-02-2005, 08:41 PM
DangerMouse's Avatar
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Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Northern Virginia
Posts: 119
Best of luck with the new vehicle, SomeGuy.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rahulio1989300E
Japan snatches another one from Germany!
This catch actually surprised me. There are few NAFTA market Japanese vehicles that appeal to me as a sport sedan replacement for my E-class -- Lexus GS430 and the new Acura RL are just about the limit. The rest are too boring for a typical driving enthusiast in my opinion.

Interesting note: Just outside Daimler's native stomping grounds (i.e. Benelux), the most common vehicles on the road are manufactured by Ford, Opel, Honda, and Toyota. It is a common misconception among Americans that most Europeans drive what is considered a luxury marque inside North America. Seeing an Audi S8 tearing up a hillside in Luxembourg is just as rare a sight there as Main Street, USA.

Just my random 0.02[currency] for the evening.
-DM
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  #5  
Old 04-03-2005, 02:25 PM
Rahulio1989300E's Avatar
V10s & V8s FTW!
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,147
Man I have always wanted a Delorean since I watched Back To the Future...

Then I heard about how bad the engines were in the car and the crappy build quality of the chasis....

I still want an Audi S8 since watching that movie Ronin!

First, I have to see these cars in person!
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2006 BMW M5 "Heidi" @ 109,000 miles
2005 MBZ C55 AMG "Lorelai" @ 165,000 miles
1991 MBZ 300E "Benzachino II" @ 165,000 miles
1990 MBZ 500SL "Shoshanna" @ 118,000 miles

(On the hunt for a good used M103 engine as of 6/10/23, PM me if you have one to sell!)
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  #6  
Old 04-03-2005, 04:46 PM
DangerMouse's Avatar
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Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Northern Virginia
Posts: 119
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rahulio1989300E
I still want an Audi S8 since watching that movie Ronin!
Ronin is a brilliant movie in my humble opinion, the best scene is where Deniro ambushes Spence with a coffee cup :-)

The S8 is an impressive sedan, all things considered. You can find a 2001 Audi S8 in good condition for well under $40k USD. Unfortunately the A8/S8 suffers from one expensive Achilles' heel: A hand-finished aluminum shell and frame. The last time I checked, there are two authorized repair facilities in North America: One in California, and one in (?) New Jersey. Where the typical Audi maintenance costs - and as an owner, I have a little context to comment - do not kill your wallet, insurance will.

I would rather go with the mid-tier model of any luxury car (5-series, A6/S6, E-class, etc.) than a bankbuster. Just my humble opinion!

-DM
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  #7  
Old 04-03-2005, 07:46 PM
elau's Avatar
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Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: MD.
Posts: 1,725
I sold out to the Japanese a month ago when I traded my '96 C280 Sport for an Infiniti G35. The G is no doubt a well built car and has loads of modern amenitites. But I gotta say, the car has no souls. It is like driving any run of the mill sport coupe. When the warrenty runs out in 5 years, I will trade it in for another MB, preferably a CLK. Once you drive a Benz, it's in your blood. Glad I still have two to fill my veins
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  #8  
Old 04-03-2005, 08:09 PM
someguyfromMD
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Southern MD
Posts: 8
To anyone considering an Audi on this list, I would give this advice:

They're wonderful cars, but don't try to own one outside of the warranty. That's what I heard consistently from owners and mechanics.

I looked long and hard for a replacement for my wife's 4matic. I thought I'd be getting another European car, I've had them for years, but the bloom is off the rose on european cars (IMHO) right now. The Japanese are beating them by doing their homework and getting the ergonomics, build quality, and reliability right the first time. My new CR-V is essentially an inexpensive baby SUV, but the fit and finish, content, and ride are amazing. Knowing that I'm probably not going to do more than change the oil and filters for the next 5 years, AND I probably won't be seeing the dealer for warranty help too often, is pretty slick. If I went with any German or Swedish car, I would not be confident that I could make that statement.

I love the look and styling of Audis, but even they will tell you they are working hard to overcome quality problems that have kept them from challenging BMW over the last several years.

someguyfromMaryland
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  #9  
Old 04-04-2005, 06:56 AM
DUTCH's Avatar
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Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 434
Quote:
Originally Posted by someguyfromMD
My new CR-V is essentially an inexpensive baby SUV, but the fit and finish, content, and ride are amazing. Knowing that I'm probably not going to do more than change the oil and filters for the next 5 years, AND I probably won't be seeing the dealer for warranty help too often, is pretty slick.
Take special care with that first oil filter change. The original filter gasket sticks to the engine block. The new filter results in two gaskets that leak on the exhaust manifold resulting in fire - with enough frequency that there has been a special warning mailing to owners; and like far too many Honda engines, that filter is in an extremely inconvenient place to reach.
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  #10  
Old 04-04-2005, 05:50 PM
Rahulio1989300E's Avatar
V10s & V8s FTW!
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
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Yeah dude, please be careful about the oil filter gasket! That sounds a bit scary, but once you do it right the first time, all should be okay.


Lemme think about what has gone wrong with the cars we have owned....

?1984? Mitsubishi Gallant
Too young/was not born to remember. Before I developed memories.........
-Plagued with oil leaks and severe transmission problems says my dad..

1990 Plymoth Voyager Minivan
I was kinda young when we had this van.... lemme try to think.
We used this van on very long family road trips.
We owned it from new to about 130K.
I remember that the radiator had to be replaced at 100K.
I also remember the muffler needed work at like 80K.
Other than that, I cannot remember too much.... I think it was a very reliable car! My dad agrees, he misses it dearly!

1993 Ford Taurus
Bought new.. driven to 95K miles.
-Ate through water pumps every 5,000 miles... thermostats broke every 10K to 15K
-Blew a coolant hose at like 60K... no severe overheating occured thanks to my brother's quick response time!
-Lost drive belt on off ramp.. once again saved by my brother's ability to steer the car without power.....
-At about 94K the drive shaft/transmission started to grind when going uphill... reason for dumping the car...
-Car smelt like it was burning after stopping engine...
(This is why we stopped driving America made cars... but looks like nowadays they are much better.)

1997 Volvo S90
Bought at 16K now has 104K
-Alternator started overcharging at about 70K, had to be replaced.
-Radiator developed slight but possibly very dangerous leak at plastic neck (typical at 90K)
-Washer nozzle lines developed leaks, all lines had to be replaced.
-right headlight wiper currently inoperative..
-Radio started to make a loud buzzing sound.. cosmetic piece on inside of car came loose around antenna area..
-Steering has become progressively loose due to worn bushings... need to replace soon!
-CD player stopped playing (this is where my interest in cars sparked... I removed unit and took apart... found a pretzel chunk blocking disc motor.. do not ask me how THAT go there!)
-Other than that, so far, so good!!!!

1999 Mercedes E320 V-6
-Bought at 40K now has 55K
-Rear left side window fell,... (covered by warrenty)
-Left driver's dash speaker stopped working... still have to fix that....
-Harmonic balancer broke... scratched timing cover... got lucky that time.. thanks to mom's quick reaction time and good decision to not drive the car.
-passenger side window started to move by itself randomly on the highway... resolved itself so far...

1998 Acura CL 3.0
Bought at 30K now 58K...
-Throttle body recalled... replaced
-driver's window fell... repaired ($$$OUCH!!)
-wheel bearing failed in rear forgot which side... replaced.
-front right spring shattered on speed bump.... replaced.. (very slow when going over it...! ???? )
-right signal light stuck on... something was replaced under warrenty/good will of dealership
-recall on gas filler part..... replaced by dealership for freeeeeee!
Albeit all the recalls and problems... still seems like a nice car...

2000 Volkswagon New Beetle
Bought at 8K now 78K
-door handles flaking since 5K.....
-fabric stains with the slightest amount of moisture...
So far, very good!

1989 Mercedes 300E
Bought at 38K now 188K
-OVP relay bad (discovered and repaired at like 185K lol) been stalling for like 2 years... finally pinpointed the problem thanks to this forum!
-(50K~)dealership did not secure coolant bottle cap... overheated severly on highway very suddenly... engine survived... or so it seemed... refilled with coolant and water mixture and driven home like nothing happened....
dealership forced to pay for repairs... after a few letters sent to MBUSA...
WE GOT LUCKY!
engine pulled, piston rings replaced..., water pump replaced.... head reconditioned and gaskets seals replaced... all new hoses ....
Still sucks that they would be so careless... I know the engine will no longer last to 500K even if I tried....
maybe 300K will do....
-other than that, all still good....

1982 BMW 733i
-bought at 138K sold at 145K
-was supposed to be my first car... but it needed a new hvac system and paintjob. blew hot air all the time, even in 100F summer heat! sold since it would need too much....
-engine however still had factory new compression specs! very impressive

Lately we have had only German and Japanese cars... both do pretty good... I really enjoy old cars... old german cars are the most fun for me.

It seems that old German cars get plagued with electrical and a few cosmetic and minor mechanical issues...
American cars can make it into the high mile ranges.. but they are too expensive to keep replacing parts that keep failing one after another... usually fall apart too quickly (at least in my experience)
Japanese cars last forever but when they get up in the high mile ranges they loose alot of the class and quality... door panels start shaking, parts everywhere feel really old and loose... looses all the fun!

__________________
2006 BMW M5 "Heidi" @ 109,000 miles
2005 MBZ C55 AMG "Lorelai" @ 165,000 miles
1991 MBZ 300E "Benzachino II" @ 165,000 miles
1990 MBZ 500SL "Shoshanna" @ 118,000 miles

(On the hunt for a good used M103 engine as of 6/10/23, PM me if you have one to sell!)

Last edited by Rahulio1989300E; 04-04-2005 at 05:59 PM.
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