CD Article: 2008 Mercedes-Benz C350

[sailor723]

The other day I was in D.M. Mercedes picking up an oil filter and while I was at the parts counter, she was having a look at the newest E320 CDI (the replacement for her car) and the saleman asked her if she was interested.  Her:

"Are you kidding?  I need a car that runs everyday, so I have a Subaru..."

 
[/quote]

That raises a point that has always perplexed me.... I've never understood the response "but it's got a great warranty" when you raise the reliability issue with a salesman. The PITA factor for having a car in the shop is there whether the repair is covered or not.

[Mitlov]

That raises a point that has always perplexed me.... I've never understood the response "but it's got a great warranty" when you raise the reliability issue with a salesman. The PITA factor for having a car in the shop is there whether the repair is covered or not.

The subjective annoyance of having to go to the shop occasionally might be outweighed by the subjective pleasures of a truly luxurious and/or fun-to-drive car.  The argument is weak when we're talking about transportation appliances, but I understand it more when we're talking about cars.

Let's say that my car takes two more trips to a shop per year than a typical Corolla.  In my mind, getting to drive a turbo Jetta (with its exciting engine, communicative steering, buttoned-down handling, and near-luxury interior materials) instead of a Corolla for 363 days out of the year well outweighs the PITA-factor of those other two days.

[tpl]

I agree Mitlov.    A car with "character" or "soul"  may be forgiven its need for careful maintenance and repair... and perish the thought of even having to look at a Corolla/Camry in the driveway let alone actually drive one every day

[sailor723]

That raises a point that has always perplexed me.... I've never understood the response "but it's got a great warranty" when you raise the reliability issue with a salesman. The PITA factor for having a car in the shop is there whether the repair is covered or not.

The subjective annoyance of having to go to the shop occasionally might be outweighed by the subjective pleasures of a truly luxurious and/or fun-to-drive car.  The argument is weak when we're talking about transportation appliances, but I understand it more when we're talking about cars.

Let's say that my car takes two more trips to a shop per year than a typical Corolla.  In my mind, getting to drive a turbo Jetta instead of a Corolla for 363 days out of the year well outweighs the PITA-factor of those other two days.

Fair enough.... this kind of thing is obviously a value judgement that everyone has to make for themselves.

I actually enjoyed the '98 Grand Cherokee I had inspite of the fact it was actually less reliable than just about any vehicle I've ever owned.....even including a '74 TR6!

When anyone asked me how I liked the GC I used to say "great! It's a 1st class vehicle built out of 2nd class parts with 3rd class workmanship"

[Marc_]

I agree Mitlov.    A car with "character" or "soul"  may be forgiven its need for careful maintenance and repair... and perish the thought of even having to look at a Corolla/Camry in the driveway let alone actually drive one every day

LOL - my Saab has tons of soul and Character....  and I need to remind myself of that when sitting in the shop! 

when I drive my Pathfinder, it reminds me of how fun the 9-3 is to drive.....

[johngenx]

We loved the E300, but there is a point where enough is enough.  The car was at its best on highway trips as it could go over 1000km on a tank of fuel and the torque was a pleasure when passing.  But, many trips the car sat at home or at the dealer, either waiting to be repaired or being repaired.

How about the repeated hassle of not having the car start as you're about to go to work?  When you wake up early so that you can go out and see if the stupid glow plugs are working today, and if not, making alternate car arangements, it gets old FAST.

Or today the glow plugs give out at work and now you're waiting for the dealer to come and get the car.  Nice getting home at 7:00 for the third time this month.

Oh, today the engine died on the freeway.  Sweet.  Being stuck on the shoulder of a busy road is the way to enjoy your $60K+ car.

Finally getting the car on along trip, and having to make an unscheduled stop in Kamloops for repairs.  Sure, MB covers the hotel and meals, but we're car-less in Kamloops for two days.  Fun!!

Are you sure you can live with this for the "character?"  That car was a "daily driver" that didn't drive on a daily basis.

[Demosthenes X]

Oh, today the engine died on the freeway.  Sweet.  Being stuck on the shoulder of a busy road is the way to enjoy your $60K+ car.

That's why the new one has a DVD entertainment system. 

I could live with a weekend car being temperamental...  but a daily driver has to be reliable enough to be driven daily.  Too bad Mercedes doesn't have it quite right...

[sailor723]

Exactly.....Play cars can be tempermental....daily drivers need to work!