Looking to buy 2010 S550 with High milage, risky?
11-16-2015, 07:13 PM
#26
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Cincinnati
Posts: 4,236
Received 986 Likes
on
722 Posts
2010 E350 4Matic
It all depends on risk tolerance, your financial situation, your mechanical ability, and willingness to seek out and risk non-dealer alternative repairs for potential high dollar repairs.
I've gone the CPO route for some cars and "self-insured" on others. The tendency is that if you have a warranty, you agitate to have anything that even may be an issue addressed. On an Audi that I had they replaced mechatronics, then the torque converter as it "failed" immediately after (and due to) them messing with the transmission. The occasional shifting issue was just a feature of the car.
My experiences with aftermarket warranties have all been bad. One was a fidelity warranty that was transferred to me and repairs were rejected as wear items. The other was also transferred to me (back in the 90s)and they required a maintainance history which was incomplete and the claim was rejected.
I agree that the CPO route ensures a predictable cost. You are ignoring depreciation tradeoff as it relates to TCO (total cost of ownership).
So let's model this 2010 S550 80k miles $30k 36 months ownership, 10k miles per year. Let's assume the following was done:
Trans fluid change x 2 40k and 80k
Brakes rotors front/rear @ 60k
Motor, trans mounts done recently.
Serpentine belt already replaced.
New tires.
No warranty, sales tax 8%.
Base cost 30,000
Tax. 2400
Maintenance
Oil changes. 900 (6x 150)
Tires. 1200
Suspension. 2500 ( 1 air strut plus a control arm or so, alignment )
Other repairs 2500 ( Ac compressor/ air pump/ seat / modules/ oil leaks)
Interest cost estimate: (32,000 + 18000)/2 * 2% * 3 years = $1500
Total: $41000
Residual value : $17000
Projected Monthly cost : $666
The potential transmission repair would increase monthly costs by $166.
If you happen to not have to fix much you would save about $140 per month.
---
Let's compare the newer car with 40k miles 36 month 30k miles
Assuming new tires
Brakes refreshed as per CPO
Trans fluid changed at 40k
Base cost $44,000
Tax. $ 3520
Tires 1200
Oil. 900
Interest cost estimate (44000-24000)/2 * .02 = 2000
Copay per repair 350 ( 50* 6)
Residual value 24000
Projected cost : $30000 / 36 months = $833 month
Note that these estimates are all seat of the pants estimates and you are welcome to use real numbers instead. I think they do represent ballpark estimates of some real costs to own.
So if you fix the transmission on the high mileage car, that would have paid for the nicer newer car. If you are able to manage down the cost of repairs, the non warranty car may cost less but at almost worst case the same, or even possibly a bit more.
Either way, you are far from the TCO of owning a less expensive car, but also far from the TCO of a new 2016 S550 for the same ownership period.
You could drive down TCO by finding a well maintained, well documented similar car with lower mileage for similar cost, or negotiating that car down to $28k if possible.
I've gone the CPO route for some cars and "self-insured" on others. The tendency is that if you have a warranty, you agitate to have anything that even may be an issue addressed. On an Audi that I had they replaced mechatronics, then the torque converter as it "failed" immediately after (and due to) them messing with the transmission. The occasional shifting issue was just a feature of the car.
My experiences with aftermarket warranties have all been bad. One was a fidelity warranty that was transferred to me and repairs were rejected as wear items. The other was also transferred to me (back in the 90s)and they required a maintainance history which was incomplete and the claim was rejected.
I agree that the CPO route ensures a predictable cost. You are ignoring depreciation tradeoff as it relates to TCO (total cost of ownership).
So let's model this 2010 S550 80k miles $30k 36 months ownership, 10k miles per year. Let's assume the following was done:
Trans fluid change x 2 40k and 80k
Brakes rotors front/rear @ 60k
Motor, trans mounts done recently.
Serpentine belt already replaced.
New tires.
No warranty, sales tax 8%.
Base cost 30,000
Tax. 2400
Maintenance
Oil changes. 900 (6x 150)
Tires. 1200
Suspension. 2500 ( 1 air strut plus a control arm or so, alignment )
Other repairs 2500 ( Ac compressor/ air pump/ seat / modules/ oil leaks)
Interest cost estimate: (32,000 + 18000)/2 * 2% * 3 years = $1500
Total: $41000
Residual value : $17000
Projected Monthly cost : $666
The potential transmission repair would increase monthly costs by $166.
If you happen to not have to fix much you would save about $140 per month.
---
Let's compare the newer car with 40k miles 36 month 30k miles
Assuming new tires
Brakes refreshed as per CPO
Trans fluid changed at 40k
Base cost $44,000
Tax. $ 3520
Tires 1200
Oil. 900
Interest cost estimate (44000-24000)/2 * .02 = 2000
Copay per repair 350 ( 50* 6)
Residual value 24000
Projected cost : $30000 / 36 months = $833 month
Note that these estimates are all seat of the pants estimates and you are welcome to use real numbers instead. I think they do represent ballpark estimates of some real costs to own.
So if you fix the transmission on the high mileage car, that would have paid for the nicer newer car. If you are able to manage down the cost of repairs, the non warranty car may cost less but at almost worst case the same, or even possibly a bit more.
Either way, you are far from the TCO of owning a less expensive car, but also far from the TCO of a new 2016 S550 for the same ownership period.
You could drive down TCO by finding a well maintained, well documented similar car with lower mileage for similar cost, or negotiating that car down to $28k if possible.
11-16-2015, 08:58 PM
#28
If I sat down and calculated the true TCO on my S Class I'd friggin shoot myself. I have a perfectly good 2005 Camry that's paid for I could drive for the cost of basic maintenance, but the poor thing is growing cobwebs. I can't quite bring myself to walk past the S to get into the Camry.
I think no matter how you slice it, an S Class makes no sense as a rational decision. It's an emotional decision that your rational brain tries to justify and structure in the least stupid way possible. That's how I approach it. What's the least stupid way to buy this once $100,000 used car?
I think no matter how you slice it, an S Class makes no sense as a rational decision. It's an emotional decision that your rational brain tries to justify and structure in the least stupid way possible. That's how I approach it. What's the least stupid way to buy this once $100,000 used car?
Most are thinking what the hell is wrong with this dude that's a no brainer. Well I am a real estate investor where I flip houses and as you can imagine the S65 can't haul much stuff but that old busted Toyota sure can. But I can't stand driving the Toyota but man oh man drywall dust in the S65 drives me crazy!
11-16-2015, 09:23 PM
#29
MBWorld Fanatic!
It's funny how you and I are so different on how we feel about warranties but how we are in a similar type scenario for vehicles. Everyday I have to decide if I should take my immaculate 2007 S65 or my old busted 2002 Toyota Sequoia with 194K tough miles.
Most are thinking what the hell is wrong with this dude that's a no brainer. Well I am a real estate investor where I flip houses and as you can imagine the S65 can't haul much stuff but that old busted Toyota sure can. But I can't stand driving the Toyota but man oh man drywall dust in the S65 drives me crazy!
Most are thinking what the hell is wrong with this dude that's a no brainer. Well I am a real estate investor where I flip houses and as you can imagine the S65 can't haul much stuff but that old busted Toyota sure can. But I can't stand driving the Toyota but man oh man drywall dust in the S65 drives me crazy!
11-17-2015, 03:58 AM
#30
Senior Member
Here's how I see it. You pay $30,000 for a car with a market value of $30,000. You're not ahead a nickel.
Now your $30,000 car needs a $6,000 transmission. You have to spend the money...the car is worthless without a transmission...and now you're into the $30,000 car for $36,000. It's not worth any more money just because it has a rebuilt tranny. If anything it's worth less.
While you're (potentially) putting $5000 a year into the car in repairs that add nothing to the value, it's also continuing to depreciate. If you keep it for three years, it will again depreciate by half. The real risk with these cars is how quickly you can get upside down in value vs investment.
For example, the 2006 S500. In 2011 that car was worth about $18k. It was worth $18k the day before the tranny went. It was worth $18k after I paid the shop $6000 and drove it home. It would have been worth it's weight in salvage and scrap metal had I not repaired it. Bad spot to find yourself in whether you have $6,000 laying around or not.
I say if you have the cash for a $30,000 car and $15,000 in potential repairs, ($45,000) then you easily have the $40,000 to spend on a nicer, fresher car with a CPO warranty and little potential downside.
It seems like there are two camps: the guys with warranties and the guys without warranties who haven't had to pay out of pocket for a major repair. Yet.
You never hear the CPO guys *****ing about how worthless or pointless the warranty was. Depending on the company most 3rd party warranty guys aren't complaining either.
You hear a lot of complaining from the other guys when a four figure repair pops up out of the blue.
You'll see them on the forum every day, begging for help to fix something cheaply because they can't afford to fix it right, and they really thought their $30,000 S Class was going to be more reliable because Mercedes built it.
I guess the potential downside is you pay more for the warranty than the warranty pays out in repairs, but for me at least over three S Class in ten years that hasn't been the case.
Now your $30,000 car needs a $6,000 transmission. You have to spend the money...the car is worthless without a transmission...and now you're into the $30,000 car for $36,000. It's not worth any more money just because it has a rebuilt tranny. If anything it's worth less.
While you're (potentially) putting $5000 a year into the car in repairs that add nothing to the value, it's also continuing to depreciate. If you keep it for three years, it will again depreciate by half. The real risk with these cars is how quickly you can get upside down in value vs investment.
For example, the 2006 S500. In 2011 that car was worth about $18k. It was worth $18k the day before the tranny went. It was worth $18k after I paid the shop $6000 and drove it home. It would have been worth it's weight in salvage and scrap metal had I not repaired it. Bad spot to find yourself in whether you have $6,000 laying around or not.
I say if you have the cash for a $30,000 car and $15,000 in potential repairs, ($45,000) then you easily have the $40,000 to spend on a nicer, fresher car with a CPO warranty and little potential downside.
It seems like there are two camps: the guys with warranties and the guys without warranties who haven't had to pay out of pocket for a major repair. Yet.
You never hear the CPO guys *****ing about how worthless or pointless the warranty was. Depending on the company most 3rd party warranty guys aren't complaining either.
You hear a lot of complaining from the other guys when a four figure repair pops up out of the blue.
You'll see them on the forum every day, begging for help to fix something cheaply because they can't afford to fix it right, and they really thought their $30,000 S Class was going to be more reliable because Mercedes built it.
I guess the potential downside is you pay more for the warranty than the warranty pays out in repairs, but for me at least over three S Class in ten years that hasn't been the case.
IMO $36K is still not $100K. If I wanted to dump the car after a $6K bill, I'd take the hit, but why do that if I knew the transmission was fixed? Why not drive it a few more years and at least get some utility out of the money sunk into servicing the vehicle? At the end of the day, you and I know it doesn't matter because we love our cars.
To use your stripper analogy, do you care that you paid $20 for a lap dance or do you just pay it and get a hard on for the next 3-5 minutes and enjoy the 'ride'??? If she entices you for another round for $20, you pay it. One stripper, now you're down $40, but wasn't the ride good???
Yes, market value of a high mileage 2010 S550 may be only $30K, but so is a fully loaded brand new 2016 Toyota Camry. Would you rather drive a 2010 S-Class or the 2016 Camry??? You are getting $100K's worth in technology, engineering, performance. Also depends on the starting point of the pre-owned S550. If you negotiated the hell out of the purchase price like I did, you get a better starting point.
If you are buying a pre-owned model every 4 years then fine, get the extended warranty to protect yourself. I keep my cars at 8-10 years before I get another car so I drive with no warranty and it doesn't matter.
Another thing that I factor in is the reliability record. The W220's you previously owned were notorious for their problems so long term ownership would be out of the question. The W221 has been pretty decent in terms of reliability. Not bullet proof like Lexus, but much better than before and based on the track record, I'm willing to hold onto it a few more years.
Lastly, I checked Edmunds and total 5 year depreciation on an S550 is $60K. I'd rather use that $60K to invest so I can buy a CPO W223 S-Class in the future or take some of that to go on a vacation.
11-17-2015, 07:30 AM
#32
MBWorld Fanatic!
Yes, the 220's were terrible in reliability versus the 221. I could have kept the S500 after the tranny debacle ( which occurred 3000 miles after CPO expired) and recouped but at that point the car had 103k miles, little cosmetic stuff was adding up and I was pissed at it for leaving me and my kid stranded, on her birthday of all days, so it had to go.
I then paid $24k for the most flawless S430 I'd ever seen, eight years old at the time with 30k miles on the clock, but added a $4k warranty and drove it for a couple of years until the miles exceeded the warranty and let it go. I broke even on that warranty but the car still was in the shop a good bit, which is a drag. That one left my wife stranded at 11 at night in a mall parking lot in Tampa, two hours away.
The 2010 S550 hasn't seen any major repairs so far, and it's at 83k. I have exactly one year/unlimited miles of CPO remaining, and then I'll probably be looking for another CPO car, possibly a 222 if the prices come down as quick as the 221 and 220 did.
I then paid $24k for the most flawless S430 I'd ever seen, eight years old at the time with 30k miles on the clock, but added a $4k warranty and drove it for a couple of years until the miles exceeded the warranty and let it go. I broke even on that warranty but the car still was in the shop a good bit, which is a drag. That one left my wife stranded at 11 at night in a mall parking lot in Tampa, two hours away.
The 2010 S550 hasn't seen any major repairs so far, and it's at 83k. I have exactly one year/unlimited miles of CPO remaining, and then I'll probably be looking for another CPO car, possibly a 222 if the prices come down as quick as the 221 and 220 did.
11-17-2015, 08:42 AM
#33
Mike, it's all a matter of perspective and your time horizon. To me it is and it isn't about the money...
IMO $36K is still not $100K. If I wanted to dump the car after a $6K bill, I'd take the hit, but why do that if I knew the transmission was fixed? Why not drive it a few more years and at least get some utility out of the money sunk into servicing the vehicle? At the end of the day, you and I know it doesn't matter because we love our cars.
To use your stripper analogy, do you care that you paid $20 for a lap dance or do you just pay it and get a hard on for the next 3-5 minutes and enjoy the 'ride'??? If she entices you for another round for $20, you pay it. One stripper, now you're down $40, but wasn't the ride good???
Yes, market value of a high mileage 2010 S550 may be only $30K, but so is a fully loaded brand new 2016 Toyota Camry. Would you rather drive a 2010 S-Class or the 2016 Camry??? You are getting $100K's worth in technology, engineering, performance. Also depends on the starting point of the pre-owned S550. If you negotiated the hell out of the purchase price like I did, you get a better starting point.
If you are buying a pre-owned model every 4 years then fine, get the extended warranty to protect yourself. I keep my cars at 8-10 years before I get another car so I drive with no warranty and it doesn't matter.
Another thing that I factor in is the reliability record. The W220's you previously owned were notorious for their problems so long term ownership would be out of the question. The W221 has been pretty decent in terms of reliability. Not bullet proof like Lexus, but much better than before and based on the track record, I'm willing to hold onto it a few more years.
Lastly, I checked Edmunds and total 5 year depreciation on an S550 is $60K. I'd rather use that $60K to invest so I can buy a CPO W223 S-Class in the future or take some of that to go on a vacation.
IMO $36K is still not $100K. If I wanted to dump the car after a $6K bill, I'd take the hit, but why do that if I knew the transmission was fixed? Why not drive it a few more years and at least get some utility out of the money sunk into servicing the vehicle? At the end of the day, you and I know it doesn't matter because we love our cars.
To use your stripper analogy, do you care that you paid $20 for a lap dance or do you just pay it and get a hard on for the next 3-5 minutes and enjoy the 'ride'??? If she entices you for another round for $20, you pay it. One stripper, now you're down $40, but wasn't the ride good???
Yes, market value of a high mileage 2010 S550 may be only $30K, but so is a fully loaded brand new 2016 Toyota Camry. Would you rather drive a 2010 S-Class or the 2016 Camry??? You are getting $100K's worth in technology, engineering, performance. Also depends on the starting point of the pre-owned S550. If you negotiated the hell out of the purchase price like I did, you get a better starting point.
If you are buying a pre-owned model every 4 years then fine, get the extended warranty to protect yourself. I keep my cars at 8-10 years before I get another car so I drive with no warranty and it doesn't matter.
Another thing that I factor in is the reliability record. The W220's you previously owned were notorious for their problems so long term ownership would be out of the question. The W221 has been pretty decent in terms of reliability. Not bullet proof like Lexus, but much better than before and based on the track record, I'm willing to hold onto it a few more years.
Lastly, I checked Edmunds and total 5 year depreciation on an S550 is $60K. I'd rather use that $60K to invest so I can buy a CPO W223 S-Class in the future or take some of that to go on a vacation.
11-17-2015, 10:23 AM
#34
MBWorld Fanatic!
If the OPs original question was, "I have a $100,000 budget for a car, does it make more sense to buy a used S Class for $60k and bank the other $40k?", the answer is yes, of course.
That wasn't the question. The question was, "I have $30,000 to spend. Is an S Class going to cost me more in maintenance and repairs than other used cars in the $30k range?" He liked the S because it out-classes everything else for the money, but wants to know if ownership costs are roughly the same. What he's really asking us is how is it he can buy a once $100,000 car in great shape for $30,000. What's the catch?
The catch is the ownership costs can be steep, and part of the proof is in the very thing that makes the car affordable...It depreciates as quickly as it does largely because the ownership costs are steep.
That's not to dismiss the guys with older high mileage S Class that have been trouble free. Just realize that you can decide not to use condoms for protection from STDs and not catch herpes. It doesn't mean you're immune from herpes.
That wasn't the question. The question was, "I have $30,000 to spend. Is an S Class going to cost me more in maintenance and repairs than other used cars in the $30k range?" He liked the S because it out-classes everything else for the money, but wants to know if ownership costs are roughly the same. What he's really asking us is how is it he can buy a once $100,000 car in great shape for $30,000. What's the catch?
The catch is the ownership costs can be steep, and part of the proof is in the very thing that makes the car affordable...It depreciates as quickly as it does largely because the ownership costs are steep.
That's not to dismiss the guys with older high mileage S Class that have been trouble free. Just realize that you can decide not to use condoms for protection from STDs and not catch herpes. It doesn't mean you're immune from herpes.
11-17-2015, 10:31 AM
#35
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Land of Political Criminals and Urban Shootings
Posts: 4,010
Received 477 Likes
on
364 Posts
2015 S550
Look around at the hundreds or even thousands of threads on this board about guys complaining about repairs....and looking for ways to avoid going to the dealers who they think will gouge them....so they are seeking advice to try and tackle those repairs themselves or find a good indy who they think will save them a bunch of money over a dealer....and you get a pretty good picture of what it's like to own one of these cars without having a warranty/service contract.
The only complaints that I see from folks who have warranties/service contracts on their cars are when they don't understand their policy and thought that a repair they were taking their car in for should have been covered.
The only complaints that I see from folks who have warranties/service contracts on their cars are when they don't understand their policy and thought that a repair they were taking their car in for should have been covered.
11-17-2015, 11:57 AM
#36
MBWorld Fanatic!
We have two excellent Indies here. Neither is substantially cheaper on labor rates or parts prices for MB vs the dealer. For warranty work obviously it goes to the dealer. For other stuff, if it's already at the dealer I have them handle it as well. If either of my indies had free loaners I'd use them more but it's a hassle getting a ride there and back.
I would say before committing to an S Class in the hopes there's an Indie that can save you a lot of money, visit the Indie shop. Do they have the diagnostic gear capable of communicating with your S Class. Ask what their hourly rate is for labor. Ask if they work off book flat rate or do they have a sliding scale. Do they sublet out big stuff, or alignments because they don't have the equipment. What's their mark up on OEM and aftermarket parts. Compare those rates and that labor rate structure with your dealership.
I would say before committing to an S Class in the hopes there's an Indie that can save you a lot of money, visit the Indie shop. Do they have the diagnostic gear capable of communicating with your S Class. Ask what their hourly rate is for labor. Ask if they work off book flat rate or do they have a sliding scale. Do they sublet out big stuff, or alignments because they don't have the equipment. What's their mark up on OEM and aftermarket parts. Compare those rates and that labor rate structure with your dealership.
Last edited by Mike5215; 11-17-2015 at 02:48 PM.
11-17-2015, 02:59 PM
#37
Member
In general you are completely correct. Aftermarket non-oem parts can result in premature failure and require that the part be replaced again. Flawed diagnosis results in greater repair cost and unnecessary parts and labor expenditure.
Often "problem cars" are the result of prior improper repairs causing related failures.
However, there are specific cases where you might be able to save something (and assume more risk). Let's say a transmission fails, you might be able to find a specialist capable of rebuilding yours, for half of what the dealer charges. ( For example there is a place in NJ that is a transmission rebuilding company, I've never used them but from what I could find they seem ok and they seem to be significantly cheaper than a dealership repair).
The risk is whether that will result in a failed repair or some other unintended issues. I find there is significantly less recourse when you are dealing with an independent vs a dealership, so if it goes badly, you may have an unsatisfactory result. With the dealership you can typically work things out.
There is also the case where you have a well documented issue that requires some specific part replacement where an oem part is readily available. An example would be if your Bosch secondary air injection pump fails and you can get a Bosch pump from the dealer for $600 or the same part from Bosch in the aftermarket for $150 and then replace it yourself. So for this fictional repair a $1000 repair becomes a $150 repair.
Generally, this is not the case, but there are specific exceptions where you can save some $$$ trading off some risk and/or inconvenience.
Often "problem cars" are the result of prior improper repairs causing related failures.
However, there are specific cases where you might be able to save something (and assume more risk). Let's say a transmission fails, you might be able to find a specialist capable of rebuilding yours, for half of what the dealer charges. ( For example there is a place in NJ that is a transmission rebuilding company, I've never used them but from what I could find they seem ok and they seem to be significantly cheaper than a dealership repair).
The risk is whether that will result in a failed repair or some other unintended issues. I find there is significantly less recourse when you are dealing with an independent vs a dealership, so if it goes badly, you may have an unsatisfactory result. With the dealership you can typically work things out.
There is also the case where you have a well documented issue that requires some specific part replacement where an oem part is readily available. An example would be if your Bosch secondary air injection pump fails and you can get a Bosch pump from the dealer for $600 or the same part from Bosch in the aftermarket for $150 and then replace it yourself. So for this fictional repair a $1000 repair becomes a $150 repair.
Generally, this is not the case, but there are specific exceptions where you can save some $$$ trading off some risk and/or inconvenience.
Last edited by MrRat; 11-17-2015 at 05:54 PM.
11-17-2015, 03:16 PM
#38
Member
And to the original question.
Is buying an 80,000 mile 2010 S550 risky?
Yes.
Is it well documented highly serviced car from a new car dealer
With fresh brakes, tires, trans fluid, oil, no accident history, new batteries,
No leaks, suspension issues, rattle free?
The ownership from 80,000 to 115,000 or so involves risk and depreciation.
As long as he's comfortable with a monthly cost between $400 and $800 then he can assume the risk.
Otherwise lease something heavily incentivized like a BMW 320i ? or buy/lease something like a basic Camry/Accord type thing.
The reality with the S is that it can get expensive to maintain, and fixing it cheaply can make it even more expensive.
Is buying an 80,000 mile 2010 S550 risky?
Yes.
Is it well documented highly serviced car from a new car dealer
With fresh brakes, tires, trans fluid, oil, no accident history, new batteries,
No leaks, suspension issues, rattle free?
The ownership from 80,000 to 115,000 or so involves risk and depreciation.
As long as he's comfortable with a monthly cost between $400 and $800 then he can assume the risk.
Otherwise lease something heavily incentivized like a BMW 320i ? or buy/lease something like a basic Camry/Accord type thing.
The reality with the S is that it can get expensive to maintain, and fixing it cheaply can make it even more expensive.
11-17-2015, 03:37 PM
#39
MBWorld Fanatic!
The tranny is a good example. Mine in the 220 had a clutch pack implode and send shrapnel throughout, infiltrating the torque converter.
The car was at my indie, in very good hands. He gave me the following options: He could tear it down, clean it up and rebuild it. It would require labor and materials around $6,000 and it would have no warranty. He could hunt for a salvage tranny for a few grand. No warranty and no idea the internal condition. He could order a reman from Germany, $6,000 installed, including a new torque converter two year unlimited miles warranty.
No area tranny shop would touch it upon learning it was a seven speed Mercedes transmission. So I was kind of boxed in, and did the reman as the least objectionable option.
Did I have $6k for the job? Yes. Did I feel stupid for not dumping the car at 100k miles. Oh yeah. I won't make that mistake twice.
To add insult to injury, two months before CPO expired, I had the dealer do an extra transmission service. Nothing unusual, no excessive metal shavings, no burnt fluid.
The car was at my indie, in very good hands. He gave me the following options: He could tear it down, clean it up and rebuild it. It would require labor and materials around $6,000 and it would have no warranty. He could hunt for a salvage tranny for a few grand. No warranty and no idea the internal condition. He could order a reman from Germany, $6,000 installed, including a new torque converter two year unlimited miles warranty.
No area tranny shop would touch it upon learning it was a seven speed Mercedes transmission. So I was kind of boxed in, and did the reman as the least objectionable option.
Did I have $6k for the job? Yes. Did I feel stupid for not dumping the car at 100k miles. Oh yeah. I won't make that mistake twice.
To add insult to injury, two months before CPO expired, I had the dealer do an extra transmission service. Nothing unusual, no excessive metal shavings, no burnt fluid.
Last edited by Mike5215; 11-17-2015 at 03:43 PM.
11-18-2015, 08:50 PM
#41
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Cincinnati
Posts: 4,236
Received 986 Likes
on
722 Posts
2010 E350 4Matic
Look around at the hundreds or even thousands of threads on this board about guys complaining about repairs....and looking for ways to avoid going to the dealers who they think will gouge them....so they are seeking advice to try and tackle those repairs themselves or find a good indy who they think will save them a bunch of money over a dealer....and you get a pretty good picture of what it's like to own one of these cars without having a warranty/service contract.
The only complaints that I see from folks who have warranties/service contracts on their cars are when they don't understand their policy and thought that a repair they were taking their car in for should have been covered.
The only complaints that I see from folks who have warranties/service contracts on their cars are when they don't understand their policy and thought that a repair they were taking their car in for should have been covered.
I also appreciate the candid discussion of the ownership cost of these vehicles. It is very easy to fantasize your way into believing that you wont get burned only to be totally snapped into a harsh reality by an unexpected repair bill.
Last edited by MBNUT1; 11-18-2015 at 08:57 PM.
11-19-2015, 12:03 AM
#43
It boils down to choice and what you feel comfortable with. If you have ever owned a luxury car, you should know approximately what the cost affiliated to owing one. I have owned a CLS 550 for over 4 years, purchased at just over 30k miles, i wouldn't expect to pay the same in maintenance cost if i was to compare it to a S550, but the price difference wouldn't be that much either. So the question is, have you owned a luxury car before? if the answer is yes then you should expect the same ball park in terms of pricing when it comes to repairs.
11-19-2015, 09:35 AM
#44
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Land of Political Criminals and Urban Shootings
Posts: 4,010
Received 477 Likes
on
364 Posts
2015 S550
It boils down to choice and what you feel comfortable with. If you have ever owned a luxury car, you should know approximately what the cost affiliated to owing one. I have owned a CLS 550 for over 4 years, purchased at just over 30k miles, i wouldn't expect to pay the same in maintenance cost if i was to compare it to a S550, but the price difference wouldn't be that much either. So the question is, have you owned a luxury car before? if the answer is yes then you should expect the same ball park in terms of pricing when it comes to repairs.
11-19-2015, 02:41 PM
#45
MBWorld Fanatic!
The S needs to be the last luxury car you get into, because it's really a challenge to find anything else to go to that's as good, or an improvement.
11-19-2015, 03:20 PM
#46
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Land of Political Criminals and Urban Shootings
Posts: 4,010
Received 477 Likes
on
364 Posts
2015 S550
There's always the Bentley Continental Flying Spur, but that compares more with the S600 and requires at least a 30% premium in cost over a comparable used S600. But the funny thing about the Flying Spur of the late 2000's is that the interior looks very similar in style, layout, and technology to the W220 S600.
11-19-2015, 04:24 PM
#47
Member
I like the prior model Quattroporte. The Bentleys are kind of popular around here, there were 2 of them parked when I went to drop off some forms at my local Fidelity site. The S550 is pretty much invisible around here. More people seemed to notice the Phaeton I used to own.
My dentist liked the Phaeton, he has a Bentley and I had talked with him about the Arnott strut replacements as he was having an issue.
The things that catch my eyes are the exotics, a while back I was surprised to see a Ferrari Enzo parked unattended on the street in front of the pizza place. For that, I walked over and
looked at it and that was impressive.
My dentist liked the Phaeton, he has a Bentley and I had talked with him about the Arnott strut replacements as he was having an issue.
The things that catch my eyes are the exotics, a while back I was surprised to see a Ferrari Enzo parked unattended on the street in front of the pizza place. For that, I walked over and
looked at it and that was impressive.
11-19-2015, 05:54 PM
#48
MBWorld Fanatic!
There's always the Bentley Continental Flying Spur, but that compares more with the S600 and requires at least a 30% premium in cost over a comparable used S600. But the funny thing about the Flying Spur of the late 2000's is that the interior looks very similar in style, layout, and technology to the W220 S600.
I sat in one of those Bentley coupes with the four round headlamps...I get confused by the names...and it was definitely exotic but nothing about it made the hair on the back of my neck stand up.
11-19-2015, 07:33 PM
#49
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Maryland
Posts: 1,560
Received 204 Likes
on
128 Posts
Depends on the weather
There's always the Bentley Continental Flying Spur, but that compares more with the S600 and requires at least a 30% premium in cost over a comparable used S600. But the funny thing about the Flying Spur of the late 2000's is that the interior looks very similar in style, layout, and technology to the W220 S600.
....but at 4000.00 a month for 60 months....that's a mortgage payment.
Last edited by WHPH28; 11-19-2015 at 07:35 PM.
