2006 G35 vs 2004 E500

[chandu_732]

Guys,

One of my friends is planning to trade his G to a 2004 Mercedes E500. Both has around 55K miles. I heard a lot about issues with Merc once the car is out of warranty. Let me know your suggestions, so that I could pass them to him.

BTW, he's getting a very very good deal on this E500.

Take care

[Klubbheads]

If he wants to get it, why prevent him doing that?

[Hotdawwgman]

i wouldn't mind a Benz... C43 AMG FTW

[chandu_732]

Originally Posted by Hotdawwgman

i wouldn't mind a Benz... C43 AMG FTW

Actually, he's looking at this particular car (2004 E500) which is perfect for his budget.

[chandu_732]

Originally Posted by Klubbheads

If he wants to get it, why prevent him doing that?

Actually, he's not very sure and he has very few friends who can direct him in the right path. He agreed that he want to buy that car because of the status lol.. He's thinking he can afford the car but not the maintenance (if it is like 3 - 4000 per year)

[kmckis1029]

i didnt get a benz or bmw because i didnt like the cost of maintenance, you cant do much work on the car your self, and you almost always have to go to the dealer to get work done. maintenance is part of the true cost of the car, if he cant afford the maintenance then he cant afford the car. to me an infiniti has "status" just like a benz or bmw... i would rather have a saturn or kia that i can afford then "look" like i can afford a benz,bmw, infiniti,lexus,acura,ect and cant afford to get it fixed or pay for premium gas. I brought an infiniti because i can afford it first, then i like the "status" it brings. too many people live above there means to "look" the part... i would advise againt the benz.

[chandu_732]

Originally Posted by kmckis1029

i didnt get a benz or bmw because i didnt like the cost of maintenance, you cant do much work on the car your self, and you almost always have to go to the dealer to get work done. maintenance is part of the true cost of the car, if he cant afford the maintenance then he cant afford the car. to me an infiniti has "status" just like a benz or bmw... i would rather have a saturn or kia that i can afford then "look" like i can afford a benz,bmw, infiniti,lexus,acura,ect and cant afford to get it fixed or pay for premium gas. I brought an infiniti because i can afford it first, then i like the "status" it brings. too many people live above there means to "look" the part... i would advise againt the benz.

Thanks for your suggestion. Actually, he meant, he cannot afford 4 - 5 grand / year on maintenance. Right now he has a G and he is looking at this car for similar payments.

[dmitriylm]

Maintenance will surely be quite a bit more expensive.

[gtbigup01]

Originally Posted by kmckis1029

i didnt get a benz or bmw because i didnt like the cost of maintenance, you cant do much work on the car your self, and you almost always have to go to the dealer to get work done. maintenance is part of the true cost of the car, if he cant afford the maintenance then he cant afford the car. to me an infiniti has "status" just like a benz or bmw... i would rather have a saturn or kia that i can afford then "look" like i can afford a benz,bmw, infiniti,lexus,acura,ect and cant afford to get it fixed or pay for premium gas. I brought an infiniti because i can afford it first, then i like the "status" it brings. too many people live above there means to "look" the part... i would advise againt the benz.

Well think about it this way. All the money you're spending on maintenance now on your G, could be saved because as far as BMW is concerned maintenance is free during the warranty period. Dont' see infiniti doing that.

[gtbigup01]

Originally Posted by chandu_732

Guys,

One of my friends is planning to trade his G to a 2004 Mercedes E500. Both has around 55K miles. I heard a lot about issues with Merc once the car is out of warranty. Let me know your suggestions, so that I could pass them to him.

BTW, he's getting a very very good deal on this E500.

Take care

I'm not benz smart but I'd think a 2005 with 55K hasn't done any work as yet to be worried about maintenance issues no more than his current G is right now.

[Braintree]

I'll just cut and paste what I wrote on another thread about 10 minutes ago:

Most European cars now have extremely low ratings on consumer reports, Edmunds (and with most foreign car mechanics I've spoken to) with respect to reliability and dependability. Most European cars (I own a 92 Volvo with >250,0000 miles) manufactured in the last 10-12 years now rate as among the lowest in the world! In general, a 10 year old Lexus, Infiniti or Acura has greater reliability than a brand new European car (Volvo, Mercedes, Audi, Range Rover, Saab, etc.) according to consumer research over the past 10 years.

I'm not down on European cars and you have to also know that they still set the standard for excellent driving experience. I think the issue is balancing what you want in a car with what best fits your criteria.

I would Ignore most of opinions here, research is gathered from 1,000's of reviewers-- much more reliable- for the above companies that do car reviews.

The Mercedes' are sexy, beautiful, drive extremely well and established an a good reputation 20-30 years ago.... for those who know cars well, they're viewed as extremely overpriced and mechanically very poor. While they are used by many as a status symbol (as many G drivers do with theirs), there has been a huge problem with reliability and dependability.

Finally, if you like being on a first name basis with your mechanic, if your mechanic has given your car a name like Sophia or Janet, if the shop has named a door after you, if you like having a mechanic on retainer......... and if you like driving a red 1990 Ford Taurus as a loner while your car is in the shop week after week- by all means by a Mercedes or most any other European car.

Much better options now are the Lexus, Infiniti and Acura lines, all of which have received Consumer Report, Edmund's and numerous mechanics who deal in foreign cars, the highest ratings..... contrast that to most European cars and the data will give you everything you need to know.

[kmckis1029]

Originally Posted by gtbigup01

Well think about it this way. All the money you're spending on maintenance now on your G, could be saved because as far as BMW is concerned maintenance is free during the warranty period. Dont' see infiniti doing that.

yeah but what about after the warranty period.... they have to do "free" maintenance because they know that will turn off the buyers that can "afford the car but not the up keep of the car"

when my warranty is up on my G35x i wont have to worry about high maintenance cost, plus i can do most of the regular stuff my self... with a benz or bmw you cant do that easily.

but on another note most smart people lease benz and bmws, they arent dumb enough to own one. (or they are just rich)

[chandu_732]

Thanks for all your suggestions guys...

[iZdeadpeople]

another example of someone going after a car because of their interest in "status." IMHO, the majority of quality vehicles Mercerdes makes, has nosedived over the past few years. The only models worth looking at, are near $100k.

Look at the car and forget the brand name. Really take a look at the styling, both exterior and interior. The specs, lack of technology etc. do not warrant the high price tag. I would much rather be in a Lexus. If you're going to get a Mercedes, get a Mercedes. Its the equivalent of buying a Porsche boxster when you should be in the 911.

[sameerg]

To each his own, i like to buy a car which i can buy brand new. In my opionion, i d rather buy a brand new 40K Infiniti / acura rather than buying a 40K used merc SL,
i d rather buy a 20k new honda than buy a 20k used infiniti.

Just wanted to say it. Hehehe.