Reliability of P car vs 750i and S550
07-10-2011, 11:52 PM
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Reliability of P car vs 750i and S550
I've had a 996 and 997 for almost a decade, and there hasn't been much issues with the car. My 997 has had only two problems since the purchase in 2008: 1) Leaking steering fluid that resulted in squeaking sound when going over bumps 2) Car's fan goes off even when the engine is hardly warmed up (anyone else experience this?)
As a DD that will compliment the 997, I am considering two cars: Pre-owned 08 BMW 750i Sport (which is currently being leased) or Merc S550. I have a 20 year old E-class since new, and she has over 205k miles on it. Based on my experience with the E-class, I am assuming that the Merc has less maintenance cost than the sporty BMW 750i. After the free-maintenance runs out on the 750i, I am thinking that any kinds of maintenance job on a BMW will be higher than S550. I will keep the next car for a long term, more than 10+ years.
Buying a S550 will be $8k-$10k more expensive than the BMW 750i, but in the long run, I think the ownership of the Mercedes will be cheaper.
What do you guys think?
As a DD that will compliment the 997, I am considering two cars: Pre-owned 08 BMW 750i Sport (which is currently being leased) or Merc S550. I have a 20 year old E-class since new, and she has over 205k miles on it. Based on my experience with the E-class, I am assuming that the Merc has less maintenance cost than the sporty BMW 750i. After the free-maintenance runs out on the 750i, I am thinking that any kinds of maintenance job on a BMW will be higher than S550. I will keep the next car for a long term, more than 10+ years.
Buying a S550 will be $8k-$10k more expensive than the BMW 750i, but in the long run, I think the ownership of the Mercedes will be cheaper.
What do you guys think?
07-11-2011, 12:18 AM
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My '06 997 has been way more reliable than my wife's 04 745Li (E66).
In addition to maintenance, the 997 has needed:
New driver's door springy thingy
New shift cable
New inertia sensor (in the front bumper, throwing a passenger air bag warning)
New battery
Total for these 3, about $1800.
The 7 has required:
New front suspension arms
New battery
Numerous trips to non-diagnose a CEL/Emissions fault
A Peake tool to finally deal with the nonsensical CEL/Emissions fault
The suspension arms were $2500, busting the 997's budget on one fell swoop.
But still, we've owned these cars for 5+ years, and that's the total repair minus maintenance. Not bad in my opinion, and perfectly reasonable for the cars. I don't fault the 7 for the repairs except for the CEL. The suspension arms go earlier because it's a good bit heavier. Other than that, it's an astonishing car, eats up 300-400 mile road trips like nothing and you arrive fresh. I'm sure the Merc is similar. Either way, when looking at any of these cars, they're relatively cheap to purchase, but less cheap to own. Think seriously about whether you can afford to own one after you buy it. And, keep in mind I excluded maintenance costs, which aren't a pittance but shouldn't be a cause of discomfort.
Your car can suit your lifestyle, your lifestyle should never suit your car.
In addition to maintenance, the 997 has needed:
New driver's door springy thingy
New shift cable
New inertia sensor (in the front bumper, throwing a passenger air bag warning)
New battery
Total for these 3, about $1800.
The 7 has required:
New front suspension arms
New battery
Numerous trips to non-diagnose a CEL/Emissions fault
A Peake tool to finally deal with the nonsensical CEL/Emissions fault
The suspension arms were $2500, busting the 997's budget on one fell swoop.
But still, we've owned these cars for 5+ years, and that's the total repair minus maintenance. Not bad in my opinion, and perfectly reasonable for the cars. I don't fault the 7 for the repairs except for the CEL. The suspension arms go earlier because it's a good bit heavier. Other than that, it's an astonishing car, eats up 300-400 mile road trips like nothing and you arrive fresh. I'm sure the Merc is similar. Either way, when looking at any of these cars, they're relatively cheap to purchase, but less cheap to own. Think seriously about whether you can afford to own one after you buy it. And, keep in mind I excluded maintenance costs, which aren't a pittance but shouldn't be a cause of discomfort.
Your car can suit your lifestyle, your lifestyle should never suit your car.
07-11-2011, 01:22 AM
#3
Hi,
The fan thing on the 997 is not an issue but rather is normal behavior. There have been several posts on this topic in the past, including mine from taking my car to the dealer over this and being told it's normal.
For me, BMWs are a lot more fun to drive, unless you are looking at an AMG. However, that generation of the 7 series is very ugly, in my opinion. The new generation 7 series is very nice.
If you get the BMW, just make sure it has 2+ years on the warranty.
Enjoy,
-T
The fan thing on the 997 is not an issue but rather is normal behavior. There have been several posts on this topic in the past, including mine from taking my car to the dealer over this and being told it's normal.
For me, BMWs are a lot more fun to drive, unless you are looking at an AMG. However, that generation of the 7 series is very ugly, in my opinion. The new generation 7 series is very nice.
If you get the BMW, just make sure it has 2+ years on the warranty.
Enjoy,
-T
07-11-2011, 06:59 AM
#5
fwiw, I've owned an AMG (bought new) for 2 1/2 years now and it's been uneventful (except when I punch the go pedal 
) Just oil changes and one brake fluid change.
I personally feel that BMW is going a bit down in reliability while MB is now going up. That wasn't the case so much 5-7 years ago (it was kind of the opposite.) But BMW seems to be having more issues with their cars (one big issue: HPFP.) A friend of mine bought the new F10 550i BMW and has had nothing but nightmares. The F10 is new and I'm sure they'll get things worked out but it hasn't had a perfectly smooth intro.
You can buy an extended factory warranty from MBUSA for up to 100k miles and 7 years. And it's 100% refundable if you decide you don't want it before the original 4/50k is up, or get a pro-rated refund after that.
) Just oil changes and one brake fluid change. I personally feel that BMW is going a bit down in reliability while MB is now going up. That wasn't the case so much 5-7 years ago (it was kind of the opposite.) But BMW seems to be having more issues with their cars (one big issue: HPFP.) A friend of mine bought the new F10 550i BMW and has had nothing but nightmares. The F10 is new and I'm sure they'll get things worked out but it hasn't had a perfectly smooth intro.
You can buy an extended factory warranty from MBUSA for up to 100k miles and 7 years. And it's 100% refundable if you decide you don't want it before the original 4/50k is up, or get a pro-rated refund after that.
07-11-2011, 09:19 PM
#7
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07-12-2011, 01:29 AM
#8
Rennlist Member
If I remember correct didnt the OP have a post about replacing his 997 for a more reasonable car for business purposes with clients and co-workers? Hmm...depending on the part of the company and business I'd say neither car would be much of a downgrade from the 997 in terms of producing less commentary and possible concern from those who the OP had mentioned he was concerned about before. I'd go down to a nice 5 series, E class or Audi A4 or A6 as other posts mentioned.
https://rennlist.com/forums/997-foru...e-a-997-a.html
Neither car will be cheap maintenance or dependability wise. My bud has 7 series and they are virtual money pits for things that go wrong especially out of warranty. They are more costlier than my 997's have been to maintain it seems. Mercedes S-classes seem to be somewhat better but if realibility in a luxury sedan is really desired then yeah maybe the Lexus is the better bet as others have mentioned.
https://rennlist.com/forums/997-foru...e-a-997-a.html
Neither car will be cheap maintenance or dependability wise. My bud has 7 series and they are virtual money pits for things that go wrong especially out of warranty. They are more costlier than my 997's have been to maintain it seems. Mercedes S-classes seem to be somewhat better but if realibility in a luxury sedan is really desired then yeah maybe the Lexus is the better bet as others have mentioned.
