Tell me what you think about this used MB

[master7045]

Thinking about trading in my tired and true '01 Lexus GS300. Thing is about to clock over 200K miles and I don't want it to become a money pit. (example: I just replaced the condenser). Anyway here is the link to the car & carfax

cliffnotes: 2007 MB E350 4Matic, white w/ tan interior, NAV, ~73K miles (somewhat high), 2 owners, clean carfax.

Also considering used 07-08 A4, which is going to be smaller, but cheaper at around 20K for a car w/ ~40K miles.
If it matters, I'd be financing either purchase. Lexus is paid for and I estimate I'd get approx 2K for trade or private party sale.

 

[Phanuel]

You're going from a Toyota with roughly 80% of its life used to a Mercedes with roughly 90% of it's life used. Run away from used Mercedes.

Assuming the A4 is a CPO and comes with the 100K warranty, it should be fine through to 100K, but after that who knows. The turbo will probably need to be replaced at 85-95K miles as preventative maintenance and the car could probably last till 150K.

Used German though, money pits in general. So don't go into either of these expecting Civic reliability through 300K miles.

 

[mvbighead]

2k for trade on the GS300??? In my area, even with those miles, you'd get about 7-9k private party. I would smack a dealer in the face if they gave me a 2k number.

 

[CraigRT]

I think you should keep your car. They are nice cars and reliable as you've seen. 200K is really not that bad on a 10 year old car.

 

[SearchMaster]

I just turned 220K on my '98 Accord and it's hardly a money pit. I think you're overreacting to a condenser replacement.

 

[jtvang125]

I have a 98 gs400 and while there were a few parts needing replacement they were nothing major that required pulling from an emergency fund. The GS and LS from those years are probably the most trouble-free cars lexus has ever made.

 

[Corporate Thug]

2k for trade on the GS300??? In my area, even with those miles, you'd get about 7-9k private party. I would smack a dealer in the face if they gave me a 2k number.

Really? 9k for 10 year old car with 200k miles?

 

[Doppel]

Buying a used Mercedes because you don't want a money pit? LMAO

 

[halik]

You're going from a Toyota with roughly 80% of its life used to a Mercedes with roughly 90% of it's life used. Run away from used Mercedes.

Assuming the A4 is a CPO and comes with the 100K warranty, it should be fine through to 100K, but after that who knows. The turbo will probably need to be replaced at 85-95K miles as preventative maintenance and the car could probably last till 150K.

Used German though, money pits in general. So don't go into either of these expecting Civic reliability through 300K miles.

That very statement right there demonstrates you're talking out of your ass.

My mom put some 60K miles on her c class from 90K to 150 with one $350 expense. YMMV

 

[jlee]

Really? 9k for 10 year old car with 200k miles?

Not 9k, but it should be more than $2k.

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/wvl/cto/2690884273.html
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/ctd/2695040000.html

Here's a $2,000 one, heh: http://phoenix.craigslist.org/wvl/cto/2641563839.html

 

[sdifox]

http://www.finishlineford.net/used/...eoria-IL-c00726110a0a0065003bbcfdb3d6452e.htm

 

[Insomniator]

Buying a used Mercedes because you don't want a money pit? LMAO

Thisssssssssssssssssssssss

 

[master7045]

So I went to look at the A4, and it is way too small. We have a 2 yr old and another baby on the way so, were going to need something bigger. I like Audi's, but the A6 in the price range I can afford 06-08 are butt ugly, literally, the back end of those cards are just awful. I'm in no rush to purchase a new car, but I always keep my eye out for a "good deal" I just clicked over 200K on the Lexus this morning, so I have a lot more miles than those cars listed by jlee. Almost all of the KBB, edmunds, etc sites say 2-4K dealer trade in, I know this isn't the final price or the best way to sell a car if your looking for top dollar, but it's a good guide. To those who say German cars are money pits, do you own one, or just repeating what a friend told you about their cousins, friends, moms car? Are there any years to avoid, or particular engines/trannies? Thanks to all for the advice, will keep an eye out.

 

[Phanuel]

That very statement right there demonstrates you're talking out of your ass.

My mom put some 60K miles on her c class from 90K to 150 with one $350 expense. YMMV

...and you can refute what I've said how? I expect to replace the turbo at 85K miles, if I don't have to by then, hooray me? It's still an expense I'm factoring into my car purchase.

And congrats, I will say the same thing to you about your mom and $350 expense. Talking out your ass.

 

[rdp6]

You're going from a Toyota with roughly 80% of its life used to a Mercedes with roughly 90% of it's life used. Run away from used Mercedes.

Assuming the A4 is a CPO and comes with the 100K warranty, it should be fine through to 100K, but after that who knows. The turbo will probably need to be replaced at 85-95K miles as preventative maintenance and the car could probably last till 150K.

Used German though, money pits in general. So don't go into either of these expecting Civic reliability through 300K miles.

Sorry, you are going to have to provide something to back this up. I have the VAG 2.0T FSI with over 100K miles on it (original owner) and my butt dynamometer tells me it performs same as new (broke 100mph passing some fools on the way home from work today), as do my weekly fuel economy checks.

Seriously, why didn't post something like this:

Try to think of some popular prejudice against $MAKE|$NATIONALITY's cars. And then imagine I amped the claim by at least 20% and then posted it for the world to see how insightful I am.​

I will apologize if you come back with something to recover your integrity. Seriously, all the VW/AUDI/ALL GERMAN CARS ARE SO $$$$$ TO MAINTAIN claims are not at all helpful in an enthusiast setting. Everyone knows that complex machines are harder to maintain than simple machines. HOW THE HELL DID VAG GET TO BE THE WORLD'S #1 AUTO MANUFACTURER? DOESN'T EVERYONE KNOW HOW CRAPPY THEY ARE??? Give it a rest and come up with something new already!

 

[DVad3r]

lol that Lexus will last you forever. I have a 2001 ES300 and my car is bulletproof for now, it's got 183,000 km. All I do is regular wear and tear.

 

[manimal]

Sorry, you are going to have to provide something to back this up. I have the VAG 2.0T FSI with over 100K miles on it (original owner) and my butt dynamometer tells me it performs same as new (broke 100mph passing some fools on the way home from work today), as do my weekly fuel economy checks.

Seriously, why didn't post something like this:

Try to think of some popular prejudice against $MAKE|$NATIONALITY's cars. And then imagine I amped the claim by at least 20% and then posted it for the world to see how insightful I am.​

I will apologize if you come back with something to recover your integrity. Seriously, all the VW/AUDI/ALL GERMAN CARS ARE SO $$$$$ TO MAINTAIN claims are not at all helpful in an enthusiast setting. Everyone knows that complex machines are harder to maintain than simple machines. HOW THE HELL DID VAG GET TO BE THE WORLD'S #1 AUTO MANUFACTURER? DOESN'T EVERYONE KNOW HOW CRAPPY THEY ARE??? Give it a rest and come up with something new already!

Man haters hating on fiat, Mercedes benz, Audi, jaguar, is common in the interwebz sadly.

 

[Doppel]

Almost all of the KBB, edmunds, etc sites say 2-4K dealer trade in

Yes, for trade-in, not private.

Look, if you want a new car by all means, but nobody here will ever believe that it's going to save you money.

Man haters hating on fiat, Mercedes benz, Audi, jaguar, is common in the interwebz sadly.

And for good reason.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I'd look for one with fewer miles personally. Those cars are pretty reliable though, my Mother-In-Law had a 2002 E320 she bought in 2003 and drove it until last year when she bought a brand new 2010 E350. Both cars have been fantastic.

 

[HarryLui]

Kids trash cars. Better let them trash an old one than a newer one.

 

[NutBucket]

Kids only trash cars if you let them. And, most people let them. Hell, a lot of people trash cars without the help of kids.

 

[Meghan54]

To those who say German cars are money pits, do you own one, or just repeating what a friend told you about their cousins, friends, moms car? Are there any years to avoid, or particular engines/trannies? Thanks to all for the advice, will keep an eye out.

Well, sister had two Audis, I've had two VW's, both Golfs.....and all four cars vacuumed money out of our wallets like they were bottomless.

And it wasn't major stuff, just crap like the central vacuum motor for the power lock system failing, along with trying to trace a cracked vacuum line in the lock system, a failed high pressure FI pump, electrical problems galore, brakes that wore prematurely, and on and on. Worse than any American built vehicle I've ever owned....and I've owned over 40 in my life.

I'll never buy another German built vehicle, car at least. Motorcycle, maybe, but never another car. Too many multiple failures, parts are too expensive, competent mechanics too hard to find.........just don't need the headaches. On the other hand, the VW's were tight cars----ears would almost pop every time you shut the door.

 

[Anderss]

I own a town car service. We have A8L and S430. Audis have been sucking money like no other brand. S430 is the only Sxxx we can rely on. Later ones had to go. Also, E-class diesel ones - before the emission crap entered the scene - are very good ones. All MBs suffer from miniature trunks and low seats..
I also have LS430, LS460 and LX. My population size is not statistically significant, but here it goes. Most dependable and durable are Lincoln Town Car (Ford Panther platform is discontinued) and Lexus LX (2006 seems to be the best). I would go for an LX, Sequoia and Avalon LM (few sales folks know it even exists) for the kids' sake. Navigator and Escalade are cheaper to fix than Audi, but they are as unreliable.
Of course, if the OP just looks for an excuse for a German car, that is all irrelevant. In that case I would just lease a new one, but them kids will trash it. No King Solomon around when you need him.

 

[Subyman]

Just keep it until it poops out. I believe you will get much more than $2k worth of use out of it if you keep it for another 50-100k miles. So even if you have to just scrap it later down the road, you will only be out 2K trade in. If you are going to buy a German car, get it CPO.

 

[Vic Vega]

Kids only trash cars if you let them. And, most people let them. Hell, a lot of people trash cars without the help of kids.

Agreed. My kids have yet to trash any of my cars. Of course I don't drive around feeding them constantly in the car either. Hard to spill shakes, fries, cokes, etc in the car if you don't have the items.