merc's your opinions 15-25 k to spend

[Stix Zadinia]

hmm. servicing depends where you go.. normal mercedes service rates are around $135 an hour, whereas there is a place in brisbane that is an official workshop that only charges $85 an hour (who by the way has the MB oz mechanic of the year and 2 or more 300SL gullwings at any given time).

116's are fairly easy cars to work on, i know of 450's into the 600,000km mark and still going strong. they don't make cars like that anymore.

[Q]

...... whereas there is a place in brisbane that is an official workshop that only charges $85 an hour (who by the way has the MB oz mechanic of the year and 2 or more 300SL gullwings at any given time).

Which workshop are you referring to ?

[Stix Zadinia]

Three Point Services in Mt Gravatt.
speak to Patrick Schnieder (tell him i sent you!)
Phone: 0738497933
17 Rover Street
Mount Gravatt 4122

[meggala]

my 450 had 450/480000 klms as far as body wise abd ibnterior it was great but mechanically it needed a rebuild etc.

forg seriously the build quality its great that fact that the things never break down ie you can always limp home (had a stuffed fuel pump car couldnt rev over 2200 rpm but still got me home. exhaust manifold snapped at the head still got me home.
transmission very little fluid ( my fault) still got me home). 450 000 klms panel fit was great no stress fatigue. no rattles even from the sunroof no noticable wear on the leather seats.
why do you have a volvo I assume cause they are big and solid its different and they can handle high milage.
mercs are the same I really like the feel of them.


btw is there any one on here who has owned a merc who would never own one again?

[Q]

btw is there any one on here who has owned a merc who would never own one again?

Q waves his hand in the air.
At this point in time, I won't buy another one. .....However not for any of the reasons you listed.
I agree with everything you have said. I love them also.

My issue is resale value.
I lost 85k in 2 and a bit years on our SL500.
Whilst DB continue to release new model / engine combinations every year, their resale value will continue to plummet.

Look at the [1st gen] E55 for a moment. It was the exception to the chronic depreciation issue.
Great car, great re-sale value, so what does DB do ...?
....introduces the new model that jumps 100kw
That little move just fu(ked over every [1st gen] E55 owner...

[meggala]

My issue is resale value.
I lost 85k in 2 and a bit years on our SL500.
Whilst DB continue to release new model / engine combinations every year, their resale value will continue to plummet.

thats the only reason I wouldnt buy a new merc.

"85k is a big hit in anyones language tax benifits or not"
but I might buy one if my plan was to keep it for 7-10 years then you have had your value

[Turbo4WD]

I would take an infinity but not an older one.

seriously I want a nice comfortable luxury car with some pimp value that is modern:D

I even browesd the s400 and s500 40-60 k nice for a full luxo barge I wont be buying a vt any time soon.
but my budget is the 15 - 25 k bracket and I really want some thing fairly low klms

I know its a 10-12yr old "dinosaur/ready-for-scrapheap" but it certainly has pimp value - infact the Q45 wears the all-time-best oversized pimp badge on the font

If you want something newer have you considered a Eunos 800M / Millenia?

These run a supercharged V6 that is silky smooth and very good on juice, comfortable and modern, and nice to drive. Certainly worth a look - make sure you use optimax/ultimate though otherwise the computer cuts back the power otherwise. You should be able to pick up say a 4-9yr old one for a very decent price. These are probably the best luxury bargain on the market.

Another good choice is the VW Passat - you can get a late model V6 or 4cyl turbo for a great price - there were quite a few sold in manual too if you like to change your own gears. VW has fixed price servicing and parts and of course prety similar to its german counterparts Audi/Merc/BMW in terms of quality/safety and feel (ie solid feeling doors, thick glass ect). They also have the same vague steering feel as most mercs do (excluding some sports models).

[edo]

Regarding the servicing, I thought they were cheap. $300 for a minor & $500 for a major on my E320...thats no more than anything else, & a lot of jap stuff is more than that. No special workshop...Merc Benz of Brisbane, in the valley.

Id buy another in a flash, dont think Id buy a new one but a good second hand one is easy to find. Personally id steer away from any models that had the air suspension etc, it seems to me that thats an obvious thing to go wrong

[EXWRX]

Meggala, I know where you are coming from. I have been in the same dilemma for a while and have looked at quite a few mid-late 90's C class C200/C240/C280's. At the prices they are currently fetching I reckon they are fantastic value. Alternative is a new accord euro which is also tempting.

Has edo sold his E class yet? that looks like good value at 25K or whatever the going rate is now

[itsnotagsr]

Buy new. You get warranty!

[Stix Zadinia]

you also get 'made in america' quality, and Chrysler influance.

they don't engineer cars like they used to, their new models aren't as far ahead as say the W116 was when it was released

[itsnotagsr]

Yeah but a new car with 3-5years warranty is better than a 10-15yo Merc with no warranty....

[marcinek]

yep, exactly right on that. They don't make cars like they used to. i currently have a very straight 350se only problem is the engine needs replacing. you can have it for 500 bucks. comes with 17's and a bit of engine fruit. reason for engine woes are solely my fault and does not reflect on w116 build quality/reliabilty.

[Dom78]

You may be able to get a C280 for around that price. A bit more power, a bit more fun!! There is a silver one up here advertised for 30K, 1998 model, but has been in the caryard for some time. Still beautiful cars.

Dom

[meggala]

I would prefer a c 280 but I'll wait till its time to buy b4 I make my decision