The Automobile Make Thread: Mercedes-Benz

[Musicman408]

So, I thought it would be great if we talked about different makes of cars. I am a HUGE car guy, and I know some of us here are as well.

So, I thought we'd start off by talking about Mercedes-Benz. The other day, in the parking garage, I saw this newer (2008 or newer) black C350- and it was GORGEOUSLY AMAZING!!! My friend Kevin and I started at it for awhile before leaving. My family also owns a Mercedes, Red Convertible CLK, and it is amazing.

http://www.mbusa.com/mercedes/#/vehi...W&yr=2010&vc=C

I don't think I've driven a quieter, more smooth running car in my life. It is stellar!! My family used to knock on Mercedes, but now we are all definitely fans!!!

[louielouie2000]

I like the new design direction Mercedes is going in these days... they had gotten pretty stodgy in the '90s and the earlier part of this decade. The new C, E, and S classes are all beautiful. I owned a Chrysler Crossfire up until about a year ago (which is 85% Mercedes SLK parts), and it was one of my favorite cars I've ever owned or driven. I'm a big car person too... I've owned 2 DeLoreans, hope to get another one of those one day too!

[LukeA]

Automobiles are the most shallow of status symbols. If you're going to spend more money than is necessary on something, why not have it be on something where there's a greater level of subjective value under consideration?

Nice jewelry/watch? Okay, maybe you have an appreciation for art/good craftsmanship. A huge house? Okay, you've got a lot of stuff, or want others to think you've got a lot of money. But an expensive foreign car? What's German for "I Spent $45,000 On A Hatchback?" (it used to be the MB Kompressor, but I need an update on what's the 2009-10 version. I saw a douche driving a BMW resembling a Tercel tonight)

[vivfox]

Originally Posted by LukeA

I saw a douche driving a BMW resembling a Tercel tonight)

Was he holding a bag?

[HejiraNYC]

Originally Posted by LukeA

I saw a douche driving a BMW resembling a Tercel tonight)

That would probably be a 1990's vintage 318i hatchback- perhaps the last time BMW attempted to make a 4-cylinder car. I'm a dyed-in-the-wool Beemer driver; I've had only good experiences with BMW, and I hope to upgrade once my current one finally dies (126K miles and still going strong). but only with a manual transmission. I can't begin to understand people who buy German sports sedans with an automatic. I mean, why not just get a Ford Taurus instead?

I have a tendency to agree with you about people who drive expensive cars, but with a minor qualification. It's one thing if you are legitimately wealthy and you buy an expensive car in cash- since you have the means to do it, why not? But it's another thing to buy a car that costs more than your yearly income and having to finance the entire thing (while living at home with the parents). Now that is douchey. Quite simply, if you have to finance it, you can't afford to drive it.

[Musicman408]

I agree with you guys. The thing with my family and I is that we always buy things used these days. Not to knock on Kia in any way (because Kias are solid) but I would rather drive a gently used BMW/Mercedes/Saab than a new Kia any day of the week.

Here is an example of this claim- for the price, would you all not say something like this is a decent deal?

http://www.carmax.com/enUS/view-car/...9-a114b2cf7deb

[HejiraNYC]

Originally Posted by Musicman408

I agree with you guys. The thing with my family and I is that we always buy things used these days. Not to knock on Kia in any way (because Kias are solid) but I would rather drive a gently used BMW/Mercedes/Saab than a new Kia any day of the week.

Here is an example of this claim- for the price, would you all not say something like this is a decent deal?

http://www.carmax.com/enUS/view-car/...9-a114b2cf7deb

The early aughts was not a good time for MB- they took a big hit in terms of performance, reliability and value, especially the C series. I think a 3-series Bimmer from the same era would be preferable IMHO. I personally think the E46 body is a modern classic.

[camchristo]

I hate Mercedes Benz. I had a 2003 C230 Kompressor. It was a sporty little hatchback and I loved the look of it. I've never had a four door and I'm not ready for one. I love the versatility of a hatchback. My cars are always small and sporty but the hatch gives me a lot of room.

Anyway, I bought it used with about 10,000 miles on it. I take great care of my vehicles and always get them serviced at the appropriate intervals. The inside and outside are always clean and look like new.

I drive a lot for work and the car had 70,000 miles on it when I was told it was going to need a new head gasket. For the bargain price of $4,500. The warranty expired at 60,000 miles. In my opinion, a well cared for car in this day and age should last close to 200,000 miles. After much haggling, Mercedes agreed to pay for the part but I had to pay for the labor, which was still going to be close to $3,000.

I traded the car in for a Volkswagen GTI which I love. Not to mention the GTI handles way better in the snow since it's a front wheel drive as opposed to rear.

Also, the cost of maintenance on the Benz was ridiculous. So, that was my first and last experience with MB. I've had my GTI for just over two years and I hope to drive it for another 3.

[jannieC]

Originally Posted by HejiraNYC

That would probably be a 1990's vintage 318i hatchback- perhaps the last time BMW attempted to make a 4-cylinder car. I'm a dyed-in-the-wool Beemer driver; I've had only good experiences with BMW, and I hope to upgrade once my current one finally dies (126K miles and still going strong). but only with a manual transmission. I can't begin to understand people who buy German sports sedans with an automatic. I mean, why not just get a Ford Taurus instead?

I have a tendency to agree with you about people who drive expensive cars, but with a minor qualification. It's one thing if you are legitimately wealthy and you buy an expensive car in cash- since you have the means to do it, why not? But it's another thing to buy a car that costs more than your yearly income and having to finance the entire thing (while living at home with the parents). Now that is douchey. Quite simply, if you have to finance it, you can't afford to drive it.

I disgree with this point only. If I had to pay cash for a car, I would not have enough money to buy something that is in good shape and safe. I have no problem, however, making the monthly payments. It comes out of my bank account each month and I have factored it in to our budget.

P.S. It's not a mercedes or anything close, so maybe that's what you were referring to?

[LukeA]

Originally Posted by HejiraNYC

I have a tendency to agree with you about people who drive expensive cars, but with a minor qualification. It's one thing if you are legitimately wealthy and you buy an expensive car in cash- since you have the means to do it, why not?

Oh, I completely agree. The one thing I would add is that if you legitimately have the money to purchase (not finance) an expensive car, why not get a hybrid? They've been out for years now (not exactly a new, bug-ridden technology) and come in all shapes/sizes, with all the accoutrements one could desire.

Originally Posted by HejiraNYC

But it's another thing to buy a car that costs more than your yearly income and having to finance the entire thing (while living at home with the parents). Now that is douchey. Quite simply, if you have to finance it, you can't afford to drive it.

Yep. Few things are more pathetic & transparent than a 20-something financing an entry-level luxury car.

[HejiraNYC]

Originally Posted by jannieC

I disgree with this point only. If I had to pay cash for a car, I would not have enough money to buy something that is in good shape and safe. I have no problem, however, making the monthly payments. It comes out of my bank account each month and I have factored it in to our budget.

P.S. It's not a mercedes or anything close, so maybe that's what you were referring to?

No, I wasn't referring to everybody; I was referring only to people who buy flashy/expensive cars on credit without the income or financial fundamentals to justify it. So if your car costs as much or even half as much as you earn per year, then that is way too much car IMHO.

[HejiraNYC]

Originally Posted by LukeA

Oh, I completely agree. The one thing I would add is that if you legitimately have the money to purchase (not finance) an expensive car, why not get a hybrid? They've been out for years now (not exactly a new, bug-ridden technology) and come in all shapes/sizes, with all the accoutrements one could desire.

...except for manual transmissions. That is the only thing that would stop me from buying a hybrid, since I absolutely loathe automatics with a passion. If they can somehow figure out how to marry a hybrid and/or electric motor to a manual gear box (with clutch), then I will be all over it.

[Ghost_Tracker]

Originally Posted by LukeA

Automobiles are the most shallow of status symbols. If you're going to spend more money than is necessary on something, why not have it be on something where there's a greater level of subjective value under consideration?

Nice jewelry/watch? Okay, maybe you have an appreciation for art/good craftsmanship. A huge house? Okay, you've got a lot of stuff, or want others to think you've got a lot of money. But an expensive foreign car? What's German for "I Spent $45,000 On A Hatchback?" (it used to be the MB Kompressor, but I need an update on what's the 2009-10 version. I saw a douche driving a BMW resembling a Tercel tonight)

Meanwhile, another car, you'd be in the repair shop twice as often as the BMW, and it loses it's value much more quickly than a BMW - so i.m.o. the BMW owner isn't necessarily being so foolish.
Some BMW's, they only need a tune-up every hundred thousand miles. They spend a lot of money up-front, but save HELLA money over the long run, it seems.

[louielouie2000]

Originally Posted by LukeA

Automobiles are the most shallow of status symbols. If you're going to spend more money than is necessary on something, why not have it be on something where there's a greater level of subjective value under consideration?

Nice jewelry/watch? Okay, maybe you have an appreciation for art/good craftsmanship. A huge house? Okay, you've got a lot of stuff, or want others to think you've got a lot of money. But an expensive foreign car? What's German for "I Spent $45,000 On A Hatchback?" (it used to be the MB Kompressor, but I need an update on what's the 2009-10 version. I saw a douche driving a BMW resembling a Tercel tonight)

Everybody has their thing. Some people really like cars, especially drivers cars, and others don't give a damn about them at all. I personally don't like jewelry, I think it's about the silliest thing a person can spend money on. After all, what does it do for you? My Aunt has a diamond ring that probably costs more than all the cars I've owned combined. What exactly does it do for her? A nicely engineered car will save your life in an accident, reduce your carbon footprint, and will give you reliable transportation for years. I happen to love cars, I've been a gearhead since before I could walk. I am mainly into classics, but I do have an appreciation for any finely crafted automobile. I used to feel the same way about people who drove BMWs. I never got what the hype was about them. Then about 4 years ago I drove a friend's new 3 series for 17 hours straight on a trip to Key West, and I got it! They're just superbly engineered, very stoutly built cars. They feel like they're carved out of a single piece of rock. I'd own one if I could, but they're definitely out of my budget.

My personal pet peeve is McMansions. You know, the giant homes made of cheap materials. If you're going to built a house over 4,000 square feet, it shouldn't have vinyl siding, windows, or doors. If you can't afford to build a big house out of nice materials, you shouldn't be building a big house anyway. Who really needs a house over that square footage anyway? But again, to each their own.

[louielouie2000]

Originally Posted by Ghost_Tracker

Meanwhile, another car, you'd be in the repair shop twice as often as the BMW, and it loses it's value much more quickly than a BMW - so i.m.o. the BMW owner isn't necessarily being so foolish.
Some BMW's, they only need a tune-up every hundred thousand miles. They spend a lot of money up-front, but save HELLA money over the long run, it seems.

Yes, BMWs only need their oil changed every 12,000-15,000 miles vs American cars needing theirs changed every 3,000. BMW's also come with free maintenance for 5 years/50,000 miles. Which on a Beemer, is almost unnecessary. New German cars just don't need servicing like American cars. My Crossfire (which was essentially a Mercedes) didn't need any servicing until 100,000 miles... and even that wasn't a big service. Again, it all goes back to what's important to you. I'd never be caught dead driving a Honda. They're nice cars,extremely well built, but they're cars for people who hate cars. Everyone and their sister owns one. But I understand why people buy them. It's all about priorities... everyone has their own very different ones. And for that, I'm thankful!