Mike218

I have been looking for over a year now, but have to get the car soon. I have always had Japanese cars. I have driven both the ES350 and the MB C300. I like the way the C300 handles, but worried about long term cost.

My mechanic tell me not to go German, I'll be sorry

I have looked at the 350 UL. Its a bit roomier and a few more options, like ventilated seats, heated steering wheel and pano roof

To get the 300, I would have to eliminate the pano roof and leather. That keeps both of the MRSP around the same

I really dont know which way to go

bc6152

Well here's my two cents. I owned a VW GTI from 2006 to 2013, along with a 2006 Avalon. The VW right HID headlight bulb went out and VW wanted $220. for the bulb + installation. I bought one on Ebay for $40.00 and installed it myself. Very difficult. A windshield was $980., and a taillight bulb $30.00. I spent zero on the Avalon except for driveway oil changes and traded it for a Lexus. IMO German cars are over engineered, difficult to fix, and very expensive. I almost bought an Audi A5 but chose the 350 instead.

Canesguy

Wow, a difficult decision that only you can make. The German's are definitely more fun to drive and sporty, and expensive to maintain off warranty. The Lexus is, in general, more smooth, quiet and soft. My tastes vary back and forth on these differences.

jonmanch

The ES has a much roomier interior

Arty101

If cost of maintenance isn't an issue or covered during a leased term, then the European cars are more fun. Then again, the cost of total ownership, including depreciation will be greater. That's why I got a Lexus. I don't have the need for speed, but more for comfort.

hoppysport

Mike, I've been looking for a certified car for the past month. I love the BMW 328i but am scared to death about out of warranty repairs. I bought a new Toyota Cressida in 1991 and had the car for 17 years. The only problem was the dreaded head gasket issue. When it sprang up in 2007, I sold the car for $6,700, which was incredible considering that I bought it for $22,000 in 1991.

I have now looked at the 013 Accord V6, the 013 VW Passat and a 2012 Acura TL. Many issues with all. Only when I research the 2010-2013 Lexus ES350 do I see almost all glowing reports.

The 2013-2014 ES350 hare incredible. Plus they have so muchore legroom than the C300. If you are carrying around midgets and children, the ES350 will be fine. If you are leasing, the ES350 will be fine. If you will be keeping the car for over 5 years, get the Lexus.

I'm going to probably get a 2011 ES350 CPO with low mileage for under $25,000. I bet it will take me through 2025 with few issues. I like the former body as well as the current, but legroom isn't nearly as good...but much, much better than the Mercedes-Benz.

No matter what car I look at, I keep on coming back to the ES350. There's a general goodness there. Plus my 1991 Cressida never failed to get me from point A to point B. I do many long roadtrips for work and personal, so that's real peace of mind. Good luck with your search.

Mike218

I actually ordered the MB C300 last week. Luxury sedan,with pano rio of, lighting package etc. About same price as fully loaded UL350. Lexus has a few more bells and whistles, but the "wow" factor was not there in the Lexus.

I know, long term will problally pay more to maintain, nut this is my first German car after over 20 some years with Japenese.

Looking forward to it.

Thanks for everyone's help over here, it wasn't a easy choice

bc6152

I also looked at the Benz 300, along with the Audi A5 coupe and BMW 328 before I decided on the 350. I agree that the German cars are more fun to drive if that's a quality you desire. My sporty driving days are over. The cost of after warranty maintenance and repairs of the German cars scared me away. I also found that not all options available on the 350 that were important to me were available on the German cars. Thus, the 350 sits in my driveway. After all, that's why they make chocolate and vanilla...

Kansas

I always tell people that everyone should own a Mercedes once during their lifetimes.

I met a lot of nice people in the Mercedes service department waiting room over the many years I drove Mercedes cars ... saw the same people over and over and over and over .................................

LexBob2

As a brand, MB's reliability has been improving. See post #12.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/car...-vehicles.html

SW17LS

Are we talking about the new C300 or the current C300? I wouldn't get a C right now because the all new one is right around the corner and looks fantastic.

One of my agents has a C300 and likes it a lot. It's a nice little car...much smaller than the ES.

Mike218

Getting a 2014 C300. I never buy 1st year of a new model . Need a new car now and though I like the exterior of the 2015 C300, don't like what they are doing to the Nav. Again, pro's and con's to both, size being in the ES favor,but in the end it's the MB

SW17LS

Then I would get the ES. 2014 C is too small for me.

Jamrock27

The novelty of the exterior and 3 pointy stars will wear off pretty soon when you start visiting the service center and even more when the warranty period is over and you are out of pocket more than you would like. I am speaking from experience because I have owned 2 in the pass.


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SW17LS

Like I said, the guy I know with one has had no problems. 25k miles...