Steve 96C4S

Oh well - bad news... the wife has said that the Mercedes simply cost a bit too much, as Geico will probably only give us $35-36k for my totalled car, and she's not comfortable spending another $13k plus taxes for the S55, so it looks like I'm "stuck" with another 2001 740i Sport or a 2001 750il Sport. Not really THAT bad news, though . At least I'll get to keep my BMWCCA National Capital Chapter license plates as they wouldn't have looked right on a Benz.

In a way I'm a little bit relieved, as the S55 kind of scared me a bit due to unknown potentially ultra high maintenance costs years and years down the road. This was a car we planned on keeping 10-12 years. I've had a 95 740i past 120K miles before and I know all the ins and outs and ups and downs of that car and what to expect. The AMG car was in another league in terms of scary down the road maintenance costs, according to what I've learned on the MB web boards.

Thanks to all that responded. I guess this case is closed. This is the car I'm most stuck on right now. I'll call them tomorrow and see where they're at pricewise:
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...ist=611#vdptop


Steve R

chris walrod

Bummer being stuck with a Beemer winter beater Now say that ten times fast..

Great looking car, BTW!!!

Texas993

My only knock on the 12 cylinder is the resale. But if you are buying cheap (as you are) and keep it a long time... it is no big deal.

That car is beautiful. And the 750 has all the goodies. Good choice!

Father of 3

Wow, that car has massage seats! I almost bought a 740i sport instead of the 993 as a "best of both worlds" car. My Wife really likes those cars so one might be in my future. Good luck with the 12 cylinder beast.

Steve 96C4S

Thanks guys: I plan on taking the wife for one last look at a 2001 or 2002 Silver MB S55 ($49995 for an 2002) tomorrow but I doubt she's going to go for it... they're just a bit too much cash compared to an 01 BMW 740i Sport (About $15k less!).

Don't laugh, but I actually looked into getting a 2005 Chrysler 300 today too, fully loaded with every option for $35987, supposedly below invoice, 3 yr 36k mile full warranty with 7 yr 70k powertrain warranty, or something like that. I rented one last Aug and put on 1500 miles from Mt Whitney, to Yosemite, Big Sur, Carmel, and down to Pasadena. Had a blast. It's the only American car I'd even consider. That hemi puts out 340 hp according to the saleman I talked to today. I may take a look at it tomorrow. The interior is a bit hideous, but I think I might check it out...

Anyone here own a 2005 300? or 300C with the Hemi?



Steve R

Phil

what is wrong with the interior?>>>>>>>>>are you a car snob?

blackcat

black's too hard to keep clean (ask me how I know)

lowblow

Pete-

I leased an 05' Hemi powered Magnum for my wife. I asked her what she wanted and that was it. I believe the Magnum is the same chasis as the 300.

It's a nice car. I agree with you on the interior but the car has EVERYTHING. My wifes favorite feature is the satellite radio.

The car is quite heavy, (4,200 lbs), therefore it rides really nice on the highway. DO NOT EVEN CONSIDER IT WITHOUT THE HEMI!. It's just too heavy and an absolute pig with the smaller motor, but with the Hemi it moves out pretty good.

So far its working out well for our small family, (we have a 4 year old daughter).

Mike

Steve 96C4S

lowblow: Thanks for the report back on life with a hemi car. It sounds pretty sweet! I'm planning on checking it out today.

black cat: I guess I'll go for silver then if we go this route, though the car looks "bad" in black.

Fill: Car snob?

Steve R

FGL28

Steve,

If you decide on the HEMI powered Domestic Benz I would go with the 20 inch rims or 22 inch rims. It looks very very cool. FWIW I love the 300 and the Magnum because it is cheap enough to buy and drive a few years and go to something else.

rmani

Get the s55 I had no idea they could be had to cheaply. It's hard to pass on the 740/750s considering how cheap they are though.

tom97c4s

I have an 03 745li and love it. I just came back fron an 800 mile (round trip) road trip and I was ready for more! It makes the miles much easier.

Steve 96C4S

FGL28: Don't laugh: I checked out the Chrysler Hemi 300 SRT8 today with 425 HP and the 20" rims. WOW!!! I was shocked...
http://www.chrysler.com/autoshow/300c_srt8/gallery.html

For an American car, it ain't bad, but they wanted about $44k PLUS $9999 OVER sticker - for American steel?!? And, they said they could deliver it in 4-6 months!

Guess I'm back on a used 01 740i Sport or a 750il Sport, but the 750's seem to be too much money ($41k). I'm going to the auto auction at Manheim with a buddy on Aug 4th so I hope I can find one! I still want an S55 but they're a bit too much money for us right now. Unless I can pick one up at auction for around $40k I'm sure we're going to get a 740iS or 750il Sport. Here's the color I'd love to find
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/494573
Is this too outlandish a color? Wait a minute, I forgot I asking Porsche people

Steve

lowblow

Steve-

You don't NEED the SRT-8. Go for the regular 300 w/ hemi.

If I must say, I think the S55 is a beautiful car. I never even considered that car until you posted the pix. very nice. BTW, the Bimmer is also nice. I don't think you'll be disappointed no matter what you decide.

Mike

Steve 96C4S

Thanks lowblow. I checked out the regular Chrysler 300C with Hemi and it doesn't do anything for me in that package. The chrome-ish wheels look atrocious to me and the interior isn't for me at all. The SRT8, which is out of my price range is totally different inside and out. It's subtle in the pics, but when you see them side by side like I did today, I would never want the std model...

Steve