Wife wants a Benz...WTF!

[Chsbrgr]

My lovely wife wants a new rig. We live on a dirt road in the hi desert. She has to have: at least AWD, good ground clearance, room for dogs, and insists on better than 30mpg. I say impossible. She finds a MB GLK250 diesel, AWD, 7+ ground clearance, small suv, rated 33mpg hwy.

No chance of her buying any 4R. She has a Honda Pilot now, and is sick of the tire noise. Any ideas that include staying married and conjugal visits? Any opinions on the reliability of a Benz? Thanks

 

[02SE]

Any opinions on the reliability of a Benz? Thanks

I've owned a few, and worked on several back in the day. My advice is to not own one outside of MB's warranty. That goes for any of the Luxury Euro brands.

 

[bofa]

With those requirements, I'd probably look at the Grand Cherokee with the EcoDiesel.

 

[oljedi11950]

Good chance for a long distance relationship ! Tell her to find out what happens in the service dept .

 

[LittleCaesar]

Two things I have come to know about German cars: 1. They will break and quite often. 2. Once out of the warranty period, repair costs can escalate rapidly.

Ditto on not owning one outside the warranty period, unless you have deep, very deep pockets. I knew a guy who loved his SL 500 so much (why I have no idea) that he spend nearly $9000 for various electrical problems to be fixed in a three year span. Now give me a 300D diesel or a Unimog, and my complaining would cease.

My gf wanted a plush SUV (parents have driven Rovers since they were pre posh Kardashian toys). I told her Japanese or American and I will take care or it, otherwise no. She got a 4.8 X5. IDrive went south a month ago. Over $3500 at the dealer to fix. Found an independent guy for $2600 and change. Fixed it and sold it. Now she is driving a Yukon and loving it.

 

[541joseph]

Unless you buy one in the warranty period forget about having any money to spend on food and other stuff that is needed to live. And the insurance on it will not be cheap either

 

[BlackWorksInc]

I like Mercedes Benz, they make good cars; amazingly, technologically advanced, thrillingly fun, and cushy vehicles... that being said, they are expensive to fix and you WILL be fixing them.

Germans can engineer some crazy stuff these days... but unfortunately they seem to think over complicating things and having to constantly and needlessly redesign the wheel is what is needed (which means a LOT of repairs are typically needed, repairs that most normal shops can't do let some dealers.) Granted I have found Mercedes and Audi to typically be better to work on and more reliable than BMWs (fun cars to drive, absolute crap to own/repair)... but they're all German cars, so take that with a grain of salt.

My personal advice? Your wife wants a GLK, she can have one; under the stipulation she sets aside her personal money in an account to repair the vehicle when it needs service and she doesn't bother you at all for anything about the vehicle.

 

[LandCruiser]

Ze Germuns have different approaches to luxury.

AUDI is the most understated and elegant. It's like a Subaru for rich lipstick lesbians and beta males.

MB is the most gaudy, to the point of being garish.

BMW is somewhere in-between, while holding the coveted title of "official sports coupe supplier to 30-40 something massive douchebags."

A Benz SUV is a very expensive Suburban. Get that instead.

Forgot about Porch [sic] who made Sports Cars for old fat surgeons, and now makes bloated GT coupes and bloated SUVs for trophy wives of said fat surgeons.

 

[flyinbrick]

I used to own and wrench on a 2002 BMW 330i. It's not a MB, but I think there are similarities. There really is that feeling of "solidity" that Japanese cars can't match. That being said, German cars have no tolerance for neglect. Go on the forums or talk to a specialist and go by their recommended maintenance schedule, not the factory's. On the e46 Bimmers, 15k factory oil changes were a recipe for oil sludge past 100k. For the most part (mostly drivetrain), take care of the car and it will take care of you. There will be annoying little stupid failures along the way that you'll pay or spend time fixing or learn to ignore. Depreciation on a new MB will hurt. In case you were to consider used, I would never buy without a full PPI and full maintenance records.

 

[txbonds]

I loved my 2001 rover but it was the same way. Quirky issues, expensive parts and eventually learn to just live with and ignore some things.

 

[541joseph]

Get her to drive a Lexus lx 330 or something like that. You get a great car and piece of mind your going to make it the without having to call a tow truck

 

[BrianSD_42]

Why don't you by her new properly balanced quieter tires?

It can't be that hard to find 29, 30, 31s without road noise.

 

[Chsbrgr]

Thanks guys...She hasn't found any other car that she really wants. It was nice having her read this thread and seeing the opinions you offered.

 

[bofa]

You sure she didn't want the MB first, then define the requirements?

 

[CookieRoe]

I'm in the same dilemma. My wife would love to drive around in a "new to her" Audi. I know they are NOT the most reliable cars on the road. I am an auto enthusiast, so maybe (CPO with warranty would be a must), but most likely not. I told her she can get it , but it would be HER money that buys it and maintains it. However, if it were a Lexus, then I would pay for it no questions asked.

A couple of years ago, a Doctor (whom I've known since I was a toddler), wanted to purchase an SUV and it was between an ML and RX (2007). He decided on the ML based on: 1) he figured it was German, so it must be good, 2) looks. He didn't like the Lexus, but he knew it would be a reliable car and smooth. Fast forward, oh, I dunno, 5 years and he regrets getting the ML. Small quirky things fail, it's not as plush as he thought it would be, yadda yadda. My father has had an RX (2001 and now a 2010) and basically has never had any major issues with either of them. The 2010 RX350 he has now, is like my 07 Civic, CRAZY RELIABLE which is great for us who HATE paying for repairs. They are relatively less expensive to maintain (compared to Benz/Bimmer) and really grow on you. But, if you MUST have that "I NEED TO FEEL I'M DRIVING A TANK FEELING", go for it. But be prepared to PAY for it and don't whine about it since you have been warned by many.

I'm partial to Lexus as our family has had them since 1991 (LS400). Yes, they are boring and don't have the latest and greatest gadgets the Germans offer, but who cares. Lexus fits my definition of what constitutes a "Luxury Car".

 

[iBison]

My lovely wife wants a new rig. We live on a dirt road in the hi desert. She has to have: at least AWD, good ground clearance, room for dogs, and insists on better than 30mpg. I say impossible. She finds a MB GLK250 diesel, AWD, 7+ ground clearance, small suv, rated 33mpg hwy.

No chance of her buying any 4R. She has a Honda Pilot now, and is sick of the tire noise. Any ideas that include staying married and conjugal visits? Any opinions on the reliability of a Benz? Thanks

Benz....oh yeah, and original.

Just had to post.

 

[radlynx]

i think you will need to make a presentation comparing what the pros and cons of each vehicle whhich will include maintenance, cost and reliability. Let her test drive those cars and decide from there. She might like the 4runner. give her your ideas too and let her decide from there. that's a win win situation.

My lovely wife wants a new rig. We live on a dirt road in the hi desert. She has to have: at least AWD, good ground clearance, room for dogs, and insists on better than 30mpg. I say impossible. She finds a MB GLK250 diesel, AWD, 7+ ground clearance, small suv, rated 33mpg hwy.

No chance of her buying any 4R. She has a Honda Pilot now, and is sick of the tire noise. Any ideas that include staying married and conjugal visits? Any opinions on the reliability of a Benz? Thanks

 

[Chsbrgr]

You sure she didn't want the MB first, then define the requirements?

Naa, she is capable for fooling me, but not on this one.

 

[Chsbrgr]

I'm in the same dilemma. My wife would love to drive around in a "new to her" Audi. I know they are NOT the most reliable cars on the road. I am an auto enthusiast, so maybe (CPO with warranty would be a must), but most likely not. I told her she can get it , but it would be HER money that buys it and maintains it. However, if it were a Lexus, then I would pay for it no questions asked.

A couple of years ago, a Doctor (whom I've known since I was a toddler), wanted to purchase an SUV and it was between an ML and RX (2007). He decided on the ML based on: 1) he figured it was German, so it must be good, 2) looks. He didn't like the Lexus, but he knew it would be a reliable car and smooth. Fast forward, oh, I dunno, 5 years and he regrets getting the ML. Small quirky things fail, it's not as plush as he thought it would be, yadda yadda. My father has had an RX (2001 and now a 2010) and basically has never had any major issues with either of them. The 2010 RX350 he has now, is like my 07 Civic, CRAZY RELIABLE which is great for us who HATE paying for repairs. They are relatively less expensive to maintain (compared to Benz/Bimmer) and really grow on you. But, if you MUST have that "I NEED TO FEEL I'M DRIVING A TANK FEELING", go for it. But be prepared to PAY for it and don't whine about it since you have been warned by many.

I'm partial to Lexus as our family has had them since 1991 (LS400). Yes, they are boring and don't have the latest and greatest gadgets the Germans offer, but who cares. Lexus fits my definition of what constitutes a "Luxury Car".

Thanks, I believe she understands this would have a high cost of ownership. Insurance, tires, parts, maintenance, repairs. But, it's the only one that turns her on.

 

[Chsbrgr]

i think you will need to make a presentation comparing what the pros and cons of each vehicle whhich will include maintenance, cost and reliability. Let her test drive those cars and decide from there. She might like the 4runner. give her your ideas too and let her decide from there. that's a win win situation.

Done. She knows it would be an emotional decision. We'll see.