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Right now, I drive a 2000 Saturn LW1 wagon with 65,000 miles on it.

I have a chance of replacing it with a 1997 MB E-320 with 145,000 miles.

Opinions?

AndesSMF wrote:Right now, I drive a 2000 Saturn LW1 wagon with 65,000 miles on it.

I have a chance of replacing it with a 1997 MB E-320 with 145,000 miles.

Opinions?

Pros to getting the MB
MBs last forever
Saturn, as a car company, days are numbered. GM has let it known that they want to phase it out.

Cons to getting the MB
MB parts cost a lot

A few questions -

Is it the petrol or diesel model?
What trim level is it?
Does it have the European (stick-shift style) Auto box?
Who's been servicing it & how much does a full service cost in the US? (they're very pricey to service in the UK)

What is your reasoning for the swap? Would it be 1<->1 or would there be some cash going one way or the other?

The parents got a new MB (2007) and I offered to take it off their hands.

All I have to do is sell the Saturn and give them the $$ I get for it...

It is a petrol model, as AFAIK, the trim level is way up there.

I know it could be pricier to deal with it, though not much more than a Toyota. At the same time, the Saturn had 40,000 miles when we got the Sequoia 4 years ago. So I have driven 25,000 in 4 years, and drive even less now.

Eh. I'd be tempted...but right now I'd say I'd be leaning the other way.

GQfluffy wrote:Eh. I'd be tempted...but right now I'd say I'd be leaning the other way.

Why?

AndesSMF wrote:The parents got a new MB (2007) and I offered to take it off their hands.

All I have to do is sell the Saturn and give them the $$ I get for it...

It is a petrol model, as AFAIK, the trim level is way up there.

I know it could be pricier to deal with it, though not much more than a Toyota. At the same time, the Saturn had 40,000 miles when we got the Sequoia 4 years ago. So I have driven 25,000 in 4 years, and drive even less now.

The deal sounds better knowing you're getting you parents' old car. At least you know the vehicle history and that it has been maintained properly.

I've been driving that old station wagon I posted a few weeks back. It's a 2000 Ford, but only had 35,000 miles for $1,500. New cars are fun, even if they're not brand new...

145,000 miles. Prime age for everything electronic under the hood to start going out.

GQfluffy wrote:Eh. I'd be tempted...but right now I'd say I'd be leaning the other way.

I'd agree with that. I think the Saturn probably has more miles left on it than the other one, and if and when it does need repair it'll be much cheaper.

GQfluffy wrote:145,000 miles. Prime age for everything electronic under the hood to start going out.

Some of the electronic stuff on the Saturn has already started to go out...

Mercedes parts and service are among the most expensive you'll ever find. If you're prepared for that then go ahead and get it. It's a nice car and it'll last you another hundred thousand or two if you maintain it right (assuming it's in good shape now...if it's a fixer-upper forget it).

The Saturn will be reparable for years, and it's a good deal less expensive to repair.

Good luck.

The MB has a 'slight' problem in that it won't start...because of a starter problem...

Fortunately, I can always 'return it'.

A MB E-class from 1997 isn't exactly the best product they build in their history.
As far as I know I wouldn't touch anything from MB build after 95 or before 2006.
Quality was really substandard in those years (my GF used to own a ML270 for a little over 1 yr and it was an experience never to be repeated again).
a guy I know quite well does the customer support for a large MB dealership over here and he told me more than once that those years (95-2006) where particularly bad when it came to product build and engineering quality.

Newer models are back at earlier, higher levels of overall quality, so I was told, but for us the MB experience has put us of for good, for me it's Audi, Toyota or Ford these days.

Don't do it.

The Mercedes is going to be an expensive garage queen... Especially as it ages.