[wins76]

I have a 2008 335i that has 69000 miles on it. I still own $ 3600+ to the bank that will be paid off next year Aug. Also it still has CPO & extendent maintenance valid until next year Aug. too. My dilema is MBUSA houston dealerships are giving 10k off on 2014 E class with 0.0 apr for 66 months (with excellent credit). I like my car, but it always in the shop every couple of months (ie. avg. 3 months) for minor things & I have always need to take off work (used one hour vacation time) to drop off the car.

My question is should I do it or not? If I do, monthly payment increase from 430 to about 515.

[rohitsja]

Originally Posted by wins76

I have a 2008 335i that has 69000 miles on it. I still own $ 3600+ to the bank that will be paid off next year Aug. Also it still has CPO & extendent maintenance valid until next year Aug. too. My dilema is MBUSA houston dealerships are giving 10k off on 2014 E class with 0.0 apr for 66 months (with excellent credit). I like my car, but it always in the shop every couple of months (ie. avg. 3 months) for minor things & I have always need to take off work (used one hour vacation time) to drop off the car.

My question is should I do it or not? If I do, monthly payment increase from 430 to about 515.

If the monthly payments are not a big deal, I would say go for it.

[techwhiz]

It's going to be paid off soon. Why not enjoy life payment free??

[mike-y]

I'd normally say keep it, but then I read this part:

Originally Posted by wins76

I like my car, but it always in the shop every couple of months (ie. avg. 3 months) for minor things & I have always need to take off work (used one hour vacation time) to drop off the car.

what kind of costs do you think you'd incur if you have to take your car to the shop every 3 months? what kind of issues are these?

[wins76]

Originally Posted by mike-y

I'd normally say keep it, but then I read this part:



what kind of costs do you think you'd incur if you have to take your car to the shop every 3 months? what kind of issues are these?

Bought the car with 17,521 miles in it. If I remember it right here things that had been done with the car

@ 19k door actuators & fuse
@ 23k cataltic converter & found out foul on three spark plugs, replace three injectors
@ 25k compain about jerkingness during stop, but tech. cannot duplicate
@ 27K other three injectors replaced & maintenance
@ 34k High Pressure Fuel Pump & software update. Software update fix the jerkingness during stop.
@ 38K compain about oil leak but tech. cannot duplicate
@ 39K fixed Trans. oil pan leak & maintenance. proved with pictures on oil leak on the my garge floor.
@ 47K A/C evaporator
@ 51k Brake line leaking replace hose not cover under CPO
@ 56k Overheated, replace water pump but not the temp.
@ 61k manitenance plus wheel alignment
@ 63k replace bank 1 02 sensor due to engine light on
@ 66k replace two coils. misfire issues. plus recall on battery cable
@ 66k when back again due to tech. didn't put charge pipe back correctly b/c enigne light was on again after 30 miles of driving
@ 68k replaced Starter.

That its so far.

[stevers314]

Trade. Get out before something big goes wrong that isn't covered by CPO.

[alexwhittemore]

Totally a personal decision - neither of those options is a clear absolute winner. I'd say give it a test drive and see if it's worth it to you.

One thing to keep in mind is that you'll still find the exact same deals in terms of financing and incentive next year this same time, then the year after that. If it were me personally, I'd hold out a year to see what payment-free life is like. The longer you hold out, the more cash you effectively pocket, and with how desperate manufacturers are these days to move product, you'll probably find you're free to cave and upgrade at pretty much any time (every couple months or so, anyway).

EDIT: I'm also sitting down here with a 328i, so with a budget for water pump and gaskets, I should be covered another 10 years on critical maintenance. The question you need to ask isn't how big a PITA your car has been so far, but what you EXPECT to fail over the next couple years. Sounds like you've gotten a lot of expensive items "out of the way" so to speak.

[wins76]

thanks for your guys input

[Nikkit1981]

I would trade it once its paid off and the CPO and maintenance is up. I wouldn't keep it without a warranty since you've had so many issues.

[pspressart]

Originally Posted by Nikkit1981

I would trade it once its paid off and the CPO and maintenance is up. I wouldn't keep it without a warranty since you've had so many issues.

I would respectfully disagree. I owned a 2002 325xi for 11 years. I had my share of post warranty/maintenance expenses, similar to the OP's list. I came out ahead on car costs, though, because I did not have to make a car payment for over six years. The costs of repairs was less than the cost of monthly payments. If you want the latest and greatest, you pay for it one way or another. I am paying now, but I am enjoying a new-to-me 335i coupe.

[wins76]

Thus E class have the same reliability issues as 335i? Just wondering your guys input.

[XstheticMotorsports]

I would say go for it just because i absolutely love the new EClass. If payment is not an issue to you. I don't see the reason why not go for the brand new car.

p.s. make sure get the Sport & Lighting package.

[tony20009]

Originally Posted by techwhiz

It's going to be paid off soon. Why not enjoy life payment free??

+1

That is by far the more economically sound choice. It would take a hell of a lot of seriously big headaches for me to say that taking on $15 more per month for 63 more months is worth it if a car is actually in good mechanical and structural order.

I don't know what you keep having to fix. If it's all minor and/or cosmetic, I would just get it fixed while the car's under warranty and get over it. When all is said an done, a car is nothing but transportation, and that's why you bought it, even if you wanted to convey yourself around in a nice car and thus paid more than you would have had to for purely basic transportation.

Those new payments will buy you a new MB, but not making those payments will buy you a ton of flexibility and options. That freedom to choose is worth far more than any MB to which you'll be tied.

All the best.

[Chuck W.]

Originally Posted by stevers314

Trade. Get out before something big goes wrong that isn't covered by CPO.

I agree, it is a ticking time bomb.

My daughter's 328I has yet to have anything break and it has 117,000 miles on it.

[rick100]

trade it

[Venom692x]

2014 is the refresh too, wow that is a great deal. If you want a bit more room and luxury, then go for it. I don't think anyone is gonna fault you for getting an E-class Sport, especially at 10k off and 0% financing...

[DF]

i really dislike the new Merc design language.

[wins76]

Anyway went to the dealership today the final offer is:

Msrp: 60720
Minus: 10720
= 50000 - 12326 (16k offer for my car - what I owe)
- 3k down payment
+ tax & doc. About 2k

= 575 per month for 66 months. Basic E350 with p1 package & metallic paint. No lighting package due to limit price range.

Wife say: she really like it
Mom say: don't get it. It's like throwing a diamond ring after 5 years. Just get a reliable and decent car like Honda accord.
Father say: You are only working for a company! If you own your own company and have to visit customers then go ahead and buy it. But in your case you just drive it from home to work so there is not point to by Benz.
Sis say: Max out your 401k and your saving first.
Bro say: follow your heart. You only live once. If you can afford it go for it.
Friend #1: in euro, Benz is for older people like farmers age 50 to 60. Beside you might have the same problems or more with E class; therefore you are back to square one.
Friend #2: you are in your late 30's you need the money to build business not throwing into cars. You might fail but at least you tried.

Giving at bio about myself:
Current pay: 101k. Finish a MBA degree in 2012. Wife pay: 36k.
16k in credit card debt. Didn't paid off due to 0.0 apr offer until April of 2014.
11k in saving, 2k in checking & 2k in cash hiding somewhere.
147k in both Roth & 401k
36k in ameritrade stock investment.
Still owe 130k for mortgage. 15 years.

That's my dilemma. What will you do.

[alexwhittemore]

Originally Posted by wins76

Anyway went to the dealership today the final offer is:

Msrp: 60720
Minus: 10720
= 50000 - 12326 (16k offer for my car - what I owe)
- 3k down payment
+ tax & doc. About 2k

= 575 per month for 66 months. Basic E350 with p1 package & metallic paint. No lighting package due to limit price range.

Wife say: she really like it
Mom say: don't get it. It's like throwing a diamond ring after 5 years. Just get a reliable and decent car like Honda accord.
Father say: You are only working for a company! If you own your own company and have to visit customers then go ahead and buy it. But in your case you just drive it from home to work so there is not point to by Benz.
Sis say: Max out your 401k and your saving first.
Bro say: follow your heart. You only live once. If you can afford it go for it.
Friend #1: in euro, Benz is for older people like farmers age 50 to 60. Beside you might have the same problems or more with E class; therefore you are back to square one.
Friend #2: you are in your late 30's you need the money to build business not throwing into cars. You might fail but at least you tried.

Giving at bio about myself:
Current pay: 101k. Finish a MBA degree in 2012. Wife pay: 36k.
16k in credit card debt. Didn't paid off due to 0.0 apr offer until April of 2014.
11k in saving, 2k in checking & 2k in cash hiding somewhere.
147k in both Roth & 401k
36k in ameritrade stock investment.
Still owe 130k for mortgage. 15 years.

That's my dilemma. What will you do.

Jesus, lotta info. Sounds like it'd stretch you a little financially, but not unmanageably so. If I were you, I'd be really excited about the prospect of being able to divert car payments to credit debt. Given that a 335 is no slouch in terms of overall car pleasure, I'd personally try to make it last as long as reasonably possible, and pocket the cash in the mean time (well, pay the credit debt, since in 4.5 months it effectively amounts to a 13-17% APY investment).

[krhodes1]

I'm driving a 2014 E350 right now, courtesy of Hertz - had 11 miles on it when I picked it up. Consolation prize thanks to their being out of the Mustang GT that I reserved. Weekend special at SFO - figured I would treat myself, I'm in the Bay area for work for a few days. The Benz is a boat. It's an old fart car. it doesn't have a sporting bone in it's body. Just buy a Lexus and save all the bother. And I say this as the past owner of W123 and W124 E-classes. Oddly, despite the Benz being nominally a size bigger than my 3, I don't find it any roomier in the front. Borders on cramped. And the interior ergonomics are atrocious.

Especially with 16K in credit card debt, don't be ridiculous - keep the soon-to-be-paid-for BMW for a while. You need two things - a better mechanic who can find and fix things without multiple trips and pictures of your garage floor (dear God), and a job that doesn't ding you for an hours vacation time just for dropping your car off at the shop. Sheesh, if an employer tried that on me I would tell them exactly where they can stick their hour!

[Nikkit1981]

I would keep it and pay off the credit card debt.

[AlexMilwaukee]

Pay down the debt, your cars depreciation is finally slowing down. It's going to only be losing a couple grand in value per year now, whereas the new Benz will be paying 7k in payments and losing 5k plus in value for at least a few years.