WHAT CAR WILL LAST 20 YEARS THESE DAYS?
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 431
Likes: 44
From: Portsmouth, VA
2010 E350, Sold 1998 C230
You're all dreaming. Modern cars simply do not have the raw materials in them to last that long. Weight, costs, competition, environmental concerns....all of these are reasons why they are not designed to glve that kind of longevity. In addition tech changes so rapidly now....along with government regulations...that it just can't keep up. Once these modern cars are out of warranty, it's going to be prohibitively expensive to own one. After you burn thru the factory warranty, and one certification, they want you to throw it in the trash.
The exception to this would be flooded vehicles, when the wiring and electronics get flooded, they start to corrode and cause strange and less than wonderful things to occur. Those cars are often totaled because of the cost to troubleshoot and replace the wiring and parts and the long term nature of the potential problems to occur even years later.
Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 141
Likes: 21
2002 E430 (totaled at 230k miles), 2002 E55 AMG, 2001 CLK430--SOLD, 1997 C230
I thought Mercedes Benz vehicles were built to last 20+ years and "go forever?"
I have a daily driver 2002 E430 with 222,000 miles and it looks, runs and drives like a new car....275hp v-8, lots of power, excellent freeway car. Regular maintenance and minor repairs are easy DIY, and if sent to the indy mechanic, it is cheap to fix. This car is not 'falling apart' at all. It is solid, reliable and rust free. It has always been garage kept, I think keeping any car out of the elements prevents several issues from popping up. I don't doubt the car will make it to 300,000 miles and 20 years. Either would be noteworthy. My daughter drives a 1997 C230 with 170,000 miles (so 21 years old). In the almost 2 years we have owned it, it has only needed plugs (easy 1 hour DIY job) and the 13 year old battery replaced. I see no reason this car won't go another 5 years or more.
On the other hand, I have a 2005 Suburban with 235,000 miles and the valve guides are worn. It smokes like crazy at start-up. I rarely drive it except when hauling large items and during hunting season. It started smoking at 220,000 miles, which I think is pretty poor. My wife has a 2014 Suburban that had the dreaded lifter failure at 135,000 miles and required a new $7000 engine. Not happy with this GM product. I've owned 8 Tahoes, Yukons and Suburbans and I question their ability to go 20 years before needing to junk them.
I'd like to think a 'modern' W212 would be able to last 20 years without too much drama and expense.
I have a daily driver 2002 E430 with 222,000 miles and it looks, runs and drives like a new car....275hp v-8, lots of power, excellent freeway car. Regular maintenance and minor repairs are easy DIY, and if sent to the indy mechanic, it is cheap to fix. This car is not 'falling apart' at all. It is solid, reliable and rust free. It has always been garage kept, I think keeping any car out of the elements prevents several issues from popping up. I don't doubt the car will make it to 300,000 miles and 20 years. Either would be noteworthy. My daughter drives a 1997 C230 with 170,000 miles (so 21 years old). In the almost 2 years we have owned it, it has only needed plugs (easy 1 hour DIY job) and the 13 year old battery replaced. I see no reason this car won't go another 5 years or more.
On the other hand, I have a 2005 Suburban with 235,000 miles and the valve guides are worn. It smokes like crazy at start-up. I rarely drive it except when hauling large items and during hunting season. It started smoking at 220,000 miles, which I think is pretty poor. My wife has a 2014 Suburban that had the dreaded lifter failure at 135,000 miles and required a new $7000 engine. Not happy with this GM product. I've owned 8 Tahoes, Yukons and Suburbans and I question their ability to go 20 years before needing to junk them.
I'd like to think a 'modern' W212 would be able to last 20 years without too much drama and expense.
