Wife will be getting a new GLS 450, done deal. What can current and previous MB owners tell me about what to watch for as relates to total cost of ownership? Drive forever? Plan on selling in X years?

TIA

Honestly not what this is about. I drive and always have driven the ubiquitous white f150. I know nothing about owning a euro car.

In my experience, you should find an independent shop that specializes on MBs. I bought my daughter a MB GLE 43 AMG. Admittedly the AMG has some additional costs (i.e brakes).

I am a Porsche guy, that was the first MB I purchased. I really like it. Every Euro car has its own issues. Same with our MB. I'm sure you will find the issue with yours down the road. Cool vehicle! Enjoy it! That 9 spd transmission is really nice! That thing will move!

I don't know the best move on how long to keep it. There are alternating services. A and B I think. One isn't bad. The other is a bit more.... as there is more involved than just an oil change. Brakes will set you back some.

Already bought? If not, I'd worry first about getting the best deal. Pm me and I can tell you what dealership was best on recent search and purchase for family member

Lease from my YouTube hero in Cleveland

Little unclear if you've purchased yet or not, but if you need some help shoot me an email and I'll get you in front of a good Aggie at our Sewell MB store. MB prepaid maintenance was mentioned above, but it's not a super advantageous product. Happy to explain. Worked for our MB store for 8.5 years

shays@sewell.com

I would sell it before 7 yrs. If the MB is like BMW, they use a lot of plastic parts that crack after time from the heat of engine and Texas. I was given an estimate on replacing a clip that held a brake line for $800. It was at the dealer but it would take over 2 hrs to replace a holding clip because of all the other stuff you have to take off to get to it. I could go on and on but that was the one that had me sell it and swear to never buy Euro again.

My first step would be to contact titanaggie.

Thank you for the input. This is very much a life reward purchase so she spec'd an exact build after several months of shopping and the Shreveport store was able to locate when we actually went in to order the build. I'm in the pine barrens of ETX BTW.

I appreciate the advice about the depreciation slope and long term maintenance. Since it's just us at home now, we have flexibility on length of ownership. This won't be her last vehicle.

Once the vehicle is onsite, I expect to get the sales pitch on maintenance and extended warranty. Normally I turn these down, but my experience has always been ford and Honda vehicles.

Just did a B service on wife's car. A little over $800 for an embellished oil/filter change

I bought a new bmw in 2024, 20k miles in now. My advice is to get to know your car. I do as much DIY maintenance as possible. Change the oil about every 5k miles or six months. I am aware of the common issues to be on the lookout for on my car, YouTube has been helpful with this. Set a maintenance plan that is more conservative than the manual and figure out what you will do yourself and where you will take it for service when you don't do the work. Most of all, enjoy the car, you earned it!

I have a theory that European cars do best in European environments - that is, those for which they were designed. While the Texas heat is particularly unkind, they seem more likely to thrive at higher latitudes and elevations.

Never own a european car outside of warranty.

Schall 02 said:

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I have a theory that European cars do best in European environments - that is, those for which they were designed. While the Texas heat is particularly unkind, they seem more likely to thrive at higher latitudes and elevations.

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Jay Leno talked about owning a Fiat designed for southern Mediterranean climates and how poorly it did in New England winters. So you're probably onto something there.

yocod said:

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Never own a european car outside of warranty.

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I have 4 in that exact condition. Out of warranty. Those kind of absolute statements don't hold water. To each his own.

Southside AG said:

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I bought a new bmw in 2024, 20k miles in now. My advice is to get to know your car. I do as much DIY maintenance as possible. Change the oil about every 5k miles or six months. I am aware of the common issues to be on the lookout for on my car, YouTube has been helpful with this. Set a maintenance plan that is more conservative than the manual and figure out what you will do yourself and where you will take it for service when you don't do the work. Most of all, enjoy the car, you earned it!

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I couldn't agree more. To that point, I have a mechanic that helps me. I have given a Porsche mechanic and a MB mechanic a lot of business over the years. It earns a lot of good will. I had a problem with my 986 Boxster. Pinged him on the weekend and he laughed at me. Asked why I didn't call him before starting. Told him I call him when I screw stuff up. He laughed. Long story. Build a relationship with an independent shop. Do stuff yourself. And when you get in trouble.... call him.

Schall 02 said:

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I have a theory that European cars do best in European environments - that is, those for which they were designed. While the Texas heat is particularly unkind, they seem more likely to thrive at higher latitudes and elevations.

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Interesting. Never considered that. I live in the Deep South so don't really worry about cold weather. Oil recommendations are the first thought there.