Thinking of upgrade - opinions please
09-01-2015, 03:09 PM
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Thinking of upgrade - opinions please
Hi everyone,
I wasn't in the market for a new MB, but I saw a fully loaded, black on red leather 2013 C350 coupe with about 32k miles on it and it caught my attention. I currently drive a 2008 C350 with 58k miles, and I'm wondering if it's worth the upgrade. So far, the 2015 model doesn't appeal to me, and the coupe look for the 2013 will only be changed in 2016 to look like the w205 model.
I'm thinking long and hard, trying not to make an irrational decision, but I'm thinking the 2008's have a history with the 4MATIC causing transmission issues, it's going on year 8, the new model has more HP and is more economic on fuel, so is it a good time to match the switch? The reasons above have me leaning toward making the deal.
The reasons leaning me toward not making the deal are: my 08, which I also bought used will be paid off in 8 months, other than the sports seats, the interior is virtually the same, and I'd be back on the hook for 5 more years of payments.
I have had absolutely no issues with my car so far, but seeing this 2013 has given me the itch... what do you guys think?
I wasn't in the market for a new MB, but I saw a fully loaded, black on red leather 2013 C350 coupe with about 32k miles on it and it caught my attention. I currently drive a 2008 C350 with 58k miles, and I'm wondering if it's worth the upgrade. So far, the 2015 model doesn't appeal to me, and the coupe look for the 2013 will only be changed in 2016 to look like the w205 model.
I'm thinking long and hard, trying not to make an irrational decision, but I'm thinking the 2008's have a history with the 4MATIC causing transmission issues, it's going on year 8, the new model has more HP and is more economic on fuel, so is it a good time to match the switch? The reasons above have me leaning toward making the deal.
The reasons leaning me toward not making the deal are: my 08, which I also bought used will be paid off in 8 months, other than the sports seats, the interior is virtually the same, and I'd be back on the hook for 5 more years of payments.
I have had absolutely no issues with my car so far, but seeing this 2013 has given me the itch... what do you guys think?
09-01-2015, 04:18 PM
#2
Senior Member
If I had a 2008 C350, I would tune it and keep the car till it runs to the ground. I have a 2009 C300 so I have 40 less hp to keep me happy, yet with the reliability, the class, the looks and even the performance, I love my car. If I were in your shoes, I would finish paying it off and enjoy it till 150k miles or more. It's depreciated quite a bit already, and I think at this point it will depreciate less each year. I don't really have much knowledge of the 4matic and it's issues, it seems to be pretty bad according to the forums. If you truly are worried about the 4matic, do some math on if you had to repair or replace the transmission and see how much the difference would be. 2008 C350 + repair vs 2013 payments. You could throw in gas calculations if you wanted to as well. Would you be getting 4matic in the 2013 model as well?
09-01-2015, 05:40 PM
#4
Member
Thread Starter
Thanks for your response, that makes a lot of sense. Yes, the 2013 is also a 4MATIC. I live in Canada, so it's a must have in the winter.
If I had a 2008 C350, I would tune it and keep the car till it runs to the ground. I have a 2009 C300 so I have 40 less hp to keep me happy, yet with the reliability, the class, the looks and even the performance, I love my car. If I were in your shoes, I would finish paying it off and enjoy it till 150k miles or more. It's depreciated quite a bit already, and I think at this point it will depreciate less each year. I don't really have much knowledge of the 4matic and it's issues, it seems to be pretty bad according to the forums. If you truly are worried about the 4matic, do some math on if you had to repair or replace the transmission and see how much the difference would be. 2008 C350 + repair vs 2013 payments. You could throw in gas calculations if you wanted to as well. Would you be getting 4matic in the 2013 model as well?
09-01-2015, 09:35 PM
#5
Senior Member
I'm glad I could help.
I'm a little more on the conservative side though, and I like using things untill they no longer work the way I want them to. I have friends who spend every penny they saved into a new car every few months. They work their way up from mustangs to m3's, and they loved it every step of the way. Meanwhile I've been sitting here happily in my C300 for the past 5 years. I've saved up enough to sell my car and buy a C63, yet I don't because I could see myself spending that money more wisely elsewhere. It's all up to you, and if you feel it's worth it for the newer car. I could just say that you only live once and you should enjoy the better things in life when you can, but imo that 2008 C350 is already enjoying the better things in life.
If the 2013 4matic transmission still has issues, I would either keep your 2008 or buy something other than a 4matic benz.
I'm a little more on the conservative side though, and I like using things untill they no longer work the way I want them to. I have friends who spend every penny they saved into a new car every few months. They work their way up from mustangs to m3's, and they loved it every step of the way. Meanwhile I've been sitting here happily in my C300 for the past 5 years. I've saved up enough to sell my car and buy a C63, yet I don't because I could see myself spending that money more wisely elsewhere. It's all up to you, and if you feel it's worth it for the newer car. I could just say that you only live once and you should enjoy the better things in life when you can, but imo that 2008 C350 is already enjoying the better things in life.
If the 2013 4matic transmission still has issues, I would either keep your 2008 or buy something other than a 4matic benz.
09-01-2015, 09:57 PM
#6
Member
Thread Starter
Thank you, Rodpwnz. I agree, I'm generally the same way, keeping my cars for 7+ years in the past. This black on red coupe really caught my eye and I've been bouncing back and forth between trying to justify the purchase and erring on the side of logic.
The 2008 transmission issues are well documented on the 4MATIC's and I really don't want to be caught with a 7 to 10k bill for a transmission repair. As it's only 2 years old, it's probably too early in the 2013's life for people to start reporting common pain points, but I think the w204 design has been around long enough for them to fix a lot of the common issues: transmission / transfer case leaks, 4MATIC issues, etc.
The car is being shipped back to the dealer overnight, so it's giving me time to think - out of courtesy, I'll go see it tomorrow. The salesman explained to me that when they have too many cars in stock, they send some to auction. A real deal breaker for me is what they're offering me for my C350, and unless they get to the number I want, I will simply walk away. We tentatively crunched some numbers today, but I don't see any point in negotiating blindly without seeing the car I'm interested in. I don't want to give them the impression that I'm just throwing numbers for the sake of throwing numbers.
The 2008 transmission issues are well documented on the 4MATIC's and I really don't want to be caught with a 7 to 10k bill for a transmission repair. As it's only 2 years old, it's probably too early in the 2013's life for people to start reporting common pain points, but I think the w204 design has been around long enough for them to fix a lot of the common issues: transmission / transfer case leaks, 4MATIC issues, etc.
The car is being shipped back to the dealer overnight, so it's giving me time to think - out of courtesy, I'll go see it tomorrow. The salesman explained to me that when they have too many cars in stock, they send some to auction. A real deal breaker for me is what they're offering me for my C350, and unless they get to the number I want, I will simply walk away. We tentatively crunched some numbers today, but I don't see any point in negotiating blindly without seeing the car I'm interested in. I don't want to give them the impression that I'm just throwing numbers for the sake of throwing numbers.
I'm glad I could help.
I'm a little more on the conservative side though, and I like using things untill they no longer work the way I want them to. I have friends who spend every penny they saved into a new car every few months. They work their way up from mustangs to m3's, and they loved it every step of the way. Meanwhile I've been sitting here happily in my C300 for the past 5 years. I've saved up enough to sell my car and buy a C63, yet I don't because I could see myself spending that money more wisely elsewhere. It's all up to you, and if you feel it's worth it for the newer car. I could just say that you only live once and you should enjoy the better things in life when you can, but imo that 2008 C350 is already enjoying the better things in life.
If the 2013 4matic transmission still has issues, I would either keep your 2008 or buy something other than a 4matic benz.
I'm a little more on the conservative side though, and I like using things untill they no longer work the way I want them to. I have friends who spend every penny they saved into a new car every few months. They work their way up from mustangs to m3's, and they loved it every step of the way. Meanwhile I've been sitting here happily in my C300 for the past 5 years. I've saved up enough to sell my car and buy a C63, yet I don't because I could see myself spending that money more wisely elsewhere. It's all up to you, and if you feel it's worth it for the newer car. I could just say that you only live once and you should enjoy the better things in life when you can, but imo that 2008 C350 is already enjoying the better things in life.
If the 2013 4matic transmission still has issues, I would either keep your 2008 or buy something other than a 4matic benz.
09-01-2015, 11:03 PM
#7
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09-02-2015, 07:06 AM
#9
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Thread Starter
09-05-2015, 11:41 PM
#11
Super Member
I agree with Rodpwnz in that unless it is absolutely necessary, I would do my best to run the car to the ground. If however that is not an option, I personally wouldn't settle for anything close to what I've already had. It's one thing to stick with the Mercedes brand, but to re-buy the same class car within the same body style is nonsense, regardless of the doors or the interior upgrade.
P.S.
58k miles is nothing. I have a factory ordered 2012 and already have 50k miles logged in. I plan to take this car to 155k and beyond.
http://www.mbusa.com/mercedes/herita...unity/overview
P.S.
58k miles is nothing. I have a factory ordered 2012 and already have 50k miles logged in. I plan to take this car to 155k and beyond.
http://www.mbusa.com/mercedes/herita...unity/overview
09-05-2015, 11:55 PM
#12
Member
Thread Starter
Thanks edgaland - I did some homework that night and the next day, presented the dealer with asking prices for 08 C350 that weren't as clean as mine, had more mileage and told the dealer that I wanted to negotiate fairly, and if either one of us used the word "no" even once, I was going to walk away. I also recreated their quote calculator in Excel and crunched up numbers that made sense to me.
I've normally been a drive it to the ground kind of buyer, but the 08 transmission issues really concerned me. Having that issue would disenfranchise me from the MB brand altogether. I love the C-class, and from an 08 to a 13 it is a significant upgrade for me.
I've normally been a drive it to the ground kind of buyer, but the 08 transmission issues really concerned me. Having that issue would disenfranchise me from the MB brand altogether. I love the C-class, and from an 08 to a 13 it is a significant upgrade for me.
09-08-2015, 08:19 PM
#16
Senior Member
