RMC 0 Report post Posted September 2, 2009 Anyone had one of these b4? How s the ride and how much does it cost annually to run?(I mean normal maintainance) Is this car same quality as BMW or worse? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
*Glenn* 854 Report post Posted September 2, 2009 Have you tried asking on the Merc forums ? Everything on it is going to cost 2-3 times more than your TI. They are expensive to maintain and they use twice as much petrol to run than your present car. Wiring looms, electronics and vacuum operating systems are their biggest downfall. I'd suggest getting a pre purchase inspection by a dealer or a Merc specialist before buying one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RMC 0 Report post Posted September 3, 2009 Thanks Glenn.... I have searched around google and it seems like we dont have a Merc Forum in NZ.... Is this model generally good quality or bad? I don't mind spending some money on changing the parts however if it does break down annually like what some ppl say online I better stick with my current car.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
323e30 0 Report post Posted September 3, 2009 yeah stay away from mercedes unless you have deep pockets, The looms in the 1996-2003 mercedes were terrible and are around 2600$ to replace. Plus all the other common annoying faults like the bad design single wiper blade, which have plastic gears in the motors . the aircon fan resistor will jam eventually, the neutral sensor will fail eventually list goes on. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Braeden320 0 Report post Posted September 3, 2009 Thanks Glenn.... I have searched around google and it seems like we dont have a Merc Forum in NZ.... Is this model generally good quality or bad? I don't mind spending some money on changing the parts however if it does break down annually like what some ppl say online I better stick with my current car.... A model is only as good as its previous owners, If its been poorly looked after then chances are it will cost you in repairs and maintanence. If its been looked after and has a decent service history then it may well be very reliable. My Grandfather used to have an 2000 S500 and it was a heap of sh*t. He made the mistake of buying a singapore model. The electrics went and it was a nightmare. Ended up selling it and buying a newer S500, NZ New, Sold and Serviced by Highways Trucks (Merc dealer in palmy) Having said all of that most cars will have a few niggles that tend to need replacing at certain k's. E39 cooling system as an example. Go and talk to a dealer, maybe even a mechanic in there workshop if possible. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jjs 64 Report post Posted September 3, 2009 Fantastic car. You will really enjoy it. Get it checked over and buy a very comprehensive warranty. My only advice would be to buy NZ new (well, I would advise that no matter what you were buying). Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RMC 0 Report post Posted September 3, 2009 yeah stay away from mercedes unless you have deep pockets, The looms in the 1996-2003 mercedes were terrible and are around 2600$ to replace. Plus all the other common annoying faults like the bad design single wiper blade, which have plastic gears in the motors . the aircon fan resistor will jam eventually, the neutral sensor will fail eventually list goes on. $2600 is not that bad for a 2001 Mercedes.... I took my 318ti back for service once and they quoted me over $2500.....I only paid like $7000 for the car.. I personally think paying 10%-15% of the car price is acceptable.....$2500 for a $7000 car is just way too much... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
323e30 0 Report post Posted September 5, 2009 Thats true, but the issue may not arise untill the car has devalued. Really depends how long you want to keep it, how many kms you want to put on it etc. I hate to be the negative one haha but its already 8 years old and the economy isn't the best to be trying to re sell a car in anytime soon. Its a nice car but it could be expensive, Best people to ask about these will be the european automotive workshops. Ive learnt the hard way, Purchased a 2000 C class Mercedes select with all the genuine amg gear tiptronic box etc in 2004 for $15,500 which was cheap at the time. loom started to fail in 2006 Was just temperamental at the time, and by that stage the car was worth around 8000$ if you were really lucky. window wiper failed in 2006 cost 260$ for a second hand unit which failed in 2007 then replaced again for 240$ (excludes install costs) was also warned by a mechanic that this would happen but I was too young to listen. It was a mint car other than these issues, but for the money there are better options for your Question Is this car same quality as BMW or worse? Ild say worse. But on that note you should really just buy what ever makes you happy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Avenged.SSE 0 Report post Posted September 5, 2009 (edited) Best option imo would be to save up some extra money and buy a facelifted model (2003+), you'll end up spending the same money (if not more) on maintenance, repairs etc. and on top of that the 2003+ models come with a much nicer COMAND system! I have a 2004 S280 Long wheel base, overlooking the tiny engine, it is one hell of a car, looks, space, toys etc. So definitely would recommend it! [Edit] In terms of reliability, it has been as reliable as my ex-facelifted E39 (thus far, in the 4 months that I have owned it). Edited September 5, 2009 by SE88 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Apex 693 Report post Posted September 5, 2009 The car was over $250-300k new. New parts dont depreciate. Expect a 10k bill here and there. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RMC 0 Report post Posted September 5, 2009 Seems like this car is average....just found out last time the car being serviced was 30000km....and is now around 60000km.....a big 30000km gap..... By the way,anyone owned or owns a 2003 E240? It seems DOGS AND LEMON GUIDE gives it a real bad feedback....however on some American site it is the best selling MB ever... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nobimmer 694 Report post Posted September 6, 2009 Like everyone else has said. Buy a decent one and it will be fine. Buy a shitter and you will never want one again. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bmw.maniac 1 Report post Posted September 6, 2009 By the way,anyone owned or owns a 2003 E240? It seems DOGS AND LEMON GUIDE gives it a real bad feedback....however on some American site it is the best selling MB ever... The Dog and Lemon guide gives everything except Toyotas bad reviews. Just look up any Euro in it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jjs 64 Report post Posted September 6, 2009 The Dog and Lemon guide gives everything except Toyotas bad reviews. Just look up any Euro in it. +100 Unless you are comparing a Civic with a Corolla, The Dog and Lemon Guide is a waste of time. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Apex 693 Report post Posted September 6, 2009 +23 Dog and Lemon guide is useless, takes worst case scenario of all cars, a Toyota can go years without even basic maintenance so it will come always up trumps.. One school holidays I went through one with a highlighter and found at least three errors on each page, the guy knows nothing about cars, he actually gets entire models mixed up and then generalises a whole decade of cars. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jjs 64 Report post Posted September 6, 2009 +23 Dog and Lemon guide is useless, takes worst case scenario of all cars, a Toyota can go years without even basic maintenance so it will come always up trumps.. One school holidays I went through one with a highlighter and found at least three errors on each page, the guy knows nothing about cars, he actually gets entire models mixed up and then generalises a whole decade of cars. The thing that annoys me the most is how often the clown who writes the D&L guide is quoted in the news! He knows bugger all about cars and has such a closed mind when it comes to anything that isn't an NZ new Corolla. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
