how much more expensive would it be to maintain a 1988 560 SL mercedes convertible compaired to a 1969 corvette convertible? repair costs and labor?

 

I think the MB would be much more expensive, but that is just a guess.

 

On MB theres not much you can do for your self and parts are expensive.
The vette is pretty much straight forward(somethings anyway :smash: ).
Parts are somewhat cheaper ,i guess. :cheers: :cheers:

 

If its a SB Chevy then as fare as drivetrain parts there the cheapest of any vehicle. Even if its a BB your still going to pay less. Hands down the vette is cheaper.

 

my guess would be that Mercedes parts are at least 3 times more expensive...

 

Forget it.
Send me the Mercedes,parts are cheaper overhere..... :D ;)

 

My father-in-law has a 1984 380 SL and forget about it, the MB is a hassle to maintain. Very sweet ride and finish but don't even think about do-it-yourself and buying parts at a retail outlet.

 

Mercedes don't show me a damn thing....seen enough of their cars, rode in them, and driven them......sorry....they are much addoo about nothing....been under more than a few of them too.....thank GOD I wasn't the guy working on it....some of their assy techniques are just plain stupid..

GENE :mad :rolleyes: :confused: :eek: :eek: :smash: :jester

 

:confused: Mercedes are among the finest automobiles in the world, bar none. You may be somewhat in the minority in this opinion. They're much ado about somethin' sweet.

 

mg62, you are easily impressed......at least in automotive world....

 

Yup, that's me ... "easily impressed" by Mercedes-Benz. :rolleyes:

Thanks for setting me straight, Gene. Those crafty German devils have been pulling the wool over everyone's eyes for 100+ years, making us all believe that they make the highest quality cars in the world. How do they do it?

:lol:

 

i think corvettes are #1, I was just curious as to how other "vette guys" felt about other cars like imports.

 

Not every ones eyes....
Just those who really feel that Foreign AND expensive is better, never mind the cost of parts, the cost of repairs, the extended downtime and the extra hassle just to impress your friends.

 

I might be in the minority, but I agree. There overrated.

 

mg62, easy, it's called slick sales and marketing....keep the mystique going.....do something unusual....like putting way undersized diesel engines in the car.....sounds like crap, but who cares??? puts out a cloud of smoke do credit to a WW2 destroyer, who cares???
rust out just like any other car.....interior reaks of cheapness, and the seats are only marginally better than a wooden park bench.... but then again they mostly ALL do....just that don't even try making me think it's any better....there isn't one smooth snotty talking salesman capable of palming off that way ho overpriced garbage on me.....then again I know cars too well....so it's kinda like a mouse talking sh it to a lion....

I even had one of those ingoramus salesmen types try convincing ME the car's steering wheel was in the correct position allready, and I didn't NEED tile tele.....or a seat with proper adjustabillity......much less soft enough to do a 4 hour stint in.....without killing my back/legs/butt/neck etc....

so you'r obviously sold on the mystique....fine with me....go pay 3-4 x the price for essentially a Chebby.....

I will NEVER forget helping a buddy once on one of those cars....stupid Krauts had the ***** to put bolts into the wheel hub, not studs....so when you go mount the tire, you have to hold it in place and position the first BOLT into the hub without cross threading it......yeh, really great engineering here...really great....wonderful for the guy/gal on the road changing a flat...great thought process over something so simple....

I spent a whole day with an atty friend of mine some years ago in his mercedes.....cruising and shopping....sorry, uncomfortable seats....cheap interior, a/c nothing to brag about either...typically just adequate....sat in many of them at horse/pony shows....nothing to brag about.....

now I HATE FWD drive, but a caddy is 10x the better car, especially considering the price....but all of them are too small these days....

GENE


[Modified by mrvette, 1:26 PM 9/22/2002]

 

In addition to the Corvette I also own a 1990 BMW 535i. The car has 130,000 miles on it and is a marvel to drive. The build quality is excellent and the performance is astounding. The germans have a different way of doing some things and automotive engineering as a whole is subjective, what makes sense to someone may frustrate someone else. I have seen these cars with 300,000 miles+, the seats are still in great shape, bodies are not rusting and the engine runs like a dream. There was a time when import cars were more expensive to repair and maintain than domestic vehicles. I think that margin has shrunk down to almost nothing. Go price an ABS module or a ECM for a late model GM or Ford car, they are as much as what you would pay at a Mercedes or BMW dealer for the same part.

I love my car. 4 doors, 220hp, 5 speed manual, rear wheel drive, limited slip differential, 4 wheel disc brakes and a top speed of 145mph.

 

Have been in a M3 and 740I at 100+ MPH and was impressed how quiet and sedate it seemed doing 100+. At that speed my Vette is loud and windy. See your all right (that sounds weak) but true from a classic car perspective new cars/ German sedans suck but from a reliability perspective our old c3's suck. Harley riders love their bikes while ricers make more horsepower with 500CC compared to a 1300cc Hog and outcorner Hogs etc. etc. so whose right...you all are. It depends on what you want your car/ bike to do. :jester

 

all 3 of my vettes have been convertibles, can't imagine having one that's not....that 's why I don't have a ZR1.....
so the comparisoon to the welded cage of a later modern car is like apples and oranges....no relationship other than 4 rubber tires....or trees....

so the road noise comparo makes no sense to me....but I will say this, it's true the '87 was quieter with top up, could hold a normal tone conversation at 80 mph no problem....
now in my '72 hot rod, I have to shout.....not fun....it's wind noise....
makes radio listining a PIA also....

that is about the only thing a welded metal structure sedan has over the fantastic plastic.....

GENE

 

The Mercedes will be more expensive to maintain. I worked at a Mercedes dealer for 3 years and I know some part are not affordable. But the Mercedes are some of the best engeneer car I ever drove(the new ones). They are about five years ahead from the others. But it comes at a price and with a lots of gadgets that can go wrong (and they do).

Bethween the two cars you mention, I would go with the corvette if it's not for long trip.

Stephan


[Modified by American Boy, 9:08 PM 9/22/2002]

 

Why guess? Why not call a Mercedes dealership and ask them what a water pump would cost to replace on that Mercedes? You'll have to ask them to repeat the answer because you weren't sure you heard what you heard. Then ask about fuel pumps, window motors etc. etc. German cars are extremely expensive to maintain and frankly....they are way over-rated.