Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

mark156 · December 2006

Fintail, My 2000 E430 SPORT is the same style as yours with the lower body cladding and the round fog lights.

I have the orthopedic heated seats that work really well. I don't have nav or air conditioned seats, or the rear shade. My E430 listed for $60,500 with the 6 CD player.

Seems like the E55's were totally loaded with few options.

I have had so little trouble with my "E" for the 7 years that I have owned it. (34,400 miles). I have replaced both rear window regulators and front brake pads out of warranty.

While under warranty, they replaced the instrument panel because the clock ran slow, they changed out both sunvisors as both flip-up covers broke off and replaced one fog light as the bracket broke. Other than normal oil changes and new tires, very little has been done.

My car shines like new, my headlights are clear (keep garaged). I see older ('96-'02) E-class cars with sunburned headlight lenses; ruins the look.

I'll keep my "E" as long as it gives me no trouble, maybe 7 or 8 more years. I should have about 50,000 on it by then and I'll just get a new one.

Again, congrats on the new purchase. Mark156

Kirstie_H · December 2006

A television news organization is looking to talk to a consumer that has a loan of four years or more. Please contact ctalati@edmunds.com by December 19 and provide a daytime number that the reporter can contact you back at.

fintail · December 2006

Yeah, the E55s tend to be loaded...but somehow many were made that weren't. I've been perusing nationwide online classifieds, and I see that many of them lack navi and the cooled seats. I assume the sunshade is an odd option too...it's something I've always wanted, as it looks kinda cool. Seems like it would be hard to fix though, I assume it is covered in the warranty I bought.

I'm glad to hear your experience has been OK. I think a lot of these W210s have bugs to be worked out, but I do see many higher mileage examples (a local lot has an 00 E55 with 130K on it), so they must be servicable. I've heard about failed window regulators elsewhere, too.

The paint on the car I bought seems high quality too. A quick polish/wax yesterday really brought out some shine. I forgot the lights have plastic covers...mine are fine of course, but I might use some of the plastic cleaner I have to maybe make them perfect.

Here's the interior, with the upholstery pattern that I believe was exclusive to the E55. The car also has the kind of grey wood that seems to be more common in newer models.

lilengineerboy · December 2006

My car shines like new, my headlights are clear (keep garaged). I see older ('96-'02) E-class cars with sunburned headlight lenses; ruins the look

They will clean up

...semichrome polish (aggressive) will take off the yellow crusty layer, and then Novus (or nexus??) plastic polish (finer) will polish the finish smooth. Then they look crystal clear again.

dman · December 2006

Hey fin, nice ride. I bought my 01 CLK55 in May '04 for right around that price too and it had 25.5k miles on her. She's up to 42k+ now though! I too bought an extended warranty for her through the MB dealership in Chicago (I was living there then). It wasn't a MB warranty but it was sold by them, and so far it's covered a lot of little repairs without question. The bigger items were probably a new climate control unit ($700) b/c the button on mine was stuck and new motor mounts ($500). Been a great ride so far. What scares me the most are speeding tickets.

I noticed we are in the same area (I live in Kirkland). You go to any of the car meets? I attended a dyno pull at Carbconn one time w/ some local BMW guys but they were all kinda young (I'm almost 34) so I decided that prob wasn't my scene. I then saw a Ferrari meet one time...man that was sweet.

fintail · December 2006

Thanks. I've heard about the motor mount problems too...I've got the warranty for 48 months, so if the car does have any bugs to work out, hopefully that will do it. I do plan to keep it that long...of course, I said that about the previous car too.

I haven't been to any local gatherings save for an informal W202 group, where there was no driving, just looking. I was going to pop in at the local annual MB club show and shine last summer, but by the time I remembered it, it was a month in the past. I'll have to remember this year...and by that time, I should have the E55 up to my OCD level of condition.

boomchek · December 2006

Your CCBA membership is in good standing now. The E55 must pack a good punch. How does it compare in acceleration to your C43?

Give it another year and you'll be in a S55 or CL55 AMG.

Speaking of the clock LED I'm not surpised at the cost at all. It reminds me of 99-04 Honda Odysseys that have a backlight behind the clock on the dash. When the light bulb burns out, the clock is not legible at night. But to replace it, one must take apart half of the dash to get to it, and end up costing about $200.

Anyways enjoy your new ride. Please provide a full road test review here for all of us whenever possible.

:shades:

akangl · December 2006

I'm having some sort of buyer's block. Found a nice horse trailer, good price, but talked myself right out of it. Can't seem to bring myself to buy a darn thing. Well, that and I'd have to have a hole cut in my truck for the gooseneck hitch.

Could it be I'm cured? Course that could present a problem since I do need a horse trailer.

fintail · December 2006

It's really a different beast. It is quicker, althogh almost imperceptibly. However, it is a hundred times quieter and smoother, so the speed really comes up on you. It also has about 90lb/ft more torque, so it seems higher gear acceleration is better. And it also has the traditional old time heavy MB throttle, so you have to give it a little extra to get moving...and then you really move. The C43 had a lighter throttle, more like a normal 4 or 6 cyl car.

I'm not too hot on the supercharged engines...I really have paranoia about that part failing, and a general worry about W220 cars. I might have to hold off for a new 63 series car. I was thinking about waiting several years and maybe replacing the C43 with one of those oddball E55 wagons when they depreciate to my level. But maybe not, now. One of my requirements is to have something unusual. I have found out that there were 83 tectite cars sold in 02...so that's pretty unusual.

The whole cluster has to be removed to replace my defective LED, too. I notice only about 40% of it is actually dead...so you get the minutes and maybe half the letter for the gear selection. Just no hours.

As I discover more, I'll post it here or on a MB thread. I am still learning the ins and outs of it. I've been working a bit since I took delivery, and the weather has also been less than cooperative. I'd like to get a nice set of pics soon.

michaellno · December 2006

and the weather has also been less than cooperative.

Um, yeah, you could say that. Hope that all is well up there ... your storm is heading our way and should be here by tomorrow or Sunday.

Here's hoping it stays in the mountains!

So, your E55 is the 349HP version? I can't seem to keep them straight. I remember you saying that your C43 had 302HP.

fintail · December 2006

Nothing too bad for me personally...lost power for about 12 hours. Downed trees in my area, work was closed, but I went in anyway as I didn't know...but I'd rather be at work with power than home without it (or stuck in a traffic jam because of a lack of lights).

Yes, that's my car, the last of the non-supercharged cars.

kyfdx · December 2006

I think being a big media star has quelled your need to swap vehicles so often...

I guess hanging out with Leonardo and the like will do that to you..

kyfdx · December 2006

349 HP? That's it?

akangl · December 2006

I think being a big media star has quelled your need to swap vehicles so often...

I guess hanging out with Leonardo and the like will do that to you..

LOL, maybe that's it. I have no desire to trade my truck in, its been an excellent truck and gets excellent fuel economy. Not to mention I can pull a house if I want to. Only have 11,500 miles on it which seems low to me, lol.

derrado1 · December 2006

I just can't warm to the new Jaguar XK. I think it'll take a while. The first generation one was beautiful (odd rear bumper aside) but the second, while I find it refreshing that Jaguar's going new directions, is just a little uninspiring. It's as though they couldn't make it too nice or they'd upset Aston Martin (who make quite possibly some of the most beautiful cars in the world)

fintail · December 2006

Yep that's it, a weakling these days!

corvette · December 2006

I stopped at the Honda dealer on the way home to my parents' house this afternoon. Best offer I could get was $500 off list on a CR-V, but they have a $195 doc fee, so effectively, $305 off MSRP--no accessories, protection packs, pinstripes, or other gimmicks. Now, the markup on the one I planned to order or buy is $2113, which is not huge, but there is also a 3% holdback...

I didn't pay $1800 over invoice when I ordered my 3-series (before the car was even released), it was in demand at the time, the car came out of the dealer's allocation just like a normal sale, and there is no holdback on a BMW, so, I guess I expected a similar deal with the CR-V. Maybe it's an omen!

woodyww · December 2006

I ordered a 26" Toshiba flat screen LCD HDTV today on amazon. $799, w/free shipping. Plus $30 off for getting a new Visa card. (What can I say, my new Porsche Turbo hasn't arrived at the dealer yet).

My house shopping is.....slow, to say the least. I looked at 2 houses in the metro-boston area last weekend ("inside 128"). One for $450K, on a hill, about 1500 s.f, OK shape, nothing special, you'd need a pack mule to get groceries, etc. up all the stairs up the hill. Another for $517K, about the same. It's STILL astonishing how little you get around here for +or- $500K.

Go North 100 miles--near portland, ME, around $400K will get you a really cool house. I mean, a VERY cool house, with a great kitchen, maybe 2000 s.f., in a great neighborhood, near both the ocean, & the city (portland). And near tons of seafood "joints', cool restaurants, etc. nearby. And the taxes are way lower, etc.

Sorry for getting so O.T.; but house shopping/relocating is so much more difficult than car shopping (duh). Esp. if you have expensive tastes........

woodyww · December 2006

I think I might have asked you this before--& there's no Toyota dealer near you? But, a 269 hp V6 RAV is roughly the same price as a new 4cyl CRV, I think. Last I checked my local Toyota dealers were "dealing" on RAVS--very good discounts. Just a suggestion; the extra 100 hp of the V6 RAV might sway me,

woody

british_rover · December 2006

Look at the CX-7. I think you will like that over the CR-V.

Also if you want to go up a price class the RDX seems ok or the LR2 should be great if you can wait till april.

corvette · December 2006

You oughta see the kind of house $4-500k will buy in Kentucky! Although, it won't be close to much of anything...

I am close to a Toyota dealer. I haven't looked at the RAV4 very much. They have more optional equipment (as opposed to Honda's "Good/Better/Best" trim levels), so it might be a special order if I got one.

corvette · December 2006

Haven't driven the CX-7--but I think there are some lease deals on them right now. There's still a really attractive lease deal on the Audi A4, too, but I'd be 70 miles from the closest dealer (same as with the Mazda). Something to think about...

kyfdx · December 2006

Shop around on the CR-V... There is about an $1800 spread between MSRP and invoice.. I'd guess that $1000-$1300 off would be achievable with a little competition.

Getting the vehicle you want is more important than the last $500 of the deal.. Getting a RAV4 at invoice vs. $1000 over invoice on a CR-V won't matter much, if it is really the CR-V that you want.

$400K-$500K will buy you a McMansion where I live.. 3500 square feet, easily..

fintail · December 2006

400-500K here...a 40 year old 1300 sq ft tract house in an average at best neighborhood, or a nice condo.

Of course, go 20 miles/2 hour commute each way, and you can get something better.

I've had the new ride for 6 days now...according to the computer I am getting 15 mpg in town! Not so hot...but then again I haven't been taking it easy, and some days it has taken me 30 mins to go 2 miles, so that burns gas.

corvette · December 2006

I'm going to just be blunt and ask my roommate what kind of deal she got on hers (I coached her a little before she bought it, but never asked about it after she bought). And I'll probably e-mail Swope and one other dealer asking for a quote on the CR-V, but, if he's still working there, I think I have a contact at Bluegrass Audi that would do the advertised A4 lease without any gimmicks--it's awfully tempting.

british_rover · December 2006

question here.

Why do you want a CR-V? You are about as far away from that targted demographis as possible.

boomchek · December 2006

I freaked out when I got my C240 and the fuel economy was about same as yours :surprise: . On long drives it all balances out anyways. Since resetting my trip computer when i picked up the car over a month ago my average has been 20MPG, all city driving.

corvette · December 2006

I'm asking myself the same thing after getting turned down at the dealer yesterday... My thinking was that I could buy the CR-V as a very reliable, everyday vehicle, and in a year or so buy or lease a Z4 or similar unpractical vehicle for recreational purposes.

I'd like a daily driver that's a little more roomy than the 3-series, and a little more reliable than mine has been. And, I've discovered that I don't really enjoy driving a manual on a daily basis, although it's great fun on a winding country road. I still want at least six airbags and stability control as far as safety features go... I will throw open the floor for suggestions.

fintail · December 2006

Yeah the E55 is rated 24mpg on the highway I think...so a few trips should make things look better. If I took it easier, that would help too I am sure.

british_rover · December 2006

AMG Drift game

woodyww · December 2006

I may sound like a stuck record, but, being as you're into "performance cars", bmw's, etc. I'd think the extra hp of the V6 RAV, or the Forester Turbo, would be very appealing. It would be another matter if the hp of all 3 were "close", but it just seems like Honda is being really chintzy with the 168 (?) hp in the CRV, & the turbo-4 in the RDX ($33-$37K, & you don't even get a 6 cyl???).

Around here, my 6 cyl 5-series is quick enough to not get me "run over" (knock wood!)--it does 0-60 in about 8 seconds. I think--the CRV is closer to 0-60 in about 9.9 seconds--& the V6 RAV is in the mid-6 second range; the Forester Turbo may be even quicker. (I'm too lazy too look all of this up right now).

Of course, that's just one way to look at it; it's not like a CRV is exactly a dumb choice....

qbrozen · December 2006

it just seems like Honda is being really chintzy with the 168 (?) hp in the CRV

depends on how you look at it. its not like they wouldn't charge more money for the V6 model, so I don't think its a matter of being "chintzy" since they'd make more money. I have to imagine they just don't see enough of a market there at this point. Maybe with all this new competition they will change their mind in the near future?

grandtotal · December 2006

Of course it might be that the V6 won't fit...

nippononly · December 2006

They stated the reason for not offering a V-6 was to keep it simple and fuel-efficient, not to mention the targeted demographic is like downsized soccer moms, isn't it? What do they care about a V-6?

It IS a fairly slow vehicle by today's standards though, I have to admit.

qbrozen · December 2006

Considering they just redesigned it, I'm sure they could have made room for a V6 with that design if they thought there was a market there to justify the cost.

qbrozen · December 2006

there ya go. So Honda agrees with ... errr... me. ;b

kyfdx · December 2006

I think Honda likes that niche... fuel-efficient, small but space efficient, good value.... they see no reason to move it any farther upscale..

They have the RDX, Pilot and MDX to cover the rest of the market...

boomchek · December 2006

So just over a month after getting it, my power steering is making wheezing noises. :sick:

I have to get my mechanic to check it out and see what the problem is. Hopefully not something big but then again this is a Mercedes so pretty much everything might be big :surprise:

fintail · December 2006

Wow, I suck at even those flash games!

And re: boomchek's C240...might be a good idea to see about an aftermarket warranty on such an early W203. What's the build date?

boomchek · December 2006

I do have warranty on it already but because of it's mileage I could only buy the powertrain warranty. Not sure of the build date on it, I think june of 2001.

stickguy · December 2006

while out Xmas chopping tonight. Stopped at AUtolenders, a local small chain that sells off lease stuff (according to their signs). Huge inventory, mostly '03-'05 stuff. Tons of Lexi (need 25 RX330s?), a whold row of Jag Xs (the small one), and quite a few E class'. 1 2002, the rest '03s.

Did sit in one in the showroom (about 20 cars inside!), and it was quite nice. Plenty of toys, and roomy.

Also sat in a Lexus LS. Man, that thing has really nice seats!

Then I went back to reality. Having bought new cars the week before Xmas 2 years in a row, the DW would kill me if I did it again! And that doesn't include the Miata I bought before Thanksgiving the year prior!

I think Wednesday is the 1 year anniversary of my last purchase. I will throw myself a party.

fintail · December 2006

Wasn't it a low mileage car? I forget. Oh well...that's a risk you take with any car like that I guess. Have you found any good independent mechanics yet? Good luck, hopefully it's a minor issue.

nippononly · December 2006

at the Honda dealer the other day, ALMOST drove out with a used Odyssey for my sister. In the end, we couldn't quite agree on a price.

But that's the extent of my foray into car-buying since my last purchase 1-10-06, so I am going to be staring my 1-year anniversary in the eye any day now too!

What to do, what to do....

akangl · December 2006

I bought something today, I will go pick it up in 2- 3 weeks, have to work out schedules and such since its in Washington.

qbrozen · December 2006

My suggestion is to stay away from that place. Personally, I've found them overpriced and they are adamant that they don't negotiate on their prices at all. What you see is what you get.

I had an interesting conversation with a greenpea about a 350Z I test drove there. It was WAAY overpriced. I made an offer and he immediately informed me of their policy. I explained that they were way over market value, so why would they not negotiate. No answer. I wound up buying one that was a year younger, with half the mileage, for less than they were asking for theirs.

In addition to that experience, a friend of the family has purchased 2 vehicles from them (a person who doesn't want to negotiate anyway, regardless of my objections) and they've had nothing but problems with the vehicles (and why they would go back a second time after all the problems with the first is beyond me .... but as we know, you can't save some people from themselves). They bought warranties on each car, but its strictly an autolenders policy, so you have to go to them to get it fixed (something they are apparently not too good at doing).

british_rover · December 2006

I cracked a million already but I have no idea how you score so high to get on the top 10 board.

nippononly · December 2006

Hmmm, would this purchase be in the form of a trailer, or something with its own motor??

I have located what looks like a fairly nice MkII Supra. If it doesn't pan out, I am going to have to buy a mid-90s Integra just to scratch the itch! :-/

stickguy · December 2006

Yeah, I also find their prices to be quite hig, and non-negotiable. FOr that money, I want it to come from a dealer as certified.

But, they must move cars, the way they are putting up giant buildings all over the place!

reminds me of a story from a guy I dealt with that had a small local lot just down the road from autolenders (since sold to the auto toy store people). Something about a customer of his (or potential) that ended up buying a car at A.L., and it didn't seem right, so they brought it to hi and it turns out that the whole side had been wiped out and (poorly) repiared. Of course their mission statement says that car would never be sold by them, but with all the volume..

I believe they did take it back though.

Still, it is fun to look and you can sit in lots of nice stuff inside.

qbrozen · December 2006

Still, it is fun to look and you can sit in lots of nice stuff inside.

yes... yes it is.

i found the staff helpful and that visit to that one store let me try out a whole bunch of vehicles (tried on a Boxster, Audi TT, Saab 93 'vert, Z28, corvette, 350Z, and SC430 ... only drove the TT and 350Z, though). Its nice to have one place to do all that.

akangl · December 2006

Hmmm, would this purchase be in the form of a trailer, or something with its own motor??

Its a trailer, a horse trailer. Although for the price I could have probably bought a nice used car. At least I'm not having to pay stupid Alaska prices for horse trailers that are beat to death and only being sold because something is wrong with them.

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