Hey Scotty, I used to have a 1999 Mercedes E300 Turbodiesel. I got into an accident after it reached 280,000 miles (I'm OK now). Loved the car and had little wrong with it. Just put a water pump and radiator on it. My dad still has his 1991 350SD turbodiesel with 140,000 miles just sitting in the garage and I love it. I wish he took it out more because it looks brand new the way he babies it and I'm thinking about getting an Acura MDX. Thoughts?
The guy I bought that Mercedes off of has another one like it but a 1998 with over 300,000 miles and it's still going. Not gonna lie, I did kinda drive the heck out of it at times. Inline 6 engine with dual overhead camshaft. Yeah, I took it for granted and loved it so much. I didn't realize what I had until I lost it.
brand new or used MDX? What's your budget?
Old Mercedes and most Acura’s are great.
(As far as the new Mercedes ones, the only one I’d even consider to be somewhat reliable is the CLA or A-class diesel. It’s very mediocre - it uses a Renault Diesel engine and a 7 speed dual clutch from Ford. And they ride exactly like a Renault Clio (a French econobox) that they share most their parts with)
Personally the only newer sporty European cars I’d trust to last (as Scotty also recommended) are the 2008-2012 Era Volvos.
I have a 2011 Volvo C30 (it’s in my profile pic) I really drive the heck out of it and it never had any serious mechanical issues with it (yet).
I would avoid the last generation Acura MDX for long-term transportation. @DayWalker can give details on the powertrain in those.
As for the Mercedes, the old ones are extremly reliable and well made:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoHX2AyWj2Q
The Acura MDX are decent luxury vehicles whether new or used. The Mercedes Diesels are decent cars with a lot of maintenance.
Buddy has a 2011 MDX, nice cars but they have an oil usage issue. Hes got 130k and its using about 1 quart every 900 miles. Tried to resolve through some older class action suit but dealer keeps PORKING him on it. Otherwise its been a great car. Not sure on newer MDXs.
