[dclawyer]

I own a 2001 E320 4Matic with 65,000 miles on the odometer. When I purchased the car new, I also bought an extended warranty from MB for 8 years or 80,000 miles. The time will expire in September and I am deciding whether to trade the car in or keep it. My dealer just replaced the catalytic converter on the separate warranty for that part that would have cost $1,400 if I had to pay for it. I have also had quite a few warranty claims. My service advisor said he wouldn't own a MB without a warranty.

My question is this: if I resist the new car itch what would be a reasonable amount to budget annually for repairs assuming I keep the car another two years. I would have the car serviced at my dealer which is only a mile from home. I know it's a crap shoot but I see folks keep these cars a long time. I also hear a new transmission costs $6K or $7K. But new cars are also expensive. I live in Maryland where the sales tax alone is 6%.

 

[01rollas]

i want to tell you to wait but its up to you. Also knowing how MD is on emissions your car should do well since it has low mileage for its year. Honestly, just wait and save some more on it then buy whatever you feel comfortable with. My friend has a 2000 E320 with 150K miles on it and still runs smoothly. Drives from Arizona to Texas and back. Within all the time he has had it the check engine light comes on from time to time for a faulty Oxygen sensor. Both him and I are waiting for the new W212 to come out. But hey its up to you. BTW he bought the car about a year and a half ago with 112,000 miles for 11K.

 

[odel]

It is unlikely that annual repair/maintenance cost exceeds the stiff depreciation costs from a new car. Assuming $55K for a new E 350 (before sales tax), the first year alone, book value goes down 15%. MB are supposed to age nicely, and this is when you are getting some of your money back from the higher sticker price, compared to other brands. Buying a new car is a personal/pleasure treat, not a financial placement. 65K miles is really not a lot. I intend on keeping mine for a 100K miles, and then trade it in for a new one.

 

[n5160u]

Check to see if your dealer offers any third party service contracts. Most dealers have several optional plans they offer to pre-owned buyers of cars that are out of warranty. If you have a trustworthy SA he can tell you which plans actually work and which ones arn't worth the paper there printed on.

 

[MB-SV]

Better off buying another used CPO Mercedes with fairly low miles. You can extend the Mercedes warranty that comes with the car to a maximum of 4 years/100,000 miles. Depreciation hit won't be as bad as a new car since the car will be 1-3 years old already. Just me 2 cents.

 

[mr.xpowerseller]

Either keep it and don't fall for their "you need a warranty or else you are going to die". Do budget some for repairs if you keep. 01 was a very good model year for your car. OR, sell it yourself (do not trade that car!!!! it's a private sellers' gem!!!) and get a CPO 07 E350.

 

[monkeybagel]

I own a 2001 E320 4Matic with 65,000 miles on the odometer. When I purchased the car new, I also bought an extended warranty from MB for 8 years or 80,000 miles. The time will expire in September and I am deciding whether to trade the car in or keep it. My dealer just replaced the catalytic converter on the separate warranty for that part that would have cost $1,400 if I had to pay for it. I have also had quite a few warranty claims. My service advisor said he wouldn't own a MB without a warranty.

My question is this: if I resist the new car itch what would be a reasonable amount to budget annually for repairs assuming I keep the car another two years. I would have the car serviced at my dealer which is only a mile from home. I know it's a crap shoot but I see folks keep these cars a long time. I also hear a new transmission costs $6K or $7K. But new cars are also expensive. I live in Maryland where the sales tax alone is 6%.

The 2001s are good cars. I had great luck out of the two W210s I have owned, and they were E55s. I would keep it. You know the car, and it has great mileage, so unless you are just tired of it, I wouldn't trade/sell it.

 

[cagalbraith]

If you're concerned strictly about the cost of repairs, there's no way that your car could cost more to repair than the cost of replacing it with another.

When I bought my E Class, I budgeted a thousand dollars a year to keep it in tip-top shape. Each year, the unspent money (and that's most of it) goes into an interest bearing account against the day when something expensive breaks.

Works for me...

 

[dclawyer]

Where I live there is no way I could reasonably budget 1K a year to maintain my E. An A Service costs about $275 and a B service costs over $400. Beyond that the replacement of brake pads, fluids and filters are all expensive. Just a few weeks ago I needed a new catalytic converter, ball joints and another repair. The instrument cluster has been replaced twice due to missing pixels (I guess I could live with that but wouldn't want to). Twice the car wouldn't start and needed a new electrical part. My dealer charges $115 an hour. Even if I don't need a new transmission I could easily spend 3 to 5K a year repairing and maintaining my E. Would that still be cheaper than a new car? I reckon so but maybe not by much. I could go to an independent shop and save a bit but my dealer is a mile from home and I trust my SA. He said he wouldn't keep a MB without a warranty. The repair costs are high and reliability isn't the best. But if you're spending less than 1K a year, you're a lucky fellow!

 

[mr.xpowerseller]

Where I live there is no way I could reasonably budget 1K a year to maintain my E. An A Service costs about $275 and a B service costs over $400. Beyond that the replacement of brake pads, fluids and filters are all expensive. Just a few weeks ago I needed a new catalytic converter, ball joints and another repair. The instrument cluster has been replaced twice due to missing pixels (I guess I could live with that but wouldn't want to). Twice the car wouldn't start and needed a new electrical part. My dealer charges $115 an hour. Even if I don't need a new transmission I could easily spend 3 to 5K a year repairing and maintaining my E. Would that still be cheaper than a new car? I reckon so but maybe not by much. I could go to an independent shop and save a bit but my dealer is a mile from home and I trust my SA. He said he wouldn't keep a MB without a warranty. The repair costs are high and reliability isn't the best. But if you're spending less than 1K a year, you're a lucky fellow!

You know what your problem is. You are getting all work done at the stealership. They will sell you overpriced parts and overpriced labor. You could cut that labor price in HALF by going somewhere else. You need to purchase the parts yourself and then have a good shop install them. Did you know that in many areas you can find ex-MB dealer service tech's working at independent garages? Buying the parts yourself, then having someone else install them is the absolute cheapest way to keep your car up if you are not a DIY person. There is no reason to get everything done at the dealer. There is no reason to buy parts from the dealer. You are blowing excessive amounts of money on overpriced stuff! You could EASILY spend under $1k per year if you stopped going to the dealer for every little problem and started getting it done elsewhere.

 

[cagalbraith]

Wow!

At my dealer, an A service runs about 100 dollars! I have a suspicion that part of your issue is where you live. I'm in Harrisburg, Pa - the sticks...

 

[MB-SV]

Big city prices, no surprise here in the SF Bay Area of California. Also a car prone to unplanned breakdowns is not good for some professionals. The E with relatively low mileage has bad history already. Still makes sense to consider another CPO car with MB 2/3/4 year (you select) 100K miles warranty.

 

[00e320]

I live in MD as well and I have a 2000 E320. I go to the Dealer for some things and I have an independent for other things. I know how you feel about the maintenance costs but it will cost less to maintain the car than to get a new one. Remember, if you get the new one you may end up at the dealer for repairs anyway. You may be under warranty, but you lose your time and you get to pay more for the privilege! What part of MD are you in? Maybe I can recommend shops for you. My email is [email protected]. Put Mercedes-Benz in the subject line so I don't accidentally delete you.

Lawrence

 

[luckytruck]

i just got a 2008 E350 with the standard 4 yer, 50,000 mile warranty. The lease is a 3.5 year lease. When the lease is up and i want to purchase the car, will i be able to purchase an extended warranty of another 4 years/100,000 miles? how much would that cost me?

andy

 

[Kajtek1]

I am getting an impression that it is MB MECHANICS that make the trouble.
I've been DIY our cars and they seems to run forever with pennies on the repairs.
I just bought E320cdi with over 140k on it. Plan to keep it for next 20 years.

unless I got bored and I will find a car that makes 60 mpg as a replacement.

 

[luckytruck]

i plan on keeping this e350 for at least 10 years. that will make my eldest son 18 years old, he can have it if he wants it by then. yup, i will let him drive a beater for two years from 15 to 18years old.

andy

 

[dclawyer]

I am getting an impression that it is MB MECHANICS that make the trouble.
I've been DIY our cars and they seems to run forever with pennies on the repairs.
I just bought E320cdi with over 140k on it. Plan to keep it for next 20 years.

unless I got bored and I will find a car that makes 60 mpg as a replacement.

Well my E320 has genuinely needed repairs. Twice it would not start. It also needed a new catalytic converter, a new compressor and many other repairs. The need for these repairs was not created by a mechanic.

In my opinion, you've been luckier than the average bear.

 

[MB-SV]

Well my E320 has genuinely needed repairs. Twice it would not start. It also needed a new catalytic converter, a new compressor and many other repairs. The need for these repairs was not created by a mechanic.

In my opinion, you've been luckier than the average bear.

dcl - Didn't know you owned a Benz. After the E320, no wonder you are concerned about reliability. Consider completing your profile (location,car).

I too don't like to depend on luck.

 

[dclawyer]

dcl - Didn't know you owned a Benz. After the E320, no wonder you are concerned about reliability. Consider completing your profile (location,car).

I too don't like to depend on luck.

I just updated my profile. Does my car have a reputation for being unreliable?

 

[Musikmann]

I just updated my profile. Does my car have a reputation for being unreliable?

A 2001 E320 4matic with those few miles is no more undependable than any of the W210 series. Most of the modern Mercedes have maintenance issues and I have certainly had my share (covered by the CPO warranty) but none that stranded me. BTW, I have a service advisor who agrees with yours about a warranty.

To answer your initial post, I would keep that car. You can't sell or trade it in and expect to get much more than $12,000.