My Mercedes has cost me so much, yets its still my favorite. I own a 94 C220 which I turned into a c36 AMG replica about 5-6 years ago. So Far this car has cost me $15 000 in repairs in the last 5 years ALONe! Everything has died on this car. Engine Wireharness cost me $2000 dollars after diagnosis time and install and part charge by the dealer. My E-brake has broken without use, my wiper linkage has broken twice, and replacing the wiper linkage has been very costly. 2 Air Mass Meters, 1 power window, malfunctioing factory stereo, engine mounts which collapsed on me, bushings which fell apart, and on and on.
Right now this car is in need of 8000 dollars of more repairs as my dealer has given me an estimate for. My tranny is acting funny. THe dealer has told me I need 3500 dollars for a merceders tranny swap and 1500 in labor. After taxes this amounts to $5500! Then also, my door locks have stopped working, and I've been told I need a new door locking Vacum pump at a cost of $1200 dollars. I also need a new Air MASS meter again! at a cost of 650 dollars! I have a feeling that someone stole my Air Mass Meter....and put there faulty one in, since it should have last for more then a year. Two quick snaps and they can be stolen, so always keep an eye on your car when it goes in for work. Also I need a new Aux. Relay since last week my turn signals and rear defrost window stopped working normally, and is workign sparingly. That part mercedes canada quoated me 200 dollars for. So actuaslly my car needs 9000 in repairs still, plus the 15 000 i have receipts to show everyone I have spent in less then 5 years on it. Mercedes quailty is simply not there anymore.

My 98' BMW 528i in the mean time has only cost me $500 Dollars for a new water pump.

Correct me if I'm wrong, folks:

Considering the age of this car, it really doesn't fall into the recent-year decline of MB quality that we all basically agree on.
Unfortunately it sounds like you have either a lemon or some bad repair work going on. $15,000 in repairs? Highway robbery. Something very funky is going on for you to need more repairs than the car is worth.

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ALG

I recently got a white 1982 380SEL with 75,000 miles for $1,000....I think I got a great deal cause the condition of the car seems to be very good with no rust, and almost everything working on the car. Previous owner got it new and used it only about half of the year as they had two homes and the car was kept covered most of the time. The odometer stopped at 61,000 miles, but supposedly the owner only added about 15,000 since then......
impossible to know for sure.

Erik

I bought my 1987 190e 2.3-16V in 2002 for $4000 canadian. That was quite a deal back then.

I paid $12,888 for a 97 C230 in October of 2003 from a dealer. Car had 57K on it when purchased with standard 1 yr starmark warranty, have been happy so far.

I purchased my wonderful 220D "1970" for $450.00
With tender loving care (by me) and $250.00 worth of parts,she purrs like a kitten.
I am happy to drive this (My first Benz).
Oh BTW,I'm a newbie here....a hello to all.

Just paid 4800 for a 1989 Black/grey with 122k miles..

near mint..... well taken care of... I am extremely happy since I plan on keeping this car for the very long haul.

I bought my 1979 300SD 2 years ago for $3,200 with no rust and 112,000 miles,

I bought my 1983 300D two months ago for $2,800 with no rust and 142,000 miles

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Proud owner of ....
1971 280SE W108
1979 300SD W116
1983 300D W123
1975 Ironhead Sportster chopper
1987 GMC 3/4 ton 4X4 Diesel
1989 Honda Civic (Heavily modified)
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Section 609 MVAC Certified
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"He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." - Friedrich Nietzsche

Paid $2,250 three weeks ago on Ebay. Has some rust, some little things wrong, 333K Miles. I think I got a bargain.

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Doug

1987 300TD x 3
2005 E320CDI

Bought a 1991 420 SEL for $6900. Two days later drove it 2300 miles to the Chicago area from California. Runs awesome very comfortable best car I have ever bought for the price.
Tom

1988 560SL with 77k 16,900 last fall.


so far so good., no major repairs needed, and car is as solid and reliable as the owner stated

paid $1800 for car below in new jersey a week ago. runs great, looks good outside, shabby interior. only things that don't work are cruise and acc.

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1979 300SD 190k Blue/Parchment

1989 300 SEL 133K miles. Paid $2000 in May, and about $1000 in parts since.

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1989 300 SEL that mostly works, but needs TLC

1250 in Mar and 1000 for a greasecar conversion about 250 in repairs so far.

Dave

$ 5,300 '93 190E, put a stereo in for 1,700 and got it detailed and a little small stuff on the side and its great only 113k miles also.