Cost of AMG ownership

philharve

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I have been wondering if the costs associated with running an AMG model can far exceed the costs of running an non-AMG model? My 15yrs relationship with my first MB, a C230K 2000, purchased in 2005 is, I feel, coming to an end, probably sometime next year. I would like another MB because mine has proven utterly reliable and I could not entertain returning to a manual gearbox. But as a retired person I have to be careful with my pennies. I am presently looking for a C300/C350 of less than 10yrs of age. A good Mercedes could go on forever but choosing one is not easy.

I went to a local motor show recently and not surprisingly saw many examples of older Mercedes, including several AMG models. I got into conversation with the wife of the owner of an SLK 55 AMG 'Black model', 2006, and she said its performance is simply staggering (though limited) although it is not as communicative as the sports model it pretends to be. I gather the deep rumble of the exhaust note is wonderful and its best feature. I have never been 'into' coupe models, instead preferring a true 4-seater. However, for a few minutes I was seduced by the possibility of owning such a powerful machine. Then I came to my senses and realised that AMG ownership is probably outside my financial resources. Or is it? I still think a C300/C350 is a better and more sensible choice. I only drive about 5,000 miles per annum.

I have one further enquiry. From what year is a MB virtually corrosion proof? I live near the sea and the salty air can impact upon the longevity of a car's chassis. I am aware that around the turn of the century Mercedes made a big mistake with paint and corrosion resistance, which cost the company dearly. I hope that era is now a thing of the past.
 

John Laidlaw

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Counting pennies and AMG ownership aren’t normally in the same sentence...
Example my E63
Service plan £42/ month
Warranty extension £1200 for a year..
18-20 mpg average
Insurance £500/£600 a year
Gives you an idea
 
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philharve

philharve

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Counting pennies and AMG ownership aren’t normally in the same sentence...
Example my E63
Service plan £42/ month
Warranty extension £1200 for a year..
18-20 mpg average
Insurance £500/£600 a year
Gives you an idea

Hi John

Your reply confirmed what I suspected!
 

00slk

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And those are very cheap running costs for an AMG!!.................
 

LostKiwi

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A good example of relative costs.
Peter and I both had to replace the crankshaft pulleys on our r230s.
His is an SL55.
Mine is an SL500.
Both use an M113 V8.
My part was around 1/10th the cost of his.
 

00slk

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Don't forget MAF Sensors LK
500 one is a fraction of the cost of an AMG one :shock:

There is one advantage of owning an AMG, they're cheaper to insure than our 500 ;)
 

Blobcat

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I went through this when looking for my SLK - I couldn't justify the extra costs for a daily driver - purchase cost a lot more and running costs double for little real world benefit. For a weekend toy an SLK55 would be very nice.

Having said that I previously went from a W211 E320CDI to a 911 Carrera S as a daily and servicing cost went down... Insurance was the same just fuel costs went up 35 mpg average compared to 36 mpg. I had my Smart at the same time for short commuting.
 

BillyBoy

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With respect to the other part of your question, Mercedes started galvanising bodies around 2002 for some models and IIRC, but end of 2005 all models were galvanized, so any time after that you shouldn't have major corrosion woes compared to any other brand.
 

Blobcat

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With respect to the other part of your question, Mercedes started galvanising bodies around 2002 for some models and IIRC, but end of 2005 all models were galvanized, so any time after that you shouldn't have major corrosion woes compared to any other brand.
Although subframes on C's and SLK's can rust very badly and fail up through 2009...
 

peterws1957

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Thanks All

I was expecting replies like yours, which come as no surprise. I will stick to a more sensible choice and look for carefully cared for C300/C350.
The front discs and pads on mine were £1600 plus fitting - AMG and sensible don't usually belong in the same sentence.
 

The_Don

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Thanks All

I was expecting replies like yours, which come as no surprise. I will stick to a more sensible choice and look for carefully cared for C300/C350.

You only live once, purchase
Thanks All

I was expecting replies like yours, which come as no surprise. I will stick to a more sensible choice and look for carefully cared for C300/C350.


A Slk55 will have nowhere near the running costs of a Sl55, I own a few Amg cars and they are all very reasonable in terms of ownership costs, buy the Amg you only live once.

Servicing is cheap with up to 40% off labour from main dealers -

https://www.sandown-group.co.uk/offers/sandown-platinum-programme/5559/offerdetail.aspx

Plenty of main dealers on EBay selling discounted parts etc.
 
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philharve

philharve

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Although subframes on C's and SLK's can rust very badly and fail up through 2009...

The corrosion resistance issue (ref. 'fail up through 2009 ... ') is not something I have heard of before although I had read that galvanising was introduced earlier but not that it was applied to 'some models'. Your replies suggest 2010, or later, should represent a sound purchase. Coincidently, '2010 or later' is the age bracket of the Mercedes I am thinking of buying. Now all I have to think about which model, although 3-litre and above interests me.

I have used eBay for parts for my C230K several times and they were cheap and plentiful. I have replaced the nearside wing mirror mechanism 3 times because of vandalism. A mindless moron thought it funny to attack all the wing mirrors near where I live over several years. MB main dealers' parts prices are prohibitively expensive as are their used car prices.

Thanks for all your replies. You have given me a few pointers to consider.
 

fabes

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Like you, AMG running costs I could not justify.
I bought an E350 CGI and am not disappointef

Depending on your budget Mercland have a rare c350 coupe with the better M276 3.5 V6 petrol in it (I have that, its rather good)

You're in Cornwall so I suspect you expect to have to travel for the right car.....
 

Blobcat

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The corrosion resistance issue (ref. 'fail up through 2009 ... ') is not something I have heard of before although I had read that galvanising was introduced earlier but not that it was applied to 'some models'. Your replies suggest 2010, or later, should represent a sound purchase. Coincidently, '2010 or later' is the age bracket of the Mercedes I am thinking of buying. Now all I have to think about which model, although 3-litre and above interests me.

I have used eBay for parts for my C230K several times and they were cheap and plentiful. I have replaced the nearside wing mirror mechanism 3 times because of vandalism. A mindless moron thought it funny to attack all the wing mirrors near where I live over several years. MB main dealers' parts prices are prohibitively expensive as are their used car prices.

Thanks for all your replies. You have given me a few pointers to consider.
Have a read of this thread
 

LostKiwi

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If you're looking for a later car I would avoid the hybrids. They seem to have some very expensive issues.
 

coxyhog

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Just having a sport button can be expensive,I needed two front shockers for mine - £1700 & that's at an indie.
 

flowrider

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If you want an AMG that wont break the bank then look at the 55 models (C55, SLK55, CLK55) as the cost of parts and servicing for these lovely V8's is way below the 55k and 63 versions. Forget about any 65's (V12's) if costs will be a concern.
 

LostKiwi

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Petrol or diesel/electric. Like a Prius on steroids.
 

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