Rant: NEVER again will I own a black car!!! (more)
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2004 E500
Rant: NEVER again will I own a black car!!! (more)
Its been 20 yrs since I last had a black car. Thought I'd learned enough to deal with it. Not even close.... Despite METICULOUS use of Zaino, including its new "Fusion" product and a Porter Cable random orbit buffer, a California duster and enough detailing products to stock a small store, all it takes it 1 3 minute ride around the block for the car to look like hell. 
Dust covers it constantly and bright sunshine is its worst enemy as it brings out every flaw, only with magnification!! To be fair, it does look good in the cark or cloudy/overcast days.
Yes, I know am am fussy, but wow...what a real PITA. I am half (well more than half...) tempted to look elsewhere. However, after getting a few trade values I was shocking into near speechlessness by the incredibly poor resale value these cars seem to have. Truly, truly stunning-- even my dealer started by offering 2-3K LESS than "Galves", the industry auction price guide used like a Bible by area dealers of all brands. My God, even an MB dealer doesn't want to give even the "auction" price!!!! Wow..... I looked at MLs and became even more angry when I saw the BS charges for every little thing that should at these prices be standard. $900 for HID lights? $642 for Pewter paint? Extra for heated seats?? WTF is wrong with these people? I really, really, really hate to say this, but Lexus is looking better all the time. Their GX470 is priced less than the ML and has real SUV attributes. Things that would cream an ML wouldn't even get the GX' attention.
Well, I disgressed here quite a bit. Thanks to all who got this far for listening.
JIm
Dust covers it constantly and bright sunshine is its worst enemy as it brings out every flaw, only with magnification!! To be fair, it does look good in the cark or cloudy/overcast days.Yes, I know am am fussy, but wow...what a real PITA. I am half (well more than half...) tempted to look elsewhere. However, after getting a few trade values I was shocking into near speechlessness by the incredibly poor resale value these cars seem to have. Truly, truly stunning-- even my dealer started by offering 2-3K LESS than "Galves", the industry auction price guide used like a Bible by area dealers of all brands. My God, even an MB dealer doesn't want to give even the "auction" price!!!! Wow..... I looked at MLs and became even more angry when I saw the BS charges for every little thing that should at these prices be standard. $900 for HID lights? $642 for Pewter paint? Extra for heated seats?? WTF is wrong with these people? I really, really, really hate to say this, but Lexus is looking better all the time. Their GX470 is priced less than the ML and has real SUV attributes. Things that would cream an ML wouldn't even get the GX' attention.
Well, I disgressed here quite a bit. Thanks to all who got this far for listening.
JIm
Last edited by JWS3; Nov 6, 2005 at 11:11 PM.
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From: Covington wa
05 SL500, 02 BMW Z3 (Mrs. VF), 05 FJR1300, 91 ZX-11
Can't help you on the resale/trade in value problem, but I will share a little detailer's trick for black vehicles. Lemon Pledge cleans and protects, just doesn't last very long. 
Let the flaming begin :v
Wax wise, Meguires (sp) 16, the blue stuff.
I sold my last black car 20 years ago (an 84 Trans Am, quit laughing) and won't own another black car. I still own a black motorcycle, but only because it was like a model T, any color you want as long as it's black.
Let the flaming begin :v Wax wise, Meguires (sp) 16, the blue stuff.
I sold my last black car 20 years ago (an 84 Trans Am, quit laughing) and won't own another black car. I still own a black motorcycle, but only because it was like a model T, any color you want as long as it's black.
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06 320E CDI, Porsche 911 C2, Pontiac Montana
That's why I bought silver cars ever since the middle ages. In winter, I can not hand wash the car and I am NOT going to take through a car wash, even at gun point.
As for resale value, it's going to be a bit of a black sheep. I intent to keep mine a LONG time but I am seriously concerned about the cost of maintaining it. My old '95 E cost me a about $5,000 over it's 10 year life including paranoid oil changing scheduals.
As for resale value, it's going to be a bit of a black sheep. I intent to keep mine a LONG time but I am seriously concerned about the cost of maintaining it. My old '95 E cost me a about $5,000 over it's 10 year life including paranoid oil changing scheduals.
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From: USA
Multiple
Originally Posted by JWS3
...after getting a few trade values I was shocking into near speechlessness by the incredibly poor resale value these cars seem to have. Truly, truly stunning-- even my dealer started by offering 2-3K LESS than "Galves", the industry auction price guide used like a Bible by area dealers of all brands. My God, even an MB dealer doesn't want to give even the "auction" price!!!! Wow..... I looked at MLs and became even more angry when I saw the BS charges for every little thing that should at these prices be standard. $900 for HID lights? $642 for Pewter paint? Extra for heated seats?? WTF is wrong with these people? I really, really, really hate to say this, but Lexus is looking better all the time. Their GX470 is priced less than the ML and has real SUV attributes. Things that would cream an ML wouldn't even get the GX' attention.JIm
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From: The Earth
Mercedes all the way!
haha, the great rjm returns 
the guy was talking about the problem with BLACK cars, dude, kool it man
btw, i agree: to get higher resale, always do it privately - dealers, ANY dealer, will never give you a good price - even using ebay is probably better. after all they are "charging" you for finding buyers and using up their dealership space - and they need to make a profit with the future buyer as well.
the guy was talking about the problem with BLACK cars, dude, kool it man
btw, i agree: to get higher resale, always do it privately - dealers, ANY dealer, will never give you a good price - even using ebay is probably better. after all they are "charging" you for finding buyers and using up their dealership space - and they need to make a profit with the future buyer as well.
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From: USA
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Originally Posted by ruykava
haha, the great rjm returns
the guy was talking about the problem with BLACK cars, dude, kool it man
the guy was talking about the problem with BLACK cars, dude, kool it man
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 627
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From: The Earth
Mercedes all the way!
haha, i did, in fact, which is why i got to the last para: "Well, I disgressed here quite a bit. Thanks to all who got this far for listening." and of course, the title :p
but anyway, the depreciation discussion should really go under:
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w211/125924-mb-depreciation-bad-i-am-seeing-m.html
since the original poster has moved it there.
but anyway, the depreciation discussion should really go under:
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w211/125924-mb-depreciation-bad-i-am-seeing-m.html
since the original poster has moved it there.
Last edited by ruykava; Nov 7, 2005 at 10:51 AM.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: FL410
'05 E320 CDI, '08 BMW X5 4.8i, '11 Duramax 2500HD
Originally Posted by rjm
You are Sooooooooooo Easy! If you read the guy's entire post, you will see that he was also talking about the excessive price for options (that should be STANDARD on a $70K car) on Mercedes automobiles. You really should read the entire post before responding.
, but seriously, MB is a great car, and the engineering is second to none in my opinion.. the management of the company, and especially it's US partner is what's lacking in a big way.
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Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 18,414
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From: West Michigan
2007 E63
The f'ing previous owner of my ML used steel wool to clean it. I have marks all over the body (tiny ones), scratches on the windsheild, scratches on the roof, and I bought it off eBay.
The Nissan Maxima, and Acura TL, come with xenons standard, so why can't MB do that?
The Lexus GX is so much better. Even at off-roading with the KDSS. Hasn't MB listened to what we want standard?
The Nissan Maxima, and Acura TL, come with xenons standard, so why can't MB do that?
The Lexus GX is so much better. Even at off-roading with the KDSS. Hasn't MB listened to what we want standard?
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2004 E500
To deal with the paint scratches get "Zaino", including (m)
Originally Posted by asianml
The f'ing previous owner of my ML used steel wool to clean it. I have marks all over the body (tiny ones), scratches on the windsheild, scratches on the roof, and I bought it off eBay.
The Nissan Maxima, and Acura TL, come with xenons standard, so why can't MB do that?
The Lexus GX is so much better. Even at off-roading with the KDSS. Hasn't MB listened to what we want standard?
The Nissan Maxima, and Acura TL, come with xenons standard, so why can't MB do that?
The Lexus GX is so much better. Even at off-roading with the KDSS. Hasn't MB listened to what we want standard?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 4,968
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From: FL410
'05 E320 CDI, '08 BMW X5 4.8i, '11 Duramax 2500HD
Originally Posted by asianml
The Nissan Maxima, and Acura TL, come with xenons standard, so why can't MB do that?
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Back to the original "black" discussion... I agree with all you said, ie shows everything after a short trip, hand washing in winter, etc. but my last car was a BMW, and now I have an E. Both black. I don't think I'd ever buy anything but black for a high end car. Nothing in my opinion looks better. Plus I enjoy doing the detailing (Zaino of course)... Happy driving!
