Buying a used Mercedes S class or E class?

[stinkynuts]

Am thinkiing of buying either a used s class or e class, about 2005-2010 model, with less than 100,000 km.

I heard that the S class depreciates like crazy (after one year it loses about $30,000!), and I thought it would be a great deal, since the s class is probably one of the best cars out there. But I also heard that it breaks down easily, and repairs and maintenance are very expensive.

What is the difference between the s class and an e class with a similar engine that is comparably equipped? Is it like having a Corolla with the biggest engine and all the options compared to a Camry?

Is the S class worth it, over the e class? I heard that the e class is much more refined.

Or is getting a used Mercedes a bad idea to begin with?

Finally, what do you think when you see someone driving an older Mercedes? I guess I want it all. I want a luxurious car (smooth ride, powerful engine, all the toys), at a low price. I could go for a new Infiiniti, Acura, or Lexus, but I like the styling of the Benz. However, I have the feeling that people are going to perceive me as a wannabe who is trying to impress others and show off, but can't really afford to.

Right now I can afford to spend 30-40k, but could never do it, as I would lose so much each year in depreciation, and think it's not worth it. If I can get a low km Benz for 15k, why not?

Anyone have experience with this? Anyone driven both the s and e class? Advice?

I really like this metallic blue one. I like the older styling headlight and grille (even though the newest one is nice too). It has only 73,000km, and is only $12,500. A good buy?
http://wwwa.autotrader.ca/a/Mercede...0624121924352/?showcpo=ShowCPO&orup=16_15_276

 

[bigshot]

I've been thinking the same thing, and have seen some very attractive low mileage Mercedes that have me thinking about pulling the trigger on one of these cars, for the same reasons you described, like the ride, styling, luxury. My colleague purchased a beautiful "almost new Benz" with low km, and seemed to really enjoy the car, until he had a couple of repairs done to it. he ended up ditching the car after only one year. He had to make a few repairs that were not concerning in themselves, but the price on each of these repairs scared the crap out of him. He decided to lose the car before he had to get into any significant expenses in the event that a future repair was major and would break his bank account.

That pretty much made me take a sober second look. Let us know what you decide, but I do know that some mechanics will not perform major repairs on these cars, so you end up having to go the Mercedes dealer. Many years ago I took a friend from out of town to my trusted mechanic for a new battery, and he refused to install it. He said that when you remove the battery on that car you ran the risk of losing all of the onboard programing in the computer, and only a dealer could make it right. It was a risk he wasn't interested in taking...

 

[asterwald]

I always notice how almost all the big 3 German luxury cars are new. I rarely see old ones on the road.

 

[George The Curious]

I always notice how almost all the big 3 German luxury cars are new. I rarely see old ones on the road.

As soon as they start to need replacement parts, it gets crazy expensive to maintain. My 2007 BMW 325i alternator stopped working. Dealership quoted $1500 + tax. I guess Benz is even more.

 

[KBear]

Many cars on the lower side of the price range have been in a collision. Watch for this.

If you don't put on a lot of mileage per year then the chances of expensive problems per year is lower. I also briefly looked into buying a used German car, and decided I could not deal with the cost of repairs. What is the cost of replacing the brakes, oil change, etc.

 

[Mack Bolan]

Most if not all of the replacement part are made in China!
Dealers are making big profits on repairs. That what dealerships are there for, to repair you car.

 

[Toronto`s Finest]

ALSO find a good mechanic & get after market parts or used parts to save on expensive repairs. Did that with an Rx-8 . Catalitic converter by Mazda was 3 thousand!!! :Eek: The aftermarket one was $960. HUGE SAVINGS!!! :thumb:

 

[shack]

S class
E class. Is there an
X class?

 

[wangbang]

A friend of mine is a car dealer who moves a lot of S Class MB. They are dirt cheap as they are gas burners which require premium and, as you can see above, people stress over parts prices without having a clue about how reliable they are day to day. They are in fact quite reliable.

As he puts it, a $13,000 S430 is usually the "most" car on the lot despite having much more expensive cars on the lot.

One word of warning, he only buys S Class MB that have 4Matic. If they don't have 4Matic they are a bear in snow.

Also, he stays away from E Class MB.

 

[afterhours]

As far as I am concerned, if you are not retired, driving an old s-class is a desperate attempt to get respect at the expense of the time waisted at mechanics.
If you are prepared to spend your time at the mechanic shops, and not while restoring your toy aston-martin but dealing with your everyday vehicle, that tells me that you probably are trying to get out of the ghetto but you are taking it with you. At least that was my experience with these drivers. Either immigrants or poor parents or both.

 

[Damondean]

Many cars on the lower side of the price range have been in a collision. Watch for this.

If you don't put on a lot of mileage per year then the chances of expensive problems per year is lower. I also briefly looked into buying a used German car, and decided I could not deal with the cost of repairs. What is the cost of replacing the brakes, oil change, etc.

That hits the nail on the head. Buy Japanese. Lexus, Nissan, Mazda, Maybe not Toyota.

 

[tegR]

My advice, take a look at some 2006-2008 range Acura TL Type-S. Honda reliability, has every bit as much luxury/features and ride quality, plus beautifully combines classy & sporty while avoiding looking try-hard/new money or rice.

 

[spraggamuffin]

A friend of mine is a car dealer who moves a lot of S Class MB. They are dirt cheap as they are gas burners which require premium and, as you can see above, people stress over parts prices without having a clue about how reliable they are day to day. They are in fact quite reliable.

As he puts it, a $13,000 S430 is usually the "most" car on the lot despite having much more expensive cars on the lot.

One word of warning, he only buys S Class MB that have 4Matic. If they don't have 4Matic they are a bear in snow.

Also, he stays away from E Class MB.

Any idea what's wrong with the E Class?

It's one I would consider because it comes in an Estate option.

Also like the BMW 5 series Estate.

As far as used Mercedes in general, I imagine the higher end models may be more reliable.

Despite rumours in the Industry all Germans are moneypits after warranties be up.

 

[Titalian]

I've been thinking the same thing, and have seen some very attractive low mileage Mercedes that have me thinking about pulling the trigger on one of these cars, for the same reasons you described, like the ride, styling, luxury. My colleague purchased a beautiful "almost new Benz" with low km, and seemed to really enjoy the car, until he had a couple of repairs done to it. he ended up ditching the car after only one year. He had to make a few repairs that were not concerning in themselves, but the price on each of these repairs scared the crap out of him. He decided to lose the car before he had to get into any significant expenses in the event that a future repair was major and would break his bank account.

That pretty much made me take a sober second look. Let us know what you decide, but I do know that some mechanics will not perform major repairs on these cars, so you end up having to go the Mercedes dealer. Many years ago I took a friend from out of town to my trusted mechanic for a new battery, and he refused to install it. He said that when you remove the battery on that car you ran the risk of losing all of the onboard programing in the computer, and only a dealer could make it right. It was a risk he wasn't interested in taking...

If you understand the workings of any vehicle, This car shouldn't scare you. I do most of the work, myself.
I find it quit, satisfying. Knowing that it only cost me $80 and time. Instead of $565.00

 

[simcity]

I had a new 2007 S550. 4matic I think that model type for that year was the first or second. It had problems

First off....any questions fire them to me and I'll get to them when I can.

the 07 had a 7 speed automatic. On a hill it would roll back if you took your foot off the brake. Also the transmission would get stuck in first gear and to fix the problem I had to restart the car. When that didn't work I reset the error code. Brought it into Benz to get it looked at 3k over the warranty ran out and was told its a $7 k fix. Brought it to my mechanic. Replaced the speed sensor and was up and running again with no hill slips.
Cost of that repair was 700 not 7000. Doors would lock me in.

Heater sensor was replaced twice by benz. Command system was replaced by Benz.

Cracked windsheild was crazy expensive but got it replaced by a knock off.

Seatbelt sensors would wear out and leaving the car to think that a passenger was always in the seat,l thus having to snap seatbelt together.

Two batteries....one under the hood for accessories and other under back seat.

Rims...hit a pothole and they were done.

Ride was the best I've ever been in. I kept the car for 5 years and then let it go for 40K with 160k on it.

Would I buy one again....yes I would and I did. got extended warranty on this one. Reason. I got hit by a drunk driver while I was stopped at a red light. I heard the bang, I felt the thud. But not only did I walk away without a bruise, I also drove it away with what looked like minor bumper damage. That minor bumper damage was a 22k repair.

I also had a 2000 s430 it was great car until the air ride went. Too expensive to fix and I let it go last year for 10k...btw that was a AMG the Rims and rubber alone were 8 k but I had it for years and it was a blast.

 

[asterwald]

I had a new 2007 S550. 4matic I think that model type for that year was the first or second. It had problems

First off....any questions fire them to me and I'll get to them when I can.

the 07 had a 7 speed automatic. On a hill it would roll back if you took your foot off the brake. Also the transmission would get stuck in first gear and to fix the problem I had to restart the car. When that didn't work I reset the error code. Brought it into Benz to get it looked at 3k over the warranty ran out and was told its a $7 k fix. Brought it to my mechanic. Replaced the speed sensor and was up and running again with no hill slips.
Cost of that repair was 700 not 7000. Doors would lock me in.

Heater sensor was replaced twice by benz. Command system was replaced by Benz.

Cracked windsheild was crazy expensive but got it replaced by a knock off.

Seatbelt sensors would wear out and leaving the car to think that a passenger was always in the seat,l thus having to snap seatbelt together.

Two batteries....one under the hood for accessories and other under back seat.

Rims...hit a pothole and they were done.

Ride was the best I've ever been in. I kept the car for 5 years and then let it go for 40K with 160k on it.

Would I buy one again....yes I would and I did. got extended warranty on this one. Reason. I got hit by a drunk driver while I was stopped at a red light. I heard the bang, I felt the thud. But not only did I walk away without a bruise, I also drove it away with what looked like minor bumper damage. That minor bumper damage was a 22k repair.

I also had a 2000 s430 it was great car until the air ride went. Too expensive to fix and I let it go last year for 10k...btw that was a AMG the Rims and rubber alone were 8 k but I had it for years and it was a blast.

That is a lot of work you had to do to keep the car running. Im surprised by your brand loyalty.

 

[George The Curious]

I often compare BMW / Benz drivers to iDevice owners. Their cost / reward ratio is unreasonably high, yet they still buy them because of "status symbol" and perceived "quality".

 

[OriginalGStar]

I'm probably going to buy the CLS or CLA class.. prefer the CLS tho

 

[Serpent]

I often compare BMW / Benz drivers to iDevice owners. Their cost / reward ratio is unreasonably high, yet they still buy them because of "status symbol" and perceived "quality".

Nope. Because of the performance and pleasure derived from driving a BMW that is unparalleled.

Those who expect quality from performance vehicles are un-educated about the vehicle they're buying and those who use them as status symbol are just tools.

 

[asterwald]

Nope. Because of the performance and pleasure derived from driving a BMW that is unparalleled.

Those who expect quality from performance vehicles are un-educated about the vehicle they're buying and those who use them as status symbol are just tools.

That's only if you go for the ///M. Regular bimmers are not performance oriented. Correct me if I'm wrong.