Keep my 92 400e or the 94 Q45a

[tkd_q45]

I've been obsessing over this for nearly 8 months!

My Q45a - has 120K but needs:New dust bootsNew accumulatorsHas minor flaws in clearcoatNeeds some interior work: steering wheel needs a recote, driver seat needs some refurbising as does passsenger seat bottom

My 92 400e - has 100K - rides like a champ, super stable at speed.May need a new trans in the next 2yrsInterior is flawlessPaint in in great shapeHas new: motor mounts, radiator, air pump Should have the AC properly fixed (again major $$$$ but maybe worth it if I drive this another 100K).

Either car will need a good $2K plus put into her.

I love the Benz but fear the expensive things that may need replacing. Benz is easier on tires/brakes and gas (a bit) and is a joy to drive. The Benz's interior wears like IRON. I would assume it to hold better in the long run. I really enjoy driving this car, like the style/ride/experience.

The Q will feel better if I fully restore the active suspension but I am toying with the idea of going Non Acitive (w/CA springs) as it simplfies things mechanically (I do not have the time/expertise/money to keep the active system as it should be). Upon buying the Q I thought the Active system was in better health than it was and I didn't realize that it would be such an issue w/my usual mechanics (they don't want to/don't know how to deal w/it).

Any thoughts?

[bmwkiller]

This may be a rather biased group, so I'm sure you know what everybody will say. But really, have you checked the price of a rebuilt transmission for a 400e? The maintenance cost alone on the Benz would make this an easy decision for me.

[chinaonnitrous]

I'll buy which ever car you dont want. I personally would keep the 400e. I like thoes cars for some reason. But it all depends on what you want to do.

I've been obsessing over this for nearly 8 months!

My Q45a - has 120K but needs:New dust bootsNew accumulatorsHas minor flaws in clearcoatNeeds some interior work: steering wheel needs a recote, driver seat needs some refurbising as does passsenger seat bottom

My 92 400e - has 100K - rides like a champ, super stable at speed.May need a new trans in the next 2yrsInterior is flawlessPaint in in great shapeHas new: motor mounts, radiator, air pump Should have the AC properly fixed (again major $$$$ but maybe worth it if I drive this another 100K).

Either car will need a good $2K plus put into her.

I love the Benz but fear the expensive things that may need replacing. Benz is easier on tires/brakes and gas (a bit) and is a joy to drive. The Benz's interior wears like IRON. I would assume it to hold better in the long run. I really enjoy driving this car, like the style/ride/experience.

The Q will feel better if I fully restore the active suspension but I am toying with the idea of going Non Acitive (w/CA springs) as it simplfies things mechanically (I do not have the time/expertise/money to keep the active system as it should be). Upon buying the Q I thought the Active system was in better health than it was and I didn't realize that it would be such an issue w/my usual mechanics (they don't want to/don't know how to deal w/it).

Any thoughts?

[Jesda]

Tough call. That particular Benz isnt -that- expensive to maintain compared to other luxury cars. The Q's styling is more modern, but the 400 is timeless.

Not an easy decision at all. I might lean toward the Benz in this case, since it has the bigger engine option.

[maxnix]

How's the harness look on the benz? texasoil's later model SL600 turned to dust and cost $3K to replace. If you can't get to SanDiego and have a better mechanic for the Benz, maybe that's the choice.

[Q45denver]

Keep um both or just the one you like to drive the most. Maintenance costs might be similiar assuming you can find someone to do the work at a reasonable price and know what they are doing.

[elwesso]

man we have some John Madden's here... KEEP WHICH ONE YOU LIKE BEST... Unless im thickheaded, thats why he posted.....

anyway, in order to stay consistent, i say sell the benzie and put that money into the Q.. Both cars, for insurance value are worthless.. Hows the benz on insurance?

[Vinsanity]

if it were me, I'd keep the Benz, actually

but on the other hand, you'd get more $$$ if you sold the Mercedes...

[elwesso]

TKD- did you ever get rid of the 92?

[tkd_q45]

Deadalus ended up buying my 92.

[3Q Jay]

Tom- I haven't seen the benz, but having seen and driven your active, you know what i'm gonna say.....i agree the active can be a pain to get right...yours seemed all good to me [not that i'm an expert], except for weak accums.

if you are willing to invest the $1200+some fluid, i'll take a day off work to help you fix and keep the a.

[tkd_q45]

Jay - you are too kind!!!! Your offer only tortures me further in tryiing to make up my mind!!!!

I just fear spending another $1200 and still having issues. I would stick a fork in my eye if that happend. Also just looked at the front multivalve and it is starting to leak. Don't know if new accumus will solve this - entirely my fault as I was warned from the begining by Keith.

Benz is in really good condition. Interior is nearly flawless, which I can't say the same for my 94a. Benz also can get up to 25+MPG hwy (though EPA rated at 21 HWY). My mechanic knows the car well - he's been working on it for the past 4 years and is a great MB mechanic.

All this + the great community/really nice people I've met through this board make it a tough decision for me.

I will have to think further...

[Vinsanity]

Jay - you are too kind!!!! Your offer only tortures me further in tryiing to make up my mind!!!!

I just fear spending another $1200 and still having issues. I would stick a fork in my eye if that happend. Also just looked at the front multivalve and it is starting to leak. Don't know if new accumus will solve this - entirely my fault as I was warned from the begining by Keith.

Benz is in really good condition. Interior is nearly flawless, which I can't say the same for my 94a. Benz also can get up to 25+MPG hwy (though EPA rated at 21 HWY). My mechanic knows the car well - he's been working on it for the past 4 years and is a great MB mechanic.

All this + the great community/really nice people I've met through this board make it a tough decision for me.

I will have to think further...

sounds like you should definitely keep the Benz. I'd give my left nut to have an older mint condition Mercedes with a trusted mechanic handy

[texasoil]

I believe your estimate of reapir cost for the MBZ is low by a factor of at least 2.0. Just replacing the leak-prone evaporator is a >$3000 job. They ARE seductive cars, but you gotta be prepared to feed them lots of money (lots of the 'stuff' that fails is electronic/electrical and diagnosis is VERY difficult even with mega-costly Dealer only diagnostic stuff, and those parts are EXTREMELY costly with almost no availability from 'recyclers.'

I will NEVER again have a MBZ out of warranty (a good MBZ factory warranty covering all the electronics and such stuff). Costs for a single repair can easily top $4,000!

[Q45denver]

You can get a pretty nice 94-95 Q45t for $4000 that is more reliable than the MBZ. Put some sheepskins on the front seats and they should hold up as well as the 400E's. The 400E's ligher weight might account for the better mileage?

[elwesso]

Texasoil, do you still have yours?

[tkd_q45]

My tech is very trustworthy - he's been an MB mechanic for over 40 years. He was factory trained and knows older MBs like no one else. People come as far as out of state to see him. I have a good relationship with him. I don't have a Q mechanic w/(relatively) similar credentials. It's really a comfort to have someone who knows the car so well.

I realize that some fixes can be more expensive on the MB - but my guy will do the evaprator job for around $2500 and I know it will be done right.

That all said, if my Q was as in equal condition to my Benz I would probably have no problem keeping it over the MB. Not that my Q is trashed, it's just that the MB is in better condition/does not need any freshning up.

[Jesda]

Most importantly, where can I see pictures of your MB?

[tkd_q45]

Mercedesshop.com -

http://www.mercedesshop.com/sh...23460

[maxnix]

My tech is very trustworthy - he's been an MB mechanic for over 40 years. He was factory trained and knows older MBs like no one else. People come as far as out of state to see him. I have a good relationship with him. I don't have a Q mechanic w/(relatively) similar credentials. It's really a comfort to have someone who knows the car so well.

Actually, you do. http://www.jerrytucker.net

Two things: I believe the MB is smaller, more like a 5 series. Second, between German and Japanese build quality and costs to repair, even on the older Benz, no contest. Japanese win hands down.

[Jesda]

I'm not sure how much the V8 adds to ownership costs, but the W124 is rarely subjected to -major- repairs. Sure, its expensive when it needs them, but its engineered to last a bit longer than the Q and endure more heavy use.

Since you're a Californian who has to deal with low-quality gasoline, I put more faith in MB's fuel systems.

Looking at the C&D article, it seems like the Q45 with active suspension is mostly overweight but marginally effective technology built for bragging instead of actual driving enhancement. If it was a standard Q45 I'd lean more toward keeping it.

Truthfully, both are fantastic cars that aren't cheap to own. It may be easier to decide on look and feel. Jerry Tucker's location makes owning the Q a little easier too.

[Jesda]

Your life sounds hard, having to decide between two world class luxury sedans. j/k!

[elwesso]

Im not sure you can put that much down on the active Q until you've driven a real good one...

I need to get that weirdo ross up in MI to get his active running right

[greg_atlanta]

MB has a better resale value now and later. Sounds like you want to keep one of the two until the wheels fall off, so selling the MB now will get you plenty of money to keep the Q running.

If money were not an issue I'd keep the MB, but the money-smart decision is to sell it.