comparing Genesis to MB E350

[scottdk]

According to consumer reports and JD Power 3 year dependability results, the MB E350 is more reliable than the Genesis.

Also factoring in the fact that many Benz owners use independent repair shops rather than dealers, and paying about half as much for repairs, I don't think the E350 maintenance is as high as commonly believed on this forum.

I checked with my local Benz dealer about the first 3 service visits, which are at 10k, 20k, and 30k miles.
Prices quoted are $200, $440, and $200.
Definitely higher than Hyundai, but at least the interval is longer.

Thanks for the info Nextcar - Are those 3 service visits just for oil changes, or is there additional services required? The point I was making in one of my above posts is that Asian cars are not maintenance dependant vehicles, which keeps owners' cost low. For example - the only service Hyundai recommends for my vehicle at 5 years old is a coolant flush, which was like $150 at the dealer.

 

[Mark_888]

We have to keep in mind that dealers have XX,XXX mile service packages that almost always include more than what is required by the manufacturer. They also charge for inspections that are usually done for free whenever any other service is done.

 

[dg_moore]

Thanks for the info Nextcar - Are those 3 service visits just for oil changes, or is there additional services required? The point I was making in one of my above posts is that Asian cars are not maintenance dependant vehicles, which keeps owners' cost low. For example - the only service Hyundai recommends for my vehicle at 5 years old is a coolant flush, which was like $150 at the dealer.

My wife has an Infiniti G35 coupe she bought new in 2006. I don't think she has ever gotten away from a scheduled maintenance appointment for less than $600, but she's not one to question the bill (or to ask me about the charges). On the other hand, she has not had a single mechanical or electrical problem of any kind. Of course, the car has always been driven extremely conservatively because my wife is a grandmother and drives like one. I have never driven it myself -- 50 years ago I would have enjoyed such a car, but now I value my comfort and quiet more.

 

[GenesisCaptain]

The premium brands I am familiar with have scheduled "inspection" services they perform. It is not rocket science, but they do look and clean a lot of things that most people would never touch (check all fluid levels and leaks in transmissions, rear axles, fuel tank, coolant, power steering, brake, etc.; grease stuff; check suspension bushings; full diagnostics scans; etc.). They take a much more preventative approach to operation, but they charge for it.

Unless an owner does these things themselves (or the dealers do them for free), most non-premium cars may never get checked until a major problem self-announces itself in an unsavory way.

 

[landtuna]

Also factoring in the fact that many Benz owners use independent repair shops rather than dealers, and paying about half as much for repairs, I don't think the E350 maintenance is as high as commonly believed on this forum.

I also use an independent shop. Better expertise. Lower rates.

 

[nextcar]

Thanks for the info Nextcar - Are those 3 service visits just for oil changes, or is there additional services required? The point I was making in one of my above posts is that Asian cars are not maintenance dependant vehicles, which keeps owners' cost low. For example - the only service Hyundai recommends for my vehicle at 5 years old is a coolant flush, which was like $150 at the dealer.

The 20k mile service includes brake fluid flush and cabin filter change.
The rest are all inspections.

 

[nextcar]

Another aspect of the Benz that I appreciate is the overall feel of solidity.
Compared to the other cars we've owned, such as Audi Q5, Acura MDX, Lexus ES, Genesis, the E class does feel different:

The doors are heftier and you have to fling it harder to close it.
All the knobs and button inside the car have a heavier, more solid feel.
On the road, you feel the vault like quality to the ride.
I think Benz is known for this quality, but it's only present in the E class and higher.
I drove a 2013 C class loaner for a week, and it felt no different than a V6 Honda Accord.
I hear the new $29k CLA is even flimsier.

 

[Midnightsun]

Benz is definitely a nice car however anything below their E class is no better in overall quality feel/fabrication than the Genesis. I do own a Ragtop SL, older model which was made entirely in Germany. Great, reliable, dependable car and solid throughout. Repairs at the dealership are completely ridiculous in terms of what they charge for just the simplest of work. Mercedes used to be the best in terms of reliability however they gradually became the worst and peaked when Chrysler got in bed with them. I must admit they are on an uphill momentum and recovering well after they ditched Chrysler. No way are they yet as reliable as almost any Japanese or Korean car for that matter. You buy a Mercedes or BMW because you lease under full warranty and then give the trouble back to them after 3 or 4 years, not a good long term driver unless you have very deep pockets and don't mind the down time.

 

[YEH]

For every one of those opinions there are those who do not have problems, as with any car (even here). The German premium cars do cost more for maintenance, but they do rank high in consumer reliability lists and residual value each year. While I believe the Genesis is a great value for the money, it does not diminish the results of great german engineering in BMW, MB and Audi.

The Germans, aside from Porsche, have generally lagged behind in reliability, altho MB has climbed back up from its disastrous 1990s.

In terms of depreciation, ALG gives the Genesis sedan a 3* rating (out of 5*).

Germans sedans w/ 3* ratings:

A4
A7
3 Series
E Class

2* ratings:

A8
5 Series
6 Series
7 Series
(Equus also gets a 2*)

1*

CL Class
S Class

Of course, one has to keep in mind that flagship sedans generally fare worse.

 

[ksoze]

In terms of depreciation, ALG gives the Genesis sedan a 3* rating (out of 5*).

Hard to believe that an E class or 5 series depreciates at the same pace as a Genesis. The Genesis has many attributes, but holding it's value did not appear to be one of them.

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[landtuna]

The Germans, aside from Porsche, have generally lagged behind in reliability...

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/20/us-porsche-recall-idUSBREA1J0PO20140220

 

[nextcar]

The Germans, aside from Porsche, have generally lagged behind in reliability, altho MB has climbed back up from its disastrous 1990s.

In terms of depreciation, ALG gives the Genesis sedan a 3* rating (out of 5*).

Germans sedans w/ 3* ratings:

A4
A7
3 Series
E Class

2* ratings:

A8
5 Series
6 Series
7 Series
(Equus also gets a 2*)

1*

CL Class
S Class

Of course, one has to keep in mind that flagship sedans generally fare worse.

That's good to know.
Thanks YEH.

I found the ALG website:

https://www.alg.com/insights/depreciation-ratings/

I'm not surprised that, under the 5 star category, I see a bunch of Honda and Toyota/Lexus vehicles.

 

[SR22pilot]

How all of this affects you depends on what you paid. For example, the rule in real estate is to never buy the fanciest house in a neighborhood. However, if you get the largest, fanciest house for less than what a mid level house is going for then you have done well. For that reason I bought a car with 11,000 miles on it. I suspect a lot of people on this forum have done something similar. Even though it gets one star, a person buying a used S class at a steep discount might do well on depreciation.

 

[larry'sown]

If you get any car at a deep discount the depreciation will be less for that car. Personally, depreciation means nothing to me. I keep my cars until the wheels fall off.

 

[tompass]

I love the looks of the '14 E350 4matic coupe! Ineresting to note that MB eliminated fog lights on this model. Still looks spectacular though.

 

[FastDEW1]

Good friend of mine has a Q7. The first set of brakes cost him $1100 at the dealer. He thought about doing them himself, however he needed special tools and a computer to turn off the brake lamp on the IP cluster.

Later, he spent nearly $700 for a battery change because 1. It's under the drivers seat, which required Removal and install and 2. It's a dealer only item!

Wow......

 

[nextcar]

I love the looks of the '14 E350 4matic coupe! Ineresting to note that MB eliminated fog lights on this model. Still looks spectacular though.

I agree the coupe looks very good. The new sedan with the sport grille looks almost as good. Also the sedan has a more quiet and comfortable ride than the coupe.

 

[tompass]

Plan to test drive both soon. Went to dealer today to poke around and sat in the coupe. A heck of a car!

 

[ksoze]

2014 E sedans are very nice - also love the new sport grill. A discounted E350 4matic will probably run what its sounds like a loaded list price 2015 Genesis V8 will be.

 

[tompass]

Looks like could get it for $62K with:
Parking Assist Package
Lighting Package
Keyless Go
Premium 1 Package
Illuminated Door Sills
Drivers Assistance Package
Wheel Locks
Rear Spoiler
Heated and Active Ventilated Front Seats

I know they will definitely low ball me on trade in!