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When it does break Mercedes parts are very expensive. My friend has one that is out of warranty, and he has had some big bills for repairs on that car. Still seems to like it a-lot though.
Yeah- it depends on the Mercedes too. Some are very reliable, while others are not so reliable and costly to maintain. I have owned three Mercedes... all were 1980s models and all were excellent cars. The one I have now is a 1988 and its a super car.
Starting in '92, the S-Class MBs became complex cars and very costly to maintain.
All things being equal, I would not let the warranty sway me in this choice. The Mercedes would be my choice depending on model, a far better investment than a used American car.
I wouldn't consider a late model 'benz without a warranty, nor do I consider a car ... unless it's a market proven "collectable" ... an "investment".
The era of the rock solid MB's of the 1960's-70's-80's ... and even that is a "relative" term ... is long past. The cars, starting in the late 1980's, were very (overly) complex with electronics and "luxury" gadgets.
While you may prefer the luxury and handling of the 'benz compared to the domestic cars you have under consideration, be aware up front that the 'benz doesn't deliver these characteristics for low cost or free once you've bought the car. Overall, your ownership costs in time will be dwarfed by the maintenance. If you can accept that premise, then buy the 'benz if that's what makes you happy.
If overall cost is a real consideration, and you don't look forward to multi-thousand dollar repairs that may be repetitive over the years of ownership ... then I'd say the 'benz may not be the car for you.
Not only are parts expensive, but service cost is expensive as well. American cars can generally be fixed anywhere, but for a Mercedes, you need to take it to a reputable specialist which comes at a premium.
I have had a few older Mercedes with mixed results. Some can be dead reliable, others can be a constant headache. Same is true for many American cars. The question is cost vs quality.
One thing to be aware of is the Mercedes had a big dip in quality in the late 90's through early 00s. As a result, many of these cars appear to be bargains. For the level of car you are getting, they are, but also keep in mind you are not maintaining a $20k car, you are maintaining a $90k (just an example).
If you let us know the exact cars you are looking at, the advice could be more specific.
A hundred thousand miles is a LOT of wear and tear, even for a Mercedes. As previously mentioned, expect costly maintenance and repairs.
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