View Poll Results: Which to Choose?
2006 Mercedes Benz E55 AMG
39
51.32%
2006-08 Lexus GS430/460
33
43.42%
Find something else..(Post your Opinion below)
4
5.26%
Voters: 76. You may not vote on this poll
Help me Choose.. 3GS or E55
11-24-10 | 04:45 PM
#31
Pole Position
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 346
Likes: 2
From: CA
You know, I partially agree with you on this. For me, it's not that the Lexus is that expensive to maintain per se, but I think that the dealerships are just getting really greedy. Parts are not so expensive, but I have gotten some outrageous quotes on service from my dealership (Lexus of Tampa Bay). That service dept is the only negative thing I can say about my GS experience. They are really out of control. Nice people, but their prices are just to dang high.
11-24-10 | 05:13 PM
#33
parts for lexus are getting VERY expensive. just look up prices for different panels, and especially if you look at any electronics, they are no joke anymore
we have sewell here giving us good prices, but if you lurk around bmw and mb boards, you will see other similar sides where you get their parts at discounted price.
mb services are in general bad. bmw, they get more mixed reviews, my dealership is great, but i have heard bad stories. from my experience, lexus still have above average service, but i start to hear more and more bad experiences too.
i think jre002 put it well, they do get a lot more greedy these days
we have sewell here giving us good prices, but if you lurk around bmw and mb boards, you will see other similar sides where you get their parts at discounted price.
mb services are in general bad. bmw, they get more mixed reviews, my dealership is great, but i have heard bad stories. from my experience, lexus still have above average service, but i start to hear more and more bad experiences too.
i think jre002 put it well, they do get a lot more greedy these days
11-24-10 | 08:04 PM
#35
Driver
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 184
Likes: 0
From: FL
Well, having a good and honest independent shop, shopping online with discounts and having the service repair manual of the car is my strategy to minimize costs as much as possible without downgrading the quality of the car.
I really don`t like STEALERSHIPS!!!!!!!
I really don`t like STEALERSHIPS!!!!!!!
11-24-10 | 08:24 PM
#36
Rookie
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 94
Likes: 0
From: TX
I own a Benz (E class) and a GS 350. I hate Mercedes Benz dealerships...I don't know if they are just stupid or trying to rip you off, but I've had bad experiences with the one I dealt with in VA and then again with one in Houston.
I'm on my 2nd Benz and 2nd Lexus. The difference in quality and reliability is night and day. I'm never buying a Benz again - besides the incredible expense of maintaining one, I have very little faith in the dealerships and the company as a whole.
It's Lexus all the way for me, no brainer!
I'm on my 2nd Benz and 2nd Lexus. The difference in quality and reliability is night and day. I'm never buying a Benz again - besides the incredible expense of maintaining one, I have very little faith in the dealerships and the company as a whole.
It's Lexus all the way for me, no brainer!
11-24-10 | 08:33 PM
#37
Guest
Posts: n/a
that's what I was gonna say.
the 3GS will probably be as unreliable as the merc, and lexus parts aren't cheap.
I've just passed the 25k mile mark on mine, and the thing has become a rattle box. I don't know how much more i can tolerate. It seems for most people, the 3GS just falls apart after 25000 miles.
The 3GS doesn't seem very rigid either. If i go over a speedbump diagonally, the A pillar makes a cracking sound.
I haven't even gotten to the side mirror problems other people have had, but that is because I don't adjust my side mirrors. And everyone knows those cost 2 ********* to replace.
so in the end, I'd say you'll have equal amount of headache with either car.
so for me, it would come down to....
3gs is better looking. But the AMG will stick a shoe way up its ***.
the 3GS will probably be as unreliable as the merc, and lexus parts aren't cheap.
I've just passed the 25k mile mark on mine, and the thing has become a rattle box. I don't know how much more i can tolerate. It seems for most people, the 3GS just falls apart after 25000 miles.
The 3GS doesn't seem very rigid either. If i go over a speedbump diagonally, the A pillar makes a cracking sound.
I haven't even gotten to the side mirror problems other people have had, but that is because I don't adjust my side mirrors. And everyone knows those cost 2 ********* to replace.
so in the end, I'd say you'll have equal amount of headache with either car.
so for me, it would come down to....
3gs is better looking. But the AMG will stick a shoe way up its ***.
Your post argues with every major expert knows, says and have proven. Maybe just sell your GS and get something else and cut your losses.
11-24-10 | 11:03 PM
#38
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 6,806
Likes: 6
From: californication
......... is still evidence based on true bichenmoaning and actual repairs done at the shop.
and 'experts' rely on the huge collection of anecdotes from car owners to base their opinions.
the 3GS is no shining star, but I'd like to believe it is more reliable than the E60 or W211. So far, the car has been in the shop only for annoyances and recalls. No electrical failures yet. but who knows.
Has a W211 AMG ever broken down to the point of being undrivable?
These days, all the bichenmoaning by all car owners has nothing to do with a car's ability to drive down the street. it's all petty complaining.
not gonna cut my losses, as i don't have any. Plus, i'm still too chickenshiet to buy german or american.
and 'experts' rely on the huge collection of anecdotes from car owners to base their opinions.
the 3GS is no shining star, but I'd like to believe it is more reliable than the E60 or W211. So far, the car has been in the shop only for annoyances and recalls. No electrical failures yet. but who knows.
Has a W211 AMG ever broken down to the point of being undrivable?
These days, all the bichenmoaning by all car owners has nothing to do with a car's ability to drive down the street. it's all petty complaining.
not gonna cut my losses, as i don't have any. Plus, i'm still too chickenshiet to buy german or american.
Last edited by dunnojack; 11-24-10 at 11:07 PM.
11-25-10 | 09:45 AM
#39
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
That's not how statistics works.
I think there are plenty of reasons the Benz and 5 are ahead of the current, aging GS, but reliability isn't one of them. Your experience is probably relatively unusual, man. Though I emphasize with the rattle box thing. This is my biggest annoyance with the car.
The 535i I test drove was noisier and had rattles too, but that doesn't excuse it in the GS. In the 5, you have other advantages to overshadow the rattles. In the GS, you're buying partly for an expectation of quiet. I haven't tried replacing the run-flats with softer tires, though.
I think there are plenty of reasons the Benz and 5 are ahead of the current, aging GS, but reliability isn't one of them. Your experience is probably relatively unusual, man. Though I emphasize with the rattle box thing. This is my biggest annoyance with the car.
The 535i I test drove was noisier and had rattles too, but that doesn't excuse it in the GS. In the 5, you have other advantages to overshadow the rattles. In the GS, you're buying partly for an expectation of quiet. I haven't tried replacing the run-flats with softer tires, though.
11-25-10 | 01:47 PM
#40
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 904
Likes: 3
From: Florida
11-25-10 | 01:54 PM
#41
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 904
Likes: 3
From: Florida
That's not how statistics works.
I think there are plenty of reasons the Benz and 5 are ahead of the current, aging GS, but reliability isn't one of them. Your experience is probably relatively unusual, man. Though I emphasize with the rattle box thing. This is my biggest annoyance with the car.
The 535i I test drove was noisier and had rattles too, but that doesn't excuse it in the GS. In the 5, you have other advantages to overshadow the rattles. In the GS, you're buying partly for an expectation of quiet. I haven't tried replacing the run-flats with softer tires, though.
I think there are plenty of reasons the Benz and 5 are ahead of the current, aging GS, but reliability isn't one of them. Your experience is probably relatively unusual, man. Though I emphasize with the rattle box thing. This is my biggest annoyance with the car.
The 535i I test drove was noisier and had rattles too, but that doesn't excuse it in the GS. In the 5, you have other advantages to overshadow the rattles. In the GS, you're buying partly for an expectation of quiet. I haven't tried replacing the run-flats with softer tires, though.
11-25-10 | 03:50 PM
#42
Let me end this debate: Mercedes service sucks. They're out there to get you. No joke. My parents had an ML350 and an E320, they got fed up by the Benz dealership that miraculously could never figure out what was wrong under warranty, that they traded both for an LS430 UL.
Solid build goes to Mercedes.
Relability, I'd say both.
Build finish and quality, Mercedes
Parts costs and labor, Lexus
Happy feeling when driving, Mercedes.
Then finally, depending on whether or not you will keep the car past 75k miles, I'd rather cruise the Lexus than the Benz.
Solid build goes to Mercedes.
Relability, I'd say both.
Build finish and quality, Mercedes
Parts costs and labor, Lexus
Happy feeling when driving, Mercedes.
Then finally, depending on whether or not you will keep the car past 75k miles, I'd rather cruise the Lexus than the Benz.
11-25-10 | 03:56 PM
#43
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 904
Likes: 3
From: Florida
Let me end this debate: Mercedes service sucks. They're out there to get you. No joke. My parents had an ML350 and an E320, they got fed up by the Benz dealership that miraculously could never figure out what was wrong under warranty, that they traded both for an LS430 UL.
Solid build goes to Mercedes.
Relability, I'd say both.
Build finish and quality, Mercedes
Parts costs and labor, Lexus
Happy feeling when driving, Mercedes.
Then finally, depending on whether or not you will keep the car past 75k miles, I'd rather cruise the Lexus than the Benz.
Solid build goes to Mercedes.
Relability, I'd say both.
Build finish and quality, Mercedes
Parts costs and labor, Lexus
Happy feeling when driving, Mercedes.
Then finally, depending on whether or not you will keep the car past 75k miles, I'd rather cruise the Lexus than the Benz.
11-25-10 | 04:27 PM
#45
98 gs400 - rattle and squeak
03 is300 - solid
05 sc430 - squeak
07 ls460l - rattle
08 gs350 - rattle and squeak
08 m3 - rattle and squeak
numerous rx330, rx350, rx400h, es350 loaners, almost all rattle and squeak. i think with how complex cars get, especially in the luxury segment, this is just how it's gonna be. not saying i accept it, but it's how it is