Wanting to break L*xus habit!!

[manalishi]

There's no way to get around it - the CL is going to need more attention and cost more to run than a FSHed Lexus. There's a reason why Toyota/Lexus have done so well on the big satisfaction surveys.

But if you've just got to have an MB coupe, bargain hard to save a little money and use that to buy an older GS300 for use when the CL is poorly.

 

[glojo]

On initial appearance the list does seem shocking but since we haven't got the equivalent list for a Mercedes S Class for the same time frame we can't deduce anything from this.

For balance, could you provide a list for the Mercedes S Class for the same time frame 03 - 08?

The number of TSBs means nowt. Look at the list closely and you'll see that quite a few of the items are relatively minor, some are just providing updated information - marked as BOLD. I don't see anything on that list that would cause me major worry if I were an LS owner.

I havesupplied countless lists so I suggest you do a search for them.

TSB's are always nothing to worry about and I am surprised at how this has caused such a fuss. No car is 'bullet proof'

It is a myth to say that it is and for those that prefer to buy a Lexus, then good luck to them.

For those that think any marque is'bullet proof' then go to your local dealership and look in their service department.. I gaurantee the cobwebs will not be growing on the tool boxes

If I have touched raw nerves regarding this issue, then tough.

If you think I am being defencise then I guess you need to look in a mirror. I have NEVER said Mercedes are bullet proof, never have and I never will.

If you want to read the TSB's for other marques then feel free to do so

 

[SG CL500]

I had my front Discs/pads done recently and it cost £240 fitted.
..

Presume that wasn't anywhere near Cambridge was it? I need the same and cheapest I can get is £330 (and not AMG!)

 

[Phil Thomas]

I have had several MBs and Lexus (Lexi?) + toyota.

Were it a Latin derived word, then 'Lexi'. But I understand it is a made up word, so you could make up your own plural, given that 'Lexuses' is ugly (to my ear anyway). How about 'Lexoi'?

 

[dougal74]

If you like and are used to a Lexus do not even consider a top end Mercedes, they just aren't built to the same QC levels and with the same quality of components anymore.

That TSB sheet is ballacks for evidence of bullet proof-ness so much of it relates to squeaks and noises etc. which just goes to show (a) the high expectations Lexus owners have and (b) the attention to detail on after-sales.

Me, I drive a Land Rover, and it is pants but I love it and wouldn't drive anything else...for the moment.

 

[cl55 amg]

Presume that wasn't anywhere near Cambridge was it? I need the same and cheapest I can get is £330 (and not AMG!)

No sorry, it was in Warrington.

 

[janner]

Okay, so I'm a three-time LS 430 owner ...
Well, I'm bored, and I want sommat a bit more stylish (ie: a coupe)...I'm really taken with the CL500...
I can see myself getting yet another LS430, but really, I would like to have just ONE different car before I fekkin die (possibly from boredom)!...

Have you seen the SL60 thread? With the hardtop on it's a practical as a CL500. Much more stylish, quicker and cheap to run (if you service it at an indy and take depreciation into account). They're seriously fun to drive too with the added advantage of roof down posing in the summer.

 

[hawk20]

Glojo - LOL! Love it! I take the point. I think maybe that was what I was asking in ghe first place If you look hard enough there's no such thing as bomb proof. Except Nissans.

As to these warranty thingies. Being a simple soul, I'd never heard of them. So I could, perhaps, shell out an extra few bob to cover me against catastrophe? Except, erm, ABC problems - which seem to be the biggest buggaboo, as far as I've read.

I'm sure you all know I'll let my heart rule my head (don't we all) and get the CL500. Ijust don't want it to cost me an extra five grand before I get it home (and I've had that before, with a Citroen, but I was a total **** in those days, not the proud semi-**** I am today!)

Buy from an MB dealer and you get a full 12 month warranty. Check build date and get one built in 2003 onwards (fully galvanised and more reliable). But do drive an S class before you decide. Best saloon car in the world according to What Car and many other motoring mags all around the world. Fabulous. And much nicer to drive than the Lexus.

 

[jonnyboy]

Having owned a Lexus from new for 5 years and around 70k miles I can say it was very trouble free, apoart from the fact we had 2 x sets of discs on it as they warped. Then again, we did do 2 x very long journeys straight after fitting.....We had 2 x recalls, on both occasions we got a courtesy car, our car valeted, and a bottle of Champagne and the petrol tank filled as a corporate "apology". My last new MB was a w210 with 10 warranty claims in 3 years, all the time we were treated shabbily by 2 differing dealers. No wonder we skedaddled to Lexus.

In terms of perceived reliability, customer service, and making you feel valued, in my opinion Lexus are so far ahead of MB it's embarrassing. If their cars were a more "involving" drive they would be hard pushed not to be the tops.

That said, we're back to MB now (although there are circumstances surrounding that!)

 

[barneypooch]

Thanks for the heads-up on the SL60 - I'll go and have a gander.

Something that interests me is this: lots of cars that are a bit sloppily put together have their "QC problems" (ahem) ironed out in the first couple of years, and then go for ages without any trouble. A friend of mine always bought Jags, back in the day when they were truly awful. He just expected to have it in and out of the garage untill it worked!
My question is: do you think that say a 2004 CL500 would have been through this process, and henceforth be fairly reliable? Am I making sense (just got up!)?

 

[manalishi]

My question is: do you think that say a 2004 CL500 would have been through this process, and henceforth be fairly reliable? Am I making sense (just got up!)?

Seems you're suffering the classic head-vs-heart thing. Admit defeat, go for it.

Oh Lord, should I buy a Mercedes Benz?
My friends recommend Lexii, I must make amends,
Worked hard for my dough, no help from these friends,
So Lord, please, please find me an unusually reliable Mercedes Benz?

 

[barneypooch]

LOL - that's what I need, see? Someone to persuade me!

 

[glojo]

LOL - that's what I need, see? Someone to persuade me!

Do NOT go for a 500 if you really want an AMG.. You will be happy for a few minths and then it will be, 'If only'

My only 'If only' advice would be to go for the supercharged version.

The grass will always be greener on the other side of the hemisphere and we have ALWAYS been treated with politeness, care and courtesy by our main dealer. My loyalty can only be bought by good service.... If I got that from Lexus, and they built a big estate car, I MIGHT.... I might look at one, but Iam not fooled by all the talk of being bullet proof, that is just plain daft and flies in the face of busy work shops.

Rattles and squeks

Never heard of them.. Is that a Lexus thing?

I would go berserk if our Mercedes-Benz developed a 'rattle or squeak' but then again I suppose it is all about what we are prepared to put up with

There is not a Lexus franchaise in South Devon and so Icannot talk about good or bad experiences, but when our car is due a service or now an MOT it is always collected and a nice courtesy left for us to play with. The service manager will phone the day before the service is due to make sure it is still convienant, and then they alwaysphone a few days after the service to make sure we are happy with the work.

Whilst I continue to receive this type of care, then they will continue to receive my custom. The day standards drop, is the day you will see me asking questions about BMW, Audi or Range Rover.

Go for the CL55AMG Kompressor.. You know it makes sense (envy) Or try a LWB 320Cdi S-class

 

[hawk20]

There is not a Lexus franchaise in South Devon and so Icannot talk about good or bad experiences, but when our car is due a service or now an MOT it is always collected and a nice courtesy left for us to play with. The service manager will phone the day before the service is due to make sure it is still convienant, and then they alwaysphone a few days after the service to make sure we are happy with the work.

Whilst I continue to receive this type of care, then they will continue to receive my custom. The day standards drop, is the day you will see me asking questions about BMW, Audi or Range Rover.

Go for the CL55AMG Kompressor.. You know it makes sense (envy) Or try a LWB 320Cdi S-class

And that is the kind of service we get from our local MB dealer too.

On the S class, What Car said if you like to be driven buy the LWB; if you like to drive buy the SWB.

Personally I didn't find much difference in the drive. Both were excellent -but there is a difference when parking! So I preferred the SWB.

 

[Adam230K]

Lexus is a damn well made car... every single one i've driven is great and feels better built then some of the new mercedes. I'm interested in a soarer Twin Turbo myself...

 

[glojo]

And that is the kind of service we get from our local MB dealer too.

On the S class, What Car said if you like to be driven buy the LWB; if you like to drive buy the SWB.

Personally I didn't find much difference in the drive. Both were excellent -but there is a difference when parking! So I preferred the SWB.

I just like bigger cars, but I guess those few extra inches will make all the differences to some folks.

I can only travelin my stretched limo so am not fussed about size

 

[barneypooch]

Hello peeps,

Thanks for all the opinions, especially since I'm another annoying new boy, asking the same old questions.

Luckily (well, sort of) a client who owes me rather a large lump of wedge has gone out of business, so I won't have a spare 20 grand burning a hole in my pocket this month. Which means I can spend a while finding the right car instead of doing my usual and behaving like a ten year old with ADHD.

I think I'm set on a CL, though