Euromagination

Hi all. Some of you may know that I've been lurking around here for a while as I continue to look for a 993 to purchase to replace my Audi A6 as a daily driver. I have learned a lot (search function does wonders), and continue to learn daily just by reading your posts/threads. Thank you.

That said, I have been talking to friends of mine and other people who know that I'm looking for a 993, and while most of them are happy for my decision, of course I've run into the people who try to talk me out of a 993 and into something else. Not that I listen, of course...but still.

Anyway, myself and an acquaintence of mine (who, by the way, usually know his "stuff" when it comes to European cars) were talking last night over a couple cans of Boddington's, and he was trying to talk me into getting a CLK 55 AMG instead of a 993. (Which would never happen.)
He made up numerous reasons as to why, and when I told him that was just opinion, et cetera, he then tried to make a case of reliability and daily maintenance costs of the two when compared that made me wonder.

Basically, he said that a 993 will cost more to maintain than a CLK 55 would, citing that the motor alone needs more maintenance. I countered that by saying that even if the air-cooled 6 itself may need more maintenance than the AMG motor, the maintenance and upkeep of technological "toys", comforting niceties, and extra features that come on the more luxurious CLK 55 are enough to drive maintenance costs through the roof when compared to the more simplistic 993. He says" no way". Normally, I believe this guy, but not this time, so I came here to see what all of you think.

That said, which do you think would have higher overall maintenance costs: The 993 or the CLK 55? Who's right, me or him? Have any of you 993 owners ever owned a CLK 55 and can give and opinion? I just can't see how this can be true.

Thanks for reading.

-Harry

Father of 3

I would be much more wary of the electronics in an mbz than the motor in a 993. Maintenance is not cheap in these cars but also lots of good indy shops, DIY is an actual possibility vs. the techno mbz. Check out p-car.com where robin kept a journal of his expenses.

Edward

Warning...heavy bias alert

IMHO, the modern Benz is by far and away one of the most maintenence-intensive machines out there. MB is packing these things with a multitude of electronic gadgets du jour which, by their very nature, add to the complexity of the car and increases the potential for failure. Compound this complexity with the fact (yes, I believe it really is a "fact") that these electronics are not as reliable as their Japanese counterparts on the whole and you've got a recipe for maintenance woes in the future that will haunt far beyond the expiration of that warranty. The entire trend toward "_______-by-wire" systems in the entire auto industry "can" be good for enhancing the safetly and performance of more mundane cars by offering trickle-down technology from airbags to ABS to variable valve timing (e.g. in my Honda Odyssey) ....this is advancement in my eyes. But the gorging at the table of electronic do-dads propagated by luxury marques is a trend that I refuse to support, and one that ultimately will come back to bite them (ever seen the resale on BMW 740s, 750s, 840s, or P's 928s ...hideous when compared to their initial prices). There are those, on the other hand, that never own a car beyond the expiration of the warranty ...to these well-heeled fortunate ones, perhaps my spiel does not apply. But to those that tend to own for the long term, ...well, you get what I'm saying. Of course, all just in my opinion... Feel free to flame on


Edward

scottmc

A couple years ago I owned a C-36 AMG and put about 60,000 miles on the car. Lots of fun to drive, but was constantly in the dealership for repairs. Fortunately I had a Starmark warranty to 100,00 miles which covered everything but scheduled maintenance. Without that I would have spent a fortune on both large and small repairs. On the other hand, I have owned three 911 based Porsches and have put about 450,000 miles on them (300,000 on an "84, 120,000 on an "85 and 35,000 on my current '97). With the exception of the valve job I just completed on the "97, the Porsches have been by far the cheapest cars that I have ever owned. i don't think that I would consider owning a Mercedes for even one day if it were not covered under warranty. Hope this helps.

Scott

Monique

A good friend in Long Beach owns an E series Merc... actually the second one. He got the second one free under the CA lemon law.

To top all off, Mercs look like butter boxes.... IMO

JasonAndreas

If you compare the electronic controllers inside a MercedesBenz to those of the same model year Porsche you'll notice there isn't much difference. If anything Porsche is more diabolical in the way they tie seemingly unrelated systems together.

seege

Isn't the CLK 55 a $70k used car vs 993 $40k used car? If dollars are a big concern(acquisition costs or maintenance costs) then it would make sense to go for a certified 993 and buy an extended warranty.

But these two cars are so completely different that you're comparing apples to elephants in my opinion.BTW I think the MB would be a teriffic car but more of an extreme grocery getter as opposed to the 993 which is what it is.

stedge

I could be wrong but the age of certified (by Porsche) for these cars is over, as that only goes 6 years out....

seege

That may be right Stedge. I seem to still hear talk of warrantied cars here from time to time but they're all probably expiring this year.

ventoGT

I agree with seege that you really need to look at the cost you are throwing out just to purchase the car...if you get a REALLY nice C4S with less than 30K on the clock, you're probably looking at $50K as opposed to oodles more for the CLK55...also the aforementioned electrical eccentricities of the cars have thrown Benz to the bottom of the Consumer Reports and JD Power quality surveys...

Also, I'll never understand why MB's most powerful and "sporty" cars don't even offer a transmission with a clutch pedal.....or even a clutch!

My $.02

JasonF

Harry -

I am selling my 1995 C4 in Princeton...PM me if you're interested in checking the car out.

- Jason

jrgordonsenior

Well I own both drive trains so....

Some interesting and valid points above especially Seege's cost, and Edward's mechanical anaylsis. Point of interest, MB services are completely covered under warranty for 4 years, 50K. If you buy used from a dealer, they can bump that an additional year/100k Starmark warranty. My ML55 which runs the same AMG engine, transmission, electricals, etc. now has 33k miles on it. At every service to date I've had some minor repairs. Window operator failing, tranny leak, etc. all small stuff but annoying. I just got a covered oil service, and it leaked a pint overnight from the oil cooler up front. Pissed me off as to how stupid/careless thay can be....The nav system went recently in Bolder,Colo. and they overnighted one in and delivered the car to me that Sat eve at a wedding I was at. Now that's service....But I wouldn't own one off warranty. As Edward stated, they're maintainence intensive!!!

I've owned 2 993's almost continually since 1996. First one was stolen and I spent several months finding the current car. I have never had a major repair with either car. First one had 32K when grabbed, second has 38K. Biggest repair was a metal brace that cracked for the Cab top in the 96 car. Cost me a grand to repair it. Other than that , nothing on either but rountine service.

The 993 speaks for itself on the road, you know what it is. The CLK55 is as Seege stated is apples vs elephants. The ones Iv'e seen up close were all lacking the Nav system, and just didn't seem as nice/luxurious as the larger AMG's. But they do growl and haul ***....

If you want a sports car stay with the 993. If you want a combination of both, look at the blown E55 or the new C55, both of which really haul ***....
JRG

slant911

This may or may not be relative, but, take it for what it's worth.

I mirror some of the above sentiments in that I owned (a long time ago) a 300E. While it was a nice car and all work was covered by warranty I never have spent so much time going back and forth to dealerships and being without a car and having to arrange pick-up/drop-off. In a word it was a POS.

When it ran it was a nice luxury touring car. But, it only ran like 20 out of 30 days every month for the 3 years I had it.

On another note my father-in-law just purchased a CLK 55 and although it's been fine so far it's loaded with techie gadgets and what not and upon seeing my 98 C2S he wanted to trade his MB in

JMA

I own a 96 993 and a 2001 CLK430. The CLK is fun to drive and very fast in a straight line due to the V8. That being said, almost every major and minor system on the MBZ has needed attention at the dealer (excluding engine and trans) and if I did not have the MBZ 100K warranty, I would have gotten rid of the Benz several repairs ago.

Don't get me wrong, I luv the Benz and it still turns heads (the new W209 CLK looks like a Honda Accord coupe to me) but I have had at least 20 different warranty items repaired on the car. On the 993, I have had 3 repairs in 8 years (3rd brake light replaced, new spoiler wall faulty belt sensor). Total cost for all three about $300. I'll bet the local MBZ delership has charged Daimler $10K for all the warranty repairs on the CLK.....

Also, my understanding is that free maintenance is not included for new MBZs beginning with 2005 models. That's too bad, becasue it was during the free maintenance trips that I had the 5 or so warranty items from the previous 12 months taken care of.

The 993 wins HANDS DOWN in maintenance costs by several orders of magnitude IMHO.

djantlive

I don't think MB reliability is bad. My folks own an E320 and throughout 6 years, only scheduled maintenance and 2 issues. Granted, the car only has 33k mi.

Dealers also do unnecessary work under warranty to get more money.

I highly recommend buying a MB as a reliable car. However, I think you are choosing between two different cars. Do you want a sports car that's practical and reliable? Or do you want a sports coupe with muscle? You'll love the V8 but crave for the corning of 993.

If you need backseat space for people, definitely CLK. Otherwise, save the money & get a 993.