LUXOBARGE (sub5k) of the week/day

jimgoose

Red Kev wrote: »

...And a RR with "patina"...

By Cheeses that'd be some fun. Elbow-patches and tweed cap locked and loaded! :pac::pac::pac:

"Flying Spares" - I like that!

daRobot

Valetta wrote: »

Electric seatbelts.... how does that work?

On the Lexus he's just referring to the height adjuster for the belt, which is electric. It's something you wouldn't even notice to be honest.

mickdw

daRobot wrote: »

On the Lexus he's just referring to the height adjuster for the belt, which is electric. It's something you wouldn't even notice to be honest.

Yes but a nice gadget anyway and nothing worse than the belt cutting into your neck.
The height isn't even adjustable on my car which imo is a major f up by audi.
Going back to electric belts, presenter arms that basically hand you the belt are wonderful things specially with coupes where its a fair reach to grab the belt. I looked into retrofit on my car but it's only available on convertible version so not too easy to retro.
The other system from America that automatically closes the belt around you is cool too but doesn't seem to be too common anymore even in the states.

cabb8ge

Interioir sumptuous

http://cars.donedeal.co.uk/cars-for-sale/priced-to-sell-mercedes-benz/6867636



and long nct.

Voodoomelon

That's a nice low mileage example. I'd say the colour would put a lot of people off.

mickdw

Voodoomelon wrote: »

That's a nice low mileage example. I'd say the colour would put a lot of people off.

Weren't these known to be troublesome pre face lift?

Kaiser D

I see that car on my way to work every most mornings.

I like the colour tbh.

Voodoomelon

mickdw wrote: »

Weren't these known to be troublesome pre face lift?

Supposedly. I never really buy into the hype of certain models/years being disasters (when the buying price is so low). No doubt there's some truth to it, but it's still usually a minority of affected cars within the range. At that money it would be worth a punt. Sure you'd never buy anything if you read into all the online hype.

ofcork

Youd still have to go in with your eyes open with a W220,serious expense apparently with air suspension etc.

Voodoomelon

Deactivate, stick in regular struts, job done.

mickdw

Voodoomelon wrote: »

Supposedly. I never really buy into the hype of certain models/years being disasters (when the buying price is so low). No doubt there's some truth to it, but it's still usually a minority of affected cars within the range. At that money it would be worth a punt. Sure you'd never buy anything if you read into all the online hype.

But the face lift was later in that year ( 03) so worthwhile looking for one of them. Having said that, a relative of mine had a face lift one from new that he only occasionally used and it was an absolute money pit. Everytime he drove it, overheating, sensor issues, dropping coolant etc. Lack of use was likely much of the problem but it really was a joke and it was looked after by Mercedes on time always. So If he had the better one, the pre face lift must be fun.

Voodoomelon

What a nightmare! That would break your heart, at least he didn't drive it much. Would make you appreciate the 90s stuff from both Mercedes and BMW.

mickdw

He bought an new 08 long Wheelbase S320 cdi and that car had zero issues over 3 years.

NewApproach

That LS430 is already marked as sold. I reckon he priced it at least €1k too low.

lomb

mickdw wrote: »

He bought an new 08 long Wheelbase S320 cdi and that car had zero issues over 3 years.

So the 03 was rubbish and he went out and spent more in 08? He must have deep pockets and love Merc.
I look into w220s from time to time and the interiors are always knackered with torn seats or worn steering wheels and swirled paint. Im thinking the trim and paint quality wasn't great in these.

porsche959

Red Kev wrote: »

The "Oirish" and "Paddy spec" comments here are getting wearysome, have a look at how badly the Germans spec their cars and you might change your mind on it.

I have even seen it suggested that manufacturers introduce low spec models specifically for the Irish market. The sheer lunacy. Irish market even in Celtic Tiger bubble era was of course tiny in world terms.

mickdw

Yep. He bought a new S Class in 03 and basically parked it so yes he had deep pockets. He didnt even sell it when he bought the other one. He had the 2 for a few years.
He has had mercedes for years, one bad one wasnt going to put him off.

porsche959

Eric Cartman wrote: »

not to mention that some engine parts could be harder to find as i doubt many of them were ever sold outside ireland. the s500 is probably the easiest to look after in terms of replacement parts because of how many there are worldwide.

Just think about what you've said here. You can't seriously believe that Mercedes (or anyone) specifically introduced a model for a 100k units a year market.

lomb

I want his job! Theres a garage outside my house and a new 141 regged Merc demo S Class in the window for sale, the garage owner drives it around occasionally on weekends but Ive thought youd have to be very strong financially to take that machine out brand new. Youd have to be able to afford to replace it in 3 years as obviously it will deteriorate and you have a reputation to maintain. Youd obviously be weakened physically and mentally by the massive depreciation. Theres a guy on my road with a 02 s320 bought new and he has it ever since. He obviously was weakened a lot by that venture.

mickdw

Yep new S Class is for multi millionaire no doubt.
The man I mentioned was a very very rich man as far back as the early 80s and his business has only boomed since.

Voodoomelon

lomb wrote: »

I want his job! Theres a garage outside my house and a new 141 regged Merc demo S Class in the window for sale, the garage owner drives it around occasionally on weekends but Ive thought youd have to be very strong financially to take that machine out brand new. Youd have to be able to afford to replace it in 3 years as obviously it will deteriorate and you have a reputation to maintain. Youd obviously be weakened physically and mentally by the massive depreciation. Theres a guy on my road with a 02 s320 bought new and he has it ever since. He obviously was weakened a lot by that venture.

If he bought it new in 2002 and kept it for 12 years, it was money well spent in my book!

mickdw

Voodoomelon wrote: »

If he bought it new in 2002 and kept it for 12 years, it was money well spent in my book!

True enough. 10k per year not so bad.

L-M

mickdw wrote: »

True enough. 10k per year not so bad.

Not so bad? 10 grand a year on depreciation... lol.

Sobanek

Limerick man wrote: »

Not so bad? 10 grand a year on depreciation... lol.

Half of what I make a year :pac:

Atlantic Dawn

NewApproach wrote: »

That LS430 is already marked as sold. I reckon he priced it at least €1k too low.

Seems to be fluctuating pricing on them alright, plenty have gone for €2k or less in the last year.

mickdw

Limerick man wrote: »

Not so bad? 10 grand a year on depreciation... lol.

You may LOL but we are not talking about someone scratching around in a 15 year old banger. I was talking about a guy who bought a new S class and speaking with reference to comments that the depreciation must financially ruin all but multi millionaires. I was inclined to agree but then 10k per year while alot is not in the multi millionaire territory. An S class would easily lose 40k in first year so keeping it over the longer period has certainly helped that guy to make the cost more manageable.
In summary, yes laughable costs when talking luxonomics but not laughable figures to people who buy new cars and remember someone has to buy them new

Old diesel

porsche959 wrote: »

I have even seen it suggested that manufacturers introduce low spec models specifically for the Irish market. The sheer lunacy. Irish market even in Celtic Tiger bubble era was of course tiny in world terms.

To my mind the paddy spec comments (in general) comes from things like this

1) Irish Corolla - no aircon, smallest engine (1.3/1.4) Uk Corolla - 1.6 petrol - aircon or electric sunroof - nicer trim inside

2) Irish BMW E34 5 series - 520i - cloth seats, no sunroof - Uk E34 5 series - 525i - sunroof metallic paint, possibly leather and aircon too.

3) Sierras - Uk drivers were far more likely to spec up a 1.8 or 2 litre and maybe go Ghia. Irish example more likely (then Uk) to be a base 1.6 L or a diesel.

4) Ventos - did they even do the GL version here with the much nicer trim, sunroof and the option of the 1.9 tdi from around 94/95????

The basis of the Paddy spec is that an irish spec car is more likely to be the base model with the smallest engine.

You can get those in the UK too - but Uk drivers/companies and owners are more likely not to spec the crap spec model

Ded_Zebra

Lets not forget that guy (in limerick?) that gets the new Focus every year. He is paying as much if not more in depreciation every year and is only driving an LX, the bog spec of bog spec Focus'.

Foxhole Norman

Ded_Zebra wrote: »

Lets not forget that guy (in limerick?) that gets the new Focus every year. He is paying as much if not more in depreciation every year and is only driving an LX, the bog spec of bog spec Focus'.

Ah but sure it's fully loaded, alloys and fog lights :pac:

lomb

I doubt a new focus would loose more than 4k which is affordable to most people. An S Class is very costly but is peanuts when compared to a private jet. I dont think a new S Class is affordable in Ireland except to anyone on over 200k pa and it would hurt then even. Theres different vehicles for different people.
Luxonomics is about the average man driving a millionaires car. But generally the average man is unwilling to fund even 50% more cost on fuel, insurance and tax so the values are near zero both here and in the UK which is why we are here.