Terrified of growing old with a newer e-class . . . - Benzworld.org

grundig · 08-28-2008, 05:16 PM

I've been looking to buy either a 2007 - 2008 e-class or a 2009 c-class. Yep, I'm one of those dreamers whose going to buy a car, treat it right, and keep it forever. I was on my way to that recently with my 9 year old Volvo S80 when the kid totalled it. Got a good settlement, would like to try MB, here I am.

Looked at c and e class. I'm 6'4 and like the size of the e-class, although the c works, and here in Canada I can order a c without the moonroof so that helps. But I like the e class (dare I say I think it's more of a "real" Mercedes?) Problem: why does MB insist on building the most complicated gadget laden car in the world? I mean, c'mon, who the heck really needs pivoting headlights and heated steering wheels and folding outside mirrors? Or electronics that control every function of the car? What happened to the good old days when they gave you a quality frame and sheetmetal, great paint, good engine and tranny, and nice teutonic interior? I mean, with all the foo foo that they put on the car, I'm terrified to own one without a warranty on it. Will anyone really want to own one after the warranty expires and repairs are out of pocket?

I want to pay my money, and have a quality product that I can rely on as time passes. I know this is a complaint of many MB'ers, but what choice do we have? I sell real estate and am seen in my car daily. I can't realistically drive an early 90's Mercedes; got to have something reasonably current.

I'm tempted to go c class because the car is a lot simpler than the e. But I like the size and prestige level of the e. Am I making too much of this? Does anyone know or suspect what will happen to these cars as they age? Is it really a situation of lease or buy and then dump it when the warranty or extended warranty runs out? MB's max warranty is really a total of 6 years; that makes buying every 6 years an expensive proposition. What to do . . .

nlehre · 08-28-2008, 11:22 PM

I don't think anyone can say how 2007 - 2008 E class cars will be judged six years from now. These cars are very mature in the model cycle and most of the quality issues have been addressed. But there will undoubtably be some that have problems. But look at the W210 class cars that are still going with100K+ and 200K+ miles on them. This says something. When you say you can't be seen in an early 90s model, I wonder why? A well maintained W210 in the right color makes a nice statement. And if I was your client, I would be impressed by your taste and good sense. I guess because you're posting on this site, you're like most of us and won't consider a Lexus. But it might make more sense for you if you're really concerned about the reliability issues. To reword a pickup lover's phrase, "I'd rather push a Mercedes than drive a Lexus." Ha!

Kajtek1 · 08-28-2008, 11:32 PM

You want less complicated car?
My first own Fiat 126
-only 2 cylinders, 2 spark-plugs and 4 valves.
-no cooling fluid (air cooled)
-no starter solenoid (cable-activated starter)
-no heater blower motor (engine blower was supplying flow of hot air)
-no AC
-no airbags
-no cruise control
-no traction control
-no ABS
-no booster pump
-no power steering
-no electric seats (heck the only adjustement was sliding it forward and back)
-no electronics but some in the radio. Did it has the radio?

the memories of being young and single PRICELESS.

Trango · 08-29-2008, 12:56 AM

Sounds like you should go for a 2009 E. Last of its generation. Should have matured indeed as others have pointed out already.

No offense to C owners, but you're right, it feels less Mercedes-Benz. The other day when I ordered the 2009 E, the dealer asked "would you be interested in a nice C AMG?". Looked at him and said "no". C is way too small and the hard lines just don't say luxury. Mind you, a full option C sport car looks nice, even the interior to some extend, but my neighbour drives a basic C ("Classic") without any package, not even leather, and it's one sad car. So, all in all, a fully packed C (and I mean fully) has a bit of a prestige attached to it, remains a small car, and will never reach the luxury and exclusive feel of the current E class. I doubt the next gen E class will actually be as nice as the current ones - judging by all the spy shots it's clear it won't be.

cagalbraith · 08-29-2008, 05:25 AM

Unless your E Class turns out to be a total disaster, it's always less expensive to repair a car rather than replace it when the warranty ends.

Figure out how much it would cost you to replace a 7 year old E Class with a new one. Divide by 7 years and that's how much you would have to spend over the next 7 years repairing your current E Class to make it worthwhile to do a trade.

sualk54 · 08-29-2008, 08:48 AM

Need to correspond with you on so many levels I don't know where to start

I'm a real estate broker in Waterdown and I use my '92 500SL for business, two years as a summer toy, last two years as a daily 24/7/365 driver

In the last 4 years, besides scheduled maintenance, the car needed new tires [~850], new front pads and machine rotors [~480], machined rear rotors and replaced fan belt [~375] and a new ignition switch from the dealer [~1200, including some other work]

I have received numerous comments from Clients about my choice of ride- you must make too much [I provide quality service and expect the same in return, would you be more comfortable dealing with one of my competitors who is a couple of payments behind on his Kia?], our last realtor drove us around in his car [I run a real estate practice, not a taxi service...besides, I thought you and your spouse would appreciate being able to discuss the last house we saw in private...] but for the most part they were positive

The car has also gotten me business because it automatically screams some level of success.

I paid 32k for it in late '04 with 48k km when our dollar was still in the dumpster. Revenue Canada says its a Class 10.1 vehicle which means any difference between book value and actual value is tax free. The book value is about $7,200, I would argue the trade in or wholesale value is in the 16-17 range which means I could legally pocket about $10k, tax free, if I traded it, never mind sold it privately for just under 20- the car only has about 85k on it

I want to run the following scenario past my accountant when he gets back from vacation on Tuesday

I want to lease an '09 E class and have been quoted $932 per month. As far as I know, Rev Can will allow me to deduct the first 850 if the car is used for business, which it will be 100% of the time because I will use the SL for personal use.

The residual of the car would be about $36,000 at lease end, clearly making it a Class 10.1 vehicle. I will then buy the car outright and my allowable depreciation will be 30% on a declining balance basis for the first $30,000. At the end of the third year of ownership, the depreciated book value of the car will be about $10,500 and the anticipated trade value will be in the 18-19,000 range, again a legal, tax free windfall of some $8-9,000 while I enjoy driving a comfortable and safe vehicle loaded with all the latest toys

Remember, the GST can be claimed as an input credit and any service can be written off, on a prorated basis

And, to paraphrase OREA, readers of this post acknowledge that information provided by any REALTOR shall not be construed as expert legal, tax, construction, structural or environmental advice

PM or email me if you have any questions

mr.xpowerseller · 08-29-2008, 08:26 PM

Sounds like you don't want a Mercedes. You say you don't like gadgets and want to keep the thing forever. If this was 1990, then yes, I'd tell you to go get a Benzo. But it is not. After the warranty expires, you will be spending big bucks to maintain that E350. If you really want something with a 'quality frame and sheetmetal, great paint, good engine and tranny, and nice teutonic interior' then you need to take a look at a Lexus ES350. It sounds like what you are looking for. It is slightly smaller then the E350 in size, but larger then the C300/350. It is made at the highest rated automotive plant in the world and will still be on the road in 20+ years. It isn't going to give you many problems and you can order it without a lot of the gadgets that you hate (active HID headlamps are actually VERY useful!)

luckytruck · 08-30-2008, 01:05 AM

if you are choosing between the 08 c300/350 and the 08 /09 e350, then definitely 08 e350. i had an 08 c300 and upgraded to the 08 e350 due to size and features.

i plan to keep the e for as long as i can.

willy_manilly · 08-30-2008, 03:43 AM

Just buy a used 2005 model with an extended warranty (y)

crb49 · 08-30-2008, 12:49 PM

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