mercedes4ever

Just interested in why you choose to buy a Mercedes over the rest? Personally, I only buy German Products. I look for engineering excellence & for me... Mercedes delivers that.

Inspiredbenz

iTrader: (1)

Well built , looks good and is a respectable car !!! Cops dont come after me as much

jtalbert

I love german cars as well. I am a long time VW owner and 3 years ago when I decided to get rid of my Passat I was considering another VW, but one thing about VW's that can creep up with a problem is timing belt, since its a belt and not a chain and even though VW's are well engineered and drive great, the reliability can be questionable.

I was looking at an Audi that I came very close to purchasing, yes I know it would have had the same type of timing belt, but it was a nice car, at the right price, went home to think about it, and the next day it was gone.

Then I came across a 04 C240 4Matic. ( One of my requirements I was looking for was a car with AWD. And at first sight fell in love with the car. I went to the dealership and test drove it and it was love at first sight.

Before I test drove it I did a lot of research on MB's, reliability of both the engine and transmission and other general things and was happy with what I read and so this is the car I have been driving for 2.5 years. I have read many people who are on this forum have 200k+ miles on their W203 with proper maintenance, and I have been punctual on all my A and B services. The only thing I had not done was a transmission service, which has haunted me some. My car has 114k on it and last week I had a transmission scare which looks like it may be more of an electrical issue or something other than hopefully replacing the entire transmission so the trust and faith I had in MB has, at least for now be restored. I have never owned a car that I love driving as much as I love driving this car. Even though I have owned it 2.5 years, being in the DC area this is the first year that I really had a chance to test out the 4Matic in snow and am very impressed with it.

So in a nutshell, for a 9 year old car, the styling is still great, doesn't get old, drives and handles great and has kept my passion for German engineering. ( I am part German, which is one reason I like German cars!)

Oh and I did my transmission service this week and plan on it every 39k miles as long as this car will allow me to drive it, I will!

tommy

Because the Mini was a year away (didn't want to put my CRX through another Northeast winter), the Miata didn't have an adjustable steering column yet, the 1 Series was a couple of years away, the first-year WRX didn't come with a sunroof, and wanted to get my first new car (which crossed off the 318ti and EP3), plus there was no new Civic Si. So process of elimination kept it to the GTI vs the MB, and I knew about VW's quality issues, but based MB's off their reputation, which was a big mistake.

Live and learn. New WRX, MX5, and 2 Series are looking good so far!

Alswag

I wanted a quick RWD 2-door hatch that has a reliable engine and transmission, and my family all owned MB beforehand, so it was a no brainer.

efzauner

I needed to buy a car in 2009 and, owning a Honda Odyssey I naturally looked for a Honda or Toyota. At my Honda dealer's used car lot they had a C240 6 speed manual on the lot for about $15K with reasonable mileage. I was very surprised at the cost vs say a used Accord. So started looking at C240 vs BMW 3 series ( my first car out of university was a used BMW 530...loved it!) I found the C240s to be in better condition and better priced than the 3 series so I went for one. A 2005 with 70k Km on it (still some warranty left). Have 160K km on it now and it has been relatively trouble free. That prompted me to get an R class, which, unfortunately has been very unreliable.

tommy

Ouch - the Aztek of Mercedes Benz. I'm hoping you got a good deal on the R; they were being unloaded like an ugly prom date here in the US towards the end.

chazzz

I wanted a Mercedes because...

1) RWD (I'm no fan of FWD)
2) Timing chain (I'm no fan of rubber timing belt)
3) Roof strength
4) Safety

Hondas and Toyotas didn't meet my requirements.

cvx

I wanted a M-B because

-RWD
-German engineering + diesel engines that last until the end of the world
-Reliable and comfortable for 400+ mile journeys I do a lot
-Good build quality

I got everything else except good build quality and reliability (W203)

ncmudbug

I got mine partially because I got one for my wife. She fell in love with a CPO '06 C230 (she'd deny that today, but she sure seemed jazzed about it when we test drove it - the salesman said to drive till we liked it). I was driving a 2003 Chevy Malibu and when we brought her car home, I knew I wasn't driving that Malibu much longer. The next morning, I was looking to see what was at CarMax that had a straight shift and a beautiful 2005 C230K was listed. I preferred white for my car color, but the Diamond Black Metallic did look good. It was less in price than a Mini Cooper and a lot prettier in my opinion. There weren't any other good standard shift cars there and I was getting more tired of that Malibu the more I looked at the C230K so I ended up doing the insane thing - buying two Mercedes Benzes in two days. Prior to looking at the one I got for my wife, it never occurred to me to get one.

So that's why I bought a (two) Mercedes - I'm insane!

tc1728

What about the Camaro?

mercedes4ever

The Camaro is to remind me how well engineered a Benz is!

C230 Sport Coup

210K Miles and still runs and drives great.
+ the Pano roof, and solid feel.
I wanted a durable safe fun car, and I got it.

BD-C63

I have to admit the only reason I drive a Benz is because a a few years I was following a C63 and heard that awesome exhaust note... Had it for about 1.5 years now and I freakin' love it!

jkowtko

I bought a 1999 BMW 540i new ... this was my dream car at the time. Four door sedan with lots of power. What a lot of fun.

Then at ~90k miles the "lifetime" tranny went out. $5k later I was back on the road. Then the tapping noise started in the engine -- which on these cars I understand can be the variable valve timing system which is very expensive to replace. Coupled with higher gas prices, and I figured it was time to get rid of the big V8. January 2005.

My first thoughts were to go with an econo-car. I walked into a Scion dealership with the expectation that I could trade in the 540 for ~$13-14k and walk outwith a brand new Scion for a full even trade. What a crock ... the best deal they would give me was about $5k plus trade-in. Now why would anyone in their right mind hand in a BMW and still give money to get a Scion !!?

So the next thought was move up to Acura. $10k more than the Scion (or so I thought), but moving back into the luxury market. I owned Acuras prior and they were good cars. I have a lot of respect for Honda vehicle quality over the years. Wanting to stick with economical engines I test drove the TSX four cylinder four-door, hoping this would be the one for me. Unfortunately it wasn't. The engine sounded like a sewing machine. Very disappointed. And to get any options at all, the price tag hovered just under $30k ... yes 30k.

I always liked the body style of the w203 sedan, but didn't like the fact that overall it looked like a girls car. Then the 2005 Sport came out. Perfect styling and stance, new interior design -- this was definitely a boy's car. And the price was right -- $35k list, but I bought for $32+ ... so for a few K more than an Acura TSX I was able to get into a Mercedes.

So that's how I ended up with a Mercedes. I am very happy with the design and workmanship of these cars -- very well thought out. And since I'm not thrilled with the styling of the newer MBs I am planning to keep my w203 as long as I can.

edgarinho10

The pressure of high school.

Now I just love a select few.

Khan28

I bought a MB because of the solid feel, excellent highway ride, refined character, quiet cabin and timeless styling. All styling eras of MBs were beautiful in their own way and age very well. Overall the problems have been minor, servicing is quite easy to do by yourself and it doesn't cost me anymore to maintain and run than a Japanese equivalent because of the cheaper insurance costs. I'm a much calmer driver since buying my MB, I never feel rushed to get anywhere and have matured greatly on the road. I will drive MB cars forever.

JamesC32

Performance, Quality, Uniqueness of the C32, Class, Looks, Modification options, supercharger, and stand out from the mustang and camaro crowds...

mustangfever_94

I bought a Mercedes for the prestige , engineering and quality. So far over the last 2 yrs I have been very very disappointed with my W203 06 C230 Sport. It has been one thing after another. It was a great price with only 42k miles on the odometer. Simple things like the front door handles breaking at the bottom. Next was the rear tire wear, 8-9k miles for a rear set which was always at proper inflation and rebalanced every 3k miles, told this was normal and expected due to staggered figment. The oil filled bushing on the front control arms both went south. So I purchased the bushings and the tool off eBay to R&R for the fraction of what the dealer or independent shop would have charged. 2nd air injection has been throwing a check engine light for a year. I have replaced every part in the system except for the two diverter valves; which I pulled, cleaned and performed a leak down test. I still can't get the code to clear completely. I even took it to an independent European shop to diagnosis but when it came down to it they were going to throw parts at it without testing the components.

I have always been a Ford man especially modifying Mustangs. I have owned 4 over the course of 21 yrs and other Ford vehicles. Comparing my C230 vs my 1994 Teal Beast Mustang,20 yrs old, have had less issues in the 13 yrs I've owned her. She is Vortec supercharged with HCI and TB including every suspension and drivetrain mod and staggered figment rims and tires. No accelerated tire wire here....hummmm

I have no issues turning the wrenches or finding electrical demons but as new and little miles on the odometer, 62k, I'm really disappointed in this German vehicle. I wish I could say awesome vehicle but that is not the case.

I'm really contemplating getting rid of it and buying my brothers 2010 BMW 535i twin turbo with only 42k miles on the ticker.

SamIam43vr

What got me started with Mercedes was my mom's new C220 back in 1995. As I grew older I learned to drive with it, even driving my mother around instead. I learned how to maintain it, kept it clean as if it were my own. During college I was looking into several different brands but came to the realization that I knew more about Mercedes than any other brand. I grew too comfortable with MB so went ahead and bought a 2000 C280. I babied the car, kept it detailed and learned how to replace parts here and there. Because of the work and time I put into it I couldn't look at any other brand. Anytime I drive another car, such as a friend's or a rental, I constantly try to pick out every wrong thing about it. I felt the research and engineering that goes into a Mercedes really shows. From the thoughtful ergonomics to the technology. Currently, I drive an AMG and I love it! I didn't buy it because of power or how flashy the AMG badge is, but simply because how comfortable I feel in a Mercedes. To some, it's just an overpriced vehicle but to me it's the history behind the company and their passion to build "The Best or Nothing"


I could just be lucky that I haven't had any major issues with my 2006 C55 (except for one annoying rattle behind the COMAND unit) I love taking things apart and putting it back together. A Mercedes is an EASY vehicle to work with, even with tasks as simple as changing an air filter. Although some parts might be time-consuming to get to, it was never difficult to figure something out. My old roommate needed my assistance with his BMW and all I can remember was how complex it was just to take the airbox off.

jerro95

Hahaha that's what my step dad told me when he tried to convince me to buy a 1983 Mercedes 300D turbo diesel. Being the skeptic that I was with this car (no airbags=compromised safety). I was like I'll see and drive it and see if I'll like it. Right after the test drive I fell in love with it. So much that I wanted to drive it down the street to a mechanic to give us a quote on a new a/c system for that car.

Back to the point. I loved the way that 300D Turbo Diesel drove on the road. Although, it may not be as quick as I hoped, I didn't care. It drove so nice and smooth on the road that the saying "once you drive it, there is no need to rush" was actually valid and pretty much true.


Here's the reason why I don't drive with a 300D Turbo diesel today. Well we drove it down to the mechanic down a couple of blocks to give us a quote on the a/c, and so he did check it, and said it would cost about $700. While the mechanic took it for a test-drive, the other mechanic that helped with the a/c quote, completely ruined the moment of me getting the benz because he said something discouraging about it, so he offered me his 1993 Honda Civic which was clean all over had a radio and working a/c unit and I took his offer the Benz because it was the more economic decision at that time (I'm a college student with no job). I get a text 3 days later from my mom telling me that the mechanic can't sell me his civic because his WIFE told him to save it for their SON. I mean come on, he shoulda considered it before he offered am i right?

So right now I'm driving a Bone Stock 1988 Mitsubishi Mighty Max with no a/c nor radio. Although I am considering a 1996 Mercedes C220 for a Daily Driver and then save up again for a 300D Turbo Diesel W123 to have as a classic car.