[EWL5]

Originally Posted by Sportstick

Avis has some lovely models that are already well broken-in!

I had forgotten that was their motto! Good one!

In all seriousness, I haven't been w/BMW long enough to fall in love with just performance! I'd like my dollar to go a little further and my next car to be a more complete package!

If my next car is a BMW, it'll be a nice fully loaded CPO X5!

[EWL5]

Originally Posted by myg45

My wife drives a MB C class 2017. It is now 7 years old. The car has been troubled free from the day we bought it. We bring it to the dealer for service every year. I guess if you follow that way, any German car should be good. I don't want to brag about these things since nobody knows what will happen. I love the car, except I find the seats are a bit hard. I hope the new BMW X3 seats are better.

My prior and current experience w/Mercedes:

2012 C300 4MATIC - great car but I felt the engine was underpowered for the weight

2013 E450 4MATIC - was only a 2 year lease. One of the few cars I regret turning in as it was great looking and drove smooth! Biggest knock were the low-profile AMG wheels that picked up curb rash too easily.

2016 GL450 - bought this as a CPO and had this about 5 years before replacing it w/a MY23 GLS450.

All of the cars above had that significant closing the doors felt like a bank vault feel and the electronics were super reliable (your 2017 C Class still has the COMAND system so I think you know what I'm talking about)! Even on my current MY23 GLS450, the car feels cheaper than the GL450 I gave up and Mercedes already has 2 recalls on the car and their share of 48V MH issues (the debut of their next gen GLC was a disasster)! Mercedes used to be halfway decent but currently deserve their bottom of the list rankings for "Best Cars" by Consumer Reports!

https://www.consumerreports.org/cars...s-a6159221985/

[nyalpine90]

any videos on how the lights work

[myg45]

Originally Posted by EWL5

My prior and current experience w/Mercedes:

2012 C300 4MATIC - great car but I felt the engine was underpowered for the weight

2013 E450 4MATIC - was only a 2 year lease. One of the few cars I regret turning in as it was great looking and drove smooth! Biggest knock were the low-profile AMG wheels that picked up curb rash too easily.

2016 GL450 - bought this as a CPO and had this about 5 years before replacing it w/a MY23 GLS450.

All of the cars above had that significant closing the doors felt like a bank vault feel and the electronics were super reliable (your 2017 C Class still has the COMAND system so I think you know what I'm talking about)! Even on my current MY23 GLS450, the car feels cheaper than the GL450 I gave up and Mercedes already has 2 recalls on the car and their share of 48V MH issues (the debut of their next gen GLC was a disasster)! Mercedes used to be halfway decent but currently deserve their bottom of the list rankings for "Best Cars" by Consumer Reports!

https://www.consumerreports.org/cars...s-a6159221985/

Thanks for sharing, EWL5. You have so much experience with MB's cars. I am learning from you here. My C has been my 1st German car. I have been a Japanese car fan. I now like to learn more about BMW cars, that's why I joined this forum. I've heard so many complaints about the reliability issue with old BMW cars. On the other hand, so many compliments regarding how well it drives. So, let's contribute and share your thoughts.

[EWL5]

Originally Posted by myg45

Thanks for sharing, EWL5. You have so much experience with MB's cars. I am learning from you here. My C has been my 1st German car. I have been a Japanese car fan. I now like to learn more about BMW cars, that's why I joined this forum. I've heard so many complaints about the reliability issue with old BMW cars. On the other hand, so many compliments regarding how well it drives. So, let's contribute and share your thoughts.

Which Japanese cars are you coming from?

[JoeAyalaM]

Really ugly 😕, it's sad to look at this new X3.

[myg45]

Originally Posted by EWL5

Which Japanese cars are you coming from?

My first car was an American car Olsmobile Cutlass Supreme ( 1977MY)
After that Nissan Maxima ( 1989), another Maxima (1994)

Acura TL ( 2000) which is low built quality after 10 years of driving.
Now I drive Toyota Sienna 2004 which has 296,000 miles and 20 years old.
My son, drives VW ID4 2023.
I plan to get MB C class EV when it's available.
The 2025 X3 is under consideration, if not , I will go with Toyota Crown Signia.

[MidnightLight]

Originally Posted by nyalpine90

any videos on how the lights work

You mean the interior ambient light LED strips? If so, this video demonstrates it starting at the 17:50 mark:

[nyalpine90]

the exterior lighting, headlight and taillights.

[EWL5]

Originally Posted by myg45

My first car was an American car Olsmobile Cutlass Supreme ( 1977MY)
After that Nissan Maxima ( 1989), another Maxima (1994)

Acura TL ( 2000) which is low built quality after 10 years of driving.
Now I drive Toyota Sienna 2004 which has 296,000 miles and 20 years old.
My son, drives VW ID4 2023.
I plan to get MB C class EV when it's available.
The 2025 X3 is under consideration, if not , I will go with Toyota Crown Signia.

Since none of your prior cars have been performance, I'm not sure you will be happy with the new G45:

Get the 4-cylinder G45, you will feel you overpaid for performance similar to Japanese competition. Many folks in your position are better off going to Lexus or Genesis.

Get the 6-cylinder G45, you will love the performance but may regret the cheap interior (especially near $80k).

It doesn't sound like you're a young person so I honestly don't think you fit within the demographics that BMW is shooting for w/the G45. The fact that you mentioned Crown Signia means G45 is not a serious cross-shop.

[MidnightLight]

Has anyone noticed that these lines on the dashboard disappear when you select a leatherette option? They only appear with the real leather or cloth options. I wonder if this is a bug with the configurator. It seems odd that the leatherette upholstery would delete this aesthetic detail on the dash.

[myg45]

Originally Posted by EWL5

Since none of your prior cars have been performance, I'm not sure you will be happy with the new G45:

Get the 4-cylinder G45, you will feel you overpaid for performance similar to Japanese competition. Many folks in your position are better off going to Lexus or Genesis.

Get the 6-cylinder G45, you will love the performance but may regret the cheap interior (especially near $80k).

It doesn't sound like you're a young person so I honestly don't think you fit within the demographics that BMW is shooting for w/the G45. The fact that you mentioned Crown Signia means G45 is not a serious cross-shop.

LOL. Yes, I'm not young anymore. Is 64 years considered old? I love cars. I also have a budget. I don't want to pay too much for a car. I don't race. I don't think it's worth it to do so. I have never owned a BMW before and recently I see BMW seems to sell more cars than MB. I'm curious to find out. Yes, I have to check it out before making adecision. The Toyota Crown Signia should be good for a long trip or a trip to Costco. However, I'm not fond of the CVT transmission. I love the interior of the 2024 MB GLC. I just don't think I would have 2 MBs in the garage. We'll see.

[EWL5]

Originally Posted by myg45

LOL. Yes, I'm not young anymore. Is 64 years considered old? I love cars. I also have a budget. I don't want to pay too much for a car. I don't race. I don't think it's worth it to do so. I have never owned a BMW before and recently I see BMW seems to sell more cars than MB. I'm curious to find out. Yes, I have to check it out before making adecision. The Toyota Crown Signia should be good for a long trip or a trip to Costco. However, I'm not fond of the CVT transmission. I love the interior of the 2024 MB GLC. I just don't think I would have 2 MBs in the garage. We'll see.

If you want a decent ride w/handling, you can always consider Mazda or go back to Acura if fuel economy is not too important (I wouldn't want a CVT either).

[myg45]

Originally Posted by EWL5

If you want a decent ride w/handling, you can always consider Mazda or go back to Acura if fuel economy is not too important (I wouldn't want a CVT either).

I would say no to Honda/Acura products. I would consider a Mazda CX70. However, I recently sat on the Mazda CX9 of a friend. I think the seats are a bit firm for my taste. I would go with the next MB EV. I would not pay more than 60K out of the door price.

[avi66]

Originally Posted by MidnightLight

Has anyone noticed that these lines on the dashboard disappear when you select a leatherette option? They only appear with the real leather or cloth options. I wonder if this is a bug with the configurator. It seems odd that the leatherette upholstery would delete this aesthetic detail on the dash.

Those lines are not present with the “Luxury” fabric dash option. Looks like it’s included on the standard cheapo dash. They even disappear on one of the cloth options in the UK config.

[EWL5]

Originally Posted by myg45

I would say no to Honda/Acura products. I would consider a Mazda CX70. However, I recently sat on the Mazda CX9 of a friend. I think the seats are a bit firm for my taste. I would go with the next MB EV. I would not pay more than 60K out of the door price.

Curious why you would want something as big as the CX70? Why not just get the CX90 for about the same price since you get the 3rd row and they're both equally sized?

Which Mercedes EV are you thinking of for $60k?

[internalaudit]

Originally Posted by EWL5

Curious why you would want something as big as the CX70? Why not just get the CX90 for about the same price since you get the 3rd row and they're both equally sized?

Which Mercedes EV are you thinking of for $60k?

Probably a two to three year old one.

Luxury BEVs in the US/UK depreciation is rather steep. Not as many units sold here in Canada so only the overpriced ones remain on the market.

Until data points prove current state of the art batteries easily last 15 years, depreciation on these used BEVs will remain elevated.

Manufacturers remaining quiet on battery manufacturer, specs and special features to slow down some of the degradation pathways and so it's not as easy to determine which BEVs come with superior Li-ion batteries (likely some of those from CATL).

[EWL5]

Originally Posted by internalaudit

Probably a two to three year old one.

Luxury BEVs in the US/UK depreciation is rather steep. Not as many units sold here in Canada so only the overpriced ones remain on the market.

Until data points prove current state of the art batteries easily last 15 years, depreciation on these used BEVs will remain elevated.

Manufacturers remaining quiet on battery manufacturer, specs and special features to slow down some of the degradation pathways and so it's not as easy to determine which BEVs come with superior Li-ion batteries (likely some of those from CATL).

With all the incentives the US government is throwing at EVs, it's hard to imagine a 2-3 year old EV being more cost effective than new one! Companies like Mercedes and Cadillac are throwing money at EV customers!

[myg45]

Originally Posted by EWL5

Curious why you would want something as big as the CX70? Why not just get the CX90 for about the same price since you get the 3rd row and they're both equally sized?

Which Mercedes EV are you thinking of for $60k?

I would not go with the CX90, since I don't need the third-row seats. Besides, I'm driving the 20 years old Sienna now. I keep the van as long as possible for going to Home Depot or Costco etc. In general, I'm a car guy, so I favor cars over SUV/Van. The $60K MB EV I have been waiting for is the new C-EV. I want the longest range possible (370 to 400 mile range) And yes, no more than $60K. Between now and then (mid 2025), I need to look for something to replace my minivan, that's why I look into the new BMW X3. How about you? What's in your fleet?

[internalaudit]

Originally Posted by EWL5

With all the incentives the US government is throwing at EVs, it's hard to imagine a 2-3 year old EV being more cost effective than new one! Companies like Mercedes and Cadillac are throwing money at EV customers!

What you say is quite true but if a three year old BEV is 50% off MSRP here with the features I want, I'd probably consider it though from what I've been reading, replacement batteries on BMW BEVs are much pricier. The X45e PHEV battery invoice price while warranty is already $20,000 USD. That's about the same as a new pack for a Tesla Model S!

I think for those who hold cars for a longer period, it pays to wait for better chemistries to come, 2028 is not even four years away.

$14,000 for low-income households in CA.
https://www.electrive.com/2024/06/24...ome-residents/

[internalaudit]

Originally Posted by myg45

I would not go with the CX90, since I don't need the third-row seats. Besides, I'm driving the 20 years old Sienna now. I keep the van as long as possible for going to Home Depot or Costco etc. In general, I'm a car guy, so I favor cars over SUV/Van. The $60K MB EV I have been waiting for is the new C-EV. I want the longest range possible (370 to 400 mile range) And yes, no more than $60K. Between now and then (mid 2025), I need to look for something to replace my minivan, that's why I look into the new BMW X3. How about you? What's in your fleet?

Is this the one you are eyeing? It looks quite nice on the outside for sure.

https://media.mbusa.com/releases/mer...ture-of-desire

[EWL5]

Originally Posted by internalaudit

What you say is quite true but if a three year old BEV is 50% off MSRP here with the features I want, I'd probably consider it though from what I've been reading, replacement batteries on BMW BEVs are much pricier. The X45e PHEV battery invoice price while warranty is already $20,000 USD. That's about the same as a new pack for a Tesla Model S!

I think for those who hold cars for a longer period, it pays to wait for better chemistries to come, 2028 is not even four years away.

$14,000 for low-income households in CA.
https://www.electrive.com/2024/06/24...ome-residents/

Agreed on waiting for the better chemistry batteries! Unfortunately, newer anode/cathode projects are not as hot as they once were a couple years ago and investment is starting to stall. The US (and I presume Canada) is still very much in the "chicken or the egg" phase!