cycle merc or parallel imported cabrio

[cabrio_ken]

hoping to get some feed back. should one get a parallel imported cabrio or one from cycle .. the price different is 20k. spec parallel has full works, full options... cycle car are basic but come with warranty . ask a few dealers . feed back was should get cycle merc but just hoping to get some feed back on people who has purchase a parallel merc

 

[rex7_vtec]

Hmmm the only thing thats great about getting a Merc from Cycle is that you wun have to wait 2-3 weeks for a normal servicing which could be done in 2-3 days......

Other than that I think a parallel Merc is a nicer option... However I have heard of some debates going on about different programming of the mercs that are brought in by authorised dealers and by parallels. Apparently the Mercs brought in by C&C are tuned to adapt the climate in Singapore ( Not very sure how sure this is, its a hearsay I've heard so far).

My old man bought a parallel merc, the W211 (I think). Everything was same as C&C except the speedo was in MPH instead of KMH (Which incidentally caused me 18 points and $900 fine).

We go to one of the PIs authorised workshop for servicing. So far no major problems and labour definitely cheaper than C&C. There are tons of importers of OEM products for Mercs as well. So not definite that you must get parts from C&C....

Hmm I guess thats just as much as I know about Mercs :wavey:

 

[ACSCAB2]

Hi,

Tink the major concern here is the warrenty issue; one of our members bot a parallel import CLK n encountered a major air-con prob. Tried to claim at C&C n was told to pay upfront 1st. They will then process the claim and will refund after germany paid back the money. TInk tis process took months to clear.

Also, if the PI has gd aftersales, then ok; if not, a PI car goin to C&C is highly discouraged. no priority watsoever given.

cheers

 

[cabrio_ken]

thanks it really difficult as pl give full options and 20 k lower only 210 nett while cycle is 233 nett basic option not even xenon lights. only have warranty on their side so a difficult choice

 

[rex7_vtec]

thanks it really difficult as pl give full options and 20 k lower only 210 nett while cycle is 233 nett basic option not even xenon lights. only have warranty on their side so a difficult choice

Check with your PI in regards to this issue. I believe there should be more or less some factory warranty. I know my PI changed the rear left light cluster FOC when it was faulty.

 

[sunrise]

thanks it really difficult as pl give full options and 20 k lower only 210 nett while cycle is 233 nett basic option not even xenon lights. only have warranty on their side so a difficult choice

Let's think a bit laterally why not avoid this PI or non-PI dilemma by not buying the CLK altogether? You can wait for the the bew 3 series coupe-cabriolet. Yeah you have to wait like a year plus but all that waiting would only make it sweeter when it finally come?

Or how about an Audi A4 cab - it looks more distinctive than the CLK and probably better put together too?

I just think that the two generations of CLK are more flash than flesh, with prices too heavily jacked up by Mercs' premium pricing for their coupes and cabriolets. Moreover, Mercs' quality and reliability had been falling, as reflected in surveys such as the JD power survey.

In cabrio comparisons in overseas car mags, CLK usually gets the wooden spoon for being too pricey, amongst other factors.

 

[cabrio_ken]

cant man first my wife say merc image still ok as it more a "old man" car so only allow cabrio from merc, second the interior of clk very nice and yes i am in the flashy factor cos only left 2 point for the next 9 month. got caught 3 time at ecp at the same f@#$% spot almost used the car to bang myself. so every time a car tried to race with me must always squeeze my balls and let it go let it go or no more car to drive. third guess only merc and bm has good resale value here. no choice it a sad sad day every time when i must switch on the cruise control on the high way and set it to 90 km/h.

 

[Azrielsc]

...first my wife say merc image still ok as it more a "old man" car so only allow cabrio from merc...

Wah, your wife very god man, should have pushed for the SL500/SL55 AMG, since u are still within the boundaries of the word "cabrio from merc"!!!

Anyway, i hope the forumers here give u a well-rounded opinion about both marques before plunging into it!

Cheers! :wavey:

 

[cabrio_ken]

..... since having a cabrio.. the car has not been to night spot for the past 1 year .... if i ever want to join my friends for a drink she is always there. sl or slk ... she will install a tracking device on my legs like the one the police install for offenders who are release on probation. trust me it hard the only time i get to see gals are in gym but she would be outside waiting for me at the lounge area. i guess having a nice car is a way of balancing myself. it difficult very difficult. cant tell her i need space if not she would say why do you need it and start to suspect if i am seeing another gal. was at orchard saw a very pretty gal and think she notice it and walk away

 

[Azrielsc]

So which marque are u leaning towards now? SLK or the 3-series cab? SLK from C&C is more ex and has less options than PI, your cab is definitely more practical (2+2 seater) but getting a replacement model by 2006+...

Tis a tough choice, esp if u ask a bmw forum! hahahaha! But I like your dilemma!!

 

[ACSCAB2]

..... since having a cabrio.. the car has not been to night spot for the past 1 year .... if i ever want to join my friends for a drink she is always there. sl or slk ... she will install a tracking device on my legs like the one the police install for offenders who are release on probation. trust me it hard the only time i get to see gals are in gym but she would be outside waiting for me at the lounge area. i guess having a nice car is a way of balancing myself. it difficult very difficult. cant tell her i need space if not she would say why do you need it and start to suspect if i am seeing another gal. was at orchard saw a very pretty gal and think she notice it and walk away

Wa Bro,

pity u man; really hard life..........maybe it is time u joined the Simpang No Lifers Club; Pls report to acting chairman Kenntonna at 9pm sharp, Simpang Bedok daily. The only intimacy u see there will be the Ah Nehs holding hands and waiting for bus goin to Serangoon......

Your wife will be happy.

Cheers

 

[kenntona]

..........maybe it is time u joined the Simpang No Lifers Club; Pls report to acting chairman Kenntonna at 9pm sharp, Simpang Bedok daily. The only intimacy u see there will be the Ah Nehs holding hands and waiting for bus goin to Serangoon......

Fark you very much, Ivan.

I kopi at Simpang only when I have nothing to do, just like you. Are you insulting those brothers who hang out there almost every night, or look for cheap thrill in BS when Simpang gets too boring?

Who's the no-lifer, now?

 

[GFC-Boss]

Go for PI. The OMV is higher and the before & after sales much better. The servicing is alot cheaper and faster too.

I can't comment on CLK. But for my C240V6 AvantGarde the OMV is $59,000 with full specs. Purchased price when new was $35,000 lower then C&C, and of course with higher OMV.

Warranty is by DaimlerChrylers. There are a few good garages handling Benz in Singapore.

I called up C&C for 45,000km service. Minimum charges, according to the service staff, is 6 hours. Labour hour is $120, as they quoted me. However, if the car is from C&C, labour is 50% less, $60/hr. The rest like engine oil, parts, come with discount for C&C's cars, about 10 to 20%. So for 45,000km service my cost would be: labour is $720 + 6 ltr sync engine oil + 6 spark plugs +++........

I made appointment with MBM, the Benz garage that serviced my car since day one. They quoted me $190+. I took the car in at 8.30am, then had breakfast at the coffee shop, and by 9.15am I received a phone call. Car was ready. Inclusive of labour. engine oil, parts etc.... the bill came up to $190.54

Then while cheong-ing at NS, incurred some stone chips. I went to C&C, the showed me the touch-up paint. But refused to sell me when they couldn't keyed in my registration plate into their computer. Called MBM, Kelvin said sorry they don't sell touch up paint. They only touch up for their customer for FREE. So, I drove the car to MBM and waited for 5 minutes. And all done !!!!

They are so many PI Benz in Singapore. I know 3 members here in BMWSG owns PI Benz from C200K to CLK200K. Nothing will go wrong. BTW, MBM specialises in Benz only. Need to make appointment and they have 3 garages in Singapore. Fully equipped to handle all models.

 

[ACSCAB2]

..........maybe it is time u joined the Simpang No Lifers Club; Pls report to acting chairman Kenntonna at 9pm sharp, Simpang Bedok daily. The only intimacy u see there will be the Ah Nehs holding hands and waiting for bus goin to Serangoon......

Fark you very much, Ivan.

I kopi at Simpang only when I have nothing to do, just like you. Are you insulting those brothers who hang out there almost every night, or look for cheap thrill in BS when Simpang gets too boring?

Who's the no-lifer, now?

you. haha. pls la, of course nothing to do then go simpang la, no need defensive la, me included. I am juz tellin cabrio ken to join the kopi sessions since he cannot go to pubs etc etc etc without the wife monitorin.....

n yes, fark u very much too kenn.

Cheers

 

[kenntona]

you. haha. pls la, of course nothing to do then go simpang la, no need defensive la, me included. I am juz tellin cabrio ken to join the kopi sessions since he cannot go to pubs etc etc etc without the wife monitorin..... n yes, fark u very much too kenn.

Please refrain from tickling the term "no-lifer" with the Simpang brothers. Else you will be banned there forever.

The Simpang crew has been supportive in many sense, making presence felt from kopi sessions to dinner session at Hilton. At least, some brothers showed me appreciation and gave me credits for bothering to inject some fun by organizing something, be it Simpang, Eugene Goh's Office, or the Night Safari. Yet some sceptics will simply call us no-lifers.

Fark you much much, Ivan.

And yes, Cabrio Ken, I am in your same shoes. My wife is outstationed, but phone calls will still be flowing in the wee hours to check my whereabouts. So, with or without a cabrio, it does not make a difference. You need to operate your wife's mentality like operating an exhaust - take out the "insecurity" factor.

 

[cabrio_ken]

now own a bm cabrio but the interior of merc very nice looks high class that why thinking of getting it. kopi..... how to how to.......my lunch, dinner is spend with wife every day. she has no friends make no friends so i am her only friend. such is the life .... thanks for all the input think will get pi merc. she was half joking and half serious about keep the car keys

 

[cabrio_ken]

thanks

 

[T6]

cabrio ken,

I think I must co-opt u into my mahjong club and win over your car keys liao. That way, your wife can be sure u are hanging out at my place and not some pub or club

P/s: Go for the PI Merc and use the extra savings to dress up your ride

 

[kenntona]

Cabrio Ken, devise a plan to distract her.

Some brothers have tried to congregate the wives for mahjong sessions, so as to keep them occupied. That carries a risk, though, that information flows (gossips) will be made more efficient.

The other plan is to bore her with the car fanatics, so much so that she will not wanna join you whenever you are with the "no-lifers" who gather and talk about cars only. There and then will you regain your freedom.

Me bad.

 

[cabrio_ken]

i wish man...... my sms bill is around 100 plus due to the fact that there is a facility call mms video where you send a short movie sms showing her your surrounding to verified and act as your back up..... cant help me ... she put her heart and soul to me.... so it so bloody intense that it like a little ant and you put a big micro scope and use the sun ray to tan it... now no more nite club, disco and group dating or any of those ..... day in day out same thing. for people who dont understand. try driving your car and dont look at new or other models on the road till the day you die.. and no changing of rims engine or any performance parts...then you know what i mean.. even a ferrari after some time of driving you feel like changing it the same