Need some feedback:

I'm looking to purchase either a 2008 C350 with 55k miles or a 2009 Jaguar XF Premium with 59k miles.

Both vehicles are salvaged titles due to accidents and have been repaired.
Both will be inspected by dealer for issues
The Mercedes is in great condition both inside and out with AMG chrome rims, no nav, no backup camera
The Jag looks to be in great condition on the outside but the front seats are pretty warn, has 22" rims, loaded with nav & backup cam

Price on the Benz is $14,000 (Good condition KBB=$19,378)
Price on the Jag is $15,000 (Good condition KBB=$21,306)

If I end up purchasing the Benz I'm going to put $1k into the car by buying a C63 style front body kit and installing front and rear euro lights. The bodyshop I'd be buying the car from said they would install and paint for $200 which is another benefit.

From what I've read it seems the Jag drives better but I'm a little concerned with Jags resale value if I plan on only keeping it for a few years. I love the touch screen tech in the jag but like the interior condition and color better in the Mercedes. Would like some feedback as to what you would do.









New bumper kit and lights I would add:

 

I had a 320CDI (diesel) 2008 model C Class and never had a spot of bother with it.

It had many features and more than my 2013 XF (3 litre supercharged).

The Jaguar is a much bigger car and awkward to park. Whilst I enjoy driving the Jaguar, I was more comfortable with the Benz.

Fuel economy was much better with the Benz. Granted it was a diesel which isn't available with in USA.

 

Thanks I appreciate it. Posted in the Mercedes forum as well and was told to go with the Benz as the Jags have more problems and are 3 X's more expensive to fix.

 

just my opinion but The XF is more of an E class comparison as far as size goes. and as far a resale value, you have a rebuilt salvage title on both. Resale should be the least of your worries, because sadly it will be hard to even get rid of them. Most dealers will offer you little to no money on trade it because they will just send them to auction or the local buy here pay here store.

As far as Quality goes, it can go either way as far as costs for repairs or upkeep on any luxury brand. I have been a huge Land Rover fan for years and have owned several. Most people think they are money pits, well they can be if you take them to the dealer for everything. $1500 for brake pads and rotors, I can do it myself in my garage with top of the line parts for under $500. Same with Jag or Merc. The real question is what caused the salvage title? Wreck or Water damage? How well do you like either car? Personally the C class is too small for my tastes but I have two boys that are over 6 foot tall and rear leg room is important to me.

What am I saying. Buy the car that makes you happy and can still afford if the worse case happens and you need to to major repairs. Both are out of warranty so it is all on you either way. If cost of repairs is important I would suggest buying a new car with a warranty. Several cars in the price range new that are still comfortable to drive. Just not high end or high maintenance costs.

 

Thanks for the feedback Joey. Both were wrecks but no frame damage or major enough that couldn't be fixed with replacement parts. Both cars are pretty much even to me so I'm just wanting some opinions on each. If I could change the interior color and condition in the Jag I would probably swing that way as I like the touch screen system, etc. With the rims the car has on it I think it makes a big difference as well. On the Mercedes I have more options to customize but it's kind of bare inside with no nav or back up cam. The color of the interior is dark which I like and it's well taken care of.

On resale yeah I wouldn't expect to get anything from a dealer but I'm saving about $5k off retail and private party wise I think someone would bite if it was discounted enough under non-salvaged cars. Thanks again!

 

Which one drives better to you? Which "feels" more like your personality? Which fits your lifestyle better? Figure that out and go with that one. If a car isn't what feels good to you, you'll never like it and want to sell it faster. And when dealing with salvage vehicles, you're better off keeping it a longer time than a shorter time.

I have an 08 Infiniti G35 sedan. Thought that was all the car a person would ever need. Then I got my XFR and now it's just my work beater (a nice car none the less, but it just doesn't compare). I'm 6'4" and the Jag is soooo much more comfortable on a long drive. I drove about 300 miles over 4 hours and got out fairly refreshed. When I would do that in the Infiniti, I'd be squirming the last 45 minutes and couldn't wait to get out. The room in the Jag is much appreciated and the character of the car is so much more relaxed, that I would never go back. I'm assuming the Jag has the V8 as well? If so, it will make noises the C never will or could, and you can't put a value on that...

 

Great points... guess I really need to get a pros' and con's list going. Was hoping to hear something either really good or really bad that would make the decision easier. I'm usually an SUV guy as I like being up a little higher but I've already exhausted my favs ( 2 Escalases, Range Rover SC, and GL450) so I want to try a crack at a car for a little bit. Thanks for help!

 

I have a 2010 XF Premium and my wife has a 2008 E350 wagon. I would agree that the C class is likely to have fewer problems. That being said, if you think MB repairs are going to cost less, you're in for a surprise. We had to replace a pair of shocks on the E350 due a leak in one of them, and it cost a shocking $1700.

I've driven C300's extensively since we always get one as a loaner from the dealer. In terms of C class vs. XF, I've never considered the C class to be in the same league as an XF. I always find the ride on the C class to be rather jiggly compared to either an E class or an XF. Handling is nearly the same as an XF premium (with 19" wheels) but the C class is smaller, so it feels a more nimble. In terms of passenger space, while the XF is a bit tight in the rear, the C class is even tighter. If trunk space is important to you, the XF trunk is huge while the C class trunk is adequate.

Good luck with your decision.

 

Between two regular title cars, I would go with the XF. Those two cars, the Mercedes. Something about the appearance of that XF and it's salvage title tells me it has led a particularly hard life.

 

 

Just watched the videos. Makes me remember that you can't believe everything you see on the internet and also that anyone with a camera can be a published expert

 

With the Jag you better budget for new rims or for rim repairs as the wheels will very likely bend being 22". There is hardly any rubber on the tire sidewalls to absorb pavement ripples. That will also effect ride comfort. To my eyes the XF is also using some lowering springs that may limit the total damper travel, unless the proper short dampers were also installed. A dealer checkup should point those issues out to you.

 

Well, you are on a Jaguar forum, so most of the feedback will be to go for the XF.


What do you look for in a car?

Interior space, looks, color, drivability, technology? Those are some very important things you have to look into.

 

IKR! It's even worse with forum posters!

 

In dealing with who to believe and who's thoughts should have merit, I've modified an old saying...opinions are like a**holes and a**holes have opinions. Always consider the source ;-)

 

IMO if you want to drive something everyone else has -- get the benz...

if you want something different and more exclusive -- get the jag

I don't think there are any major issues repair wise that the jag has over the benz. if you read thru some of the other posts on this forum you'll see things like the water pump, dash leather as normal issues.

if it were me I'd get the Jag-- but comparing a C to the XF is hard due to the size.

best of luck

 

Trust me, I am always doing that!

 

Dude - it does not matter your buying a performance car for $15K !

I went through the same decision Mercedes or jag on clean cars. I went with the Jag because imo the Mercedes like BMW and Audi etc are 'ugly' looking cars but do have excellent engineering, while the Jag has both the looks and the performance.

 

AutoCheck says frame damage but Carfax no disclosure.

Report in California was:
RIGHT B PILLAR PREVIOUS BODY FILLER - STRUCTURAL DAMAGE - RRQ-RRD-RFD
Passenger Rear Quarter, Both Passenger Doors and Pillar

Is this bad to buy? 2009 FXL 45,000 miles with this kind of history? Saw it on ebay last month but was nervous about bidding.

It looked nice in the listing. Any help appreciated.

Jessica

 

Unless a car is half the market price, I would not buy it. It's a question of the unknowns as to what the damage really did to the car, and how well it was/wasn't fixed. And even if it doesn't bother you, you will have trouble getting a good sale price down the road if you don't buy it dirt cheap.