What's your yearly repair bills?
 

I had more work done do my car recently, and decided to upgrade my rims. The car looks great and runs good, but when I look back at my repair bills since I've own the car I've been spending quite alot ($4709.81 in 2 years - - - I originally paid $3,500 for the car 1986 300E)

Here is the breakdown:
2/13/02 $3,500.00 Car purchased
5/31/02 $ 939.21 Major tune up done Dist cap, rotor, plugs
Window switch passenger front & driver rear ABS sensor, cable
Temp switch/sensor
Headlight door/bezel (driver side)
(ALL NEW PARTS)
11/21/02 $1,721.97 Transmission rebuilt w/OEM parts

Total expenses for 2002: $3,500 (car) + $2,661.18 (repairs) = $6,161.18

3/19/03 $161.44 Driver’s side tie rod
3/20/03 $100 Towing
3/20/03 $243.21 Adj rod, belt, fan schroud
5/27/03 $152.03 Alternator (rebuilt)

Total expenses for 2003: $656.68

1/21/04 $679.95 Centerlink, ball joints, Driver’s side seat relay
(used), dash bulbs & socket
1/25/04 $212.00 Fuel filter, fuel pump (BOSCH) NEW
1/25/03 $500 4 Rims

Total expenses for 2004 up to date = $1,391.95

Total expenses for 2 years = $4,707.81 - I spent more to keep this car running than what I originally paid for the car! Am I crazy???? How about others on this forum, what are your spending yearly to keep your car running smooth?


jrmd01@yahoo.com

So you spent $ 2400.00 / year on maintenance/repairs, on an 18 year old car.
Ha, I see people spending that kind of money on a 3-4 year old car.
By my calculations, that's about 5 months worth of payments on a new one.
I don't have a degree in economics, but find it cheaper to maintain & repair, then purchasing new vehicles periodically ( maintenance, depreciation, higher insurance costs, etc, etc.). ;)

Admittedly I purchased new wheels, tires and exhaust for my car last year, but I spent just over $11,500.00 maintaining my c280. It seems that everything that could possibly go wrong or wear out, did. Head gasket, water pump, alternator, brakes, ignition trouble, etc, etc. I still haven't corrected the MIL lamp problem completely. That's going to be another grand or so, as it's the diagnostic module that's gone. It won't communicate with the OBDII connector. My exhaust was shot, so that's why I replaced it, and my wheels are knockoffs. An impressive piece of cash for a year. Good thing most of it is tax deductable and I am in a 50+% marginal tax bracket.

My W123 300TD averaged US$3,000 per year
The W124 300TEs averaged US$4,000 to US$4,500 per year
The W124 E 320 T averaged US$4,000
The W140 S 320 averaged US$5,000 per year
The V140 S 500 L has run up to US$3,500 for four months of use.

These costs include regular maintenance, broken parts, and tires. They do not include yearly taxes and insurance.

Parts here are a little expensier than in the States, but labor hourly rate is a bit cheaper, although the authorized dealer (which I use) is extremely expensive in labor.

Hi jmd01

I know it hurts to get the wallet out;-)

However looking at your expenditure it is not excessive and your spending items are in the main either investments or fair and tear items. But lets analyse your bills:

Here is the breakdown:
2/13/02 $3,500.00 Car purchased
5/31/02 $ 939.21 Major tune up done Dist cap, rotor, plugs
Window switch passenger front & driver rear ABS sensor, cable
Temp switch/sensor
Headlight door/bezel (driver side)
(ALL NEW PARTS)
Well I would put this down largely as investment spending and 'peace of mind' on purchasing an 18 year old car. The Dizzy, rotor arm and plugs are a wise spend and may eliminate from the diagnosis if you get rough running, poor starting scenarios if you encounter them in the months ahead. Pity you did not go the whole nine yards and fit new HT leads.

11/21/02 $1,721.97 Transmission rebuilt w/OEM parts

The transmission job is obviously the most expensive and you may have been unlucky but again an investment spend and with luck you will not have to revisit until around 2020!!


Total expenses for 2002: $3,500 (car) + $2,661.18 (repairs) = $6,161.18

3/19/03 $161.44 Driver’s side tie rod Fair wear and tear
3/20/03 $100 Towing
3/20/03 $243.21 Adj rod, belt, fan schroudNot sure what happened here or why the incipient defect was not detected by you before failure -did you not hear unusual noise - well again fair wear and tear.
5/27/03 $152.03 Alternator (rebuilt)Fair wear and tear


Total expenses for 2003: $656.68

1/21/04 $679.95 Centerlink, ball joints, Driver’s side seat relay
(used), dash bulbs & socketFair wear and tear

1/25/04 $212.00 Fuel filter, fuel pump (BOSCH) NEWFair wear and tear

1/25/03 $500 4 Rims Fair wear and tear - was this a cosmetic purchase you must have at least seen the state of the rims when you purchased the car


Total expenses for 2004 up to date = $1,391.95

Total expenses for 2 years = $4,707.81 - I spent more to keep this car running than what I originally paid for the car! Am I crazy???? How about others on this forum, what are your spending yearly to keep your car running smooth?




Overall I would add most of this cost back to the purchase price of the vehicle, most of your spending has been investment/fair wear and tear items. It is an 18 year old car and after all you inspected it before purchase. Obviously the more you can do yourself will reduce overall repair costs but remember dont skimp on regular service items and investigate strange noises immediately.Enjoy your car.

!!!
 

I have to say some of you folks have spent some big $$$ on your cars. I bought my car in 2002 and since have spent money on oil changes which of course I won't include, but I had to replace the

-windshield $260.00
-Ignition Wires- 144
-Spark Plugs one or two times -$16.00
-Transmission Service- $120
-R & R Under the Intake Manifold- $450.00
- Cap- $60
- Front Brakes- $80 ( Pads and Labour included.)
- Rotor- $15.00
- Sunroof Switch (used) $10.00
- Tune Up i.e adjusted timing etc- $145.00
- Muffler - $200
- Power Antenna $30 did it myself. got it wholesale. I guess on the Regular a power antenna is about $50. plus labour.

Approximately $ 1650 from September 2002 to Date Not to shaby for a 20 year old car. Granted I knew the car had a few issues when I bought it. 2. It was one of those granpa cars, where some nice old man was getting rid of his toys!!
I may be putting some more $$$ because I have a rough idle issue, and the EGR is the suspect. I would also like to put in new injectors.

Upgrades

DVD navigation system $1200
DVD head Unit $ 1100.
Clear corner lights $ 40.00
Remote Starter & keyless entry $ 125 ( know someone in the business.)

MANNY – I agree with you, I think it’s cheaper to maintain and repair than buying a new car. My car is a 1986, but it looks like a 95’ (and newer for those not familiar w/Mercedes). Hopefully putting all these new parts will keep the car running smooth for another 18 years.

BENZFAN – $11,500 on repairs, damn!!!! I thought my car was bad. I don’t know if I would have put in that kind of money into my car. Although you car is newer and probably nicer than mine so it might very well be worth the investment. Good thing you’re going to “write off” these repair cost in your taxes.

A.ROSICH - $4,000/yr to maintain your W124. WOW! This must be “chump change” for you cause you have a nice collection of Mercedes.

NORMANB – For the most part, most of my expenses were due to wear & tear or preventative maintenance. I’m just hoping that my expenses will decrease in the future because I’ve been changing all of the worn parts with new ones. The only “cosmetic” expense were the rims. I really like the look of the AMG monoblock II on the 300E W124.

THEURIG - $1650 on repairs in the last 1.5yrs. That’s not bad. You spent more on your navigation system and “comestics”…that’s cool. I bet your car gets all of the girl’s attention. Hehehe.

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Overall I like my car. I am just hoping that replacing all of these wear and tear items and preventative maintenance will keep any future repair cost down to around $500/year. Thanks to all those who replied, it’s nice to know that my repair expenses is NOT EXCESSIVE.

Jrmd01@yahoo.com

I think a better indication of 'value' or a car 'bleeding money' is cost per mile. This last year I figured out I was paying about 0.15Cents per mile - seemed resonable for the amount of repairs I needed to do. Repairs happen in spurts too. You could end up going for a long time with no money invested in repairs. Good luck.

Outside of warranty and scheduled maintenance and one O2 sensor which I would not necessarily count as an unscheduled repair given the mileage, $0/year on repairs so far and 7 years counting.

It's never been more than $1200 in a year. Typically around $500.

In the next year or so, I'll have the heads redone along with the chain/rails etc. That'll be a few grand+, but after that I don't forsee sinking too much money into the car.

It has 126k miles/13 yrs old, but looks/drives like 4 year old car with 40k miles and best of all no car payments. Cash all the way baby.

Here are my costs so far.

6/30/02 Bought car, 1991 300CE, $9500.

These are the repairs I did, (besides fluids and filters) so just the cost of parts:

tumbler 90
SRS and horn contacts 50
horn hub 80
voltage regulator 50
front brakes, rotors, sensors 165
speedbleeders 30
thermostat 15
engine pan cover 60
viscous clutch 130 (it was probably still good)
drag link 48
battery 88


At the indie:

coolant hose at oil filter 195
head gasket,plugs, valve seals, temp switch 1686
water pump, belt 687
new tires 360

glenmore
1991 300CE
1990 LS400

Just a small correction.
O2 sensors are considered a tune-up item!
Recommended replacement interval 60 k miles. ;)

just wondering .. hmm .. did you not even replace say batt/tires/exhaust? in 7 yrs?
or do you count that as regular maintenence same as oil changes / filters and the like?

Response to replies
 

DTF – “cost per mile” that’s interesting….what would you say is a bad / good / excellent rate?

ALI-LA-CHALIABI – nothing for 7 years!!! That’s great! I wish I had your luck. Just wondering though, you paid nothing “outside of warranty & scheduled maintenance” but what were the cost of repair (if any) done ON WARRANTY?

W126 – I am hoping my future maintenance cost will mimic yours ($500/yr). “ It has 126k miles/13 yrs old, but looks/drives like 4 year old car with 40k miles and best of all no car payments. Cash all the way baby” I agree with that statement 100%

GLENMORE - $3734 for 1year and 8 months of ownership. Not bad. Looking over your repairs, it seems like you are a DIY guy (you only have 2 expenses over $500). I bet that saved you lots of money.

BENZFAN is from Canada, like myself, so that's in CAD$.

Many of my expenses for my W201 are hopefully "one-time" expenses - that is, for parts that will last maybe 5+ years.

My priorities for investing in my car are: safety, reliability, performance and aesthetics, in that order.