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Having owned a BMW about that old with less miles, I would say stay away unless they are willing to put in money fixing all the problems that will inevitably pop up.
 
Originally posted by: Doggiedog
Having owned a BMW about that old with less miles, I would say stay away unless they are willing to put in money fixing all the problems that will inevitably pop up.

Agreed, that thing is a money pit.
 
Yeah, I'd be a bit wary of a near-10-year-old MB. It's possible it'll be a tank, but odds are it'll have some expensive problems fairly soon.
 
Originally posted by: bootymac
That's what I thought at first. My dad owned a 84 Volvo and that thing was a never ending pit. I guess they both want something classy now since they are coming close to retirement.

Anyhow, since my parents never listen to me in situations like this, we'll probably end up with another lemon. Damn their egos :|

That's retarded. They're not going to impress anyone with a 10 year old MB, they're only going to let people know that the best Mercedes they could afford is 10 years old.
 
Originally posted by: bootymac
That's what I thought at first. My dad owned a 84 Volvo and that thing was a never ending pit. I guess they both want something classy now since they are coming close to retirement.

Anyhow, since my parents never listen to me in situations like this, we'll probably end up with another lemon. Damn their egos :|

LMAO, you own a VW GTi and you are condemning their choices. Ahh... the rampant fanboism.
 
Originally posted by: bootymac
That's what I thought at first. My dad owned a 84 Volvo and that thing was a never ending pit. I guess they both want something classy now since they are coming close to retirement.

Anyhow, since my parents never listen to me in situations like this, we'll probably end up with another lemon. Damn their egos :|

The best years of that car's life have come and gone. Trust me on this. I've owned a couple pre-owned BMWs and they both sucked up thousands of dollars each year in repairs. One was owned by my Father-In-Law and was always maintained at the dealership according to their recommendation including $5,000 for a new transmission at 90k miles.

You couldn't pay me to buy that car.
 
Seems like a reliable car to me:

Dashboard lights: A malfunction in the fuel-tank pressure sensor or the purge-control valve (or both) will cause the check-engine light to come on. (1997-98)

Headlights: Headlight and parking-light bulbs burn out prematurely on E300 models and a kit with new sockets and bulbs is available. (1996-97)


A/C Compressor $390
Alternator $480
Automatic Transmission or Transaxle $1,190
Brakes $330
Constant Velocity Joints $845
Exhaust System $845
Radiator $440
Shocks and/or Struts $1,630
Timing Chain or Belt $710
 
Originally posted by: iamwiz82
Seems like a reliable car to me:

Dashboard lights: A malfunction in the fuel-tank pressure sensor or the purge-control valve (or both) will cause the check-engine light to come on. (1997-98)

Headlights: Headlight and parking-light bulbs burn out prematurely on E300 models and a kit with new sockets and bulbs is available. (1996-97)


A/C Compressor $390
Alternator $480
Automatic Transmission or Transaxle $1,190
Brakes $330
Constant Velocity Joints $845
Exhaust System $845
Radiator $440
Shocks and/or Struts $1,630
Timing Chain or Belt $710

There is no way a transmission costs $1190 to replace in that car. Unless you are talking about a rebuilt aftermarket one and not including labor.

Our '94 325i would have cost over $5k for a new transmission or $3k for a rebuilt unit installed.

Edit-You're probably going to have to replace all the crap you listed here in the first couple years of ownership along with countless other minor annoying crap that goes wrong with a 10 year old German car. Sunroof not opening properly? $1500 to replace the entire sunroof cassette. Trip computer display gone out? $500 for a new one. The list goes on and on.

If your parents do buy it I'd like to see updates on the repair costs if you have access to that information. I could detail the repairs we made and the stuff we were too cheap to repair and just lived with (believe me, everyone with an older German car lives with something in need of repair on their cars).
 
Foreign cars are expensive to fix stay away. I replaced a power seat motor, one of three in the drivers seat and just the part was $700 in a 99 BMW.

I don't undertand the need to drive a MB anyway just screams of needing attention and spend thrift. And a used one??? LOL.. to broke to get a new one but still want to have an "image" just screams white trash rich wannabe.
 
Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Originally posted by: iamwiz82
Seems like a reliable car to me:

Dashboard lights: A malfunction in the fuel-tank pressure sensor or the purge-control valve (or both) will cause the check-engine light to come on. (1997-98)

Headlights: Headlight and parking-light bulbs burn out prematurely on E300 models and a kit with new sockets and bulbs is available. (1996-97)


A/C Compressor $390
Alternator $480
Automatic Transmission or Transaxle $1,190
Brakes $330
Constant Velocity Joints $845
Exhaust System $845
Radiator $440
Shocks and/or Struts $1,630
Timing Chain or Belt $710

There is no way a transmission costs $1190 to replace in that car. Unless you are talking about a rebuilt aftermarket one and not including labor.

Our '94 325i would have cost over $5k for a new transmission or $3k for a rebuilt unit installed.

I paid less than $1100 for a fairly rare, significantly modified and overbuilt transmission. I guess some people are willing to be taken for more?
 
Originally posted by: bootymac
You guys are getting the wrong impression. I never said they were trying to impress anyone. I simply said they want something a little more classy than a POS Volvo and a Corolla

Please read before you talk out of your ass, thanks.

Why not buy a new altima or something..same price....5-10 years use with only oil changes.. better mileage..better financing....extremly reliable. Dude that's a 10yr old car!
 
Originally posted by: iamwiz82
Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Originally posted by: iamwiz82
Seems like a reliable car to me:

Dashboard lights: A malfunction in the fuel-tank pressure sensor or the purge-control valve (or both) will cause the check-engine light to come on. (1997-98)

Headlights: Headlight and parking-light bulbs burn out prematurely on E300 models and a kit with new sockets and bulbs is available. (1996-97)


A/C Compressor $390
Alternator $480
Automatic Transmission or Transaxle $1,190
Brakes $330
Constant Velocity Joints $845
Exhaust System $845
Radiator $440
Shocks and/or Struts $1,630
Timing Chain or Belt $710

There is no way a transmission costs $1190 to replace in that car. Unless you are talking about a rebuilt aftermarket one and not including labor.

Our '94 325i would have cost over $5k for a new transmission or $3k for a rebuilt unit installed.

I paid less than $1100 for a fairly rare, significantly modified and overbuilt transmission. I guess some people are willing to be taken for more?

So, you're calling me a sucker then? Well, I guess we'll see who the sucker is. It sure isn't me because I don't own any German cars nor am I likely to buy another.

BTW-Our mechanic was very honest and I would recommend him to anyone-I'm not an idiot when it comes to cars. The $5k new transmission was a dealer quote installed (I sold the car based on a recommendation from my mechanic before we had major transmission trouble). Was the tranny you bought a stick or auto?
 
Originally posted by: bootymac
You guys are getting the wrong impression. I never said they were trying to impress anyone. I simply said they want something a little more classy than a POS Volvo and a Corolla

Please read before you talk out of your ass, thanks.

A better purchase might be a ~1999-2000 Lexus ES300, Acura TL, or Inifinii I30, probably would be cheaper on repairs and better in reliablity. You would still get the said "class" your parents are looking for.
 
Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Originally posted by: iamwiz82
Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Originally posted by: iamwiz82
Seems like a reliable car to me:

Dashboard lights: A malfunction in the fuel-tank pressure sensor or the purge-control valve (or both) will cause the check-engine light to come on. (1997-98)

Headlights: Headlight and parking-light bulbs burn out prematurely on E300 models and a kit with new sockets and bulbs is available. (1996-97)


A/C Compressor $390
Alternator $480
Automatic Transmission or Transaxle $1,190
Brakes $330
Constant Velocity Joints $845
Exhaust System $845
Radiator $440
Shocks and/or Struts $1,630
Timing Chain or Belt $710

There is no way a transmission costs $1190 to replace in that car. Unless you are talking about a rebuilt aftermarket one and not including labor.

Our '94 325i would have cost over $5k for a new transmission or $3k for a rebuilt unit installed.

I paid less than $1100 for a fairly rare, significantly modified and overbuilt transmission. I guess some people are willing to be taken for more?

So, you're calling me a sucker then? Well, I guess we'll see who the sucker is. It sure isn't me because I don't own any German cars nor am I likely to buy another.

BTW-Our mechanic was very honest and I would recommend him to anyone-I'm not an idiot when it comes to cars. The $5k new transmission was a dealer quote installed (I sold the car based on a recommendation from my mechanic before we had major transmission trouble). Was the tranny you bought a stick or auto?

An automatic, a 46RH, to be exact. Used for 2.5 years in Jeep Grand Cherokees V8s. It came with a relocated breather, an oversized oil pan, a 9-pack rear clutch, 5-pack front clutch, a new transmission cooler, and a shift kit. Just over $1000 installed.
 
Originally posted by: iamwiz82
Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Originally posted by: iamwiz82
Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Originally posted by: iamwiz82
Seems like a reliable car to me:

Dashboard lights: A malfunction in the fuel-tank pressure sensor or the purge-control valve (or both) will cause the check-engine light to come on. (1997-98)

Headlights: Headlight and parking-light bulbs burn out prematurely on E300 models and a kit with new sockets and bulbs is available. (1996-97)


A/C Compressor $390
Alternator $480
Automatic Transmission or Transaxle $1,190
Brakes $330
Constant Velocity Joints $845
Exhaust System $845
Radiator $440
Shocks and/or Struts $1,630
Timing Chain or Belt $710

There is no way a transmission costs $1190 to replace in that car. Unless you are talking about a rebuilt aftermarket one and not including labor.

Our '94 325i would have cost over $5k for a new transmission or $3k for a rebuilt unit installed.

I paid less than $1100 for a fairly rare, significantly modified and overbuilt transmission. I guess some people are willing to be taken for more?

So, you're calling me a sucker then? Well, I guess we'll see who the sucker is. It sure isn't me because I don't own any German cars nor am I likely to buy another.

BTW-Our mechanic was very honest and I would recommend him to anyone-I'm not an idiot when it comes to cars. The $5k new transmission was a dealer quote installed (I sold the car based on a recommendation from my mechanic before we had major transmission trouble). Was the tranny you bought a stick or auto?

An automatic, a 46RH, to be exact. Used for 2.5 years in Jeep Grand Cherokees V8s. It came with a relocated breather, an oversized oil pan, a 9-pack rear clutch, 5-pack front clutch, a new transmission cooler, and a shift kit. Just over $1000 installed.

Jeep? Um...we're talking about Mercedes here? As in Mercedes Benz?
 
Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Originally posted by: iamwiz82
Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Originally posted by: iamwiz82
Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Originally posted by: iamwiz82
Seems like a reliable car to me:

Dashboard lights: A malfunction in the fuel-tank pressure sensor or the purge-control valve (or both) will cause the check-engine light to come on. (1997-98)

Headlights: Headlight and parking-light bulbs burn out prematurely on E300 models and a kit with new sockets and bulbs is available. (1996-97)


A/C Compressor $390
Alternator $480
Automatic Transmission or Transaxle $1,190
Brakes $330
Constant Velocity Joints $845
Exhaust System $845
Radiator $440
Shocks and/or Struts $1,630
Timing Chain or Belt $710

There is no way a transmission costs $1190 to replace in that car. Unless you are talking about a rebuilt aftermarket one and not including labor.

Our '94 325i would have cost over $5k for a new transmission or $3k for a rebuilt unit installed.

I paid less than $1100 for a fairly rare, significantly modified and overbuilt transmission. I guess some people are willing to be taken for more?

So, you're calling me a sucker then? Well, I guess we'll see who the sucker is. It sure isn't me because I don't own any German cars nor am I likely to buy another.

BTW-Our mechanic was very honest and I would recommend him to anyone-I'm not an idiot when it comes to cars. The $5k new transmission was a dealer quote installed (I sold the car based on a recommendation from my mechanic before we had major transmission trouble). Was the tranny you bought a stick or auto?

An automatic, a 46RH, to be exact. Used for 2.5 years in Jeep Grand Cherokees V8s. It came with a relocated breather, an oversized oil pan, a 9-pack rear clutch, 5-pack front clutch, a new transmission cooler, and a shift kit. Just over $1000 installed.

Jeep? Um...we're talking about Mercedes here? As in Mercedes Benz?

Same shop specialized in Euro cars. I'm willing to bet I could find a complete replacement for under $1200.

Yep, found it: http://www.adsitco.com/category.asp?CID=1654
 
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