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2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Originally Posted by 300SE1993
Don't let it stress you out. There were a few things I didn't like about my W214 so I sold it after a couple months and just took the hit. No regrets and done deal.
I usually lease my cars, as was the case with my 2022 S580. I was just SO unhappy with the car, I wanted to get rid of it, but the MBFS lease bars ANY takeovers. The only way I could have dumped the car was to pay off the lease, including sales tax and then sell it. I would have taken a $30K hit. So, I stuck it out and car continued to get worse & worse until I racked up enough days out of service for the CA Lemon Law to kick in. I got back every penny I paid, including sales tax. Instead of a $30K hit, I drove the car for a year for free.
Last edited by Streamliner; Feb 9, 2025 at 04:17 PM.
2019 E 450, 2016 E350 4matic (retired), 2018 Ford Edge Sport, 2008 Porsche Boxster
Originally Posted by Streamliner
I usually lease my cars, as was the case with my 2022 S580. I was just SO unhappy with the car, I wanted to get rid of it, but the MBFS lease bars ANY takeovers. The only way I could have dumped the car was to pay off the lease, including sales tax and then sell it. I would have taken a $30K hit. So, I stuck it out and car continued to get worse & worse until I racked up enough days out of service for the CA Lemon Law to kick in. I got back every penny I paid, including sales tax. Instead of a $30K hit, I drove the car for a year for free.
As I posted, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure: Leasing limits you exposure.
This makes all the difference in the world. Most other states, it's a difficult, painful process at best. From what I've seen, in CA you just snap your fingers and the problem goes away completely.
As I posted, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure: Leasing limits you exposure.
On the contrary, leases are much harder to get out of and much more expensive to terminate early. The only saving grace in the above story is the lemon law. Buy or lease makes no difference in that outcome.
2019 E 450, 2016 E350 4matic (retired), 2018 Ford Edge Sport, 2008 Porsche Boxster
Originally Posted by 300SE1993
On the contrary, leases are much harder to get out of and much more expensive to terminate early. The only saving grace in the above story is the lemon law. Buy or lease makes no difference in that outcome.
Perhaps you do not understand the strategy:
You buy the car and pay $80,000 + tax another $6.400, total out of pocket $86,400. After six months, the car being in the shop for 50% of the time, you decide enough is enough and demand that MB takes back the car or failing that you start a Lemon Law action. Some time in the future you win and get your $86,400 back. If it is year, they use of money at just 5% is over $4,000 and you are out the difference, $4,000.
Same scenario with lease payments of $1,400 per month, including tax, 6 months, total payments $8,400 and you demand that MB takes back you car or failing that you start a Lemon Law action. Now you are only fighting to get back $8,400 instead of $86,400.
I prefer to have only $8,400 out of my pocket rather than $86,400.
2019 E 450, 2016 E350 4matic (retired), 2018 Ford Edge Sport, 2008 Porsche Boxster
Originally Posted by 300SE1993
This makes all the difference in the world. Most other states, it's a difficult, painful process at best. From what I've seen, in CA you just snap your fingers and the problem goes away completely.
Of course depends on the state: NY is pretty much the same as CA. Maybe because we are both Blue States where customers have rights?
A friend was leasing a building when it was put up for sale. He bought the building, but was forced to continue paying the lease for another year because the lease wasn't part of the purchase. He should have had an attorney instead of a real estate agent. I will never lease anything. Leases are difficult or impossible to modify when circumstances change.
You buy the car and pay $80,000 + tax another $6.400, total out of pocket $86,400. After six months, the car being in the shop for 50% of the time, you decide enough is enough and demand that MB takes back the car or failing that you start a Lemon Law action. Some time in the future you win and get your $86,400 back. If it is year, they use of money at just 5% is over $4,000 and you are out the difference, $4,000.
Same scenario with lease payments of $1,400 per month, including tax, 6 months, total payments $8,400 and you demand that MB takes back you car or failing that you start a Lemon Law action. Now you are only fighting to get back $8,400 instead of $86,400.
I prefer to have only $8,400 out of my pocket rather than $86,400.
Which do you prefer?
There are two things missing from your equation. The lease company purchases the car in full and leases it to you, so the full balance is still due regardless of where it comes from. Also, someone could take out a loan to purchase the car so they don't lose the money opportunity you're talking about. In lease or purchase example, interest is still being paid on the full purchase amount, so that would be a wash. I suppose there are net differences in every scenario, but lemon law does state you get everything back including interest, in the event of a full buyback.
Last edited by 300SE1993; Feb 9, 2025 at 05:53 PM.
You buy the car and pay $80,000 + tax another $6.400, total out of pocket $86,400. After six months, the car being in the shop for 50% of the time, you decide enough is enough and demand that MB takes back the car or failing that you start a Lemon Law action. Some time in the future you win and get your $86,400 back. If it is year, they use of money at just 5% is over $4,000 and you are out the difference, $4,000.
Same scenario with lease payments of $1,400 per month, including tax, 6 months, total payments $8,400 and you demand that MB takes back you car or failing that you start a Lemon Law action. Now you are only fighting to get back $8,400 instead of $86,400.
I prefer to have only $8,400 out of my pocket rather than $86,400.
Which do you prefer?
I disagree with the analysis. Yes, paying cash verses loan/lease always means you lose out on any potential investment gains for that cash all at once rather than gradually over time. However, you are not accounting for interest on the lease/loan which these days are not great in the USA at least, even with impeccable credit. If you lease/loan and have to fight for a buy back, you are still contractually obligated to make those monthly payments until the matter is settled. Failing that will impact your credit and may force you to have to buy your next car with cash or have even a higher interest rate. Now, if you get zero or near zero interest rate, you can come out ahead by investing that cash and making money but I don't see how the possibility of having to fight for a buy back changes that calculus in any way.
Personally, I will never lease another car. It's always in the favor of the dealership. I prefer to buy my cars cash and keep them for a long time. If the interest rate is zero or very low, I'll take a loan and keep the cash in investments. But a lease. Not for me.
I personally never could see any benefit in leasing a car and never have done so. I don’t understand paying off approximately half of the price of a car that someone else owns and then giving it back to them to sell again.
I could make those same payments on a loan and have some equity if I decided to get rid of the car or pay it off and keep it for a few years after payoff and drive it for free. I’ve been lucky enough to buy my last few cars outright with no lease or loan payments so haven’t had to do either.
Somebody help me with the logic on leasing other than maybe some kind of business write off.
A friend was leasing a building when it was put up for sale. He bought the building, but was forced to continue paying the lease for another year because the lease wasn't part of the purchase. He should have had an attorney instead of a real estate agent. I will never lease anything. Leases are difficult or impossible to modify when circumstances change.
That is not the norm. He had terrible representation. He should have become the successor in interest. Due diligence is crucial.
BUY vs. LEASE is an eternal game of tug-of-war, and even bankers cannot agree on what is best.
But let's not lose sight of the discussion about the difficulty of dealing with Mercedes-Benz and a Lemon car.
Mercedes might have fancy logos and shiny grills, but what about their customer service?
So, future buyers, consider this a friendly warning: make sure you come armed with patience and maybe a sense of adventure!
**Update on My Case:**
I am writing to briefly update my case regarding my defective Mercedes-Benz vehicle.
I advise anyone dealing with a "lemon" car from Mercedes-Benz—though I can't speak for other manufacturers due to lack of experience—to avoid wasting time with the dealership or with MBUSA Corporate.
As someone wisely said, "Mercedes-Benz is not in the business of buying back defective cars." I was naive to believe they would assist me, especially given the brand's reputation.
I had hoped they would do the right thing promptly, and I initially believed that the MB Buy-Back program would be the best option since my car had not been fixed despite numerous attempts.
Unfortunately, I was utterly wrong, and they have continued to be unhelpful while dragging out the process.
I eventually had to hire legal counsel, which I now realize I should have done from the start.
I no longer have faith in Mercedes-Benz; it seems they and the dealership were only concerned with protecting their interests and finances.
The lesson I've learned is clear: *Get a lawyer! Don't waste your time.*
**Update on My Case:**
I am writing to briefly update my case regarding my defective Mercedes-Benz vehicle.
I advise anyone dealing with a "lemon" car from Mercedes-Benz—though I can't speak for other manufacturers due to lack of experience—to avoid wasting time with the dealership or with MBUSA Corporate.
As someone wisely said, "Mercedes-Benz is not in the business of buying back defective cars." I was naive to believe they would assist me, especially given the brand's reputation.
I had hoped they would do the right thing promptly, and I initially believed that the MB Buy-Back program would be the best option since my car had not been fixed despite numerous attempts.
Unfortunately, I was utterly wrong, and they have continued to be unhelpful while dragging out the process.
I eventually had to hire legal counsel, which I now realize I should have done from the start.
I no longer have faith in Mercedes-Benz; it seems they and the dealership were only concerned with protecting their interests and finances.
The lesson I've learned is clear: *Get a lawyer! Don't waste your time.*
I have not gotten that far. I have not received a $0.01 yet. Lawyers are on it, but MB not being very helpful or easy. It used to be that companies owned their defective material... not any more.
I have not gotten that far. I have not received a $0.01 yet. Lawyers are on it, but MB not being very helpful or easy. It used to be that companies owned their defective material... not any more.
I see, hope things work out for you but you should start shopping at least.
As someone wisely said, "Mercedes-Benz is not in the business of buying back defective cars." I was naive to believe they would assist me, especially given the brand's reputation.
That was me. Unfortunately, the other thing I said was to expect this process to take a year and be a real PITA. Good luck! It may be worth it in the end.
That was me. Unfortunately, the other thing I said was to expect this process to take a year and be a real PITA. Good luck! It may be worth it in the end.
There definitely seems to be a shift in companies not caring about providing good service and making it right when their products have obvious flaws. You would think that with the use of the Internet, there would be more accountability since issues are made more public. Besides getting a lawyer, I would make more of a public stink by talking to the news. That has motivated companies to step up in the past assuming you can get a news agency to run your story.
I have reported the issue, but I am unsure whether any action will be taken. I am more than disappointed;
while I can understand machine flaws, issues with customer service are unacceptable.
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
