OT: Maintenance cost for older vehicles

[Ranger Dan]

Is there a website out there that estimates the maintenance and repair costs of older vehicles. My credit union and other sites list true cost of ownership for new cares, which includes maintenance.

I've been kicking around the idea of getting an early 80's Mercedes Benz 300D (or SD/TD) as a shared daily commuter with my Ecoboost F150. I have less than a 10 mile commute, but would like better mileage and prefer the look of a "classic" like the 300D as opposed to getting an couple year old economy car. The price of these (300D) vehicles is quite reasonable, but I'm not sure about estimating repairs and routine maintenance.

 

[sluggo72]

Is there a website out there that estimates the maintenance and repair costs of older vehicles. My credit union and other sites list true cost of ownership for new cares, which includes maintenance.

I've been kicking around the idea of getting an early 80's Mercedes Benz 300D (or SD/TD) as a shared daily commuter with my Ecoboost F150. I have less than a 10 mile commute, but would like better mileage and prefer the look of a "classic" like the 300D as opposed to getting an couple year old economy car. The price of these (300D) vehicles is quite reasonable, but I'm not sure about estimating repairs and routine maintenance.

Dan I don't think 'maintenance' cost for an older Benz will be the issue, certainly somebody can change the oil, which in general will be more than what it cost to change the oil in a Sentra etc. The issue will be if the main stuff (motor , transmission, power windows locks etc, interior) start going bad. These kinds of cars are labors of love, and most people that have them, figure it costs what it cost.

 

[Ranger Dan]

These kinds of cars are labors of love, and most people that have them, figure it costs what it cost.

This might be true, but it will be more difficult to sell the idea to my wife if I can't tell her that they are relative maintenance/problem free, or at least relative to a sentra.

 

[Hartzie]

Is there a website out there that estimates the maintenance and repair costs of older vehicles. My credit union and other sites list true cost of ownership for new cares, which includes maintenance.

I've been kicking around the idea of getting an early 80's Mercedes Benz 300D (or SD/TD) as a shared daily commuter with my Ecoboost F150. I have less than a 10 mile commute, but would like better mileage and prefer the look of a "classic" like the 300D as opposed to getting an couple year old economy car. The price of these (300D) vehicles is quite reasonable, but I'm not sure about estimating repairs and routine maintenance.

There is nothing more expensive than a "cheap" Mercedes.

 

[mn78psu83]

This might be true, but it will be more difficult to sell the idea to my wife if I can't tell her that they are relative maintenance/problem free, or at least relative to a sentra.

Dan, you seem like a person of integrity. With that in mind, I'd "scrap" that idea. "Labor" (costs) of love - don't forget the parts too - is more like it.

 

[demlion]

This might be true, but it will be more difficult to sell the idea to my wife if I can't tell her that they are relative maintenance/problem free, or at least relative to a sentra.

I don't know of any website which would estimate the average maintenance costs, but of course you are not buying the average car. In fact, you just talking about "some" 30+ year old Benz 300. I think you could say with a straight face that a 30 year old Benz is more problem free than a 30 year old Sentra. OTOH, for a 10 mile commute, you will never save enough money to justify buying a "good gas mileage" car over what you want. The price of crude ended yesterday in the $45 range.

No 30 year old car is problem free--that is why they are cheap.

I buy and drive lots of ancient junk to work (25 miles) mostly because of a lifelong hatred of the insurance industry. When a car gets over 30 years old, you have to look at such things as replacing the springs, especially a heavy car like the Benz. I really do not think you can sell the idea that any 30 yo car will be problem free for long.

 

[91Joe95]

This might be true, but it will be more difficult to sell the idea to my wife if I can't tell her that they are relative maintenance/problem free, or at least relative to a sentra.

They're not. Getting parts isn't easy either. Not uncommon to have to wait for them to be shipped from Germany.

 

[PSULBU]

I had this 5 cylinder turbo diesel years ago and it was a very good vehicle (IMO the best MB ever made) BUT when something does break you will pay big $ to have it fixed. You will have to seek out junk yards at this point in time for most parts and like all MB parts (and labor) they are not cheap. You need to find a mechanic that knows these well as not everyone can work on them IME. I had 260+ K on mine. MB are money pits, get a Toyota. The 1990's MB S350 TD was the worst!

 

[Peetz Pool Boy]

Is there a website out there that estimates the maintenance and repair costs of older vehicles. My credit union and other sites list true cost of ownership for new cares, which includes maintenance.

I've been kicking around the idea of getting an early 80's Mercedes Benz 300D (or SD/TD) as a shared daily commuter with my Ecoboost F150. I have less than a 10 mile commute, but would like better mileage and prefer the look of a "classic" like the 300D as opposed to getting an couple year old economy car. The price of these (300D) vehicles is quite reasonable, but I'm not sure about estimating repairs and routine maintenance.

Don't go there. Even if you are an accomplished mechanic, the "parts" part of maintenance will eat you alive. The fluids are inexpensive, but finding decent quality used parts for that thing will eat your lunch.

It's not like trying to find highly interchangeable parts for a similar vintage GM or Ford product. Having someone else do the repairs makes it even more of a case.

IMHO the w210 e class was one of their best built cars and can be found relatively INexpensively today. The w211's need to be segregated into two classes...pre-2007 1/2 and post-2007 1/2. MB has a big problem during the period 2005 - 2007 1/2 with weak metallurgy on the counterbalance camshaft timing gear sprocket affecting most of their V6 engines. The current Blue Book prices reflect this defect.

 

[jim cummings]

You guys are buying 30 year old cars and shits just now breaking?

My truck is 9 years old and I'm replacing something different every week.