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2020 S560 Sedan, 2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon
Originally Posted by C280 Sport
I have owned as many MB's as almost anyone on this forum and have never one time complained about the depreciation the way some of you people do. Also a Ferrari, 3 Porsche 911's and 2 Maserati's. I do not know why some people just do not buy a CPO car. Buying any brand new car is a crazy waste of money. Let someone else take the hit. I also, never go to the dealer unless my car is under warranty. Instead of buying a brand new S Class maybe get a CPO one. And if you always want the newest car then suck it up and take the hit. I can live without having brand new all the time.
Yes, for many folks, CPO is an excellent choice. However, for some, like myself, once you have experienced a brand new car, ordered specifically as you want it, well, IMO, there are not many material things on this earth that can be so enjoyable. Sure, they can be quite expensive, but when you consider what you are getting, compared to so many other items one might purchase today, in many ways, they are a downright bargain. For me, it is my vice of choice. I’ve never smoked, don’t drink to excess, don’t spend lavishly on clothes or entertainment, I wear a Seiko watch and have no great interest in world travel. But, I love brand new cars and I plan on enjoying them as long as I can. Cheers!
My list of new MB’s:
‘79 450SL
’86 560SL
’87 560SEC
’90 300SL
’91 500SL
’95 E320 Cabriolet
’04 E500
’04 SL500
’10 E350 Sedan
’13 S550 Sedan
’14 ML350BT
’15 S550 Sedan
’16 E350 Sedan
’18 S550 Sedan
Last edited by Streamliner; 03-05-2018 at 09:23 AM.
Yes, for many folks, CPO is an excellent choice. However, for some, like myself, once you have experienced a brand new car, ordered specifically as you want it, well, IMO, there are not many material things on this earth that can be so enjoyable. Sure, they can be quite expensive, but when you consider what you are getting, compared to so many other items one might purchase today, in many ways, they are a downright bargain. For me, it is my vice of choice. I’ve never smoked, don’t drink to excess, don’t spend lavishly on clothes or entertainment, I wear a Seiko watch and have no great interest in world travel. But, I love brand new cars and I plan on enjoying them as long as I can. Cheers!
I was trying to figure out if I could have said it any better. And no, I could not... Your description fits me to the T. My list of prior vehicles are BMWs instead of MBs, but the rest fits like a glove...Looking at my 27 year-old Seiko watch as I write this .
Yes, for many folks, CPO is an excellent choice. However, for some, like myself, once you have experienced a brand new car, ordered specifically as you want it, well, IMO, there are not many material things on this earth that can be so enjoyable. Sure, they can be quite expensive, but when you consider what you are getting, compared to so many other items one might purchase today, in many ways, they are a downright bargain. For me, it is my vice of choice. I’ve never smoked, don’t drink to excess, don’t spend lavishly on clothes or entertainment, I wear a Seiko watch and have no great interest in world travel. But, I love brand new cars and I plan on enjoying them as long as I can. Cheers!
My list of new MB’s:
‘79 450SL
’86 560SL
’87 560SEC
’90 300SL
’91 500SL
’95 E320 Cabriolet
’04 E500
’04 SL500
’10 E350 Sedan
’13 S550 Sedan
’14 ML350BT
’15 S550 Sedan
’16 E350 Sedan
’18 S550 Sedan
2020 S560 Sedan, 2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon
Originally Posted by MBNUT1
Didn't see your 2013 SL550
If you have not heard the story, here it is: My last new SL was a 2004 SL500, Mars Red with Gray leather. I loved that car and it only had, I think 24K miles on it when I sold it in 2016. I sold it, as I did not want to be the one who would be dealing with the ABC &
retractable roof hydraulic problems that tend to plague these cars as they get older. I planned on waiting until 2018 to order a new one. Well, around August of 2017, MB in another brilliant, BRAIN DEAD move, discontinued Mars Red, right in the middle of the 2017 model year. As soon as I heard, I called my dealer and asked him to order a new one for me, but it was already too late. I was unable to get a new Mars Red SL. So, a few months later, I'm killing a Sunday morning looking on eBay and here is this CPO Mars Red 2013 with only 11K miles and all the options I wanted, with the exception of ABC. The car was in San Diego, so my wife and I drove down and picked it up. Honestly, it is the best $59,995.00 I have ever spent on a car. Can you even imagine MB not offering this sporting car in this beautiful red anymore? BRAIN DEAD! Sorry, Hype, didn't mean to hijack your thread.
I believe the best choice, is one that makes YOU happy. Best of luck in your new Honda!! I had an Uber pick me up recently in a new Pilot and they had some features that even I was surprised about! Seemingly every car brand has stepped their game up... beauty is in the eye of the beholder!!!
I believe the best choice, is one that makes YOU happy. Best of luck in your new Honda!! I had an Uber pick me up recently in a new Pilot and they had some features that even I was surprised about! Seemingly every car brand has stepped their game up... beauty is in the eye of the beholder!!!
The mainstream family sedans really stepped up their game. In the past, I didn't find it too hard to "justify" going for something like an E-Class or a 5-series instead of one of those, but, in all honesty, it's becoming a lot harder these days.
Cars like the new 2018 Mazda 6 with their new turbo engine really make me question the whole picture - gorgeous exterior and interior, ample size, decent engine and transmission, all the useful gizmos (including surround cameras and adaptive cruise), etc. Sure, the luxury Germans are still somewhat nicer, but the price difference is huge: $70K+ instead of under $40K. It's 80%-90% more to get them, and you basically double or more than double your car-related expenses when taking into account maintenance and repairs.
For me, it's a lot more of a struggle to make that decision these days, and it does indeed feel a lot like throwing money away because it's hard to see the value - seems like way beyond the point of diminishing returns unless money is totally a non-issue.
The mainstream family sedans really stepped up their game. In the past, I didn't find it too hard to "justify" going for something like an E-Class or a 5-series instead of one of those, but, in all honesty, it's becoming a lot harder these days.
Cars like the new 2018 Mazda 6 with their new turbo engine really make me question the whole picture - gorgeous exterior and interior, ample size, decent engine and transmission, all the useful gizmos (including surround cameras and adaptive cruise), etc. Sure, the luxury Germans are still somewhat nicer, but the price difference is huge: $70K+ instead of under $40K. It's 80%-90% more to get them, and you basically double or more than double your car-related expenses when taking into account maintenance and repairs.
For me, it's a lot more of a struggle to make that decision these days, and it does indeed feel a lot like throwing money away because it's hard to see the value - seems like way beyond the point of diminishing returns unless money is totally a non-issue.
I totally can agree on that fact that other car makers are making more efforts to sell cars...in many ways.
The mainstream family sedans really stepped up their game. In the past, I didn't find it too hard to "justify" going for something like an E-Class or a 5-series instead of one of those, but, in all honesty, it's becoming a lot harder these days.
Cars like the new 2018 Mazda 6 with their new turbo engine really make me question the whole picture - gorgeous exterior and interior, ample size, decent engine and transmission, all the useful gizmos (including surround cameras and adaptive cruise), etc. Sure, the luxury Germans are still somewhat nicer, but the price difference is huge: $70K+ instead of under $40K. It's 80%-90% more to get them, and you basically double or more than double your car-related expenses when taking into account maintenance and repairs.
For me, it's a lot more of a struggle to make that decision these days, and it does indeed feel a lot like throwing money away because it's hard to see the value - seems like way beyond the point of diminishing returns unless money is totally a non-issue.
That's a fact! All these new cars have leather, infotainment system w/ navigation, autonomous driving/brake assist/parking assist, strong engines... sounds like a benz/beemer to me? So now we're just paying for the name.. honestly.. what is the difference nowadays? I mean there will always be a sort of regal factor to driving a mercedes but if you look at their newer cars, they're charging more for less... the new e-classes have less power nice interiors but the same exterior of all the other classes and theyre reaching $80k??? it just doesnt make sense!
Yup, you even get Nappa leather in the new Mazda 6, which is $3K extra on the E-Class.
My feeling is that the Germans make sense now only if you buy something extraordinary. Something special like a high-end AMG, M, or RS car, or some Porsche sports car, etc. Something where you can't get an alternative car that gives you 90% of the car for 50% of the price. If you're just buying a regular practical daily driver like an E300/E400, 530i/540i, then not quite sure it's worth the extra money when compared to some Japanese and Korean cars these days. Nicer, but not double-the-money nicer because the Japanese and Koreans really caught up without raising their prices by the same factor.
The mainstream family sedans really stepped up their game. In the past, I didn't find it too hard to "justify" going for something like an E-Class or a 5-series instead of one of those, but, in all honesty, it's becoming a lot harder these days.
Cars like the new 2018 Mazda 6 with their new turbo engine really make me question the whole picture - gorgeous exterior and interior, ample size, decent engine and transmission, all the useful gizmos (including surround cameras and adaptive cruise), etc. Sure, the luxury Germans are still somewhat nicer, but the price difference is huge: $70K+ instead of under $40K. It's 80%-90% more to get them, and you basically double or more than double your car-related expenses when taking into account maintenance and repairs.
For me, it's a lot more of a struggle to make that decision these days, and it does indeed feel a lot like throwing money away because it's hard to see the value - seems like way beyond the point of diminishing returns unless money is totally a non-issue.
Guys guys. Hey let me say as he knows I am totally supportive of Hypes choice but lets not get carried away. First nobody likes a good value proposition more that I do. I was all set to buy a 2015 Mazda 6 Touring with a six speed. Loved a ton about the car. Was getting a screaming deal. Know why I didn't buy it and ultimately ended up with an E class? It's because at that time (2015) the Mazda 6 rode like shyte compared to a Mercedes. There is a difference. I see Mazda 6's now and think they are a nice looking car but remember how I wisely didn't buy one because of the deal knowing that I wouldn't want to live with the way it rode. We have a older Mazda 3. Great car but it is a great cheap car. They are noisier and just not as refined. There is a difference and like with any product the higher you go up the greater the law of diminishing returns.
The ride quality of the Japanese cars, along with the build quality (no matter how we bash the deteriorating quality on German cars these days) pale relative to MB or BMW. Yes, you can buy one with nearly similar features for half the cost. Drive it for about 6 months, and if you have not dumped it due to the harsh ride quality already, you will start enjoying all the rattles and squeaks. Every single Japanese (or American for that matter) car we owned ended up like that. no exceptions whatsoever. None of the BMWs I owned had this issue though. They ride like a tank.
Now if you have not driven a fine German vehicle before, the Japanese may sound like a great deal, and you may even feel happy with them, and keep them for a long time.
It is however, very easy to renew it with a similar one within a year or two, if you are into that kind of refresh...
I don't know about that... I just test drove an E43 AMG and an E400 Coupe. Both brand new cars at the dealership. Both had rattles. The E43 had an annoying vibration in the middle of the dashboard, and the E400 had a loud rattle which my wife and I couldn't quite place (seemed like somewhere in the driver's seat). Also, the ride quality was pretty harsh, which I can understand on the E43 AMG, but I was surprised by how harsh it was on the E400 Coupe.
I don't know about that... I just test drove an E43 AMG and an E400 Coupe. Both brand new cars at the dealership. Both had rattles. The E43 had an annoying vibration in the middle of the dashboard, and the E400 had a loud rattle which my wife and I couldn't quite place (seemed like somewhere in the driver's seat). Also, the ride quality was pretty harsh, which I can understand on the E43 AMG, but I was surprised by how harsh it was on the E400 Coupe.
I am surprised with the harsh ride on E400. But not surprised with the dealer utilized vehicles rattling, as you should see how they are handled. Same thing across all brands. I noticed the same thing on my test drives, but none of the brand new vehicles rattle, regardless of the brand. The non-German ones start their rattles (from my experience) in very little time...
If you treat the vehicle like the dealers treat their loaners etc., then I am sure all will eventually rattle. I am quite confident that the German ones will join that party later than the other ones though...
I don't know about that... I just test drove an E43 AMG and an E400 Coupe. Both brand new cars at the dealership. Both had rattles. The E43 had an annoying vibration in the middle of the dashboard, and the E400 had a loud rattle which my wife and I couldn't quite place (seemed like somewhere in the driver's seat). Also, the ride quality was pretty harsh, which I can understand on the E43 AMG, but I was surprised by how harsh it was on the E400 Coupe.
Which year E400 coupe? if it was prior to the current one then it was on a C Class chassis and I agree that chassis with the sport package didn't ride very well.
Which brings us back to the S Class. There is a reason Mercedes puts all that air suspension claptrap on the car. Its all about the ride handling combination
These cars were not loaners. They were brand new cars. One with mileage in the teens, and the other in the twenties.
I also test drove three brand new 5-series BMWs recently, and none of them had rattles, so, based on these anecdotes, this seems to be more of a Mercedes issue.
Which year E400 coupe? if it was prior to the current one then it was on a C Class chassis and I agree that chassis with the sport package didn't ride very well.
Which brings us back to the S Class. There is a reason Mercedes puts all that air suspension claptrap on the car. Its all about the ride handling combination
It was a 2018 E400 Coupe. It didn't have the Air Body Control. Maybe it's better with that. The one I drove was really harsh! The saleswoman said that yes, that's how they are because the coupe is supposed to be sporty.
2020 S560 Sedan, 2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon
Originally Posted by visualguy
I don't know about that... I just test drove an E43 AMG and an E400 Coupe. Both brand new cars at the dealership. Both had rattles. The E43 had an annoying vibration in the middle of the dashboard, and the E400 had a loud rattle which my wife and I couldn't quite place (seemed like somewhere in the driver's seat). Also, the ride quality was pretty harsh, which I can understand on the E43 AMG, but I was surprised by how harsh it was on the E400 Coupe.
RUN FLATS strike again! And, it’s not just the RFT, it’s the enormous wheels, resulting in rubber band depth sidewalls. The automotive world is off its rocker with these crazy, huge wheels and low profile, load rated tires. Oh, I know “they handle better.” WHERE? On a race track? Who drives around town to the limits where any of these cars need MORE tire? More and more in auto magazine reviews they are calling out the huge wheels and low profile tires for being the kiss of death to ride quality. Maybe this will go full circle and someday E Class cars will be fitted again with 15” or 16” wheels as they should be. Make the huge wheels optional. If someone wants them, let them order them, but make sensible size wheels & tires standard equipment for the vast majority of drivers who don’t channel Aryton Senna every day on their way to work.
Last edited by Streamliner; 03-05-2018 at 11:11 PM.
Someone wrote on this new/old thread that it's basically stupid to buy a new 2018 S Class, that it's MUCH better to wait and buy a 3 year old car. But I didn't want the 3 year old one, I wanted the new one. I didn't want to pay new car money but I didn't want to wait 3 years either. The time was simply right, to buy my first and last new car, so I did last week. No regrets. The new car smell, the knowledge that I have all the cool features that I wanted and didn't want to wait 3 years to get (used), and I got a rare color that will never be available again on this car.
YAY. Grateful I could afford it though, I shouldn't have done it, financially. Luckily I'm single and no one was there say "are you CRAZY? We are NOT buying that car". It's just me so I traded in my 2012 S63 and paid cash for a new one. Damn, did I happen to say how grateful I am? I ran the #'s on waiting 2 years or just doing it now and it would only cost me $1500-1700 more a month to just get it now so I did it.
It's all good. I could never, ever afford to do this again. I happened to KILL IT at work last year so I treated myself. I'll never probably even make 1/2 of what I made last year. It was a crazy extravagance for sure to get the car to make up for the 70-100 hour work weeks for 2 years straight.
Someone wrote on this new/old thread that it's basically stupid to buy a new 2018 S Class, that it's MUCH better to wait and buy a 3 year old car. But I didn't want the 3 year old one, I wanted the new one. I didn't want to pay new car money but I didn't want to wait 3 years either. The time was simply right, to buy my first and last new car, so I did last week. No regrets. The new car smell, the knowledge that I have all the cool features that I wanted and didn't want to wait 3 years to get (used), and I got a rare color that will never be available again on this car.
YAY. Grateful I could afford it though, I shouldn't have done it, financially. Luckily I'm single and no one was there say "are you CRAZY? We are NOT buying that car". It's just me so I traded in my 2012 S63 and paid cash for a new one. Damn, did I happen to say how grateful I am? I ran the #'s on waiting 2 years or just doing it now and it would only cost me $1500-1700 more a month to just get it now so I did it.
It's all good. I could never, ever afford to do this again. I happened to KILL IT at work last year so I treated myself. I'll never probably even make 1/2 of what I made last year. It was a crazy extravagance for sure to get the car to make up for the 70-100 hour work weeks for 2 years straight.
Drive it in good health! It looks beautiful! What color again?
Drive it in good health! It looks beautiful! What color again?
Thanks. Designo Grey, same as my 2012 car that I traded in to get this. They don't make it anymore, it was made by Mercedes in error for a customer that ordered a Matte Grey car. Mercedes checked the wrong box and this color was made instead. It was meant to be . I could have bought a 2015 with low miles for about $105 or this car for $10k off MSRP but I didn't like the 2015 I saw so I bought this instead. It had everything I was looking for including the cool new steering wheel.
What about ride quality? Attention to detail? Build quality? Most of these sub $50k cars do not have real leather so that is a joke when everyone says my honda has leather. No it does not. Handling, feel of the drive? And also how much less noise the MB, BMW or Audi is when you drive it. My wife said the same thing for years. She drove Honda Civic Hybrids and Mazda 3 and Honda Accord. Finally she leased a CLA(Bad idea) because a CLA, GLA is basically the same level as the honda or Mazda. So I told her drive one of my cars. She drove the CLK350 Designo and then the CL600 and she could not believe how much more amazing these cars were to drive and considering how old they are compared to her other cars. CLK is a 09 with 35k miles and the CL600 is a 06 with 49k miles. I let her drive them for a couple of days. She then went out and got a 2015 ML when we got married. She now sees the difference. CPO car of course she bought.
As far as driving fun I am sorry I have more fun in my *** 02 Porsche 911 then some newer car like a Ford or Mazda. And can be purchased for about the same price
Someone wrote on this new/old thread that it's basically stupid to buy a new 2018 S Class, that it's MUCH better to wait and buy a 3 year old car. But I didn't want the 3 year old one, I wanted the new one. I didn't want to pay new car money but I didn't want to wait 3 years either. The time was simply right, to buy my first and last new car, so I did last week. No regrets. The new car smell, the knowledge that I have all the cool features that I wanted and didn't want to wait 3 years to get (used), and I got a rare color that will never be available again on this car.
YAY. Grateful I could afford it though, I shouldn't have done it, financially. Luckily I'm single and no one was there say "are you CRAZY? We are NOT buying that car". It's just me so I traded in my 2012 S63 and paid cash for a new one. Damn, did I happen to say how grateful I am? I ran the #'s on waiting 2 years or just doing it now and it would only cost me $1500-1700 more a month to just get it now so I did it.
It's all good. I could never, ever afford to do this again. I happened to KILL IT at work last year so I treated myself. I'll never probably even make 1/2 of what I made last year. It was a crazy extravagance for sure to get the car to make up for the 70-100 hour work weeks for 2 years straight.
I wrote that. It was not directed to you. It was directed to the people who buy a brand new car and cry how it drops in value or the upkeep. It is like buying a waterfront mansion in Malibu and complaining about the taxes. You need to pay to play. Your S is amazing.
03-05-2018, 09:15 AM
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