Hey guys! Checking in...

[rondocap]

Hey everyone! If you all remember, I sold my S55 last July and got a 11' VW GTI with all of the options. I always read up on the boards - in the future I am thinking of swinging back in with a C63. I do miss my S55, car was really comfortable. But I did get a new found joy in handling with the GTI - and after some (inexpensive) tunes and mods, it's even faster than the S55. One thing I do not miss - repair and maintenance on the S55. You guys may remember my posts on what I was spending, averaging out to over $1,000 over a year just to keep that 2001 S55 happy. (Motor mounts, alternators, ABC stuff, you name it.) Feels good to have a car with 100% warranty and maintenance included! Anyway - just dropping by to say hi. I'd love to have that S55 back if it was new and with warranty, but that really was the killer. Oh, and people definitely noticed my change from the S55 to the GTI. A lot of smart (and often funny) comments about the economy, etc. Mercedes definitely has a strong image in the minds of people, whether it is always true or not! I still look at pictures of the S55 on those dark, lonely nights when I miss it.

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[SFBIGBODY415]

That's a big switch in cars huge car to small hatch.

[haoz129]

Originally Posted by rondocap

Hey everyone! If you all remember, I sold my S55 last July and got a 11' VW GTI with all of the options.
...

Nice sharing, Rondocap.

I read a lots of your posts and they are very inspiring. I know you did many maintenance and repair by yourself and I'm following the path.

Actually $1000/year for maintenance and repair isn't much to keep an euro car running without warranty. I spent around $1200/year on my 2003 Volvo XC70 in the past 5 years which include summer/winter tires/rims, for sure gas and insurance not included.

It's true you feel worry free owning a new car with warranty since you paid for it. I'm enjoying the DIY and feeling much more confident than letting others to take care of them. In the future I will allow others to touch my car if I'm getting old or can't turn the wrench.

It's nice to have the experience with both S55 and GTI. The GTI must be running like a swift. It's a beautiful car with big soul under a Golf skin. The Benz is a solid and heavy tank indeed. I bet the two drives are totally different and not comparable. I even feel my XC70 light and handy when jumping off the S600.

Anyway enjoy the nice GTI and hope you will come back with your new Benz someday.

Best regards.

Howard

[alkemist]

Wow you are a true champ.
I am sure not too many of us can do such a drastic transition.
Living in US, where gas price is 1/3 the cost in Europe, owning an S-class may seem like a dream come true, a true luxury at a fraction of the cost of the original price. Due to its drastic depreciation costs, the S class was recently named the best used car to own for the money, a car that comes with a cost to own. I too, spend a hundred or so under a grand per year in maintenance and repairs, for that I am happy. Of course I could also buy a VW and be worry free, but for some reason I would simply not feel as safe as I do in my S class. Perhaps its all due to my past driving experiences. Nevertheless I hope you are happy with your new economy vehicle. You truly have made a big step toward a major change. I am glad you have chosen our German friend. And I am absolutely positive you will have a much more worry free ownership of your vehicle than all of us have. Good luck and be safe!

[tusabes]

I think he left a digit out of that $1000/year repair figure, because he detailed over $14000 in repairs in his old thread

[classyS]

rondocap - your pothole incident and blowing out 2 tires still haunts me lol

[rondocap]

Yeah actually I meant $1,000 a month roughly - some months were more or less, but that's a closer average.

Believe it or not, a brand new GTI like mine is about $30k - and it has everything updated the S55 had and things it missed- Xenons, navi, bluetooth, satellite radio, etc.

At first glance, it seems like a drastic transition from an S class to a GTI - but I'm in it for the drive. I love driving performance cars - all different types. So I want to try as many different ones as possible, my car attention span is like a year and a half at most, lol.

But I miss that S class. When I see one, I always remember how much I enjoyed it apart from the maintenance. But heck, I did drive it a lot.

I got a flat in my GTI today too, so it's not only a Mercedes problem!

[W220S430]

Time to spend another couple thuosand on an APR stage 3 kit

[Fraser]

The GTI is a great car, my brother had a DSG equipped Edition 30 that was a top end spec and included an extra 30bhp from the factory. Very well screwed together and great fun to drive! I've been considering getting a 2012 GTI for the wife.