re: Is a Mercedes that much more expensive to maintain than the average car?

As a mechanic whos never worked on one of their engines, but has looked at one the other day while changing the brakes. Hell yes. Every bolt it seemed like was some special shape that I don't have in my toolbox.

Some small part will go out. It will be super expensive to get to the area to fix it. You will get the car back. Something bigger will go wrong. It will be very expensive. You will get the car back. Something more serious will go wrong. And again and again and again and again. At some point, you will tell yourself, damn I'm looking pretty good. I've gotten a lot of stuff fixed. I think I'm in good shape. Then, at that very moment, or shortly thereafter, something else will go wrong and it will be very expensive. Rinse and repeat.

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Based on what family members pay for Audi, BMW, and Mercedes I will stick with Toyota/Lexus

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Yep. I know only a few people who were happy with their BMWs/Mercedes. Lexus? No complaints, including about my own. They just keep going. Changing the belt and water pump every 100,000 miles at about $650 is the priciest thing I've had done.

Those and BMW are $300+ to change the fukin oil…

using same logic If you can't afford a C63s you settle for an E350. either way most of these cars are crap shoots. some have no problems while other have all of them no matter the model.

OP - if its not a c63 that you're buying for the performance aspect basic C series just don't make sense. I think the same about BMW. Owned 3 M3s but wouldn't buy a regular 3 series.

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The purchase price isn't the issue, it's the cost of maintaining it.

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Always going to be the case with luxury brands. If you're asking the question, this car isn't for you. You don't take a Mercedes to Jiffy Lube and if you do, well........

Buy a Toyota. Or anything that's reliable and the oil changes aren't $200-300+.

I have a 2009 5 series with 170k…I’ve changed out every rubber bit on the damn car, all of the cooling system except the radiator, most of the suspension…you name it. More than a couple $5k shop bills. I could drive that car 150 mph from the MS coast to NYC today. She’s not much to look at, but very fun to pedal through the gears.

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You don't take a Mercedes to Jiffy Lube and if you do, well........

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Why? What does the dealer do differently?;

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You tell me. I just spent $930 last week for a “service b” service. Basically an oil change and new air filter

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add a tire rotation and we spent $180 for this last week at a Lexus dealership.

We would we know? We all drive F250s with powerstrokes and our old ladies drive Denalis.