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Sedans Luxury Performance Sedans
9978 messages, Last post on Nov 02, 2009 at 1:30 PM
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Replying to: jpstax1 (Mar 26, 2008 7:18 pm) This used to be true. Starting in the later 90's, however, the reliability of Benz automobiles has suffered greatly. I had driven nothing but M-B's for nearly 25 years and found them to be totally reliable and built like tanks. That's why 50, 60, and 70 year old Benzes aren't all that rare. My first post '95 Benz was a 2000 CLK430 which had a few recurring electrical problems but none that totally soured me on the brand. The 2003 SL500 I purchased, however, was a different story. Truly an electrical nightmare which resulted in nearly every advanced system that M-B has implemented (ESP, ABS, SBS, ABC, etc) failing at least once during the time I drove the car. The problems were not limited just to electronics. The air conditioning failed, parts rattled, and many other "un-Mercedes" like things happened. I researched free CarFax reports online for 2003 SL's and found that a full 40% of those listings which included lines for service visits displayed problems like those found on my car. My frequent conversations with the service writers at my local dealership revealed that problems such as those I experienced were not limited to the SL model. Unfortunately, the problems were every bit as prevalent in AMG variants. I would highly recommend that you carefully examine the complete service records of the car you are interested in and also suggest that you check to see if an extended maintenance agreement is available for the car. To give you an idea of how outrageously expensive repairs can become, my service writer estimated that had my repairs not been under warranty, I would have racked up over $15,000 in repair charges before I ever made it to the 5,000 mile mark.
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Replying to: bw45sport (Mar 26, 2008 10:09 pm) I'm positive the warranty company will ask for the complete service records of the car before approving any extended maintenance agreement. My wife recently purchased an extended warranty for her 2000 Regal GS and the service manager told me he had to submit complete maintenance records to the warranty company. [quote] and also suggest that you check to see if an extended maintenance agreement is available for the car. [unquote] The salesman told me his dealership does offer extended warranties through a company that deals exclusively with Mercedes-Benz. He said that the premium is much lower if the used car has less than 40,000 original miles on it, which it does. Thank you for your prompt and informative reply. |
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Replying to: jpstax1 (Mar 26, 2008 7:18 pm) 2002 - 2006 or so are the riskiest years for any used Mercedes product. Just absolutely horrendous quality that Mercedes is only now starting to recover from. Mercedes during that time had more lemon law buybacks than every other luxury car company combined. I would suggest considering an '04 or '05 Jaguar XJR. They are very quick, quite affordable, and unlike the E-class, reliable.
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Replying to: jpstax1 (Mar 26, 2008 7:18 pm) They have not been any of those three things in about 15 years. Since around 2000 they have even been relegated to "junk bond" status.
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Replying to: jpstax1 (Mar 26, 2008 7:18 pm) |
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your ignorance really shows...for a sharp, powerful, race car, why didn't anyone mention the AMC Gremlin and Pacer???...obviously, you do not know much about performance/luxury cars... Then again, maybe you do...  ...   
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Edmunds forums have been very helpful. Especially CarMan -- between him and the outstanding Internet depart at Pacific BMW in Glendale two years ago, I had a terrific, quick, rewarding on-target, deadline leasing experience. It was also fun learing more about leasing and realizing some errors I had made in past leases. I'm actually considering 535i, because it resolved some key 530i problems (somewhat better NAV w/integrated live traffic; memory buttons for radio and AM-FM-satellite band-switching; voice recognition that actually works). Mileage worse than Lexus GS350 with more value, but lease terms not so great, and BMW has free maintenance (w/brakes!). Still prefer NAV and other user friendly items on Lexus, Infiniti and other alternatives I'm exploring. As long as I can avoid my local dealer here in Calabasas, So Calif, I may give BMW another chance! Questions -- I'm also asking in other discussion groups-- (1) Given the slowness of the auto market, how close to invoice does 530i go? (2) Does BMW offer financing deals, or just leasing deals? (3) Other than premium, sports, comfort access, navigation, sirius satellite radio, does anyone reading this recommend any options ...especially if they are perosonally familiar with them? If I go beyond the above, I must special order: (4) Are head-up display and night vision use mere toys or useful? (Seems odd that night vision visible only in NAV system.) (5) Is rear door side impact airbag safe, or a threat to kids? (6) power rear &manual side sunshades worth the money to keep the kids happy? (7) any other options truly worthwhile and worth the money? (8) Last time, I did 24 mo, cheaper per mo than 36. Now, 36 slightly higher. I still think 24 mo, to save buying 4 costly fun-flat tires. (8a) FINALLY -- does anyone know what the Money Factor will be for 535i for APRIL for 12000, 24mo, 36 mo, and, possibly for 15000. If I go BMW, I could buy/lease Mon/3-31 or wait until Tues/4-1, if MF different. (8b) IF I special order, due to other items, I'd use March MF or June MF, whichever is lower. My guess is June MF would be lower. Thoughts?
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Replying to: asteinberg (Mar 29, 2008 6:04 pm) |
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Replying to: asteinberg (Mar 29, 2008 6:04 pm) All joking aside, I think you should move this post to the 5 series leasing forum, though it is probably there already. Good luck.
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Replying to: lexusguy (Mar 26, 2008 11:14 pm) What do you think of the 2005 Jaguar XJ Series Super V8 sedan? I found this one at the same dealership as the '04 E55 AMG: http://www.thechicagotoystore.com/detail-2005-jaguar-xj_series-super_v8-2408508.- - html Be sure to scroll down the page to see its CarFax report and more photos. I'd appreciate hearing your thoughts on it.
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