What's the real cost of ownership if I buy 2010 or older Mercedes E series

First- a Mercedes will cost more to maintain than most cars- and they MUST be maintained because repairs cost even more- the actual dollar amount will depend on how the car has been maintained up to this point- it is a used car, after all- if you buy it from a private owner who has all the receipts for the maintenance- and the owner has cared for it- "gently used"- you can get off for about $1500 a year in maintenance- (including tires, battery, brakes)- if it needs repairs- sky's the limit

If you plan to keep the car for several years or more - invest in a good extended service warranty plan. Do not buy it from a dealer unless you absolutely want to pay twice what it is worth. CAUTION: you can go to ten places and find 10 different warranties and prices. They are NOT all the same. A good place to find a warranty is at Carchex.com . On a Mercedes, the engine and transmission may last forever with good maintenance - it is all the other parts that break and cost A LOT to fix. Also, with a good extended warranty - all your repairs can be done at a Mercedes dealer.