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Lexus IS 250 vs. Mercedes C280
I can't decide between purchasing the Lexus IS250 AWD or the Mercedes C280 4MATIC.
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Thanks so much!
What do you guys think of this deal?
I'm deciding between the lexus and the Mercedes C350 sports sedan for $36,234 MSRP $43,105
any input, thanks
The maintenance for both cars is equal for the first 30,000 miles. Lexus requires 5000miles maintenace schedule which costs $140 per visit ($500 for 30/60 miles) and Benz requries 13,000 miles schedule of either $234 or $375 A vs B tune ups alternate.
If you lease will you buyout at lease end or just turn in and get another?
The 5K on the LEXUS and the 13K on the BENZ are the MINIMUM maintenance requirements set up by the factory.
Eventhough the BENZ uses Synthetic oil vs. conventional oil in the LEXUS, 13K is way, way, way TOOOO long to go between services. I recommend that with synth you change the oil every 5 to 6K, and with conventional oil every 3K - depending upon driving conditions.
Why spend ALL that $$ on a car and not take good care of it? The maintenance schedules set up by the manufacturer is the MINIMUM amount of service you can do.
As for the maintenance being =, in a perfect world yes, in the real world .. NO.
If you keep the car for 36 months and drive the average of 12K per year, you WILL put at least two sets of brakes on the car and one of those sets you will need to REPLACE (not machine/turn) the rotors (discs)
Then there are tires - low profile, high performance tires will cost you about 1K or more for all 4. And you will need probably, at a minimum, 1 set over the 3yrs (maybe 2 sets - it all depends on how you drive)
And then there's Alignments - which should be done at a minimum 2X per year. Would you want to wear out a set of xpensive front tires just because you didn't want to shell out $150.00 for an alignment? (150.00 to save a 500.00 set of tires .. hummm)
You could always switch to BMW - which includes EVERYTHING xcept tires & gas and physically damaged items that owners create or inflict on their cars.
You need to drive all the cars and then call around to get real life pricing on maintenance or just look here in Edmunds.
Remember, opinions are like .. (well you know) EVERYBODY has one!
GOOD LUCK in your quest
If it's any consolation I looked at:
BMW 325
Audi A4
Acura TL
MB C350
Lexus IS 250
I ended up special ordering (and buying)
IS 250
6 speed manual
Sports Package
Madator Mica Red w/Black Leather interior
Do I have any regrets?
NONE
(P.S. - look at my screen name)
Did you think the price for the IS 350 was reasonable? $35,400. The MB has such better deals but maybe because they're not doing too well?
Otherwise, I would be driving an IS 350 not an IS 250
When they do make the 350 in a 6 speed, I am singing up for that!!!
I agonized over this decision for weeks and have to say, I enjoy driving the MB so much that it will have to give me problems for me to think I made a mistake. We'll see........
Mercedes was well aware of the problems on the 2001-2004 models and I feel that those issues would certainly have been addressed and corrected with the 07s. Keeping my fingers crossed and ONE PROBLEM and I'll jump back to my Lexus roots!
The main reason I traded my 04 RX was due to needing to replace the tires for $1000 again, 18 in high performance low profiles----All in all this must be factored into the cost of the vehicle which IMO makes another brand with 16 inchers much more attractive. The c280 has 16 in high performance tires but average life of wear is between 25 and 35K with a cost of around $500 to replace. I'm not knocking Lexus as they are GREAT vehicles but the tire replacement issues was a concern for me personally.
Calls to customer service over any complaint I had during the six year of ownership were ignored. Never any follow-up calls, very rude people at the Lexus Customer Service 800 number. I'm amazed that people think that this vehicle is so great they're willing to put up with this type of treatment. The arrogance of this brand is getting out of control and tolerance.
I bought a Mercedes Benz this round as I was fed up with the Lexus haughtiness and unappreciative attitude and will tell you I made the RIGHT choice.
Mercedes vehicle is far superlative to the Lexus drive and more importantly, Mercedes is an appreciative brand that treats customers with the dignity and appreciation they expect, not to mention MB has sent gifts and mail every week that I've owned the car in nicely packaged boxes printed, "thank you for driving a Mercedes Benz" which include a leather wallet. They have the best product on the market and they're thanking me---what a switch from being a LEXUS owner, Mercedes is FIRST CLASS.
Bottom-line if you want to be appreciated and well taken care of as a customer, drive anything but a LEXUS!!!
Thanks for the help.
Poor service with Lexus? Are you kidding? I'll take Lexus' service over ANY OTHERS on any given day.
As for cars, I know there is a certain prestige factor with the MB but honestly I don't think that's worth the extra bucks.