- #18 of 411
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Re: Buying Luxury Used Cars [fintail] (Mr_Shiftright) [hpmctorque]
by texases
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Dec 28, 2008 (6:13 pm)
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Replying to: hpmctorque (Dec 28, 2008 4:57 pm)
"I wish Mercedes, BMW and Audi would each offer one model in North America with fewer electronic features"
My wish has always been for a 530i without idrive, sunroof, etc...but then where would BMW make all its money
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- #19 of 411
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Re: . [Mr_Shiftright]
by fintail
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Dec 28, 2008 (6:35 pm)
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Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Dec 28, 2008 4:38 pm)
Those components are pretty durable on those cars. If anything is going to go, it is the Active Body Control, or maybe some computer related engine sensors. The ABC is probably 5K in itself. One should spend the 3-4K for a warranty on one of those, even if everything has been gone over with a fine tooth comb. Dangerous, but attractive...it'll sell pretty quickly I bet. And keep it away from the dealer.
The 2000-2002 models are much riskier.
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- #20 of 411
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Re: Buying Luxury Used Cars [fintail] (Mr_Shiftright) [hpmctorque]
by fintail
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Dec 28, 2008 (6:39 pm)
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Replying to: hpmctorque (Dec 28, 2008 4:57 pm)
Imagine a roll down window normal suspended tex-upholstered manual-option E-class, with diesels too. The same for the C. Less profit margins, but volume can sometimes compensate for that.
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- #21 of 411
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Re: . [fintail]
by Mr_Shiftright HOST
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Dec 28, 2008 (7:05 pm)
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Replying to: fintail (Dec 28, 2008 6:35 pm)
Let's face it---if you have an unlikely but possible major electronic screw-up on a car like that, you can just throw it away.
complex high end luxury cars of the 21st century will be......
I PREDICT!!
"The very first cars to be totalled by insurance companies strictly for electronic failures".
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- #22 of 411
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#19 of 21 Re: Buying Luxury Used Cars (fintail)
by hpmctorque
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Dec 28, 2008 (7:58 pm)
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I wouldn't choose the Active Body Control option, so its reliability wouldn't be an issue for me. In fact, I'm not sure I'd want it even if it were free. To me, it's overkill. How do you feel about this, fintail, and others?
Am I in the minority in thinking that simplicity is a virtue?
What I value most in German luxury cars are the driving dynamics, the ride, the feel and, to an extent, the interior and exterior syling (particularly in Audi and Mercedes).
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- #23 of 411
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Cars Rentels
by jorg1
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Dec 29, 2008 (6:13 am)
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i need 5 bmw luxury cars all cars must have white colors same logos on each side and have the beam lite in each car. they seats of the cars should also be in white color. any rental service anyone of you know plz tell me
Thanks
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- #24 of 411
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Re: Cars Rentels [jorg1]
by Mr_Shiftright HOST
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Dec 29, 2008 (7:58 am)
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Replying to: jorg1 (Dec 29, 2008 6:13 am)
www.autotrader.com
Do "advanced search".
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- #25 of 411
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Re: #19 of 21 Re: Buying Luxury Used Cars (fintail) [hpmctorque]
by fintail
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Dec 29, 2008 (9:40 am)
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Replying to: hpmctorque (Dec 28, 2008 7:58 pm)
The problem is that in most really desireable 2003+ models, you can't escape overly complicated suspension management systems. The last E55 to lack them was in 2002. All S class since 2000 have had them and airmatic has been working its way into normal E class too. In 20 years I fear these suspension systems will be a real achilles heel to these cars, should they still be on the road then. It'd be something to have a strippo Euro style model line in NA again, but MB marketing seems to be on a longterm bling fixation, so that hubcapped manual window C class won't be in your future.
The W210 E55, like the one I have, is considered to be the most reliable AMG e-class, because of its lack of gadgets for the sake of gadgets. Some creature comforts are fun, but they have to keep working after 6 months is reached. I value the same things you do, especially the feel and styling, and I appreciate the heritage.
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- #26 of 411
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Re: . [Mr_Shiftright]
by fintail
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Dec 29, 2008 (9:42 am)
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Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Dec 28, 2008 7:05 pm)
In another 10 years or so, a W220 S class listing on a broken airmatic system will be considered a total loss, no doubt. Maybe someone will devise a means to retrofit them to a normal suspension, if it's even possible.
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- #27 of 411
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Re: . [fintail]
by Mr_Shiftright HOST
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Dec 29, 2008 (9:50 am)
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Replying to: fintail (Dec 29, 2008 9:42 am)
The basic laws of economics will kick in, and they will be cruel. Old Benz sedans won't have any real value so repairing them at great cost would have to be a totally irrational act. And sure, you will find the occasional irrational car lover, but for the most part there are definite limits as to how much the average person will sink into an old 4-door car.
Sure a rare Bugatti is another story-- Ralph Lauren spent one million bucks to RESTORE one!
You really need WILL POWER when it comes to old luxury cars---you have to know when to just walk away, take your losses and be done with it.
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