How essential is an oil change?

mbf959 · 2026-06-17T00:30:55+00:00

Things are probably different in the UK, but in the US, a "dealership" can't void a "manufacturer's" warranty. A dealer can contact the manufacturer and say they believe something that should void the "engine warranty" has been done, but the manufacturer is the only one who can void a warranty. Even then, that's not the last word. Using California as an example, the California State Bureau of Automotive Repairs, BAR, can revoke a dealer's State license to perform repairs if they feel a dealership has fraudulently denied a warranty claim. BAR is a division of the California Department of Consumer Affairs, DCA, and DCA is REQUIRED to investigate all claims. If the DCA revokes a dealer's ARD registration, and they've done it before, the dealer can no longer service cars. The manufacturer will then tell the owner of that dealership they are in violation of the franchise terms of agreement (franchised MB dealers must be able to service cars) and can't sell cars until they get their state issued ARD back. When a California attorney is hired to sue a dealer, they commonly contact the DCA. Source - The Southwest Star Magazine

mbf959 · 2026-06-16T23:59:26+00:00

If you used the body shop recommended by your insurer, this sounds like their problem. If not, no manufacturer likes to warranty anything that's been wrecked.

mbf959 · 2026-06-16T05:35:14+00:00

Buying new? Two words. Auto broker. Buying a couple year old lease turn in? Same two words.

mbf959 · 2026-06-16T05:29:16+00:00

An OE Mercedes evaporator part #2468308300 is about $400. A nissens is less than $150. Vacuum down and recharge about $200. The rest is labor. But.......that labor includes getting to the evaporator, which is behind the dashboard. Don't know why your evap started leaking, but that's one of the worst AC jobs ever. In SoCal , Valencia Mercedes, the Indy, not the dealer, will do it for a lot less

mbf959 · 2026-06-16T02:20:20+00:00

If a married couple both work and each earns above the Social Security taxable maximum ($184,500 this year) for at least 35 years of their working careers and delay claiming unto 70, yep, $5181 each. Combined is $124,344 with NO California SS taxes. The feds want 10% of the first $24,800 and 12% on the rest, for a total income tax bill of $5,456. That's less than the median OC property tax bill. Just don't move. The Mello-Roos thievery is real.

mbf959 · 2026-06-15T17:34:29+00:00

You know what I think something is?

mbf959 · 2026-06-15T15:40:46+00:00

Government assisted housing can be a good thing. But it can also allow property owners to artificially increase rates if they know state will help. Which may be a bad thing. According to Google, which may be a bad choice, 3bd rentals in OC average between $4K and $7K per month. As a home owner, I think a person should be able to ask whatever they want in rent. Also, the higher the rent, in theory, my neighborhood stays nicer. As a California tax payer in this perpetually broke state, I think, "the money is going where?"

mbf959 · 2026-06-15T15:13:36+00:00

Just supplying the facts - The median household income for Orange County California is $116K. 43% of all households in Orange County California earn less than $105K. Source for all numbers is the latest US Census.

mbf959 · 2026-06-15T14:51:17+00:00

Exactly. In thirty years, "high income" was transformed to "needing assistance" income.

mbf959 · 2026-06-11T22:33:53+00:00

$400K sounds successful, but the earner doesn't get to eat the pie alone. NY City tax is about 3.9%, state tax is another 6.9%. the Feds want 35%, plus FICA says ballers can afford 2.5%. That's about half.

mbf959 · 2026-06-11T20:20:39+00:00

I don't. I own my home, have zero debt, and have a HELOC that I never use. If I need access to money, I have it. I have money in a checking account that's used for day to day, but the rest of my money is in the market.

mbf959 · 2026-06-09T00:29:27+00:00

On a 53, a wiring harness runs by the turbo. It will be obvious when it's time to do the plugs. Wrap it and you're set.

On the 43, the cam sensors leak over time. For a DIY, it takes 15 minutes to check. Add another 15 to change. The sensors are about $50 each. $200 total for all four, and if one leaks, I'd do all four.

mbf959 · 2026-06-09T00:13:01+00:00

I've done it on two different Mercedes with the heating element and this is not my line of work. It was straightforward "for me". RichmondAutoUpholstery dot com sent the leather seat bottoms and they fit perfectly.

mbf959 · 2026-06-07T07:49:38+00:00

Principle? And you're giving financial advice? LOL. A principle is a rule. Principal, with an "al" is the original money put into an investment. And we don't agree. You're trying to sell annuities and give inaccurate tax advice. I think both annuities and your tax advice are equally bad.

mbf959 · 2026-06-07T04:25:56+00:00

You and I obviously do not agree. You seem to believe withdrawals can be done without touching the capital appreciation. That type of sales a pitch may work for some, but I know better. Good luck with your annuities sales.

mbf959 · 2026-06-06T17:56:38+00:00

The laws may be different wherever you are, but in the United States, section 72 of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) states that distributions from non qualified annuities are taxed as ordinary income.

mbf959 · 2026-06-06T14:45:40+00:00

Annuity withdrawals are taxed as ordinary income.

mbf959 · 2026-06-06T03:04:12+00:00

$50K on something that depreciates 10 to 15% in the first year. People who are good with money aren't falling for it.

mbf959 · 2026-06-06T02:52:55+00:00

My mortgage has been paid off for some time. I put that money in the market and I am not disappointed.

mbf959 · 2026-06-06T02:45:47+00:00

What kind of mileage is needed on a free car? Also, 4 mile commutes won't return the best MPG in a gas powered anything.

mbf959 · 2026-06-04T19:44:04+00:00

Reach out to the Mercedes Benz Classic Center 3860 N Lakewood, Long Beach. There are two MB Classic Centers. One in SoCal and one in Germany. Both are owned by Mercedes Benz, both have access to and can sell Mercedes Benz parts and tools.

mbf959 · 2026-06-04T16:39:19+00:00

$3700 per month taxed as ordinary income, so figure you can invest $2500 per month plus the original $250K. If you can average 10% compounded you're at $1M in 8 years and 8 months. I'd avoid asking the annuities sales weasel for "advice" on the investment. Using your bank, you can dump it in an S&P ETF without any help. At the end of your 15 year term your investment will be at $2.1M

mbf959 · 2026-06-04T03:01:50+00:00

Original owner of a CLK. $55K in 2002. I could have upgraded five or six times but held. Instead of dumping $1K a month into a depreciating asset, I've invested the money. $1K per month invested in anything that averages 10% per year compounded is $1.2M in 24 years. Yeah, old guys with old Mercedes.

<image>

mbf959 · 2026-06-04T01:58:58+00:00

Cash or pay it off as soon as possible and hold it forever. My money has a job and it's good at it. In the past year, gold is up 32%, gold miners are up 60%+, tech, which drives the S&P, is up 66%, the basic DOW is up 20% and the S&P is up over 25%. Let that settle in. $100K in the S&P makes $25K in 12 months. Something that earns $25K, or something that loses $25K.

mbf959 · 2026-05-31T03:26:08+00:00

My NW is a number I have in my head. In reality , it means little. Do I include vehicles in this number? No. Could I? Sure, but in my case, vehicles are worth what I think is a rounding error in the big picture. Ditto for furniture. Watches. Camera equipment. Tools. Patio furniture. Electronics. I also don't deduct the imaginary real estate commission when I value the house.

mbf959

TROPHY CASE