Looking to Buy a Mercedes for the First Time
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Looking to Buy a Mercedes for the First Time
I am looking to buy a Mercedes for the first time and I would like to know about the experience of owners when it comes to upkeep and repair; would you buy your MB again if you had the opportunity to do it again?
I'm only looking and comparing at this point.
Thanks, Pete
I'm looking at sedans - I don't know what model yet.
I'm only looking and comparing at this point.
Thanks, Pete
I'm looking at sedans - I don't know what model yet.
Last edited by petereverett; Nov 28, 2005 at 08:09 PM.
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1967 Morris Cooper "S", 1983 911SC, 1997 Toyota Tacoma, 1999 HD FXSTB, 1998 C43
Dunno where to start...Are you handy with fixing your own? Going to buy newer with a warranty or something older? I guess you'll need to think about what you're willing to spend first. Hopefully you're handy so you can do your own repairs, because I'll tell you one thing...even minor repairs can be costly.
I've heard people having been qouted $1200-$1500 for brake pad replacements. When I do it, I spend $200 bucks...so just for your 411.
I've heard people having been qouted $1200-$1500 for brake pad replacements. When I do it, I spend $200 bucks...so just for your 411.
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Originally Posted by StapleGun
Dunno where to start...Are you handy with fixing your own? Going to buy newer with a warranty or something older? I guess you'll need to think about what you're willing to spend first. Hopefully you're handy so you can do your own repairs, because I'll tell you one thing...even minor repairs can be costly.
I've heard people having been qouted $1200-$1500 for brake pad replacements. When I do it, I spend $200 bucks...so just for your 411.
I've heard people having been qouted $1200-$1500 for brake pad replacements. When I do it, I spend $200 bucks...so just for your 411.
I can afford to buy - we're trying to figure out what the long term cost will be. I know there's no way to know for sure, but I can get some idea, so this helps: just a ballpark figure.
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From: Huntington Beach, Ca.
'17 Jaguar XF
[QUOTE=petereverett]Thanks - 12-1500 for brakepad replacements - that's steep, but it makes sense. QUOTE]
Wow, with your thinking jump right in. Actually though, that's crazy considering brake pads on a MB are little different than a Toyota to buy or replace. Independent MB service is more reasonable but still not 'cheap'. Based on repairs only I would NOT buy another Benz. I have repaired my '01 C320 more than ALL MY OTHER NEW JAPANESE CARS COMBINED FOR MY FAMILY (10 cars?). But, but.....no problems that stranded me and the Benz is so far superior to drive I think it's worth it. It's up to you.
Wow, with your thinking jump right in. Actually though, that's crazy considering brake pads on a MB are little different than a Toyota to buy or replace. Independent MB service is more reasonable but still not 'cheap'. Based on repairs only I would NOT buy another Benz. I have repaired my '01 C320 more than ALL MY OTHER NEW JAPANESE CARS COMBINED FOR MY FAMILY (10 cars?). But, but.....no problems that stranded me and the Benz is so far superior to drive I think it's worth it. It's up to you.
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From: Honolulu, Hawaii
CLS-500, SL-500, BOXSTER-S
I have owned five Mercedes in the past 25 years. In my experience, Mercedes is a very well made car. I have noticed that they are very expensive to repair when not covered under warranty. If you are purchasing a pre-owned vehicle I would recommend purchasing a car that is about two years old from a Mercedes-Benz dealership. I say this because buying a car from a dealership will get you an extended warranty coverage, which is well worth the extra money you pay from buying from a dealer.
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K Car
I have owned several Mercedes and am getting ready to purchase another. As Big Kahuna stated, repair costs that are not under warranty can be expensive. I normally do not keep a car past it's factory warranty (4 years for MB), but if I did, I would consider an extended warranty.
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[QUOTE=mleskovar]
lol 
I only meant that I wasn't surprised when I heard the price because a Mercedes is so expensive anyway. It's still a lot of money.
Thanks for the comments. Helpful. 10 cars!! But you would buy a Mercedes because the drive is superior, outweighing the hassles involved with repair. That's where I am tending to go myself: I appreciate the comments.
Originally Posted by petereverett
Thanks - 12-1500 for brakepad replacements - that's steep, but it makes sense. QUOTE]
Wow, with your thinking jump right in. Actually though, that's crazy considering brake pads on a MB are little different than a Toyota to buy or replace. Independent MB service is more reasonable but still not 'cheap'. Based on repairs only I would NOT buy another Benz. I have repaired my '01 C320 more than ALL MY OTHER NEW JAPANESE CARS COMBINED FOR MY FAMILY (10 cars?). But, but.....no problems that stranded me and the Benz is so far superior to drive I think it's worth it. It's up to you.
Wow, with your thinking jump right in. Actually though, that's crazy considering brake pads on a MB are little different than a Toyota to buy or replace. Independent MB service is more reasonable but still not 'cheap'. Based on repairs only I would NOT buy another Benz. I have repaired my '01 C320 more than ALL MY OTHER NEW JAPANESE CARS COMBINED FOR MY FAMILY (10 cars?). But, but.....no problems that stranded me and the Benz is so far superior to drive I think it's worth it. It's up to you.
I only meant that I wasn't surprised when I heard the price because a Mercedes is so expensive anyway. It's still a lot of money.Thanks for the comments. Helpful. 10 cars!! But you would buy a Mercedes because the drive is superior, outweighing the hassles involved with repair. That's where I am tending to go myself: I appreciate the comments.
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Originally Posted by Big Kahuna
I have owned five Mercedes in the past 25 years. In my experience, Mercedes is a very well made car. I have noticed that they are very expensive to repair when not covered under warranty. If you are purchasing a pre-owned vehicle I would recommend purchasing a car that is about two years old from a Mercedes-Benz dealership. I say this because buying a car from a dealership will get you an extended warranty coverage, which is well worth the extra money you pay from buying from a dealer.
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Originally Posted by revstriker
I have owned several Mercedes and am getting ready to purchase another. As Big Kahuna stated, repair costs that are not under warranty can be expensive. I normally do not keep a car past it's factory warranty (4 years for MB), but if I did, I would consider an extended warranty.
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From: Calgary/Helsinki
1994 E320
Brake pad replacements for over $1200??? What model car? Sounds like more than just pads are being replaced unless it's an AMG or something, for my car to replace all 4 brake pads it's about $400 CAD, I bought new cross drilled rotors for the front for about $500 if I remember correctly. If I wanted to replace ALL 4 rotors and ALL 4 brake pads I could see it getting close to $1500 but in Canadian Dollars. So maybe $1250 or so American. More to replace calipers of course.
I find $1200-$1500 American VERY hard to believe for just the brake pads. Sounds to me like somebody was getting ripped off.
I find $1200-$1500 American VERY hard to believe for just the brake pads. Sounds to me like somebody was getting ripped off.
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From: Mesa, AZ
2011 E350 Bluetec, 1996 S320 & 2006 E320 CDI Sold to my son & 2017 GMC 2500 Diesel Pick up
Peter, On my second MB, started small with a 190e, about two years ago bought a '96 S320. Not real big repairs beyong reg. maintanance & wear. As above I do most my oun repair with lots of help from this forum I might add. As for break jobs, paid less than $300 for all 4 rotors & pads. I don't think thats to bad & brakes are brakes. I would buy another in a heart beat. My only advice would be to find a good Iny repair shop if you don't do your oun work. But buying a MB would never be a bad choice in my book. Good luck
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Well Peter, Take form a first time (and very recent, I am talking weeks not even months) owner, I did some research after buying mine. I will tell you, I do agree with all posts, yes maintenance is expensive BUT you don't do maintenance as often as other cars, For example, the guy i take my car for service to said my MB was not due for its first scheduled tune up untill 100,000 mile mark, same goes for most other maintenance items.
If for example the oil change or transmission etc service is expensive, it is not as often as other cars. Believe me I know, I have three "other" cars and I spend quite a bit of money on maintenance on those.
Based on quality and support, My next car will either be an MB, Acura or Lexus. No more trying to cut corners when buying my next vehicle.
Good luck.
If for example the oil change or transmission etc service is expensive, it is not as often as other cars. Believe me I know, I have three "other" cars and I spend quite a bit of money on maintenance on those.
Based on quality and support, My next car will either be an MB, Acura or Lexus. No more trying to cut corners when buying my next vehicle.
Good luck.
