Car Question....

NorCal Boater

NorCal Boater

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Jan 24, 2008
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Covington, LA
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Over the 12 years or so I've been a member of this Forum I've come to appreciate the opinions of many of you so I have this car-related question....

My wife and I are looking to buy a used, mid-size SUV. We would like one that will last as long as possible as I am 70 this year. We have narrowed it down between 2 choices....

  • 2016 Mercedes 350 GLE 32,000 miles
  • 2018 GMC Acadia Denali 32,000 miles
The cars are the same price, both in excellent condition, perfect Carfax history and we like them both and they will both do what we want. I've never owned a Mercedes before. Consumer Reports gives a bit of an overall edge to the Benz.

Opinions please....

Thanks
Shawn
 
Better find an independant repair person for the Benz, the repairs and parts are much more than the GMC
 
I bought a Chrysler crossfire that was 5 years old, changed the battery and oil, nothing else for 5 years.

The crossfire was made on the Mercedes assembly line in Germany. Quality car that I enjoyed.....

My gmc products have been ok, but had to change AC compressors, condenser torque converter......

I would buy the Mercedes
 
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That’s a tough one... I stopped buying GM because of the quality about 7 years ago. My wife drives a GLS450 it’s her second one.., I always say I would never own one out of warranty.
I have driven Lexus for the last 10 years never a problem... not even a warranty claim on both of them.
If you do the Mercedes look at the extended warranty....it’s the only vehicle I would consider an extended warranty.. purely for cost of repairs
 
I know it wasn’t one of the 2 options but I would go Toyota/Lexus. Bulletproof and great resale value.
 
I’m GMC all the way. I agree with the comment above about their quality as it was subpar years back. But overall cost is significantly less with the GMC. Now what does ‘she’ want because in my house you can justify this all you want buts it’s her car!
 
All's Well said:
Better find an independant repair person for the Benz, the repairs and parts are much more than the GMC
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+1 for this. The Merc will cost more, especially if you are a dealership only kind of person. You can throw a rock and hit a GM dealership. The downside, GMC is just a dressed up Chevy.
 
Timely post.... I'm about to bite the bullet on a '17 Acadia Denali for my wife in the next few days.

If you're keeping it long term, as said above, warranty and a good mechanic is a must with the Mercedes. The Denali's are very well equipped for the price!

Off-subject, but I'm getting rid of my '19 Ram 1500 as I don't drive it. Over the past 18 months, I've been amazed at the number of new members on that forum trading in Mercedes, BMW and Porches for a full size truck. All domestics have come a long way in terms of features - while still costing less than most imports to repair.
 
I have a 2015 ML350 which was rebadged in 2016 as the GLE. Currently approaching 90,000 miles the only repairs we've had so far are: replacing the switch for the fuel filler cap ($115), one new set of tires after about 70,000 miles and new rear brake pads after about 65,000 miles. We have used it to tow a 21' center console from the Ohio to the Fl. keys and back every year for 4 years (1,400 miles one way). It never had to go back for initial quality issues and the service (oil changes) are done at the dealer but not that much more than a Ford or GM dealership, however, our dealer who is 45 min away picks up the car and leaves us a courtesy vehicle at no charge. I'd definitely buy another MB but probably a sedan
next time since we're no longer towing a boat.
 
Denali. GMC parts and mechanics are ubiquitous. You will feel every Mercedes event. Admiral has been driving an Acadia (purchased new) with just over 100k miles, last year we had a cam shaft position sensor error which led to a $2500 repair. Other than routine maintenance (brakes, tires, oil) the vehicle has been solid.

ETA: We pile the miles on with nearly 400 miles round trip every weekend.
 
Of the choices you offer go with the GMC but I suggest going with the Toyota/Lexus instead. The Lexus RX series is as bullet proof as you can get. Find a really good independent shop to maintain it so you avoid the high pressure dealer maintenance BS.
 
I have owned both GM and Mercedes. First the Mercedes. a 76 240D. went over 300K miles. Fantastic car. Had its share of issues over the years but nothing that broke the bank. 84 300D turbo. was a dog. 89 300TE station wagon. Again great car. Went almost 300K. But, comments about parts and labour are true. Parts are expensive unless you buy them and install yourself. If you are my age (75) you don't want to be working on your car. Once blew a water pump while driving across the country, in Arkansas. Try to find a Mercedes Shop in some little town in Arkansas! Fortunately there was a shop that worked on German cars.

GMs. Currently drive a 2005 Chevy Trailblazer. Bought it to tow my boat. 183K miles and it's starting to need a lot of parts replacement. Just put in a new power steering pump. The pump wasn't all that expensive but the labour was. Still cheaper than Mercedes. Next is ball joints and shocks (it bounces a lot) still cheaper than Mercedes. And I don't have to take it to a GM dealer to work on. I get most of the work done at a nearby local Firestone. Don't think I would want to do that with a Mercedes. in the past I have owned a chevy S10 pickup and a Cavalier. I got the S10 for son to drive because he beats cars to death. Not the chevy. It had a about 200K on it when the drivers door fell off. But it still ran great. I bought the Cavalier to tow behind my motorhome. Very basic car but extremely reliable. The only thing that ever failed was the fuel pump.

If you can afford it buy the Mercedes. Great cars. But if your budget is like mine (I'm retired) go for the GM.
 
Thanks. As for the Lexus I hate, and I mean hate, the front of the RX350 and most of the Lexus’. We won’t be towing a boat as I have an ‘06 F250. Wife currently drives a company car and the SUV we are looking for would be driven very little until she retires in a couple of years and gives up the company ride....probably less than 8,000 miles/year. She likes both of them. Looked long at a Toyota Highlander but she was less than thrilled. We have live in a small town but have a new MB dealer very close.

Current car is a 2011 Buick Regal turbo which was built in Germany. It’s been a great fun car but little things going wrong and I’m beginning to worry that it’s going to start costing money. Going to do drive them both tomorrow and stop at the MB dealer and talk to them about extended warranty and cost for routine maintence.

Thanks
Shawn
 
NorCal Boater said:
Over the 12 years or so I've been a member of this Forum I've come to appreciate the opinions of many of you so I have this car-related question....

My wife and I are looking to buy a used, mid-size SUV. We would like one that will last as long as possible as I am 70 this year. We have narrowed it down between 2 choices....

  • 2016 Mercedes 350 GLE 32,000 miles
  • 2018 GMC Acadia Denali 32,000 miles
The cars are the same price, both in excellent condition, perfect Carfax history and we like them both and they will both do what we want. I've never owned a Mercedes before. Consumer Reports gives a bit of an overall edge to the Benz.

Opinions please....

Thanks
Shawn
Click to expand...

I’d be weary of anything with a 9 speed transmission. Jeep and Honda had issues with theirs and the GM version is a joint venture with Ford. 2018 was the first year for it and there have been some revisions due to some issues in the early models.
 
NorCal Boater said:
Thanks. As for the Lexus I hate, and I mean hate, the front of the RX350 and most of the Lexus’.
Click to expand...
I am with you...I thought the same thing. How could they screw up the front end that bad... but over time it grew on me and now I like it..I actually now think it was genius...go figure
 
Chris-380 said:
I bought a Chrysler crossfire that was 5 years old, changed the battery and oil, nothing else for 5 years.

The crossfire was made on the Mercedes assembly line in Germany. Quality car that I enjoyed.....

My gmc products have been ok, but had to change AC compressors, condenser torque converter......

I would by the Mercedes
Click to expand...
We had a Crossfire too great little ride and virtually trouble free for 5 years we owned it. Went BMW 750i in 2012. Still driving it. Dealer replaced the short block at 51,000 miles for a possible crack in the block that was asymptotic. I had the dealer do a final inspection and service before it went out of warranty and they spotted it. We will likely buy another if they don’t screw up the body style like so many manufacturers have done lately. Can’t tell an Accord from a Mercedes these days!
 
The gmc will start to have issues as it gets to 100k miles. So depends on how much you’ll be driving it. I’d consider an Acura MDX.
 
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