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C43 or GS400?

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Old Jun 9, 2004 | 02:15 PM
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Default C43 or GS400?

Some of you may know that a red light runner totaled my GS the weekend before last. While I loved my GS I'm thinking about something different.

I'm recently married but with no children. I can drive the C43 out of the box without having to worry about mods and still have my fun.

I'm not thrilled with giving up the space, luxury, reliability and dealer but what do you think?
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Old Jun 9, 2004 | 02:43 PM
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what's your price range though? c43 is nice, but it's old and it's mb, out of warranty and you start to pay big money
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Old Jun 9, 2004 | 02:51 PM
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I'm not sure on the price range. I was within a few months of paying off my GS and looked forward to additional cash flow, as in 750 bucks a month.

I'm so emotionally drained over losing the car and nothing knocks my socks off right now. Sure, there are some cars I like but my extra cash flow outweighs them.

I don't see anything over 25 grand getting my money. Hell, I'm even considering paying cash for an early nineties 300CE and waiting for the 06 GS GT350 or perhaps even a Legacy STi (if they bring it).

These three cars come to mind right now:

98-00 GS400
98-00 C43
98-00 LS400 (not my style but a smart buy)
Mid nineties E300 turbo diesel (not my style but a tank and my wife likes it)
Or the crazy frugal purchase of an 89-95 300CE (unless the compressor or tranny conks)
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Old Jun 9, 2004 | 03:24 PM
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I know ppl will here wil scold me for saying this... but get a 740. Its an amazing machine. It rewards the driver, and still gets looks. I have a 740iL and its truely remarkable. All this talk about BMWs not being reliable is not true. If you find one with a good service history you should be ok. But let me warn you.. the 7 series is HUGE. If you want something more agile go with a 540i.
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Old Jun 9, 2004 | 03:25 PM
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Oh forgot to say... DONT EVEN THINK ABOUT BUYING THE NEW 745. Thats the POS thats giving BMW a bad name. The older 7 series are much better and as you know they're built solid.
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Old Jun 9, 2004 | 03:54 PM
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Originally posted by LeXuSrAcIn
I know ppl will here wil scold me for saying this... but get a 740. Its an amazing machine. It rewards the driver, and still gets looks. I have a 740iL and its truely remarkable. All this talk about BMWs not being reliable is not true. If you find one with a good service history you should be ok. But let me warn you.. the 7 series is HUGE. If you want something more agile go with a 540i.

ask my pal about this one, got a "deal" on a 740 sport, before you know it, $2000 for repairs......


I am waiting for the new GS also, my gs now I beat to shat! I am searching for a CPO gs to get me by until the awd gs comes out, maybe that MB CLS depending on price..... i looked at used MB, BMW, audi, hell even TX's sig had me thinking about a 350Z!!!! i just need something nice, to beat up for 12-18 months like you, why not another GS..... hassel free, no $$$$ out of pocket for repairs......

Last edited by jpa2400; Jun 9, 2004 at 03:55 PM.
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Old Jun 9, 2004 | 04:02 PM
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The C Class compared to the GS in styling, not even close. I performance stock for stock then yes C43. In reliability, well, you know . Really it comes down to what's important to you. hell, I'm giving up my 96 SC400 for a domestic from the 80s!
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Old Jun 10, 2004 | 11:35 AM
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Hi fever. Any updates? I'm not sure of early MBs but 2000+ so far are pretty unreliable. Our 2001 S500 has gone through some work for just being 10k miles: replaced battery, airmatics, seat loose, still ac problem, gdo sucks (need to be reeeally close to the gate). Sure every car breaks down here and there, but it's the amount of time and the cost that's going to kill you. Get the GS, cheaper in every way
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Old Jun 10, 2004 | 11:49 AM
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The C class is a really small car.
I would always choose a GS over a C class.
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Old Jun 10, 2004 | 12:19 PM
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Originally posted by Richie
The C class is a really small car.
I would always choose a GS over a C class.
Always.
Why get an older car?
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Old Jun 10, 2004 | 12:24 PM
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Still waiting for the insurance guys to lay out their appraisal. I had to bring my insurance guys in to subregate against the red light runner because he only carried 15K property damage.

So nothing yet. There is a 98 GS400 down the street from me that's for sale. GPS, HID, 87K miles and he wants 17.5K. Black/tan with 17s. Sounds about right?
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